ｆｉｒｓｔ ♔

[eldork]

Characters: Elsword and you. Yes, you over there.
Setting: Room 3-08, Floor 1, Floor 25 and any floors with monsters (nighttime).
Format: Whichever floats your boat
Summary: A not!shonen protag roams around the place.
Warnings: Idk, dorkiness with a tinge of angst?

[ Room 3-08 ]

[Okay, Elsword can barely process all of this in his mind. His world was destroyed without any plausible reason and all that, yet he survived and instead he was taken into this place by some weirdo who wrote this blasted letter. How the world did this sicko expected him to go 'Let's all be happy here' where he is left alone. Without Aisha... Without Rena... Without Raven... Without Eve... Without Chung...

Without Elsa to chase after. He have never even reached her back yet. And now... this.

It is rather unlikely of him, but here, in the emptiness of his assigned room, Elsword clenchs his hand before letting out the sign of weakness trail down his eyes, wetting his black-red outfit. Those crystal tears of anguish.]

[ Floor 1 ]

[Ah, the inescapable first oatmeal time. Sat on one of the chair, Elsword doesn't seem to be taking the food positively, just like most of you guys out there.]

...Food made by Raven was still even better than this.

[His tone is empty and barely audible, coming very close to what they would call as mumbling. He is still trying to cope with his current predicament. Losing those who he treasured so much is very hard, eh?

Alas, may I interest you in saying hi to a weird sadpanda over here, no? Poke, disturb, troll, and all those things?]

[ Floor 25 ]

[This floor is probably the one floor that struck Elsword as one of the most reasonable floor, for the season in this site actually calms his inside. Thus, it won't be long before he positions himself on one of the grassiest site, lying comfortably as he stares at the sky (ceiling?). The floor's beauty captivated him, for the place actually resembles one of those more peaceful places in Elrios.

But let's just skip all those dramatic aside because it won't be long before he falls into a peaceful nap there. Don't blame him for this, okay. It's clearly a logical move. The only thing wrong with that is just because he sleeps without anything to protect him.

Or mainly because his sword is wrecked into two. But anyway! A random person napping in this place is not going to end up well, right? That's where you come in to wake him up!]

[ Floor with monsters | Nighttime ]

[Okay that's enough bullshitting and angsting for today! Even though he's not exactly with his perfect weapon, he still have his magical attacks. And because this is this dork we're talking about, he's always up for some challenge.

Soooo yeah, if you're lurking around those floors at this hour, you'll be more than likely to encounter a teen with a flaming red hair, trying his best to burn whatever he encounters with those fireballs coming magically from his hand. He still knows his battle, though. Elsword won't approach anything that seems to pose a serious threat to him. But as time passes, it's painfully obvious that he's going to need a helping hand or two.

Or if you just want to watch the world burn and let this kid die... It's all in your hands, really. But why you do that you cruel person.]

Comments

[eldork]

[Instead of affording any unnecessary movement, Elsword merely lets out his emotion by the small, repetitive idle movement of his legs that are hanging by the bedside.]

I've met Chung and Eve. [There's the slight creaky tone as he mentions the next name.] They told me that Rena's here as well, but...

[Aisha. Aisha. No, the 'A' from her name cannot even come out. It chokes on him so bad. Both Chung and Eve also have reassured him about the possibility of everyone else from Elrios might be still alive, Aisha included. Still... No, both of them wouldn't understand Aisha's relationship to him, probably only Rena could understand, for the three of them go way back. Aisha was, and still is, one of the most important person to his life.]

...Dammit. She should appear soon, right? [Raven's probably the one who he can confide about this. After all, Els is still not good at sharing his weakness to other. He never wants to show everyone that he actually have one.]

Don't worry. It was not the first time I've seen you raising your blade against me. [His tone was still rather dry, nonetheless. You know... From when they sparred and all those peaceful moments back in Elrios.]

