The Path Ahead [Lewis]

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

His body felt like the heaviest burden to his own feet. Nevertheless, weirdly enough Shunnosuke wasn't hungry anymore. Tired, yes, perhaps a bit sweaty also, but his biological need for food remained in last plan. Being on the verge of a apocalypse drains your appetite.

Alphonse and Adyina were walking a bit far of him, not too much but considerably ahead, leaving Shunnosuke and Lewis behind for a few steps, specially because the young heir from Penecia didn't have any will to speed up his pace and catch up with others. Not when the strain would cause more pain to endure later. Still, it was odd... It all was. They all were awfully, dreadfully silent, and with the exception of Adyina who just recently reunited with the group, they kept pushing forward. Alphonse, of course, had a glaring advantage, being a non-alive creature he didn't have to bother with physical exhaustion, mental breakdown, body necessities like the rest of them. Lewis and Shunnosuke, on the other hand, had the humanity condition as a drawback. Still, every time the teen looked at the youngest of the Rhodes, he seemed...fine. Never complaining, always following them on their dangerous path. Stable even, while himself was the completely opposite, distressed and doubtful.

— Shouldn't you have stayed with your brother? — Kurosawa asked, in a low, tired tone. Why Lewis decided to tag along was a mystery, and though he could speculate the reasons for the man's course of action, Shunnosuke wondered... was it worth for him?

Posts : 6498 Join date : 2013-07-06 Age : 30

Lewis looked to Shunnosuke and shrugged. "I trust the guy. He was here to just make sure everything is in order. He and I know when we need to stick together. Besides I bet I would annoy the guy if I hung around him," he gave a comely smile, like nothing was wrong in the world. He and his brother had a long and complicated relationship, but in the end both of them knew they were brothers. If not by blood, they were bound by something. Lewis himself couldn't exactly call it anything particular, but it was there, and even as cold as Ariston could be, they both knew neither would abandon the other if they were needed. "You can trust the guy. He's a stick in the cement, but he's good in the end."

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

— That's not what I mean. — He answered harsher than intended at first, albeit a bit unsure of what's Ariston's role in all of this. Or why he was found in Lunapa under a big tree in first place. Trying led to not reasonable conclusion for this, except that it must have something to do with the obvious apocalyptic scenery. Whatever's the answer, his concerns didn't lie in what Ariston was doing or not doing, or his benevolent nature, but in what Lewis himself was doing. — You know you're walking on glass. And I don't mean it literally, even though it feels like it because my feet are killing me right now. I mean... why don't you simply stay away from everything?

Posts : 6498 Join date : 2013-07-06 Age : 30

The Path Ahead [Lewis] Tumblr_mz254jhJq91snn0hpo1_500

Lewis ran a hand behind the back of his neck. "What do you mean? You mean away from potential death or going back to prison when this is all over? Can't send me mixed signals like that. I might think you are trying to keep me away from you; and I am basically your chaperone. I think I'm perfectly safe." He smirked as they walked, half oblivious to what he meant by what he said. But why question why he came to join the group. What else could he have done by staying with his brother? He would be far less helpful to the group, and he couldn't help but want to stick around Shunnosuke. He was practically another smaller brother to him.

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

— And I am... — He didn't glance to Lewis, thought it was clear he was not too fond of that display of humor. The problem, to Shun, was simply because, contrary to Lewis's beliefs, he knew the man wasn't safe. He couldn't guarantee that. Heck, he couldn't even guarantee his own safety, despite his abilities. — Are you that innocent? You just earned your liberty! Your freedom! After years in that damn pathetic place, why waste your newly gained free time risking your life because of things you don't know? What drives you forward? I swear I try to understand, but...I can't. I really can't...

