JJ Doe

[closed]

Hal: It's DR. Hobo, thank you very much! Geez. Get it right, guys. I didn't get a PhD in dumpster diving for nothing.

(Edit: Ah, just in case it's not apparent, anyone can call him whatever they like ;D)

[closed]

^{"Uh... Pretend I said something impressive."}

Henri "Hal" Rainer

33 | 21 December | 188cm | First Class

---

Appearance:

With an overall disheveled appearance, it is hard for some people to believe that Hal is a man of intellect and not just some random vagrant who found his way into SOLDIER's base of operations. He wears whatever happened to be lying around the place --pray to whatever higher power you may or may not believe in that whatever he picked up is clean-- and the last time Hal property done his hair or beard is a mystery of the century. Lucky for him, Evangeline is around to cover for him and, unlike him, she has standards. He can be seen wearing the same old eyeglasses off-and-on; the only thing that not even Evangeline can convince Hal to throw away.

Despite proclaiming that he prefers to stay indoors, Hal has tanned skin and a number of scars that were unlikely to have been made by indoor activities. It is true, however, that the only reason why Hal has any muscles to speak of is because it was the bare minimum required to pass SOLDIER training. Hal has brown eyes and equally brown hair with strings of gold; suggesting exactly how long the hair shaft has been sunbathing and how much Hal doesn't give a damn about hair care.

Personality:

Hal is a man who never forgets to smile and never stops trying to bring a smile on others, though he is far from being an expert at it. He will take every opportunity to crack a joke, even if it's not actually funny, clever, or appropriate. He will also laugh at every joke, again, even if it's not actually funny, clever, or appropriate --sometimes even when the "joke" is not a joke at all. All in all, it's fairly easy to please the man. It is also likely why many think that Hal is a simple minded man.

As much of a surprise it may be to some, Hal does have an IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence) greater than 0. He is a compassionate man, who cares deeply about the needy, his family, and close friends --although the latter two will always take priority above all else. He is especially empathetic towards and supportive of individuals who are determined to accomplish a difficult task, downtrodden, altruistic, and/or family-oriented. When something bad happens to his family or friends, Hal takes it personally, but when something good happens to them, he is just as happy for them as they are.

Like many other scientists, Hal is a curious and adventurous individual not afraid of trying new things and not particularly opposed to change as long as it is beneficial to as many people as possible. Though he may not agree to every idea or belief, he tries to keep an open mind. As adventurous as he may be, however, this does not mean he enjoys placing himself in danger. In fact, he has a tendency to run and hide at the first hint of danger. Some may say he does this because he is a coward or because he is a pacifist --both are true, to a certain degree--, but the truth of the matter is that it was the most effective way to survive the slums when he was younger and it has been a hard habit to break.

"But isn't that what we all do? Cover our ears, shut our eyes tight, and tell ourselves that nothing is wrong? People like to do that you know: we like to dream that we're not living a nightmare."

Biography/Background:

Hal was born in the slums; a part of the city where the pariahs naturally migrated towards even before the war began. Normally anyone born in these slums and were not lucky enough to get a minimum wage job made a living in one of two ways: crime and prostitution. Sometimes both. Neither was what Hal's family wanted for him. Although it may have been too late for them, they all did what they could do for him to get out of the slums. Hal didn’t want to disappoint them, so he also did what he could do to make their dream come true. He studied rigorously for years and despite having no formal education, Hal managed to enroll into a university and, later on, work as a genetic engineer for a prestige organization. His career as a scientist took an abrupt turn when the monsters of destruction, which seemingly appeared out of nowhere, annihilated everything in their path: including the slum Hal came from. His family was slaughtered along with the thousands of other people. Hal had just barely completed the first few stages of grief when anger took over his mind and he decided that there was only one course of action: revenge. He'd find those responsible and he'll end "this" once and for all. Gravely concerned of the war's recent intensification, Hal's superiors agreed to Hal's request to transfer to SOLDIER as a science expert.

