The Breaking Point ["Unfettered"/ ??? ]

[seishounohana]

Okay, so... blah. XD -starts praying her novenas- This thread starts well after "Unfettered"'s return and... sometime after that. >_>;

Emily stared at a burning candle that night, deep in thought. Too deep in thought in fact; especially with his return. Emily couldn't gauge if it was a dream-come true or a nightmare gone real. It could be both, either way - Emily foresaw what she would face.

God damn it, if only her heart had been stronger than this. Then maybe she would've just gotten over him and stayed with Ryuu. She knew that she would've been ultimately happier this way.

Two capsules laid on the wooden table; a shimmering purple one that held a drug that Emily had learned how to mix herself. Being in the medical field was dangerous like this.

Should she pull through with it or not?

Well?

*Pipipipipipipipi*

...

*Ring!*

"Elise?"

...

"Yes. I'm pulling through with it. Like you suggested. Yeah, I'm sure. Mhm... I know.

...

"... I... know. I could at least try."

...

"Not like it would make a difference at all. I know you meant it as a joke but---"

...

"Call Elisabeth and tell her----"

...

"Yeah. Sophia too. Yes, please. I'll call you back."

...

"Sore ja."

*Click*

"So it's all come to this." Emily said. Her eyes opening to finally see that white-haired German walking down the hall. Just as she remembered him and much more. He had changed a bit, though still himself.

What had changed?

Emily wondered if she could be called the same - after all she was once that stoic young lady that he had bumped into one day while he was looking for an advertising manager; and last year, she was the loyal Elite guard that he had recruited at that Mexican restaurant. Right now, what would describe her - really?

Frustrated?

Angry?

Depressed?

Lonely?

Maybe perhaps a little crazy, but it was all that and more. She was the school captain; yet still unsure of what she would do with the position, all considering as she had more or less just been shoved with the title for the second time. Emily was a girl who was always unsure to some degree of the things she did.

Maybe he was right about her.

What had changed?

From that girl who was covered in cloth from the neck down to the girl who basically wore clothes that flattered the same curves that made David Blaze grovel, and ultimately lost to in a fight. Emily had grown more than that, as scars of battle had grown in number as well. She had been hardened by time and life.

Basically, today - she would make things clear with "Unfettered" Winters.

Of course, her now-short silver-white hair was striking enough for the German to notice when he would come within proximity, the girl crossing her legs over the other as her emerald eyes would meet with his own, seemingly piercing through them.

Was it a sign for help or desperation?

Knowing Emily, there wasn't really much of a difference.

"Hello, stranger." She would say, her lips feigning a smile. "Remember me?"

["Unfettered"]

Today Would Start Out As Normal As It Could...

Take a step back in time.

Earlier this morning:

The German crept out of his old bed. His first genuine bed since coming here to North America. Given his current situation, having his own bed was a luxury, considering the number of occupants that had grown to inhabit the restaurant upon his arrival---namely those without parents, those who were independent, and a few refugee families from the whole Public High School #259-#42-#259 switches. Quietly sitting upright, blinking the sleep from his eye, his eye socket panged with an ounce of pain as usual as to where his left eye should have been. However, the lid still open and closed, as best as he could make it, though the thin layer of flesh felt horribly fragile---he was sure it was slightly torn by now, hence the incessant stinging and bleeding feeling he would sometimes get from within or from the edges of his eyelids.

To remedy this, the German reached to his left for his Nazi eye patch, having just finished drying from the rubbing alcohol he'd doused it in the evening before. Expertly wrapping it about his head, bringing in the pieces of thread underneath several tufts of his hair, the German's bed-hed gave him an extra half-foot as he shook his head. Silently resting on the edge of his bed, his arms hugging towards his naked chest in the cold, he developed a short series of goose bumps about it, which he resisted rubbing. Instead, he turned his head in an rusty manner up to the stand-alone closet he'd set up. Laying out prepered on one of the opened shelves were his clothes for the day: A white short-sleeved shirt, jeans, black belt with a golden buckle, and a pair of black nike sneakers.

Instead, he walked his rather thin, scarred up body towards the edge of his cold room, to the door where he'd rested his towel from the day before on the doorknob to dry. Grabbing and twisting the towel so as to twist the door knob simultaneously, he'd pull the towel off at the last minute before the door was open to make him visible.

"Morning there, boss!"
"Sleepyhead!"
"Heya, boss!~"
"Yo!"
"Mornin' handsome..."
"Heyo, boss."
"Mother fucker!"

