x
x
x
─────────
( username: .kaede ) ( name: subject xxviii —> ryuu 龍 —> yu qiurong 羽秋荣 ) ( gender: male )
( word count: 2878 for the first 3 sections, 686 for the unfinished quick notes )
─────────
x
x
─────────
( username: .kaede ) ( name: subject xxviii —> ryuu 龍 —> yu qiurong 羽秋荣 ) ( gender: male )
( word count: 2878 for the first 3 sections, 686 for the unfinished quick notes )
─────────
- indenthe had been running for a long, long time.
indentfirst, it was from himself — who was subject xxviii? it couldn’t possibly be him, right? — and he did anything to run, to hide, to pretend that he wasn’t the monster that everyone wanted him to be. in the beginning, he was complacent and obedient, demure and reserved, even when he realized that this wasn’t the path for him. he still stayed quiet once he realized the severity of the situation he was in. what right did he have to speak when he didn’t even know what his name was? he didn’t have one, most likely, but he refused to acknowledge himself as subject xxviii.
indentthat would’ve been dehumanizing, much too belittling for him to bear. he wasn’t just any war machine, despite not having the same achievements as his other peers. in actuality, it wasn’t that he was inept at his job, but more like the scientists allowed him to think too much. thoughts and daydreams brought dangerous, dangerous ideas, and the decaying angels despised it when things didn’t go as perfectly as they had imagined.
indentthe decaying angels were terrifying, and he could only imagine what the mastermind of the organization was like.
indenthe wasn’t dumb. he knew that the decaying angels were acting under orders, but orders from whom? who would have the power to completely oppress the higher ups and command their complete obedience?
indentthe world was startlingly dark for a war machine, a being that was never supposed to have existed. yet here he was, living, breathing, surviving with all his might. after all, if he didn’t dedicate his everything into this pitiful life, then it would’ve already been cut short. that was the kind of people the decaying angels, and he didn’t want to oppose them without having the necessary power or backing to do so.
indentthus, he thought, thought, and thought some more. what else was there for him to do? he didn’t have a name outside of his identifying code, and he wasn’t special enough for any titles. he was a malfunctioning war machine, but right now, he still had a purpose. he often assisted in rehabilitating other war machines, to kindle feelings and togetherness for a while. it was a long and strenuous job, but it was infinitely times better than actually going out to the battlefield and actively participating in the purge.
indentthe first time he did that, he felt so sickened at his actions. just how many people have died as a result of the war machines, and subsequently, the decaying angels? what were they hoping to achieve through this terrorism? didn’t they care about the people at all? how could such cruel, twisted humans exist?
indentas always, he had absolutely zero answers for his questions. when the scientists realized that he wasn’t doing well during training and the purges, he had been slated for termination, and it had been a mere stroke of luck for the scientists to discover that he was unnaturally good at creating relationships and fostering “good, healthy feelings”, whatever the hell that was in this empty, too-sterile facility.
indentit was a joke. everything was like a damned joke to the higher powers, who’d merely laugh gently in your face and chide you with soft words, all the while peacefully injecting cyanide into your veins. it wasn’t like they’d ever dirty their own hands to perform such a task, though — he didn’t think that he’d ever be granted the pleasure of release by the higher powers themselves. the scientists and doctors usually took care of everything at the facility, and from what he had seen in the past, they were so much rougher with their actions.
indenthe didn’t want to stay here anymore, but where could he go? no where, so for the time being, he continues to remain. he doesn’t think much of himself, because what else was he supposed to think about aside from doing his absolute best to live and survive?
indenthe runs away from his identity because he’s scared that one day, he’ll lose the same humanity that he so cherished now. he runs away from his identity because he doesn’t know who he is and what he’d ever become, either within this facility or out of it, depending on the turn of events.
indenthe runs away from his identity because he isn’t sure if he even has an identity to call his own.
