Elek's head was full with thoughts, about Amante, his attacker, and what was going between him, Ryan and Alice. It was something he wanted to read, or ask directly, but it would be far too incorrect in countless ways. So, he just paced around the house, sometimes stopping to do few things, but mostly walked. It did not help to think, Elek knew that, but it worked out the excessive energy. Not in enough amount, though. Finally, the man went out, behind the building and began working on the punching bag.

The doctor was surprised to find Ryan really ready for his first serious physical therapy. The man had expressed wish for that last night, but the doctor hadn't taken it seriously, because it was quite soon after the operation and recovery from nearly death bed. But, he found it better to not oppose Ryan, who nearly shined in determination. He looked fine and nearly cheerful, although he had spent most of the night, walking around the room and trying to work with his left arm. The medicine, food and good sleep had done good job and it felt very good to be walking again. Indeed, he had been too lenient with the doctors and nurses, who told him to stay in the wheelchair for a while more.

Ryan was taken to another room for the physical therapy. The nurse was very sweet and nice, and although he didn't need encouraging, it was pleasant. The pain had moved down to his wrist and hand now, signalizing that the bone changing was nearing its completion. The shoulder was stiff and did not want to obey his thought often, fingers didn't bend well enough, but it was all just a passing problem. Though of punching Amante certainly gave him strength and determination.

After few hours of workout, he washed, changed in fresh clothes and stopped by Alice's room. Much to his displeasure, Amante was there. So, he just bid them greeting and left. Not too long after, he was chatting it up casually with the nurse from physical therapy. She had dark eyes, that sparkled with good humor, and for a change, the woman laughed at his jokes. He was not jealous, or so Ryan tried to tell him self, so, why not spend time with other people? He was not item Alice owned, that he was tied to her bedside. Nor the other way around, as she clearly showed.

Ryan didn't want to own Alice, though. He just wanted to belong somewhere. Alice had given him that feeling for a while, but she had her own life, which was natural. He could not stay by her side like a watchdog forever. He had to find a place of his own within this base, make new goals and plans. Maybe Alice soon would not have time for him at all, soon.

Amante waited until later that night before he changed clothes and. Dumping his old boxers into a waste bin, he walked out of the little room and headed up the hall. Before he went on to Elek's room, he stopped by the window to see Alice. She was asleep and he watched her sleeping. She looked... peaceful.

the hair on the back of his neck stood on end when he felt something. "How long has it been? Six months?" He turned around and looked at a shadow on the wall. Two little slits became apparent and opened into red eyes. Amante frowned at it and spoke in a hushed voice, "why now?" He watched the figure take shape but it kept to the shadows. "Is it because of Alice?"

It spoke to him with a cold, heartless voice that was recognizably female. "Perhaps, or I wanted to check on you." He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, never the straight answer with you." He huffed and looked at the girl through the glass. "Great, I haven't even had more than a few days with her and here you are, ready to sound the alarm and whisk her away." He features drooped as reality set in, again.

The figure made no notion to being affected by his spiteful sarcasm. "I never said that was my intention." "Oh, but it is, because that's what you do." He was frustrated, obviously, and was still finding a way to control himself. "You know as well as he that I cannot act purely on the will of others." He looked over at her, or it, "So... you're not taking her?"

The figure simply stared back at him as it answered, "No." He felt at ease, shoulders laying low, "How much time do I have left with her?" His tone lacked hope, feeling he knew the answer. "I can't determine the answer to your question. Not now."] Amante sighed, eyes shutting. He lifted a hand to rub at his face and asked, "Is there any way I can-" He looked over, seeing the figure was gone. Slowly, he frown and cursed quetly.

Grumpily, Amante hurried out to Elek's place to see what he wanted. He went in through the building and found his door, knocking on it a few times with his knuckles before poking his head in, "Elek?"

Alice woke up the next morning with Amante sitting in Ryan's normal spot. He had a few books in his hands and he was looking over them, grumbling and frustrated beyond reason as he read through the pages.

She was happy to see him up and about but felt concerned that Ryan was not here. Was it possible he had asked Amante to take his place for the day? Something told her that was a preposterous thought and she dismissed it, easing herself up against the pillows so she was not laying down.

