001

[assaulter]

Characters: Soma Schicksal and Hyunlee
Setting: A bit of wandering around until they finally settle in the library on Floor 3
Format: Action
Summary: Hyunlee wants to explore the tower more. But knowing how reckless his leader can be, Soma decides to accompany him.
Warnings: Nothing. Yet.

You obviously need a babysitter... that's the only reason why I'm walking around this hellhole with you.

[Soma recalled the last time they roamed the tower. It was already night time and Hyunlee was busy worrying over something. What was it again? Seeing something pop up in the mirror? Either the kid was trying to prank him... or Hyunlee was legitimately scared of his own reflection because Soma didn't notice or sense anything.

The kid must be losing it. And maybe Soma is close to losing it too. It's only been a few days and he's already reduced to this. Day one wasn't a very pleasant experience either. Seeing a bunch of monsters... and then throwing up because he didn't eat a certain meal? Geez...

But in any case, Soma couldn't let Hyunlee wander around by himself. It maybe in the middle of the day but wandering around the halls may still be dangerous...]

Comments

[anti]

Why would you think that? You know that I'm capable on missions by myself...

[At home, Hyunlee does have experience hunting groups of large Aragami by himself, after all! Though... He actually does know the real reason that Soma wants to go with him. Hey, how long have they been friends in the same unit now?]

But... Thank you, Soma.

[assaulter]

Says the guy who was panicking over seeing his reflection in the mirror.

[Nice job on that by the way. If there were any stickers around, Soma would personally hand one over. Hyunlee deserves one.]

Whatever...

Where were you planning to go anyway?

[anti]

It wasn't my reflection, I told you—! It was black...

[STILL INSISTING THAT HE SAW SOMETHING, OKAY. And, wow, rude?? Soma, is this how you respect your superiors...!]

Well, anyway... Since it seems that we're going to be here for a while, I want to be able to get to know this place more. You feel the same way, don't you?

We need to look for places we can gather supplies from... To maintain our God Arcs and other weapons. Food, too. I doubt that we can rely on their suspicious cafeteria all the time.

[assaulter]

You're losing it.

[AND HE INSISTS THAT HYUN IS HALLUCINATING FROM THE DRUGS BEING PUMPED INTO THEM.

Soma is not being rude.

Don't stickers make the person feel special? Especially when it's shaped like star and says "You tried!" on it? Motivational, right?]

Mmm... [He doesn't answer at first. Even though he does agree with those statements.

And he wasn't particularly fond of the idea of having to live off the cafeteria food here...But...]

...It could be better than the corn though...

[Really, anything is better than that corn though.]

[anti]

[S-shush, you!! :C]

The corn— [Hyunlee would comment at Soma's first sentence, but the mention of their horrible corn from home easily causes him to frown.] ... Augh, gross. Anything is better than that mutant corn.

Um... The oatmeal is, at least! It's actually pretty tasty, don't you think?

[assaulter]

.... [Another brief silence.]

It was... better than it looked.

[Seriously, that oatmeal looked terribly gross. Soma was almost wary about even taking the first bite. But if he ever wanted to enjoy another can of Iced Curry again... then it was now or never.

Luckily, it didn't taste so bad. Probably the best thing he's eaten for a long while.

And that was kind of sad, really.]

...But definitely better than the corn.

I'd still like a normal meal for once though.

[Um... what counted as normal for them again?]

[anti]

Soma...

[Yes... No matter how they looked at it, their world really was dying. Their efforts were all nice attempts in protecting it, but it's only for so long. In only so long, they have to fight again. Because the Aragami will never disappear, they will only become even stronger... That's why, they also have to try to be stronger.

Though, for how long will that cycle repeat? Eventually, everything will end. Just how much people will be left in Earth by then? Food is already scarce... Times truly are hard, yet that's all they can really do. In order to survive for another day.

Hyunlee's quiet as he thinks about all this. He wonders what really caused their world to be destroyed in a flash? It couldn't be because of an Aragami, right? Or... They truly are being tricked by whoever brought them here, and their world is still struggling at this moment.

Eventually, the elevator lets out a sound, the doors sliding open for the two. He gives Soma a small glance first, then proceeds ahead.]

[assaulter]

[Soma remains silent for a while and follows Hyunlee into the elevator. He leans against one of the walls in his regular oh-so-casual manner.]

...This elevator is strange too.

[It only goes to three floors. Walking up several flight of stairs isn't a problem, but Soma wonders just how many floors are in between the 21st and to the dorm block.

Well, it probably wouldn't matter much since getting easier access to their rooms are a lot more important.

...Unless, of course, they chose to explore it.]

[anti]

I agree... I wonder what the other floors are? There's a cafeteria, an infirmary, a library... Maybe we'll find other useful rooms. It's worth looking over later on.

First, I want to visit the library again. Even if we can't use the terminals right now, maybe we'll find something among the books. Though, with almost no power around... [Only those stupid emergency lights...] I really hope they have a flashlight in the infirmary.

[assaulter]

Hmph, you sure do like that place huh?

[Soma recalled that insane sparkle in Hyunlee's eyes when they first came across the library.

Geez...]

And, I suppose we can look for a flashlight too...

[Although those emergency lights are pretty useful. At least they won't be tripping over themselves while they stay in their room.

Since they were heading towards the library first, Soma presses the button accordingly and watches as the doors slide close.]

1 / 2

[anti]

You have to admit... It's the only place that we can possibly find a clue in right now.

