The last person they expected to see [Active/Semi-closed?]

[pianistofraieln]

Characters: Raiel, Hamel, Lute. Flute and Garnet a bit later. This is pretty public so if you were there you probably heard/saw it but ask first if you think your char would absolutely step in.
Content: Raiel and Hamel get to meet Lute in person for the first time. It doesn't go too well!
Location: Near the dock area where the RI rescue took

Comments

[pianistofraieln]

Lute? Lute?! He only had a second to process that before Flute appeared, and at that point he just...kind of overloaded. Bass, the man responsible for the disaster at Anthem, was standing right in front of them. But he was also telling them that he wasn't Bass, he was Prince goddamn Lute of Sforzando. Hamel was halfway to his Mazoku form. And Flute had just appeared in the middle of a highly volatile situation, which put her in danger. And he just...lost it.

"What do you mean you're Lute!" He pulled himself to his feet, standing protectively over Hamel. His voice was unsteady; he was still in tears. "Lute died, and you're--" He looked over at Flute, throwing an arm out to his side like he was warning her away. "He's Bass! Hell King Bass! That's a face I'll remember for the rest of my life, I could never mistake it!" Turning back to Lute, his other hand curled into a fist in front of his chest, turning his pose into something more befitting a dramatic hero. "What the hell do you mean, you're Lute?"

At that point, all the resolve in his voice completely dissolved, and he just fell apart, sobbing. Hands moved up to his head, fingers tangling in his hair; fear replaced by something more like...like the look of somebody betrayed. "What the hell...do you mean...that you're Lute?"

His hero. His hero. It couldn't be true. Lute couldn't be...couldn't be Bass.

That wasn't fair.

[portugesegent]

"It doesn't fucking matter who he is! Where's my mother, you blood thirsty asshole!! You ruined my life! Give her back!" Hamel cried out, tears of dark red running down his cheeks.

He didn't care. He didn't fucking care. That person could have said he was anyone for all he cared, but the bitch was going to pay. He didn't care!

[megido_flame]

"It..." Lute trailed off. He didn't want to think about it. It was actually really easy to not think of Bass most the time. It was hard to think about, not because of his own pain, but the pain of others. He could remember, his body remembered, the pain, the sorrow.... Even the faces he could picture in his head, when he had failed.

Tears began to pour down his face. Not for himself, never for himself. His mother, Flute, Hamel, Raiel, Clari, all the people who had been effected by that one moment of failure. He raised a hand and clutched it to his chest. He didn't want to talk about it, not in front of Flute who had yet to truly know about it all. But... they deserved an explanation, they were owed one. He could tell the what he knew, though he did not know what the state of Pandora was.

"Lute did die... on that day. He was killed by Hell King Bass in the ritual of the Holy Grail. Before he died though, he destroyed Bass' body, a body that had been weakened from years of using magic. Bass had organized his attack for the simple purpose of trapping Lute, of trapping me. He needed a new body... strong in magic...." he stopped, he didn't know if they would listen. He didn't know what Flutes reaction would be. He also didn't know how much he should say. Should he tell them about Clari? And Flute in the capital? Would they beleive something that was so far off to them?

[unluckymelody]

Oh no.

Flute listened to her brother and felt her heart sink in her chest. She'd heard all the talk of him during her short time in Sforzando, and even with the few details he gave she could guess where this was going. Her knees felt weak when she even tried to think of the atrocities that Bass had committed-- against the whole world, but especially what had happened to Hamel and Raiel when they were children. And the news that Lute was the face he wore was... troubling-- but deep in her heart, she knew one thing above all else.

Lute would never hurt a living thing of his own volition. Anything that Bass had done, whether or not he was in Lute's body... it was Bass's doing.

That was something she already knew and believed with all of her being. But she had never stared into the face of the Hell King-- the face of her brother. This would all have to be dealt with as it came up, but right now there were bigger things to worry about. If Hamel was on the verge of going berserk, there was no time to ask questions.

Flute looked helplessly over at Lute, nodding. "Lute- Nii-chan, it's okay!" Then she immediately turned to Hamel and ran for him. She didn't care if he was in the middle of changing or if she got hurt in the process-- she had to stop him before he did something he would regret.

"Hamel! Hamel! Stop, Hamel! It's all right!" she cried, falling down on her knees in front of him. She placed one hand on his shoulder and the other cupped under his chin, pulling his face up to look at her. "Look at me, Hamel. Just look at me for a second." She reached up and wiped away the blood streaming from his eyes with her sleeve, her stomach churning inside her and her heart pounding a thousand miles an hour-- but a smile on her face, the most comforting one she could muster when she was so frightened she felt like screaming. She knew somehow that her healing magic was definitely not going to work, even if she needed it to-- but hopefully, the power in her blood that calmed him would help him keep control.

"Take a deep breath, Hamel. Don't lose your temper," she said shakily. "You're hurt... and you did it all for me. I know you can keep control! I'm here now... it's okay, wh-whatever it is! It's gonna be okay! Just look at me."

