Check one angel and boy.

[valueofnothing]

[There's a new face wandering confusedly around Campus today! It's a young boy who's age is hard to tell -- likely somewhere between 14 and 17 -- who's dressed in some kind of weird medieval hoodie and pants with rather thick, metal-plated boots. The bag slung on his back is definitely big enough that he must be hauling a bunch of stuff, while the sword tied to the top of it has an odd sheath that's almost too ordinary.

Whoever he is, he appears to be completely lost, occasionally peering out of windows or looking into doors, as if he's trying to find someone or something. He looks almost terrified of any actual technology that he stumbles across and sometimes just stops in the middle of the hall to tilt his head, as if he's listening to some far-off voice.

For anyone with a high magical or spiritual sense, the boy is absolutely radiating a holy, angelic aura, to the point that it's almost visible. For everyone else, he seems completely normal, if with an odd, comforting aura instead.]

Comments

[valueofnothing]

[Adorable. Rufael is liking this boy more and more by the second, even if there's some weird, nagging, uncomfortable air around this place that he can't put his finger on.]

We came to this place just after a dangerous battle. While I expended what remaining energy I had left to heal Zero's body, I had been almost completely exhausted by the battle beforehand. As such, even if he acts normal, I fear there may be some wounds he's tried treating himself or hiding so I don't try to exhaust myself further.

[Zero shifts awkwardly on his feet, like a child trying not to let on that they stole the entire cookie jar.]

And as well... he's starving. Even if he can't appreciate the taste of it, I would be able to rest a bit easier knowing that he has something so that he won't collapse or worse.

[fluffydeathdealer]

There's a nurse around here who can check him over for wounds, but if that's a problem, I've got a first aid kit in my dormitory. As for food, I can handle that no problem!

[He offers his hand to Zero.]

Which would you prefer first, Zero-kun? Food, or medical care? If your wounds aren't serious, I've got painkillers you can take to tide you over while you eat, if you'd rather do that first.

[valueofnothing]

I will explain, if you wish, but I would prefer to leave it to you in this case.

[Rufael falls silent as Zero blinks a little at Ryou's hand, confused yet again. After a moment, though, he slips his own into it, gingerly and uncertainly, as if he expects it to be snatched away at any second.

After a moment of thought, he nods a little, mentally chattering at Rufael to translate.]

He says he would prefer to be checked on, first. I would be inclined to agree; food is better when there's no need to worry about anything else.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un! Then, please come with me.

[He easily grasps the hand in his own, smiling kindly at the other boy. There's no hesitation about it, and he simply uses it to lead him in the right direction.]

The dorms aren't far from here, so it won't take long.

[valueofnothing]

[Zero's other hand goes up to close around Ryou's, the boy stepping a little close as if craving the warmth that the older one is currently offering. And... he is, really. Rufael may be kind, but there's a difference between feeling and words, a major one...

Rufael himself remains quiet, trying to puzzle out where this dark, uncomfortable feeling is from as they walk.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He knows that feeling. The way loneliness can get to you, even when you've got people who care about you... it's a horrible feeling to have to endure. That's part of why he doesn't mind the other boy's closeness.

Finding the door locked is almost a relief; it means Malik isn't home to cause trouble. Probably off preparing for their 'grand escape'. Fumbling in his pockets with his free hand, he locates the keys and unlocks the door.]

Welcome!

[The dorm is a tidy and homely one, the only mess coming from Malik's monster world set and scattered books. After having to move twice so far in the last month, Ryou's barely bothered to unpack his own things for fear it'll have to happen again. He pauses at the door to slip his shoes off, and closes it behind them.]

Just make yourself comfortable, and I'll check you over.

[valueofnothing]

[And it's a relief for him. Even if it's only for a little while, or just this once, or something like that, feeling the presence of someone else's hand in his is a feeling he'd almost thought he'd forgotten. How long had it been...?

The part of him still childish immediately perks with curiosity once they get into the dorm, and -- after quickly tugging off the boots at Rufael's direction -- he goes over to peer curiously at the Monster World set without touching anything.

This is definitely new!]

Interesting... is this a mock dungeon?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un! It's a game called Monster World. One player becomes the Dark Master, and controls the field, while the rest pick up setpieces like these -

[He picks up his own white mage figure.]

- and have to act out the role of adventurers. It uses a lot of math, but it's quite fun. The Dark Master has to make up the story and set encounters for you to face, while you as adventurers try to work together to bypass their traps and fight monsters to progress the story.

[valueofnothing]

Hah! So you made a game out of what Zero does daily... how interesting.

[Zero peers curiously at the little white mage figure, giving Ryou a confused look as if trying to ask exactly what it is.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

I didn't invent the game, but I made these pieces myself. It's a unique game in that it can change depending entirely on who's playing.

[He can't help but smile.]

This is my player piece; a White Mage! White Mages don't have much offensive capability, so they're purely a support role at low levels. They do things like heal wounds, or boost the capabilities of other players. At high levels they can gain attacks of their own, but they're best utilized in conjunction with other players.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Wait. Hold on. Rewind.]

