(Writing this was both fun and a headache)
POV: Binah
How many years has it been since I found such an interesting person? I hardly bothered keeping count, it was a meaningless endeavor, but I do remember the last one who made me think this way.
The hot-blooded protector... yet it wasn't the same, she had made my blood boil with anticipation of a challenge.
This one was quite different.
He was an enigma clouded with mystery and clearly part of an encompassing scheme that no one had seen coming, and above all else… his nature.
Uncorrupted. Clean. Blank. All of them weren't words describing a man that couldn't commit acts of violence, but rather someone that had not been molded by the environment of the City.
Even Angela couldn't escape its hold.
The selfish actions done by ignoring their surroundings, for the notions of betrayal running in their heads.
Trigger is a man that cares too much, prioritizing the people around him and acting with anger in their stead, anger familiar to me… yet he didn't seem to be clouded by it. In fact, in such bursts of rage, he still seemed lucid and capable of recognizing his surroundings.
And the most interesting thing was a lack of self that even he tried his best to hide. As days passed, he lost an important piece yet tried to ignore it in favor of keeping his 'normal' act.
It was like seeing that same Red Warrior degrading herself into a Mad Dog, I didn't feel like letting such fine potential spoil itself due to stubbornness. Seeing as he was lucid even in his anger, I knew what course of action I should take.
An E.G.O that embodied greed should show him exactly what he needs to see of himself, and it bore fruit in an unexpected way. His methods had not changed, even if there was a clear change in his eyes.
Bent, but not broken.
That man would not change who he was so easily. His character had no ground to stand on, yet it stood firm.
He managed to built upon a shapeless construct. He did not build something else, for he did not need to be someone else.
It was quite the sight, and I was prepared for an appropriate reaction once he found out who had pushed him into facing what he was trying to ignore.
'Oh! Lady Binah, Trigger sends his thanks… he never said about what though, he did said you'd understand.'
Another surprise! I was not a person with many emotional ties in life and I wouldn't deny that my own emotions had been dulled, but someone that would treat me politely even after directly affecting their lives in a forceful way was new.
My memories as an Arbiter were scarce, the proving done into my brain had taken various memories and information of the Head, used to keep this facility out of its watchful eye.
I could remember only one person that I had some kind of positive connection to. However… I was unable to remember who that was aside from the fact it was a child. Peculiar, given the work I immersed myself in.
At times like this, a cup of black tea would have made a great inclusion, a few times I'd ever admit longing for my flesh and blood.
Would that child keep his opinion of me when the full context is revealed? I was eager to find out, and in the meantime… conversing with such an individual should be enjoyable.
That is why, I was looking for Trigger, to see what kind of road would he take… or make.
Quite the interesting sight to see, he was just leaving his room when he made eye contact with me, a small smile on his face, "Binah, it has been a while." No perceived hostility, simple courtesy offered.
It would be disrespectful of me to not reply in kind, "Greetings, Trigger." He nodded once before signaling to his room.
"Should we continue this inside?" Curious offer, would be welcomed if there was any kind of reason behind it other than basic hospitality.
"Would there be any difference? Neither side is private." My reply made him snort in clear amusement.
"True, but I'd like to properly thank you without getting stares devoid of life." The child didn't need to point such obvious points, clerks had stared at our interaction as if it was some kind of wondrous finding.
Like the usual citizen from the City, none too different to the many I had been sent to slaughter. In their eyes, it may have been an impressive and unusual view. It could not be helped, they simply saw things differently.
He moved aside and gave me a small curious look, it would be impolite of me to refuse, "Very well." Hmm… unused, that bed of his is unused.
Old habits at work. I analyzed the room, and it's lacking of decorations… that side of the wall, the surrounding floor seems a bit worn. He didn't rest on his bed at all, almost like he preferred the floor.
"The living arrangements here didn't come with chairs. I still have my coffin, you can use the bed." As he said that, a small group of butterflies took said coffin from his back and positioned it on the floor, which he in turn used as a chair.
He seems more blunt, "I'll stay on my feet, thank you for the cordiality." He shrugged before tapping his chin. I see he has finally stopped wearing his new gauntlet.
