⚔ [video]

[highfrequency]

[Raiden is crouched, holding the communicator in one hand, and empty vials in another. He's looking at the vials, his eyes never once darting towards the screen. There is a trace amount of blood on his breastplate. When he speaks, it's with a harsh edge that barely disguises a haunted tremor.

Some of the structures around him are busted up.]

Found one of those bastards in the market place, pretending he was sick. He had these.

[He rolls the vials between his claws.]

I caught him, he didn't say much though. Just "United Earth stands strong, obey and prosper!" And that the Exiles will be punished.

[He looks up into the sky, squinting his single eye, then opens his mouth slightly as if to say something. When nothing comes out, he just sighs.]

...Yeah. Guess that's it.

[He stands up, waving the vials in a "come and get it" gesture.]

Raiden out.

[Feed cuts out]

Comments

[highfrequency]

Don't worry about it. That was a long time ago.

[showmeyourwreath]

[Not that long ago--at least for her. Wait a moment.]

Hey, did you go home? Is that why you look different?

[highfrequency]

Oh...yeah. Sorry.

[He pushes his claws through his hair and blows out a ragged breath.]

I was only gone for a day, I guess. On my side I was gone for four years. It's been kinda hard getting used to that.

I'd actually convinced myself this place was just a dream.

[showmeyourwreath]

I wish it could be a dream, for everyone. I'm sorry that it's been hard for you. [There's a small, apologetic smile.]

I feel kind of bad wishing that I hope things get better for you, here, even if what's I want at the same time, you know? I'm sure this isn't where you want to be.

[highfrequency]

It's not, but maybe it's where I have to be. I've seen what those bastards-the United Earth-can do.

[He looks down at the vials]

They destroyed someone's world. I'm not gonna let that happen to anyone else. I'm fighting so I have a home to go back to. So we all do.

[showmeyourwreath]

I agree with you, entirely.

[She looks down a moment, remembering that, though truth be told, it wasn't far from her mind. Never.

She tries for a smile, then. Mild again, but earnest.]

Welcome back then, Raiden.

[highfrequency]

Yeah.

[Pause]

I mean... I'd say "thanks" but...

[He waves a claw in the air as if to say "but that would be a bit asinine given present circumstances."]

Stay safe, alright?

[showmeyourwreath]

[She tilts her head, closes her eyes and nods in agreement. It's very asinine.]

No need, it's alright. And I'll try, but you know... [And she waves her own hand, in the same manner as he did, grinning very slightly.

There's a difference between being safe and careful. She wouldn't be able to get anything done if she were the former. It's not worth explaining the difference, though, she expects he knows it already.]

You too. [And her mood starts to sober.] That man, though... was he just really obvious? What gave him away to you?

[highfrequency]

He wasn't sick.

[He taps a claw against the corner of his eye.]

My visor lets me see things outside the visual spectrum, like enemy vitals. When he saw me approaching? That's when he ran, and I knew I was right.

[showmeyourwreath]

I see. That's pretty amazing.

[She does sound impressed before going quiet a moment.]

If you need help, I could probably find more of them. And keep them from doing, well...that.

[highfrequency]

Are you sick?

[She doesn't seem to be, but he's not sure what a sick fairy looks like.]

[showmeyourwreath]

No, I'm fine. I don't know why, but I'll take it. I'm guessing you're alright, too?

[highfrequency]

Mm.

One of the up sides of not having an organic body, I guess.

[showmeyourwreath]

[She looks at him at him again like seeing him for the first time.

Then, sheepishly.]

Oh...you know I'd always thought that was a suit.

[highfrequency]

I'm a cyborg. Parts of me are still human but most of me is a machine.

[He says this matter-of-factly, as if simply stating the color of the sky.]

I guess that's not something I really talked about the last time I was here. It took a while for me to get used to the idea.

[showmeyourwreath]

I see. One of my best friends would know more a lot about that, but I have heard a bit.

[It doesn't really change anything for her, aside from giving rise to a new curiosity, as well as perspective.]

It's still not something you have to talk about if you don't want to, yet, but if you'd like to, I'd be happy to lend an ear.

[highfrequency]

I don't mind. I'm not gonna stop being a cyborg any time soon. Besides, it's not like I even look human anymore.

[showmeyourwreath]

You do to me.

[He looks different, sure, but she's never thought otherwise.]

[highfrequency]

Nice of you to say, I guess. Don't think you'd be hurting my feelings if you said I look strange, though.

This chassis is for the battlefield. Not supposed to look nice, you know? It's pretty utilitarian.

[showmeyourwreath]

I try to be sensitive to that sort of thing, but everything's as normal as anything else here in Exsilium, I think.

[She ponders the remarks.]

Do you have other ones you can switch into?

[highfrequency]

Yeah.

I mean, I really only have one other one but....yeah.

[showmeyourwreath]

It's not for fighting too, is it?

[highfrequency]

Mm-hmm.

[He looks down at his claws, then at something else off screen-the corpse of the UE agent. He refrains from saying that combat is all he's good for, but-]

In my line of work I always have to be ready to fight. My other chassis is made to be worn under clothes, though. Helps me blend in.

[showmeyourwreath]

[She can appreciate that. She's a spell away from being ready to battle, but it's that same spell that lets her do other things, as well.]

It's not all you do, though, is it?

[highfrequency]

It's my job. Back home I worked for a private security firm. Did bodyguard work, stuff like that.