This caught his attention and he looked at her, cracked a grin, and waved the book around in his hand. "I've been told you like to be read to," He cleared his throat and fidgeted with the book itself, "I, uh, picked a few out..." Alice smiled her thanks and made herself more comfortable as she waited for him to begin.

He caught the signal and cleared his throat before starting, ""M-Moggle." Eye-uh wisp-erd. "Ar yu awake?"" He swallowed, nervous, licked his lips and continued, "Sum-thing mov'd down.. in the darkness. A pile of dorm uniforms rust-led, rustled." His cheeks were starting to burn as he became more frustrated, running a hand through his hair.

The scent of Ryan riled him up a bit, purging the red tones from his face and he waited for Ryan to come closer. He reread the portion with Ryan at the door, " "Moggle." Aya whispered. "Are you awake?"" He was taking his time between sentences, glancing at her to make sure she was still aware. "Something moved down the darkness. A pile of..." Oh thank god; the bastard walked off. Amante inhaled a breath and rubbed a hand over his face.

Alice understood what was happening. He couldn't read. He was trying to hard to please her with something so simple and he couldn't do it properly- it tore at him. But he still tried. She lay a hand on his to ease him and nodded at him, urging him to continue. So, he did. "A pile of dorm uniforms rustled, as if a small animal was- were, stirring under... underneath."

This continued for a good fifteen minutes. He had gone through a few pages, looking exhausted, and she pat his hand to him know he should take a break. It was enough for now and Ryan had just walked by. She wanted to see him- she wanted to know how his therapy had gone. Amante nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed and even a little rejected, but he did as she pleased. As he stood up, she reached out and he blinked, following the line of her hand to the book. He handed it to her and she stored it into the dresser beside her bed. When he looked into her eyes something told him to come back that night.

He wasn't sure why but he nodded, as if telling her he would and headed out of her room and up the hall. He had glanced at Ryan with a small glare but said nothing and went up the opposite direction.

Elek stopped in mid punch when two presences entered his energy field. One he recognized as Amante, but the other... He quickly grabbed a towel and headed into the building. There was just his friend, looking much better, which was certainly a big relief. But that energy lingering on him, it had deceived Elek to think there was someone else here. "Oh, hey. Sorry about the look, I didn't know when you would come."

Elek opened the door and let Amante in. "Take a seat, please." He sat down on bed and hang head down for a moment, before looking back at Amante. "Is Leila here?" "It's just feels as if some of her presence is on you. But never mind me, I guess. She isn't here. Right?" Elek looked at the other man, frowning slightly.

"I actually... I saw that you argued with her, before creature attacked. Did something happen? Maybe she attacked or fought you? It was hard to tell." Elek hoped Amante did not think he kept doubting him. He was still debating if to tell he knew who was the attacker or not. "Are you feeling fine now?"

Despite his previous thoughts, the moment Amante left the room, Ryan quickly excused him self with smile, and walked into Alice's room, shutting the doors behind quietly. Nearly subconsciously, he sat down in the chair Amante hadn't used. "Hey," the man said in a low voice. Ryan smiled a small smile, but it was somewhat sad, and then disappeared. He felt different now, from the Ryan that had talked with Alice nonstop from the first time she had seen him.

"The therapy went well. Doctor said I progress very quickly. But that it may take me few months to feel the arm as my own." Ryan linked his fingers together, looking down to his hands, trying to make the thumb lay down with other digits, not stand stiffly up.

He took a seat and sat up as Elek barraded him with questions. When they finally stopped, he answered, "No, she's not here. we had a... disagreement. I wouldn't say it was as far an as argument." Until she decided to poison him but, even then, he was too hung over and depressed to really care. "Yeah," He scratched at his chest through the half buttoned shirt and leaned back in his seat, "I'm fine... is that all you wanted to talk about?"

She eased back into the pillows when he entered, smiling at him the whole time. His sadness was not easy to hide from her but she did not point it out. Instead, she silently celebrated his little victory and reached out to touch at his hand. She hadn't told him yet that she would be starting the therapy soon as well- that the doctors and nurses were going to try to get her to walk. But it wasn't that she did not want to tell him- it was that she did not know how and, well, she'd just found out this morning anyway.