Posts : 6498 Join date : 2013-07-06 Age : 30

The Path Ahead [Lewis] Tumblr_mnit7o3bH81rn9fh3o1_r2_500

Lewis took a moment to look at him silently. Did he really think that low of him? He ran a hand behind his neck and pinched a bit of skin. He formed a semi-confident smile. "What would I do really? Cry with Ariston while he does work to keep the islands mostly stable? And that's not fair, considering you're doing the same thing right?" He took a moment to ponder on Shunnosuke's question before coming up with something. "There are just things you can't ignore in life. Whether it's someone you love, something you like, or something you want to do. Some things you just have to do. It's the same here; I could not walk away as the guy who kidnapped the two girls. Prison won't be enough to make up for it, it never is. Action is what you can do to atone. And even then that's not why I'm here." His smile turned more bright, again like he had just cracked a joke. "I can't turn away from this, something in me forces me to keep going. Even if I don't like putting my life on the line, it's better than leaving it all to their own deeds. I want to do something about it, no matter what, or it'd eat me up knowing I might have an effect on this for the better. But let's switch this around, why are YOU doing all this? These kooks don't sound like your huge friends, so what gives? No offense to you guys," he gestured. Shunnosuke didn't seem buddy buddy, and he doubted he didn't have people like that. So why did he have to do all of it when Lewis shouldn't?

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

— I... — He thought of saying many things to say before his lips went shut. Reasons as to why he was doing what he was doing. It's not like he didn't get where Lewis is coming from, and now he could totally understand his motivations. If "actions are what you can do to atone for past mistakes", then what mistake is he trying to atone for...? — I don't know... — Another bout of silence, as if collecting his thoughts and ideas before speaking in a rational manner. He knew it was the right thing to do, that is very much clear. Shunnosuke had the power to use it and he would regret not using it while he had the chance. — I know you disapprove of me aligning with Zachary. I saw it in your face earlier. Normally, I wouldn't but... I have a purpose. There's something only Zachary can give me, something I've been wanting to know for a while... As much as it may look fickle, it's my chance, I betrayed him once before and I can't risk doing it again now. I can't go back either... I don't really have a choice... — More than determination, melancholy was palpable in his voice.

Posts : 6498 Join date : 2013-07-06 Age : 30

"Did you align with him? He just seems like a means to an end to me. I'm sure we can figure out a way to deal with him together." He said. But him betraying the man before? Was it in Shunnosuke's habit to get into nasty affairs with gang leaders? He almost found it amusing to think about, but in the end they would have to think of something. He doubted the young man would stay working for the guy if it was in his best interest. People like Zackary didn't work with you with no strings attached.

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

— That's quite true... — Indeed, Zachary was to him means to an end, and it was likely mutual. Shun was a bit surprised that, despite Lewis's first shock when the younger one agreed with assisting the gang leader, he could see behind it and be supportive rather than judgmental and suspicious. — Hum, I never got to ask you... What happened to you in the prison? Prior to the demon invasion, I mean... — It has been bugging Shun for a while now. Has Lewis awakened that morning, or did he awaken while Shunnosuke was away? — I assume you got your powers that morning, or am I wrong?

Posts : 6498 Join date : 2013-07-06 Age : 30

Lewis looked at Shunnosuke strangely until he became more specific, regarding his Persona. "Oh! Oh. Well, yeah I suppose I got them right when we met up. It was strange and fast, like I knew exactly what I was doing. But I mean, prison is prison. It's just pretty grim there and not stuff you need to worry about. Maybe it helped me, but I choose to believe you being there steered me in the better direction." He placed a gentle hand over Shunnosuke's head like one would their younger sibling and moved on ahead of him, speeding up his walking pace waiting to see if the younger might try to catch up or not. "You haven't changed much. You're still kind of insecure, but I think you have decided what is you believe in. You know what is good for others."

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

— ... — Now, he wasn't sure whether he should feel embarrassed (albeit not as much as to allow a faint tone red flow to his cheeks) or angered. Or both in this case, since he couldn't deny the man read him well, against all odds, but being underestimated and treated like an inexperienced kid because of his age was a light blow to his pride, no matter how innocent were Lewis's remarks. — What if I haven't? Do you think you know me too well to define me as "insecure"? — He said somewhat arrogantly, walking at his slow typical pace to Lewis, and contrary to his expectations, not making more effort to reach him than the necessary.