"Grüße. Morgen," the tired German would yawn out, his jaw stretching far on the last few consonants, as his towel was already properly wrapped around his waist and gray boxers. Still, even if it was 5:30ish in the morning, there was no way that so many early-risers were a good thing for him. Moseying through, watching the overcrowded T.V. as there was a fight going on between watching a morning sitcom and the news for the day, the German walked into the short line for the showers. Bathrooms (and well kept ones at that) were in the process of being renovated and expanded for the sake of accommodation, but that would take a few months, and in the meantime... the living situation would be thus.

...A few moments of potential censored fan service later and the German stepped out of the shower, shaved, brushed, dried, washed, and with a slight hint of cologne about him. Perhaps a polo brand. Moseying on again past the couch, there a twenty-so year old with glasses looked back up, with a wave, having just woken up himself.

"Hey there, "Unfettered". S'gonna be a nice day, upper 80s, low 40... but potential for rain?"

"Mm," the German quietly noted out loud to himself with a quick raise of his left hand to stroke his non-existant whiskers with his forefingers. "Danke, Mark," he concluded, thinking it over a bit, adjusting both his hands about his towel around his waist to make sure it stayed up, while hiding his pair of boxers between the layers to be tended to later.

"No problemo."

Stepping into his room, he closed and locked the door, putting the towel up about the doorknob again before flinging the boxers to dirty-clothes basket in the corner. Long, white hair was a bitch to completely dry, though.

Bringing himself to the dresser, he dried off for a few more moments by sitting on the edge of the bed, thinking, slightly covering himself up, before hunching forward, on the verge of falling asleep again---To which adrenaline pumped into his body and he woke up to full steam.

A few more censored bits of fan service later, the German walked out, fully clothed and equipped with none of his usual equipment as usual as of late. Reaching his hands into his pockets, he checked to make sure he still had his phone, key, and wallet before giving a few nods, waves of salutations, and some verbal recognitions while stepping on downstairs.

Downstairs was already bustling. Tai could be heard screaming various profanities. Six o' clock or so. An hour before the old people would come in by the droves for pancakes and other breakfast foods from the hearty place. However, it was this time, while the volunteer bakers were still making the fresh bread for the rest of the day, the chefs would begin working... and with free lodging for those that worked, as well as constant upgrades going towards living improvements in the restaurant, it was only natural that of those that would join him that things would begin getting a quick move-on. Barely took a month to fully repair the last few details of the restaurant and get it fully up and running for business---

---But in the meantime, at around six o' clock, approaching seven, The German worked his way into the kitchen to help with the cooking. A mass breakfast meal.

Sausages, buttermilk pancakes, wheat pancakes, fresh bread of various assortments, eggs cooked in every variation, varying muffins, boiling oatmeal, hash browns, pouring cereal, the distribution of juices... the restaurant of the early morning provided quite the amazing feast for its occupants, the practice run before the elderly would begin their invasion.

Sitting down himself after a good half hour or so, at the insistence of Marina, Tai, and several others, the German brought with him a mug of coffee (already creamed), a stack three pancakes high with butter and maple syrup, three strips of bacon, two small sausages, a small bit of scrambled eggs, a loaf of bread---and already there were several people who were sitting down to join him. Raising his brow futilely at what was proceeding on about him, he smiled internally with a frown that went on even deeper.

On one hand...

...On the other...

...But that didn't matter for this happy little morning with its stupid little bits of drama here and there. What did was that the German was kept late and arrived to school seven minutes late...

* * * * * * Present Time * * * * * *

Taking care of a restaurant, managing people, and still using that time to prioritize ploys and plans was taxing. Hence why the German's eye bags, in spite of the sufficient nine hours of sleep, still looked rather tired, and didn't even notice the girl sensual looking girl who was trying to---

---...

The German remembered that he hadn't the time to whack one off that morning, either, so it didn't help that---

"Hello, stranger. Remember me?"

...

"Unfettered" blinked, dead in his tracks. Staring, even rudely to some degree as he just looked back, dumbfounded.

...

He smiled, pocketing his hands as he walked in a more intimate manner to her.

"Stranger indeed."

Step. Step.

...His eye watching hers, watching the subtle body language. Curious.

"...I missed you at Public High School #42, it seems," the German concluded, almost talking to himself as he walked towards her, stopping with just two feet between them, hugging his arms lightly about his chest as his feet assumed a close equivalent to a ninety-degree angle by the heels.

He nodded and smiled, aware of the scolding he'd be receiving shortly---but unable to say anything else before saying, "Welcome home, Em."

[seishounohana]

"Stranger indeed."