Trying, she pointed at his arm and then to her legs. She continued trying to convey where she meant by outlining the nurses cap onto of her head and then signaled one hand as herself and the other as a nurse and then had the nurse had help her hand, as herself, walk with some trouble.

"I... guess." Elek said, with small sight. He felt as if he was pestering Amante. When the man stood up and was about to leave, Elek suddenly spontaneously said: "hey, I hope you won't be more hurt when this all is finished." He had meant the trouble with Ryan and Alice, which certainly was bringing Amante down, but somehow, all the other factors spinning around them and pulling them into a hurricane summed together, and his voice was heavy. "Uhm, never mind. I am sure you won't. Stay safe. We've panicked about you for few year's worth," Elek smiled, trying to now look cheerful and a little cheeky.

When Amante left, Elek returned to his paperwork, feeling more mentally than physically exhausted. Some things did not fall in place, did not make a picture with sense, and in the current situation, even small piece had a big meaning. Finally, for first time in long time, he waved his duties off and just went to sleep, to stop thinking even if for some time.

Ryan tilted head to the side, as he watched Alice trying to tell him something. It took him a moment, but then it all became clear to him. "Oh!" He smiled. "You are going to have physical therapy for walking? That's great! When you are back on your feet, you can have many nice walks..." Ryan stopped, as if he nearly said something wrong, but whatever it is, he decided to smooth over it.

"That's really great, Alice. I am happy for you," he told her honestly. Ryan took one of her hands and squeezed it softly. It was a gesture he had gotten used to by now, as simple and natural as smiling at her, usually making him feel at ease. But this time Ryan tensed a little, and after a moment, gently put her hand down on the cover. They both were going to live on their own lives, weren't they? Especially after Alice could walk. It felt like these gestures tied them together even further, and, honestly, Ryan felt a bit afraid, and unsure, where this all would be end up with. Not to mention, there was the third path, running along theirs, always trying to entwine, or maybe rejoin Alice's. He had to take Amante into consideration.

"I... I have to go now. I will ask when your therapy starts. I will be cheering for you, even if I can't be there." Ryan stood up, but he didn't leave immediately. Suddenly, he leaned down slightly and cupped Alice's cheek softly. "What I am going to do with you and all this mess..." Ryan said quietly looking into her pale eyes for a long moment, and then abruptly turned around and went out. Doors shut behind him with a quiet thud.


Elek waited for the training to finish, sometimes stopping by the scene. He needed to talk with Eve, but as he had slept in, he had missed chance to catch her before training. Finally, the woman dismissed the 'class' and he fell in her pace, now walking next to her. "I need to talk with you about Evan. Do you have time now, or later?" For past few days, he wore dark glasses - not exactly sunglasses, but with toned lenses, so the blank stare or shut eyes would not be so noticeable. It felt somehow uncomfortable, but the reason was absurd, so he tried to overcome it.

He'd stood up when it sounded like Elek was done and paused when he continued. Amante nodded and shuffled out of the room and made his way back to the little room in the hospital...

Excited that he understood it, she lay both hands with his, holding it. She couldn't wait to start her therapy so they could do it together and, maybe one day, she could walk beside him instead of having him push her around everywhere. He was permanently etched into her life plan but, as he tensed and grew weary... did he not feel the same way?

He couldn't be there? Why not? It looked like he was going to leave- no! But then he came down, so close, and touched at her face. Staring up into his eyes as he stared back it was... strange. He moved off of her, leaving her with a chilled feeling. Realizing he was leaving the room, she reached out to him but... he was gone.

Her body weighed down on the pillows and the bed as this strange feeling came over her. Why did she feel like she just lost her best friend? Why did it feel like he just.. left her here, forever?



She heard the name of the creature and glanced over at him, quirking a brow more at his ensemble than his words, "Sure..." Eve knew something was off but led him back to her house. normally, she wouldn't let anyone inside but it was fairly clean and she didn't want to waste the energy being nitpicky. Once they were both in the door, she shut it and locked it up. "Before you start asking me stupid questions, what's with the glasses? First of all, you're blind. Secondly, there's hardly any fucking sun down here. Third? you're fucking blind."

