maskormenace | [03] Video

[ The video feed starts with Walt in a room in his Heropa home, an open box on the bed filled with Kaylee's things -- coveralls neatly folded and tucked inside, wrenches and other tools laid delicately on top...the whole process seems exceedingly painful for him as with each item he pulls out of the closet, the efforts become slow and labored. ]

I don't know who knew Kaylee Frye. If you didn't, you should have. I've never met anyone so genuinely cheerful and kind. She was the sunshine in this dark, cloudy world.

[ There's a very sad, forlorn smile. This feels more like a funeral, like saying goodbye to someone who passed away. And in some cases it's worse -- them vanishing to another universe, never to remember their time here, never to be seen again. ]

She helped me when she didn't have to. She cared when she shouldn't have. She took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself. And what did she expect in return? Nothing.

[ With a long pause, it's very clear Walt is trying to maintain his composure. A breath in and a breath out. ]

I hoped I was wrong. I hoped to god I was wrong. That her disappearance was only temporary. But it's been a few weeks, and there's been no sign of her returning. I will miss her. Every day I will miss her. I already do.

This world -- it's done nothing but take things away. From me. From everyone else. Can you honestly say you've gained anything from being here?

[ Walt goes to reach into the closet for one of the final items and his hand twitches back. The sadness in the lines of his face increases as he pulls out a wrapped present -- a card reading: To Mr. White.

That's when Walt can't hold it back anymore. He sits on the edge of the bed, pulls the square-shaped present to his chest and cries. ]

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I would call it a talent. Something not many are capable of, but stride toward. Something that comes naturally to some and not to others.

I've had a great deal of practice. My brother Schneizel is very wise and my sister Cornelia very courageous and strong, but they can often be so pessimistic. I think that hope is something that nourishes a person's soul.

[ Those are interesting names. Not quite so common. ]

What sort of world did you come from?

Oh, one very much like this in many ways! ...and quite different in many more.

The world is much the same, but our histories diverge in several important parts. [She speaks, as though she's explained this several times before. Which she has.] For instance, the nation I call home is named Britannia. In my world, the American colonists lost the conflict that we call Washington's Rebellion, but the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte conquered the British Isles shortly afterwards.

The royal family escaped across the Pacific, where the queen's chosen heir established the new Holy Britannian Empire at the site of its former colonies, whom it had just pacified.

Edited 2015-07-29 01:57 (UTC)

Wow. It's incredible isn't it? How one single alteration of history can change the entire course of the world. My world differs from both this one and the explanation of yours, though from the sound of it, it's more closely related to this one. The difference is that the Cold War conflict in my world has been solved.

And there aren't flying cars.

Yes, it really is quite interesting! In my world, Russia is aligned with Britannia, so this "Cold War" never happened in the first place!

I can't say I never miss my homeland or my people, but everyone here's been quite helpful and generous.

There have been some good people. I have to admit.

[ But only some. A handful. Not too many. ]

You, being one.

[ He offers a smile. ]

But I wouldn't be so blind as to believe everyone here is so helpful and generous, if I were you.

It's possible that there are those here who would wish to harm me or take advantage of me, yes. But even these people can change, I believe. There's no such thing as a person who's inherently and completely wicked.

Sometimes people only need to be shown a bit of kindness, don't you think?

[ Walt studies her for a moment -- uncertain what to think. She speaks of such optimism, as though optimism could save the world. ]

I think things are a lot more complicated than what kindness can heal. Kindness can only offer a bandaid at best. It won't fix the problem.

On its own? No, perhaps not. It's true that change requires action and often the support of those in power.

But kindness and compassion can help reach people. Perhaps they won't change the world on their own, but I believe that they must exist before said change can occur.

[ Walt pauses a moment just to check her comm tag. ]

Eu...phem...ia. Did I say that, right? [ Years of being a teacher making him doublecheck his pronunciation. ]

How old are you, Euphemia? If you don't mind me asking.

I'm 16 years old! Though I'm not sure when I should be next celebrating my birthday, to be honest. I've skipped about five months from December to May just by coming here!

You were very close on my name, by the way! It's Yoo-fee-mee-ah. Euphemia li Britannia.

[ She's so young and stuck here without her parents? That has to be rough. ]

I would celebrate it on the normal day it falls. Thinking about the missing time can be....messy.

But anyway, Euphemia, you are still so young. I hate to show how old and jaded I've become, but there are things you have yet to live through -- have yet to experience. Your beliefs are wonderful, don't get me wrong. But I also believe you're fairly naive to the world. And that can be a blessing, but it also means you stand the chance of being hurt.

You can call me Euphie if you'd like, Mr. White. [She pauses, inclining her head.] And you have every right to think my beliefs are naive, but please do not mistake that for inexperience. Even in only sixteen years I have seen much... and I have known loss, too.

My father's wife was killed by terrorists when I was a child, and earlier this year my older brother Clovis, too, was killed by-- [she pauses. It had been the Elevens' resistance in theory, but the one who had pulled the trigger was Lelouch...] --by a man acting as part of a resistance movement.

I have seen war and conflict with my own eyes, Mr. White. I have seen people hurt each other and use those grievances as justification to hurt in retribution.

But my beliefs have not changed.

[ The heartbreak reaches his face so visibly after her explanation. ]

But you're so young. You're so young to have faced those kinds of hardships.

[ Euphemia and Edward both. What kinds of worlds do these poor teenagers come from? ]

I'm so sorry for your losses.

I appreciate your sympathy very much. [She smiles, gentle and soft, into the camera.] There was a time to mourn, and it has passed. Now is the time to remember, and to do what they would like us to do.

Perhaps it is naive of me, but I would like to create a world where no-one has to mourn their family members. Where cycles of hatred are broken instead of continuing in an escalating cycle of revenge. I feel my brother and the Lady Marianne would have wanted it that way.

We are all human, are we not? We all live, and love, and bleed. I do not believe that we are so incapable of understanding one another.

So perhaps it is naive, but is a dream I will not give up if I can help it.

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