Hal has been a family friend of the Dashelle's long before Evangeline came into this world. After Evangeline --who Hal dubbed "Bubbles"-- was born, he has been taking care of her like an older brother; when her parents weren't there for her, Hal was. People who know the two, however, would proclaim that it is the other way around: Evangeline was the one who's been taking care of Hal. A claim that Hal has no intention to outright affirm --he does have some pride, you know-- or deny --he'd rather not lie, because he knows more than anyone that it is true.

Weapon:

Hal does not like to fight and will do his best to avoid it, but if he is forced to engage in combat, he will fight using a scythe made out of bones and ice, which can be summoned at anytime.

Skill Set:

• Genetics
• Medicine
• Engineering

Ability:

Able to summon his weapon at anytime.

Aeon:

Marzanna

Blue & Black┊ Water & Death

Known as the "Aeon of Winter," Marzanna is best described as a corpse kept together by ice. This ice lich is a rather lanky giant with long talons and is thought to be a digitigrade based on "her" --or so they assume-- bone structure. Most of Marzanna's "undead" body is covered with a very extravagant, though somewhat tattered, black and dark blue dress protected by what seems to be armor made out of bones. Although a majority of her face is concealed by a black veil and a "skull helm" with large icicle like horns, scientists described her having silver hair and moonstone eyes with black sclera. Every inch of Marzanna, including her garment, is covered in frost, which glitters in the light.

Limit/Overdrive:

Winter is Coming

Those not adequately protected, friend or foe, will freeze to death by the sudden arrival of a mighty blizzard. The dead are reanimated and act as Hal’s minions, attacking any remaining enemies.

[closed]

ℛ є q υ ι є м.

The Spirits Within: Stigma

Main Story — Oakridge Campus — Administration Offices

Rui instinctively turned zher attention to the hallway when zhe felt a familiar presence approach Cid’s office. As if on cue, Dr. Edrik appeared from the corner and into the area, which Rui was waiting patiently in. Dr. Edrik —or Aethelberht Uisdean Edrik— was one of the key scientists of the Stigma Project and liaison between Oakridge Military Academy and Stigma Project headquarters. It was unlikely, however, that anyone knew about Dr. Edrik or his accomplishments without hearing about his family first: the House of Edrik was an influential family famous for putting their hands into just about anything, although they are primarily seen in the world of business and politics; they even had a seat in the Sanctum. With the name Edrik attached, no one dared to cross Dr. Edrik lightly—… except for Rui who just punched the man straight across the face the second he greeted zhim.

“87,” he said as he straightened himself up. He seemed to be waiting for the next punch to come within the next five seconds, but when the five seconds passed, Dr. Edrik’s eyebrow rose, “Are you done already? Seeing that you have 13 punches left, I thought you would have exhausted them to stop me from entering the room. You do realize this may be your last chance to punch me?”
“That’s for me to decide.”
“Ah, I see: the illusion of choice. Well then,” Dr. Edrik fished out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped off the blood on his mouth, “shall we get this over with?” Dr. Edrik and Rui walked into Cid’s office and shut the door behind them.

---

“I don't like to keep my students in the dark, so I'll just tell you why you have been chosen. The reason is simple: all of you share a unique bond, a sense of trust that is difficult to create amongst students that have not known each other as you do, or been through the same hardships as all of you have.”

Dr. Edrick could just see the anger radiating off of Rui the more Cid spoke; he managed to press all the wrong buttons on Rui just by talking. It was a talent really. Or perhaps he was doing it one purpose? Perhaps it was both. Dr. Edrik did have to give credit where credit was due: Rui managed to keep zher rage contained successfully. He didn’t need another incident like the last one happening right now.

Some time before Graduation— Oakridge Campus — Dr. Edrik’s Office

The doors went flying across the room when Rui barged zher way into his office, “WHY THE F**K AM I IN WARG WITH THEM, YOU MOTHER F******G S**M CHUGGER!?”

