[Ishu]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

Surprised that this strange man even cared, he commented, "She's being taken care of." He paused and thought about how to go further. "I have some questions. If you answer them, I'll get you a medic once I leave. Do we have a deal?" After Ryan agreed, he started to ask him question after question.

"Where did you meet her? Why is she in a wheel chair? How long have you known her? Has she spoken to you? Does she like flowers? What is her favorite color?" By the end, he realized his questions were getting a bit... off topic, and he grew quiet, waiting for answers.

[Sadrain]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

Ryan nodded heavily, at Amante's reply. It was wonderful to know that Alice would be alright, that they would give her what he couldn't - medical care and attention. Even if he never got out of this rotten hole, maybe she would have some brighter perspectives ahead of her. Ryan had never expected much from his life, he simply went with the flow, wherever it took him. He realized that maybe this was the first big decision he had made, first big change he had triggered in his life. "And look where it has taken you," a sarcastic voice smirked in the back of his mind.

Surprised, he stared at Amante for a moment, when the man offered him a medic. So, he had noticed Ryan was unwell. But, of course, he asked for something in return. Ryan mulled over his options. Keeping silent wouldn't do anything for him, maybe only get him signed up for physical and mental torment session. But telling... Maybe it would get him some way to get free (or at least live). Not to mention, there was a way to 'slip' out of unwanted questions.

"Ask away," Ryan grunted. He listened to the questions, and at first, they sounded reasonable, but not so much at end. Man frowned deeply and his good fist clenched. Why was this guy asking so much unrelated questions? Did he know Alice? Did he like her? Mixed emotions rose in Ryan and he took few deep breaths in attempt to calm down, before answering.

"I met her in facility, far from here. 5 days ago. She is too weak to walk, move or even speak. That's why there is no chance she attacked Elek. We talked a bit telepathically, but she didn't give me any important information. I have no reason to tell you about Alice's personal life, it's completely unrelated." His voice was raspy and he nearly barked the answers out, coughing few times. He mentioned her name, as a subconscious attempt to show that 'they weren't just strangers', although he had no idea if that was her real name...

[Ishu]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

He watched Ryan and listened to him, his hands tensing around the bars of his door. A facility? He wanted to know which one but bit it back and listened to Ryan, their captor, continue. She couldn't do anything, from what he was saying, but that didn't mean she was incapable of mental powers. But when he said the girls name, his heart popped up into his throat and he choked, almost silently.

Staring off, past Ryan, his grip on the bars loosened and he became visibly pale and almost sick. The transformation of emotions happened almost instantly. He looked like he'd seen a ghost, and that was exactly how he'd felt.

Without a word, he gave a slow nod and stepped away from the bars. Dazed, and in shock, he stood there and stared off, a ringing sound calling in his ears as everything seemed to fade in his vision. His sense had shut down from the panic inside of him and only came back when a constant throbbing beat at his ear and he finally felt something hit his arm. Growling low and in a way that was not in the least bit human, he looked to his side to see the pale, dark haired battlemaster beside him. He eased.

"Hey, asshole, can you hear me now?" Eve was glaring up at him, arms crossed against her impressive but not lewd chest. She'd tried speaking to get his attention and finally smacked his arm, which seemed to have worked. "Who is the kid?" She motioned to Ryan with her head before looking in at him through the cell door. "And why has he been put in this?" She motioned the to cell, her tone mocking.

She shook her head, "Pathetic." She didn't really want and answer. Eve looked back at Amante and continued, "You need to get back up to the hospital. Apparently, Elek can hold a bed down on his own." More sardonic tones.

"Right." Amante hurried past her and out of the prison area, heading back to the hospital to check on Elek and, soon, the girl.

Eve leaned on the horizontal bar of the cell and quirked a brow at the young male inside. "So, what can you do?"

