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[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

[mementodagger]

Then we'll meet up again in front of the library? Unless you've grown weary of me.

[Yurick chuckles dryly, though he does worry about becoming an inconvenience to his new friend. Friend... is that what Atsuro is now, already? When did he start to think of someone he only just met as a friend when his trust had been so hard to win before?

He's changing, isn't he? Deep in his heart, he's becoming a different person thanks to Zael breaking down his walls. Now he knows what it is to let others in.

He's not even aware of the wistful look that's taking over his face now.]

[otakuro]

Not at all! I couldn't expect you to find your way back after one outing. We'll probably make it the library within the next 10 minutes; I'll do some work and come back before dinner. How does that sound?

[Atsuro glances back at Yurick as they emerge onto the main street again. He will, of course, make no comment about the expression on Yurick's face, though he certainly takes note of it.]

[mementodagger]

That should give me time to explore the library. Whatever we don't get to see tonight, I wouldn't mind touring at a later time as long as you're open to the idea.

[Keeping himself busy is the key. The more he's occupied, the less he'll worry about Zael.]

As thanks, I'll pay for dinner.

[otakuro]

...Do you have a job?

[Atsuro arches an eyebrow as he smiles at Yurick's offer.]

If not, don't worry about it. I have more fake money than I know what to do with, anyway.

[mementodagger]

Ah... no, not as of yet. I'm a mercenary, I do what I'm paid to do, though at the moment no one's in need of me.

[He looks a bit embarrassed.]

I do need to make it up to you somehow. You've been far too kind.

[otakuro]

...We really should get paid for this. I mean, room and board is fine, but demon hunting is practically a job in and of itself.

It's OK, though. All I ever spend my salary on is video games and computer parts, anyway.

[mementodagger]

Video games...? Computer parts?

[Yeah, definitely a confused expression at that, though a light does seem to go on in his head after a second.]

Those odd things with the long tails in your room, right? You'll have to show me how they work sometime, if that's alright.

[otakuro]

Magical mystery things, right. We can go over that a little later.

[Priority one: introduce Yurick to video games and computer games. Atsuro banks a sharp right and glances around at the street signs.]

I think we just made it into Aquarius - right. There's the library, off in the distance. See it?

[It was still six or seven blocks away, but the building was fairly visible from their location.]

[mementodagger]

That large building over there? [Yurick points, trying not to look too excited and failing somewhat.] It's quite enormous. Even the library in Lazulis Castle was smaller than that!

[Atsuro might have to drag him out at closing time or Yurick will seriously consider just moving in and living amongst the stacks.]

[otakuro]

Ahaha, it's pretty darn big! I... had to go through all the stacks a few months back. Took me a while.

On that note, if you want to know anything about the city's history, feel free to ask me if you'd rather not do it yourself. It's not that well organized.

[Although Yurick seems like the type to delight in that sort of thing.]

[mementodagger]

I might just have to work on fixing that, then.

[That's a definite gleam in his eye. Someone apparently enjoys an academic challenge.]

But yes, I might have to... what's the expression I've heard people use here? "Pick your brain?"

[otakuro]

...Ah, yes, that's right.

[Although he rarely heard anyone use it in casual conversation.]

Feel free to use whatever expressions you're more familiar with and we can translate it later.

[mementodagger]

Well, one learns best by doing, I thought I might as well try. But yes, I would appreciate hearing whatever information you'd care to share with me. Perhaps between the two of us, we can puzzle out a few new details about this place.

[Keeping busy. Always about keeping busy, because if he thinks too much about Zael or home he's going to scream. Atsuro is a godsend for his sanity.]

[otakuro]

[Atsuro had been here a year and he still wasn't sure he could puzzle out much of anything about Hinoto-Ri apart from things like 'it's named after a phoenix because it's the last city following the apocalypse'.]

Sure! We can go do the history lesson after you've gotten a chance to look through the library yourself; how does that sound?

[mementodagger]

That sounds reasonable. I really do appreciate you shepherding me all over the city, Atsuro. And I hope that eventually, you'll be able to meet my comrade as well.

[He'll repay you by becoming a surprisingly good gaming partner, just watch.]

[otakuro]

Don't mention it. I'm looking forward to meeting your friend - and try not to worry, really. If he's half as powerful as you are, I'm sure nothing will have happened to him.

[Atsuro tries to smile in a reassuring manner.]

I'll leave you here then - I'll be back around... 6?

[mementodagger]

[Atsuro's words are so kind, so genuine, it's almost easy to believe they're true. And Zael really is powerful, especially now, so why can't the other boy be right?

Yurick will have to hold on to the hope that he is.]

Six is fine. I'll see you then.

[And after a moment's hesitation he clasps Atsuro's forearm in the old greeting and farewell of travelers.]

... thank you, my friend.

[otakuro]

Oh!

[Atsuro is slightly startled when Yurick reaches for him and even more so when it is not for a handshake as he would vaguely expect from a Westerner. ...Inasmuch as Yurick counted as a Westerner, anyway. He glances at the hand around his forearm and flushes a bit red.]

No, thank you!

[...Was that the right thing to say to this.
After a few moments, Atsuro pats Yurick's hand
Which he was almost certain was the wrong thing to do
But he had to do something right]

[mementodagger]

[Yurick takes the patting hand and gently coaxes it to clasp his own forearm so that Atsuro is returning the gesture. The mage is teaching the programmer something from his own world, however small it might be, as a gesture of friendship. The fingers around Atsuro's forearm give a very light squeeze before Yurick releases him, the ghost of a smile on his lips as he nods, turns, and walks toward the library.]

[otakuro]

[Atsuro's face continues to maintain a rosy glow as he laughs pleasurably, realizing Yurick's intent now. He gives the other boy a squeeze, too, before drawing away.]

Hah... I'll see you later, Yurick. Enjoy the library!

[mementodagger]

[Yurick raises a hand in acknowledgement, glancing back briefly over his shoulder. It's good to see he looks more relaxed and that trace of a smile is still there.

Then he's walking quickly, eager to get his hands on a book or twenty.]

[otakuro]

[The faint flush on his face persists for a few minutes afterwards. He could certainly understand how Yurick must have felt - bereft of his only friend, worried out of his mind, and lost in a strange place. He can only hope that their meeting has put him a bit more at ease with Hinoto-Ri.

He does not actually have to do any work today, but as long as he was finding excuses to allow Yurick more time to spend in the library, he could certainly take an hour or two to play games in the computing center instead of in his room. It was all the same, anyway.]

[mementodagger]

[It took three hours and a librarian gently ushering Yurick out-- he'd asked her to alert him so he wouldn't keep Atsuro waiting-- but eventually he emerged from the building. Surprisingly he didn't have anything in his arms but he did look very pleased. It might have something to do with the librarian telling him he could access research materials online since not all the reference materials could be checked out. Now he had even more reason for Atsuro to teach him this world's strange technology.]

[otakuro]

[Atsuro can be found outside the library fiddling with his COMP, his go-to activity whenever there was a need for patience. Being immersed in technology 24/7 was his life's goal. Smartphones are not yet as popular as they will soon become in his time but Atsuro is, of course, ahead of the curve.

He glances up on occasion; this time, he spots someone with silver hair stepping out of the doors.]

Over here!

[mementodagger]

[Yurick makes his way over, looking a bit apologetic and very glad to see his new friend.]

Sorry I kept you waiting. I asked them to notify me after two hours but then it took them an hour to find me in the reference cellar. They were very helpful, though.