A Thin Line [Animositas]

[Aerith]

I suppose there is nothing to do for now but wait.
--------

The journey through the Corridor this time was considerably longer, and at some point, Ethan had gotten separated from the others. When he exited the darkness, however, he found he didn't particularly mind his destination.

The architecture reminded him a little of home. His former home, rather. He certainly had no nostalgic feelings about the place.

Most of the people here spoke French. Ethan had read widely enough to recognize a few phrases here and there. Had he been required to communicate more directly, he would have had a little difficulty. Not that it mattered. He stuck out like a sore thumb among all the peasants wandering the streets, and they gave him a wide berth.

The large cathedral that dominated the city had captivated his attention. Leaning against a nearby statue, a veritable work of art on its own, Ethan couldn't stop tracing the details of Notre Dame with his eyes. Sights such as these were the one glimmer of potential in the human race. Unfortunately, the sublime spark required to create magnificent art like this was buried so deep beneath layers of filth that it might as well not exist at all.

Gold painted the city as the sun slowly set. Yet, people still filled the streets, many of them seeking the sanctuary of the cathedral, probably in anticipation of evening vespers. Ethan would not be joining them, of course. It didn't matter how many prayers humanity uttered. Nothing was going to redeem it.

[Lagunamov]

Traversing Time's Pond.

Another over populated world. No proper place to rest. Not after the Graveyard was turned into the defied mess it was now. And something inside the Sentiment’s mind seemed to draw it towards words with people. Why? For at it cared, they could drop dead on the spot and rot forever. But, something still dragged it to these worlds. Something buried deep beneath what little fragments of mind it had.

Animositas had no reason to visit worlds such as this. Seeing people around the cathedral walk about, living their old plain regular lives. Was it jealousy? No, that was ridiculous. All those creatures would have their lives extinguished before the sentient armor would even notice. The passage of time was something so feeble. After existing for so long, extended periods of time feel like only seconds. It wasn’t so noticeable when it first awakened, but after having recovered more memories, it was starting to sink in.

Everything it could see from beneath the façade of the girl Animositas had killed was going to fade before it had the time to notice. The people, the buildings, the streets. Everything. The crowd around it was fading and entering the cathedral, like a mindless horde, not even noticing how strange its appearance was. No, they had noticed. But humans alienated those different from themselves. They attacked those different from themselves. Killed those different from themselves. That much it could remember.

And yet, something deep inside the Sentiment drew it to the cattle. Its memories. Those memories locked away after eons in sleep, product of its mind eroding over the ages. It was deep down the need to unlock more that drew it to people, even if it couldn’t even consider them above insects. And why would it? They would all die, and nothing would change. And Animositas would still remain.


[Shadow Façade in use: Kairi.]

[Aerith]

Strange company.
--------

Through the drab sea of people, a single point of bright color stood out. Some girl dressed very differently than both Ethan and the natives was standing nearby. She looked too out of place and too young to be by herself. The rest of the people were also avoiding her. Apparently, the general consensus here was that outsiders were not to be trusted.

He pushed off the statue and threaded his way through the throng. Putting on a polite smile, he made sure to approach the girl in such a way that she would not think he was sneaking up on her.

"Hello, there. Do you need some help getting somewhere? I am new here, myself, but it seems the denizens of this world do not look too favorably upon those of us who are different."

It was a universal trait in humanity, of course, but it was especially prevalent here.

[Lagunamov]

Another one drawn.

With the crowd fading, the Sentiment’s presence became obvious to someone who decided to approach it. Someone from the outside. An off-world being like itself. That explained his reasoning at the very least. Trying to seek company with someone similar, in an ocean of being so different from them. His words reflected this. A mind that thinks likewise, to a certain point.

“I’m just… looking. Traveling. Not even certain why I got to this place,” the girl’s voice came from beneath the illusion, keeping up appearances for now. The situation felt familiar. Like when that man who called himself Jericho approached it, having seen through the illusion immediately. Of course, it was proven later that that had happened because Animositas had used the appearance of one of his partners. One who showed up later.

Keeping up an appearance now would not be difficult. So long as this creature knew what his place was. His presence was not exactly noteworthy, so confronting the man in battle wouldn’t yield anything productive. Not even salvaging memories from his motionless remains.

“It’s clear you are not from around here either,” it commented again, barely making eye contact with him.

[Aerith]

At the very least, I am not bored.
--------

Something was curious about this girl, but Ethan was having trouble putting his finger on it. She stuck out in other ways, too, not just appearance. Perhaps it was the hint of maturity that did not quite match up to her youthful appearance. Her manner of speech was off.