[unkindnessof]

With intent to kill? Because I would have. [The real question being: 'Are you really okay with that?' He could hear the hurt in Elsword's voice when he'd said his name; it was primarily that which had convinced him it wasn't worth risking it, after all.] ... Even then, though, I suppose it wouldn't be the first time.

...We were worried about you, you realize. [He says, sitting back on his hands and staring up at the ceiling.] But... here you are.

[It's the best he can do for reassurance. He can't be ever optimistic like Chung and always believe in the best outcome, nor can he lie to Elsword and say "Of course she will," because he knows that having ones hopes brought up only for them to be crushed later is painful.

He'll always lend a shoulder, should Els wish it. Or- not wish it, as it is. Raven knows Elsword well enough by now to know he doesn't ever want to appear weak, or anything less than confident, in front of others.

But right now, the room is quiet. Ion is... not present, hasn't been for a day or two, perhaps disappeared along with wherever the other vanished persons have gone, Kariya rarely spends too much time in the room, and if they were disturbing Waver, then. They'd deal with that later.]

[eldork]

[Actually, there was one occasion: The first time they encountered each other on the Black Crow's ship. But bringing it up right now will not do any good for him, for Raven, for both of them. Commenting on this topic is one of the best thing to avoid right now, so instead of words, Els merely gives a low grunt of confirmation.]

I appreciate it, Raven. [Idly, Elsword follows Raven's action, his neck is slowly lifted up and his gaze pierces the ceiling. The only difference is his arms that are resting just on his thighs.] Really, I appreciate it. Thanks.

[If there's a Rena somewhere between them, she would have already cheer him up. Both of them. But she's not here, and again, along with a certain purple-haired friend of them. Even remembering her face put a harsh sting by Els' heart.

Quietness is not something that Elsword could always deal with perfectly, for he was a talkative boy. This occasion, though, does not bode well with that, and for once, Elsword is more than content to let the silence continues. Until it reach the peak of his comfortableness, at least, where the Rune Slayer decides to break the atmosphere.]

And how about you? [He pauses slight, his eyes now fall upon Raven's sophisticated figure.] I was worried sick about you too, you know.

1/2

[unkindnessof]

[Him? He's been- adjusting. Not in his right mind. Displacing, ignoring, running, worrying, doubting. Annoyed, frustrated. Angry- more prone to senseless monster killing-]

2/2

[unkindnessof]

Fine. [He murmurs, features softening into something that's almost a smile. He leans forward to rest his head on a palm, head tilting to meet Elsword's eyes with an even gaze of his own.] I've been... fine.

[Elsword needs someone to rely on, so none of his thoughts make it to the surface.]

We've been here for two months before you arrived. [That, meaning... They've had two months to come to terms with, to begin to think and believe the others were dead. Then with Eve returning only recently, to confirm that Elrios was gone... It seems a little silly that Els, having only recently arrived, should voice so much concern about him, considering.]

...Mmm. You woke up just earlier today, I take it? I must have missed it...

I'm sorry I couldn't meet you then. ['Sorry I kept you worrying for longer than you needed to.']

[eldork]

[Raven's answer is successfully bringing the grin wider than it have been. A slight headtilt from him is also performed in attempt to reassure Raven further of his condition, or probably theirs in particular.]

Is that so? [After what seemed like forever, Els averts his eyes back to the floor, staring at it with plain and idle gaze. If what Raven said was true, Elsword kinda feel bad about leaving them here, although Elsword himself is probably the one who made them feel bad. Still... Raven was here with them. It was probably more than enough. He could always protect everyone's back, and Elsword admired him fully for that.] Guess I'm rather late to the party then.

[Just like how the moon fall and the sun take its spot, the aura around soon Elsword turns from the gloomy one into a more upbeat one. Indeed that they both still have issues. A lof of issues. But moping around will not going to bring them anywhere.]

Don't sweat it now. [At that time, Elsword pulls the right timing to stare back at Raven, now with his ever-so-confident grin intact.] Although I've to admit that you responded in the most extreme way possible, Raven.

