[Ishu]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 8:40am.

Eve came out after taking a tray of food to her house and headed up to the training area. When she saw Aiolia and even Elek, she grinned. "Well, it looks like your leaders want to play." She didn't dare group herself into the mass of underlings. She was a hired hand, a different sect of worker than the rest of the rebellion. She was temporary and she acted a such.

"Boys and girls, you've got as long as it takes to bring these two to their knees. Two-to-one. Get in line and start." She threw her hand up and walked a bit further back to what. Her students, likely reluctant, were now able to take out their frustration on their leaders- and that is exactly what Eve wanted.

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 1pm - 10pm.

Alice had woken up a few times throughout the day, wondering where Ryan was. She'd asked, quite a few times, or tried to, to be taken to Ryan during his surgery and even after. But no one listened to her or understood her, they usually told her to quiet down and get more rest, so she did.

She'd had strange dreams of bones and muscles, tendons and nerves with metals invading their homelands. She didn't know what it meant but she remembered touching on them and feeling them, drawing her hands away almost immediately when she felt a resemblance to Ryan....

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12:30AM

She'd come to terms with not being able to see him that day, and even the night, and continued sleeping. However, she thought herself awake and unable to control herself outside of her subconscious desires. Her figure walked through the halls and found Ryan on instinct, going into his room and watching him sleep. She approached the side of his bed and sat beside him, looking over his arm and exhausted features.

Her hand lay on the cold metal and moved up to his shoulder. He felt warm and pulsating with life, which she found alarming considering the metal wasn't originally a part of him. When his eyes jarred open, she smiled at him and asked, "How are you feeling?" Her voice was calming and made the walls soften with a warmer light similar to that of the sign. It would be a rare sight, if any, to see sunlight while down in this place.

[Sadrain]

November 30th, Chicago; Sewer #17.

Leila only grumbled something in reply. She still avoided looking at him, feeling rather vulnerable in this position. Although he had helped her, the girl refused to admit that she had needed it very much... But the fact she had complied, spoke differently on its own. Defiantly, Leila swallowed any moans or groans, only her body sometime shivered hard in his arms.

Somewhere on the way, the girl fell asleep, or seemed to. Her body became more limp and head slid back, now resting sideways on Amante's shoulder. The features, usually pulled in cold expression, softened up, making her look even younger than she was. Leila sighed few times in the sleep, but otherwise seemed to be unaware of anything, until the man put her in the bed.

The tent was small, and everything seemed to be so, too. There was just bed, one larger bag, box on which stood a lamp - that was all. Apparently, she did not have much belongings, or what was the most precious to her was well hidden.

After Amante tucked blanket around her, Leila opened her eyes and stared at him. They were focused, but the girl seemed a little 'away from here'. The man might guess that it was the effect of drugs, mixed with pain killers, which seemed to be rather strong. Her hand gripped his, nearly painfully. "I am not surprised you and Elek are friends. You both are idealists. And I am glad I won't have to see that day when your ideals shatter. Giving inspiration speeches about sacrifices and battles are one thing, seeing your dear ones die, standing at their graves... Completely different. You are a fool... But I envy you, while it lasts for you." Leila's hand let go of his and slid under blanket. She turned her back to Amante, but then glanced over shoulder.
"Oh, and never come in my tent again." Then she seemingly went to sleep again.

[Sadrain]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 8:40 - 12pm.

"What the fuck," Aiolia thought at Eve's announcement. For the time being, she didn't see much point in such a way of doing things, but Elek seemed to be fine with it, so, she complied without complaining. If these people weren't going to use their powers, just rely on physical strength, agility as well some cunning, it would be rather easy, at least for a while.

Indeed, Elek and Aiolia fared very well, for quite some time. Especially Elek, who maybe used his powers to slightly aid him, but maybe didn't. There was no way to check. Aiolia earned few bruises, but nothing serious. Elek tried to not harm anyone too much, just wear the opponents out a little and then give the finishing blow. Aiolia put more force into it and as she grew more tired, she started using more cunning and 'underhanded' moves. Elek, too, grew harsher on others, as time passed and didn't manage to avoid all the blows anymore. The girl did an obvious mistake of often taking both enemies on at the same time, which asked for more energy - Elek tried to get rid of them one by one, while planning attacks various 'turns' ahead.

Eventually, Aiolia couldn't go anymore. Her chest heaved heavily and all her body hurt, from attacks she hadn't managed to block or avoid. The line was so bitterly close to ending, but, the girl couldn't get up anymore. Someone had kicked her ankle badly and it hurt very much. She had went on fighting for a while after that, but now she was at her limit. Maybe, if this was death and life battle... No! She couldn't give up! With a hiss, Aiolia got up, and even limping, she launched attack at nearest opponents. After a bit of struggle, the other knocked her out cold from behind.