Emily would watch with great interest as her crush walked forward to greet her. Of course - inside, the back of Emily's head was celebrating. Though, this wasn't what she went to school for today. There was much to be done.

Heck, if it wasn't for Elise's horrible sense of humor she wouldn't have gotten this idea.

"...I missed you at Public High School #42, it seems. Welcome home, Em." Smiling, the white-haired filipina would stand up from where she was sitting, closing the distance with the German male.

...

Yeah, Home. 259 was home, she supposed. It was where she started to overcome the darker sides of her own humanity - though---

"And to you, ...Jon." She would smile brightly. Honestly glad that he was here talking to her; and he seemed alright, just as that blonde boy told her about a month or so back.

Same long, white hair...

Same Nazi eye patch...

"But yeah, I've heard of your hijinks on 42." her gaze hardened for a second. Yeah, that thing he pulled off on 42 was... Emily must admit, dangerous. Though, she still more or less was irked about him not even contacting her at all. Maybe he had a reason or something along the lines of life and death.

-- but her gaze softened, and she would suddenly pull "Unfettered" into a warm embrace, digging her face onto his chest. Surely, he remembered how she felt about him, right?

Surely he wouldn't have forgotten her confession; that she had started loving him beyond all reason. Sure, she had Ryuu but--- "... I'm... so glad you're alright."

Glad?

Glad was an understatement.

She would pull away, diverting her gaze to something else as a pink tinge spread on her cheeks. How's she going to bring herself to do this?

... No, she had to. It was now or never. Emily's expression would quickly shift from that weak, lovestruck gaze onto a smile barely readable. The young nurse-to-be was more or less ending up to be just like the cosplaying doctor, which was a dangerous thing.

Very dangerous, in fact.

"Mmm." She began, hoping to formulate the right words in her mouth. Emily had never really been very good with things like this; or at least, she never tried. "We... have a lot of catching up to do."

...

She looked at the German. That poor, poor young man who apparently knew nothing of what was to come Today...

Tonight.

Tomorrow.

The day after that...

...

"Walk with me...?" She suggested, a finger doing a 'come-hither' motion making her rather suggestive grin a little more worse than it should've as she turned around and started walking - Emily unaware of her hips swaying from side to side as if taunting him to follow.

... Yeah, they had a lot of catching up to do.

If "Unfettered" decided to walk with her, Emily would lead him out of the school and onto the streets. After a few moments of silence, and thought, the girl crossed her arms across her chest, watching "Unfettered" through her peripheral vision.

Uh... how to start a conversation?

Mmm... Maybe something funny? Oh, wait--

"Interestingly, I just remmebered..." She began, "... A young man by the name of Victor told me about you, and my Qi technically exploded -- yet again." Emily would chuckle, remembering that day. Aye, Rem had put them both into quite an insane situation back there, huh?

"My hijinks aside, How've you been doing since I left?" She said, "... Mind updating me on what's been happening...?"


....

"Maybe you should start with this so-called "Remnants of Militia."

Yeah, what was going on here?

Honestly, the girl was trying to rationalize what she was going to do in the back of her head and how she would do it.

["Unfettered"]

To Only Speak

"And to you, ...Jon. But yeah, I've heard of your hijinks on 42."

What else could be done?

The German smiled, amuse at the strange thoughts and memories as he looked up towards the ceiling with not a care in the world---in another reality, perhaps. That carefree look on his face was obviously thinking of something, but he chose not to respond. He was in a good mood, shouldn't have to spoil it.

"... I'm... so glad you're alright."

Confirmation.

The suddenness with how she pressed against him only made him remember exactly why he both valued and despised her... This dependency she had of him in spite of the progression of time. That irrefutable loyalty... He could not hate her for it, but it went against what his own self-chosen name. And yet... what was right and wrong? From his sides, his arms went over her back of her head, to hug her closer to him.

"Mmm."

Again, more of nothing of a response from him. After not seeing her for so long and interacting with all sorts of various groups of people... perhaps he was hoping that Emily would have changed a bit more in that regard. That was not to say that he was certain that she had not changed at all---but as of right now, he had no opportunity to see in how she had grown. And after so long... was it strange that he felt some need to be cautious? He had very little information except for a few snippets here and there of her activities back at Public High School #42. Likewise, his caution with Gabriel Seran, as rumors and stories flew about them.

One thing was certain that he hadn't forgotten as a key detail.

"We... have a lot of catching up to do."


"Mm," he'd acknowledge.

Emily was his self-chosen part of the Elite Guard, a girl whose seeming dependency on others in the past successfully masked the brute strength of her own fiercsome capabilities. And still yet, had no idea how much this girl he had met only a year or so so back had grown in such a short amount of time.