Unlike his assistant, who was absolutely mortified and ready to dive straight towards the panic button, Dr. Edrik looked at Rui with disinterest. He eyed the other scientist and shook his head, “No need. Leave us be.”

“B-but sir.”

As a laboratory that deals with both the Stigma Project and young Guardians, it was not rare for students go berserk. There was always security on standby for just such an occasion. Unlike other students, however, those who were second-class citizens and part of the Stigma Project were more likely to be put down at the spot or sent to a facility with maximum security where they will never see the day of light again. Dr. Edrik spent over a decade on test subject Rui, he would not have something like this end his work prematurely. “Do not worry, it is nothing more than a temper tantrum. I will be fine.” His assistant looked at him and then at Rui hesitantly. “You are excused,” he said sternly.

After watching the scientist leave, Dr. Edrik continued his conversation with Rui, “I do not see what the problem is exactly. WARG is an elite force: you should feel honored that you were even considered to be a candidate. Are you aware how difficult it is for low lives like you to be in WARG?”

“I get that I’m the equivalent to a condom to your people; use me just to throw me away along with all your little problems and dirty secrets. But that’s not what I’m talking about a****g! Why am I in the same team as them?”

It took a moment for Dr. Edrik to realize that Rui was referring to zher childhood friends from Helston, “Well, I would have thought you would have been overjoyed by the news.”

A good knuckle to the jaw told Dr. Edik that his assumptions were wrong. “80,” he rubbed his jaw, “congratulations, you now only have 20 more free punches before you are sent off to the pound.”

“They shouldn’t have to know about it! They don’t need to know!”

He was surprised that he didn’t laugh at the statement, “Do not tell me that you are afraid of them discovering how much of a monster you truly are? All, if not most, of your friends already know you are a devilish imp; I highly doubt their impression of you can get any worse… Or perhaps it will? Who knows, I am not an expert in human psychology.”

“Why did you put me in their team!?”
“I did no such thing. Administration made the final decision. I only provided the necessary information that was required from me.”
“Then why did they put me in their team!?”
“Because you are their ‘friend’.”
“B******t! That’s not the reason why!”
“I think you misunderstand me: they did not put you in their team out of generosity. They teamed you up with your friends so that it would be, theoretically, difficult for you to abandon them or outright murder them during a mission.”

Rui stared at Dr. Edrik, speechless. But not for long. Soon, zhe started to burst into a maniacal laughter. “Seriously?” zhe asked no one in particular before continuing to laugh at an unfunny “joke.” The small student suddenly grabbed Dr. Edrik’s desk and flung it directly into the wall. The scientist sighed. Such a mess. “SERIOUSLY!?”

“We both know you would have attempted to escape the second the chance was presented to you. You cannot deny that the thought crossed your mind on multiple occasions.”
“So this is basically blackmail.”
“Oh please, you give yourself too much credit: this is not all about you. Unlike you, the other members of the team are not expendable. There were many other factors that determined the outcome of the Administration’s decision. Blackmail was only a fragment of it.”

Rui growled in response, but eventually fell silent and deep into thought. He wasn’t sure if zhe was listening anymore, “Think of it this way: you will be able to spend more time with your close friends and if you are lucky, you will die in their arms… or by their hand. You will not have to die in solitude… On the off chance that they decide to abandon you for what you are, then your belief about the world would simply be reaffirmed. You can die alone knowing that you were always right.”

Main Story — Oakridge Campus — Administration Offices

“Now, you all know that I don't agree with most of Sanctum's decisions in this war, and I would never send newly graduated students to deal with them, but the Administration feels otherwise, and they think that this is a good opportunity for us,” he said and paused for a second. He looked at the Guardians to make sure everything he said sank in. When his eyes landed on Rui, he was met with a judging stare that said, “Excuses. All you have are excuses. You’re all the same” in silence. Cid didn’t let that stop him from finishing his briefing, however.

