A Return

[lastfeather]

[With everything that's been happening, especially in the aftermath of Primeval Force's appearance. The last thing anyone would expect is a black blur tearing through the sky towards the Chalice. Nineball. It was a Black Nineball. As if things weren't problematic enough-]

Sorry I'm late. Took me a while to dig my way out and get myself sorted out...

[Wait... Was that... Ryou? In any event the Nineball lands and its pilot exits.]

... I heard about what was happening on the way back... If I knew I would have worked faster.

Comments

[gift_of_magus]

[A book-loli is glaring at you.]

[lastfeather]

Eibon. Glad to see you made it back safely.

[He offered the book-loli a small grin. Of course this was a bad idea as she was most likely going to hit him. Or give him a series of bad papercuts.]

[gift_of_magus]

P-p-p-put me down! This instant!

[She tries for the hitting him approach, though being a tiny girl and all it's not really painful.]

[lastfeather]

[He just laughs at her expression and her rather amusing attempts to beat him up. Truly Eibon, a grimore of GREAT DIGNITY has lost many honor points this day.]

Hm. Nope. I don't think so.

Didn't think you'd miss me this much.

[gift_of_magus]

[Well, FINE. Seeing that hitting him's ineffective, she'll just settle for pouting until she gets put down.]

I did not get a chance to say a proper goodbye...I thought you had perished! Or that I was going to die before being able to talk to you again!

[lastfeather]

[Well now at that he has to let her down doesn't he?]

Which doesn't really matter right now does it? We're both here and talking despite our respective enemies doing their best to end us.

May as well keep to the here and now.

[gift_of_magus]

[As she's let down she hugs Ryou.]

I'm serious...I like you. If you had died, or if Kurou and Al had not miraculously forced us back...

It would be another bit of sadness in my life.

[lastfeather]

...Hah...

Well that'd be the first time I've ever heard something like this...

[Ryou sighed, what was this place doing to him?]

... I don't have that many people I know I would miss...

You're one of them.

1/2

[gift_of_magus]

Thank you...

[A moment of silence, while Eibon contemplates their expected lifespan and apparent age differences. She just hugs him more tightly, burying her face into Ryou's chest.]

2/2

[gift_of_magus]

...Roads is going to take up Demonbane's work, after this is done. He will be trying to fight the forces of evil gods and mad sorcerers with the help of the Hadou zaibatsu.

And, it's selfish of me to say this-humans should remain concerned with human affairs, but...

I'd like it if you came. You are strong enough for it.

[lastfeather]

Heh. And here I thought I'd end up giving up fighting at the end of the day.

Yeah, I'll come along. I get the feeling you'd tear your pages out if you had just Roads to keep you company.

[gift_of_magus]

It would take worse tortures than that to make me do such a thing.

Just...don't do this for my sake alone. If you wish to live a peaceful life, that is your choice, and I will respect it.

I'll just drop in to visit unannounced every once in a while.

[lastfeather]

Hah!

[Ryou pondered on this. A peaceful life. It'd be a wonder if he could even function with such a thing. But fighting is what he can do best...]

... If that's the case I may as well think about it shouldn't I? Peace... its something new for me.

On the off chance I pick that option, I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

[not_the_deer]

You're back!

...With a Nineball!

[lastfeather]

I said I would be.

And Nevermore wasn't exactly in any condition to get out of that hole.

I'm guessing you're about to tell me that it was a terrible idea and I should have taken my chances with a broken down wreck?

[His tone was mildly amused to say the least.]

[not_the_deer]

Why would I say that? You had perfectly usable Nineballs just lying around everywhere, and without the main control unit they were harmless. It's only smart to nab one of them!

...Its AI won't reactivate on its own, will it?

[lastfeather]

Probably not... this one was... everything in it was built like it was meant to be piloted.

If it had an AI like the one that ran the rest, I probably wouldn't be able to fit in there. ACs are cramped enough as is.

[not_the_deer]

You should probably let a technician take a look at it anyway, just to be sure.

Where's Naiza?