Elek's jaw tensed slightly. "In this case, it's your question that is stupid." He took of the glasses and hung them in jacket's pocket, his eyes unusually bright and standing out in the dim room. "But fine, I will tell you." His mouth corner twitched, as if he was trying to decide between smirk or displeased expression. "When I walk on Surface, people keep staring at me, due to my eyes. It's uncomfortable for me to hold them closed, so I am trying to get used to glasses." He wasn't going to give her further details about that his eyes still served a partial role in his ability to see with mind's eye. He had appreciated Eve never mentioned his disability, but this had been quite over the line and her previous attitude didn't make up for it.

"Also, I have no stupid 'questions' for you, just some facts." His face turned towards her, eyes boring into Eve's face, as if he could not only see her with them, but also deeper, in her and trough her. His powers did not reach out to her mind, though, it was just a feeling, but very hard to shake off.
"Evan left Base to go as far as one of our second level outposts. There, she attacked one of the guards. He would have died, if not his uncanny healing abilities and someone who chased Evan away." Elek paused, but only for short moment.
"I need her to stay in Base. We have enough problems already, and you can't control her when she is not near you. I don't want Evan locked up or anything like that, just confined within the base. Try to get her understand she can't leave. And that's all for now."

Ryan slept very unwell. Strong pain, despite painkillers, plagued his left arm, while his dreams were haunted by nightmares he did not want to recall even in slightest when he woke up. Before he went to the therapy, he visited Alice, who had nurse feeding her at that moment. The woman smiled kindly at him.
"Ah, Ryan, it's nice to see you again."
Ryan smiled at the nurse and paid her a little compliment, trying to remember all he knew about being polite and social. The nurse flushed slightly.
"It's so sweet you're always visiting Miss Alice. I wish I had someone like that," the woman sighed softly, with slightly dreamy eyes.
Ryan's face grew colder and he laughed, a little nervously. "That's what friends do, don't they..."
The nurse gave him a strange look at the word "friend" and unintentionally, Ryan translated it as "how can you be friends if you don't even know her" - quite the opposite of what she had meant. So, feeling like stabbed in side, he hurriedly excused him self, muttering about therapy and fled the room.
"He is so strange sometimes, but it gives him a mysterious aura, don't you think so, Miss Alice? Certainly, he has to be one of the most handsomest and sweetest men I have ever met," the woman spoke to Alice as she brushed her hair.

The arm hurt more than usually today, and doctor said it was normal, after the therapy. Despite that, the man grit his teeth and worked extra hours in physical therapy, until the doctor had to nearly drag him away, telling that too much won't help, but rather do the opposite.

Ryan was a man who went for everything or nothing, always putting all of power and effort in something. His indecisive, insecure feelings about Alice and his place here made him work even harder and after the therapy, he could only sleep in bed and moan quietly for a while. That day, he stopped by Alice's room few times, but only briefly and for few words.

Her eyebrow kept quirked and she was nothing short of displeased with his tone. Crossing her arms against her chest, she mulled it over. the surface? Why would any care what he looked like? Why would he need to have any kind of eye contact other than to make people uncomfortable. Whatever, this was obviously not her concern.

"She'll do what she wants. She doesn't attack things at random. There are reasons for what she does." Though, it wasn't often that Evan really "thought" about anything. She wasn't the type to weigh options until something was no longer in her favor. "But I'll put her on a tighter lease." She plopped down onto an old chair and relaxed, sighing to herself. when he started to leave, she commented, "Lose the shades. They look horrible on you."

She perked up when he came in, licking some yoghurt off of her lips and grabbing at a napkin. Her movements were still slow as she raised it and dabbed at her mouth. By the time she was done, he seemed to already be gone. Her hand lay back down on the stand holding up her tray of food and she lay back on the pillows. The nurse would have no trouble getting at her long, pure white hair.