"Aiolia!" Elek yelled, turning his body towards her and barely avoiding a punch in the face. The fact no one took her off the 'battlefield' made him angry - very angry. He knew most people were taken to hospital if something like this happened. Just because Aiolia had some training before... Angry, he knocked out a guy with few punches, and the next opponents had it much harder than before.

Aiolia did wake up, and when she was mercilessly dragged back in the battle, she fought with teeth and claw, quite literally. Elek attempted to get to her, when she ended up on ground again, but people didn't let him. Fiercely, he attacked them, angry that they would treat their comrade so when they both had tried to be gentle with them. Finally, he was done with opponents and went to Aiolia. But she refused any help, and kept on fighting.

Angry, tired, yet strangely energized by anger and the long battling, Elek turned towards Eve. His head hurt, both from physical and mental work, and muscled ached as well. By the time he had beat down the last opponent, Elek truly was tired. But strangely energized. It had been a while he had battled so hard and long. A really long while.

Some of previous battlers had come back to watch the fight and he could sense a feeling of awe from some of them. In a way, he had proven that he was worthy to be their leader, not just because he was wealthy, as it was rumored, and mentally powerful. Some of people who had secretly put him down due to his disability, now were revaluing him.

"So, this is all, Eve?" he asked, coming closer. His pace was slow and posture slightly menacing. But Elek was not threatening her. Not yet. Aiolia, in the mean time, struggled with one of the last pairs, angry but determined.

December 1st, Chicago; Base. 12:30AM

Ryan's eyes cracked open, nearly unwillingly, when he felt someone sit down on his bedside. But when he realized who it was, the man immediately woke up fully. "A-alice? What... what are you doing there? Shouldn't you be sleeping? How can you be here?" He wanted to move up in his pillows a bit, but remembered his arm was hung in a metal holder for now.

When the girl spoke, faint smile spread on his lips. "I am fine, they fixed my arm and doctor is telling me it's going to be better than my old one. It feels a little uncomfortable to lay like this, but that's all." Ryan didn't add that he wasn't feeling strong pain only due to large dose of pain reducing medication that made him sleepy and dull. "But how are you? I've been worried..." The man's voice trailed off, not sure how to put all what he felt in words. He had said so much to her over the time, but this was their first real conversation, which they shouldn't be having, considering Alice's health. Ryan felt a little embarrassed on top of it all. But very, very happy to see her, and that he did tell the girl.

[Ishu]

November 30th, Chicago; Sewer #17.

At first, it sounded like she was going to give him a genuine compliment... and then she kept going. Her words cut as him as memories boiled into his mind and his features grew flatter and without expression. The man gave a slight nod and more roughly tucked her into her blanket like a burrito and pat her, a bit more roughly, on the shoulder. "Sleep well."

Amante stood up, looking a bit too large for the tent, and hunched over to duck out of the entrance and to the outside. The flaps shut heavily behind him and his footsteps slowly grew quieter until he was gone. She may not know it, but she actually sort of hurt him with her ignorance. To judge him so deeply... she had no idea the sacrifices made, on his end. Maybe one day she would understand but, now, he was just so frustrated he didn't even want to think about that.

[Ishu]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 8:40 - 12pm.

Eve spoke as the two leaders fought off their followers, "This isn't just a game. This is a war. It's a war about power, position, strength and ideals that you have to believe in." She watched Aiolia and Elek fend off their own people. "If you can't trust and believe in your leaders, you will no longer hold onto their ideals and you will lose the will to fight- for them. If your leaders fail to believe in you, the fight in themselves for you and the ideals they have spread will wither away and you will all die." She watched as the fighting continued, each side becoming more heated.

When someone was knocked back too far, she shoved them back in. Others would do the same, growing a similar mentality as to what Eve was trying to teach. "Don't let a few people rule you without being heard. Don't let them walk away from this with a sense of entitlement and assurance to their positions. Tell them, with your bare hands, exactly how you feel. Your frustrations, your desires, and just how much you are worth." The blows were coming on harder and Aiolia wasn't taking it well though Elek kept going.

"When it comes down to the moment of life or death, when it is between oneself and those of a whole, who do you think will make the sacrifice? The people- because they believe only their leader can hold to an ideal and spread it again. This isn't true." Everything was becoming more intense. "You are the people- the power, the voice. You can spread this ideal too. Make them earn their right to rule!" She yelled the last part of it, truly believing it.