[pianistofraieln]

When they'd talked over the network, Lute had told him that he hadn't died, that something had happened to make people think he had. Raiel had assumed he meant something like what had happened to Pandora, who'd been sealed in a crystal. Not...not that he'd become Bass.

He looked away, down at Flute and Hamel, started trying to wipe the tears away on the sleeves of his coat. Hamel was okay; Flute was taking care of him. He didn't need to worry about that. He didn't... Hamel would be okay...

Sniffling, he turned back to Lute, staring at him for a moment before he finally tried to speak again. He thought he'd managed to get himself mostly under control, but when he opened his mouth, he just broke down again. "S-so he...he..." Couldn't even get the words out. Tried to wipe away the new tears but just kept crying.

It couldn't be--like Sizer. Lute had been used by Bass for so many years, like Vocal was using Sizer now. Was that...was that what he'd meant, when he said...?

[portugesegent]

Dead, He wanted the fucker dead. He didn't care what it took or what people said, he wanted to see Bass gone from this world. He wanted to feel the wet snap Bass' neck when he sank his teeth in!

Hamel glowing eyes only flickered at Flute before looking right back over to the bastard that stood before them. Just the sound of Flute's voice was soothing and warm, but to tell Hamel to calm down right now was like asking him to stop a moving train. Didn't she understand!? Bass was right there! After so many years, Hamel could finally defeat this bastard and find out where his mother was. That's all that mattered to him! He needed this.

For a moment the air started feel heavier, weighing down on everyone's shoulders as Hamel pushed his girlfriend away from him. He squirmed his way closer to Lute/Bass/Whoever while he yelled at the top of his lungs. "YOU LYING FUCKING BASTARD! WHERE IS SHE, BASS!? TELL ME WHERE MY MOTHER IS, YOU FUCKING MAZO...ku!"

That's when he collapsed onto the floor, every muscle in his body giving out. Whatever foul energy that had been burning through his veins had burned him out completely. Tears of blood were replaced with Hamel desperately struggling to not start real ones.

"D...Damn it." He muttered into the dirt.

[megido_flame]

"Bass isn't here... he's dead...." in Lute's timeline at least. "In your future, you will all go to the capital, while there... I'll get restored."

He tried to smile, it was a sad smile, but it was better than an unhappy face. Even if Raiel and Hamel were both shocked and hesitant, Hamel more so and completely untrustworthy. Even if they probably didn't care, he would do it for Flute. Trying to make the situation better than it was.

"I know it's hard to understand... but, there's a way of removing ones soul, and causing the body to be... lifeless, but not gone. Bass was the head, the head I held in my hands. That's all that was left of him after the battle of Sforzando... was his head," he looked down in shame and embarrassment. Hamel's words only making his guilt worse. If he had only done better... if he had only tried harder..... "She's in the northern Capital, I'm sure you will all rescue her in the end," this was soft, barely above a whisper.

Hamel was hurt, he could tell. He was hurt badly. He wanted to go and check on him, to see where, but he wasn't so foolish to do so. If he went that close no doubt Hamel would attack him, or break. All he could do was try and keep his distance, keep his head down, and just feel broken. Broken for the both of them. There was nothing he could do to help them, to heal their hearts, souls, or even bodies. This was not something bubbles could fix.

"Clari could probably explain some of it better than I."

[unluckymelody]

Flute kept her hand tight on Hamel's shoulder while she worked to wipe the blood from his face, tears filling up her eyes. "It's okay Hamel. It's okay." She could only barely focus on what Lute was saying, but it seemed to her she understood the gist of it anyway. Her brother, a mindless slave to that monster Bass...

Another unneeded reminder of the cruel world she called home.

Hamel suddenly shoved her aside, and Flute fell backwards, catching herself before scrambling back up to her feet. "No, Hamel!" she cried-- but stopped when he collapsed himself. Slowly she kneeled down beside him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him up into her arms and careful to avoid aggravating his injuries.

She buried her face in his shoulder and held him as close as she could, tears running down her cheeks now. "It's gonna be all right. I know it."

[thedaggersedge]

Amidst and around the unfolding scene, everything was a great mix of order and chaos. People shouted, and flung themselves at one another in relief and joy. Other still helped those who wavered in exhaustion, or favored bruised and broken limbs. While people were busy re-uniting and aiding others, Garnet found that she had lost track of the only other captive whom she knew personally. One minute, She'd been listening to someone shouting orders, ushering people across the landscape, and then with a single turn, Flute had vanished.

Pushing her way through the crowds, silently cursing her short stature and inability to see over or around the throngs, she parted people as politely as she could, until finally she stumbled into open space.

And that's when it caught her attention; that particular bit of chaos, three familiar faces across the way. Familiar voices shouting, and there, was her misplaced friend.

"Flute!" she called out. It took only a moment, even as her feet carried her toward them, to realize that she was crouched beside Hamel... and Raiel.

Relief flooded Garnet's senses, but it was short lived as Garnet approached, dirty and bare-foot, wearing the same plaid flannel nightgown that she'd been wearing the night she's been stolen from her bed. The tension in the air struck her like a blow to the head as her eyes registered their faces. She slowed to a stop, creeping up just behind the dark haired figure whose face she could not see, and whose form she did not recognize.

