Checking In [active]

[talebeyonddeath]

Characters: Auron, Vincent, Fletcher
Content: People stop by to make sure Vincent doesn't go all emo... again.
Location: Bryant Park Hotel
Time of Day: Early Evening
Warnings: None that I can think of

Comments

[optionalwangst]

There were quite a few people he trusted in the city, and only a handful he was certain weren't capable of betrayal. Auron was one in that handful, but he couldn't just tell him about what was happening. Leave the general city, traverse to the most dangerous areas and attempt to slow down the organization's attempts to free the monsters. If anybody found out, they would attempt to accompany, or stop him. He didn't need to put any lives in danger... or, more danger than they were at this moment. If he had to lie, he would deal with it.

Stepping back into the room to allow the other man in, he quietly shut the door behind him with a click. Though it had taken him this long to organize everything exactly as he wanted it, he at least trusted Auron enough to not rearrange it if he simply wanted to talk. And all things considered, Vincent knew he was in for a talk. For once, he seemed to be acting like the suspicious one, moreso after Xemnas' words.

He could pretend, but he couldn't stop what he truly was.

Tricking himself into believing he was normal.

"Possibly." He responded, sitting onto the bed and arms crossed over his legs. Crimson eyes still refused to look up, to meet the other's half-blind gaze, the uncertainty of the situation laying heavily on his mind. It was enough of a response, and Auron could continue to prod if he wished.

[just_like_nii]

Vincent's message had worried Fletcher. It was inspirational, yes, and that was something everyone needed right about now. Trying to find a way out...

What if he couldn't? What if there was no way? Fletcher had to at least go talk to him. He took not only a syringe of blood, but also a spare pipe they'd wound up not using in their hydroponic setup. He walked quickly, almost jogging, and instead of turning the corner at fifth avenue he rushed up the stairs two at a time to the library and cut through.

It wasn't long before he made it to the hotel. He caught his breath on the elevator ride up and went to knock on Vincent's door.

Sorry I took forever, guys. x.x I'll probably be off Slowiatus tomorrow (...hopefully)

[talebeyonddeath]

Auron stepped in, giving the room one last look over before focusing on Vincent once again. "Perhaps" might as well have been a confirmation. "You're a poor liar," Auron told him. He didn't know exactly what Vincent's intentions were and there were little clues to it in the room. Few beyond what was written on the laptop itself, and he would rather not pry that far if it could be helped.

"I assume you'll be leaving soon. You have thought this through?" It looked as though Vincent was going to be going alone. A poor decision. Possibly a deadly one. Auron had no plans to talk Vincent out of his idea, but that, at least, he would insist the other man do.

Auron looked back toward the door as he heard the knock. "It seems I won't be the only visitor tonight."

*HUGAHAYLEY*

[optionalwangst]

This had been coming a while, yes. Ever since the announcement that there had apparently been a barrier around the city itself, blocking any passage in or out. But the barrier had to have been recent, right? There were reports of people landing on the island next to them for a while, but how or why they'd gotten there still remained a mystery. The barrier obviously had points of malfunctioning and breaking, so he had silently resolved to find the point of origin and shut it down for good. Whether the others agreed to his plan or not, it didn't matter. As long as they had been saved, it was pointless to worry.

"...yeah." He wasn't in an appropriate spot for long-winded explainations at that moment, not after being caught red-handed trying to set things up. The note, on a small piece of paper, was decreetly pushed further under the stuffed dog on the bed, his own cloak hiding the movement. Just answer his questions and go. Don't make a huge deal of things. Not more than they had to be.

But it was the knock that ultimately drove his attention; soft, quiet, hesitant. There were quite a few people in the city that could have been, but the red-cloaked man's guess had already been confirmed by the time he headed to the door, pulling it open halfway. His grip on the handle loosened. He stepped back.

Of all people.

"I'm popular tonight, aren't I?" He commented offhandedly, sounding flat.

Oops, forgot to track the thread 8D;

[just_like_nii]

Fletcher shrunk back a little at Vincent's tone, looking up at him and then past him to see that someone else was already in the room.

"I'm sorry," he said, looking down now. "I didn't mean to interrupt anything. I just..." He wasn't sure how to finish the sentence.

Re: Oops, forgot to track the thread 8D;

[talebeyonddeath]

He hadn't expected much of an explanation out of the man. Vincent seemed to keep to himself as much as Auron did, even when it came to potentially foolish decisions such as these. The swordsman had no pleasure in allowing Vincent to go on his journey, but it was part of Vincent's story, not his. Only the other man could decide how it would end.