─────────
indentwhen the scientists told him that he'd be moved to someone else's cell, he nearly threw a fit right there and then. however, he managed to conceal his thoughts with a small grimace of discomfort, and the scientists merely wrote it off as him trying to adjust to the idea. he wasn't trying to adjust at all.
indenthe was trying to keep himself from having a mental breakdown.
indentsure, he usually liked other people! sure, his emotional intelligence was probably a lot higher than expected of a war machine! sure, he was uncannily good at dealing with other war machines, most of whose mental capacities may as well not even exist. that absolutely did not mean he was willing to spend every single waking moment of his day with another war machine, though.
indentthat'd truly be too much to bear, even for someone like him.
indentnevertheless, orders from the decaying angels can't be disobeyed. try as he might, no matter how far he ran, he'd never be escape. that was the fate of a war machine, after all, even for a dysfunctional one. the decaying angels hated sharing their creations to the world, unless they were spreading their ways. it was a brutal battle, an eternal hatred between the decaying angels and the rest of the world, and the war machines were in the middle of it all.
indentonce again, he wondered what the leader of the organization had to be like for them to command such a bloodthirsty group of people. did they even have a shred of humanity left in them? did they even feel emotions like a normal person? he had so many questions, but no way of obtaining the answers for said questions.
indentthat being said, when he was moved into subject xxv's cell, he made very little complaint. if anything, he was feeling rather haggard from being woken up too early in the morning for the change, and his nerves were feeling pretty shot. unease had started to pool at the bottom of his stomach - what if his new cellmate didn't like him? what if they thought he was too annoying? he had a distinct sort of charisma, but it only worked on certain kinds of people that were able to tolerate his energy in the first place.
indenthe was good at human interactions, but he also couldn't help but feel anxious every now and then, especially when he was expected to help someone and get along with someone that he had never met before.
indentthey were supposedly a prodigy too. a prodigy of war, a genius at killing, a war machine that was the exact opposite of everything he was.
indenthe hated prodigies.
indenthe had to suck it up, though, at least while he was trying to help this subject xxv to "get over one of his moods", as put aptly by one of the scientists. in his dear opinion, however, subject xxv was just being a brat. it's nice to see that they have grand ideas about what was supposed to be, but even for someone like them, it was probably too much to handle all alone.
indenthe hated prodigies, but this certainly smelled like an intriguing opportunity for him.
indentand so, when he finally met the prodigy in question, he gave them a small, pensive smile. when asked for his name, he paused for a moment. what was his name? everyone knew him by subject xxviii, but that wasn't a valid name.
indenthe wanted to be as strong as a dragon. he wanted to be strong both physically and mentally, so that he would have the capability to finally remove himself from the decaying angels.
indent"i'm subject xxviii, and i'm supposed to keep you company as ordered by the higher powers. oh, but i don't like being called subject xxviii. you can call me ryuu if you want. i heard it means 'dragon'! i'd like to be as strong and powerful as a dragon one day."
indentapparently, subject xxv had a name they came up for themselves, too. they went by haru - a name that was neither feminine nor masculine, in ryuu's eyes. it stood for spring - why spring, of all seasons? - and for all the blooming flowers, most likely.
indentwhat kind of flowers did haru like to see bloom? the fragrant blossoms of spring, or the dark, crimson stains that their hands were no doubt stained with?
indentit was a moot point to think about, however. once again, he would do his job, but now under the guise of ryuu, so long he stayed with haru. there was no real need to run away just yet.
─────────
indentactually, prodigies weren't all what they appeared to be.
indentthey were good at one thing, and one thing only. at least, this was the case with haru. idiot didn't know how to think properly, even if it could cost them their life one day. it frequently drove ryuu nuts, but something about the other war machine's clueless, naive expression only encouraged him to explain himself more and more.
indentit wasn't all for naught, though. haru seemed intent on learning, and it's clear to tell that they're slowly developing their own ideas about life based on everything that ryuu had told them.
indentit was an interesting development. could it be that they, too, are dissatisfied with how things currently were? ryuu carefully danced from each topic to the next, and guided haru into telling him what he wanted to know. for some reason, it surprised ryuu to hear that haru, for all of his naivety, had a goal, an aspiration.
indentand it was something as impossible as flight.
indentit was a lovely dream, but it was a dream that would never bear fruit under the constraints of the decaying angels.
indentfortunately (or unfortunately), the prodigy seemed to recognize this fact. they barely spoke about it, but whenever they got a glimpse of the outside world, their hardened eyes would soften, just slightly. it made them inexplicably human, even though war machines could be considered to be anything but human.