The nurses words were... strange. They were reassuring but she could feel a part of her chest tightening. He didn't really seem very interested in being around her. Normally, he fell asleep in the room or read to her all day. It couldn't be the physical therapy. He didn't work on it all day and he didn't seem to be in much pain- quite the contrary, it seemed more like he wanted the pain. Something was wrong but she didn't know what.

When Ryan visited her more times that day, more often than not she was asleep. He may have perceived it as her being relieved to not struggle to stay awake around him all of the time or, perhaps, that him being away was all around relaxing. But that was not the truth. It had only been one day since the seeming rejection and already she was struggling, though it was considered normal by the medical physicians.

Reason, eh? Elek frowned slightly, and decided to think about it more later. "I doubt there was a reason. I don't want any more accidents like these. I won't spread it that it's Evan, and the attacked people don't recognize her, but if this continues, she will be found out.
"And then it will be hard for people bear with her." The last sentence sounded a little ominous, but it was the truth. As much as most of Rebellion trusted and respected him, if the fact monster who killed their own people were held in Rebellion's heart, unrest would highly increase, and then Elek would not be able to promise complete safety for Eve and Evan.

At her comment, Elek lowered head slightly and shook it, with small grin, laughing inwardly. "Thanks for warning, how could I ever think of choosing part of my future disguise that doesn't suit me? Care to help me find a better one, if I don't want to be on every newspaper and wall in few months, like this?" He moved head upwards and raised eyebrows, gesturing to him self, from head to toe. Elek had always tried to accept things with good humor and light heart, that his mother had taught him well. He knew he was beginning to forget how, but this was good opportunity to not huff and puff, even if Eve will certainly brush him off and try to make a fool out of him.

Pain had gotten worse, but he had given larger dose of painkillers. Doctor threatened to stop the therapy if he would not get some sense and as that was the last thing Ryan wanted, he promised to be more careful. He really wanted to talk with Alice about it, but even if he was not trying to distance him self from the girl, there was little chance he would have told her that. The thought of making her worry or upset was soothing, but Ryan knew he would hate to see her sad, especially because of him.

"I would be such a street rat indeed, if I made her sad," Ryan thought to him self, getting ready for the therapy. His hand was more flexible now, but it hurt to move it. The man was still not allowed to use his shoulder, but now his arm was up to elbow and it was true relief. The skin was finally breathing and that alone made him feel more alive.

Ryan went to the therapy room, had a small chat with the nurse, whom was now openly flirting with her, even in corridors. He played along, but just a little. This woman did not really interest him, but it was slightly flattering that someone didn't think of him as shipwreck, even if she saw him in bad state. "Then again, do I know what love even feels like? Maybe it unnoticeable like this - just some pleasant feeling?" Ryan wondered quietly. He had been in love once, infatuated with a beautiful, witty, even kind girl. But he had been 16 then, newest member of the gang, while she was the gang leader's girlfriend. In a childish thought that love could overcome everything, he had tried to get her attention, which caused him to lose few teeth, but gain some scars and broken bones.

When doctor came, he worked slowly on the exercises, trying to not rush or show his pain. The slow pace annoyed him and Ryan really wanted to punch someone.

She didn't like what he said, at all, but she didn't want to waste anything arguing with him. She would take town his entire rebellion if they even thought of- her head started to hurt. "Just get out." She turned away from him and rubbed at her forehead as the energy ebbed sharply against her skull. Calm... calm.... She took in a few deep breaths once he was gone and exhaled them. A small shockwave snapped out of her and bounded off of the walls, recycling back into her system...

Amante went into her room while Ryan went to therapy. He'd told the nurses to find something else to do and shut the door. When she woke up, he helped her eat and asked her how she was doing... with no response. Nervous by this, he reached into her little dresser and pulled out the book he had been reading from. He started out slow, watching her to see if she was even interested.

And she was, though she drifted in and out of a sleep like state. He continued on, finishing the chapter and even went on past that. He was getting better, practicing with her even though she wasn't completely aware. This was concerning him as he hadn't seen her this... off since Ryan first arrived with her- and that was after a conflict with Elek. Frustrated, and with the day ending, he cleaned up her room and put the book away, tucked her in and paused when he felt her arm.