Aiolia wasn't doing well and, as they had been trained to do, they pulled her back into the fight. "Neither of you will leave until you are unconscious, beaten and bruised from the contempt of your lap-dogs and those sworn into your servitude. Unless you can beat them all," she looked to Elek, likely challenging him as he approached, "and then me." She was ready and tense, as usual, but they were both crossing lines of the other, each party having feet pulling them forward like two cars about to crash.

December 1st, Chicago; Base. 12:30AM

She smiled, practically beaming with light, as he gave her the good news and told her he was happy she came to seem him. Alice looked over his arm and gave a slow nod, turning to him, "This is all good news. Did they say when you could use it? Or maybe when you will be better?" She didn't want to bother him with how she'd felt rather lonely all day and how she'd wanted to come see him but hadn't been allowed.

It wasn't important. All that mattered was that he would get better. She moved a hand over his and held onto it, gently comforting him this way.

[Sadrain]

December 1st. Chicago; Sewer #17

Leila woke up with heavy head. First thing the girl wanted to do was take her medication, she even reached out for it, but then her hand lowered. She could... She had to cut down on using them, while she was on this mission. And after that, if it was successful... She would finally be free to do whatever she wanted. And drugs weren't included in that. Leila could feel that her Shadous felt rather relieved at her choice and smiled a little bittersweet smile.

Picking out the other pretty dress she had taken with her, Leila dressed up more nicely. She felt rather horrible, and hoped no one would get in her way, for their sake. As the man in charge of the outpost looked at her strangely, Leila shrugged. "I can have one free day on Surface a month. I am having it today."
"And not on Christmas or something?" He looked surprised. She didn't even bother answering, just threw the bag over her shoulder and turned towards the exit. Honestly, Leila didn't want to even think about Christmas or her birthday... They were very lonely and sad for someone like her. She had learned to simply ignore these days as a whole, but they still bugged her in the back of the girl's mind.

The path to Surface was rather long, and she walked in silence, not even listening to music. Leila set down the plan of what she had to do. Things like going to her apartment, making pain killers and some poisons, having a proper bath and meal, maybe packing her own coffee were on the top of it. The food and drink here was extremely bland and even if the girl wasn't spoiled, she preferred something that had an actual taste.

[Sadrain]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12pm.

Elek had not commented anything Eve had said. Some to it he agreed wholeheartedly, some not so much, but on some aspects she was right, and the man understood what she was trying to teach the lot of them. However, it eventually got over the line, and as the battling intensified, so did his anger. He was not angry about the whole ordeal that he had gotten involved in, but the way Aiolia struggled... It made him want to punch them all.

Elek stopped in front of Eve, seemingly grown even taller, now looming over the woman, his expression stern, despite the exhaustion that was standing on the corner, waiting to claim him wholly. "Let Aiolia go, if she wants to leave. Your fight is with me. I am the one one with power, the one who 'hasn't earned the position'." He paused for a moment, mentally looking over at Aiolia who was still fighting, but very near the end of the line. "She's a guard captain, who worked to sweat and blood to get the position. And everyone here knows it. They just enjoy opportunity to beat someone to pulp, he deserves it or not."

"So, I accept your challenge. I worked hard to be where I am, but it's not a game, indeed... so bring it on!" His voice was loud now, it was a statement. He stepped back, to a clear spot and slightly crouched down, in a defense position, but ready to attack any moment.

December 1st, Chicago; Base. 12:30AM.

He smiled at her, feeling extremely happy to see her sitting, speaking, smiling at him. Ryan had missed her a whole lot during the time he was locked up, and today as well. And she was really caring, as it had seemed! But to her questions, he had only vague answers, much like his knowledge. And the worst parts the man tried to keep out, so not to scare her. Besides, Ryan believed that it won't be so bad as they warned, since he was still strong enough.

"It is going to take some weeks for my hand to be fully usable. Till then, I will have fully recovered otherwise." Ryan's healthy hand went over her and he squeezed it lightly, feeling as if her smile lit a little sun inside him. "But do tell me how you are feeling, it seems like I missed a lot, by not seeing you today. They just didn't let me." The man wanted to add that he had missed her the most, but bit that back.

[Ishu]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12pm.

Her eyes narrowed but she grinned, taking a ste or two back and putting her fists up into the air. He had challenged her and it was obvious that this was what she wanted. The two stood, tense, and she threw the fist blow, throwing her fists up at his shoulders and the sides of his face, repeatedly, though throwing an awry punch down toward his abdomen every so often to keep him on his toes.

December 1st, Chicago; Base. 12:30AM.