After the Mission Briefing — Oakridge Campus — Administration Offices

Dr. Edrik approached Olivia, “Ms. Celestine, may I have a moment of your time?” It was a rhetorical question of course. The scientist escorted the newly appointed leader into a room where he, Olivia, and Cid could sit down while having enough table space to show off important documents. “As leader,” Dr. Edrik began as soon as everyone sat down, “you have many responsibilities. You obviously do not need me to tell you this, however, I am here to tell you that you will have additional responsibilities that many WARG leaders do not have.” He opened the unusually thick file on Rui and selected specific documents for Olivia to read. “Before I talk about your additional responsibilities, I first must explain the current situation Rui is placed in. As you may or may not know, it is a second-class citizen. As such…”

---

The room was filled with silence. It was hard for Dr. Edrik to tell what Olivia was thinking or feeling as she stared at the documents that lay before her. Suspecting that she was not actually reading the papers anymore, he collected them and replaced them with a number of contacts that needed her signature. As he started to get ready to leave, he began to explain what the contacts were for, “You will need to read the fine print for the details, but the contract on your left states that you fully acknowledge your duty and that you promise you will keep the lab up to date on Rui’s condition. I know for a fact that Rui will not contact us itself, so it is vital that you keep record and report to us. The contract to your right basically grants pardon to any crime that you, and those under your command, do against Rui. It tries to avoid saying it outright, but it gives you permission to kill government property. So no charges will be pressed against you if and when you do dispose of Rui.” Dr. Edrik checked the time and gathered his belongings to leave, “Now you must excuse me, Ms. Celestine. I have other pressing matters to attend to. Please be sure to turn in the documents before you prepare for your mission. We cannot allow your team leave without them.” If Olivia said anything —protest or even a simple goodbye— Dr. Edrik did not respond. It seemed as though he would have left the room without uttering a single word, but then he stopped at the entrance. “I will not be surprised if you are hesitant to murder someone you consider a friend, but you will be doing the world and Rui a favor by putting it out of it’s misery. It is no coincidence that Guardians involved in the Stigma Project are prone to attracting ‘negative’ spirits. Ending Rui’s life will always be a mercy kill.” Then he left.

“Ethel, wait.” Cid chased the scientist, leaving Olivia alone in a room with pieces of paper that demanded her signature.

“You should know better than to be calling Rui an ‘it’ in front of Olivia, Ethel.”
“And you should know better than to be playing favorites, Cid. It is unprofessional.”
“I care about all my students.”
“There are exactly 195 ‘its’ in this academy alone. If you truly cared about them, you would have done something, anything, to change their situation.”
“Do you honestly think I agree with second-class citizenship?”
“You can talk about how much you disagree about it as much and as long as you want Cid, but actions speak louder than words. We had 215 ‘its’ yesterday and we still have 195 ‘its’ currently enrolled here; twenty of them officially graduated and are forever out of your reach. You had your chance since the very first second-class citizen was admitted to this academy, Cid. Stop pretending you care. At this point, you only come off as a hypocrite. Now that we have wasted enough of our precious time on a trivial matter such as ‘what pronoun should we call Rui,’ I must leave immediately or I will not have enough time to help it get ready for the mission. I am sure you have your own work to focus on as well.”

The two older men entered the waiting room where, true to it’s name, Rui was waiting in. “We are done here,” Dr. Edrik announced.

Rui approached him anxiously, “Does… does she know?”
“Yes.”
“Is she going to tell the others?”
“She will decide whether or not to tell the others… though I did advise not to. At least, not until the team gets used to their new position.”
“How’d… she take it?”
“I believe you will find out soon enough. Why do you ask? Are you finally going to use up your punches if she cried?”
Rui grinned, “I might do the exact opposite, actually.”
“I am not entirely sure if I want to know what the ‘opposite’ of a punch is. Remember, I only agreed to punches, nothing else.”
“I know,” Rui finally looked at Cid. Out of habit zhe was about to change to a blank expression, then zhe remembered what the meeting with Olivia meant. Rui smirked at Cid, “I suppose this means you finally got rid of me. Oh, you don’t need to say anything, old geezer; the feeling is mutual. I hope I never see you again. Goodbye, Headmaster. Cid. Dysley.” Rui presented a big authentic smile full of malice that managed to appear angelic. It had been years since Cid saw Rui smile at him. Zher last words to him were, “Thanks for nothing” before zhe stomped zher way out of the admissions department with Dr. Edrik tagging along behind zhim. Half way through, Rui snapped the Oakridge student ID card in half, threw it to the ground, and stepped on it for good measure.

