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]

Elian fell silent and fixed his gaze ahead as he fell in step with his former colleague. Ryuho was always to the point and he could barely keep up at times. He wasn't nearly as practiced in the ways of society as everyone else and Ryuho had shown his superiority in more ways than one.

[calculatedfire]

"I would rather believe that we do have hope however." Ryuho admitted. Maybe because it would be too painful to admit that all the people he had just promised to protect were dead now.

[absolute_perception]

"Hope." The word certainly had a lot of weight and he nodded. He remembered saying that a few times to others when he arrived to keep that hope alive. He used to be optimistic, but that didn't last. The weight of a fate whether it was fabricated or not didn't help. The nightmares wouldn't go away.

Over and over again his mind played back the trauma of his first death. Hope. Does it really exist?

"Ryuho, can I ask you a personal question?"

[calculatedfire]

"I don't mind, I'm not sure how well I can answer though." A lot of his framne of reference was gone without his memories, he wasn't naive enough to miss that.

[absolute_perception]

"I understand. I just need to know something. How do you feel? Not remembering anything is confusing, that is logical, but I want to know how you feel as a person."

Elian has been fighting off the pain of his own memories and with Ryuho not having any, he felt almost envious of him. If it wasn't for Amalia, he would have given up and lost all means to care.

[calculatedfire]

Ryuho furrowed his brow in concentration. He wanted to make sure he gave the best answer that he could.

"I feel confused, and a little overwhelmed. The situation and the information about my past is so much, but I know that I want to protect people. If we are stuck here, I want to make this a safe people for the people who are here."

[absolute_perception]

"Then I shall not pressure you any further to comprehend your fragmented memories." Elian's face held the guilt that he felt from his repressed jealousy. He didn't think that was fair to Ryuho at all and he lowered his head.

"It came naturally to you to do the right thing no matter what side you chose. Your honor and your sense of justice was always looked upon in high regard. You chose your path when the time came to do so."

[calculatedfire]

"Is HOLY what is should be?" He couldn't remember being in it, and from the outside, he heard mixed reactions. He didn't know which side to believe. He now knew that he had been a member, but the way Elian was speaking in the past tense, he didn't know if he would remain that way.

[absolute_perception]

"No. It changed dramatically after Kyoji Mujo took over. It used to be for the best for everyone but," Elian fell silent for a moment. He could only tell what was on the surface for now and safe the details when he was ready to hear them, "the objective shifted when he wanted to control us all."

[calculatedfire]

"He is the one that you said I teamed up to fight?" He deliberately worded that to avoid mentioning Kazuma's name. It was hard to think when it made him so angry.

[absolute_perception]

"Yes. It was also to save Kanami." He stopped just outside the cafeteria door. "Ryuho, there is something that you should know. I have allies and friends here. You may have met them over the network. Please, feel free to ask them for help. They don't mind helping others. However, their knowledge of our world is very limited. I didn't feel that they needed to know everything. I wish not to burden them when they have troubles of their own."

[calculatedfire]

"I do remember Kanami." Or something about her. He'd met her after arriving in the mining town.

"I see. Can you tell me who they are?" He stepped into the cafeteria, looking around curiously.

[absolute_perception]

"Amalia, Kairi, Sertoria, Jade Strider, Ishtar, Gaara, Romeo, and Shion. I speak with Amalia, Gaara and Ishtar the most therefore they know the most about me." Which was the truth. He followed in after Ryuho and looked around himself. Thankfully it wasn't overly crowded this time as he moved to the service area.

[calculatedfire]

Ryuho took a moment to try to commit those names to memory. "Ishtar spoke to me over the machines, the others I do not know."

He looked around and then went to collect some oatmeal.

[absolute_perception]

He collected his own plate and decided to eat the oatmeal along with Ryuho just to be polite. He didn't mind it even if it was bland and relatively tasteless. He hardly complained about tasteless things. At least it was temporary.

"She's very helpful in understanding things that the Tower does. I would follow her advice." He grabbed a spoon and moved toward a booth off to the side but facing the door.

[calculatedfire]

Ryuho came and sat at the same table, starting the oatmeal without much interest.

I see. I am wondering, you said that we are the only alter users here, but are there other people with powers?"

[absolute_perception]

"Yes. I know of no other Alter users at this time. However the ones that have powers are relatively numerous in this place. Do not underestimate anyone." It was a mistake that he had learned time and again and is still learning.

He has been a victim of circumstance more than once yet he still didn't complain. It was all information that he could use later in gauging powers.

[calculatedfire]

"I suppose the powers vary as well. Is there anyone who is particularly dangerous?" He ate slowly, not terribly interested in the tasteless food.

[absolute_perception]

"There are a few individuals to watch for. So far they have not done anything against others directly, and my assessment is limited at this time. Once I have more data, I shall relay their names to you." Elian had similar interest in the meal which was really just out of necessity than personal taste.

[calculatedfire]

"I will take that into consideration then. Thank you." He set the spoon back into the empty bowl, looking for where the dishes went.

[absolute_perception]

"You're welcome." Following his colleagues gaze, he placed his spoon to the side and stood up. "I'll take you to the depository."

[calculatedfire]

"Sure." He collects his dishes and stands, following Elian to where the dishes go.

"How do you feel about being here?"

[absolute_perception]

"At first, I thought it was just the means to an end. The more I listened, the more I learned that it's not true. We're given these letters to make us believe that we are the last. Oddly, I believed it briefly. With death treated as nothing more than a slap on the wrist for fatal mistakes, I don't fear it." Which was sadly true. He turned to regard Ryuho and pointed to the depository.

[calculatedfire]

"So, you do not believe that our world is gone?" He was hopeful for that. He wanted to believe that he had not failed to protet the people.

[absolute_perception]

"No, I don't. I believe that we were brought here for some other purpose than for the ideal of altruistic sacrifice. It is possible that the Administration could be using the tactic to gain instantaneous trust which would get them the desired result of unconditional gratitude through service. With no real system of government and established control, the social structure seems stable although I question the motives.

Otherwise, my doubts would be proven and we would have to find a way to keep order established. Therefore we are all given the impression that we are here for the reason of collection but I don't think that we are the last. Otherwise, you would not be able to exist and nor will I." He could talk about string dimensions but that theory alone has broken a lot of brains so far.