[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/xtBiPq8.png[/img] [color=FF8c00]Rank 5 33 / 50 EXP[/color] Roxas ([@Double]), Bede ([@Crimson Flame]) [b][u]Midgar SOU Hideout[/u][/b][/center] [color=FF8c00]"If Psych-OSF is anything like that Psychonauts, then even non-psychics can get a job with them,"[/color] Raz commented. [color=FF8c00]"Of course, it sounds like it's only [i]half[/i] of the actual Psychonauts, so that info doesn't really [i]help[/i]. Weeeeee can figure it out as we go."[/color] The next step of their journey was decided: another split, one part of the team heading to Suoh and the others going towards Detroit. This new separation made Raz wonder. [color=FF8c00]"That Wonder Red guy... he got separated from us back in the Metro, right? I hope he's doing okay."[/color] They had some time to kill before they would be ready to depart. Wherever you went, there would always be some bureaucracy to make things a little harder, huh? The building's amenities were offered to the group, but Raz didn't go for any recreation just yet. There was something he had to do first. As the others dispersed, filed out, hung around to chat, or do whatever it was they were going to do, Raz double backed to the door out to the helipad. He stepped outside, taking only a quick glance to find where Roxas and Bede had ended up at the edge of the balcony. Raz approached slowly, since it seemed the two were discussing something important. He cleared his throat. [color=FF8c00]"Hey, Roxas? And... uhm, Beady? Mind if I ask you something?"[/color] Raz opened his mouth to continue, but paused. Something seemed to be on Roxas's mind. The look was familiar to Raz, and he had an inkling what might've been going through his head. Despite only knowing him for a short while, he felt something of a connection to Roxas. So, he closed the distance and joined the pair, sitting with his legs over the edge. [color=FF8c00]"It's kind've a lot, huh?"[/color] Raz began. [color=FF8c00]"Trust me, I was like that back when I first joined up. Man, it was only a day ago, I think. Feels like a lot longer!"[/color] Raz chuckled, trying to break the brooding tension a little. [color=FF8c00]"But yeah. Not too long ago we were minding our own business, unaware of what was actually going on, and then in an instant we were thrust into this huge [i]thing[/i], surrounded by people who knew a lot more than you did. I'm not sure how you feel exactly, but it sure made me feel small. Hell, when I was awakened, Mr. Goldlewis and the rest were heading to climb up a [i]mountain![/i] It was long, and hard, and I barely made much of a difference going up. I think we even died! But..."[/color] Raz squinted, looking at Roxas's robes, then said, [color=FF8c00]"I think... yeah, it was your Organization guys who saved us. Gave us all a huge pick-me-up, I guess, and helped us get to the top. The whole time I wasn't sure what I was doing, or if I was even helping, if the team was better off if I just stayed in the desert. You can't let those thoughts get to you. If you want my advice, you should focus on what you [i]can[/i] do, and do it as best you can. You're good at a lot of stuff - you can run really fast, maneuver super good, and the way you fight is impressive. And you,"[/color] he turned to Bede, not wanting this peptalk to be too one-sided, [color=FF8c00]"I'm not familiar with your animal... things... but you look like you can control them pretty good too!"[/color] [color=FF8c00]"I guess what I'm trying to say is that it [i]is[/i] a lot to handle right now, so you have to focus on what's right in front of you, the stuff you can do right now, instead of everything hanging above your head. Plus, if that Organization XIII is going to be in the shadows acting all mysterious and helping us out for whatever reason, then having you around might help [i]us[/i] figure them out better."[/color] With that Raz stood back up and dusted off the back of his pants. [color=FF8c00]"And speaking of 'help', that's why I came out here. We're going to be splitting up - some of us going to the Psych-OSF, the others checking our those Desperado guys - and I wanted to know if you could, well, come with me? There's somebo--... some [i]people[/i] that might be there that I care a lot about. I don't want to have to beat them up to get them to their senses. I saw what you did with Benedict in the ride over here, freeing him without all that, so I was hoping you could do it for my friends too? Please?"[/color] [center]. . . [b][u]Midgar Sector 3 - Suoh[/u][/b][/center] The ride into Suoh was uneventful. Midgar's size, while impressive at a distance, made travel a [i]lot[/i] longer. It gave Raz time to get used to the weight of his gridLink on his wrist, at least. It might not have seemed like a lot, but his training taught him that even the smallest change in balance had to be accounted for. He didn't want to leap from building to building and fumble a pole swing. His attention was [i]quickly[/i] diverted as soon as the hummer reach the end of the tunnel into Suoh. For a moment Raz was blindsided by psychic images - ads plastered on every available space, symbols and text overlaid on signs that had its [i]own[/i] writing, stunning displays of light and color - to everyone else it looked like he just hit a drug trip. [color=FF8c00]"Oh man, how is this worse than the Sensorium?"[/color] Raz asked himself. He closed his eyes, turning his thoughts inwards, and took several deep breaths. Lights, sounds, clawing for your attention... [i]'Do not let them distract you, Razputin.'[/i] His dad's voice echoed in his ears. [i]'It can overwhelm even me at times. Just remember to keep your focus...'[/i] [color=FF8c00]"...at the front of your mind."[/color] Re-centered, Raz opened his eyes again. The visions hadn't gone away, of course, but for now Raz was blocking out the worst of them. [color=FF8c00]"Yeah, it really is something,"[/color] Raz responded. [color=FF8c00]"Guess I'll be running point? Since I can see all of it?"[/color] It felt weird to be in something of a leader position now, despite how out-of-place Raz had been before, though the burden of leadership could wait a bit as everyone went to explore the Sector a bit first. [color=FF8c00]"Oh look, there it is!"[/color] Raz helpfully pointed out the 'Otherlobe' down the street, as if nobody else would connect the dots. [color=FF8c00]"The Motherlobe! Otherlobe. Whatever. It's a lot redder than I remember. Must be the, uh, 'other' part of it?"[/color] [color=FF8c00]"Tourists from Sector 7. Alright, I'm going to head for the..."[/color] He scanned the environment. He was looking for someone specific, and if they were the same as ever, then he'd want a place outside of the Otherlobe, where there would be some sort of plantlife. And lucky for him, there was exactly one spot that fit that description. [color=FF8c00]"That shrine! The... [i]Sumeragi Tomb[/i],"[/color] he read from some psychically projected signage in front of the shrine. [color=FF8c00]"A tomb in the middle of the city? Kinda morbid."[/color] He made his way over, not wanting to look [i]too[/i] eager to get there, but also a little too anxious to take it slow. When would he ever get another chance to be so close to people he knew in this huge world? The closer he got to the shrine the quicker his pace became, until he took the steps up two at a time. He, of course, tripped on the very last one, nearly stumbling onto his face. [color=FF8c00]"Ghahh, stupid...!"[/color] Raz started to scold the gridLink, only to stop short when he noticed the group of similarly-dressed individuals, one among them catching his eye in particular. [color=FF8c00]"Lilli!!"[/color] Raz rushed forward, running right across the shrine to the pigtailed girl, not for one moment thinking how bad it looked to be charging straight at a team of armed, possibly military-trained Psych-OSF soldiers. Oops.[hr][center][color=ff8c00]1,362 words +3 EXP[/color][/center]