Alice gave a slow nod and held onto his hand, answering his question. "I am well. I slept most of the day but... I can feel my energy coming back." She turned her gaze to his arm again, "I had a dream about your arm. It was odd and very warm. I don;t know if it means anything but... I know you'll feel better." She was confident in the skills of the doctors and in his body for being able to accept the metals. She bubbled with positive energy.

[Sadrain]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12pm.

Elek grimaced, when she didn't reply to him, and his anger grew just a little more. Her punches he blocked or avoided easily, for now his powers going nowhere near her mind. He used to complain to his master, how all the images he saw were not of the current happenings, and the man had ruthlessly taught him to predict the move at least a second or three ahead. Elek noticed her body movement, how she began to move her shoulder or knee and figured where the attack would be aimed.

Amid the blocking, he also threw punches at her. Not to face, mostly chest and stomach area, few going to her sides. Elek kept moving back slightly, in circular motion, but suddenly, he swiftly moved to side and forward, launching few fierce, direct hits. Then he again retreated, still blocking and dodging as needed.

December 1st, Chicago; Base. 12:30AM.

"Thank you, I believe it will be so. And I am very glad to hear you're feeling better," Ryan told her honestly, smiling. He felt reassured on some level about his arm now, although, of course small doubt sat in corner of his mind, but he put it aside. The man felt good, great even, right now, except for slightly stuffed head.

"You should go back and sleep soon, though. You can walk back, right?" Worry shadowed his expression for a moment. "Do they treat you well here? Do you like it here, Alice?" Ryan's thoughts turned to the man who had visited him in cell. Ryan had heard rumors that he had spent a lot of time in her room... Were they indeed friends from earlier time? Or something more? What if she said now, that she missed him? "That all is not really of my concern, is it," Ryan tried to assure him self, but didn't manage to wholeheartedly agree.

[Ishu]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12pm.

Their combat kept at a stalemate until he pulled to the side and gave her a few hits. Features inflating, she resisted the rage and came at him, getting faster and faster. With one harsh blow to his shoulder, she proceeded to lightly backhand him on the face, on each cheek, then continued with the blocked punches and subtle blows to other parts of his body.

December 1st, Chicago; Base. 12:30AM.

She could see his thoughts as if they were happening in that moment and lay her hand over his forehead. "I am well. you are more concerning, now." She lay down on the bed beside him and curled up, her back to him, as one leg hung off of the side. "I'm too tired to go back. I will... rest here." Almost instantly, she'd drifted off beside him, her figure pressed against his good side but only with a light touch that was almost hollow and lacked all warmth.

Some moments went by when they both drifted off and her figure started to fade away, leaving a subtle lingering feeling as if she were still there but could not be seen.

[Sadrain]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12pm.

Elek had been prepared for a swift attack back, but it was just too swift. He received the punch, but managed to lean away from the backhands, her fingers hitting his ear lightly in first one, but second missing completely. Again, they continued with the circling and the audience grew restless. They could feel the tension in the air, in fact, in a little while it would become visible.

Elek waited till it was the most unexpected, then suddenly moved behind her and grabbed Eve's arm, twisting it behind her back and doing a move that would make her crash into the ground hard. However, he was ready to dodge, because this was most likely to fail, but the main goal was hurting her arm, even if not very seriously.

December 1st, Chicago; Base.

Ryan felt truly surprised when Alice laid down next to him, but a peaceful sensation overcame the man and he sighed softly in content. Although she didn't lay close to him, it felt nice. And it took only a little longer for the exhaustion claim him wholly again and the man drifted into deep, dreamless sleep that still felt strangely filled with warmth.

When he woke up, Ryan, partially sadly, realized Alice had left. He was confined to the bed for next few days, but doctor said after that he would get his own wheelchair and could move around, if he felt good enough. Ryan's fewer had gone down and with proper food and care, he felt much better. The downside to today was that the strong pain killers were starting to get out of his system and pain came. But, he didn't complain, despite the strongly unpleasant feelings now ruling his shoulder. As long as he was going to live, it was all worth it. Most of the day he spent sleeping and thinking about many things, among which Alice was the first and most important. He wished he could go to her room, maybe listen to music with her, or read her a story. The man wondered if she would come again, but questioning nurses if the girl was walking around only earned him strange looks.

[Sadrain]

December 1st, Chicago; "Polar Bear Cafe".

Leila slowly walked down the busy street. No one paid attention to her and in the middle of the crowd, she could enjoy a strange solitude. It was a change to the constant watch the girl had experienced for past week. Although Amante had disappeared for few days, they had not been restful. The girl had contacted the employer, who was not pleased with current results, and the rest of the time had been spent in constant searches and explorations.

