Concerning Heroes (Jason, Rook* Complete)

[Era]

(@jason: Oh, how time flies!)

It was strange how everything changed. The Light of the Rook she knew was still there deep down, but looking through his eyes, his colors were fading. The glimpse she caught into his soul reminded her of an innocent child thrown into an abyss of shadows and torment; afraid to cry out for help, but afraid to be left alone in his anguish. Oh, Rook... Her mind grieved. What a tangled mess he was, tossed back into the suffocating coils of Darkness after so valiantly and loyally coming to save her from her captors. How far could they have made it if they'd tried to break free of both parties, and run away together back in the World That Never Was?

Her thumb caressed his cheek, gently stroking across his jawline. "And I shouldn't have let you go." She paused, allowing a tinge of solemn remorse to strike her stomach; the best sight one could have was hindsight, and even if brief, she allowed herself that moment of remorse, and then withdrew her and from him.

Those frost blue, bright eyes closed momentarily as she took a deep breath, letting go of the negative feelings that had slipped into her Heart at the same time. When she opened them, she would be as vibrant as ever she had been... As ever Rook had made her. Her gaze was stalwart on him now, fixed on bringing him back to the positive side of life.

"But the important thing is that we're together now," her voice grew a little louder - bolder. She offered an open hand to him. "And this time, I won't let you go." She was certain of it.

If Rook were to meet her hand with his own, she'd pull him up to stand beside her. It would be a small gesture, an unintended foreshadowing, perhaps, of pulling him out of his turmoil, and back to his Light.

[Era]

((Bumpage. We need this thread alive.))

[Rook]

((I'm working on it! Too much work and too many deadlines. I'll have one up soon, I promise!))

[Era]

((I understand the schedule problem. I've been there. ^^ Just don't want to have you guys lose interest. This thread's too good. You guys are too good.))

[Rook]

((Armor is done, Con has come and gone, work is back to normal hours. Back to posting as regularly scheduled!))

Rook studied her opened hand for a brief moment, eyeing it curiously. His hand lifted up towards her, but stopped midway, contemplative. He had made his way back from the Darkness and stumbled upon Era once again. But in giving her his hand this time, he was admitting that he was here to stay. That would mean fighting, that would mean protecting her again. Things he had failed to do more than once in the past. Traverse Town, The Castle That Never Was. Every time they had encountered difficulties, he hadn't come through for her. He had come up short at every turn.

His hand hovered there halfway between them, a realm between all it's own. He trusted her. Not his own self though. He needed help. But was terrified of what his efforts cost them both... Oh Era, couldn't you see how cancerous he was..?

But his eyes drifted aside her. Jason. Another individual he had felt close to. The three bodies gathered around this table were a motley crew indeed; Era who fought her own darkness and had won time and again, Jason the Nobody endeavoring to become whole once more and fighting to earn it, Rook- scared of the dark and probably too dumb to know when to stop fighting when it was already clear he should have just stayed home in his shanty far away from the worlds and combat.

Their three angles had come together into one awkward shape. Through their own efforts, Rook felt safer. They had better track records than he did, for certain.

The redhead looked towards his hand still hanging in the ether, then to Era's hand, then to Jason himself. "You'll stay..?"

[Jason Arilani]

Jason sat there for a few moments, watching the two. But as he heard the words escape Rook's mouth, he stood from his chair. Moving around the table, he gently grabbed Rook's hand and looked into his eyes. "Sometimes... we all need a little help from an outside source to leave the darkness... And come back to the light."[/color] He said, the last part being said as he gently pulled Rook's hand over to Era's before grasping it with her and standing him up from his chair.

"I have several paths to follow, but one thing is clear to me.... No matter what the case, no matter what the cost... I will always be there when you need it most. For my Crystal ball will show it to me."[/color] He said with a fake smile. He knew that he wanted to be human, to feel emotions again, but it would take some time. And for the nobody who had been alive for an immensely long time... He had all the time in the world to get everything ready as necessary.

[Era]

She took a few gentle breaths, just waiting for him to take her hand. And, strangely to her, he didn't. Rook's hand lingered there, in the in-between, somewhere in the median of rejection and acceptance, and Era grimaced on the inside. She could tell that his countenance had changed from the Rook she was used to; that much was obvious since he'd stepped foot in this place. But was he frustrated with her because she'd chosen to leave him - to choose her own way out - back in Traverse Town? Perhaps he disapproved of her decision to surrender to Ansem and his foul plans, but for the reason she had made it, she wouldn't recant that move.

But if that were the case, maybe he wasn't ready for this kind of decision. Maybe she needed to back down and wait until he was prepared to move. Yes, that was likely the best choice for n-- ??

-- Frost colored eyes lit with curiosity as the girl watched Rook's quiet friend intercede. As the scene unfolded, her face lit with some cross between contentment and determination. Her ears soaked up the wisdom from the silver-haired boy. It was obvious Rook had a great friend in him.

His words had ended in a sort of guardian-esque tone upon declaring his protection and support for the ginger; and by all means, if there was anyone who needed an extra Guardian Angel, it was Rook. She added a note in her mind to thank Jason for his dedication to the friendship later, and her focus diverted to their piled hands and the newly-formed pact it signified. She hadn't imagined another warrior to swear himself to their cause, but in Era's book he was by all means welcome.