[Sadrain]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

Ryan stared at Amante, trying to figure out what he had said that shocked the other man so much. It just seemed like he had received a blow in the gut, or mind. That just had to mean Amante knew something about the whole deal. Heavy feeling settled in the base of Ryan's stomach. What if he had led Alice right in the arms of people who would use her? In sudden anger, he shot up and bolted to the bars. "What do you know about her?! Tell me! I need to know! Is she in danger?!" he demanded, gripping bars with all his might, to even stand up.

But Amante didn't hear him, instead someone new came, and punched the guy in arm, without any ceremonies or respect. She spoke something about Elek, the leader guy, and Ryan staggered over back to the bed and slumped down, hanging head down. He was tired, so fucking tired, mentally and physically, it felt he would never feel good again. Sharp pain stabbed him in arm again and he grunted a little.

Then, the woman turned her attention to Ryan, as Amante left. He glared at her, as she asked him question. She seemed to not know what was going on, Amante hadn't bothered to explain either. Her question seemed a little absurd, tho'. "You mean, when I am not sick as a dog? Do whatever you pay me to do, make force fields with different abilities, kick asses, use gun... Usual crap you gotta do to survive on street," he coughed and then slumped backwards in bed, not bothering to sit anymore. "What you got to do with it, though? If the macho guy doesn't get me medic soon, I will be able to only stink and rot soon." Ryan's voice was tired and sarcastic. He had most likely failed, and he didn't give a damn for politeness anymore.

In the meantime, Elek had come back to his senses fully. However, much to Aiolia's distress, he couldn't put word to most people for now. It could be because he had hard time speaking in general. Elek felt as if his head was buzzing and nearly every time he tried to talk, something else than the planned came out of his mouth instead. Meanings of words and names had messed up in his mind, and many more had come in, 'borrowing' meanings, because he had no idea what they truly meant. The doctor seemed to think it was just temporary thing, though.

[Ishu]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

Amante moved into Elek's room and, not seeing Aiolia, he shifted to the leaders side and sat down in the chair next to the bed. "How are you feeling?" The words came out with difficulty and he couldn't bring himself to lift his gaze from the floor. He still looked dazed, like a target had been placed over his pupils or eyes and he couldn't shake them. Even looking at a person, it looked like he saw right through them and at the wall instead.



She quirked a brow as he went on, sounding upset and beaten down. "You're a mercenary." She wasn't stupid, afterall, she was a merc as well. Eve gave a slight shake of her head. "Come on. If you've really been on the streets, you shouldn't be this beaten down." The seasoned ones were pretty low-key but detached. A fingertip tapped on the bar, "Unless you're new to the field. How long have you been active?"

Mercenaries and Assassins differed- greatly. Assassins normally just killed or waited out a target for as long as they needed, sometimes up to years, but they came from organizations and years of schooling. Mercenaries usually had nothing. They took the shit jobs and got everything from the "underground"; alleyways, the backs of stores, bars, ect. You got to one by referral or by stumbling upon one. There were never strings, unlike politically correct assassins organizations. Merc's worked alone, unless they were willing to make a cut with a friend. Assassins, if put with a partner, had no choice.

[Sadrain]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

"Fluffy... brains." Elek said in quiet voice. Then groaned. "Sounds less flowery." "That not fall out right, yea?" The man shook his head lightly, feeling that the more he spoke, the more wrong it became. It was slightly amusing, but far more annoying - to not be able to control his language and words felt awfully wrong. Yet, despite that, he noticed Amante's state. "Frind, what weight you?"

In that moment, Aiolia barged in the room and launched hug attack on Elek, a little too fierce and he coughed. "Too warm!" Aiolia blinked in surprise, before remembered what the doctor had said. "Oh, I am sorry! But I am just so happy you're awake!" The girl squeezed his hand and smiled at him, then glanced at Amante and also noticed how dazed the man seemed. "What's wrong Amante? Did you hear some bad news?" her face grew worried again.

Ryan rolled on his side, so it would be a bit easier to see the chick at the bars. It didn't help much, though, because now he was sleeping on his bad arm. He grunted low in his throat, nearly missing her question.
"Too damn long. Been doing this for over 10 years, started as teen." His chest wheezed strangely, the sound annoying Ryan rather much. "I got shot five or so days ago. The shit exploded when in or something. Feels like couldn't get all of it out." he paused to roll on back again. "And it got some poison or other shit in. Never stopped bleeding."