Among the many people of various bundled up stages, Leila did not stand out too much. After enjoying a good, long bath and simple relaxing time, Leila felt much better and also looked so. Finally, the girl reached her destination which was a small cafe. It's outer walls were white and windows glass had animated snow flakes fall in it constantly, light bulbs wrapped around the edges in rather retro style. Bell jingled as she entered and she was welcomed warmly, to which she replied with smile.

Short while later, she was sitting at table by window, eating pancakes. Although it was unhealthy for an assassin to develop habits such as these, but Leila was prone to certain regularity and traditions in her life. They made her feel comfortable, as if some things were still right. She liked this place because it was cute, very welcoming and it served wonderful sweets and snacks - especially ice cream. That was something she could eat in middle of the winter. The cafe itself was a little piece of winter wonderland in middle of summer, too, always pleasantly cool.

[Ishu]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12pm.

She wasn't surprised that he managed to dodge a few slaps, but when he jerked her around and brought her down to one knee, she grew frustrated. No one had ever gotten close enough to twist her limbs and this actually hurt. Pain was not normal to her, not common, anyway. Eve growled and assessed the situation, quickly.

Her elbow thrust back toward his ribs and she threw a leg back, knocking his leg aside and making him lose his balance just long enough for her to twist out of his grip and kick him in the chest. He was forced back away from her and she threw her dark hair over her shoulder, strands moving over onto the other side of her head, parting unnaturally for her hairline.

Quickly readjusting, she rushed at him with a few kicks and punches, obviously not happy with how their fight was going. She had to hold back though, and that was the problem.

December 1st, Chicago; Base.

Alice was sleeping through the day, though she had gained a small fever. It was not detrimental and simply gave her a brief flash of sweating for an hour. The nurses helped her clean up, washed her clothes but put her in something less permanent in case she started to sweat again. As she slept, she remembered walking down the halls between people but no one ever reacted to her.

She found Ryans room and saw him sitting in bed, looking worried. It didn't matter how hard she tried but she could not speak to him and he could not see her. She could not even get herself to go into the room and settled for watching him through the glass window. The memories were subtle and she thought she had the same dream multiple times, though each one was less potent than the last.

[Ishu]

December 1st, Chicago; "Polar Bear Cafe".

He trudged along, trying to get over the upset that Leila had put on him for the past 16 or so hours. Finally, moving up to a little ice cream cafe, he pushed his way inside and wandered over to the counter. Amante scratched at his chin and neck as he looked over the flavors and finally asked for peanut butter cookie dough with extra peanut butter and no chocolate. He lounged against the side wall as he waited and noticed something faintly smiliar but much more potent and... clean.

As if knowing she was sitting right there, he looked directly over at Leila and felt a slight sense of dread, as well as curiosity. Putting on a little grin, he walked over and lightly tapped on the table, "Taking your day off?"

[Sadrain]

November 30th, Chicago; Base. 12pm.

Elek had predicted his attack would turn the other way around, but he had managed to 'score' or 'prove' a point, with bringing her to knee. Man knew her arm had been hurt and now, the real fight would start. This was just the preparations and partial show off. Which had been unsurprisingly effective. The crowed had doubled or tripled and he could swear some people were betting. Some were rather confident of his skills - more than he was, but it could be because he knew just what he was fighting with.

With low growl, he slowed down the push back and spun out of her reach again, as Eve came back fiercely. Elek debated, for brief second, using his powers, or some other underhanded method, but decided against it. The anger was slowly paired with spirit of competition, or its twisted twin brother. Anger only fueled it, but he was not to the point he would go under his standards and sink low. That wasn't what he wanted to show the camp, too.

A well aimed kick to her knee most likely made her leg buckle and the other leg received the same treatment, only at ankle. Knee went to her stomach, rather heavily, as the air around them seemed to buzz, sing even. Energy field from concentration and using his powers was slowly becoming visible, taking a form. Emotions that he was full with now only brought it out further.

[Sadrain]

December 1st, Chicago; "Polar Bear Cafe".

Leila stiffened inwardly the moment she realized who had entered the cafe. So, he had indeed followed her. Well, the girl was hardly surprised about that, but it still stung. This cafe was her private, secret place, comfortably kept in corner of her heart. She would endure seeing her apartment destroyed much better than seeing a single window here smashed. Such attachment was wrong, certainly, but as long as no one knew about it, it was fine... However, she couldn't kill Amante just because he had found 'her cafe'... Right?

Leila avoided eye contact with him, until he came to her table. There was silence for a moment, except for the Christmas songs playing from radio. And then she nodded. "Yeah." The girl then eyed his ice cream and corners of her mouth turned upwards. "No chocolate? That's... blasphemy."