auroraexpress | The Nineteenth Trial

The more we talk with any degree of sincerity and the more annoyed I get with how similar we are.

I was just thinking the same thing.

Well, not the annoyed part, that's more bemusement.

You'd be more annoyed if you had your actual memories. Makes it easier to go full self-deprecating when you see yourself on someone else.

[ There's a long pause as he considers his next plan of action and then, eventually ]

I can talk about the most important person in my life and tell you a secret afterwards. They're tied.

...maybe.

[Listen, there is a lot of anger and frustration in his memories, and he's had issues with guilt. It's pretty easy for him to believe it.]

Okay.

You already know about my family. Obviously they're important — but I've only spent the first thirteen years of my life with them. Everything I know about their adult lives I've read through a book that my sister wrote about how messed up our family is.

Pretty ballsy, by the way. Never though Vanya had it in her.

We didn't have all that much bonding time when I came back to try and save the world, so. There's that.

[ There's a pause and he realizes he's stalling ]

The most important person I've had in my life was Delores. We spent 40 years together in the apocalypse. We had our arguments from time to time, sure, but she's the only one who ever understood me. And she's been by my side through it all.

I've never loved anyone like I love her.

[He nods as he listens.]

It's always the ones you least expect.

[That gets him a pause though. Because didn't Five say he was alone for all that???]

Anyone to help get through that, pretty understandable you would.

She's a mannequin. I found her under the rubble while I was looking for survivors.

I've been with her ever since.

[W E L L]

.....

[He very much does not say the first thing that pops into his head because that is definitely proof Five went off to crazy town.]

[No, saying anything like that would be terrible and even in his social awkwardness, he knows better.]

[But]

[But....]

[Grief was a funny thing.]

[As was loneliness.]

[And he needed something. If anything, it was proof how much Five could survive through. And how much better he honestly deserved.]

[It takes several long moments for him to talk, but he is sincere.] I'm glad you found her then. [Because who knows what would have happened if he hadn't, but it probably wouldn't have been good.]

[ He was expecting the silence and the surprise, so he doesn't even blink an eye at that. And while he didn't think Dusk would flat out mock him for it, he didn't exactly expect him to simply take it at face value without questioning any part of it. ]

So am I. I wouldn't have made it without her. It's the loneliness that breaks you, in the end.

[ He pretty much confirms Dusk's thought process right then and there, unsurprisingly. ]

Should have gotten some coffee for myself.

[It's easy to understand. Very easy. He's always been of the opinion going at it alone was bad. Both for results and for a person's own sake. And....]

[The thought of loneliness hurts. It just does in a way he can't really put into words, but it makes it so easy to empathize with it.]

Yeah. Seems like it would. Luckily she was there.

[He wonders if he should say anything else? He's not sure if there is anything he CAN say.]

Should be about five minutes for the petting. Drink break sounds good.

Edited 2019-10-13 10:10 (UTC)

[ Right. He was pretty much mindlessly going through the motions, so he almost forgot that he was still petting Dusk's hair. Which, honestly? Is embarrassing, because it was almost comfortable. So he's going to pull back ]

I'll get more for you as well. It's shit, but it's better than nothing. Wait here and think of your next one.

[Sometimes going through the motions is easier than]

[Well, thinking all that.]

All right.

[He figures Five may need a minute to himself.]

[ He absolutely needs to and in fact, takes some time to gather drinks and come back. But by then he's managed to shake off most of it. ]

I need to give one more massage still.

[ Handing over a cup - this time, with no salt in it ]

[Takes the cup and does a test sip. Once he sees its good, he'll take a sane and normal sip.]

Sure. So do I. Just try not to touch the tech on my neck.

[ He on the other hand is drinking his all in one go. Because that's what normal people do. He's going to move in closer and take a look at his neck, to make sure he won't touch anywhere he's not supposed to ]

I'll keep it in mind for whenever I want to piss you off.

More like I don't know how to feels to have other people touch it.

Or if I have instincts for when people touch the delicate machinery attached to my spine.

I'd say we could test it, but let's wait until I get my powers back. I'm as fragile as any regular thirteen year old boy and I barely have combat skills. —Which would count as another secret, since I haven't told this to anyone. But I've already taken care of that spot.

[ Putting his hands on his shoulders, and then starting the massage ]

I kind of guessed that when you remembered things.

[But staying still for the massage.]

[....he is hella tense, but that's probably not such a surprise.]

One thing is to know that I don't have powers, another is to know that I'm basically a useless pile of flesh when it comes to fighting now. Not really going to advertise that much. Keep the knowledge strictly to Clover only.

Edited (i got my pink teams mixed) 2019-10-13 11:29 (UTC)

[He could be a little shit and point out his size would point to that.]

[Nah, not after all the emotions.]

Actually, that's convenient. I needed to make a pact.

I promise not to tell anyone off of Clover you're a useless pile of flesh when it comes to fighting. Strictly need to know basis with team.

[ GOOD DON'T BE RUDE DUSK ET HIM HAVE SOME DIGNITY. Also he's deadly despite his size so take that!!! ]

Only for now. Even assuming I don't get the full extent of my powers, getting my usual skills back would be enough.

[ also he's going to be petty and squeeze harder than he needs when Dusk says useless pile of flesh ]

I was trained as an assassin. Shouldn't be much of a surprise considering our similarities, but there you go. Thought this is something that can be useful to know in the future.

Edited 2019-10-13 11:36 (UTC)

[Listen, he's been bullied by a number of tiny high schoolers, that's his life.]

Could always make deals with people. Eliza and I try to tell jokes, learn lessons when we talk.

[He chuckles at the squeeze.] Your words~

Nah, that's not a surprise. Most of Clover has been some kind of trained killer. Except like Twilight, he just has weird. But it's always good to know what people are and aren't capable of.

He still has got a criminal record, so. I wouldn't put that completely off the table yet. I'm getting increasingly sure we're all murderers.

For the record.

I won't have qualms about killing you or anyone else if it's convenient or needed, for whatever reason. Just in case you're worried about going off the rails.

If he is, I'm not sure I'd put it to trained assassin. He's not exactly....

[The kind of person who could go kill a bunch of people.]

....I would rather not become a monster, it's true. The convenient sounds terrible for the record though.

I'd hope you'd do the same if it's convenient for the team as well. I need the sparks and we have a universe to save, so. Don't let morals stop you.

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