pineslog | A soldier on my own, I don't know the way

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A soldier on my own, I don't know the way

Who: Nyx Ulric and YOU
Where: Nyx and Luna's house, Crossbones Boxing, around town, etc
When: Late April into May, dates applied where necessary
What: Open Catch-all for various non-plot going ons
Warnings: Blanket warning for potential Ibaraki, but other than that we should be good. [Thumbs up.]
[Open]

A. Papa War Chicken has arrived!

[He knows there are chocobos in town. He isn't sure how they got here, since there don't seem to be any wild nests, but here they are. They're small, adorable, and only a minor handful all things considered. But current digs aside, Nyx has lived all his recent life in a city. He hasn't owned so much as a cat since he left Galahd. ~~And apparently a small child or two if his fake memories were any indication.~~

So why is he stepping outside one morning to see a fully grown, green chocobo trying to dig up all the grass around their mailbox?!

Nyx stops short, not yet comprehending just what he's seeing. The bird is huge, clearly big enough to ride,
and seems momentarily content to remain tethered. He steps back into the house, closing the door behind him. He needs to make some calls.]

B. For all your ogling needs~

[Five days out of the week, sometimes six, Nyx spends hours working for Rumlow. It's not nearly as exciting as being a Glaive, what could be? But he's hauling weights, wiping down bags, and maintaining equipment, and in his off moments he gets to use it all. It's enough. Most days.

He'd had to adjust some old habits: learn how to tape his knuckles and turn his body into armor in the absence of leather and steel. This wasn't bar brawling by any stretch of the imagination. It was a focused style of combat that resulted in him on his ass more times than he'd like to admit, but there's a thrill in his blood every time he gets up in that ring that isn't tempered by a quiet knowledge that death could be around the corner.

Even without a partner to fight with, Nyx works out hard; pushes himself to regain what strength he'd lost coming out of the hospital. Making sure he's ready, but for what he wouldn't be able to say.]

C. Why bother locking the door when no one pays attention to it anyway?

[Before Luna arrived, Nyx had done very little with his house. He'd taken the main bedroom and then spent the majority of his time there when he was at home at all. Couldn't remember why until he started getting his memories back and realized he missed his stupid apartment in Insomnia. The house was just too big for him.

Now, though... now it's practically lived in. There are flowers decorating tables, and new things on the wall, and most of the rooms are even used for one thing or another. Nyx still spends most of his time in his room, but the rest of the house no longer feels empty. So he keeps the kitchen stocked with whatever gets put on the list on the fridge, keeps a list of numbers for whoever needs to be called if something goes wrong, and somehow manages to carve a life here.

It's weird, and somewhat wrong, but it reminds a part of him of Galahd, and every day it's just easier and easier to fall into an old routine that the soldier in him had long forgotten. He's even getting used to the regular company he gets, so whenever he's home he ends up just leaving the door unlocked so that he doesn't have to worry about someone parkouring through a window.

And sometimes, when the nightmares get too bad, one can find him sitting on his front step, staring up at the stars in the middle of the night.]

D. Choose your own adventure!

(ooc: Feel free to ambush him anywhere about town or use this to establish specific threads that might not fit into the above prompts. Otherwise, please question him about his overgrown green chicken or catch him working out in the very very rare times he's ever close to shirtless in public. Or hell, just walk in and say hi and steal his hot pockets. He'll only complain a little.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Rumlow was off helping another customer so Nyx wipes his hands on a dry rag and takes a break in order to see who it was that came in. He's accustomed enough after almost a month that so long as no one asks any difficult questions about boxing he's pretty confident he can handle it.

When he sees her his expression brightens, about to greet her when he realizes that...that's not Katherine. She looks similar, but she carries herself differently, and with a start he recognizes the set of her shoulders, the tilt of her head. He takes a moment to think back; to search for the memories he knows will accompany this feeling. Saying goodbye to two little girls, not one. Having to remove tiny fingers from his uniform. Coming home to find that both girls had become young women when he wasn't looking.

Nyx breathes slowly. He's almost used to the involuntary emotions this town forces on him. Almost used to the way they creep upon him and twist his past. His expression is also almost steady as he continues walking up to her.]

You're... Elena?

[ While Nyx might be almost used to the sudden influx of memories and emotions, Elena certainly isn't. She's still trying to get her real memories back, the ones they aren't supposed to talk about because they're from before and don't fit with the lives they're supposed to live here. She's not supposed to remember planning to marry and have a family with Damon, because that's Stefan now, and she's not supposed to miss her brother Jeremy because she has--

Nyx. The brother walking toward her who left when she was little and came back when she was grown. The brother she's still trying to get to know, to sort out a relationship with. The brother she loves instinctively and without hesitation.

