Only a shadow of what it seems (backdated to the 6th)

[warriorscribe]

Characters: Enoch and anyone
Setting: Floor 48, backdated to the 6th
Format: Doesn't matter!
Summary: Enoch has a new job! While he wouldn't necessarily mind being given something productive to do, this doesn't exactly count as productive considering they aren't real graves...
Warnings: Grieving I guess? Mention of a child's death.

He cut an eerie figure, himself, dirty brown cloak wrapped around him with the hood pulled all the way up. Only the duster in his hand marked him as working here, and only the gleam of white armor occasionally visible as he walked hinted at his identity, with his head constantly bowed. There were few flowers that survived the snowfall, so the watering can hadn't been necessary.

Enoch didn't like this floor. Each and every grave marker represented someone completely isolated from other people, all alone with nothing but the ruins of their world to call home. Perhaps some could starve to death; that one young man had said he foraged for food. Perhaps they would find release. But to die that way...

Oh, he didn't want to be here. He was actually somewhat glad the tower had doubled in size, taking it away from the dorms. But he'd received a letter in the morning telling him he was now in charge of maintaining it. And as much as it may hurt him, he knew disobeying would probably bring consequences.

Even though it wasn't the same at all. Even though it wasn't maintaining a peaceful rest. Even though reading names he remembered and seeing flashes of distraught faces in his mind's eye was worse than any instance of realizing they're dead now ever was on Earth...

...okay maybe he didn't want to do this. He fell to his knees at the grave that read Ryotaro Dojima - his first roommate here, someone who, like him, dearly wished for the presence of a loved one. Did he grieve over his daughter's little corpse even while she was right here in the tower he had just left? His eyes stung with tears - he'd only been gone a week. He hadn't seen Dojima in months. Was the man even sane anymore?

Wrapping his arms tight across his stomach, he forced himself to his feet and moved on, cleaning the newest rows of graves and again collapsing at the pain of considering each person here, trapped and all alone... Even if he didn't know who they were.

But he had finished the first day of his job, so he could afford to sit here on his knees and quietly weep, shaking with the pain of reopened wounds.

Comments

[warriorscribe]

*Enoch nodded, and stepped closer to Lucifel, for his presence.*

I've seen volunteer forms by the suggestion box. But I woke to find a letter telling me I had a job today...

[brbtalkingtogod]

If you want to help others you should be more specific next time instead of just volunteering.

[He sighed and shook his head.]

[warriorscribe]

*...Had he misspoken? Had the cold distracted Lucifel?*

I didn't volunteer...

[brbtalkingtogod]

[Maybe both of it. And... a bit of something else.]

Not? I thought that the guy who jumped into the Darkness without hesitation to save a little girl would do that.

[warriorscribe]

...What?

*Guess what was never brought up in Meridian?*

[brbtalkingtogod]

... Ah. You will understand soon enough then.

[It's not his job to tell him what happened on his journey if he hadn't done it yet.]

[warriorscribe]

No, I...

*He sighs.*

...To save a child, I would, you're right. But this...isn't the same. I wouldn't choose this job.

[brbtalkingtogod]

I never said you would. Well, looks like you just had bad luck then, Enoch.

[warriorscribe]

*Seeking comfort, Enoch steps closer, to where their shoulders are touching. It hurts, being surrounded by reminders that everyone is alone, unreachable by all but a few.*

[brbtalkingtogod]

[Lucifel doesn't know how to comfort someone, even though it's not the first time he is in a situation like that. He doesn't say a thing when their shoulders touch, but he doesn't move away either.]

[warriorscribe]

*The closeness seems to be enough for him for now, at least.*

I don't want to be so alone again...

[brbtalkingtogod]

[If it's enough for now, then he can live with it.]

...

[warriorscribe]

*While Lucifel won't speak up, Enoch breathes deep and damp, trying to keep himself from crying again.*

[brbtalkingtogod]

[Okay, if he doesn't want him to start crying then it might be better if he at least tried to comfort him. Somehow. So here is one of the rare moments where Lucifel is touching someone by placing a hand on Enoch's shoulder.]

[warriorscribe]

*Enoch clutches at the hand with both of his.*

Can you imagine...? Alone...with no one, everyone you knew dead...

[brbtalkingtogod]

[Oh, it seem that this is effective.]

I can't imagine.

[warriorscribe]

*And what about the viewfinder Raphael had you look into? Not that Enoch knows about it.

Which is why, instead of bringing it up, Enoch continues to hold onto his hand like a lifeline.*

Then I hope you never experience it, to be able to understand it.

[brbtalkingtogod]

[True, but despite that he felt something when he looked through the viewfinder, he didn't understand why he felt this way. But despite what he saw and felt, it's not the same as being there and actually experiencing it.]

[warriorscribe]

*Enoch stares at their feet for a while before glancing over at Lucifel.*

...When I was in Meridian...living there, I mean, I...kept a journal. I meant to show it to you. I'm...not sure why, now. Perhaps as proof I had been there, since we were outside of time...

[brbtalkingtogod]

You were keeping a journal? Is it still in your possession?

[Because he is more than curious to know what this other world was like.]

[warriorscribe]

It is...I haven't been detailing my life here, though.

*For obvious reasons...he's had enough suffering.*

[brbtalkingtogod]

Ah. I am curious to get to know what the time in this other world was like for you.

[warriorscribe]

It was...peaceful. I haven't opened the books since I arrived. I couldn't bear to...

*He looks up the stairs. It will be a long climb up to floor sixty-one, but it will be better than going down past the graveyard again. He's done with that place for today.*

[brbtalkingtogod]

Then I will take a look at them, if you don't mind. I've never read anything personal of you before after all.

[warriorscribe]

I don't mind... I intended to show someone, I think...

*Enoch took a few slow steps, his feet feeling leaden, before reaching a good pace.

Perhaps Lucifel would like to simply teleport them back to the dormitory floors instead. Unless he'd like the sightseeing.*