"Are you not traveling with anyone else? Forgive me for saying so, but a child like you should not be wandering the worlds alone."

He considered silently to himself for a moment. "This is hardly a place to be talking. Far too many people are staring." In truth, if he had to endure those stares for much longer, he would be sorely tempted to give all these sheep something to gawk over.

Extending his arm so that she could take it, Ethan smiled reassuringly. "If you would like, we can find somewhere a little less crowded to speak."

[Lagunamov]

He better not be looking for something warm.

For a change of pace, this human seemed to, at the very least, know what the word politeness meant. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t sincere – they never were – but the fact that it wasn’t approaching the sentient armor with a barrage of questions that would upset anyone was a mild point in his favor. It improved his condition from cattle to pet, in a manner of speaking.

“I can handle myself. There are very few things in the worlds that could even scare me,” it answered in the same cold tone as it had spoken before, barely turning its eye to his face. Ironically, one of the few things that could scare the Sentiment was present in the girl whose skin it was now wearing. Metaphorically speaking.

Then, whoever that man was, suggested moving onto somewhere more private to talk further, under the pretext that the local population appeared to be too inquisitive. He even extended his arm forward to Animositas. Revolting. Not that it showed on the fake face it put, that remained with the same blank expression as before. No, not blank. Bored was more accurate.

“There’s an alley that way,” it turned its head to the left, pointing to an alley between two tall buildings, figuring it’d be the perfect place, whether he was intending to actually talk further or try something else. “I can walk by myself,” the disdain in that sentence was almost palatable. If this entire approach from the human resulted in him acting over some lowly biological impulse, then the shadows cast from the buildings would make for a perfect cover for his dismembering.

[Aerith]

You really have nothing to worry about.
--------

The girl refused his offer, giving him more of clue that something was not right here. Her tone continued to be cold and far too mature for that body. She did not seem affected by his aura. Hm. That was odd.

Either there was some magic involved that could block the effects, or she was not really human.

"Ah, yes. That seems to be perfect. Shall we?"

Without waiting to see if she moved first, Ethan headed in the direction of the alley. If the girl's coldness was supposed to be some clue that she was not interested in further conversation with him, her suggestion that they continue to talk was a poor way of driving that point home.

Upon arriving in the alley, which was pleasantly devoid of people, he turned and faced the mouth, waiting for the girl to appear.

[Lagunamov]

Hard to restrain oneself from outright dismembering him.

The man proceeded to the alley first almost as soon as it was suggested, Animositas watching for a couple of seconds on its place. If he was indeed acting on some biological impulse, then him moving first didn’t show it. Or maybe that’s how he worked. His politeness up to this point appeared to be some mechanism through which to gain others trust.

Following only a couple of meters behind him, the Sentiment reached the dark alley, sensing some disapproving looks from the locals. So, that what humans had devolved into. Creatures that would ignore those different, but still feel like they had the right to judge their actions and condemn them. Disgusting. Maybe the armor ought to revert to its real for and terrorize those few that were still around, sending a message? No. That would only be a waste of time. Only a handful would be affected, and the event would fade into a rumor in a matter of days.

“So, what is it you want to talk about that required us being alone?” the image of the young girl said standing in the shadows, arms crossed across her chest. “Or was it something you wanted to do that required no one being around?” it tilted its head to the side, raising an eyebrow and painting a small smirk on the girl’s face.

[Aerith]

You think I want to...? Oh, that is rich.
--------

Ethan laughed at the girl's suggestive question. It was quite clear now that this was no ordinary girl. If it was even a girl at all. That way of speaking, though it was in the voice of a teenage girl, did not suggest it at all.

"While comments like that are amusing, they serve another purpose. What are you, really? No girl I have ever met is as cold and articulate as you are."

He tilted his head, scrutinizing her for a moment, searching for some crack in the facade, whether physical or metaphorical. "Truthfully, I wanted to talk somewhere more private to avoid causing a spectacle should my assumptions about your decidedly lacking human characteristics prove correct."

[Lagunamov]

Waiting for a slip.

This was either a perceptive man, or Animositas would need to step down and start to act more based on the girl’s memories. Of course, this could still be the man simply trying to fish for something, like some sort of recognition, or throwing a hidden compliment to further his advances on an underage girl. Either way, until certain the façade would continue.