It all rises up inside her like a wave, crashing into her mind with enough force that it takes her breath away. Is it always like this when they remember the things they hadn't actually lived? Or is it just because of the strength of those feelings that everything else tries to bowl her over? ]

Yeah... [ Her voice is small, and she visibly pulls herself together before trying again. ] Yes. I'm Elena. And you're... Nyx. My brother.

[ He's not, she knows that, but she also knows that he is. A brother she never had until she woke up in this town. It takes all her effort not to wrap her arms around him in the tightest hug she can manage, because she's not sure if that would be at all okay with him. ]

[Nyx has no such reservations. Nothing short of his own death would keep him from his sister when she's standing in front of him. Even if it never actually happened and his death is probably why he's here at all. (And that's an awful thought, too. That he died to end up here. Have they all died? Is that the trick to this life and these memories? The thought hurts.) He closes the distance between them and pulls Elena into a hug.

He's missed her. He doesn't know her that well, and that's his fault (he doesn't know her at all, and it's not), but he wants to. Wants to make up for all the years he hasn't been here.

Nyx closes his eyes. It isn't any less intense than this was with Katherine, despite knowing better. The people running this place have figured out how to drive straight past his defenses into his heart, and he will protect his sisters with everything he has because of it. No matter what.]

How long have you been here?

[ It feels so good to be wrapped up in his arms. Elena holds on to him, squeezing tight, and has another memory surface - welcoming him home and never wanting to let him go again. Because even though there was distance, in age and time and the relationship itself, he's still family and family is the most important thing to her. ]

I woke up at the hospital two days ago. [ Because it seems best to phrase it that way. Safest, knowing what she does about people listening in. ] I still don't remember much. I didn't know you [ existed ] were here when I walked in.

[It's not a surprise to hear, but it does make him bristle. Those bastards. He pulls back only just enough to look her over.]

Are you okay? Hurt anywhere?

[He pushes her hair away from her face. Katherine had already been here when they... found (?) each other, and with Jack they'd both been stranded with nothing but their shared memories to fill in the blanks. It was almost worse knowing that he hadn't really been there.]

[ She shakes her head, moving her hands to his arms to make sure he stays close. It doesn't matter in the slightest that until 2 minutes ago, he hadn't been in her life. This place put him there and she's running with it. ]

I'm fine, I promise. Stefan picked me up from the hospital, took me home, and he and Damon filled me in on... things. [ That they aren't really family, but it feels like they are and they can't talk about any of this near those cameras. It doesn't occur to her to wonder whether he'll 'remember' that she's married to Stefan, both of his sisters falling for Salvatore men. ]

[He doesn't really dislike Salvatore men. Really. There's no actual reason to. Hell, he's heard worst insults back home then what Damon flings at him and he never paid them any mind either.

Strange what having sisters again makes him feel.

There's relief in his expression at hearing that, at least. She's not going into this entirely unaware. Though...that probably means she knows that this isn't real either. He glances down at her hands, effectively keeping him right here as good as any lock. If she knows then she doesn't care.

Maybe they could be related after all.]

It's a lot to take in, but you're not alone.

[He knows, too, and he's not planning on going anywhere.]

[ Her hands squeeze his arms gently, just a small amount of pressure to accompany the very emotional smile on her lips. She's suddenly so close to crying that she feels completely ridiculous. It's a mixed feeling of joy at having her brother back, and a deep sadness at the knowledge that Nyx isn't really her family. Her brother is Jeremy, and he isn't here. But-- ]

We're family, we're in this together.

[ Real or not, she doesn't give a damn. Sniffling quietly, she gives his arm a soft pat before pulling her hands away, not because she wants the distance but purely for practicality. ] Are you busy? I didn't mean to bother you while you were working.

I can take an early day, and if he's got a problem with it we'll just take it out on each other later on the mats.

[He doubts Rumlow would really care, especially if Nyx explains things.]

This is a little more important than helping a few soccer moms with the machines so they can sit and ogle the fighters.

[ Elena can't help it, she lets out a laugh at his comment, wearing a broad grin. ]

Does that happen a lot here? I came in to see what was offered besides just boxing lessons, but I guess I'm not the only one who had that idea. [ A pause, then she clarified ] Just not for the same reasons.

[ Because she's married here, and regardless she's with Damon, and anyway this is her brother and they don't need to discuss who she might be ogling. ]

Enough that I'm being paid to know all their names.

[It's a tease. He has nothing against the ladies that come in here. It's more revenue and honestly it gives him something to do besides punching a bag for hours on end. Most of the regulars that come in here to train don't really need help and Rumlow handles most of the classes.]

