[color=gray][CENTER][sup][color=#FE650D]_[/color][color=#FC660F]_[/color][color=#FB6711]_[/color][color=#F96913]_[/color][color=#F86A15]_[/color][color=#F66B18]_[/color][color=#F56D1A]_[/color][color=#F36E1C]_[/color][color=#F26F1E]_[/color][color=#F07121]_[/color][color=#EF7223]_[/color][color=#ED7425]_[/color][color=#EC7527]_[/color][color=#EA762A]_[/color][color=#E9782C]_[/color][color=#E7792E]_[/color][color=#E67A30]_[/color][color=#E47C33]_[/color][color=#E37D35]_[/color][color=#E17E37]_[/color][color=#E08039]_[/color][color=#DF813B]_[/color][color=#DD833E]_[/color][color=#DC8440]_[/color][color=#DA8542]_[/color][color=#D98744]_[/color][color=#D78847]_[/color][color=#D68949]_[/color][color=#D48B4B]_[/color][color=#D38C4D]_[/color][color=#D18E50]_[/color][color=#D08F52]_[/color][color=#CE9054]_[/color][color=#CD9256]_[/color][color=#CB9359]_[/color][color=#CA945B]_[/color][color=#C8965D]_[/color][color=#C7975F]_[/color][color=#C59962]_[/color][color=#C49A64]_[/color][color=#C39B66]_[/color][color=#C19D68]_[/color][color=#C09E6A]_[/color][color=#BE9F6D]_[/color][color=#BDA16F]_[/color][color=#BBA271]_[/color][color=#BAA373]_[/color][color=#B8A576]_[/color][color=#B7A678]_[/color][color=#B5A87A]_[/color][color=#B4A97C]_[/color][color=#B2AA7F]_[/color][color=#B1AC81]_[/color][color=#AFAD83]_[/color][color=#AEAE85]_[/color][color=#ACB088]_[/color][color=#ABB18A]_[/color][color=#A9B38C]_[/color][color=#A8B48E]_[/color][color=#A7B590]_[/color][color=#A5B793]_[/color][color=#A4B895]_[/color][color=#A2B997]_[/color][color=#A1BB99]_[/color][color=#9FBC9C]_[/color][color=#9EBD9E]_[/color][color=#9CBFA0]_[/color][color=#9BC0A2]_[/color][color=#99C2A5]_[/color][color=#98C3A7]_[/color][color=#96C4A9]_[/color][color=#95C6AB]_[/color][color=#93C7AE]_[/color][color=#92C8B0]_[/color][color=#90CAB2]_[/color][color=#8FCBB4]_[/color][color=#8DCDB7]_[/color][color=#8FCBB4]_[/color][color=#90CAB2]_[/color][color=#92C8B0]_[/color][color=#93C7AE]_[/color][color=#95C6AB]_[/color][color=#96C4A9]_[/color][color=#98C3A7]_[/color][color=#99C2A5]_[/color][color=#9BC0A2]_[/color][color=#9CBFA0]_[/color][color=#9EBD9E]_[/color][color=#9FBC9C]_[/color][color=#A1BB99]_[/color][color=#A2B997]_[/color][color=#A4B895]_[/color][color=#A5B793]_[/color][color=#A7B590]_[/color][color=#A8B48E]_[/color][color=#A9B38C]_[/color][color=#ABB18A]_[/color][color=#ACB088]_[/color][color=#AEAE85]_[/color][color=#AFAD83]_[/color][color=#B1AC81]_[/color][color=#B2AA7F]_[/color][color=#B4A97C]_[/color][color=#B5A87A]_[/color][color=#B7A678]_[/color][color=#B8A576]_[/color][color=#BAA373]_[/color][color=#BBA271]_[/color][color=#BDA16F]_[/color][color=#BE9F6D]_[/color][color=#C09E6A]_[/color][color=#C19D68]_[/color][color=#C39B66]_[/color][color=#C49A64]_[/color][color=#C59962]_[/color][color=#C7975F]_[/color][color=#C8965D]_[/color][color=#CA945B]_[/color][color=#CB9359]_[/color][color=#CD9256]_[/color][color=#CE9054]_[/color][color=#D08F52]_[/color][color=#D18E50]_[/color][color=#D38C4D]_[/color][color=#D48B4B]_[/color][color=#D68949]_[/color][color=#D78847]_[/color][color=#D98744]_[/color][color=#DA8542]_[/color][color=#DC8440]_[/color][color=#DD833E]_[/color][color=#DF813B]_[/color][color=#E08039]_[/color][color=#E17E37]_[/color][color=#E37D35]_[/color][color=#E47C33]_[/color][color=#E67A30]_[/color][color=#E7792E]_[/color][color=#E9782C]_[/color][color=#EA762A]_[/color][color=#EC7527]_[/color][color=#ED7425]_[/color][color=#EF7223]_[/color][color=#F07121]_[/color][color=#F26F1E]_[/color][color=#F36E1C]_[/color][color=#F56D1A]_[/color][color=#F66B18]_[/color][color=#F86A15]_[/color][color=#F96913]_[/color][color=#FB6711]_[/color][color=#FC660F]_[/color][/sup][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5504477][img]https://i.imgur.com/YaU6OAT.jpeg[/img][/url][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=#E64C09][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Southern Plateau[/I] - [I]Dundas Island, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=#E64C09][b]Hope In Hell #2.055:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Riptide[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][sup][color=#FE650D]_[/color][color=#FC660F]_[/color][color=#FB6711]_[/color][color=#F96913]_[/color][color=#F86A15]_[/color][color=#F66B18]_[/color][color=#F56D1A]_[/color][color=#F36E1C]_[/color][color=#F26F1E]_[/color][color=#F07121]_[/color][color=#EF7223]_[/color][color=#ED7425]_[/color][color=#EC7527]_[/color][color=#EA762A]_[/color][color=#E9782C]_[/color][color=#E7792E]_[/color][color=#E67A30]_[/color][color=#E47C33]_[/color][color=#E37D35]_[/color][color=#E17E37]_[/color][color=#E08039]_[/color][color=#DF813B]_[/color][color=#DD833E]_[/color][color=#DC8440]_[/color][color=#DA8542]_[/color][color=#D98744]_[/color][color=#D78847]_[/color][color=#D68949]_[/color][color=#D48B4B]_[/color][color=#D38C4D]_[/color][color=#D18E50]_[/color][color=#D08F52]_[/color][color=#CE9054]_[/color][color=#CD9256]_[/color][color=#CB9359]_[/color][color=#CA945B]_[/color][color=#C8965D]_[/color][color=#C7975F]_[/color][color=#C59962]_[/color][color=#C49A64]_[/color][color=#C39B66]_[/color][color=#C19D68]_[/color][color=#C09E6A]_[/color][color=#BE9F6D]_[/color][color=#BDA16F]_[/color][color=#BBA271]_[/color][color=#BAA373]_[/color][color=#B8A576]_[/color][color=#B7A678]_[/color][color=#B5A87A]_[/color][color=#B4A97C]_[/color][color=#B2AA7F]_[/color][color=#B1AC81]_[/color][color=#AFAD83]_[/color][color=#AEAE85]_[/color][color=#ACB088]_[/color][color=#ABB18A]_[/color][color=#A9B38C]_[/color][color=#A8B48E]_[/color][color=#A7B590]_[/color][color=#A5B793]_[/color][color=#A4B895]_[/color][color=#A2B997]_[/color][color=#A1BB99]_[/color][color=#9FBC9C]_[/color][color=#9EBD9E]_[/color][color=#9CBFA0]_[/color][color=#9BC0A2]_[/color][color=#99C2A5]_[/color][color=#98C3A7]_[/color][color=#96C4A9]_[/color][color=#95C6AB]_[/color][color=#93C7AE]_[/color][color=#92C8B0]_[/color][color=#90CAB2]_[/color][color=#8FCBB4]_[/color][color=#8DCDB7]_[/color][color=#8FCBB4]_[/color][color=#90CAB2]_[/color][color=#92C8B0]_[/color][color=#93C7AE]_[/color][color=#95C6AB]_[/color][color=#96C4A9]_[/color][color=#98C3A7]_[/color][color=#99C2A5]_[/color][color=#9BC0A2]_[/color][color=#9CBFA0]_[/color][color=#9EBD9E]_[/color][color=#9FBC9C]_[/color][color=#A1BB99]_[/color][color=#A2B997]_[/color][color=#A4B895]_[/color][color=#A5B793]_[/color][color=#A7B590]_[/color][color=#A8B48E]_[/color][color=#A9B38C]_[/color][color=#ABB18A]_[/color][color=#ACB088]_[/color][color=#AEAE85]_[/color][color=#AFAD83]_[/color][color=#B1AC81]_[/color][color=#B2AA7F]_[/color][color=#B4A97C]_[/color][color=#B5A87A]_[/color][color=#B7A678]_[/color][color=#B8A576]_[/color][color=#BAA373]_[/color][color=#BBA271]_[/color][color=#BDA16F]_[/color][color=#BE9F6D]_[/color][color=#C09E6A]_[/color][color=#C19D68]_[/color][color=#C39B66]_[/color][color=#C49A64]_[/color][color=#C59962]_[/color][color=#C7975F]_[/color][color=#C8965D]_[/color][color=#CA945B]_[/color][color=#CB9359]_[/color][color=#CD9256]_[/color][color=#CE9054]_[/color][color=#D08F52]_[/color][color=#D18E50]_[/color][color=#D38C4D]_[/color][color=#D48B4B]_[/color][color=#D68949]_[/color][color=#D78847]_[/color][color=#D98744]_[/color][color=#DA8542]_[/color][color=#DC8440]_[/color][color=#DD833E]_[/color][color=#DF813B]_[/color][color=#E08039]_[/color][color=#E17E37]_[/color][color=#E37D35]_[/color][color=#E47C33]_[/color][color=#E67A30]_[/color][color=#E7792E]_[/color][color=#E9782C]_[/color][color=#EA762A]_[/color][color=#EC7527]_[/color][color=#ED7425]_[/color][color=#EF7223]_[/color][color=#F07121]_[/color][color=#F26F1E]_[/color][color=#F36E1C]_[/color][color=#F56D1A]_[/color][color=#F66B18]_[/color][color=#F86A15]_[/color][color=#F96913]_[/color][color=#FB6711]_[/color][color=#FC660F]_[/color][/sup][INDENT][sub][color=#E64C09][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I][@Melissa] - Aurora Mitchell[/i][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=#E64C09][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Lose Yourself[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]The eerily white sterile walls fluctuated around Lorcán as the boy with the sun-bleached hair pushed onwards through the maze of corridors and rooms. The facility seemed to rearrange itself on a whim, becoming increasingly erratic. There were fleeting moments when the simulation completely fell away, revealing his teammates running around each other, lost in twisted mirages of their deepest fears. The honeycomb-like pattern of the floor and walls rearranged itself before the hard-light constructs reappeared and Lorcán was pulled back into the nightmare. 