[Chung might have squeezed him and Eve might have slapped him. But Raven simply raised his sword sternly against him.]

[unkindnessof]

... I did apologize. Want me to say it again?

[Raven palms his face, before combing through his hair with the same hand.]

If it had been anything else... Well. You know how it'd be a liability to have something wandering around pretending to be one of us. [A liability, and also something exceedingly worthy of ire. If it really had been a simple mockery, then Raven wouldn't have let the insult stand, wouldn't have thought twice before attempting to dispose of it the same way they'd done Crow Rider or Type H.

He nearly tried to kill Elsword because he's fond of him. Yeah, let that sink in for a moment.]

I think you've gone well and far beyond just 'late,' this time, but I'm sure you've already heard no end of that from the others, so I'll just say this: I'm... glad you're here now.

[...Have a tentative hair ruffle.]

1/2

[eldork]

Sometimes, I don't know whether you're as slow as Eve or Chung when it comes to sarcasm.

[ Raven, seriously. You're being way too different for Elsword's taste. Also what's the deal with the hair combing? Trying to look cool or something? Alas, Elsword shrugs a little again, before his face makes a light inquisitive expression at Raven's upcoming words. ]

Pretending to be one of us-? [ His small brain quickly wander back to the... Crow Rider and all those fakers back in Elrios. Okay, maybe he never witnessed one in this place yet, but it is more than imaginable. Things like that aren't really impossible, after all. So instead of saying something witty, Elsword processes his brain to say the short response. ] -Oh, yeah. Got it. It's Elrios all over again, eh?

[ He chuckles softly soon as he said that rhetorical question. There was no pain or hurt in his tone anymore, only the somewhat-unnecessary joking tone. ]

What? You sounded like you guys actually couldn't do anything without-

2/2

[eldork]

What are you doing!?

[ asldkjasldak suddenly Elsword seems to be getting chocked and all flustered of Raven's brotherly approach. Fuming a little, the thin blushes start to creep over to his cheeks as Elsword desperately tries to drive the Blade Master's hand on his hair away.

Whether it would work or not is another different thing altogether, though. Mind you, he doesn't really like to be treated like a little kid. ]

[unkindnessof]

Hush up, brat. That was sarcasm too.

[ Well, it was a 'casual' way of bringing his hand back after that facepalm. Elsword does often induce the need to. Facepalm, that is.

The Blade Master lets his hand linger for a moment longer before withdrawing it. Els can keep his dignity tonight, though his hair is probably thoroughly mussed by now. ...Not that that's much of a change from the usual. ]

Some things apparently don't change.

[ No matter where they are.

Is he referring to the Elrios comment? Who knows. ]

[eldork]

[ What the shit, Raven. You're pretty lucky that his hair was always so messy or else he'll be required to light a fiery rune up to your ass. Alas, he's still fuming a little like a... little kid. ]

Whaddaya mean?

[ He doesn't quite catch it, really. He's a dork for an obvious reason. ]

/matching icons all up in here

[unkindnessof]

[ Like Els doesn't deserve it anyway for his attitude. Though, getting into a... mock? fight at this time of night, in the relatively small space that is their dorm rooms proobably isn't the greatest of ideas. ]

Hmm. A couple of things, really... but mainly? You.

[ in other words Eldork's gonna Eldork ]

all of the same icon. except i'm not using it B|

[eldork]

[ If you put it like that... ]

...You too, Raven. [ A slight pause. ] Cool as always.

[ Hi my name is Elsword and I actually idolizes Raven, only when he's not going all angsty and bullshit. ]

I'm pretty sure that's the only one I've got, anyway |D

[unkindnessof]

... Mmm. [ 'Cool,' huh . . . he'll just sort of quietly shrug that off.

right then. now that they've got that out of the way. don't mind him as he shifts gears and starts looming a bit. ]

Now... tell me, what made you think that it was a good idea to take on that many monsters without a weapon.