"Unfettered's" eyes betrayed nothing in terms of how he dealt with her, how warmly he dealt with her as even Emily pulled away to look at him with something... different... in her eyes.

"Walk with me...?"

As if nothing was wrong. Was he just naive and just trusting? Was he aware of something that was off?

The German went along with it, as the way she looked at him didn't scream for him in a sense of longing. Perhaps it didn't and his eyes misread matters. Pocketing his hands, he proceeded to keep pace, his facial expressions changing ever so rarely aside from a look of quiet, comfortable calm and perhaps a small smile as if he noticed nothing particularly strange of the way she wagged her hips at him as she proceeded to walk.

A small smile of something.

To the streets.

"Interestingly, I just remmebered... A young man by the name of Victor told me about you, and my Qi technically exploded -- yet again."

Her verbal advances were becoming apparent. If ever this was a time for his gut to scream that something was wrong, it would be now, but the German didn't look the least bit perturbed, seemingly remembering the occasion of origin as if it were just another funny story, which it was in its own right.

Except the girl spoke it in remembrance of the fact that she liked him and that he knew that.

Emily, in the German's observation, was playing around, avoiding what she really wanted to say, but this was part of the foreplay of any conversation. Or perhaps he was off? Deciphering... it had really been a long time. Enough for feelings and thoughts of one another to either dissipate and reinforce themselves with other thoughts or what. A follower she had been, but what of it now? Had she grown a length of ambition herself?

"My hijinks aside, How've you been doing since I left?"

"Hmm..." again with that amused look on his face as he looked upwards. "I vonder..."

Was he naive?

Or...?

"... Mind updating me on what's been happening...?"

She wanted to ask something. Looking to his side, he paused for a moment, as he leaned his spine backwards to tilt his head at her ever so slightly with the same look on his face signifying nothing other then the fact that he was listening.

"Maybe you should start with this so-called "Remnants of Militia."

"Kek..."

"My, my, my... Victor certainly does have a loose mouth, does he not? I am glad that he had the chance to meet you, though," the German said in an increasingly amused mannerism, his eyes in the sky now, looping around as he was looking at some other matter, plan, or something in his mind as he watched that play out.

"...But it haz been so long, and now you ask me of my disposition? No doubt you've wondered perhaps as to why I never seemingly made any attempt to contact any of my old comrades?"

The smile played itself out dutifully.

"Am I still your ally, Emily? Would you still trust me after so long?"

Pause.

Still smiling, still looking away.

"I vould not be so pompous or selfish to ask if I am still your leader. As an ally, however, I have not forgotten ze time in which you have helped me, in the time that David Blaze asked me to provide you with Militia'z protection when you had initially taken ze title of School Captain..."

...The times where the the meaning of being a School Captain at Public High School #259 initially first began to break down after Mitsuki Park's death, disappearance, or whatnot and David took the title.

He did not forget the moment of affection she showed him just a moment before.

He had not forgotten his sins from the past year.

"Unfettered" paused, awaiting her reply this his go-around answer of an answer, knowing he would not satisfy her with that but needing to go through this first.

Knowing.

Because...

...?

[seishounohana]

No definite answer to any of her inquiries? Emily could go with that; he probably had his reasons. But it seems that possibly this day would go a little different than what she had hoped it would be. As she walked, Emily would basically think and rethink her ideas and plans.

... Plans, heh. That is if you could call them that.

"My, my, my... Victor certainly does have a loose mouth, does he not? I am glad that he had the chance to meet you, though, ...But it haz been so long, and now you ask me of my disposition? No doubt you've wondered perhaps as to why I never seemingly made any attempt to contact any of my old comrades?"

Emily merely grinned. Of course, she had to ask. Her own mind was wondering to his construction of thoughts and she would only find that something was different. His tone and manner of speaking was something that slightly off as to back when she remembered it.

Heh. People do change, huh?

"I have." She said, pocketing her hands and rummaging along the contents. There were a few things that she had to have, always.

"Am I still your ally, Emily? Would you still trust me after so long?"

She chuckled softly, noting that she was in the place where--

"I have no reason not to be.." She said, "Also, I could very possibly be the only follower you've had who would try to help you even if you hated me to the very bone."

A shrug.

She meant it.

Probably a hint that she was going to do something selfish today.

But still, that was basically a truth that she, herself, was partially hating herself for. That loyalty she could not bear to get rid of; but of which was drowning her in a level of guilt as to her treatment of her boyfriend - and possibly around several other males who had interest in her in the past.