No simulation he had ever been in before had felt so intentional and alive, it was almost as if it was reacting to his every movement. But the shifts began to slow, hallways becoming static as Lorcán ran closer to the sound of her voice. Her cries pulled at his heartstrings while her sobs echoed in the barren hallways. Turning the corner, Lorcán felt his chest lighten as his eyes were cast upon familiar locks of copper-toned hair.

[color=#fe650d]“Rora!”[/color] He called excitedly, ignoring the pains of his injuries, [color=#fe650d]“Lady Dude, I’m coming!”[/color]

As she knelt on the floor, head in her hands and consumed with dread, Aurora wondered if she’d ever make it out of this twisted simulation. Her teammates were gone, had abandoned her and left her behind, and she was completely spent and drained, no HZE’s to spare. She knew she had to be strong, had been through hell and back before, but everything in this place seemed to compound, causing her to feel absolutely hopeless. 

Just when she thought she was ready to throw in the towel and accept her fate, a voice, familiar and true, rang out, ricocheting off of the walls. It reverberated in her mind and in her heart. 

[i][color=#8ecdb7]Lorcán? [/color][/i]

But as she turned, hoping to gaze into his familiar sunset eyes, all she could see was a bloody scar sliced down the boy's tanned face. It had been another trick of the simulation, it wasn’t the Lorcán she knew, even if his voice was so familiar and convincing. Raze had found her, chased her down like a predator to prey, and she knew she was done for. Aurora scrambled to her feet, and began to back away, the invisible barrier that had originally blocked off the hallway having disappeared, allowing her purchase. But in the back of her mind, she just hoped he’d be merciful. 

[color=#8ecdb7]“NO! Don’t come any closer!” [/color]Her baby blue eyes were wide with absolute terror, face to face with the dopplegänger once more. [color=#8ecdb7]“GET AWAY FROM ME!”[/color] She screeched, her hands instinctively coming up to block herself. [color=#8ecdb7]“I already told you, I won’t join you!”[/color]

The young man’s footsteps faltered as she screamed towards him, slowing to a stop just several paces away from her. Lorcán’s eyes studied her, taking a deep breath. The trial had been exhausting, and still it seemed to give no reprieve as he could only assume this Aurora was also a trick much like the other had been.

