#( mfw forced my hand to do a lore drop... )

[flashingmarkii]

"Sometimes, lies are all we have," they might even help an individual to keep going through the worst of times. "Though… maybe it isn't necessarily a lie, maybe it's just hope. Hope that better days are coming. Maybe that's why we make up heroes out of people who were just doing what they had to do to survive. We—I might've not understood that until I got involved."

When the fog of uncertainty clouds your vision, it's nigh impossible to see the progress you've made. Most days, it feels like one step forward, two steps back. What can a single person do? That question often leads to nowhere.

A single person can lead. A single person can destroy. A single person, with clear ambition, can find it in themselves to build a force. To seek other people out whose ideals might coincide with theirs.

At the beginning of time, everyone was one.

It isn't what can a single person do? It's what may a single person do?

Regardless of whether one might live to bear the fruit of their work, the choice is still theirs. Even if Kamille might've never gotten involved with the AEUG, who's to say that later down the road, he wouldn't have been involved with the Titans? For better or for worse, there are situations in which lineage is inescapable.

"I believe that everyone takes these things for granted, it's the 'peace' we've been granted, it's either that or no one bothers to actually listen through their history lessons," a short laugh dispels any of the remaining tension clinging to her, there are times in which you just need someone else to listen. Two heads work better than one. "It's okay… I'd say one doesn't have enough time to unwind and let it all out nowadays."

Kamille's question, however, catches the adjutant off guard, evident by her shocked expression. It's like he's just put her on the spot. "I… was aiming for a spot in Anaheim Electronics," there's a pause of her own, as though trying to recolect her thoughts. "… I got through the first screening, and what was next was a scheduled tour through its North branch. You're aware that the South branch is the one giving us its support, yeah?

Well, that was it. I went to my tour and it was filled to the brim with Federation and Titans' officers. How can I put it… it was suffocating. I saw how miserable everyone was, the mistreatment towards the engineers was terrible, it must've been the first time I saw how the Titans did things. Singing nothing but big praises to the fat cats in charge, while the average Joe was being chewed alive for not abiding to their ludicrous requests… I didn't want that, but—you know by now, the moment you cross paths with them, they're relentless. I joined the AEUG thinking that it would be a place in which I could, at least, get some peace of mind, not feel like I had a target on my back constantly. G… Guess it kind of backfired, huh? I'm even more wanted now than I was before…"

… And yet, it doesn't look like she regrets it.

"People live by excuses, and I guess we might as well be part of that lot." He let out a breath. "Aside from that one time I gave that smug bastard a lesson for treating me like dirt, I've never felt the same joy of piloting a robot. I don't even have any incentive of doing what I'm doing. The last thing I wanna be regarded is a hero like Amuro. I guess... I'm in it to finish what I already started."

A youth caught by the unforgiving waters of conflict; a journey that didn't seem to have an end in sight. Amuro Ray's story was the clear indication that even after the One Year War, another war simply took its place. An endless cycle, much like life and death itself.

However, if Kamille did choose to sit idly by the sidelines that day, would he really have been content in simply furthering his education? Was a "normal" life for a child of parents involved with the Titans ever going to be in the cards at all? At one point in his life, he imagined working alongside his old man.

As far as Kamille recollected, however, not once had Franklin acknowledged his own son's creations. He felt like he couldn't even let himself have the ambition of following in the footsteps of his parents.

Now, things were different. No longer was he completely tied down by his own insecurities and frustrations, he was fighting against them. Being a soldier in the frontlines wasn't what he had in mind in order to break free from his own shackles, but it was still better than nothing.

It was how and why he was able to hold this kind of conversation with Melissa, with some of his heart worn on his sleeve. He felt like a thorn was pulled out of his subconscious, as a smile finally formed on his lips.

"You're right," he said. "All this talk of fighting for nothing, yet we're not under the tyranny of Zeon thanks to Amuro and the White Base." He then dug his hands inside the pockets of his jacket. "We might be doing the world a favor once we get rid of those damned Titans." Now that the fog inside his head cleared, he realized how childish his tantrums were just now. "Sorry about letting it all out on you. Maybe I haven't had time to clear my head lately."

A pause. "Say, what made you join in the fight anyway? You're exceptional at what you do, and any other base would love to have someone like you."