No real escape

[absolute_perception]

Characters: Elian Zigmarl and Ryuho Ryu
Setting: Room 1-12
Format: Prose
Summary: Elian has to help out a friend from his world. It's not going to be easy.
Warnings: Death talk, emotional breakdowns, and seismic upthrusts and a lot of other things that might not make a lot of sense.

With the arrival of Ryuho came the complicated matter of taking care of his leader. He had to choose his words carefully considering now that he had no memories. Elian made his way through the halls from his current location at the infirmary, to his friend's room. There really wasn't much that he could do other than to help Ryuho understand what was going on.

The navigation came easy to him, since he worked on these floors. It was a menial job but it had its benefits. The trek through the halls allowed him time to think. It was important to make sure that Ryuho knew precisely what was happening and he left very little to chance. It was a gamble he chose not to take by leaving his friend to face his issues alone.

The otherwise stoic boy didn't show any happiness on his face through his walk. It was as if it was business as usual with the same impassive expression. All those years of discipline and training made him socially invisible and rarely has he gone out of his way to explain anything other than to those that needed to know.

This was one such incident. His small hand reached up to knock on the door upon his approach to room 1-12.

Comments

[absolute_perception]

We all change when it becomes necessary.

[Even Elian was different than he once was. He's talking a lot more than he had before. Another change, he's much more assertive in his actions.]

It's inevitable to adapt.

[calculatedfire]

Still, I am sorry that I do not remember you. If you are my friend, I must have hurt you by saying that.

[absolute_perception]

It's alright. I've been under the scope of many at HOLY, I take no offense. I wouldn't be doing my job if I were completely public.

[Which is the truth. He didn't mind the social invisibility. It made his job easier.]

[calculatedfire]

Do you do a job here?

[absolute_perception]

I'm a janitor here in this Tower. It was a task given to me by the Administration. It's also a job that allows me to see and hear many things that go on.

[It's also a job that he takes with grace and in stride. It's a hard job, but one that has interesting benefits.]

[calculatedfire]

Are jobs assigned, or do you volunteer for them?

[absolute_perception]

Mine was assigned to me. You can choose yours.

[calculatedfire]

How is that done?

[absolute_perception]

[He nods and recalls the information.]

There are two ways to get a job here. One way is to ask over the network, the other is to go to the appropriate places yourself and apply. The jobs are, security, library, janitor, infirmary, cafeteria, or you can create your own business.

[calculatedfire]

Even if food is provided here, I would not feel right if I was not working somehow.

[absolute_perception]

[That was exactly how Elian felt about it. There was no way he was going to mooch off the system and feel obligated when he could contribute and be a part of something more.]

There are teachers here. Perhaps you could start a school. I teach language courses on the side.

[calculatedfire]

I'm not sure what I could teach. Are there many children here?

[absolute_perception]

[Elian nods again.]

Yes. They have formed their own group. I am among them.

[calculatedfire]

How many people are here in all? How many are children?

[absolute_perception]

[He forms the familiar green and orange orb around him as he tries to gather a count. The readings fluctuate because of the heavy static and it's a struggle for Elian to keep it. The numbers scrolling down fizzle in and out of focus.]

From the life force readings that I have been able to count, there are approximately two-hundred and forty-four people.

However, this number can be off since my Absolute Perception has been blocked on several occasions. At last count, there was an estimated twenty children under the age of sixteen. However, that number is not accurate either.

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho tracks on the alter, somewhat fascinated by the apperance, even though he was told that he had a similar power.]

From dead worlds...

Do the children have any family here?

[For some reason that reached him at an emotional level and he wasn't quite sure why. He had no memory to attach the feeling to.]

[absolute_perception]

[Elian looked to Ryuho with a distant look in his own eyes. He just lost his father the moment he was brought here. His moods have fluctuated lately because of the grief of losing Scheris and Cougar the same day. It was as if it hit him a lot harder than he appeared and he hasn't had the time to grieve for them.

Up until now, he didn't the reason to. The thought of the other kids not having families here or the possibility of really hit him deep in his core. He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly.]

I don't know.

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho's eyes are unfocuses for the moment.]

I don't... even know who I should be missing.

[Elian did though. That child had lost everyone, and they were the last two from their world.]

I'm sorry.

[absolute_perception]

[He opened his eyes in mild shock. He wasn't sure how to respond other than with his expressions. Words couldn't describe the pain.]

It's...it's not anything I can change. I can only watch. Thank you.

[He couldn't tell Ryuho everything just yet. However, his incomplete Alter, much like his father's, has saved lives and that was important.]

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of comfort that had been alien to the person he'd been for so long.]

Feelings are their own purpose.

[absolute_perception]

[The primary Alter bubble Absolute Perception shattered instantly the moment Ryuho's hand touched his shoulder. It meant a lot more to him than the other could realize. Just this small gesture of acceptance when he was used to being distanced from others and sheltered by his father as HOLY's trump card in espionage, any contact surprised him.

For the longest time, Elian had watched Ryuho grow and change. Elina's hands tightened into tight fists at his sides. He knew the circumstances that surrounded his father's death. It wasn't Ryuho's fault. It was a choice he made and he was prepared, just not that soon. It was the fate of any Alter user to die once they reached their peak.

Elian's emotional wall broke. His arms wrapped around Ryuho without thought and broke into tears. He wanted to tell him, but he couldn't.]

I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I failed you and I'm so sorry!

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho was supprised by the sudden movemtnbut he knelt slightly to be closer to Elian's height and wrapped his arms around him, holding him and not sure what to say.]

I don't remember what happened, but you did everything you could, didn't you? You can't do everything.

[absolute_perception]

[Speaking between sobs, he felt his own self returning. He allowed himself to break free now and no longer felt like a clone or just some face in the crowd anymore. It was also accepting his place among the residents as a person and something more, it took a lot to understand that now.]

I watched you vanish into that light. I wanted to tell you my father's plans but I wasn't allowed to. I shouldn't have stayed quiet.

[calculatedfire]

It's not something I remember at all. [Ryuho admitted, although that wasn't much comfort.]

It's okay. You had a lot of input didn't you, and it wouldn't be easy to know which way to turn.

[absolute_perception]

[Elian nodded against Ryuho's shoulder. Ever since his arrival, he's been trying to sort it all out. Some of it was easy, others weren't. There were several paths he could have taken, true. He wiped his eyes and pulled back.]

I am happy to see you. Even if you don't remember me, it's okay.