Firm fingers wiggled under it and lifted it, just holding it. She was so light but, despite how thin she was, she did not look anorexic or like she should weigh... nothing. Amante put her arm back down and pushed the hair from her face before stepping out of her room and shutting the door so she could rest alone.

Amante had walked around the hospital looking for Alices doctor and, when he finally did, he dragged the bastard into a private room. With the door shut, he told the doctor to give her at least another day of rest before starting the therapy. She would be too tired and the strain could end up hurting her. Whether the doctor agreed or not, he made sure they complied and left them, alone, in the closet to come out whenever they pleased.

Meanwhile, Alice was fast asleep that morning. She looked a bit more comfortable as no one had bothered waking her up and, well, Amante did fluff her pillows.

Elek didn't even wince when Eve spoke with him so sharply. He was about to leave, but before opening door, the man paused. "I will make sure no harm comes to Evan or you. But I can't do it completely alone. So, try to hold her here more." Elek shut the doors quietly behind him and slowly walked towards his house. Apparently, the threats of possible future had hurt a sensitive spot. He thought back to Evan's burns, and thought of putting both facts together, but then mentally shrugged. Elek did not assume, without facts, and he had no reason to guess the truth.

"Ryan, pleeease," the nurse said pleading - she had stopped him right before he entered Alice's room, holding onto the shirt sleeve of his right arm. She smiled at Ryan in truly cute and charming manner, but somehow, it left the man unphased. Maybe because he had finished another theraphy session not long ago and felt weary - very weary, in fact. Ryan mulled the situatiom over for a moment. Aira said she had made a bet to watch whole horror movie marathon without turning off TV or screaming loudly, but she insisted she couldn't do without his company, claiming that otherwise she will be afraid of each dark corner afterwards. It sounded strange and Ryan guessed it was most likely invite to a quiet date of sorts, or just making out. The real bet was probably which nurse would get it on with him first. He didn't know if the standarts here were low or he really had become attractive in some mysterious way, but there was a number of women who seemed to be interested in him.

"Oh, Ryan, you need to let your self loose sometimes, too!" Aira flashed him another smile. "Fine," Ryan grumbled. The nurse grinned happily, tiptoed and kissed him on cheek - nearly corner of his mouth. "It will be great, I promise," she said and then rushed off, leaving the man slightly frozen. He resisted the urge to rub the kissed spot and maybe even make a grimace. Mentally, he was reasoning with him self, pointing out that it was normal to find a girl friend and settle down with her, if he was to stay here. Everyone did that. And he had no reason to say no, didn't he? Automatically, Ryan's head turned to the window, looking at Alice. He hoped she had not seen any of this scene, and heavily sighing, walked in.

Alice was fast asleep, breathing quietly as she slept. Her back was angled so part of it shunned the doorway and the rest of her front side stared at the wall Ryan was facing when he came in. The door opening did not bother her or cause her to stir.

However, on the outside of the room, up the hallway, Amante stood with a tray of food, grumbling to himself. He could smell the mixture of two scents, one being Ryans and one being from one of those... girls. Why was he unhappy with this? This is what he wanted, that jerk off to get away from his... his... Alice. But it didn't feel right. He felt cheated, for Alice, he felt cheated.

Shuddering off the sensation, he started down the hallway toward Alice's room with her breakfast.

Ryan sat down at her bedside and although he wanted to take her hand, he decided against it, especially because he did not want to wake her. He watched her sleep, and thought back how they had met, then all that had happened up until now. Heavily sighing, Ryan looked away from her. "I'm sorry," he murmured. He really felt sorry for it all - that Alice had been in the facility, that someone like him had found her, and most of all - that he wasn't able to change and find a stable position. He always put all his energy in what he did, if it was interesting. Ryan simply didn't know how to divide it in parts, or maybe didn't want to - it always could be the last time. Yet, with things like relationships, he went with the flow. It was a need that pushed him into them, without feelings. Sometimes physical need, but most often - need to be accepted and chase the loneliness away.