Posts : 6498 Join date : 2013-07-06 Age : 30

Lewis chuckled. "Yeah I can bet you're that type if you thought of me so highly to visit your former enemy in prison. Or am I secretly a bet you made? Come to think of it, I don't think I remember well why you came to see me the first time. Now I really think it was a bet," he said though he gave a telling face like he was making a joke. Still, for Shunnosuke to come to someone he had fought before was something. It was telling of the relationship the two here had. They weren't exactly brothers in arms, nor were they close buddies, but they were a type of comrade that Lewis couldn't recognize with others, even with Ariston.

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

— Do not feel so entitled. I would come for anyone daring enough to raise their hand against me and rip my shirt in pieces... — He answered with a tiny smirk of his own, an attempt to throw back his own humorous banter. That's not why he decided to visit him, and in sight of recalling the events of that day, his smirk lasted so long as to bring back the apathetic seriousness to his face. — ...It wasn't a bet or anything, that's ridiculous. It's just... — Another bout of silence before he kept walking forward, still a bit behind the others so they wouldn't butt in the private conversation. Now, this was the hard part, the part where he took a deep breath before organizing his thoughts for what would come next. — I initially considered you could be a valuable asset against the Primordial threat, since you were Thesis's pawn, no offense meant. But...the more I talked to you, the more I understood you were as much of a victim as anyone else. The Lewis I met at the Prison was not the same Lewis who was under Thesis. I know very well some people aren't evil, they just commit bad deeds led by circumstances they're thrown in, out of their control... In the end, nobody wants to feel alone, and everybody wants someone who believes in you, even when you don't, someone who doesn't judge you. Everyone deserves a second chance... — His voice trailed off, returning to some old memories that still lingered. Thoughts about nothing less than his family and their relationship during the past decade. In a way, he could identify some similarities, and through it, be empathetic. If he could give his family a second chance, if the Kurosawas could also give him a second chance, then he could do the same to someone else. — And anyone able to beat Rinna and put her in her place couldn't be a bad person per se, but if you tell anyone about this, I'll deny it.

Posts : 6498 Join date : 2013-07-06 Age : 30

"If you say so. That shirt was tacky anyway." He stayed mostly silent when hearing Shunnosuke's side of the story, which made plenty of sense. He shook his head however. "Some help I was, but hey, it was all fixed a couple years ago so I probably did something useful. And give Rinna credit. She's smarter than she looks....she just has a tendency to kick the hell out of people she hates. And at the time, it was me for kidnapping her and her best friend," he said with a pause on the thought. Was it any fair to blame the girl who had been through that when she turned out to be both angry, miserable and completely volatile? One day he would apologize to her if they met again, but even he lacked the amount of courage it took to face her. Maybe he should just move on with his life, but certain regrets he didn't like keeping locked away in himself.

Posts : 1664 Join date : 2014-05-22

"Tacky"? Oh no, he didn't. One thing you should never do to Shun: criticize his attire. That's the ultimate mistake. — Excuse me? It was better than anything you wore in the last two years. Or...twenty years! — His face was comically angered, as if Lewis had literally stepped on his thumb. One could wonder if he was even angry for real, or just pretending to be for jesting purposes. As for Rinna... — ...I don't blame her for anything. — "Except for her being a b*tch with an attitude problem, and it doesn't stop me from having the lowest possible opinion about her character", he should add. Yet, he didn't, figuring Lewis would disapprove of his typically snarky comments. — Everything that happened in the past three years is enough to drive a healthy mind into insanity. — Sometimes he wondered if that was happening to himself. Feeling emotionally volatile, depressed and angered at slightest possibilities of danger while everyone else seemed to have their heads well attached over the shoulders. That's not him at all, not how he used to be, and yet...he felt like only a cold person would truly remain calm and impassive in light of an imminent apocalypse. — Once this is all over...what do you plan to do?

» A Good-Will Visit (Lewis)
» Striving Ahead [Paige's Awakening]
» Question Lewis Rhodes (Optional)
» Mission: Question Lewis Rhodes
» What Lies Ahead... [Jack Rannells]