Snippets and Stories: (WtI) Courage and Folly

"You'll have to face your crimes someday."

It was a conversation they had several Times before.

"... No."

It was always the same.

"No? The severity of murder has been lost on you."

Where was Neiro?

"They deserved to die." Restless hands crossed arms and wound themselves in the jacket she wore, clenching uneasily.

"A lot of people deserve to die. But it isn't our judgement to pass unto them. Neither should nor would."

"..."

"Lets continue this some other Time. The conference mandating my presence starts in 10 o'clock, and I'm not keen on being overheard."

With that he walked away, flat toned and dusky brown hair swaying as he did.

But this Time it would be different.

"Why do you care? You never pried into things like this before."

He stopped, "Things like this?"

"Personal matters. Beliefs, whatever." The last part came out a mere mutter, an utterance so low it was barely audible.

The Invalid hated involving himself with others. Personal affairs and conflict in particular. So why now?

"Because you are a good person."

She looked up baffled and skeptical. In monotone it sounded sarcastic.

"You don't have it in you to allow yourself to truly cross the threshold of the moral compass. Astray perhaps, but by no means one of ill intent."

"Don't have it in me?" It was somewhat offensive. Did the other think her weak?

He reconsidered, and to her amazement, was almost apologetic, "A tactless remark. Consider this then: it is a kind and loving heart that beats within you, too strong to truly bow down to malice."

The uncertainty must've shone on her visage, for when she made to refute Silas cut her off, "If it is evidence you seek, you need but look within. Proven by the persisting guilt eating away at you."

Almost in afterthought, he added, "Resentment but gives rise to grudges. There is no joy in animosity, only more bitterness."

Idly she wondered if he was just being philosophical, or speaking from his long years. 

There was nothing to say after that.

Or so she had thought.

But at the door he turned back one last Time.

"Let others call it what they will, but let them not tarnish your heart and sully who you are. You are not weak." A smile then, "I'm sure Neiro would agree."

And just like that he disappeared through the door, leaving her to contemplate what had transpired, and his parting words.

The feeling she was left with was one she was not accustomed to. Slight embarrassment and unease but not in the usual negative connotation.