Ryan didn't bother mentioning he had barely slept or eaten for past few days, before that tired him self out with many force fields. Or that he was giving up hope because Alice was in danger., This chick probably didn't care anyways. Who was she to deem him too weak, or strong enough? He had his life to live, and his death to experience, and only he could evaluate what he had done wrong, and what right.

[Ishu]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

Amante frowned as Elek spoke. He wasn't making a whole lot of sense, until he obviously asked what was bothering the man sitting in the chair. Before he could even answer, Aiolia came bursting in and nearly crushed the leader, soon asking him the something. "It's nothing." He waved it off, obviously lying, but he didn't want to take any attention away from himself.


She watched him and listened, not blinking at all as he complained and rattled on, though it was brief, about his life. When he was done, she sat upright and motioned at him, speaking a bit more quietly, "Have you ever tried using your powers to isolate the infection? Protect your organs from the bullet, if it's in there?"

Not really wanting an answer, she wandered away from the cell and out of the building to give him time to think on what she had suggested... or just to get some fresh air.

[Sadrain]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

Ryan snorted at what the woman had said. "Maybe get me some food finally and I will try, again." He wasn't an idiot, and had thought about it, but in all honesty, between taking care of Alice, then escaping and driving like a madman, he had never had time to seriously work on it, or eat to regain strength for something like that.

He had no idea if the chick had heard him and Ryan sighed softly. However, her words did nag him a little. From one side, there wasn't much use in doing so and putting all what was left from his energy, from the other - at least he wouldn't die like some coward. Baring teeth, the man squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated his mind on the injured shoulder. For a while nothing happened, but then he felt as energy spread trough it. Ryan hissed in pain, because the energy field felt too fucking real, but didn't give up, until fell unconscious for a while.

"Hey, lie not. To me," Elek said, frowning, but then sighed. He didn't want to bother his friend, but he disliked that he was the center of attention while someone else was having a hard time. "Yeah, Amante, if there is something, spit it out. Full moon just ended, didn't it? So, what is it?" Aiolia was never really subtle about things, even when it came to people that she cared about. Only thing she couldn't express in straightforward manner was her affection, so, it was most likely covered up my ordering around ("take care of your self!" "go to sleep/eat/drink now!"). Then a thought occurred to her. "Is it about that girl? I heard you sat at her bedside a lot." Both Elek and Aiolia looked questioningly at Amante.

[Ishu]

November 26th, Chicago; Base.

Almost immediately upon referring to the girl, and then his odd need to be close to her, he jumped up from his seat and stared off at something toward the ground and hurried out of the room. The sheer awkwardness of her question had driven him away, but mostly because she was dead on.

Not wanting to be around them and questioned, and certainly not wanting to be the center of attention when he didn't deserve it, he headed away from Elek's room, in a hurry, and came to a slow stop once he realized he was outside of Alice's room. The same nurse from earlier came out and he started to go in, and then paused. "Hey... that man that brought her here- he needs immediate medical attention."

She blinked at him and frowned, hands on her hips, "You keep on avoiding me, unless you need something, what the hell?" Amante sighed and rubbed his forehead, "It's your job. Get to it." He was curt, which was rare, and he shifted into the room with the door shutting close behind him.

The nurse blinked again, this time looking as though she was having a hot flash and maybe a headache all at once. Aggravated, she hustled off and informed a doctor to check on the holding cells...

November 29th, Chicago; Base.

Over the past few days, Ryan had recieved treatment and food. Although, he was not allowed out of his cell. Eve kept to herself, taking more food to her house more frequently and hounding everyone in her "class" to get better and better at combat. She sparred with them, every day. No one was able to best her, though she let a few mishaps slide as they were supposed to be learning.

