Titans of the Current: Hands of God Edition

Part 7:1:2

It's my turn. I have one mark to hit. The metal spires in my hand serve only to victimise my goal with a piercing blow. Aim for a flash of red Nelly.

Shink

"Bullseye! Nelly wins!"

Cheers and profanity rang around the tavern as angry and joyful patrons claimed their spoils or lost their money.

Evie sends me a congratulatory gaze as I follow her to the barstools. "Miss, you kick ass on the board. You know I see why Torpor thought highly of you.. I'd say that were for personal reasons but I was wrong."

"What do you mean personal reasons?"

"Reasons I can't tell you." Her eyes lock into my very being. I feel a new sense of fear from her now serious demeanor. "But.. I'm here for something other than to tell you our dire needs. This time, will face some ridicule. It will hurt you, and make you think, but I assure you it is for the best."

What could she mean? What have I done wrong throughout my journey. I've made... Questionable choices, but surely it doesn't need intervention.

"Nelly, look around and tell me what you see. Then tell me what makes you different."

I dart around the room looking at the different scenery, and the different groups of people. She was right... Something here was very new too me.

I could see two men, in the heat of debate, arguing over money. The man on the left is moaning about the game, and how it was rigged. The other simply laughed at his misfortune. To my suprised the other man laughed back as they broke out into a hymn.

That never happened with the others... Disagreements ended in fights.. Fights ended in more fights of greater magnitude.

A woman sits with a small child. The child begs in frustration for some dessert, the mother sternly denying her. The cold begins to sin and the mothers expression changes. It becomes.. Softer.. Empathetic. She caves on and orders dessert for each other as they share a moment of joy together.

I've never seen Levy compromise anything. Especially not with the others. The closest thing I've seen to that is the time Jack beat Vlad in a fight so Vlad went and danced in an animal suit for hours. What is the point of that?

Then there was something else. Two girls set together on a barstool. They seemed like they shared a bond. The girl who actually resides in the barstool picks up the other as she twirls her around and kisses her. They lock eyes as they each blush and leave the tavern together.

... I don't understand... What do they have that I'm missing.. What makes me different... I'm... Confused.

"It's called emotion. You lack it."

" what!? No I don't, I feel love for my mother and I have been afraid of many things along my journey. Right now I feel angry at the mere sound of your ridiculous tone!"

" do you Nelly? If you feel angry at me... Break something. "

What? Does that mean something? If I destroy something, what do I accomplish. "Why would ask me to do something so absurd?"

"That 'absurd thing' would prove you feel anger."

"How could something so unproductive prove anything?"

" because emotions aren't always productive Nelly! They can blind you! Take you control away! They can make you do things you never thought you could our would Nelly! "

"Well I don't see the point-"

" of course not! You have never felt true anger before! It consumes you and makes your body tense and hot. You feel violent impulse inline anything else. You feel the need to right that which brought you wrong. Have you ever experienced that? "