animus_network | [video] Fourth Remembrance

[Ryoji switches the feed on with a small smile. He has cheered up significantly after talking to a few people and making a few friends (or at least, people he thinks are friends). He still is nervous about what he has to say, but he tries not to let that show.]

Hi everyone. It's a little late, so I don't know if anyone is still around, but I couldn't wait any longer. So many things have happened lately... which is probably why I haven't had a chance to talk to you all, but...

[He swallows, then takes on a more serious tone. He's determined to help people, though he doesn't know that he's actually doing more harm than good.]

I was in a group of people who went down the elevator again earlier this month. We were looking for a control room and an exit from the tower. It was dangerous, and... most of us didn't make it out alive.

[He feels guilty, not because he was killed, but because others on that team did. He finds a lot of them strange and he isn't sure whether he can trust everyone, but he still blames himself for not being a better leader.

He shakes his head and continues on.]

The point is, I have information. If anyone wants to know anything, just ask.

[He doesn't have any idea that he received this information through working with a group led by the one man who likely caused the most trouble in the tower this month. He may need a bit of enlightening about that.]

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[It might wait until they meet in person. He needs to get the information out first.]

Hm... well, I guess the cafeteria would be a good place. Is there a certain time you're not busy?

[If Cecil's paying attention to the background of the feed though, she may see something coming up behind Ryoji, though he remains blissfully unaware.]

My time is not very occupied. I'm only forced to patrol the jail for a few hours on certain days. And you?

[ Sure enough, she's distracted suddenly by the glimpse of movement behind him. Without waiting for a lull in the conversation, she speaks up about it: ]

Ah... please excuse me for my interruption, but is there someone with you?

I'm the same. The only thing I have to do is handle garbage duty once in a while-

[Ryoji gives her a confused look, stumbling over the rest of his words as the conversation suddenly switches topics.]

Someone with me? No, I started this by myself. Why? Is-

[Before he can turn to check, the figure hurls a sword at Ryoji, who screams just as the image is replaced with static.]

[ Cecil is up from her seat at the terminal before the picture goes blank. She quickly shuts off her feed and takes several steps back from the alcove. Honestly, she has no idea where Ryoji is and he could be anywhere, but that doesn't stop her from hurrying down the dormitory hall to the next few terminals on the floor, the Mythgraven Blade in hand. She'll check every single one in the entire tower if she has to. ]

[Cecil will be able to check every floor except the fourth one, which will have a wall of flames blocking the entrance. The fire is too bright to allow her to see what's going on inside, but there are some voices, none of which sound like Ryoji's.

Still, if she returns to this floor a little later, she'll find Ryoji alone in the hallway, kneeling down on the ground with a little pile of dust beside him, and a stain on the ground behind him. The floor is scorched, and there's the sickening smell of vomit hanging in the air.

He doesn't look up, just keeps staring at the dust next to him.]

[ The fire did upset her, but she didn't wait for long, concerned she'd be unable to help her new acquaintance if she did. She searched a few of the other floors, but to no avail, so eventually she did come back to the fourth floor.

When she sees Ryoji, she hurries to him immediately. She doesn't ask about the fire or the state of the floor now, but she does crouch in front of him and rest her hands on his shoulders. ]

Ryoji? Are you all right? Are you hurt?

[It soon becomes apparent that Ryoji is most definitely not alright, though he doesn't look injured. He flinches away from the contact like some skittish animal, sliding back along the floor, wide eyes fixed on her face.]

I-I'm fine! Please, just get away!

[He hardly knows her, but he knows he doesn't want her involved in this. The last person who was ended up killed, and it was all his fault, he knew it was, they told him so.]

[ Cecil is stunned by his strong reaction, but she doesn't try to touch him again. Of course, she misunderstands though and tries to reassure him in the only manner that makes sense to her right now: ]

Ryoji... I'm Cecil... We spoke earlier. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. I was worried for you and I only wish to see that you are well. Are you certain you're not injured?

N-No... No, I know you won't but I...

[He suddenly trails off and clamps his mouth shut, backing away a little farther.]

I'm not injured. It's fine. That monster on the feed missed hitting me, so I'm fine.

[Now go away is left unsaid. As much as he'd do anything to get her away from him, being rude is not something he's comfortable with.]

[ Cecil wants to believe him, but a lot isn't actually adding up to fit his explanation. For one, he's so upset... ]

...I don't wish to pry, but... you seem so afraid still. Please... will you allow me to stay with you until you have calmed down?

[ She extends a hand to him and smiles kindly, warmly at him. ]

Let me walk you to your dormitory at least. No one should be alone in this tower.

[He was trying so hard to muster those fake grins, try to act like he isn't at all upset, but after everything that had happened, seeing someone who tried to help him die, and having everyone he cared about threatened, he couldn't manage it.

His eyes lock onto her hand, and he stares at it, swallowing down a lump in his throat and trying to still his shaking frame.]

I... I guess I can walk with you...

[Even if the rest of his being is screaming at him not to, he has to look convincing, so he reaches out and takes her hand, barely hiding a flinch when he makes contact.]

[ When he concedes to take her hand finally, she nods and stands up, helping him rise too. Ryoji is taller than she is and probably doesn't need the help from someone comparatively small, but she doesn't let go of his hand anyway. ]

Thank you... for letting me come with you. Where is your room?

[Even if he is quite tall for his age, he's still feeling much too small, vulnerable and weak. His hand shakes in her grip, and he can hardly move.]

It's... it's just down the hallway here. 4-12.

[Such a short distance, but right now, it feels so far away.]

[video] Fourth Remembrance

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