Cid lost Rui’s respect ages ago; he betrayed any hope Rui had in him and “adults” in general. He had years to redeem himself and he failed. With Rui officially out of his jurisdiction and deemed “useless” by zhim, Rui was more than happy to say what he already knew to Cid’s face. He half expected Rui to brutally attack him. Then again, the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference.

The Spirits Within: Stigma

Nobody is going to come after you with a saw cleaver and pistol and splatter your blood all over the street! That's just silly.

@Prisk

JJ: *Was going through weapon cache*

The Spirits Within: Stigma

Main Story — Oakridge Campus — Administration Offices

Rui almost jumped three feet into the air when a hand planted itself onto zher head. Zhe might have “accidently” hit the person behind zhim had it not been Alabaster, but the second Rui registered his face, zher expression of surprise bloomed into a warm smile. “Al!”

“Pestering Eric again, huh?”
“Of course! I need my daily dose of Annoying-The-F-0ut-of-Eric. It’s part of a complete breakfast for—… hey!” Rui’s tone quickly turned into one of concern and zhe tried to stop Alabaster when he took the coffee out of zher hand, “careful Al! It’s still hot!” Rui was ready to get some cold water, but when Alabaster gave the cup back to zher without changing an expression, zhe relaxed.
“Try the hazelnut next time.”
“They’re out of hazelnut. Plus, I got this to ruin Eric’s suit. I needed it to be blacker than my soul.”

Before Rui had the chance to do anything else, Olivia appeared right next to Alabaster. It was subtle, but it would take more than subtle for Rui not to notice that an awkward moment passed between Olivia and Alabaster. A quick trip to memory lane gave Rui enough to know why. Zhe decided against commenting, however.

“Rui, was that really necessary? You can be such a bitch sometimes, it’s not healthy.”

Rui stuck zher tongue out at Olivia, “You know what else is not healthy? Overdrinking.” Zhe knew zhe didn’t have to say more to hint at the fact that Rui knew what crossed Olivia’s mind. Not that Kade’s arrival gave Rui or Olivia say much more.

As Kade spoke, Rui finally retaliated Alabaster toying by leaning all zher weight against him. If he was using zher head as an armrest, zhe was going to use him as a wall. It was a playful and harmless interaction. Rui could have done much worse in retaliation, but it was highly unlikely that Alabaster would ever be the target of such action. Compared to interaction’s with other people, Rui’s banter and toying with Alabaster was toned down signify. Almost like a vicious beast trying to pet a small fluffy animal: the pets are gentle and caring, but reserved as well; the beast wants to love and protect the small animal as best as it can, but it knows that monstrous things it could do. The beast knows it would eventually become feral and that it would hurt the small animal the most.

When Alabaster suddenly ruffled Rui’s hair, zhe looked up, ready to complain about how much time and care it took to make it look perfect, but ended up not saying a word as zhe stared at his face. Zhe unwrapped one of the granola bars and pressed it against the tall man’s lips. As soon as his lips parted, for one reason or another, Rui pushed the granola bar into his mouth then immediately ruffled his hair as much as zhe could. He still had to pay for messing zher hairdo after all. Such a terrible crime was quickly forgiven, however, as Rui gave a reassuring hand squeeze. Zhe didn’t actually say anything, but zhe wanted to let Alabaster that he was not alone.

Then, Cid Dysley came.

