Going Home For Help [locked to those involved]

[sharo_soldier]

"If you keep putting this off, you're going to lose her."

Laika looked up from what he was working on to scowl at Searchman. "I'm not putting it off."

"Yes you are," the navi said flatly. "Rockman- our Rockman- just sent me a message that the mark has reached her elbow. If you don't get off your ass and help her, then you're a poorer coward than

Comments

[prideofherland]

"Pride-sama."

Pride did not look up. She was sitting on her bed, the bandages unwrapped from her arm and sitting in a pile next to her. The part that had been touching her skin looked like it have been burnt.

"Pride-sama! There's someone at the door."

"I don't care," she mumbled, touching her hand hesitantly. The skin had turned black now, the mark was so thick, but the actual crest of Duo was still visible. It glowed a pale, bright blue. It had been doing that ever since the nightmares started.

Knightman hesitated. "Pride-sama, it's Laika."

"Oh, good, I haven't seen how he died yet," Pride remarked, her voice cracking. "I suppose that's tonight's nightmare."

Knightman did not hesitate again. He flashed on the screen next to the door. "She's in her room," he boomed, sounding angry. "Let yourself in."

[sharo_soldier]

That wasn't a good sign. Laika opened the door and headed inside. "Where is her room?" he asked Knightman, looking concerned.

[prideofherland]

Knightman gave him curt directions, his tone still angry. His anger wasn't directed at Laika, but it was probably hard to tell.

In her room, Pride was wrapping her hand with fresh bandages. Now she felt guilty. She was scaring Knightman with her rare breakdowns, and that was wrong. The poor navi felt bad enough, with being unaffected and unable to help.

But it was scary, and she couldn't help but to react sometimes. Those dreams were... horrid. She had no reason to doubt what she saw in them was true.

[sharo_soldier]

Laika headed up to Pride's room and knocked on the door. "Poipu?" he called, sounding concerned.

[prideofherland]

Pride fretted for a few more moments before picking out a loose sweater to wear. It would cover the part of the mark she couldn't hide under her bandage and was easy to roll up the sleeves if that was needed.

"Pride-sama, are you sure about this?" Knightman blinked at her from a nearby screen. After all, she hadn't been stripping. He wouldn't be in her room if she was.

"It's doing something, and maybe it'll make Laika feel better," Pride replied as she transfered him to her PET.

Knightman sighed as they went to the kitchen. Sometimes he wished she would think about herself more.

[sharo_soldier]

Laika looked up as she entered and smiled slightly. "Ready?"

[prideofherland]

"As much as I'm going to be," Pride said softly, nodding. She tucked her favorite cap tightly on her head and took his hand. "Lead the way."

[sharo_soldier]

Laika took a breath to try to stay calm and pulled out his teleporter. He'd gotten the coordinates home from En-san, and he hoped it would work. He gave Pride's hand a small squeeze, then activated the teleporter.

When they arrived, Laika was mildly surprised to recognize the area. Not three feet away was the crater where the malfunctioning converter had landed before it had blown up.

Unfortunately, the memory of that brought up the memory of where he'd ended up when he first arrived in Reality Vanish, and he ended up blushing.

[yuuichirou_h]

Yuuichirou was in his lab, deeply engrossed in the project he was currently working on. Which involved studying the few readings Rockman had been able to get of the alternate Pride's mark. It wasn't much, but enough for now...

Netto and Rockman were waiting nearby, the former looking bored and the latter looking anxious.

[prideofherland]

"Now, now, Searchman," Pride scolded as they got closer to the SciLabs. "You remember what I said. Knightman would gleefully help me get back at you tenfold."

"Oh, indeed I would," Knightman commented.

[meijin_san]

Meijin was in his separate lab...and thankfully male again. He had come in earlier than normal...needed to fix the mess he made with his newest Navi

[sharo_soldier]

Laika blinked as all the lights of SciLabs went out. "...Meijin must be working today."

"Lovely," Searchman added dryly. "I wonder what time this one makes for this month..."

[lightech_hikari]

Netto looked over as the door opened and brightened up when he saw Laika. "Laika! It's about time you came back!" He grinned whn he saw Pride. "Hey, Poipu!"

Yuuichirou glanced up and smiled. "Ah, hello. Just the person I wanted to see."

[prideofherland]

"Hey, Netto!" Pride waved back happily. "Hello, Hikari-hakase. How have you guys been?"

[sharo_soldier]

Laika smiled slightly. "Hello, Netto, Hikari-hakase." He glanced at the laptop Yuuichirou was working on. "...Already working on our problem?" he asked, plugging Searchman into a nearby computer.

Searchman didn't waste any time, silently disappearing through a link to the net. Laika had asked him to find out any information on their Pride when they got home.

[lightech_hikari]

"We've been okay, Poipu," Netto replied with a smile.

Yuuichirou chuckled at Laika's comment. "Yes, Laika. Rockman got a few scans before Netto came back."

[lightech_hikari]

Yuuichirou nodded slightly at what Knightman said and put the scanner down. Then he turned his attention to his computer and began typing rapidly.

Netto sighed softly and said quietly, "Well, he's going to be oblivious for a while."

[prideofherland]

Pride smiled, but her heart wasn't into it. Funny, it had felt so good to be here, but it was hurting now, to be reminded of what she didn't have anymore.

Laika's squeeze brought her back, and she leaned closer to him. "I suppose we'll have to entertain ourselves."

[sharo_soldier]

Laika nodded slightly and murmured back, "If you'd like, we can wander the city until Hikari-hakase calls us back."

[lightech_hikari]

Netto smiled at them. "You two go ahead. I'll stay here and help Papa."