Twenty-Second PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[The events of the previous few weeks have left their mark upon Lucas.  Following mere hours after Netherlands's droning, mere weeks after his extremely painful and scarring encounter with Billy Smith, the boy hadn't been in any state to be of help during the hazmat attack.  Normally, he would have jumped at the chance to assist the injured; he would even have sacrificed his own life to do so.  But this time . . . he wasn't sure if he could have done so.  Death after death after death, and all he could do was pray that the nightmare would end quickly.  Privately, he recognized the part of him that had wished for the Russian man to be found.

He remembered his encounter with Sergei as clearly as if it had just happened.  The fear upon the man's face, the desperation in his words.  Lucas had promised that he would do everything he could to help -- Yet in the end, he had done nothing, had even hoped that the man would be discovered by his hunters.  For the boy who made emotional bonds so easily and valued human life so greatly . . . the feeling of guilt was immense.]

[He stands in front of City Hall, now, fists clenched and body trembling slightly with emotion as he stares at the corpse.   He had passed by it earlier.  Recognized it immediately.  Recoiled in horror from the sight.

At his side is a bucket of fresh water and a small pile of rags.  He will decide whether or not he dares to release the body from its noose later.  For now, he simply applies his healing PSI to close the open wounds, gently wipes away the blood with his cloth, does for Sergei what he had not been able to do while the man was still alive.

Be at peace.]

Comments

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

[He dips the rag in the water and starts cleaning the corpse.]

That's right. I remember your voice as well... you're the one that informed us about the properties of the hazmats.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Yes. . . . I guess it didn't do much good, in the end.

[Lucas, too, turns to continue his business. His hands spark every so often as they trace the scarred lines of his injuries.]

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

...Your information was still important.

The situation could have been worse without it.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

M-Maybe. But . . . I didn't hear about anyone who fought the hazmats who didn't die, in the end.

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

...You've most likely prevented some individuals from rushing out and attacking the hazmats.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . There were still a lot who went and did that anyway.

Thanks, though.

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

[Works in silence for a while before speaking up again]

...I'm Commander Kresnik Ahtreide.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I'm Lucas.

. . . It's nice to meet you.

[It is actually a little uncomfortable as they are tending to a corpse but Lucas wouldn't dream of saying that.]

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

[He nods briefly, but doesn't comment otherwise.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas lets the silence sit for a while longer as well before quietly inquiring.]

Did you say . . . Commander?

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

That's correct, I'm a commander in my world's military.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[Kresnik may notice Lucas looking away for a brief moment before he returns to his task. Before he came here, merely the thought of an army would cause the bile to rise in his throat. Now, though . . . He had met several army commanders who were, honestly, not selfish, cruel, horrible people. It still took an effort to overcome the initial reaction, though.]

. . . Do you like it?

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

[Kresnik notices the reaction, but he's used to people reacting in that manner. After all, many blame both his military and the Global Union's for causing Filgaia to be in its current state. However, Lucas' next question caused him to stop for a moment.]

...I'm usually proud of my work.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . Usually?

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

[There's a long silence before he speaks up again, but his next words don't really answer Lucas' question]

...Everything is for the sake of my world's future.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . The ends justify the means?

[Though his voice is quiet, it carries a stronger property than it had earlier.]

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

[...It seems that Lucas is more perceptive than what he appears]

...Yes, that's an accurate statement to make. [Everything is to protect Filgaia's future and establish democracy... where the people will decide what to do, not a bunch of self-chosen "leaders." ...It's a future that she would want as well... right?]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything about your situation, but, um. . . . Be careful.

[nameofexorcist.livejournal.com]

...Be careful as well, Lucas.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas nods, although he wonders what, exactly, is meant by that -- Maybe he was simply indicating the current potentially dangerous situation. Either way, he returns to work in relative silence.]