Not a fan of boxing?

I've done a bit before with a friend, just some basics, but I think learning something else would be... [ Better for the things she might have to face, either here or back home? Probably best not to mention vampires. ] More my style.

[Nyx bites his lip thoughtfully, considering. There's no reason to, but...

He looks her over, shifting gears momentarily to a combat eye. She's small. Would be more suited to speed than force anyway. And could he really complain if she wanted to learn? It would only mean she'd be able to protect herself if he...or either of the brothers weren't there.

(God knows Crowe had a pretty deft hand at handing him his ass, so he has some experience.)]

How do you feel about knives?

[ Frowning for a moment in contemplation, Elena ponders how she does feel about knives, and she assumes the prospect of fighting with them. She doesn't remember all the times she and her friends and family have been stabbed, so that probably helps her to shrug and accept the idea. ]

I'm guessing they're pretty effective if you know what you're doing.

Moreso than if you don't. Give me a minute.

[He disappears into the locker room to fetch his bag and the sheath he stores in there while he's working, then brings it out to the front.

Nyx pulls a beautiful curved blade from the leather, symbols etched into the metal as well as the hilt, and holds it out to her.]

This is what I learned to use.

[ Elena waits patiently while Nyx is gone, looking around what she can see of the gym from her current position. And when he returns, her eyes go wide at the blade he pulls out. ]

Wow. [ She takes it from him carefully, one hand on the hilt and the other using her fingers to support the flat of the blade, the long curved edge facing away from her. ] This is... I don't think I've ever seen something like this before.

[ Not that she can actually remember, of course, but she just a feeling about it. ]

It's called a kukri. One half of a custom made set. My...unit all had their specialties. This was mine.

[He doesn't know how much she knows of his fake life's military, or much more beyond what he's gathered from his own memories. This place seemed to rely a lot heavier on guns than he's used to. But it's irrelevant to the here and now, and maybe she won't ask about it where the cameras can see.]

It's not an easy style, and I won't be able to teach you everything, but I can teach you enough.

[Awkward hesitation.]

I-if...you're interested.

[ Something tells her that his specialty isn't the sort of thing you would learn in an average military setting. There are people here from different places, she's starting to put that together, but unfortunately she can't ask him about his life before. Not now, not here. ]

I am. [ It's said without hesitation, and there's a steel of determination in her gaze when she looks up at him. ] I'd like to learn, if you'll teach me.

[There's a swell of pride in his chest. No hesitation at all. He'd like her even without the familial ties.]

You'll get hurt.

That's okay. I've been hurt before.

[ She remembers that, training with someone and it not being all that gentle. And she knows that people have hurt her before, even if she doesn't know the specifics. She won't learn if he goes easy on her. ]

It'll make you stronger.

[There's no irony in that. It's how he was taught: get faster to avoid being hit, learning to take an impact and get right back up. Cast properly so that it doesn't kill you.

He takes the blade back, flipping it in his hand with a smooth, practiced move.]

We'll figure out what kind of weapon suits you best. Maybe someone here will know how to make it. But before that we'll see what you've already got.

It'll be...nice to spend time with you. [Shifting gears back from soldier to brother is harder than he'd like, but he wants to make that effort.]

[ She knows she'll never be able to physically overpower someone larger than herself, that just wasn't in the cards for her, but there were methods of fighting that would help her work around that problem, and that's the sort of thing she wanted to learn. Finding the right weapon that would suit her style and needs? Even better.

It surprises her a bit how excited and determined she is for this. She wants to learn, she wants to be good at it, and... she wants to make her brother proud. ]

I think so too. [ She can't help the broad smile that grows at his words. ] I'm really looking forward to it.

[Congratulations, Elena, you're one of the few people who gets to see an almost sheepish, pure smile on his face. Joy without any of the other trappings that he thinks about day in and day out. He can't help it. He sheaths the knife again so he can pull her into another hug, lifting her momentarily off her feet.]

Do you have plans for the rest of the day?

[ It's the best smile and an amazing hug, one that she could easily get lost in for hours, just holding on to her beloved big brother. He's so strong and so caring, the best big brother a girl could ask for. Hopefully one day she'll be able to tell him that. Even if it isn't real. ]

Nope, we can do whatever. [ A pause, then a nervously added-- ] if you were serious about taking off early.

Dead serious. I'm yours for the rest of the day.

[It's kind of nice, he supposes, having an actual schedule. He worked too often before the war to spend time with Selena, and then once he became a Glaive his time was largely spent training and deploying for war. He didn't know where he'd be from one week to the next.

Here he could actually makes plans, and despite the danger, despite the suspicion, he can't help but be grateful for this.]

A soldier on my own, I don't know the way

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