She glanced to several buildings within their proximity, seeing everything was in place as it should be.

Though... protection. Heh, again a reminder of how incapable she was. She always needed protection no matter how strong she became, which irked her to no end. Emily had been hospitalized ever so often now that she couldn't even try to guess how many days of school she had missed.

"A little correction: I did not take the title; it was forced onto me because no one else wanted it." She admitted, playing around the contents of her pockets. Maybe she was waiting for something?

Or maybe she was hoping for something...?

Regardless, Emily purged hesitance from her mind. Her time was close.

Very close.

"I do wonder though, and be honest with me in answering, if I have ever been of value to you." She said, "This is saying I've never done anything of worth to Militia beyond having helped you when it started. I had hoped that I finally would at least be of some use to you - especially after escaping from the Correctional Facility."

["Unfettered"]

OOC: Sorry... threads like these, I admit, do take me a while. XD---Geh. And I'm not even fully caught up.

Break The Silence

"I have."

How much or how little empathy did "Unfettered" truly possess? As a creature that relied on the uncertainty, unpredictability, and follow-through of his own nature, one might say that he was seemingly bi-polar of his own choice at times. At one moment angry and (seemingly) easy to manipulate, another moment sad, another as understanding, and usually as a standard as happy. Control over emotions, to display what is needed at the exact time. To be sincere with all the facets of who and what he is and not lie---completely, anyways. The sin of stereotypes and the treatment of such victims weighed heavily on his mind.

Perhaps there was an aftertaste of spite spite he chose to feel for himself for his actions... or in this case, lack of action. Not calling anyone if only to build back from the ground up amongst many, many other reasons.

...Atonement was still required of him, though.

"I have no reason not to be.. Also, I could very possibly be the only follower you've had who would try to help you even if you hated me to the very bone."

The German thought nothing of these words other then the fact that again, Emily was only just dedicating her values, allegiances, or whatever it was that she chose to pledge in her mind for him for his sake. Little did "Unfettered" know how absolutely presumptuous this thought really was.

"A little correction: I did not take the title; it was forced onto me because no one else wanted it." Emily began---at this point, the German was no longer facing at her. Something ate away at his underbelly from the bowels of his being. Yes, a misquote on his part. More because as much as he really, really struggled with David Blaze as a person, as much as he looked at his (apparently) willing twice-performed descent from the head of the school as a failure as duties of a School Captain, he could not willingly scorn the man unless he was right there in front of him, as angst-ridden as that fellow was amongst so many others in this school. For Emily, "Unfettered" simply nodded in acknowledgment with an agreeing hum.

---"I do wonder though, and be honest with me in answering, if I have ever been of value to you."

This drew no reaction from "Unfettered" externally aside from the way in which the German slowly turned his head to face Emily, pocketing his hands as he did before pivoting his feet by the heels to slowly turn the rest of his body to face her without saying a word---yet.

"This is saying I've never done anything of worth to Militia beyond having helped you when it started. I had hoped that I finally would at least be of some use to you - especially after escaping from the Correctional Facility."

His eyes went downcast while simultaneously internally knocking at himself for actually providing a type-case scenario of angst between two teens. There was so much he loathed of that typecast. Pressing his lips tightly together for a moment to ponder over the Filipino's words, before looking up, smiling.

"Emily..."

Smiling.

"You helped me get on my feet. Helped me advertise my restaurant."

Smiling.

"I elected you to become the head of my elite guard."

Smiling...

"You were captured by Sean Barker before, as a member of Militia, I could have you do anything..."

Smi-

Her hair was now white because of it. She looked at him differently. She liked him. Emily liked him.

No tears, but he could not bear to look at her. Turning his head to look forward, past her, into an empty space, casting away any and all plans and plots.

"I have sinned."

A statement of fact.

"I am aware that you like me, but I can do nothing of it... only recently have I come to terms with the fact that... I do not like you back in the same manner."

It was finally out, it was finally decided. No way to pussyfoot out, but to only face himself, so that he could face her again. He turned his head to her again, taking his hands out of his pockets to bring the hair out of his face so as to tuck it behind his ears. Staring her in her right with with his only eye, the Nazi eye-patch on his left eye socket. No smiles, no pretenses of jokes or uncertainty or mystery. This was a game that he played her but would not face to himself to admit that he had played.

"I know how it feels."

"I'm also a casualty of the same cause."

...That girl. The only girl who could be a close equivalent to him as to be the representation of Public High School #259. An unrequited love. That painful, but accepted knowledge that he could do nothing for it except long for her and quake during the night. The German could only imagine what Emily had to go through, being a girl of many issues herself.