[ What are MP reserves, what is 'not doing dumb things.' ]

[eldork]

[ Wow Raven wow. Gives him his personal space, wudcha. ]

Er... [ How does he deal with Lecturing!Raven again. ] I don't plan on having that many monsters surround me, you know. I was handling them just fine with my pure skills!

[ Might want to add what is reasoning over there, man. ]

[unkindnessof]

[ no. he's at least a good half a foot taller; he is going to make full use of that height. ]

Really. I suppose the next time that happens I'll simply leave you to it, since you say you were handling it just fine.

[ spoiler alert yeah no he would never actually do that

actually if he had his way Elsword wouldn't be leaving his sight for the next who knows how long, but. ]

[eldork]

[ Fuck you and your enormous heights in particular, Raven. SIGH. ]

Okay, okay! [ dskjdalsjsl screw it. ] I admit that things went haywire back there! Happy now !?

[ Just... going to vent all that frustration of losing his friends, family, and world here. In his unique and fiery way. ]

[unkindnessof]

... Actually, yes.

Just ignoring things isn't a good way of dealing with them. If you need to vent, then do so.

[ Nevermind that this is coming from the guy who really should take his own advice, re: the first part, but. ]

And... stop being so reckless. Please.

[eldork]

[ Aww damn, Els is a big guy now, okay? He can't cry, definitely, especially in front of one of his closest friend. ]

It's not that easy, dammit! [ Never mind it but he's going to clench his hand in anger before punching the... soft surface of the bed right now. ] W-we failed to protect Elrios, Raven! Elrios was destroyed!

[ Not that Eldork's going to put the blame on anyone, but- ]

How could you stay all that calm!?

[ News at 11, Rune Slayer has issues. But that's an old news actually so welp. ]

[unkindnessof]

[ He was thinking anger vent, but crying would work too... ]

Because I know the consequences if I am anything but.

Because I've had more time to come to terms with the fact that Elrios is gone, along with anyone else from it. [ Elsword would have a very different opinion on Raven's alleged calmness had he seen how the Blade Master reacted to Eve's return- and confirmation of Elrios's destruction. ]

... Everyone I cared about has been dead for years. [ Failure is no new feeling to him. ] It's no good to linger upon it. Only do what you can now.

And if I must repeat myself, I will: I'm glad you're here now. If only because it means you were spared.

With your arrival... there is some chance, however small, that it's not irreversible. Or at least... it's not entirely hopeless.

[eldork]

[ How about both? Venting while crying like a little bitch would be quite a panorama (read: read on, it's happening in this reply). ]

I'm not you, Raven. [ His voice? All creaky. ] I'm not you, dammit!!

[ And there he goes, the clenched hand is not going to just stay there on the bed. Instead, it's now heading toward Raven's shoulder. Funny thing though, should it actually land against Raven's shoulder, it will not give the Blade Master any pain except for the touch of the smallest of a jab, soundless even.

Because his strength is now drying itself. Through his words, and the single tear from his eyes. ]

How could I be as strong as sis now? How? [ Elsa. Yeah, the sole reason of his journey aside of El thingy. ] How am I... supposed to cope against these things as easy as you?

[ Excuse the second tear dripping to the bed now. Though Els will try to wipe it as soon as possible. That was quite a pathetic display of himself. ]

...Thanks again, anyway. [ sob sob. ] Give me two... No, three days to cope with things.

[ And you know how he won't lie when there's the determined tone in his voice. Before it's taken by the inquisitive one. ]

Not irreversible? What?

[unkindnessof]

No one's expecting you to be me. You simply asked how I could be so calm. I answered. [ Quite honestly- he'd rather that no one be like him anyway. He's not a person that someone should aspire to emulate.

He doesn't move at all when the punch is thrown. As such, it lands squarely on Raven's shoulder- with much less force than the Blade Master had been expecting.

He's left entirely at a loss when the tears start coming. What is he supposed to... He's already hovering this closely, how much...?

In the end, Raven settles for resting a hand on the Rune Slayer's shoulder in what he can only hope is a reassuring manner.]