Instantly, Rui’s facial expression lost all warmth and zher body stiffened. Zhe said nothing to Cid like some of the others. Zhe just stared at it him with a blank stare. The only time Rui wasn’t a living statue during this brief moment was when Eric stood up to move. Rui turned to Eric and shoved the coffee and two granola bars into his hands. If Eric seemed confused, Rui simply responded with, “Better than throwing it away.” No one needed to know that zhe got extra granola bars just in case someone was in the same predicament as Eric nor did anyone need to know that coffee was a natural appetite suppressant that might help with Eric’s hunger for a short period of time. After Eric took Rui’s “leftovers,” Rui resumed being a living statue.

After everyone present entered his office, Cid finally broke the silent staring contest, “Will you not be joining us?”

---

“No, Headmaster Cid Dysley.” Rui’s voice and stare was just as aloof as the physical distance was between zhim and the headmaster, “I would to prefer to stay out here until my presence is required.” The corner’s of Rui’s mouth elevated, but Cid knew that the young graduate was not actually smiling, “Unless you would like to order me to come inside, Headmaster Cid Dysley.”

Cid held eye contact a little longer. Despite the space between them, he felt as though he could clearly see his own reflection from Rui’s dark deadpan eyes. He sighed and smiled weakly, “Come inside when you are ready, Rui. I’ll call you—… I’ll send one of your friends out to call you in when we need to begin.”

“As you command, Headmaster Cid Dysley.”

Before closing the door behind him, Cid turned back to look at Rui, “I’m sure you don’t need reminding, but Dr. Edrik is expected to show up… to talk with your appointed team leader.”

Rui’s eye twitched once and only once. “You tell me this as if I have a choice in the matter, Headmaster Cid Dysley.” Rui “smiled” once again, “I advise ‘you’ to not provide the illusion of freedom, if ‘you’ have no intention of giving it… Headmaster Cid Dysley.”

The Spirits Within: Stigma

@Archangel89 Wait. Surgery? Are you okay? Wait, no, that's a stupid question: you're not okay, that's why you're undergoing surgery. I hope it's nothing serious and I also hope you get out of it safely.

The Spirits Within: Stigma

Main Story — Oakridge Campus — Rui’s Room

For Rui Liú, the graduation party was something akin to a living funeral —and not in a philosophical way either. This was not some symbolic event, which marked the end of irresponsible youth and innocence; the last time one could party as a minor and the first time one would party as a full-fledged member of society. No. For Rui, zhe had no doubt in zher mind that the graduation party was going to be the last big social gathering zhe would ever be a part of. So zhe sure as hell made sure zhe had as much fun as possible —although what constitutes as “fun” for Rui is questionable.

For the first half of the party, when Rui was not partaking in typical party activities with zher peers, zhe was stealthily causing some kind of trouble as if zhe was the director of a live reality show or prank show; trouble that usually involved more than one person and caused unnecessary drama, to which Rui would simply watch from afar while simultaneously pretending to be innocent of any involvement. It was a terrible thing to enjoy and Rui knew zhe’d go straight to whatever hell equivalent Libra had to offer to abominations (the void, perhaps?), but it was totally worth it. Or, at least, it was to Rui.

While Rui did find some enjoyment in mingling with zher peers who actually knew little to nothing about zhim, it was only when the second half of the party started when Rui really started to have some fun: Olivia tracked down and kidnapped all of her childhood friends and dragged them to various nightclubs in Lasana for the rest of the evening and the early part of the morning. At each club the group talked about trivial things; played stupid games; danced until their legs ached; drank a little too much to be considered healthy; and just enjoyed each other’s company. Rui did, however, refrain from drinking and was probably the only person who remained truly sober the entire time. Zhe did this largely for five reasons: 1.) zhe didn’t really like the taste of alcohol in the first place; 2.) someone had to be the designated driver; 3.) zhe wanted to be sober if and when Scout, Eric, and/or Aaron did something stupid so that zhe could tease them about it when they did eventually become sober again; 4.) zhe never wanted to be the vulnerable one; and most importantly 5.) to protect the clueless drunkards from the dangers that were ever present in every other bar they went to, especially Alabaster.

