manufactured | INBOX 2.0

We already know what to expect, so we'll just have to be careful. I hope it'll be easier the second time.

[He tightens his grip on Wesker's arm for a moment before moving to take his hand instead.]

Regardless of how bad it is, I'll watch your back. I won't let anything happen to you.

I was admittedly already worked up by the time we found that thing; the markings on the walls weren't exactly pleasant for me.

Ja, they were incredibly unnerving... At least we already know what they say!

We do.

[...]

I still don't care for it, however. I don't think I expressed it well back there, but it troubles me. The notion that this is apparently just going to keep happening no matter what life I'm in - apparently I exist solely to be experimented on and used for someone else's purposes.

I understand why it worries you so much. I'm really upset that this same sort of thing is repeating for you in this life. It isn't the sort of thing anyone should have to experience, let alone across two different lifetimes.

I'm sorry. More than anything in the world I want to put a stop to that, to keep you safe and to keep you from ever being hurt like that again. We'll eventually find and take Vanderweele out of the picture, but it looks like it's going to take longer than I'd hoped.

...I feel like I understand, often, why I wanted to destroy everything in my past life. Sometimes I still think about it - nothing concrete, no plans, just abstract things. Mostly centered on the idea that it would be better to end everything quickly than let everyone be used like this.

[It's a problem he's had in the past as well, those sorts of thoughts; at least he's willing to tell you about it now.]

I haven't experienced anything quite like that, obviously, but I can see where that idea could be appealing. The things you went through were horrible, so it's no wonder you don't want that to happen again.

[He'll reach up with his free hand to gently run it through the back of Wesker's hair.]

It'll be okay, though. We'll find Vanderweele and we'll put a stop to this. This is something we will not allow to continue. For all of us.

[But especially for Wesker.]

[That's...nice, honestly... He lets his eyes close at that, anyway.]

...Birkin and I destroyed everything back in the Arklay Mountains, you know. The training facility, the labs. The mansion. All of it. I remembered watching it burn recently.

[He isn't sure why he feels the need to say it, but it seems like something to say for the time being.]

I can imagine that was satisfying, to see it all go up in flames like that.

[Don't worry, he won't stop.]

It was.

That happened on the day that the authorities decided to use for my birthday in this life. I still don't like it, but I find it very slightly more acceptable.

Ah, I see. I think it's good to remember it, but it's better to have your birthday on a different day.

I agree. It was at the center of a rather...intense three days back then, and I still don't know what I think of all of it - that was when I betrayed S.T.A.R.S. and died for the first time, after all.

July was always a bit of a strange time back then for me anyway, I suppose. That was when Birkin and I were first brought to the training facility; twenty years later, that was the last time I saw him alive. He died two months later.

I see. I imagine that must have been difficult.

[...]

You seem to be more okay talking about all of this now. Are you doing all right with all of it?

Yes. Spending time with the memorials has been helping; it gives me someplace to go if I want to think about and remember it, and so there's less pressure for me to keep it on my mind constantly.

I received a few more things that I put down there recently; I've been keeping the flowers up. It's...been good, I think,

I'm glad it's working out so well! I think it's a wonderful idea... I'm still working on mine, but once I'm ready I'll let you see them!

I really am glad that it helps to remember them like that.

...I think I would be all right with you coming down with me once in a while again.

[Seeing as he's wanted to be alone for the past while.]

I still miss them. More than I ever would have back then. It's a little strange for me still.

I'd like that. I'll be sure to get flowers!

[The second part gets him to nod.]

I understand. I feel the same way, I think. I miss a lot of people from my past life, even the ones I didn't know very well and don't remember much about. It's... strange, to feel more about them now than I ever did.

I think it's nice, though. I'm glad you do miss them, even if it is pretty strange.

I wasn't on very good terms with most of them, but they were still important figures in my life, whether I wanted to admit that or not. And I think I did care about some of them, as much as I was capable. Chris and Jill. Birkin. People like that.

[...]

...I think Birkin was trying to look out for me, in his own way, even though we were arguing the last time I spent time with him because he refused to come with me. He gave me the virus immediately before we parted ways; he seemed convinced it would help in some way. It was...incredibly backwards, but I do think he tried.

It sounds like he did. I'm glad you had him, he really does sound like he was a good friend in his own way.

[And you know. considering Umbrella's everything...]

He was terrible, honestly. Completely in love with his viruses, possibly moreso than he was with Annette.

[It's almost affectionate-sounding, though.]

Those above us at the training facility liked to try to set us against each other. To make us dislike each other, and encourage us to compete against each other rather than collaborate. We just decided that we didn't want to do that and ignored them.

[That gets Jaeger to laugh.]

It certainly sounds like you two got along quite well despite all their meddling! It really is good you had someone there for you, even if he was a bit too obsessed with his viruses!

We were going to change the world, he and I. Of course, it's ultimately for the best that we didn't, but it's what we wanted when we were younger and just starting out - to see how far we could get, to maybe take over Umbrella one day.

[His tone is still fond, though he shakes his head eventually.]

I'm far more fond of what I have now, though.

[He laughs again at that.]

It is hard to beat happily married to someone as charming as me, ja~? Birkin never stood a chance!

[It's like 95% poking fun at his own insecurities there but also he's really glad, okay.]

I'd certainly say not.

[So much hair-playing, you.]

[Good!! Don't you dare stop!!]

I really couldn't be happier, so I'm glad you're quite fond of your life now~!

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