dappledleaves | CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[ It might not be as effective, but it still hurts. The officer staggers back, clutching his face and swears profusely.

"And you brats think you're hot shit, playing at war safe in your VR." The man spits out some blood. "I'll teach you a lesson-"

This time, Sinclair manages to put himself between the officer and Oria]

--stop it.

[ He stops when Sinclair gets in between. There's some silence before he looks down at the hose and sprays it at full force (whatever spray strength the punishment was supposed to be) at the officer's face past Sinclair's shoulder. The officer could probably lose an eye if it's strong.

He doesn't care though. ]

Edited 2025-01-30 02:40 (UTC)

Ah-

[ Sinclair doesn't have a chance to react to the blast of water that goes over his shoulder and into the officer's face. He goes down, screaming,and gurgling and the other soldiers begin to shout and move in to secure everyone involved]

Stop, don't touch him--

[But he realises it's Rodion who has her hands on him and Heathcliff going for Oria--

Hopefully they don't eat each other]

[ As he watches the soldier scream, he laughs a little--chuckling under his breath. He glances over at the other Knights before being lifted by Heathcliff. For some reason, he seems pretty complacent while being carried by Heathcliff like a sack of potatoes--to Heathcliff's side, lifted up by the torso and dangling like a cat. He lets go of the hose too.

No struggle whatsoever. There's no manic expression on him either--though it remains to be seen of what's worse: looking bored out of his mind or maniacally laughing about the violence he caused. It's the former right now, but still.

It's eerie. ]

["Hey, kid, isn't that your boyfriend? He always this crazy?" Rodion mutters under her breath. Sinclair is too weirded out to be even flustered by that as he stares at Oria, as he's lead out with slightly more dignity, scientists with clipboards swarming the area. Don't touch their project!!]

H-he's not my boyfriend. And, no, I've never...seen him like that before.

[ He continues to stay limp in Heathcliff's hold, but eventually lifts his head to look at Sinclair. He doesn't say anything, but there's a slight smile on his face. Hehe.

Hehehehe.

Heathcliff is free to do whatever he wants with Oria. Toss him to the side and let the military officers handle him or whatnot. The Knights are scared to actually do or say anything still. ]

[what the f-

No, don't think like that. There's a reason for everything, right? Heathcliff grouches about the grunt work he has to do but he dumps Oria back inside onto the ground with no ceremony, giving Sinclair enough room to kneel by Oria and check on him. Luckily he wasn't the one scruffed this time...]

Oria, are you okay?

[The military officers are coming soon, but Sinclair isn't the one in trouble this time. Probably]

"My Sinclair."

[ It's clear that whatever happened in the past whatever moments wasn't really Oria and Sinclair will feel a hand on his cheek. It's Oria's hand, but it's not Oria that's behind it. His voice sounds quiet and soft instead of his usual boisterous tone. ]

"Do you remember now? And our promise...?"

[ Sinclair flinches a little but he steels himself. Not Oria. Just a program wearing Oria's face trying to make him lose it]

...there was no such thing.

"You still don't remember?"

[ He looks disappointed with a smidge of wistfulness in his expression. Whatever this is has assumed that Sinclair regained a lot of his memories. ]

"The coin... the sign... everything? You don't remember?"

[ Sinclair's expression tightens briefly. All of that was meaningless now anyway. Because 'that person' was dead, having succumbed to a fate far worse than Sinclair could have dreamed]

I remember. [ there was no sign. Just a bloodbath he was responsible for]

And it's all meaningless now.

"Is it? You always look like you're in pain when it's brought up."

[ The small smile has long since faded, but perhaps Sinclair can feel a void of that. There's a void of emotions. There should be something, but to see Oria so empty as he lowers his hand from Sinclair's cheek-- ]

... This is a pain. Get me some painkillers.

...who are you?

[ To see Oria, who was always so vibrant look like this...he knew what this meant. Sinclair looks at Rodya and Heathcliff who both shrug.

"Ten minutes, probably." Rodion says and Sinclair nods. He takes 'Oria's' hand]

Come on. I still have some leftover in my room. Though...you really should be in the medical bay now.

[ It looks like he's about to say something, but he shuts up when Sinclair gives that suggestion. ]

Then why am I not there, and still here?

[ He looks over at Heathcliff like, "you buffoon. you fool. you had only one job." ]

Because...you were being weird.

[ Sinclair doesn't know. He'll lead Oria to the medical bay. His room in the dorms isn't a refuge after all, not right now.

Heathcliff moves to lunge. Rodion drags him off.

"Bye kiddo~. Fau will investigate later."]

[ Bye heathcliff... He follows Sinclair, but his movements are a little janky. The adrenaline has worn off, so he's lost his strength and his limbs feel numb. After a stumble, he collapses on his legs and slumps on the floor.

... ]

Carry me there.

[ Investigate...Rodion meant Faust already knew and Sinclair was in for a Faust-scolding. He didn't really do anything this time though...

Sinclair tries to catch Oria, but other than keeping a hold of Oria's elbow, he can't keep Oria from slumping over completely]

Huh? Oh, okay...

[ Time to pull Oria into a piggy back ride then. Over Sinclair's back you go...!

Heavy...]

[ He's the heaviest ragdoll... Oria would have definitely squabbled over this, but this guy just looks like he doesn't care. Pride? Irrelevant. ]

... Thought you were one of the strongest. Why are you struggling?

[ He sounds so judging while being piggybacked. Help. ]

It's different carrying someone like this...when did you get so heavy?

[ He's worn down from the running??? Rude. It's not like he hasn't carried Oria before but...He takes a moment but once he's worked out how to handle Oria's weight over his back, he does better]

Probably from all the food Oria eats.

[ He is privy to Oria's eating habits despite... the build. It's fine. We don't think about it. ]

Shouldn't you get ready? When will they send you out for the war?

...I don't need to take that long. We'll be sent out to the front lines on Thursday.

[His voice goes a little distant]

You never said what your name was...

[ He notes the distant tone, but doesn't call him out on it yet. ]

I didn't answer your question the first time because I don't have one.

[Sinclair blinks. But he can't look at Oria right now, when he's on his back]

I thought all CPP developed their own identities and names on their own.

Not having a name isn't the same as not having an identity.

[ He lightly headbutts the back of Sinclair's head, but it just feels like he's burying his face into Sinclair's soft hair. ]

[Hey. Sinclair makes a noise of confusion at that gesture, trying not to fluster. This wasn't Oria]

...I guess not. But do you want a name? I can't call you Oria... that's not right.

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