Powerful superhumans they may be, Guardians are not immune to the effects of… suspicious looking drugs. Rui immediately recognized the looks some of the clubs’ patrons gave to the good-looking men and women in the group —which Rui would proudly proclaim that it was every damn person in said group— and was automatically on high alert. Every time someone added something that was not supposed to be in a drink for any of zher friends or zhimself, Rui made sure it failed to reach anyone’s lips by “accidentally” spilling the contents of the drink on: the floor; the person who offered the drink; Scout’s hair; or Eric’s expensive looking suit. But mostly on Eric’s clothes. The only exception was when a spiked drink was given to Alabaster. Like the spiked drinks before, Rui felt Malice get unusually excited by the drink and noticed other spirits of particular emotions respond strongly to the drink to it as well; “prints” of the perpetrator and their intentions oozed from the innocuous looking drink… and it disgusted Rui. Before Alabaster’s fingers could touch the drink, Rui quickly snatched the glass away and managed to subtly return the drink to the perpetrator when zhe offered to buy them a drink. Then zhe waited. Waited until zhe was sure they drank their own poison, before excusing zhimself from the group. Rui disappeared with the now-victim ex-perpetrator into the back of the club and didn’t return for 30 minutes. When zhe finally returned, zhe was alone. If anyone asked where zhe had gone off to, Rui claimed that zhe went to the bathroom. Those who went to the bathroom and happened to check on the other one to see if Rui might have been in there knew that zhe was lying; or at least not telling the entire truth. When told about this, Rui just smiled, “I’m not lying. I had to clean the mess off myself in the bathroom.”

---

The second the door shut behind zher, and zhe was left standing alone in zher dark dormitory room, Rui suddenly felt an almost overwhelming sense of loneliness. Perhaps it was because zhe had spent a full day hanging out with people or perhaps the sudden realization that zhe had graduated —that “this life” was over— hit Rui as hard as a bird hit by a bullet train, or perhaps both. Zhe surveyed zher room, the only home zhe had ever had, as if it was the last time zhe’d ever see it again. Zhe wondered what would happen to zher stuff. If “they” were going to throw the stuff away, maybe zhe should just completely destroy zher own room as one last “f**k you” to the world. The thought only lasted for a split second, however, since it was quickly replaced by Alabaster’s face, then Elvira’s, and then the rest of the gang, until Samuel’s face emerged. Rui sighed, almost in defeat, before zhe began to organize zher personal belongings into specific boxes and cleaned zher own room.

By the time Rui was finished, the sun rose high into the sky. Zhe hadn’t slept at all, but didn’t feel particularly tired either so zhe decided it was a good of time as any to get ready for the day. Sure, there was nothing special happening today, but Rui would never be caught dead wearing the same outfit two days in a row if zhe could help it. Well, okay, maybe zhe was lying to zhimself: something “special” was supposed to happen today, but if Rui were to wear something that best represented how zhe felt about WARG registration, Rui would have dressed up as a hobo and rolled in a pigsty before heading to the administration office. But alas, “hobo” is not in Rui’s fashion arsenal and is unlikely to be a trend within Rui’s lifetime. The best thing to do was to take zher sweet time getting ready, which zhe does.

When Rui finally left zher room, housekeeping had reached zher end of the dormitory. Zhe smiled at the housekeeper and greeted her politely, “Good day Mrs. Green.” The middle woman greeted Rui with a warm smile, “Hello darling. Starting the day off late, I see?”
“It was an exciting night. I don’t think anyone who went to a party woke up early… well, at least not without feeling incredibly sick.”
“Oh, you don’t need to tell me. I’ve already cleaned most of this place and I have seen the damage. I can never understand why people would drink to the point that they’d throw it all back up the next morning. It’s such a waste… and more work for us.”
“You are a braver soul than I, Mrs. Green. I cannot imagine how you manage to do your job.”
“Sweethearts like you make it much more easier. Now, I know the answer, but I’ll ask anyways: does your room need cleaning?” Mrs. Green glanced at Rui’s door, which was left ajar, then immediately raised her eyebrows. The housekeepers never had a problem with Rui’s room since it was always kept clean, but it had never looked so bleak before. It only took a few seconds for Mrs. Green to realize that almost everything had been placed into moving boxes. She turned to Rui quizzically, “Are you moving out, darling?”

