originally posted in:The New Dojo
"Kross...It's actually you!"
[i]Ignoring Hawkwood almost entirely, Anri practically tackled Kross in her own hug, her armored hands wrapping around the body of the man that had saved her long ago.[/i]
English
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"Of course it's me! Why wouldn't it be."
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"It's been so long.. Y'know, it's been...what, thirteen years? Jeez.."
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"Thirteen years... I'm 142 now. Dear me."
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"35 here. Jeez. So what's going on with you recently? Recently being the past thirteen years."
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[b]He suddenly seems much more serious and less cheery. [/b] "It's been a long time.."
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[i]Anri noticed the not-so-cheerfulness of Kross at the moment, and broke away from the embracing to stare at him. If one peered into the visor of her helmet, they would see two dull grey eyes - those that belonged to a Hollow.[/i] "Kross..what happened? Is everything alright?"
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"Yeah of course." [b]He looked at the ground, ignoring her staring, or what he thought was staring. [/b] "Just that, with all that's happened, I don't know Anri."
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"...I get that feeling sometimes." [i]Anri sighed a little, clearly disturbed. Both by how Kross was acting, and...her current condition. She didn't know how she was going to tell him that she was a Hollow. But she would have to, in due time.[/i]
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[spoiler]Are you not gonna reply to the Yuria one cause its a one line?[/spoiler] "What do you mean by that?" [b]He looked up, clearly trying to change the subject and stray away from his own story. And what happened... [/b]
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[spoiler]I gotcha, lol.[/spoiler] "I... I don't think I should talk about it now." [i]Anri seemed quite nervous - Kross had figured out that there was something wrong with her, and suggesting by the tone of her voice, there clearly was.[/i]
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"Oh. So we're both keeping something from the other. Real spy movie here." [b]Sensing her discomfort, he tried to ease the tension by making a joke and changing the subject entirely [/b]
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"Heh. Yeah, I guess. Is this the part where we trade information with each other? If so, I...I hope you don't freak out." [i]Anri did sound quite worried. But she also sounded quite willing to remove her helmet, and reveal her...state.[/i]
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"Hey. I'll start." [b]He let out a sigh [/b] "As you know, I held on to Pontiff's soul. Problem is, it consumed me. Fully. I became one with Pontiff and returned to Anor Lando and those lands. I murdered a Firekeeper in cold blood and took their soul. I put out a fire.... A bright beautiful fire. " [b]He sighs [/b] "I was able to hide away, take control for a while. When Royal found me. We got rid of Pontiff but now I have a Firekeeper Soul. That's it."
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"I...Oh. Oh.. Guess it's...my turn. P-Promise to...To not scream. Okay? And Hawkwood?" [i]Anri turned towards Hawkwood, a saddened tone to her voice.[/i] "...Do not blame Yuria for my condition. I do not condemn her for my actions.."
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[b]Hawkwood looked down, upset.[/b] "Well come on. Out with it."
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[i]Anri nodded towards Kross, before sliding off her knightess helm.[/i] [i]Anri's face was...disturbing, to say the least. Replacing her once smooth, pale skin was old, withered and dry skin, her eyes a dark green, in contrast to her previously light green ones. She was Hollowed.[/i] "...I...I became the Lord of Hollows.."
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[b]Kross immediately fell silent, donning a much more serious expression. [/b] "How do I help you?"
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"Kross, it's..its fine. I can handle being a...a Hollow. Just need to make sure that I don't get myself killed, and I'm good.."
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"How. Do. I. Help. You." [b]He spoke seriously and strongly, showing how much he meant it [/b]
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"I told you, [i]I'm fine[/i]. Kross, I promise...it's fine. The worst that's happened is just a couple of people freaking out.."
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"You can't Anri. This isn't right. I made you come here. I tried helping you forget Horace. But I abandoned you. This is all my fault."
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"Damnit Kross, it's not your fault. It's mine for being an idiot. It's mine for killing so many, for their very humanity.. I was a monster, Kross. I knew what I was doing. And I deserve this."
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"No one deserves this.. No one."
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"...I can't argue with that logic.. I should've just kept it a secret longer. Murdered an innocent to regain my humanity, then never talk about it.. I-I couldn't do something like that. I simply couldn't." [i]Anri sighed, her head lowering after her eyes had slowly shut tight.[/i] "...J shouldn't have brought it up in the first place.."
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"You had every right to."