As for Alice, she'd woken up hours after Elek and found herself in a room with a nervous looking man. He looked exhausted, with something weighing him down and his head in his hands. She'd watched him and when their eyes met, he said hello. She said nothing and simply stared back. That was how their days had gone, for the most part. He'd try to bring up conversation with her and she would say nothing, not even respond with any kind of telepathy, though he did not know if that was her choice.

He never left the room and considered himself friendly company, which she accepted. He did leave, once or twice, to peek in on Elek and then go back to his business. While Alice slept, he made sure things were taken care of though he never told anyone to do anything or asked a favor of anyone. He was discrete, changing the flavors of jellos by throwing out all of the others at a certain time or other strange things like replacing the light bulbs so they were dimmer in her room.

Feeling at a loss, and totally unconnected with her, he sat in her room and waited. She was sweet and kind; she always smiled at his jokes. But she was at risk of being sick, or was sick. The doctor had informed him that her heart was enlarged which could be dangerous, or fatal, if she was not careful. He had started to scratch a long hole into his face from all of the scratching he'd been doing due to his nerves, but it slowly filled back in.

Finally, as she slept, he stood up. Today was the day that Ryan would be released and brought to the hospital for questioning. He shouldn't be here for it as he knew he would become heated again but much worse than before. Amante sighed and looked at her back, white hair waving over her back and on the bed like water. He bit down on his lower lip and withdrew from the room, quietly, going to Elek's room to see if he was ready for Ryan's arrival and the questioning.

[Sadrain]

November 29th, Chicago; Base.

Elek was sitting at the table, leaned over some papers, hand supporting his head. He had recovered from the word trouble within another day, and there were no other apparent effect on him. How he felt on inside, was a little different story. It was most likely the first time when he avoided someone, as he did with Alice right now. Even if Elek knew he will have to talk with her eventually, he wished it would happen later than sooner, and when she, hopefully, would feel better and stronger. The man made sure she was under the best care, though, and was also rather curious about her. Just not ready to face her yet.

He noticed Amante a little later than he normally would, and then, slightly startled turned around. "Oh, hey, come in, have a seat. I am glad you came. I wanted to have a word with you, but didn't want to disturb you." In reality, Elek just didn't want to go into Alice's room, but there was no way he would let Amante or anyone else know that.

"I appreciate all you did for me, all of us, and that girl. She will be taken care of as good as possible, that I promise to you. And if you want to stay here longer, it's fine with me, just let me know so I can arrange someone else to watch over Leila," Elek assured his friend, half wondering what was his relationship with this "Alice". Did they know each other? It seemed like Amante certainly recognized her... But even though he could find out the truth, without Amante ever noticing, Elek respected his privacy and wish to stay silent about it.

"How was it going with Leila, by the way? Is she still so rude to you? And how is she acting, nothing too suspicious?" He asked, a little nervously, remembering how haughty Leila had treated Amante the first day.

[Ishu]

November 29th, Chicago; Base.

He was about to ask Elek if he was ready for Ryan, but Elek had already asked him to sit and started asking questions. He plopped down, slowly, with his elbows on his knees and his head hanging forward just a bit. He listened and soon began to answer.

"She's doing... alright. She's not very open to outsiders but she hasn't caused any problems. When Aiolia came down with you unconscious, she immediately went for the medic to make sure you were ok." Amante glanced over at Elek, "Either she was following an order or she felt some kind of concern." He leaned back in his seat, hands now on his knees, "I think she was more curious and wanted to watch everything, know everything."

The man shrugged, "She didn't really react to the other two that came down behind you. The girl was unconscious," He paused, "and Ryan had a gun to his back." He grit his teeth before speaking, "He seemed very concerned for her." He didn't like admitting it, didn't want it to be true, but he knew it was.

[Sadrain]

November 29th, Chicago; Base.

As Amante spoke, Elek felt deeper and deeper concern for him. He couldn't fully understand what pestered his friend, but it had to be connected with the girl. And, his attitude towards Ryan seemed to suggest that there was some sort of rivalry of attention of care going on. Elek wasn't sure if it was crush - his aura seemed to suggest otherwise - but certainly some warm, confusing feelings that somehow upset Amante.

