Armored Core: The Final Push (Paused)

[Zahzi]

Jarid began to carry her through the alleyways to keep out of sight, but looking around for the Priest.  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

"Turn left here..." Kelly moaned lightly, burying the side of her face into the fur outlining on Jarid's coat, trying to use it's softness to comfort the dull ache of her bruised eye.
"Home... Down the block... Can't miss it... Screams Irish..."  

[Zahzi]

Jarid did as directed, sticking to the shadows.  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

Kelly then grew silent, only occasionally letting out a pained groan as he entire rib cage ached with pain.  

[Zahzi]

Jarid reached the house and set her down on a bench near the door.  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

Before Jarid could leave, Kelly grabbed onto his wrist with surprising strength and grip as she sat hunched over on the bench in pain.

"Where... Do you think you're going..?"  

[Zahzi]

"Leaving before I cause you or your family anymore pain..."  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

Kelly just gave an amused grunt.

"Jarid, I brought this on myself, and on purpose. I didn't want to be beaten, but if that's the price I had to pay to save you, an innocent, then so be it." She chuckled, before finally looking up at him, still holding his wrist.

"Now sit with me. Sit with me and wait with me for my father to come home and let us in. He's the only one with a house key.."  

[Zahzi]

Jarid just stared down at her with a solemn gaze.
"I am no innocent..."  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

Kelly gave a chuckle, looking down to the ground again.
"Okay... You have me there. No one is truly innocent now days." She sighed, picking her head up again to stare off into the distance. "Not even my father, a priest, is without sin."

She then looked up at Jarid sympathetically.
"But you, even with all your sins, are better than anyone else on this God forsaken land. I think you're entitled to a place to sleep, good meals to eat, and should trouble arise, a friend to back you up, yes?"  

[Zahzi]

"No." Jarid answered quickly.
"Thousands of innocents died because of my decision four years ago. Why should I be given anything when I took their lives away..?"  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

"What you did may have killed people, but it had to be done." Kelly sighed, continuing to stare at Jarid sympathetically.

"My father, you, and I know this. If you hadn't done that, the Cradles would still be in the sky polluting the air even more. The Cradles would have brought death to all of humanity, unless they were brought down. We know this, and you did the one thing no one else could. You saved humanity."  

[Zahzi]

"Look around. Does it look like I saved it..?"  

[Randomly Gone Insane]

"These things take time."  

[Zahzi]

"It's been four years. Things seem to have gotten WORSE."