nexuses | 13 | the boy who ran

[ They stick out like glowing signs. 13 knows the feeling – the vulnerability and the brand of fresh injuries – all too well. Even the superficial wounds are more than skin-deep, penetrating deeper into the core and provoking a sense of humiliation, among others. Bandaging them doesn't conceal what lies underneath.

13 doesn't indicate that he can "make up the mental pictures" with depressing ease, because it's something he doesn't need to do. He'd rather not.

He takes another sip. ]

What are you going to do now?

[ Mmnn, that's a bit of a difficult question — one he hasn't thought enough about yet. He knows in a situation like this he's going to have to figure out pretty quickly what he's going to do next, but — he's kind of lost on that. He's got ... an idea of what he should do next, but it's daunting and scary and he doesn't know if it's even worth it. As far as he's aware, Elise might still be back there, somehow. She could've gotten away, of course — it's not like he can see her — but she wasn't around him at all before and that's weird. Really weird.

Mmnn. ] I-I don't know, I — [ Shaking his head in defeat, closing his eyes. ] I don't know what I should do.

[ Go back? In case Elise is still there? Not go back and avoid risking it? Agh ... Maybe his indecisiveness is clear, he doesn't know. ]

[ Holding the glass in front of his face, 13 appraises the boy's response. There's clear evidence of indecision for a situation that seems to have a simple enough solution. If the military is after him, it should be fair to just find the exit.

He sets down the glass. ]

You can leave town.

[ WELL that's because 13 doesn't know the whole story! But he's not so keen on telling him it, so.

He'll shake his head. ]

That wouldn't fix anything.

[ In fact, ditching Elise would make everything worse. He can't just leave with a clear conscience.

Ghh, and the more he thinks about what he should be doing right now, the more stressed (and afraid) he gets over it, and he sinks a few more inches into the chair. Ugh. ]

[ The boy's choice of words is interesting, coupled with the physical display of distress. Based on the indecision, this is something that would probably benefit from being talked about.

The issue is the fine line between discussing and being nosy, the latter of which 13 doesn't intend at all. That serves to do nothing for him. ]

What are you trying to fix?

[ Everything. He's trying to fix everything. First and foremost, though, he needs to help Elise, if she's really back there. But his inability to tell that is making this an even harder decision than it needs to be.

And the thought of talking about any of this makes him feel even sicker.

So a huffy sigh. ] Nothing. What do you care, anyway? Aren't you just here to inspect something and leave?

[ Indeed, he's here to inspect "something." Depending on the result, though, whether he leaves or stays is debatable. ]

I'm gauging if our interests coincide. You're refusing to leave town, so your business must lie in town.

[ Which is to say that, if their destinations are entirely different locations in town, he has no desire to meddle. But if they're the same – the military bases – then it's in both of their interests to collaborate to some degree. The last thing 13 needs is another high-strung group of soldiers on the prowl and happening upon him. ]

[ Well, that's ... new. Is he suggesting he wants to work with him if they're both going to the same place? Sure, that'd help Aiden significantly, because as it stands, he has no hope of ever getting back to that base, let alone in it, if it's just him. But as far as his trust towards 13 goes, he's not so sure.

Still ... ]

... Is this why you were out there? Because what you're inspecting is there?

[ Instead of giving him a straight answer on what his 'interests' are, he'd rather try and vaguely gauge what 13's are. At least that's what makes the most sense to him — that 13 was out there because what he's after is. ]

[ Both of them have an agenda they want to keep quiet. 13 respects that, and so plays along with their game of giving vague answers. As long as he's not throwing out specific details, 4 shouldn't have a problem with this. ]

That's what the boss said. I was about to go in when you emerged.

[ He gives the entrance behind them a cursory glance over his shoulder. ]

If I were to go now, security would find me.

[ Well that answer is a lot less vague than Aiden was expecting. However, it really gets his curiosity going — there's a few things 13 could want with those military bases that he can think of, but he can't be sure of what, so he feels he should be cautious about revealing his own intentions. Even if there's the distant possibility they could work together here. ]

And I guess the rest of that information is 'classified', right?

[ Just making sure. He thinks asking specifically what he wants is just going to turn up nothing. ]

[ 13 nods. It's not just a matter of shielding 4. Involving the boy might drag him into political affairs that have nothing to do with him. That's on the assumption that boy already doesn't have an affiliation. ]

I can't tell you even if I wanted to.

[ Classified. That's a word with which he's all too intimate. ]

[ Humm. That's just what he thought. Well, this might be difficult then. ]

Thought so. [ A pause. ] Well, I can't tell you much either, so ...

[ A small sigh. How is he expecting to gauge if their interests coincide? Aiden's kind of wondering how he's going to do the same, but ... ]

[ They've hit the "it's classified" rut. At this point, there's little gain in asking roundabout questions.

Breathing out, 13 swirls the glass in preparation for another sip. ]

Let me rephrase what I said before. Are you going back to the bases?