"Wh... what's going on?"

[pianistofraieln]

It was just like Sizer. But there was something Lute said that completely overrode everything else that was going on right now. "I'll get restored."

Lute was...he was from a point in the future, he had to know--he had to know about what happened after Raiel had left--!

"Is Sizer--" He lunged forward suddenly, grabbing Lute by the shoulders, desperate pleading look on his face. "Is Sizer okay? She--It's just like, it's just like what happened to you, and they brought you back--did we--did we bring Sizer back, too?"

He almost didn't notice it, that voice. That voice he'd been waiting to hear in person for days. It pulled his attention away from Lute, and when he saw her he stepped back, staring past him to the woman he'd spent this past week trying to save.

Somehow, it wasn't a good feeling. It wasn't the relief and elation he'd expected to feel, but just this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, and this feeling like somebody had grabbed his heart and twisted.

Ah, why did she have to see him like this? He turned away from her, wiping his eyes with his sleeves again, trying to compose himself in front of her.

No, no, this was all wrong. They weren't supposed to meet like this. Not while he was facing down his past or desperate for news of what would happen back home or while he was worrying over the other girl he loved, no. No.

[portugesegent]

There was nothing Hamel could do now. The moment had finally come to face one of the monsters he spent his life preparing to defeat and it only ended with being as useless as he was 15 years ago. He remained silent and motionless, though he still desperately wished he had energy to move. Instead, he just pressed his head against his girlfriend's shoulder, using the pressure to hold back the tears.

When he first arrived in Manhattan, he honestly thought that things were looking up. A Chance at a free life and everything that could lead to a path never available to him.

Now, after two hard battles and not even able to raise a finger to a man he never hoped to see anymore, that hope had severely lost its shine.

He just wasn't sure anymore. He wasn't sure about anything at all.

[megido_flame]

Lute looked up, surprised but still caring when Raiel grabbed him. He tried to give a kind a smile, he understood the urgent question. He didn't know much, but what he did know was that Sizer had gotten past that moment.

"She's alright, you bring her back," he used a soft and gentle tone, it was filled with caring.

He didn't press or say anything more, even after Raiel turned away at the sound of the new voice that came from behind. Lute did turn to the side though, so he could see who had come. It should have been a sweet reunion, it should have been a happy occasion when loved ones were reunited with loved ones. A victory celebrated. Instead this meeting was filled with nothing but pain and sorrow... and it was his fault. Hamel was broken and crying, Raiel was in distress and conflicted. Flute... Flute was trying to support Hamel as best she could, support them all.... He should give them their space. To let them think on these things together alone.

"It's... it's my fault," he began, talking to Garnet. "I'm sorry... I should leave you all be. You've had a hard and long day. They need medical attention as well."

[unluckymelody]

Flute had little else to add, holding Hamel close to her and holding him as gently as she could to keep from aggravating his injuries.

She looked down at him, reaching up briefly to wipe her own tears away. This was not the kind of homecoming she had been hoping for. And now Garnet was here too... all this would mean a lot of explanations later on, once everything calmed down. Thankfully, it seemed Hamel was out of his frenzy for the time being, which meant the immediate emergency was over. Now it would be the uncomfortable awkwardness... just the kind of thing Flute was finally happy to be rid of.

She would have to talk to Lute later, too. It was all too easy to read the pain in his eyes, and she had to let him know what she thought. She had a feeling he was going to worry about it until she did.

"Hamel," she said softly. "It's all right... You saved me."

[thedaggersedge]

Garnet didn't realize she was moving, until after she had taken a step back. Of course, she didn't understand what Lute was talking about, but the look on his face spoke volumes about his own feelings. He seemed such a gentle soul, she wondered what he could possibly have done that he would blame himself for this...

Whatever this was. With a glance at Raiel, who'd turned away from her, and then a look towards Hamel and Flute, the former no less than broken, and the young girl trying so hard to fix it all...

There was the distinct and sudden feeling, that she was not a part of whatever was happening in that instant. Among these people, who she'd begun to think of as friends... she felt shut out. As though, maybe she shouldn't have been there at that moment.

Another step backwards, and an uncertain nodding. "Medical... right... I'll go see if I can find someone to help."

Something had been done to all of them. The fact that, for the moment, she could not even heal them, made her feel that much more as though she didn't belong.

[pianistofraieln]

"Wait!" It was out of his mouth before he realized it, and suddenly Garnet was in his arms and he wasn't even aware of the steps in between, the dash past Lute to her, throwing his arms around her, pulling her in tight. "Don't go, don't go yet, I only just got to see you again."

Hamel would be okay for now. He'd lived through (would live through) worse. And Lute was...Lute was not a threat. He'd suffered at the whims of Bass, just like they had. And knowing that, in the future, they would save Sizer, he would bring her back, that was a comfort. But in the present, they'd already saved Garnet, and that outweighed everything else right now.

[portugesegent]

[OOC Note: Hamel passes this round]