5th Metal / open video

[godsays]

[ The video turns on Zane, who is somewhat disheveled, but, to the discerning eye, different than usual. Something too intent and high-strung has been muted, and there is a dangerous hint in his eyes. ]

Cassel is... hurt.

Someone needs to collect him.

Level 4, Cabin 12.

[ And video off. ]



[ ACTION SPAM (edited to add) ]

[ And now Zane is in zero.

He sits alone, arms crossed over his chest, his face hard and blank.

Come and visit! ]

Comments

Spam

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara considers him, for a moment.] It's important to weigh what's necessary with what's right. Telling yourself the ends justify the means doesn't make it true, not always.

Spam

[godsays]

But sometimes.

Spam

[bodilesswarrior]

[Another moment - and then, quietly.] Sometimes.

Spam

[godsays]

There were people in my world who were strong enough to do what was necessary.

I admired it because - I wasn't. I couldn't.

Spam

[bodilesswarrior]

Sometimes it takes a stronger man to let that moment pass.

Can I ask what you couldn't do?

Spam

[godsays]

Kill my father.

[ - being one thing, among many, that he couldn't do. ]

Spam

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her face crumples, just a little, because that's a devastating choice to have to make.]

I'm sorry you were put in that position.

It's not... [She shakes her head.] It's not weakness, not being able to do that. Kill family.

Spam

[godsays]

Isn't it?

I could have taken his armies. If I was stable enough. Instead I let him use me.

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[bodilesswarrior]

[Very firmly.] No. You did not let these things happen to you, Zane. Someone who you should have been able to trust, someone with power and authority over you, took advantage. That's not your fault.

Spam

[godsays]

Power?

[ This, he doesn't understand. ]

I had power. He was just a Tineye. I'm Mistborn.

Spam

[bodilesswarrior]

There are different kinds of power, Zane. He had power over you because he was your father.

Spam

[godsays]

The only things that stopped me came from me.

Spam

[bodilesswarrior]

None of us are completely independent of our environment, Zane. We're all shaped, in part, by our families - and one way or another, we're bound to them. [Her expression darkens.] Sometimes they use that against us. Sometimes they aren't worthy of that connection. But that doesn't make it disappear.

Spam

[godsays]

[ He subsides, but it's pretty clear that he's just not arguing, that he's not convinced. ]