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

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho wasn't sure what to make of his situation. It was dizzying to find himself in this sterile place, when the last thing he really remembered was wandering the Lost Ground, confused and starving, with no really memory of who he was or where he had come from.

When he heard the knock, he walked over, opening the door, although it felt odd since he didn't consider the dorm he was in to be his.]

[absolute_perception]

[Elian's height as clearly much smaller to the taller Ryuho at nearly a foot and half difference. He looked up impassively with his child-like face even though he was approaching his mid-teens himself.]

Is there anyone in the room with you presently?

[Deep within this small body lie a seething cauldron of doubt, remorse and regrets that had yet to be purged. The once living system to HOLY was now reduced to that of a child, yet he gave no complaint nor made any posts that showed his incomprehensible turmoil.

Instead, he showed pure focus, pure logic. That's the face that he would rather everyone see and it has protected him this long.]

[calculatedfire]

No, I haven't met anyone else here, except on the network.

[Ryuho shook his head slightly, eyes still blank and oddly gentle.]

[absolute_perception]

Understood.

[He walked by Ryuho and dropped his impassiveness for a moment to smile.]

I'm glad that you're well despite your memory loss. You don't remember me, but I used to provide you with your reconnaissance when you were with HOLY. You're an Alter user like me and one of the best.

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho blinks rapidly, betraying shock and surprise.]

I'm an alter user with HOLY?

[He stares at his hands a moment, wondering how that power could be inside of him. It was almost beyond comprehension.]

[absolute_perception]

Yes. You don't recall because you opened the gate to the Other Side. I was present when the Second Uprising occurred. You were missing for several months. Scheris, Cougar, NP3228 known as Kazuma, Mimori Kiryu and Asuka Tachibana along with a Kazuma's ward were present. Urizane managed to get Scheris out in time before she tried to follow you inside.

[He slowly sat down on the chair with his hands in his lap.]

It's hard to understand at the moment, but you should know that the event caused a lot of damage.

[Not to mention there was a lot to explain. He decided to stick to what happened first.]

I'm here now to answer your questions. We- no, I thought you were lost.

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho ran a hand through his hair, trying to make sense of the information and all the names that he should know, but didn't ring any bells. That is, until 'Kazuma' was mentioned, and he suddenly frowned, feeling a spike of hate-filled irritation that he couldn't place.]

Kazuma...

[He blinked again.] Did I cause the Second Uprising?

[absolute_perception]

Both of you did.

[His tone was matter-of-fact and to the point. There was a pang of guilt at Ryuho's sudden change in expression. There wasn't anything he could do about that.]

Perhaps I am not the best person to speak to in such matters, but unfortunately, I am all that's left of the team presently.

[calculatedfire]

How is that possible?

[He didn't remember it occuring, only the devstation that he had seen after the fact.]

[absolute_perception]

[He looked to his hands on his thighs and tightened them into fists.]

I can't answer that.

[He could, but that would be way too complicated to explain how he knows and he would have to explain why he was there. It was by orders, and orders were followed even if the outcome meant death.]

Not right now. The important thing is that you should get acclimated.

[Take small steps, Elian. With the commander, and so many others dead, it was going to take a while to explain things clearly without information dumping on Ryuho.]

I can say that your power clash and emotional release was enough to open the rift that caused the seismic upthrust. However, the damage suffered was not easily repairable. This did catch the attention of others that should have remained out of sight that created a whole other set of circumstances that I am unprepared to answer at this time.

[calculatedfire]

I see.

[There wasn't mistrust in his eyes. The hardness and paranoia of the years after his mother's death were done, leaving only the gentle personality of his youth.]

It's hard to believe, I don't even remember being an alter user.

So, may name is Ryuho?

[absolute_perception]

Correct. You are the heir to the Tairen Dynasty and son to Ryu Tairen. You come from a noble family. How much do you remember?

[Elian gauges Ryuho carefully for any signs of mental distortion. There was a lot of that going around lately.]

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho paused and then shook his head.] Nothing at all. I was in the lost ground and something bad happened recently. I was looking for work because I was hungry.

[absolute_perception]

Are you sure it was work you were looking for?

[In this place, Elian was used to having all the answers until his arrival that shook his very foundation. It wasn't his fault that he couldn't "scan" Ryuho to find out more. That ability was taken from him.]

I shouldn't have assumed anything. My apologies. Your Alter powers will return to you in time. For now, focus on getting some rest. Perhaps over a meal we can discuss more. There is still much to cover.

[calculatedfire]

Is there a place to get more clothing?

[He found the tight white outfit rather uncomfortable.]

[absolute_perception]

[He moved toward the end of Ryuho's bed and stood in front of the footlocker and pointed at it. He had to take in consideration their timelines and one important thing he had to keep in mind, not everything needed to be revealed. Elian was from a future that hasn't happened yet in Ryuho's time.]

Anything you need should be in the locker.

[calculatedfire]

[Ryuho walked over to check on the cehst, opening it to look over what looked like his very normal pants and shirt. He paused and picked up the HOLY uniform in his size, frankly surprised to see it, even though the boy had said that he was an alter user.]

[absolute_perception]

[Elian noted the pause and nodded his head.]

It is not wise to wear something that you are not comfortable in. Save it for another time, my friend. It will come to you eventually. Pushing memories that may not be yours is not the answer to solve your dilemma.

My fa... no, Commander Zigmarl stated once that if you do not believe in something, then you are walking into a forest of darkness and uncertainty. You must choose your way when they present themselves.

[calculatedfire]

[He set the uniform down, unsettled what it meant about him.]

They have my regular clothing as well.

[He pulled out the regular shirt and pants, leaving the ratted cloak in the chest.]

[absolute_perception]

[Elian gave a nod and left the area while Ryuho changed clothes.]

I understand.

[calculatedfire]

I'm sorry if I'm different than what I should be.

[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?