Rui was about to open zher mouth when the announcement rang through the halls, summoning the members of the Helston Team to the administration office. “I’m sorry Mrs. Green, it seems I am wanted.” Rui bowed lightly.
“It’s okay. Have a good day, darling.”
“You too, Mrs. Green.” Rui began to walk down the hall, but then quickly halted when a black garbage bag caught zher eyes. Rui turned back to the housekeeper, “I’m sorry again, Mrs. Green, but is it all right if I can have this?”
Mrs. Green’s eyes followed the direction Rui’s finger was pointing, “Oh, I doubt you’d want what’s inside of there, darling. It’s some of the damage I was just talking about. Mostly… you know, things like vomit and… other human excretions that contaminated objects.”
“I was helping Dr. Edrik with collecting… samples for a study. He didn’t specify where I could get the samples, so I thought we could use this opportunity to use what is… naturally available and plentiful at the moment.”
“Dr. Edrik? Well… if he wants these… samples, I can deliver it to him after I’m done with these rooms.”
“Oh, no Mrs. Green, you are far too busy to be doing that! I have to meet Dr. Edrik later today, anyways, so I can deliver it myself.”
“Are… you sure?”
“I am positive,” Rui took the garbage bag and saluted to Mrs. Green, “I wish you luck on your dangerous, but necessary quest.”
Mrs. Green laughed lightly at the gesture, but returned it before vanishing into the dorm room next door. As soon as she disappeared, Rui swiftly returned to zher own room with the bag and came back out without it a few moments later, locking the door shut.

Main Story — Oakridge Campus — Administration Offices

It didn’t actually matter whether or not Rui went to the administration office to register for WARG: as Rui’s “owner” the military already decided everything for zhim. Zhe could have ignored the summoning completely and Rui’s registration would have still been completed… a month ago. So in truth, Rui going to the office was just a formality. The only reason why Rui was even heading to the office was because zhe had nothing better to do and it was highly likely that zhe would see some familiar faces if zhe went. Zhe didn’t expect the first face to be Eric though. On second thought, of course it was Eric. Why wouldn’t he want to be the first one there?

Rui groaned and was ready to accost Eric, when zhe thought zhe heard his stomach rumble. Rui waited a few more seconds, hoping to hear it again for confirmation, but no such thing happened. Was… Eric hungry? Rui stared at the man, then glanced down at the granola bars Rui had snatched from the cafeteria on zher way to the office as a light late-breakfast, then at what the man wore, then at the coffee vending machine that was placed in the waiting room. A wicked smile grew across Rui’s face.

---

“Hello, Eric!” Rui cheerfully greeted Eric as zhe walked towards him, “How’d you sleep?” With how long they’ve known each other it should have been obvious to Eric that Rui was up to something; most likely to torment him in some way or form. “I’m just soooooo tired, I needed to get a cup of coffee,” Rui said as zhe raised zher extremely shaky hand to show Eric the coffee zhe just purchased from the vending machine. Rui continued to shake the cup —ever threatening to spill it’s contents on to the floor… or more likely, on Eric’s expensive suit, just like the night before—, “sorry, I’m feeling a little shaky for some reason. Maybe I’m hungry,” Rui said as zhe whipped out an already open granola bar and took a nice, slow, bite out of it. “MMMMM! De-licious.”

The Spirits Within: Stigma

Ah, okay. Gotacha. In which case, I'm sure they would love to beat the crap out of each other XD Best sparring buddies ever!