indentthe situation with haru was both progressing in a way that ryuu wanted it to go and in a way that ryuu hadn't wanted it to go. it excited him and made him feel fear at the same time. it was a good thing that haru was more or less on the same page as he was, but what was he supposed to do with a war machine who hadn't fully accepted the fact that the world thrived off hurt and sacrifices, not love and freedom?
indentas foolish as haru's dream appeared to be, it wasn't wholly impossible for someone like them. they could certainly accomplish anything that was thrown their way, if they were motivated enough. they had the power to do so. they were definitely strong enough for it...
indent... and that was why ryuu absolutely couldn't go with them. he could give haru the starting push, but he never belonged in the skies. the openness of the skies never beckoned him, nor did the whimsical flights of birds soaring freely into the distance. haru's hands were stained with blood, yes, but they were so innocent and child-like in their ways, so much so that it hurt for ryuu to look at them.
indentryuu was smart, but he was also a coward, in a way. he was scared of haru's brilliance.
indentalthough he had promised to be by their side forever, he had every intent on breaking that promise. besides, haru would do just fine without him. they didn't need ryuu forever.
indentall ryuu had to do was set them on the right track.
indentthat could be counted as running away yet again, but wasn't that all ryuu had ever known to do?
indentharu had their flight, and ryuu had his tail between his legs like a cowed coyote, slinking away yet again into the shadows.
─────────
indent"i'm sure you know this already, subject xxviii, but we're going to be terminating you."
indentthat was genuinely the funniest thing ryuu had heard in the longest time, and he couldn't help a few snickers escape his lips. the scientists merely glanced at each other, slightly perturbed by his reaction, all the while ryuu was five seconds away from doubling over and dropping to the ground.
indent"what's so funny, subject xxviii? have you finally lost it?" one of the scientists barked out, having had enough of ryuu's wheezes. it took a moment for him to compose himself once again, but for someone who had just been told that he was going to be killed, ryuu could've been considered the epitome of calmness.
indentit completely baffled the scientists, as it was clear as day on their faces. it was a funny expression to see on the people that were normally so composed under every circumstance, and it was difficult for ryuu to hold his laughter in once more.
indent"sorry, sorry, i just found this all to be rather amusing!" he commented cheerfully, his shoulders still shaking from his silent giggles. when was the last time he had felt so hysterical? he honestly couldn't recall. although he felt a slight pang of guilt for suddenly abandoning haru like this, there wasn't much that he could've done.
indentthe letter and the supplies he left behind would hopefully be enough for haru's use. they had to be. this was ryuu's final attempt at closure, however pathetic it may appear to a war machine like haru.
indentafter all, ryuu didn't even know if he was going to live or die. of course, he had his hunches, but there was no way for him to absolutely confirm. it was akin to making a bet with fate; if he won, fantastic, but if he didn't, then there was nothing to be done about it.
indentthe seemingly more short-tempered scientist only glared nastily at ryuu during this moment, while the more level-headed scientist rolled his eyes and gestured towards ryuu with his clipboard. "we'll be quick with you, subject xxviii; as my colleague had said earlier, you will be terminated. as you're well aware, we have a procedure, and we'd greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter. it's always more pleasant to go peacefully, is it not? i'd hate for your sights to be in your cell."
indent"that wasn't short at all, but i get what you mean," ryuu commented wryly, effectively stiffening his features into that of a more serious expression. he steepled his hands together, and with a confidence smile beginning to tug at the corners of his lips, he started to speak again. "that being said, i'm sure you know full well how i have zero intentions of dying in a place like this. i'm also certain that you're aware of how i must be desperately aching to meet the almighty leader of the decaying angels, right?
indent"hear me out, then. take me to your leader, whoever they are, and have them listen to my request. if my request is rejected, then fine, the decaying angels may do anything it desires to me. i don't mind! i won't even resist. however, if your leader decides to give me a chance, then i'll be off limits from then. have i made myself clear?"