He would not cry. He could not allow himself to cry. But likewise, "Unfettered" could not look away and deny Emily his full explanation any further.

"I have... felt zat you have lusted, longed for, or been infatuated with me for a time. A long time."

The German swallowed a small gulp of air, though he knew not why he perspired. His pale, scarred up cheeks reddened out of embarrassment if not for his sake then for hers and if not for her sake then for his.

"I don't doubt that you may have or even now still... love... me..."

It just sounded... weird to him. At the same time, how it must've sounded to her... watching her reactions, hoping she would be... alright.

"You have strived for my sake for so long, endured many hardships. I could not protect you yet you've clung to me still.---Gah."

His lips parted, his breath seemingly short as he wanted to get to the point, quickly.

"I have said in a softer manner before, perhaps, that I do not want you to be dragged down with a sinking ship or something along those lines."

"But also... because I have been unable to return those feelings, no matter how hard you have tried."

"To actually get close to you would mean that I would have gone beyond the superficial purposes of having you around and actually... used you... to make you a tool for myself, either for my own lust or my own plans, or whatnot."

More swallowing.

"I do not wish to suffer a tool, nor have had my so-called head of my, at the time, 'elite guard' looked upon as a girl that always just clung to me and to use me as a pillar of strength when she had so much more strength and potential so as to grow beyond the man she sought. I do not wish to hinder the growth of a person and turn them into a tool, like I have done unto myself."

"...This is why I have not called you, specifically, Emily, during your times at Public High School #42."

...The German's body quaked with the feeling of shame, but his face could show nothing more, having finally spoken his piece. All that was left of him to do was to turn his head down, letting his hands wave uselessly in the air at his sides. It didn't have to be right away, but...

"I hope you can forgive me."

...'For everything'.

[seishounohana]

Emily loved "Unfettered".

Unconditionally.

Without Question.

Beyond Reason.

Pure; albeit stubborn enough to reject the advances of two Dragons, and strong enough to prevail over a love that she had accepted in an effort to overcome an unrequited love that persisted through doubt and time.

It pained her to notice how he seemingly avoided her gaze; that pained, somewhat yearning gaze of which he didn't seem to acknowledge until he began to speak, pouring his heart and thoughts out to her. That at the very least, was something Emily appreciated; something she had wished he had done from the very beginning as so that she could at least try to put a stopper to her stubborn heart.

...

"Emily... You helped me get on my feet. Helped me advertise my restaurant. I elected you to become the head of my elite guard. You were captured by Sean Barker before, as a member of Militia, I could have you do anything..."

Things that Emily already knew, and deemed not enough. Emily held a steadfast gratitude to the German male for many things; and for the girl, all of those things weren't enough as payment.

But she kept quiet, for the sake of being a good friend despite the changing tides for the both of the two teenagers. Emily only gripped the thing she was holding in her pockets to control her nerves.

"I have sinned. I am aware that you like me, but I can do nothing of it... only recently have I come to terms with the fact that... I do not like you back in the same manner."

Emily was quiet.

In her face was nothing but a soft, warm grin akin to the cosplaying Doctor's own. He had said it; that he did not love her back. Words that technically pierced through Emily's heart, causing her to slightly hold her breath for a moment as her body reflected these feelings with actual physical pain. Of which she promptly hid by lowering her head so that her face was covered by her hair. Maybe something she had picked up from "Unfettered' himself?

"I know how it feels."

"I'm also a casualty of the same cause."

Mitsuki.

... A girl whom Emily admired and looked up to like a sister; someone she wanted to eventually be close to, to talk casually with and not feel nervous about sounding stupid. She had generally spent time with the Korean girl just a month ago, and she certainly had a good time...

... and 'Tsuki certainly helped her take a step forward, as the woman had personally cut off Emily's hair to be short. In some cultures, it would be said that cutting one's hair is a symbol of an attempt to start anew.

Emily was in the process of that very thing, hence today.

"I have... felt zat you have lusted, longed for, or been infatuated with me for a time. A long time. I don't doubt that you may have or even now still... love... me... You have strived for my sake for so long, endured many hardships. I could not protect you yet you've clung to me still.---Gah."

Oh, if he only knew.

... and if "Unfettered"'s face had been reddened by these, Emily's was just as red if not more so. Her face was still hidden, even as "Unfettered" attempted to watch her reactions all throughout his revelation. Like he was, Emily figured one way to conserve her sanity and also for the sake of her pride, was to control her emotions.

Which was hard to do, considering how much pain she was feeling just hearing this.