"Then let's do it." She nodded first to her new acquaintance.

What is his name again? James… Jay… Oh yeah!!

"Jason," her eyes took a fraction of a second and lingered on him; they seemed to express the thankfulness she would verbally send his way later. Then, her gaze turned to the redhead she was still so blessed to have standing in front of her right now.

"Rook," the expression on her face was primarily contentment, but it was also alight with determination. She wanted so badly to tell him how much she would be there to support him, but perhaps that conversation was better suited for its own spot in near-future.

Then, her attention turned periodically between them both while she unraveled her newest extreme plan. "Let's make an oath to help each other fulfill our goals, and not give up until we've completed them."

Her hand was firm in its position now, comfortably supporting the other two while her mind rolled across anything else she may have wanted to address. "...All of them. No backing out. No uncertainty. No secrets."

[Rook]

The redhead had lost all he had resembling a family early in his life, but he was not without his adventures. Jason and/or Era had been with him for most of them. The reasons he kept himself away in the sticks far from living populations was because he just couldn't go through that again. It was fear.

But... these two. He had met his far share of strangers through his trials, but Era and Jason were the only ones he had the ability to place faith in. He would help them, even if it meant he couldn't stand anymore.

He nodded, throwing both of them a glance, before diverting his eyes back to their assembled hands, "...I'm in."

[Jason Arilani]

[Fair warning right here and now... I've recently changed my RP style to that of First person. Yet here, only 3rd person is really allowed. I'll try and keep it strictly 3rd person pov, but there may be some spots where I slip up]

With the words from Era asking for a pact or oath where the three aid each other, and the short words from Rook, Jason nodded in agreement. He knew now that he would need to inform Era of his one true secret. But at the same time, was not sure about doing such a thing here in this public place. "I agree then. Without the strength of others to help us in our time of need, how can we truly continue on?"[/color] He said, looking more toward Rook. He had realized first hand what it was like to be alone. To be cast aside and left by himself. Jason could only hope that with Era's help, they could help him back on the right path.

"So what now, exactly? We probably look rather foolish standing here in the middle of the restaurant with our hands clasped together like this."[/color] He said as he looked around the diner and sure enough, people were looking at the strange group with even stranger looks. Jason let out a light chuckle, a fake emotion to be displayed by a nobody such as himself.

[Era]

They had completed their hand-stack; the promise had become official, and Era took a mental note as to what this turn of events, and finding her long-lost redhead had meant: she would need to tell her Boss by the end of the day that she would be stepping down, and continuing with life. Perhaps she could leave on good terms.

Icy blue eyes shifted from one of the Café's patrons to the next. Those that had stared in curiosity and confusion at the trio had since begun to look away either nonchalantly or with slight throat-clearing. Either way, they'd gotten their points across and had been acknowledged.

But to be honest, who had time to care about what people thought of them? Certainly not Era. Was she aware of what people might think of her? Why sure. Aware. But at the same time, she had this crazy idea that one only lived this one life... and she wanted to make the most of it now: while there was still breath in her lungs she'd do everything in her power to live a life she could be proud of, and be darned if she went to the grave with regrets.

Jason had preceded his statement about appearances with a more prominent question: and it was a good one to be sure, but one that took a stab nonetheless. The glow she had been carrying had dwindled right then, and it was obvious that reality had revisited her mind, and her brows furrowed with unease. Era had just been reacquainted with Rook, after all this time of fretting. The prayer of her heart had been fulfilled; he was in one piece. Alive. And well? That was to be questioned, and soon. But for now...

She scratched at the back of her orange, forward-swept hairline, contemplated a moment, then came up with a solution. Pulling one of the many pens from a pocket of her apron, the girl quickly jotted something down on a spare napkin.

Her eyes met Jason's, as though she knew he were the responsible party right now, and came up with the best offer she could make. "I'll bet you guys are tired," she handed the napkin to him, inwardly dreading letting the quiet ginger out of her sight. She had only just gotten him back, and fear was wrapping its tendrils around her heart. Her mind screamed how ludicrous she was to be treating Rook with this much leisure after only just receiving him as an unexpected blessing. She was, by all rights, inwardly conflicted. But the stern expression on her face, and her confident disposition did their best not to betray her. "..Here's the address of the hotel where I've been staying. Just tell them you're with me, and they should let you in. Rest up, and I'll be by as soon as I'm off work!" She smiled, but deep within, worry was eating her from the inside.

Sure, her shift would end in only a few hours, but what if the Darkness would snatch him away before she had returned? Well, there was always the unlikely chance they'd request to stay in the Café for the last few hours of her shift... but that probably wouldn't happen. They were likely very tired, and she could at least console herself that she had been doing a good deed for them.

[Rook]

((So, that last post ended on a pretty interesting and inquisitive note. I really have nothing more to add, except Rook would have followed her suggestion and gone back to aforementioned hotel.

So unless there is anymore items to attend to, I think that's it. Finally a cap on this now 2+ year old thread!))

[Era]

((Thread complete.))