indentthe short-tempered scientist scoffed in response and was about to stab ryuu in the arm with a syringe when the calmer scientist stopped him with a look of warning in his eyes. sullen, the first scientist backed down, while the second scientist faced ryuu with a colder face. "subject xxviii, are you aware of the fact that you're in no place to make such demands?"
indent"oh, but don't you see? i am! i'd be pitting myself, a war machine, against two scientists who barely know how to defend themselves, i'd imagine. so what if i'm a little dysfunctional? i still haven't forgotten how to kill, thanks to the decaying angels. if you want to keep your lives, then you will take me to your leader. and that's what you do, because you lot are cowards who only care about your own lives, am i right?"
indentthe scientists stiffened at ryuu's words, while he simply laughed himself silly for what seemed to be the fifth time that day.
indenthow was it that these scientists were biologically more human than he or haru would ever get to be, yet lack that sort of human-like spark that haru seemed to hold within themself? it was almost mind-boggling in a way.
indentregardless of what methods he used, ryuu wanted to meet the leader of the decaying angels.
indenthe planned on running, yes, but there were some things that would never be accomplished by mere running. besides, the results would also be much more interesting this way.
─────────
indent"so, you're the subject xxviii that dared to actually threaten my scientists?" a petite woman questioned, her eyes seemingly disinterested with the ruckus that ryuu had managed to stir up. her dark, silk blouse complimented her wavy hair, which hung in a tall ponytail. every detail of her ensemble, from her crisp pencil skirt to her high heels, screamed "elegant" and "nobility" to ryuu.
indentnot that he really had much of an understanding of what those words really meant. this was his first time meeting someone of such a high status, and though the woman in front of him appeared to have a flippant attitude towards most matters, her appearance commanded attention from everyone in the room. even ryuu had a difficult time trying to talk back, and he rarely cared about such propriety.
indentnevertheless, when given the opportunity to speak, ryuu figured that he might as well make an impression for himself.
indent"yup, that's me! subject xxviii, at your service, madam!" he announced, dropping into a small bow.
- woman introduces herself as the daughter of the illustrious pavone family, alice pavone. the pavones are known for dabbling in illegal matters, so this doesn't really surprise ryuu
- ryuu requests for alice to free him, though it is a long shot. alice is amused by ryuu and ends up keeping him by her side as a "bodyguard" but with no real obligations - this is so ryuu won't be able to be released into the world when he's a war machine, but in the event that he does become a turncoat, alice wouldn't suffer any losses
- it's a win-lose situation for ryuu, and he agrees. he "runs away" from the facility of the decaying angels and from the name "ryuu", as alice gives him the name of yu qiurong ( 羽秋荣 - feather, autumn glory ). it is like a rebirth for him, this took place during the autumn, and he's promised glory, depending on how he fares in alice's home turf. in a way, he's also running away from haru and the ideas that he had planted into haru's head
─────────
- after two years, he's still by alice's side, although as an actual bodyguard now because he's shown that he wouldn't betray her anytime soon
- he actually gets sent on an errand to a flower shop, and he doesn't argue against it because alice was the one who sent him there and he knows the owner of the flower shop relatively well, after a few mishaps in the past and getting to spend some time with her when he's not needed by alice
- when he arrives at the flower shop, he's greeted with not ianthe, but with what looked to be haru
- the haru look-alike is surprised
- qiurong starts short circuiting, and manages to convince haru that he isn't ryuu, that he has no idea who haru is, and that he only wants flowers
- he gets the flowers that alice requested of him in the form of a bouquet, and he spies a card inside the bouquet. it's from haru, and it says "you're lying"
- qiurong panics again, and after he delivers the flowers to alice, he demands to be given a leave. alice asks why, and when he explains, she just laughs in his face
- "do whatever you want," she says, and qiurong turns around and makes a mad dash to the door
- he's on the run again! he doesnt want to see haru after he more or less faked his death to get away from him!
- sure, he's fond-ish of haru, but he's scared of tainting the other person and/or being blinded by the other's brilliance
- tl;dr qiurong is a Cowardly Fool who thinks he knows more than he should and sweet talks like no body else while talking trash about you behind your back
- he does think flying is cool, though, but it wouldn't ever suit him. he likes the feeling of feet under stable ground, and once again, he runs
- that's all he knows to do, apparently
x
x