[lastfeather]

Dead.

[not_the_deer]

What!

How did that happen!?

[lastfeather]

She wanted one last fight. She lost.

I don't have any doubts she would have killed me if I didn't bother or I pulled my punches.

[Ryou paused to take a deep breath.]

She was always proud of how strong she was. I think to her... fighting me would've been her last test.

[not_the_deer]

But you were friends! She didn't have any allegiance to your enemies, any vendettas...

I don't get it.

[lastfeather]

... I doubt most people would.

To her, strength was a meaning for itself. She needed to know that she was stronger than anyone. Than me.

She always preferred to be alone. I guess part of it was, nobody could dissuade her the thoughts that took her to this.

[not_the_deer]

[A sigh.]

At least she died the way she wanted to. But I still don't get it. There's so much more to live for than just being the strongest.

[lastfeather]

Maybe. But some people prefer to think otherwise. That's the reality of life I suppose.

[not_the_deer]

So, are you going to use that thing against Primeval Force?

1/2

[azure_savior]

Well, better late than ne-

2/2

[azure_savior]

Ryou...

... Why are you using a Nineball when we were trying very hard to destroy all those things?

[lastfeather]

Aside from the fact that the alternative was being buried alive and waiting to die?

[Ryou shrugs and looks up at the Nineball.]

You ever get the feeling that something was waiting for you at the end of your road?

This one... its not like the others. Everything about it. It felt like it was designed for a Raven. Maybe the damn thing had the same idea that Jack did with culling the weak 'till there's only one left. We'll never know.

In the mean time... we need all the firepower we can get don't we?

[azure_savior]

... You're right, of course.

But just... be careful.

[lastfeather]

Always am.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"About time you came back, you money-grubbing merc!" Matthew declares, marching up to you with a glare...

...that turns into a bear hug! "–We have been lost without you!"

[lastfeather]

[Matthew. Ryou is clearly surprised by the hug. Then he gives you a flat look.]

Matthew. You have ten... no. Three seconds to let go of me before I punch you in the gut. You crazy clanner.

[His tone was mild, but he was doing his best to supress a smile.]

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"Hmph! It will take more than idle threats to deter me, quiaff?"

Matthew lets go anyway. What with personal boundaries and all. In fact...he is looking a little glum.

"In any case...you have returned at a point where we need as many people as possible. Kairos Aspida has been destroyed as an organization, Primeval Force has manifested itself into a gigantic form, independent of reactors..."

He clenches his jaw. "...my greatest rival gave his life to hold it off...Captain Zyvan and Tatiana too...!"

[lastfeather]

Well, business as usual then.

[Ryou cracked his neck.]

That oversized chicken of yours still in one piece?

[gurrenbrigbonded]

Matthew looks...troubled.

"The technicians are putting it back together from the last battle...but they have run into some complications. Complications they have been worryingly vague about."

[lastfeather]

... All else fails I could spare some parts. I have plenty of spares for Nevermore left. Don't know how well they'd mesh but we could try.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"...I would be in your debt for that." Matthew says, looking a little relieved.

He looks up at the new AC you brought in. "So. You picked up a Nineball. Hopefully you will be able to wield it better than Galaxy Commander Mattlov, quiaff?"

[lastfeather]

Hopefully. With the stakes this high, piloting on her level or worse would be a death sentence. No offense.

[gurrenbrigbonded]

"None taken." Matthew says simply.

[goddess_duet]

Look at that, you did manage to get out of that whole. I guess I owe Viridi ten gold.

Welcome back.

[lastfeather]

Really? You bet against me? I don't know whether to laugh at you or feel disappointed.

[Ryou lets out a chuckle and shakes his head at the goddess.]

I'm happy to be back...

[You crazy person you.]

[goddess_duet]

Oh, no, I fully expected you to come back. I just expected you to come out with an eye scar and a eyepatch or something. It seems rather popular among mercenaries who find a will to live.

[lastfeather]

Hahahah... Well I'm glad to disappoint. I like my eyes how they are thank you very much.

How's the grumpy midget doing?