[ Well, that's an easier question to answer, he thinks. He can ... do that. It's not compromising any of the information he needs kept secret.

A slow, hesitant nod. ] I — I think so.

[ As scared as he is about it, he's got nothing else he can do ... But his stomach is still full of knots. ]

[ There. That's the answer he wanted.

13 takes a sip during the boy's response. He sets down the glass, eyes closed in thought, and nods. ]

I'll take you inside. But I can't guarantee I'll be there to take you out.

[ They'll most likely split once they get in, because 13 can't take the boy with him. Better to go in together than let the boy go ahead and come in later to alert soldiers. It isn't that he doubts the boy's abilities; he's already been delayed once, and a smooth operation is ideal. ]

[ Mmnn. He's glad he can be helped in. But he guesses he's banking on Elise being there to help him back out. If she's not there, then ... well, he can consider himself dead. This is why he shouldn't be left to make decisions on his own. They're hard.

But he'll nod. ] O-Okay. [ And a short pause. ] But, you should know first, uh — if they see you with me, they'll — just don't get caught.

[ He feels obligated to give a warning, at the very least. If he's really going to help him, he can at least let him know it's dangerous to. ]

[ At that, 13 gives a small smile. "Don't get caught" has always been rather funny to him, even when the command has a valid backing. ]

They won't catch me.

[ He downs the rest of the drink, then reaches for the kit in the middle of the table as he stands. Before he goes back to the bartender, he leaves the boy a simple instruction. ]

I'm returning these. Think about when you want to go back.

[ A-Aah, that response is a little ... weird, but if that's how he feels about his warning, there's nothing he can do about it. He hopes he's serious about not getting caught.

But his simple instructions are a little difficult. Think about when he wants to go back, huh. Well, for Elise's sake, it should be as soon as possible. But the soldiers are probably (definitely) still majorly active around the area. So it'd be way too dangerous right now. But. Gah. ]

Got it.

[ Is his only response. He should probably ask for 13's opinion when he comes back, humm. ]

[ Engaging the bartender in another conversation as he hands over the kit and empty glass, 13 takes a while to return. News in the town seems to travel fast, especially in this bar, and the bartender's talkative enough. Eventually, 13 nods, says his thanks, and goes back to slip into his seat across the boy. ]

There's already gossip about military activity in this part of town.

[ He rests an arm on the table, watching the boy. That's a good and bad thing, because it means the military's cursory search of town is almost over. ]

[ Well, there's a little bit of a sigh at that. They must really be going for him — not that he's surprised, or anything.

Sitting up then so he's not so hunched over anymore. ]

Should we stay put in here? [ A pause. ] Or risk trying to get out of the area?

[ He's not really good at this decision thing, since it's usually Elise pulling him around, so ... ]

[ 13 leans back, straightening. According to the bartender, the military has yet to reach this particular establishment. They have time. ]

We'll stay for a little longer. [ That being said, ] Did you decide?

Alright.

[ Humm. And about that last part. ]

I, ah — I'm kind of stuck on that. This — it's kind of time sensitive, but ... I don't know how safe it is to go back right now ...

[ They're probably majorly on guard right now. ]

[ True. The military will no doubt be on higher guard than before. But it's a stroke of good luck that they bothered to come down in pursuit of the boy. ]

They split their forces to patrol the town. Security will be stricter at the bases, but they'll have more holes.

[ Aah. He hadn't realized that since they're in town, a lot of them will be missing from the bases. Even if they're on guard, they have less numbers, huh. ]

So, you think this'll be the best time to go, then?

[ ... Definitely a good thing he asked his opinion. ]

That depends on you. Are you ready to run?

[ If the boy can run, he can think and move accordingly on his feet. They've been away for a while, between the transit and their time spent in the bar. 13 won't just assume that was enough to recharge, because everyone's different. ]

huu . . . i'll strive to be the best witch out there for jena

aaa but you already are!! as long as you never eat me

how could i ever eat you. we must chat

i'm sure your magic could make it possible for me to talk to you from your stomach O^O

what happens after i digest you tho

you use your magic to summon me back to life. just don't mess it up like ed and al did

nnnnnnah too much effort

y-you are the laziest witch ...

and proud of it while i sleep forever

sleeping so long i spend work all alone ;~;

my greatest shame of 2015 ;O;

yes ;~; it's okay i forgive you

on the bright side you got to eat all of hope's waffles

yes and that means i have all of hope's love in my tummy and you have none PUFFS

. . . ;~; weh

gotta be faster ;w;

gotta stop dreaming the real life

stop dreamin' and start livin', jaejae

i try and fail every time because sleep is addicting

it is very addicting ;-; my roommate finds it funny how i wake up a lot but always go back to sleep

this is me . . . your roommate would find me funny, too

let's show her how funny we are together come sleep over

but where will i sleep on your patterned bed

next to me duuuuh. it's kinda slim but jac slept over just fine before

i hereby dub yours "the snuggle bed"