And still, she kept quiet, silent even though her heart wanted to break into a million pieces and scream. Rejection had never exactly been a fun thing to feel.

... but then again, Emily had always been rejected one way or another, hasn't she?

"I have said in a softer manner before, perhaps, that I do not want you to be dragged down with a sinking ship or something along those lines. But also... because I have been unable to return those feelings, no matter how hard you have tried. To actually get close to you would mean that I would have gone beyond the superficial purposes of having you around and actually... used you... to make you a tool for myself, either for my own lust or my own plans, or whatnot."

Emily grinned.

"I do not wish to suffer a tool, nor have had my so-called head of my, at the time, 'elite guard' looked upon as a girl that always just clung to me and to use me as a pillar of strength when she had so much more strength and potential so as to grow beyond the man she sought. I do not wish to hinder the growth of a person and turn them into a tool, like I have done unto myself. ...This is why I have not called you, specifically, Emily, during your times at Public High School #42."

... (OoC: song #07 kplz?)

"I hope you can forgive me."

Looking up with a smile, one of Emily's hands would quickly but surely shoot up from her pockets to grab "Unfettered"'s shirt, scarf; whatever was closer to pull him down for a sincere kiss to his lips.

She kissed him for a good few moments with a few attempts at deepening it for the sake of the satisfaction of her own heart and mind; the only way Emily knew how to deal with this. She was still a child, and was inexperienced as far as social relationships and battle of wits go, but she was sincere in everything that she says and does.

Sincerity had always been something Emily wished left her, for it was that trait of her that made her eyes start welling slightly, and she retreated from the kiss as soon as she tasted salt on her mouth. She was crying, of which she couldn't stop as of yet.

She was still holding him by whatever she had grabbed, keeping him close, staring at his own blue eye(s) with her green ones. Themselves conveying a message her mind could not process for her mouth to speak, for it knew that she could never ever receive whatever her heart yearned for.

...

She smiled; her face close to his as she said: "Yes. I have wanted you; lusted for you; dreamt of you; yearned for you..." She trailed off, as a tear broke free from her eye, making her slightly choke despite the smile in her face. What her mind was telling her to do was to smile and feign a level of closure, but her heart was breaking down; screaming.


"I loved you so much that I sometimes wished it didn't exist. I knew that you wouldn't love me, and yet I love you for a reason I couldn't explain without rambling on and on about you; of how much I admired you, your determination; then a mystery that surrounded you that I wished to unveil to myself, and for myself, as one selfish wish."

She chuckled semi-darkly, her eyes hardening for a second as she continued. "I never saw myself as your tool, nor did I see you as a pillar for me to lean on and be dependent on. I had wanted to be the one you could lean on; someone you could depend on and entrust to help you through your goals. I used that as my reason to become stronger. If being a tool was the problem; then I have already been a tool; not only for you, but for David, the Dragons, for Gabriel, for the Aoyamas, for Layla, ...for Kari. But you see, I am no longer just a tool--- "

If "Unfettered" had been paying any further attention to anything else besides Emily's strong grip and her own share of feelings, he could have felt a slight sting up the side of his upper thigh. It was the feeling of a rather potent sedative enter his bloodstream as Emily's other hand revealed itself to be holding a 5cc syringe filled with a tranquilizer.

Whatever she planned for him, it wasn't for here. She cared for "Unfettered" enough to give him somewhere decent. Him resisting would have no effect either, as this drug was proof of Emily's genius in the field of medicine. A genius that was quite dangerous, especially in this state of mind; where she was determined beyond all her subconscious doubts and hidden aches.

"I am a tool that will become stronger and stronger; waiting for you to finally use me for your own so-called selfish desires."

...

There was no escape, for Emily's own men would be surrounding the perimeter should he even try to. Special bullets of the same form that sent her in the hands of that Silly Doctor Sin that would knock him out instantaneously.

Not for death.

But for sleep.

A sound of a car, and the feeling of being carried somewhere would be the last memories before he would hear something escape Emily's mouth and finally passing out. Hopefully.

"The only way I could forgive you, is if you forgive me."

---

"Unfettered" would wake inside a rather dark room, lit only by a spotlight that was centered on him. Upon further examination, he would feel that his body had been tied down to a bed, a hospital bed, even.

It would make you wonder where the hell this place was.

He would be trapped, for there was no windows, and the doors would be timed-shut. There were several vents, but it wasn't big enough for neither of the two to fit in.

He was alone with the voice that chuckled from the darkness.

"Good evening, Jonathan."

