001

[uzuki]

Characters: Shion Uzuki, open
Setting: Floor 14, the media room
Format: I'll match whatever.
Summary: Shion wakes up, and decides to explore a little because that's totally a good idea.
Warnings: None yet~



[It was like a waking nightmare, and it felt completely surreal. Waking up in the tower, reading the letters that had been left there for her. She almost didn't know what to make of it. There was no way something like that could have happened to the Elsa... And her friends.

It didn't take her too long to push past the shock. She knew she had to get up and get out (and get her blood moving before she froze to death). She found her clothes and her weapon in the trunk at the end of her bed, and as soon as she was properly dressed, she set off to find out what had really happened.

After finding it, she rode the elevator down, and when the doors opened at Floor 21, she exited to the stairs. She wasn't sure why. Some instinct drew her out, and downward. Past the restaurant, and very carefully down the crumbling outdoor ramp. It was possibly somewhere in the bloodied hand print room that echoed with tortured screams that she began to wonder if her instincts were really something she could trust anymore, as she picked up the pace. She raced down the next few floors, as fast as she could without injuring herself, until finally she reached the 14th floor.

She was tired, cold, frightened, and confused. The media room seemed safe enough, and electronics were a somewhat familiar sight. So, looking shaken, she sank to her knees just off the stairs.]

What is this place...?

Comments

[temptestament]

No, it's more than that.

*Sigh.*

Where I'm from, you haven't seen me in three years...at least not knowing it was me, anyway. I died in the Archetype incident. I'm a Testament now.

[uzuki]

No... That can't be true. You're just joking, right?

[She finally lets go of him completely, and sits back on the floor, shaking her head.]

[temptestament]

I really wish I was, but I wouldn't joke about something like this.

*He leans forward and without so much as a flash of light, his Vector uniform is replaced by a brown Testament cloak, complete with mask covering his face.*

I'm...sorry.

[uzuki]

[She gasps at his sudden wardrobe change.]

No.. But... [She doesn't even have words.]

[temptestament]

I know...you were probably hoping you would never have to see this cloak again, weren't you? But this is what I am, and it's too late to change it now.

[uzuki]

Why?

[temptestament]

...Because I couldn't just leave you behind, not after he told me you would be in danger and I could make sure you survived it if I came back. Given the choice between moving on and leaving you to whatever happened and coming back so I could be sure you'd make it out of everything okay...well, I've made harder choices in my existence.

[uzuki]

You did that because of me? ...I'm sorry, Allen.

[temptestament]

*He shakes his head.*

It's not your fault. It's a decision I made for myself.

[uzuki]

...

[She's not sure what to say to him. Essentially, he is Allen. But not HER Allen? Was that even possible?]

[temptestament]

*He starts to reach out to her, then hesitates and lets his arm drop.*

I'm sorry, this must be a lot to take in, and...a lot of disappointment, too.

[uzuki]

It's not that...

[Well, okay. She's a little disappointed, but she doesn't want to tell him that.]

[temptestament]

You don't have to pretend you're not disappointed I'm not what you were expecting. Honestly, I'd be surprised if you weren't, considering what I am.

[uzuki]

No, don't say something like that!

[temptestament]

Then you can honestly say you're not bothered by the fact that I'm a Testament? One of Wilhelm's flunkies? That you don't resent me knowing what I must have had to do at his command?

[uzuki]

I... I don't know...

[She turns her face away.]

I don't know what to think. You're still Allen...

[temptestament]

But I'm not your Allen. I'm not even human, not really.

[uzuki]

....

[Both of those things are true... Not to mention the fact that he seems to be pushing her away. Maybe he didn't want her burdening him after all...]

[temptestament]

*It's the opposite, really. He doesn't want to be a burden on her. He curls up around his knees, resting his arms on the tips of his leg armor.*

But maybe your version of me will show up here too, one day. Then you can forget all about me and maybe get at least a little normalcy back.

[uzuki]

I wouldn't do that...

[She couldn't say for sure what she'd do if her Allen did appear there, but the idea of both of them being there or hurting either of them isn't a pleasant one.

Her eyes began to well up with tears. Just when she thought thing were getting better... When she had a chance to be happy, everything had to fall apart.]

[temptestament]

No-don't cry!

*He reaches out toward her again, but this time leaves his hand in the air when hesitation strikes.*

It...would probably be better for you. I'm dead, remember? I don't have any right to be a major part of your life now.

[uzuki]

[Well, she can't just stop crying. So she looks to the floor, because maybe that won't make it so obvious...]

But I'm the one who can't do anything alone...

[temptestament]

*He finally manages to make contact, tilting her chin up with one gloved hand as his mask vanishes so he can look her in the eye. With his expression visible, it's blatant that what he's been saying is tearing him apart, too.*

You're not alone. I'll always be there to support you, even if it's just from the background.

[uzuki]

[That's practically the same as being alone! But looking up at him, even with the Testament hood, he was still Allen. And here she needed him more than anywhere else. SO you're getting another hug Allen, you'll just have to ignore that she's going to press her face into your Testament clothes to cry.]

[temptestament]

*That earns a faint, surprised gasp, but this time he wraps his arms tightly around her.*

Ms. Uzuki...I'm so, so sorry I can't be the man you were expecting. That I'm this instead. But...remember. Even if I am dead, it doesn't change how I feel about you.

*He's not sure if her version of him has confessed to loving her or not, but either way, they were obviously close.*