Auron looked back at Fletcher as he entered the room. The boy wasn't the kind of visitor he had been expecting, though he had come in with few expectations. "Don't apologize," Auron said, taking a few steps toward the door.

He hesitated by the doorway before glancing back over his shoulder at Vincent. "Good luck," he said finally before walking out.

Aww, Auron, you almost had a breakthrough. >'8

[optionalwangst]

He didn't try to stop Auron as he left. It wasn't his place, and it was completely the other man's decision. If it made it easier to wrap this entire experience up, he didn't mind that much either. So now he was left with the boy, looking anxious and uncertain about him sitting there.

But strangely enough, he couldn't force him to leave as well. Something left unfinished between the both of them, but he wasn't even sure of what it was. Something about him looking so nervous put even himself on edge. And he didn't like it.

"...you trying to talk me out of it, too?"

[just_like_nii]

Fletcher looked down at the floor, then back up at Vincent before answering.

"I guess I can't, if you really want to." He felt uneasy about it, though. His stomach was turning and he had a bad feeling that something would happen. "I... I just wanted to come make sure you're okay."

[optionalwangst]

Whether he lived or died, he couldn't honestly say he gave a damn. He was fighting for them to live, and it was enough to satisfy whatever worries he may have had. He looked down at the boy, still at the edge of the bed and sighed, bringing a hand up to rest upon his blonde head. So young, so difficult to explain things properly. He didn't need to get wrapped up in all of this.

"...maybe I will be. Maybe I won't. That's why it's important for you to just move on. Whether I succeed, or die trying... at least I tried."

[just_like_nii]

It was an honorable statement, one Fletcher wasn't sure he would have been able to make. It would be selfish to worry about one person when so many stand to benefit from an attempt at escape.

Slowly, Fletcher nodded. The hand on his head was reassuring. "I... understand." He didn't really. He didn't honestly think Vincent would die. He was strong, after all. He might come close, but... Fletcher was sure he would be okay. "Please be careful."

[optionalwangst]

Be careful. It wasn't something he could guarantee, as much as he tried. But it wasn't the type of answer the kid should have heard, if it ran the risk of him tagging along and getting attacked on his account. The hand dropped back to his side, gaze turning towards the assortment of items stacked on the bed next to him, and the note so securely tucked away. He doubted anyone would find all after he left, but it was worth a shot anyway. If anything should happen, they needed the... reminder.

Standing from his spot on the bed, the ex-Turk walked to the other side of the room, pulling out a shotgun and shouldering the barrel, not even looking back at the boy. "The wolf is struck, his life ended. Blood stains the dirt, drowning the corpse in death. Time passes, and the flesh deteriorates, but the skeleton will always remain. The proof that he lived in this world. The only reminder he'd ever existed."

The gun was loaded carefully. "His pups mourn, but they also live to age. They learn from the death, and know their enemy. But they never forget him." Crimson eyes turned back to the boy, determined and full of resolve. "Animals are smarter than they look."

[just_like_nii]

Fletcher listened carefully. Vincent's analogy was an interesting one. Fletcher didn't know what to make of it.

He nodded, remaining silent. He still didn't want to believe it was possible. Nobody he cared about would be lost here. They would all get home one way or another. He was sure of it.

[optionalwangst]

He shook his head, realizing he was getting off-track again. It wouldn't do good to confuse the boy above everything, so he would stick to simple speech. "My point is not to worry so much. Be strong for your brother and everyone else." Pausing for a moment, he reached for the pistol under the stuffed dog, crouching down to his level and placing the weapon in his hand.

"Fight. Make it home."

[just_like_nii]

Something about the weapon startled Fletcher, but he took it when Vincent put it into his hand. He couldn't refuse something that was intended to keep him safe, but at the same time he couldn't see himself ever firing on another human being. And alchemy was enough for the crabs.

He nodded. "We will. Thank you."

[optionalwangst]

There wasn't regret, or fear. There wasn't the slightest trace of indecision. The red-cloaked man's face remained calm, focused. He was ready for anything that the city, or their captors, or anything that was thrown at him. He trusted Fletcher to use the weapon when the time was right, and he remembered correctly, the boy had gotten him out of a scrape in the past. He had a power, a useful one, which could prove useful in their conflict.

The boy didn't look much, but he was strong. Vincent knew this.

He stood up when the boy took the pistol, simply watching him for a moment before beginning to head for the door, not knowing much else to say. There really wasn't much, though there was still the possibility this was the last time they would speak.

"...see you on the other side."

[just_like_nii]

He really was going. Fletcher nodded, clutching the weapon close. Vincent's calm demeanor was reassuring. Everything would be okay. It really would. They would meet again, either somewhere in this city or once they had escaped.

"See you later."