==Lude Mode Engage== * Niri walks down the streets of the time-warped city. It's been several hours since Mikel left the tower, and after quite some time had passed, Niri decided to go in search of him... * Niri has been walking for a while now, with no luck so far. Eventually she heads toward a nearby cliff-face, and on the way she spies a familiar figure slumped against a wall... * Mikel is indeed sitting on the ground, slumped against the wall. His head is bowed, dirt easily noticed on his clothing along with bits of blood, though if it's from the minor wounds he received or from carrying Emili is up to debate. If she cares to get closer she might notice the book lying open on the ground, Mikel sometimes slowly turning a page. * Niri walks forward, saying nothing to announce her presence. She just sinks down to a crouch next to Mikel, pulling out a water bottle and a cloth and dousing it a bit. She holds the damp cloth out to him, the concern evident on her face. * Mikel doesn't acknowledge Niri at first, though eventually he does lift his head and reach out to take the cloth. It's obvious that there have been tears shed as Niri gets a view of his face. He doesn't say anything yet, just starting to wipe away the dirt and blood. * Niri is silent for a few more moments, but then she speaks, a bit haltingly. "I'm...not supposed to be here. Trune said I shouldn't, and I know I'm supposed to just leave you alone. And if you tell me to go away, I will. Just..." * Niri sighs, trying to form her next words in her head. It's not easy. * Mikel shakes his head, finally speaking up in a hoarse voice. "N-no, it's fine.." * Niri sinks down to sit next to him, wrapping one arm around his shoulders. "It'd be different, maybe, if I hadn't just lost Leah. But..." She blinks back a couple of tears herself. She tries to continue, but can't, and maybe she doesn't need to. It goes without saying that she is feeling the same pain he is. * Mikel shifts a bit, continuing to clean off the signs of the burial. Though this time he looks over at Niri, managing to speak up once again. "I'm... sorry, Niri." * Niri shrugs, asking quietly, "Sorry for what?" ...for what happened with Leah. * Niri nods. "And...I'm sorry about Emili. I tried to get here as fast as I could..." * Mikel lowers his head again, staring at the book. "...not your fault. If I had moved faster... been paying more attention before she screamed..." * Niri shakes her head. "Mikel. We need to stop this right here. I've been...questioning things ever since we fought Leah. It won't do us any good. We both did all we could, and there's no point in second-guessing what's past." I didn't know Emili very well, and well...you already know I didn't like her a whole lot. But I never would have wished this on her, and I also think she would understand - I think she DOES know that you did all you could to get to her. * Mikel doesn't respond immediately, halting in wiping off the dirt. "...maybe..." He trails off, voice failing him for a few moments. It takes him a bit to reclaim it, shaking his head. "...it's quiet, now. Didn't even get to say goodbye." * Niri doesn't have the words to respond to that. She just tightens her arm around Mikel a bit. * Mikel falls silent again, turning the page in the book again. This time it opens to the ripped out one, causing him to stiffen. "...over a single page of this book." Do you know which page? * Mikel nods. "Deals with preservation of the soul." * Niri frowns. "What do you think they plan to do?" * Mikel makes a fist with the hand holding the cloth, wringing out the water in it. "..probably for Zophar. Don't know for sure, don't care. I just need to find every one of the bastards that so much as looked at the page." * Niri hesitates. "...Mikel." * Mikel lifts his head nearly imperceptibly. "...yeah?" * Niri shakes her head. "Never mind. It...wouldn't do any good to say anything. Anyway, you can count on my help." * Mikel looks almost curious for a moment, though it quickly fades as the adept nods. "...thanks. Zophar and Pandora both need to fall to... to settle the score. Part of her's still in Pandora..." * Niri nods. "What do you think that means? What will...happen to her, after Pandora's defeated?" ...she'll be able to rest in peace, instead of being torn. * Niri nods. "In that case, I'll do everything in my power to help you." * Mikel nods again, closing his eyes. "...thanks. I... I need to get stronger. Pandora's escaped too many times, and Zophar needs to be crushed." Mikel...maybe you don't know how strong you are already. Zophar does need to be crushed, but just be careful that you don't end up crushed as well in the process. ...not until he and Pandora fall. * Niri eyes Mikel, feeling sad and perhaps a bit helpless. She seems uneasy, but says nothing. * Mikel closes his eyes, sighing as he releases the cloth and brings the hand up to his head. "...sorry. How long do we have before we need to get moving?" * Niri shrugs. "We can take a little more time if you need it. Maybe another hour or two, anyway." She does her best to quell her impatience to see how her father is doing. * Mikel just nods, rubbing his eyes before lowering his hand. It comes away wet as he speaks again. "I'll... I'll be along in a bit, then." * Niri looks at him helplessly, her own eyes feeling a little misty. "...All right." She looks about to get up and leave, but then she changes her mind, turning and hugging Mikel tightly for a moment. * Mikel starts for a moment, surprised by the hug. It doesn't take long for him to return it though, hugging back just as tightly. "T-Thanks." * Niri hangs on a minute longer before letting go. "Just...if you need anything, tell me, okay? No matter what it is. We're-we're in this together, Mikel. All right?" * Mikel nods as he lets go, wiping his face. "I will, Niri. D-Don't worry, I will." * Niri nods, standing and giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze before she heads back toward the tower, glancing back once. * Mikel has returned to the book, looking a bit more cleaned up and weighed down by the day's events. ==Lude Feenish== >> END!