He leaned against a nearby wall, slumping down to the floor and allowing himself a rest. His face hurt, and his back was awakened with new pain as the cold of the wall irritated the burns and lacerations. A small tear of frustration welled up in the corner of his left eye, the right trying to do the same but struggling against the wound covering it.

[color=#fe650d]“I just need to find [i]my[/i] Aurora.”[/color] He lamented softly, burying his head in his hands before the environment flickered again suddenly. As the walls faded, revealing the interior of the Trial again, Lorcán’s eyes were drawn towards where Aurora was only to realize she was still there.

She was [i]his[/i] Aurora.

The walls came back, placing the pair back in a hallway, the white tile interspersed with brick and vine as the appearance of the Foundation was beginning to melt away and the original code appeared. Excitement rose in Lorcán as he began to tap a beat against the floor before starting to hum. 

[color=#fe650d]“A singer in a smoky room,”[/color] He wasn’t the best singer, but Lorcán could carry a tune. [color=#fe650d]“The smell of wine and cheap perfume!”[/color]

The redhead observed the boy through moisture filled eyes as he slid down the wall and sat on the floor, but kept her distance. Raze had tried to trick her once already - pretend he was someone he was not - she wasn’t going to let herself fall for it a second time. But something about his body language wasn’t the same as before, he looked like he was in pain, and his voice faltered, filled with emotion. Could it be? She took a single step towards him, but hesitated.

The simulation flickered, her neural uplink cooling momentarily as their surroundings changed and began to dissolve the Foundation’s chilling interior. But he didn’t change with it, his form didn’t waver, no he was [i]real[/i]. Living and breathing and [i]here[/i]. 

And then he was singing that damn song that he knew got on her nerves like no other. There was so much great music out there, but for some reason this one was named an ‘anthem’; it was overused and cheesy, and yet, in that moment it was the sweetest music she’d ever heard. 

It was [i]him[/i]. 

[color=#8ecdb7]“...[sub]Lorcán[/sub]?”[/color] The redhead’s voice was cautious, soft and small, a juxtaposition to how her throat had burned from her previous yelling. Her feet moved of their own accord towards him and she knelt down to his level, even though her legs screamed in protest. She started crying again but in relief. 

He hadn’t abandoned her. 

He’d come to find her.

[color=#8ecdb7]“I thought you were- I’m sorry, I- He tried to-”[/color] She couldn’t complete each thought before the next one came on, her words coming out in between gasping breaths. She gingerly reached up to cup his cheek, examining his face. [color=#8ecdb7]“What did they do to you?”[/color]

[color=#fe650d]“I had to fight myself,”[/color] Lorcán replied, placing his own hand over hers, [color=#fe650d]“But like a kook version of myself, dude had a gonk cape. He wanted to ensure I remembered him, left me this souvenir.”[/color] Lorcán explained, a finger pointing towards the scar over his right eye. His other hand moved to Aurora’s face, hovering over the forming bruises. 

[color=#fe650d]“I’m so sorry I couldn’t stop this,”[/color] He muttered, [color=#fe650d]“I didn’t want you to be the one going through that door. I just don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t find you.”[/color] He moved his hands around Aurora’s shoulders, before pulling her in tightly, burying his face into her shoulder as he let out a small sigh of relief whilst fighting back the tears that had been welling up. 

[color=#fe650d]“I’m not letting go,”[/color] He teased, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Aurora grew rigid and tense at the mention of Raze, [color=#8ecdb7]“I saw him too.” [/color]She breathed as his hand enveloped hers, committing the feeling of Lorcán’s comforting touch to memory. [color=#8ecdb7]“I-I woke up in his garage, I thought he was you.” [/color]The redhead stuttered, wincing instinctively as he reached out towards her face. The skin was tender and painful, throbbing along with her head. [color=#8ecdb7]“That’s why I ran from you. He tried to get me to join him and serve Hyperion, wanted me to kill my step-” [/color]She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, utter his name, but as Lorcán wrapped her in his embrace, she could feel her whole body relax. 

[color=#8ecdb7]“It’s not your fault.” [/color]She reassured, bringing her hand up to run through his hair, stray tears continuing to fall down her cheeks as she attempted to regain her composure. [color=#8ecdb7]“What happened though? I can’t remember anything after teleporting and my head really hurts, I can’t think straight.” [/color]

At his promise, she just held onto him tighter. Only moments ago, she thought he’d left her behind. Even though he did not realize it, his words meant everything and quieted the rogue thoughts in her head. 

[color=#8ecdb7]“Neither am I.”[/color][/indent][/indent][/color]