"You seem to want to thank me for my actions." He nodded without much thought, still staring at me in a relaxed manner.
His ability to be aware of the emotional state of those around him must be a great way to detect danger.
"I'm not sure what you wanted, but it still ended up helping me." He gave his rather simple reasoning.
"It was simply an attempt at forcing your hand, many are not comfortable with that." I let some of my amusement slip through. What a curious personality he has.
His reaction was tame, "You wound me so, to think you'd be a believer of tough love…" The mocking tone didn't hide his genuine gratefulness. He continued our conversation the moment he noticed I would simply move around his attempts to express gratitude.
"Perceive it as you will, it was for my own gain." I replied, a rather dark smile would have been on my face if my current body would had been capable of such feat.
Trigger was not moved, "And I got something from it too, and I already expressed my thanks anyway." His expression shifted to a more contemplative one.
"You know, the first time we met, you asked a lot about me. But I got nothing from you, any hobbies?" It was quite the innocent question, one that could be freely rejected.
I did not do that, perhaps being treated with such cordiality from someone that wasn't part of my floor had some part into my decision, "Hearing the words of those trapped with me, someone has to tend to them." Suddenly, his gaze shifted.
Still relaxed but predatory, looking for something….
How interesting.
"A Grave-tender then? No, that doesn't suit you… oh, I see. You thrive on their pain and in return listen to it's meaning, how symbiotic of you." His ability to read between the lines is impressive, but it only seems to shine when dealing with another person. Coupled with his innate skill to comprehend emotions, and you obtain a dangerous combination.
Interesting indeed, "It could be interpreted that way, I only do the duties handed to me and witness the road others take." Trigger perked up at that, his gaze still looking for something only he knew about.
"What about your own? It would be a waste to not move along with everyone else, I'll even say it's lonely." Words that he spoke with no pity but a tint of worry, what a gentle young man.
"My road was littered with bodies, and it ended with bodies. Though perhaps it couldn't be called the end if I'm still here." There was a grimace on his face now, yet it didn't seem to be aimed at me from my words.
Leaning forward, Trigger gave me a small smile, "You don't know, do you? Controlled as you are, that doesn't mean you know all the answers. Even if you enjoy using big words a lot, you are as of now indecisive of something." Hmm… perhaps to some extent he is right.
But not entirely correct, "Correct to some degree, but for now my job is to witness this road that man has taken. To see him pathetically struggle trying to achieve a goal that is too far away." But I would ponder in his words for some time. There is the chance that things could continue the same and even I, while trying to remain a spectator, would have to make a choice.
"Don't know about that… can't say if he is in the right or in the wrong. I don't think anyone can decide what is right or wrong, but I know he is against me." He replied with a simple shrug, it was quite obvious he knew of the scheme that man had formed.
Angela, after all, went through a monumental growth after finding her freedom. And if my guess is right, is helping the little revolutionary. What an unexpected duo.
Trigger did not see right and wrong, or good and evil. Neither did he see a shade of gray, but beliefs and their clashes. An open-minded person that knew what he wanted and was aware others would be against him if their beliefs clashed, "And what would you do when the time to act comes?" I could tell he wouldn't answer this particular question.
And he knew I simply asked for the sake of the conversation, "Now that would be telling. It isn't like you are broadcasting your own choice on the matter." True. Ah… this talk would have been perfect with some black tea.
"This was enjoyable, Trigger. I hope we can do this again." I started walking away.
"Me too… one last question, but do you miss someone?" He inquired, and I found that I could still freeze in the face of unexpected developments.
He even managed to notice that, how perceptive of him, "I seem to do, but I do not know whom that may be. Would that be all?" He didn't respond instantly.
"If you aren't sure of the road you want from here, maybe focus on that particular problem for now. Maybe you'll get something from it." He said, with what I knew must have been a smirk. My word… even if he didn't carry a grudge for my actions, he still took a chance for a little payback, but with the intention of helping me.
What a funny twist, he twisted things in his favor at the very end, "You are a terrifying individual. I'll give your words some thought." He chuckled.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Binah. I'll see you later." I left his room feeling amusement … ah, that's a bit of joy slipping in? My time here has turned me a bit soft.
That was hardly a problem for me.