“I am flattered,” the girl jested, moving an arm to the side. “They have always said I’m too mature for my age,” it continued, before deciding to actually address his main concern. The man was evidently onto something, having realized something was off about the Sentiment. But, how exactly could it tell something was wrong on the human front? Maybe he had some sort of special skill it was unaware of. That could be the only explanation if that entire statement happened to be sincere.

“And now I feel insulted,” the armor played along. It did agree on not wanting to cause a spectacle. After being involved in one already, and not of its own will, dealing with things quietly seemed like a better idea. The previous headcount seemed to indicate as much. “Saying I don’t have human characteristics is not very polite of you.”

[Aerith]

This charade is quite unnecessary.
--------

Ethan smiled. "Try as you might, you cannot fool me."

Whatever was beneath that disguise needed some practice at playing human. Perhaps Ethan could give his current companion a lesson or two.

"One, if you are a girl, your expression never quite matches your words. Teenagers never simply state that they feel anything, much less that they feel insulted, as you put it. You may claim to be so mature, but a girl who looks like you is far more expressive. Either you are completely dead inside, or you are something else than what you appear to be."

He shrugged a little and smirked. "Two, I have seen insulted women before, and they do not stand idly by and return the insult with a mere statement of being insulted, especially if it was a man who committed the transgression."

Tilting his head, he examined her face. "Perhaps you could tell me how close I am to being right?"

[Lagunamov]

Well, this was interesting.

The gig was up. Evidently Animositas needed to practice on how to impersonate Kairi, but that would be left for some other time. Doing so now would be a waste of time, and indulging in that would still need to access her memories for behavior data more than the Sentiment was comfortable with. It was unknown at this point if doing so would simply allow for better mimicry, or would permanently change the armor’s behavior.

“Interesting…” its thoughts trailed off as the man explained what it got wrong. He was certainly as perceptive as he appeared to be, but it the Sentiment still suspected he had caught wind of the situation through other means. Maybe nothing major, but a little oddity to clue him in. “Seems I will need to study how females behave. I would have expected for mankind to have grown, but it seems it may have gone in the complete opposite direction,” the image of the girl shrugged, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

A second or two later it started to slowly walk towards the man, looking straight into his eyes as it did so. “You got pretty close to the deal. You should be proud. In fact, you did hit the jackpot in one particular regard,” its voice trailed off, the armor standing only inches away from him, the façade looking down with half closed eyes. With a blindingly quick move it raised its arm towards his neck and lifted the man in the air, slamming him into the wall to its left. Holding him up against it, its claws pressing against his skin, and the shadow of the dead girl’s face faded away for less than a second in what appeared to be almost interference, revealing the expressionless face of the creature behind it. “I am dead.”

[Aerith]

Surprise, surprise.
--------

Despite being slammed against a wall and having what felt like razor-sharp claws threatening his neck, Ethan laughed, amused. He had been correct, after all. Knowing he was right always came with a rush of pride.

"So, you are not human." Clearly not, if that brief glimpse had been any indication. Ethan had never seen a face like that before.

"Consider that a point in your favor. You only need to pretend to be like all that filthy rabble to blend in. Much the same way I do."

He took a careful breath, mindful of the claws. "But it seems I am far better at it than you."

[Lagunamov]

Something of interest.

Well, that was an unusual reaction for someone in that position. Or, it would be unusual, but this man appeared to be on the abnormal end of the human spectrum. Indeed, it appeared he loathed mankind as much as Animositas didn’t care for them. Even going as far as ‘complimenting’ it on its lack of humanity.

“I only need pretend to move along. Interaction is an exception to the rule. Mostly because of people like you who approach,” it rambled back, but not letting go of his neck. He appeared weaponless, but experience dictated that no weapon on sight didn’t necessarily mean he was defenseless. With things like Keyblades and summoned weapons all around, an upper hand was not only needed, but welcome.

"Now, I have transcended humanity. But what is it that makes you so disgusted at your own kind?” it asked in an inquisitive manner, holding the threat of beheading by crushing his neck at all times. The Sentiment’s hand was also in contact with something… powerful. And it wasn’t him. Not a weapon it seemed, but something deeply engraved with something. Letting go before it figured out whether that was dangerous or not would be unwise.

[Aerith]

Oh, you want to know why?
--------

Ethan smiled coldly, still visibly unperturbed at being held so forcefully against the wall.

"I simply recognize humanity for what it is. Depraved. Lost. Disgusting. Not that I claim to be any better. But at least I know what I am. So many walk in ignorant blindness."

Nothing could ever change that, either. Only death would remove the fog filling humanity's collective mind.

"Perhaps you could release me now? This isn't the most comfortable way to hold a conversation."