Alice had given Ryan that feeling, in larger amount than he could comprehend. Yet, she seemed so nice and sweet with everyone, it was hard to believe it was directed to him as a person, as a friend. And she already had someone. Amante would be able to protect her better. Ryan had pestered Alice's doctor about therapy and found out that Amante had had it postponed. It had made him feel hollow, to think that now Amante noticed when she felt good, and when bad. But there was no one else he could blame - just him self. Trying to give her space and life, he had done exactly that.

Ryan's train of thought was hit off the track when Amante entered the room. Without a word, the man stood up and moved towards the doors. He did not want to have an argue, not while Alice was sleeping. Amante probably doubted his truthfulness, but last thing Ryan wanted was to see her unwell. His shoulders were slumped, gaze stiffly set ahead. Still, he was thinking how lovely it would be to punch Amante's smug face just once. He certainly did deserve it. Ryan's mouth twitched, as he carefully closed the doors behind him. Yes, that image pleased him immensely.

Amante said nothing as Ryan left, holding in a growl so it could not be heard, and relaxed a bit when the door shut. He shifted around the bed, shoving Ryans chair into the corner and pulling his own over closer. Setting the tray down on her little dresser, he took a seat and watched her, waited. She didn't wake for some time and he decided to read to her as if she could hear him in her slumbers...

This was how they spent their day, slumbering and reading aloud. He was getting pretty far into the book now and, though she was not awake for it, he felt she would appreciate and praise him for his work.

Over the course of the day, Ryan stopped by Alice's room few more times. He seemed not to care much for Amante's presence, but since the girl was asleep every time, Ryan only lingered for a moment at her bedside, and then left without a word.

Around eight in the evening, Ryan knocked on doors of a small building. Aira opened and brightly smiling, let him in. He half automatically gave her a small compliment, but was quite silent most of the chattering, before the movie marathon started. At first, they sat at different ends of the couch, but over the course of the first movie, Aira got closer to him. She was not cuddling up against him or anything, though.

As he had predicted, the movies were not really so scary, as gory. Ryan watched them without much interest, but they kept his mind occupied, and that was better than nothing. Few times, Aira hid her face in his shoulder, but instead of hugging the woman, Ryan just tensed. Between third and fourth movie, she went to kitchen and returned with few drinks. He took one and thanked her, but avoided eye contact. Ryan knew what he had come for, but, somehow, he just couldn't put the act up. Alice's face came in his mind whenever he got more side tracked from the TV screen.

"Ey, Ryan, look at me." Startled out of his thoughts, the man turned to her, Aira's face very close to his and she kissed him. It was a soft, not persistent kiss, and Ryan was frozen for a moment, but then the woman pulled back. "Sorry about that, I didn't know you liked her so much."
"What?" Ryan stared at her, blankly.
"There are rumors you and Alice are an item. But no one really knows, that's why I asked you out." Aira shrugged a little, moving back from him. "I could tell now you were thinking about someone else all this time. Your heart wasn't really here for sure. I bet it was with Alice."
Ryan felt dumbfounded. Love? He hadn't thought he loved Alice, but Aira was right that he had been thinking about Alice(and wishing she was here instead).
"I..." Ryan cleared throat, feeling extremely awkward. "I better get going." The man stood up, nearly tripping over the low table.
"You aren't bad woman after all, Aira, I am sure you will find someone," he told her at the doors.
"After all?" she quirked an eyebrow, but Ryan had already left the house. With a small sigh, she shut the door behind him and turned the lock. "She sure is one lucky girl."


Ryan tried to fall asleep, but thoughts used his mind like a speedway and after about a hour of a struggle, the man got up. He washed face, changed clothes, as if trying to leave all marks of the awkward encounter behind him. But it had no effect on his thoughts. Confused and angry, Ryan left the hospital, to wander around the base some.

Eve was sitting outside her house, for once, drinking a beverage of some sort. It looked like juice but it could have bee anything. Her eyes were more concerned with the walls, ceilings and sides of buildings as opposed to something... real. Taking another drink, she looked over and saw Ryan.

Realizing she had not seen him since he'd been sucked into his surgery, she motioned over to him with his drink. "Have you decided what to do yet?" She was talking about his arm and how it would affect his future.