...eh?! Zero-kun is an adventurer?!

[valueofnothing]

He is, yes.

[Zero's eyes gleam brightly at the explanation and he smiles, nodding repeatedly and gesturing at the figure. When Rufael replies, it's with a distinctly amused tone in his voice.]

In fact, the magic he's most skilled with is the very magic you just described. He's got his own natural talent for healing magic above all else, but he does know some to augment his abilities or equipment.

[fluffydeathdealer]

Ehh, really? That's amazing!

[He can't help but be impressed. This kid couldn't be older than him, and he was so talented as to use magic... it was truly amazing. While they talk, he'll just put the figure down and duck under the couch to retrieve one of the (many) first aid kits he has lying around.]

I've never met a real life White Mage before.

[valueofnothing]

For that, I am thankful. Zero's past has taught me that humans do not react well to such a person.

[He settles himself on the couch, kicking his legs a little and watching Ryou. He does flinch visibly when his past is mentioned, but otherwise doesn't react, just beginning to play with the couch.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

I can imagine...

[Poor thing... he must have been through a lot. Sitting beside him, he gives the boy a friendly smile.]

Does it hurt anywhere in particular?

[valueofnothing]

Perhaps I will tell you the story, sometime. It is not a pleasant one, but it is one that shows the nature of many humans I have seen.

[Zero seems to think for a moment, then rubs the side of his arm a little gingerly, glancing to Ryou curiously. He drops the bag and sword to the floor -- having forgotten them earlier in the excitement -- and wriggles out of his top, revealing a torso thankfully free of most scars, if definitely not wounds. The latter appear to have been healed to a point of not needing to be bandaged, with the exception of a still not too nice looking one on the arm he indicated.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He winces a little at the sight of it. No wonder Rufael was so tired, after healing these up.]

This might sting a little, okay? If you need to, you can squeeze my hand to distract you.

[Offering his left hand, he carefully checks the wound on Zero's arm for any signs of anything being stuck in it. Finding nothing, he sets to work cleaning the wound. Jeez, this kid... he must have been hurting a lot. Those motherly instincts of his don't approve at all.]

[valueofnothing]

[He nods a little, moving to grip Ryou's hand with both of his. He tries to remain as still as he can, squeezing a little and closing his eyes here and there. It isn't the worst pain he's felt, not by a long shot, but it definitely does hurt, and with Ryou acting so nice to him, he's willing to drop the tough adventurer mask if it gets him a little more attention.]

You had questions, yes? Go ahead and ask a few, if it won't distract you from your work.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[He squeezes back a little, reassuringly. Questions... Yes, there were lots of questions. Most of them pretty useless, when he thought about it. Things like why were there suffering (obvious answer: because people have free will), why did people have to die needlessly (he'd asked himself that many times in his youth), what did this mean for other religions, why was he hanging around Zero...

But firstly, and most importantly...]

If angels are real, does that mean people really do go to heaven when they die?

[valueofnothing]

Heaven or hell, depending on what kind of person they were in their life. But humans misunderstand what that means, at times. There are those you would consider "bad people" in heaven and those you would consider "good people" in hell. Though it is important to be virtuous and pure, those who are stained with sins are not damned so long as they repent and stay true to being a rightous person. In that way, there are even some considered criminals who are more qualified to be angels than some priests.

[But Rufael can guess why he's asking... multiple reasons, perhaps, but certainly one he can see in those soft eyes.]

Was there someone specific you were thinking of?

[fluffydeathdealer]

Un... My little sister died in an accident when she was really little. Father always told me she and Mother were up in heaven, but that was clearly a way for him to ease my sorrows.

[If he was good and didn't cry or act up, Mama and Amane would be proud of him. What a childish thought... But he'd truly believed that, back then.]

[valueofnothing]

[Ryou Bakura... Rufael thinks for a moment or two, silence settling in. ...ah, of course!]

I have no doubt he was trying to ease your sorrows, but that doesn't mean what he told you was false. Amane was your sister's name, was it? I had never met them myself, but she and her mother had their names added to the Book when they were judged worthy of being angels.

So I can say, with certainty... that the dead of your family are happy in heaven.

[fluffydeathdealer]

[Surprise flickers across his face, followed by happiness. That was a relief...]

Un! Thank you, Rufael-san! You're truly kind to let me know.

[There, wound all cleaned out. He sets to work bandaging it.]

[valueofnothing]

[Even if Ryou can't see it, Rufael smiles at the happiness he sees. It's a small thing, just a simple confirmation of faith, but it always seemed to go so far for humans, to know that they hadn't believed in vain.

This pure boy... He was a rare kind, yes.]

Think nothing of it. An angel's memory is eternal, after all, and confirming that souls such as theirs are safe and warm is something I'm pleased to be able to do.

[Ah... Zero releases his grip a little now that the cleaning is done, breathing out a soft sigh. He can't help but smile too, turning a happy look to Ryou at the news.]

[fluffydeathdealer]

It means a lot, even so.

[There they were. All bandaged up.]

Is that all, Zero-kun?