["Unfettered"]

OOC: Wow. Every time I go through this... its always rather painful. As an RPer, you're doing it right. ---I hope that this post isn't going to be as short as I think it will be, but considering the transition that's occurring, I'm going to cut out the quotes and justify it. I'm hoping to move this along, as I see that I am going to make this somewhat short, for the sake of getting back in its flow. Also, some of the specifics aren't mentioned, so I'll do so, unless its not to your liking, in which case, PM me.

...Trying To... Remember...

A sincere kiss.

She would receive nothing in return, regardless of how much she attempted to deepen the kiss, for this is how unrequited love was. This was how unrequited, how unsatisfying, yet exactly how he felt for a certain Miss Park.

It was painful for so many different reasons.

A loving look.

An explanation.

A painful explanation.

A...

...

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Good evening, Jonathan."

It took a full minute to realize that he was blinded. Another set of milliseconds to realize he was being talked to, being laughed at, even. A few seconds after that, he realized that his arms were tied down, considering the amount of pressure that was on them---and his legs as well. His neck was free which granted him a chance to try and struggle and look around... but the German just opened his eye, looking away from the light.

This was seemingly... stereotypical.

Still, he couldn't remember what the hell... happened...

259ers loved fighting against stereotypes, though. "Unfettered" was no exceptions. There was a practiced calm about him, as he succumbed to the situation, even allowing himself to rest. Aside from the spotlight (which was irritating to the eye), he was still fully clothed so far as he could tell, but...

...Well, a part of him knew it would be bad for not telling Emily that he didn't reciprocate feelings, but even for the German, this appeared to go... over the top.

Humor was a good way to keep calm. Not that the German was laughing, but rather then throw hate and frustration at his current situation and give into struggling vestiges of a cornered animal, he waited without response, opting to close his eye to keep himself somewhat comfortable---Before opting to flip his head from side to side before resting on his right cheek with some hair matted underneath, other bunches of hair covering his eye. It was itchy, but it kept the light out of his face.

Without knowledge of intent, it would be good to keep vigilance... but given circumstances, he chose not to tire himself out or give into the adrenaline rush that yearned for its release before a moment's notice.

Apathetic, almost? Almost.

A few... minutes, years, hours... they were pouring their hearts out to each other.

Now?

It was simple to the German, given the amount of strength she could pull him towards her---Adapt or die.

...Either choice wasn't too much of an issue.

[seishounohana]

Emily watched the German male as he roused to consciousness. He spent a good four hours asleep; kinda made her wonder slightly if he remembered everything. After all, sedative drugs tend to have that effect at times. No matter, there will be no more pieces to pick up after this...

There would be no turning back; what was done is done. One could argue that Emily wanted this on purpose despite the possibility of never being friends with "Unfettered" again; she had to find a way that she, herself, would not dare to even try any further.

She wanted to shatter herself, and that fragile heart that had been more than abused in her lifetime. Everyone leaves her. Everyone abandons her. Well, it was about time that she decided it was best to abandon everything before it could abandon her. The pain was easier to control that way.

Wiping a tear from her eye, she would breathe once.

Smiling darkly to herself, Emily would sit up and walk out of the darkness. "Giving me the silent treatment now? Emily would surely be displeased with this." she said. It was almost as if that the girl was barely herself; her movements were more bold; daring, even. Her eyes have lost their warm glow, and her voice became cold. "Let's make you slightly more... comfortable."

Small taps on the floor continued as she walked closer, pressing a button on the bed that made the upper half raise slightly, so that Winters was now sitting up. She would smile at him with an empty grin, before pulling herself up to sit beside him on the bed as she pulled out a syringe and a vial of cloudy blue fluid.

"... Fascinating thing, Medicine." She said, "With the right chemical combination, you can more or less stimulate the brain's receptors to do your very bidding. Like this one, for example: It basically provokes your body to go into a state of heightened libido."

She would grin deviously, her smile transforming quickly into a particularly unfamiliar gaze. Not many people have seen this side of Emily; nor would have they more or less understood why it existed.

David and Gabriel are aware of it; just a bit.

Stu had witnessed what she was ready to do under it's influence.

Fifty experiments from the Correctional Facility knew what happened to them after dealing with her.

Chuckling to herself for a moment, Emily would let herself slide off the bed and onto the floor, of which she would quickly proceed to where one of "Unfettered"'s arms were. She would then inject 2ccs of the drug into his bloodstream.

"You might feel your heart race, dear."

She chuckled darkly once more.

Why, Emily?

Has she lost her mind?

... or rather, was she willing to lose her mind, doing this?

Maybe she was...

... or maybe, she was just in grave amounts of pain.