... Els.

We... may not be an entire world... We can't replace the people who've been lost. [ Neither he, nor any of the others, could serve as replacement for Elsa, is what he's trying to say. ] But we're still here, nonetheless. You're here, when we thought you dead. Things aren't... entirely hopeless, necessarily.

Either way, you'll get through this. [ The amount of faith he has in Elsword is a little scary; it's about as jarring as seeing the Rune Slayer this way to begin with. ] We'll find a way.

[ Because otherwise it's aimless drifting again, and he's done too much of that recently for his liking. ]

[eldork]

...Tch.

[ That was the last offensive act that the boy did against Raven as he slowly pulled his own arm back to his side, calmly sweeping what seems to be tears roaming around his eyes. No, blaming it on himself, on Raven, or on anyone else in particular isn't going to bring them to any bright spot. ]

You just couldn't tell, huh? ...How sometimes I wished I were you. [ One-third truth. Elsword can be named as one of the most stubborn person in Elrios. But he, in the end, was a knight apprentice at first despite how now he mix his swordsmanship with fire. He knows what is respect, what is disrespect, and most of all, who to respect. From the whole group, the only one that always stood above the cloud is... Raven. In fact, aside of Elsa, the only one who had earned his respect was him, the ex-leader of the Black Crow. The Blade Master. ]

I know, I know. I'll try. [ His tone was dry, and it only gets drier as he speaks. ] It's just... There are still a lot of things I want to say to sis... [ A pause. ] ...Aisha... [ Mainly apologizes. ] ...And others.

[ This time, a sigh passes his lips as he politely drives Raven's hand on his shoulder off. No, it's not an attempt to harass the older man, it's an attempt to show that he's done being a burden to Raven. Hopefully. ]

...Elrios' destruction... [ He mumbles this one, probably barely audible for Raven even though the distance between the two are pretty close. ] It wasn't Ran's doing, was it?

[unkindnessof]

[ There's a brief lull in the conversation as Raven fixes Elsword with an unreadable look in response to that wish, head very slightly tilted. He'll allow his hand to fall, but the concern remains. ]

... I don't think you should say that so lightly. [ But he doesn't elaborate, instead turning his attention onto the other things the Rune Slayer had said. ]

Elrios and Ran... No, I don't think so. I don't think it was something any of us could have seen coming. [ His posture shifts slightly, less 'concerned older brother' and more 'another member of the El Search Party'- though it straddles the line as if he's not entirely sure which he should be speaking as. ]

When Eve returned, she reported that every trace of the El was gone. That includes the Dark El. She also specifically mentioned the demons, or, rather... the lack of them. They're all gone too.

[ The next part comes out in a murmur even quieter than his usual low tone. ] If you're curious, there's a floor here that shows what's apparently happening to the worlds. I'm still not sure I entirely believe it, but given what we know... It's the twelfth, going up from the bottom of the tower.

[ A distinct pause, before he lets out a small sigh. ] There is... a chance, still, that they may also show up here. [ No need to explain who 'they' refers to.

He doesn't know if that's the right thing to say. He doesn't want to give Elsword false hope, but the fact remains that it's a possibility no matter the odds. It's the most comforting thing he can think to say at the moment, in any case. ]

[eldork]

[ Another small nod from the Rune Slayer was all it takes to drop the prior topic completely as well as confirming the statement that the Blade Master just said. Yeah, not that underestimating Ran will do him any good, but for once, Els still has the slight doubt that Ran do have that much power to put Elrios into oblivion. So then... It must be someone, or something else's doing. ]

Eve returned? How?

[ That one, of course, completely grabbed his whole attention. Els does not raise any further question regarding the certain floor and 'they', for now. He... will have the time to adapt to the predicament later.

For now, Raven's answer to that is what intrigues Els so hard. And for once after a while, the red-haired teen seems to be in a less happy-go-lucky situation. It might be only a false hope, but a false hope is still a hope, nonetheless. Elsword will take even the tiniest glint of hope. ]