He had left his room about an hour earlier, too frustrated with his roomate's snoring to be able to sleep. At first, he considered going out into the streets, but then he recalled that this particular innkeep locked his doors after eleven at night, and so checkout was not an option. So he had to go back into his room, past the lumber mill in the bed across from his, and out onto the balcony.
A room with a view, hmm? He found it odd that his group had spent the extra gella to get a rather posh room as opposed to the standard, wallet-friendly economy rooms they usually would. However, it wasn't something to worry about. His teammates were still young, after all, and they deserved to experience some comforts every so often. Especially considering all they had done for the world.
Now that wassomething to worry about. He found it a travesty to have their world turn on them for having saved it. It was a mockery of their efforts to spend their days hunted like the demons they fought against, to protect those very same hunters. It was criminal, on the run from those who owed them so much.
Clive was not worried about himself. He did not consider himself old by any means, but rather, he had experienced a rather full life, especially for a drifter. He had traveled the world, befriending many. He had vanquished many a terrible beast that threatened others. He had learned many things and discovered countless secrets about the ancient history of his world. He had a loving wife to return home to. He had a bright young child to call him 'Daddy' and delight in hearing his tales. And he had fulfilled the wishes of his late master in more ways than one; He had found the immediate cause of Filgaia's rapid decay, and helped to set it back on a course of regeneration. At least, he assumed he had, based on the numerous, yet sparse, grasslands that began to spring up in otherwise dying regions. So all in all, he'd done well.
No, he was worried about his friends. Gallows was just beginning to experience his freedom. Jet had barely even begun to understand himself. And Virginia still wanted to help so many people. So the fact that all of this had to be put on hold for such a long time because of the valor of one man and the resulting confusion really bothered him.
Hmm, my mind is wandering again. This always happens whenever I've been away from home for too long.
Home. It had been six months since he had last seen his home, since he had last held his little girl, since he had last seen his beloved Catherine's face. What sort of punishment is this? Was Kaitlyn going to grow up without a father? How long would the Professor's investments hold out for his family? How long until I lose touch with them?
A sudden motion below caused him to recoil into a shadow almost instinctively. Creeping back forward, he observed an Arkist wandering the streets, not appearing to be on a patrol of sorts. If anything, he was heading somewhere, albeit without too much urgency.
This is all their fault.
Without realizing, he quietly slipped back into his room to retrieve his Gungnir ARM. He checked it over quickly before deciding it was fit for action, and then slung the weapon over his shoulder. It was uncomfortable carrying it without the added support of his traditional overcoat, but he had to discard it long ago, and it would've been quite odd to be sleeping in such a thing anyway.
Sneaking back out onto the balcony, Clive made his way to the top of the inn, railings and window sills becoming makeshift steps under the sniper's feet. On the roof, he went prone and set up his shot. The Arkist was about halfway across town now, but for all intents and purposes he may as well have been three feet away. This sniper never misses.
I am about to violate my leader's trust. But, if there is no more Ark, they can live again, can't they? I'll have to get rid of them one way or another, then.
His target approached a rather average looking house near the border of the village, unaware of how close to death he was. Just as Clive figured he had a clean shot, sudden winds began to come in from the east. Once he figured they wouldn't pass quickly enough, he began to adjust for the wind.
Looking for a shortcut will lead you astray. But, waiting your life away is also a waste, isn't it? I have to do this.
Just then, the front door of the house opened, and a young boy walked out rubbing his eyes. Clive paused as this happened. He mouthed something to the Arkist, but the sniper could not make out what he was saying. Through his scope, Clive observed as his target scooped the boy up into a large hug, and then continued the conversation.
His shot was clear. The angle was perfect. And he did not fire.
He was shaking. His eyes widened as he realized what he was just about to do. How could he worry about leaving Kaitlyn without her father when he was ready and willing to deprive another child of theirs? And this man was no bounty hunter, either. He had done them no wrong, he was just an Arkist. All he wanted was a better life for all of Filgaia. That's exactly what the Maxwell gang had wanted, too. This man had done nothing, and was about to be excuted by a criminal just for being alive?
Maybe I am a demon after all...
Clive slipped back into his room, placed Gungnir back against the bookshelf, and then crawled back into his bed. He did not notice his roomate's intrusive breathing. He was too busy staring blankly at the ceiling, terrified of himself and how easily he had almost crossed such a drastic line.
A/N: Clive is tough. While I'd say these are all good stimuli to piss him off, I'm still not entirely sure if this is something he'd do, even with the passing of time. Either way, though...that other guy sure was lucky.