[VIDEO]

[mementodagger]

[He's been trying to avoid this, especially since the COMP link buried in his flesh freaks him out as much as any ghost. But now his closest friend, the only person he knows and trusts, is missing and he feels utterly helpless to do anything about it. Feeling helpless makes him rather cross.]

Hope I'm bloody doing this right.... Zael? If you can hear me, give me some sign. It's been three days, you can't be gone for good. I swear, if you've left me in this place alone....

[He takes a deep breath.] If anyone on the rescue team finds a man named Zael, have him contact me as soon as possible. [In the meantime, Yurick is going to go blow off some steam by burning something down.]

Comments

[private]

[otakuro]

I'd try not to worry too much. This kind of thing happens now and again...

[Not that that is in any way reassuring in the least.]

We probably shouldn't be discussing this openly, though - that message seemed like it was supposed to be a secretive thing.

[private]

[mementodagger]

[What does he... oh, now he sees the "private" tag flashing in his view.]

Sorry, I've been here almost two months and I'm still learning how to use this blasted thing. We don't have anything like this at home.

[He scowls, clearly frustrated.]

I thought this world couldn't get any worse.

[private to the end!]

[otakuro]

...Er.

Not to be a downer or anything, but... as far as weird things in this place go, this might actually be one of the tamer ones.

[And it was vastly preferable to what happened in his own world, anyway.]

Underground demon fighting rings... If they're careful with the play-acting, hopefully no one should be hurt.

[mementodagger]

[Yurick groans, pinching the bridge of his nose briefly.

Wonderful. Knowing Zael, he'll go all-out trying to help everyone else. It's his way.

[Zael can't help being a white knight type, but Yurick is pretty sure it'll get him killed sooner or later.]

[otakuro]

Y-Yeah... I know a few people like that, too.

There's not much we can do to help them right now. I wish we could, but... sending too many people down would just attract too much attention. We've gotta believe they can hold out.

[mementodagger]

[Yurick sits down heavily, raking a hand through his partially braided hair. He hasn't even bothered knotting it up, not when he can't think of anything but Zael. When he speaks again, his voice is quieter and flat.]

If he doesn't make it back....

[The thought makes his stomach churn. He's never been the most positive person, and this situation is horrible.]

[otakuro]

He will.

...They all will.

[Atsuro's voice is quiet as well, though it rings with a firm conviction.]

There's... something like a motto where I come from - more of a creed. 'Let's survive'. If we can do anything at all in this city, that's it. We survive. You wouldn't believe the kinds of things we've seen. I mean, on the whole, the city isn't so bad. But when these kinds of things happen...

I like to think we were chosen to come here for a reason.

[mementodagger]

With no consideration for the lives we had before we were stolen away?

[Still quiet, but now he sounds a little bitter.]

What gives anyone the right? They could've asked if we wanted to help. Zael and I are mercenaries, we're accustomed to being hired to do things. But being kidnapped is... it's....

[He makes a frustrated sound. He hates to admit how helpless he feels without his comrade.]

[otakuro]

It feels that way, doesn't it? If it helps, everything back home is put on pause while you're here. Time won't pass at all.

It's less of an interruption than it is... an intermission.

[mementodagger]

And what happens if we die here? Are we erased from our own world?

[Ugh, this is making his head pound. Other worlds, demonic tournaments, people walking around with weird powers....]

[otakuro]

...Er.

[Atsuro looks slightly uncomfortable at that query.]

I hadn't thought about it. ...It hasn't happened yet. I suppose they'd send our bodies back.

(Ha ha, sorry. Otakon and then sickness ate me.)

[mementodagger]

... oh, I don't even want to imagine that.

[Yurick looks like he just wants to slam his head into the nearest wall.]

And there's no one we can talk to about possibly getting sent home?

No problems!

[otakuro]

...I'd try asking at the city hall. I know some people do end up going back. A few friends of mine have gone, at least.

After Event??

[justanoutsider]

...Nice to see you getting the hang of things while I was gone.

[Being social. He's proud of you.]

Re: After Event??

[mementodagger]

[For a solid ten seconds, Yurick just stares. Then....]

You git! Where the bloody hell have you been?!

[He's relieved, really. That's why he's actually swearing for once, because he's so glad your stupid noble idiot self is safe, Zael.]

Where are you now?!

[justanoutsider]

Underground, I think. It was like being in the caves back in Lazulis. Though I know you don't remember most of that.

[Thankfully, there hadn't been a lot of stairs this time around.

As for the next question, he goes quiet and pauses, looking around him. He still doesn't know the city that well.]

...Where I can see the sun, at least.

[mementodagger]

[This isn't helping what lingering nerves he's still feeling, Zael.]

Find a landmark and tell me what you see! You'd think these mad things would help us navigate this city at least.

[justanoutsider]

[He laughs.]

I'm fine, Yurick. See? I can take care of myself.

[And yes, there probably is an app for that. Not that he knows how to use it.]

[mementodagger]

You are not fine until you get yourself back to your quarters. With your luck you'll be kidnapped again otherwise.

[Yurick only knows a tiny bit about the COMP and only from fiddling with it despite the fact that it freaks him out.]

[justanoutsider]

You do know that's where I was kidnapped from, right?

[He's teasing, honestly. He really doesn't have any illusions of being kidnapped again anytime soon. Not for awhile.]

Besides, I think the demons will think twice about it next time. If there is one, at any rate.

[mementodagger]

[That stops Yurick in his tracks. He'd assumed Zael had been out searching for the others again and been caught that way. But to be taken right out of a supposedly secure apartment?]

Then... we're not safe anywhere....

[justanoutsider]

Well, it is protected, but no location is ever fully secure, is it? I don't remember anything about being taken, but that's where I remember being last.

[mementodagger]

We're not safe if we're alone, it seems. Zael, maybe we should stay together. It might be our only choice.

[justanoutsider]

I always thought you were more the type to stay alone. You sure you want company?

[mementodagger]

It's not like we've never been forced to share lodging, Zael. And listening to you toss about in your sleep at night is better than wondering where else you'll be whisked off to next.