If they'd cared for my opinion, none of this nonsense would be happening.
[ Aline and Renoir had taken a representation of her and Verso's joy and smashed it as surely as Alicia had smashed one of Clea's sculptures as a small child, carelessly and with a staggering amount of selfishness. Because of course Clea could not have been allowed something of her own. Aline and Renoir could have created with Verso themselves. Alicia had been invited to their games and had declined.
Childish as it is, something deep in Clea screams out each time she thinks of it. Her soul screams 'MINE' in a fashion so primal it can barely be placed into words.
And, as childish as it is, it feels good to hear someone admit that she should have been given that courtesy. Not that she would acknowledge such a thing. Instead, Clea crosses her arms and smiles.]
I wasn't assuming this afterlife was my choice.
[ Clea is too clear-eyed to assume that she's going to Heaven. Perhaps he is there specifically to torture him. Or they're there to torture each other, as he'd prefer his Clea and she would prefer her Verso. Instead, they are reminders of pain. ]
You're correct - nobody could remake you. If we tried, we'd end up with a false image. None of us know of the experiences you've had after Aline created you. At best, you'd be reset to before the Fracture. It would not be you.
[ In the same way he is not Verso. None of them could paint him as he actually is, with the ways he's grown more and more to differ from Verso. Any attempt would be offensive in the way her own representation had been. That's why the Gestrals never came back the same way: They could preserve their essence, but the Gestrals live their lives and she and Verso were not there to recreate their memories.]
Do you think I should hide my Canvases from her?
[ If Aline cares. Clea will not allow her mother's love to strangle her work should she befall a similar fate to Verso. Aline cannot be allowed access to Clea's work. Their time of sharing their art together may need to draw to a close. Is there nothing they are not determined to take from her?
When the tone shifts, Clea rolls her eyes, though the gesture has affection behind it. She sees what you're doing, Verso. One thing both the real Verso and this representation had in common is their need to control a conversation. To determine what was said and not said and to manage how everyone felt. Either to get what they wanted or to try to keep them happy.
She gives not her little brother what he wants.]
Babysitting is precisely how I wanted to spend my afterlife. Alas, you are already a burden, I fear. That hairstyle is a burden on my eyes.
[At least temporarily. She can't let him control things completely.]
You never were a burden. You are helpful.
[The words are simple, but more than she could say for the others. He's wrong, an abomination that was borne of her mother's delusions, but he is not the origin of the problem: He is a manifestation of it.
Clea needed help and while he is not her brother, this man is the only one who helped her.
Don't make her say it again.]
Though you are losing points every second you look like such a ruffian. I know the Canvas has hairdressers, Verso. If you burn my eyes out I will be forced to reconsider my assessment.
no subject
[ Aline and Renoir had taken a representation of her and Verso's joy and smashed it as surely as Alicia had smashed one of Clea's sculptures as a small child, carelessly and with a staggering amount of selfishness. Because of course Clea could not have been allowed something of her own. Aline and Renoir could have created with Verso themselves. Alicia had been invited to their games and had declined.
Childish as it is, something deep in Clea screams out each time she thinks of it. Her soul screams 'MINE' in a fashion so primal it can barely be placed into words.
And, as childish as it is, it feels good to hear someone admit that she should have been given that courtesy. Not that she would acknowledge such a thing. Instead, Clea crosses her arms and smiles.]
I wasn't assuming this afterlife was my choice.
[ Clea is too clear-eyed to assume that she's going to Heaven. Perhaps he is there specifically to torture him. Or they're there to torture each other, as he'd prefer his Clea and she would prefer her Verso. Instead, they are reminders of pain. ]
You're correct - nobody could remake you. If we tried, we'd end up with a false image. None of us know of the experiences you've had after Aline created you. At best, you'd be reset to before the Fracture. It would not be you.
[ In the same way he is not Verso. None of them could paint him as he actually is, with the ways he's grown more and more to differ from Verso. Any attempt would be offensive in the way her own representation had been. That's why the Gestrals never came back the same way: They could preserve their essence, but the Gestrals live their lives and she and Verso were not there to recreate their memories.]
Do you think I should hide my Canvases from her?
[ If Aline cares. Clea will not allow her mother's love to strangle her work should she befall a similar fate to Verso. Aline cannot be allowed access to Clea's work. Their time of sharing their art together may need to draw to a close. Is there nothing they are not determined to take from her?
When the tone shifts, Clea rolls her eyes, though the gesture has affection behind it. She sees what you're doing, Verso. One thing both the real Verso and this representation had in common is their need to control a conversation. To determine what was said and not said and to manage how everyone felt. Either to get what they wanted or to try to keep them happy.
She gives not her little brother what he wants.]
Babysitting is precisely how I wanted to spend my afterlife. Alas, you are already a burden, I fear. That hairstyle is a burden on my eyes.
[At least temporarily. She can't let him control things completely.]
You never were a burden. You are helpful.
[The words are simple, but more than she could say for the others. He's wrong, an abomination that was borne of her mother's delusions, but he is not the origin of the problem: He is a manifestation of it.
Clea needed help and while he is not her brother, this man is the only one who helped her.
Don't make her say it again.]
Though you are losing points every second you look like such a ruffian. I know the Canvas has hairdressers, Verso. If you burn my eyes out I will be forced to reconsider my assessment.