"Thank you for report and keeping an eye on her. I hope she behaves in future, too," Elek said, standing up. He put hand on Amante's shoulder for a moment. "Ryan won't have much time or energy to watch over Alice. He is going to have the operations soon. That arm is done for." "I will keep you up to date with everything going on here, maybe you can come back after few days, if you want. You know you're always welcome here." Elek smiled at his friend. "Good luck, stay safe." With that, the man left, to one of the hardest duties he had done in a long time.

Alice's room in hospital had been turned into a small court room between Amante's departure and Elek's arrival. There were one row of seats now, in which various people sat, and at desk sat Aiolia who would write everything down. Ryan was already sitting in the chair next to Alice's bed, with handcuffs. Someone from the 'court' had insisted on it, much for Elek's distaste, and it had been voted for.

Elek sat down in chair across of them and sighed softly. "Interrogation number one, begins. The subjects: Ryan Orth and "Alice". Aiolia said in a monotone voice, only her eyes shot a glare at said subjects.

"First of all, please tell us, how you met "Alice"."
Ryan slowly, somewhat unwillingly began to tell everything from the very beginning, which was the phone call. He left out some details, like how he had taken care of Alice, but tried to stay honest to the reality. The "court" often asked him a lot of absurd questions, making him repeat what he had said before, or trying to confuse him, in testing if he wouldn't mess up, so revealing lies.

"... So, you were asked to kidnap a girl, which you agreed to, without any remorse, broke into uncharted facility, got "Alice" out of there, getting shot in the process, used medicine on her to get drugs out of her system, took care of her, then handed her to your employer, but in last moment changed your mind? And then decided to come to Chicago, to join Rebellion so you both would be safe, for a while, until brought danger to a large organisation that could help many people, if not revealed for certain time? Is that what you're saying, Mr. Orth?" The woman's voice was as cold as steel, but with mocking note. It was even worse than Aiolia.

Ryan hung his head down, the words weighting him down. It sounded so absurd, like out of story, that he wasn't surprised they didn't believe him. But then he looked sideways to Alice and suddenly lifted his head in defiance.
"Yes, that is what I am saying, Ms. Blath. I am sure you are doubting my common sense, if I have any heart and every word I say, but let me remind you that not everyone here comes from fancy home, can wear fancy clothes and act like they are heroes saving earth, as if they have not done anything wrong!"
"Mr. Orth!" Aiolia attempted to interrupt him, but to no avail. Ryan sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing.
"Some of us are born on streets and treated like rats - that you should know, since you swore to protect and help people like us. Yes, I agreed to kidnap a girl, but I was threatened to be killed otherwise, or if I fail. I want to live, and I want to eat. Half of people here have done same as me and worse. I think not what we INTEND to do, but what we fucking do, makes the person we are! And I saved her, from facility and from my employers, and I took her here, hoping people would understand and actually care, not fake compassion like everywhere else!"

There was a stunned silence in the room after Ryan was finished. He was breathing heavily and slumped back in the chair, thinking that now it was surely done for. But, honestly, he had wanted to say that for so long... If he had to go down, then he would do so with pride.

"Release him. This interrogation is finished and my conclusion is that they are not guilty. For now, Mr. Orth and Ms. Alice are probationary members of Rebellion." Elek's voice was calm, but firm. Aiolia and other stared at him, Ryan included. For few seconds no one got up, but then Aiolia went over to Ryan and opened his hand cuffs. Elek got up, ordered to find a room for Ryan, and then left them. While Ryan had spoken, he had went into his mind and seen all those conflicts, pain, anger that he had and still lived trough. There was no thought of assault, just wish to protect the frail girl, and he knew Alice had wished him no harm either, so the solution was simple.

[Sadrain]

November 29th, Chicago; Sewer 17.

