Adventure the Third

[philip_charming]

[Coming back to the cottage from the battle with the statue, Philip took care of his horse Samson, moving on autopilot... then just slumped in a chair even as the horse flopped onto a carpet nearby.

Just give him a minute, he'll reach for the bandages soon... Right now, he'll just sit and stare at his battered and aching hands.]

I helped today. I know I did. Lives were saved by my actions; mine, and those of others. But what do you say to the people that died anyway?

What do you do, when your best just isn't good enough?

Comments

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

You can't save them all unfortunately. Don't blame yourself, easier said than done, I know.

[England would definitely know all about that.]

[Video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

No you can't... not always, at least.

But that doesn't make it any easier.

[It's not the first time Philip's been down this recriminatory road, but that doesn't help.]

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

No it doesn't I'm afraid. But saving those you could was certainly noble of you.

[Video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

Well.

It was the right thing to do.

[neptanc.livejournal.com]

You honor their deaths and keep moving forward. Regret will hold you back.

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

That's the thing.

I can't be always asking myself 'what if'; I know I did the best I could and didn't make any real mistakes I'd want to undo. But why do we fight, if not so that others won't have to?

Somehow, saying 'You shouldn't have had to be part of this' to a grave just doesn't feel like it's enough.

[neptanc.livejournal.com]

Then apologize to them, if it makes you feel better about it. It's yourself you're feeling sorry for, isn't it?

[Action]

[cursedtosleep.livejournal.com]

[As soon as Phillip and Samson had come home from battle, Aurora had been quick to go get things to make them better. She had gotten Samson some carrots and apples while for Phillip she had instantly given him hot tea and some soup. In her haste she had nearly spilt the soup on the tray but had managed to get it to him without spilling a drop. When she was sure he had had something warm and soothing for his inside, Aurora had gone into the other room to get the bandages to help with the smaller cuts and bruises Phillip was sure to have gained. She hadn't heard his woes as her dreamberry had been left in her room, her focus on Phillip and Samson's care and theirs alone.

She came back into the living room with bandages and warmed lotion that was good for the muscles and helping cuts heal.]

Phillip? [As she entered the room she only heard "good enough," and blinked before her brow knit with worry.] Is something wrong?

[Action]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

Hmm? [He looked up, smiling tiredly at his bride-to-be; he didn't think he'd ever get tired of seeing how her entrance would light up a room.]

No, it's nothing really. I was just feeling a little introspective. [He stretched out a hand, sighing at the strain of overstressed muscles but wanting the chance to touch her; it helped to have that tangible reminder of what he was fighting for.]

[Action]

[cursedtosleep.livejournal.com]

[She instantly grabbed his hand, linking their fingers and knowing he just needed her there, and there she would remain. Aurora moved and kissed his forehead and then each temple. Her gallant and brave love. She didn't know how the battle went, at the moment she only cared he was returned to her. She knew it was cruel to think that, what if there had been others who had not returned? But she would not look over the blessing of Phillip returning to her. She wasn't quite sure what she would do if he hadn't.]

Do you want to tell me?

[video]

[brodexastartes.livejournal.com]

You fight on.

[video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

[Ummm... WHOA.

Between the enormous size of the man, the ornate PAULDRONS resplendence of his armor, and the set of his eyes, this was CLEARLY one hell of a warrior; one who'd doubtless been fighting for as long as Philip had been alive. It was plain that he knew what he was talking about, but nonetheless Philip had to ask.]

And that's enough?

[He's a prince, not an immortal super-soldier; there's more to Philip's life than fighting.]

[video]

[brodexastartes.livejournal.com]

No battle is without casualties. That would just be a scuffle. Something like the statue will always demand a price in blood before it is beaten. The burden is on those living to make the losses suffered worth it. [ He looks at Phillip, his expression calm. There is a strange serenity to Titus when not embroiled in battle. ]

video

[slayingmoon.livejournal.com]

If you don't think you've done enough then just get stronger.

video

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

[Philip just... LOOKED at him for a little while, there. It was an admirable sentiment, sure- but even HE thought that was naive!]

It's important to keep in good form for a fight, of course- but there are limits to what a body can do.

[Sorry Ichigo, he's not a shounen manga hero. No gratuitously dangerous soul-training here, just a lifetime on the practice ground with a couple stints on the battlefield.]

video

[slayingmoon.livejournal.com]

[It really is naive.]

Just ask for help. You can make strength in numbers. It's that simple.

[That's probably for the best....]

[maskedchivalry.livejournal.com]

Lives can and will be lost in an act to save others. It is a fact that you must come to terms with and accept as truth.

[ he knows that feel, bro. ]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

[...Well!

Hello there, tiny... round... mask with hands? And a sword? BZUUUH?

Still, it seemed like a fairly knowledgeable mask.]

A likelihood, yes- but not a fact guaranteed. And the butcher's bill isn't meant to be paid by those outside the fighting.

[After all, he IS a Disney prince. And he HAS managed to save the day without losing anyone at least once already.]

[maskedchivalry.livejournal.com]

[ go ahead, be shocked. he gets that a lot from humans. ]

And yet it is not an uncommon occurrence.

Take my word for this; weighing yourself down with guilt will not change anything. You only cause yourself personal pain. Mourn those that were lost, but not for longer than required.

[knight-in-red.livejournal.com]

[Have some slight coughing before a soft voice comes through]...What do you mean your best wasn't good enough? Don't discredit yourself for the great thing that you have done. You saved lives, maybe not all, but you did help many fulfill a longer life.

[With a thoughtful and respectful pause she adds] And for those who have died, those you could not save, isn't it better to honor they're memory by trying even harder next time. Beating yourself up won't bring them back or reverse what has happened. It will only weaken you.

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

I mean that they deserved to be saved... but all that we did couldn't save them. Didn't save them. Yes, we held the construct back so others could escape, and I don't count their lives less- but just because a wrong is lessened doesn't make it right.

[He laughed slightly, with just a tinge of bitterness; he really has come to terms with it for the most part, with the help of Titus. But that last comment of Hikari's just helped drive the whole problem home.] That's just it, milady. How do you try harder than your best? How do you give more than your all?

I don't mean to let this keep me from moving forward, no. But while I can't reverse their loss, hopefully I can at least learn from it.

[knight-in-red.livejournal.com]

No, no life is greater than another's. And no loss showed be thought of as any less. No matter what a lost is still lost.

[Thinking a bit about this, before she speaks. She's dealt with loss too. Even killed someone who deserved to live. It still affected her even now. She still felt guilty. But...]

That's it. You have to learn from the experience. It's painful, but maybe with this situation you can use it to help others in another. It's not easy, but that's the only way you can evolve.

[chokowaffle.livejournal.com]

Are you okay?!

[Now she's concerned for you, Philip.]

You did great helping those who needed it.

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

Milady? [Oh, hey Belgium. Don't mind him, he just gets kinda melancholy when he can't save absolutely everyone. It's one of those Disney Hero-Prince things.]

Yes, I came through it as well as could be expected. I'm just thinking about the people that didn't.

[Because even if he can't do anything else, he can at least remember them.]

[chokowaffle.livejournal.com]

[Ah... One of those things. Got it :3]

It's a shame that we can't save everyone. I was trying to help people evacuate as a concerned citizen.