« Prev 1 Next » Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first Author Topic: Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) (Read 744 times) Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 12, 2016 20:59:31 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top The December air was cruel, the breeze while gentle cut through Mathew's coat with ease that any knife would envy. Still, despite the chill of the Chicago air setting in him so deep that he could almost feel it in his stone arm, it was preferable to the stifling warmth of his infirmary bed. Sent home to recover from injuries from the front lines he found himself restless. Just like in his youth when he would get injured, he was incapable of sitting down and letting his body rest. To have all control ripped from his grasp, it was maddening. The pain rippling through his flesh arm and along his torso was a small price to pay for some small measure of freedom. The shrapnel had already been extracted, and his healing was being accelerated as much as Paradigm could spare. But all of their forces were stretched thin, and that meant medical staff too. There would be no near instant recovery for him. Instead he'd need to endure his forced R&R and savor the last three smokes in his pack. Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 12, 2016 21:12:02 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Fred was staring at her tablet deep in thought as she walked along the road. So engrossed that she bumps into Mathew! "Oh--I'm sorry!" She looks up at the looming figure. Now she's especially sorry. "I'm... I'm REALLY sorry, Mr. Amtrum. It won't happen again." Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 12, 2016 21:22:47 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He'd been bumbling in his pocket with his stone hand, focusing on not ripping his pocket out accidentally when Fred bumped in to him. A powerful bolt of pain rippled through his body with the impact. His jaw tightened and his neck bulged in pain as his eyes shot downward to the quickly apologetic girl. "Ed'c veha." The lack of English was because he was at least going to make himself useful while he was here and make sure the students present were working on their abilities. Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 12, 2016 21:30:44 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Fred gulped at Mathew's reaction. Just how hard did she collide into him? She was always under the impression that he was as steady as the stones he could manipulate. For him to express some sort of pain prompted her to ask if he was okay. "Yna oui ugyo? Lyh E ramb oui?" And if there was anything she could do to help. She had to make it up to him somehow... Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 12, 2016 21:36:07 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He'd just shake his head. There wasn't anything that anyone could do to help. It killed him, but he just needed time. Satisfied that she'd swapped to the code without hesitation he was willing to go back to English. "What's eating you Morency?" « Last Edit: Dec 12, 2016 21:36:18 GMT -6 by Mathew Amtrum » Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 12, 2016 21:56:21 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Um... My parents wanted to know how I was doing. Especially with the war going on, and the academy being attacked... I'm not sure what to tell them without making them worry." She looks down at her tablet at the blank email draft she has open. Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 12, 2016 21:59:30 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He stares at her in silence. Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 13, 2016 0:04:18 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She sighs. "At times I feel as if they're waiting for me to get scared enough to go home. I was shot, my friends have suffered, there have even been non-Empire threats I've encountered. I am scared, but I can't go home knowing I could do much more than hide away." Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 30, 2016 22:19:35 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Wrong." His face twisted into something not quite a scowl. "You can go home. You choose to tough it out." A big difference. Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 30, 2016 23:10:20 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Her brows come together from his response. "That is true..." She sighs. "I wish I wasn't as scared of the inevitable casualties. It wouldn't make me doubt my decision as much. How do you... Get over it all?" Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 30, 2016 23:11:32 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "Get over what?" He tilted his head slightly. "Fear?" Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 30, 2016 23:15:22 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She nods. "Yes... The fear especially. The pain, the regret too... But especially the fear." Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 30, 2016 23:17:44 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "You don't. Not completely. You learn to compartmentalize it. To use it. Fear keeps us moving, it keeps us alert." If you didn't have fear you weren't alive as far as he was concerned. "And hopefully you learn that no matter what pain and regret come. The best we can do is try to make it all worthwhile." Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 1:02:33 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She slowly nods, eyes cast downward. She internalizes his words of wisdom. "It's a little reassuring knowing that the principle between overcoming stage fright and working with Paradigm is more or less similar." It's moments like these that reminded her why out of all of the staff, she apprehensively favored Mathew. Compared to all the other humans she's gotten to know, he felt the most like a father. Her own father was dismissive, at most neutral to what Fred had to say about most matters. What love he had for her felt faint and only showed when she left, if you could call it that. As for Mathew? While he didn't physically throw her through the wringer like other trainees and agents, and he totally could if he wanted to, he doesn't talk down to Fred. It makes her feel respected, and his words all that more sincere to her. "I am a little surprised to learn that there are still things that can frighten YOU though. They must be very frightening." Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 1:51:40 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top "I'm not fully stone yet." He said with a sigh. Rather than annoyed or pained he just sounded tired. He was a man who had fought his whole life, for every inch he has carved out for himself in life. From an abusive home life and the fabled system of his youth, to a military career, terrorism, and now Paradigm and the War against the Empire. He'd lost his closest friends, his beloved wife, and his daughter. He'd even lost parts of his body, and yet he continued to fight. Pushing forward even as he continued to crumble bit by bit like a force of nature that knew nothing else but the fight. And he did know nothing else. "What frightens one person may not frighten another. We all have our battles and demons to face. Yours are no more or less important than anyone else's." Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 2:27:07 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She nods a bit more firmly at the last part. There were many times where she did everything she could to help what other humans wouldn't care for, the ones that couldn't speak or be understood. Tending to the needs of animals, objects, and plants over her own, for she lived in an affluent household. Then it sinks in, and she looks deep in thought again. It's not like she would give up a human's life for an object's, but she dreads the day of ever needing to weigh her own worth against anything or anyone else's. As her parents warned her, she'll regret empathizing so much. "And we have to make our battles worth it..." Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 2:29:31 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He'd nod. "You stick with this life long enough and you will get your own scars." He placed his stone hand on her shoulder, giving it a small, gentle squeeze. "They aren't always physical, but eventually choices have consequences." Even inaction was a choice. "So make sure to choose what's best for you, make it worth the cost." Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 2:58:32 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Even through stone, Fredegund felt the warmth. Her parents raised her on perfection. However, her teachers taught her that perseverance is what lasts. And of those teachers, Mathew taught her perspective. She tilts the tablet down to type up her email. Hello Mom and Dad, I am well. To say that my time here at Paradigm isn't without its dangers is an understatement. That being said, its risks isn't without its rewards as well. I can take care of myself, and I am not alone. I still stand behind my decision. I am staying here. Thank you for thinking of me. I love you. Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 3:04:29 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Mathew made no effort to hide the fact that he was reading her message to her folks. He was unconcerned with her privacy, and simply nodded at her silent words as he removed his hand from her shoulder. "I'm sure they will be proud of you for finding your convictions." Even if they worried or disagreed. That was in the nature of a parent. But making your own choices and standing by them is one of the defining characteristics of being an adult, and maturity. He'd give her a small nod of his head before turning away from her. "It's going to be a cold one tonight." He didn't really have much else to say, and truth be told he felt uncomfortable when things started to feel a bit to close to home for him. Unpleasant memories. Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Fredegund Morency Agent Intelligence [send pm] Joined: October 2015 Posts: 595 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 4:08:49 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top She nodded, implying her thanks for helping her. Fredegund didn't know too much about Mathew's history. She can only imagine how Mathew learned the lessons he imparted into her by its meaning. Through experience and life as his teacher. A teacher just as firm as he was, if not more. "Yeah... We best take care of ourselves." Back to Top   "May those who accept their fate be granted happiness. May those who defy their fate be granted glory." Mathew Amtrum Trainer Powered Trainer [send pm] Joined: June 2011 Posts: 12,706 Casualties Happen (Fred/Open) « Dec 31, 2016 10:18:58 GMT -6 » Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top He grunted. "In the end no one else will." And with that he'd start to walk back toward the school. Back to Top   Mathew Amtrum Reply Share Thread Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn MySpace Email Go to Previous Thread Next Thread Please make a selection first