Today Leila was sent to patrol one of the furthest sewer parts, all day long. She had packed a small bag with meal and few other necessities and went on the duty, rather happy that she got to be really alone, with just darkness and music around her, as far as she could sense. However, the idyllic time was quickly crushed, when she felt her legs grow weak and pain crawl in her stomach.

Knowing what was about to come, Leila pulled out small leather bag and shook three pills in her hand and then gulped down with some water. Continuing the patrol, the girl hoped they would work soon enough. But they didn't. As shadows closed in around her, forming something alike a ball and dimming all the lights in eyesight, Leila felt spams all trough her stomach. They gripped her kidneys, her lower stomach and back, crawled up to her ribcage and squeezed her heart. Her breath became irregular, wheezing she gasped for air, The girl fell forwards, on her knees, unable to support her self up anymore. The fingers clawed at the hard cement and dirt. The shadows wrapped tighter around her, whispering soothingly, but she wasn't able to really understand them.

[Ishu]

November 29th, Chicago; Base.

Elek was so calm with him and did not ask questions, did not invade to tear the answers from him. He let out a calmed sigh, a hand moving over his face. Amante nodded and looked over A surgery? His arm... shit. That probably wasn't going to go over well and he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty even though the arm may have been useless even before that.

Not dwelling on it, he stood up and thanked elek before walking out of the room and down the hall. He made sure to make a stop at Alice's window and watched as the room was adjusted, quickly moving along as more people shoed up and, soon, he'd left the base altogether...

__

Ryan had been sitting beside her for some time. The back of her bed had been angled and pillows put at her back so she could sit up while the event took place. She kept looking to Ryan, eyebrows curving with concern as he looked sat and beaten. She hoped he was ok...

The questions came pouring out and the people asking them sounded rather mean. An energy began to ebb i nthe room, though it was subtle and it's source unknown. Her concern turned to an almost childish anger or a naive defense. But each time Ryan looked to her, she showed him the concern again and her hand inched closer to his. Finally, it lay over his elbow, fingertips grasping at the fabric of his shirt; an attempt to support and almost empower him.

Whether it had any influence or not, he became heated and nearly yelled his opinion at the others. No one else existed as she listened, focusing on him, smiling just slightly. He didn't just defend her or himself, but his views and his position. He was innocent of any harm to these people in the rebellion and she was proud of him.

Her arm grew tired and she pulled away, laying her hand in her lap and easing her back against the pillows. With her head turned to the side, she watched his hands and listened to the others. Their verdict was in, the verdict of their leader, and they said the two were innocent. They weren't completed trusted or accepted, but this did not bother her. As long as Ryan, the only familiar person she knew, was nearby then she would be ok. The ebbing in the air subsided and disappeared while Alice lay quietly.

[Ishu]

November 29th, Chicago; Sewer 17.

He was only out of the base for a few hours, kicking a little chunk of stone along the cement tunnels, when he felt a shift, a familiar shift. His nose wrinkled and he grumbled, the sound echoing in his throat. Amante continued forward until he saw a pitch black ball and sniffed again. Shadows. But these were different from the ones he normally came into contact with.

With a quirked brow, he began to approach and put his hand up, much like you would to a dog to smell you, and he waited to be accepted by them. He just wanted to figure out what was going on. The had a familiar scent and, though he knew these were not the ones that existed... everywhere, they did smell a bit like Leila. However, whether Leila was inside or not, he could not tell, as they cloaked everything within themselves.

[Sadrain]

November 29th, Chicago; Base.

Ryan was exhausted, the interrogation and speech having taken last out of him. But he asked to let him stay with Alice, while they were preparing a hospital room for him - the doctor had decided it would be best for the man to stay here, until they could perform the operation. Ryan took her hand into his gently, and squeezed.

"Thank you," he said, when all the people had finally left the room. Even if most people present hadn't noticed the small moves that Alice did, they had given him energy and power. They let Ryan know she supported him and didn't think he is a bad person. "Thank you so much."
With those words, still holding her hand, the man fell asleep and for first time, had a peaceful rest, even after they had carefully transported him to the room that would now be his for a while.