Or, even if not necessarily a clue, we might at least find a map or something.

[anti]

[Like a good leader would, Hyunlee once again leads the way. By now, he's already accustomed to this habit. It took some time for him to get used to leading others, but it's become a natural feat now. As they pass by the cafeteria, Hyunlee stops at a certain point.]

That's funny... I thought it was too quiet today, but I wouldn't expect this. There's no one here.

[assaulter]

[There's no denying that fact really. Soma is just afraid that he'll end up losing his leader under a massive pile of books one day.]

...Yeah... whatever...

[And strange, Hyunlee was right. The cafeteria was really empty. There didn't appear to be any staff around... nor was there any food prepared for the people how.]

Maybe they are on different floors?

[Still, it doesn't explain why there aren't people on kitchen duty.]

[anti]

Yeah... Maybe that's it. Maybe they're busy with the power out?

[Just trying to make the two of them feel better, really. Agreeing with that seems easier than worrying further. Ignoring it for now, Hyunlee moves on towards the staircase. It's getting darker...]

Oh, I really hope they have a flashlight up here. S-Soma, you're still behind me?

[Attempting to reach what's behind him—]

[assaulter]

Yeah, I'm still behind you.

[He rolls his eyes a bit as he feels Hyunlee's hand brush against his arm.]

Geez... what's with you? Do you seriously need me to hold your hand too?

[Are you that afraid?

Does he need to tell you to "Man up!" again?]

[anti]

N-no! It's just a new experience, okay?

[They never had to deal with energy problems at home, at least...! Fighting in a dark environment isn't something that Hyunlee's dealt with yet.]

I'll... get used to it! Eventually.

[Keeping his hand to himself now! He's happy enough after feeling Soma's arm through his fingertips. ...actually, maybe that was a bit embarrassing. He only realized it after their brief contact.///]

[assaulter]

Hmph, that's good then. I was starting to wonder whether or not you've finally broken down or something.

Better start getting used to it now.

[And as if to encourage the boy further, he lightly shoves him forward.]

[anti]

You don't have to push...!

[Trying to walk a bit faster though, Hyunlee finally makes the final step to enter the second floor. It's a little colder than usual, too. Likely because the heaters around the place is no longer functional... Still, it makes it even scarier now. Not to mention this is an infirmary.]

Can we stick together? I don't want to be separated if we can barely see anything...

[assaulter]

Wooooow...

[You really do want him to walk you around by the hand, don't you?]

I'm already walking with you. How much closer do you want us to be?

[Grabbing Hyunlee from the back of the head now.]

My eyesight is better so I guess I'll guide you from behind.

[Guiding as in pushing him around here and there.

It's helpful... and it's fun for Soma.]

[anti]

I didn't mean that! I meant that we shouldn't separate... It'll take longer, but—!

[Though, Hyunlee's words is quickly cut off with Soma's hand holding his head. Soma can actually see in the dark?

Oh, that's right... Aragami genes. Should've recalled that earlier.]

Does that mean that you don't even need a flashlight? Geez, that's not fair...

[assaulter]

Turning into a live experiment without a choice is kind of unfair too.

But then again, life is pretty unfair, huh?

[Push. Shove. Push.]

I can't see it as if it's clear as day. But my eyes are probably more well adjusted. I can at least avoid a lot of the obstacles in the way...

[He stops walking, and keeps a strong grip on Hyunlee from moving a step further.]

....Like this wall for instance.

Anyway, the stairs are right next to us.

[He turns Hyunlee's head towards that direction.]

...Watch your step.

[anti]

Soma...

[Hyunlee doesn't really know if Soma's still bitter about his past or not. Though, with the way he spoke of that... It's either he is, or he's truly brave to freely speak of himself like that. Hyunlee's eyes lower a little. Maybe Soma has already accepted it... But, even now, Hyunlee still has a heavy heart for what he discovered. Sure, it's thanks to Soma that God Eaters were born, but—

Before anything comes to mind however, the statement about the stairs catches Hyunlee's attention. He perks a bit, then nods to indicate his understanding.]

Ah. Thanks...

[Hyunlee can't see anything at all, so his steps are very slow this time. He first slides his foot forward, estimating how far it is before the floor falls unto the first step. He traces it then, managing to estimate the pattern of the staircase. He goes down until he's finally at the infirmary's office area.]

Do you see first aid kits or emergency boxes at the wall? They'll be a good start to check for a flashlight.

[assaulter]

[Luckily, the first aid kits were places nearby for people to quickly grab. How convenient of them. Soma walks over and grabs it from the shelf that it was sitting on.

Opening the box up, he rummaged through the items.]

...I think I found something....

[It's a very small flashlight though. When he turns it on, it flickers before it completely goes out again.]

...Got any batteries?

[anti]

[Crap. With that flashlight current battery's condition... It's likely that no one's used it for a while. They really do need to find replacements, in that case.]

I don't— [small sigh] It seems that we'll have to look around a bit longer for some, in that case. I don't think we'll find any in here, the library, or in the cafeteria...

Let's take a look at what's in the fifth floor. Fourth floor seems to be a normal lounge from when we ran through last time, so we'll skip that as well.

[assaulter]

Alright...

[Pocketing the mini flashlight, Soma closes the box and then puts it back on the shelf.

Returning back to their earlier position, he starts "guiding" Hyunlee over to the staircase again.]

The stairs are in front of you so watch out.