Witness Protection [Vitale/Edgar]

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

Edgar: Devil
Vitale: Hermit
Social Link 2 attempt

With Edgar escorting Alex back to the vault, he immediately took Alex to the police station and explained what was going on. By treating Alex as a witness, and a previously abused minor in regards to the enslaved, they figured that it would be best to trust Edhar's instincts in regards to using that information to their advantage. There was a chance that they could send humans to infiltrate or stand at the front lines of the attacks to protect the demons. With the prospect of figuring out their control, the notable people in the camp to make contact with, and the main motivation of the demon forces there, Edgar didn't underestimate Alex's value. In a way, Alex's "involvement" in the camp made him valuable with what they knew, and for the time being, he was in Edgar's care in the time being until he could take care of himself.

----------------

"Take a shower and when you do, use the lotion for the skin. You get a five spray maximum on my cologne and there is a change of clothes on the rack. Use the electronic pad to order some clothes to fit your linking, and probably deliver some food if there is something on there you would like. The drones are good for that."

Posts : 94 Join date : 2016-06-05

For the majority of Edgar’s escorting Vitale with safety out of the camp, he remained silent. Almost mute and telepathic like a catatonic, ever so observant state. Vitale wanted to say something at the crucial moments, but no words would ever leave his lips even if addressed to by anyone, be it the official security forces, be it Edgar himself. A life of struggles was all what he knew, so a reality outside of constant abuses felt like an alien territory to tread on. Somehow, the world out of the camp felt…different. Surreal, even. The people, the vault ambiance… He had lived in a vault once, for the majority of his life to be completely honest until the decreasing mental state of his mother aggravated, and it wasn’t too long ago he escaped the vault to the surface. However… it’s almost as if he was brainwashed into forgetting such times and reborn anew as a slave, a hustler, facing more difficulties than other slaves in order to survive.

He survived.

He escaped.

He lived. He lives.

So why does his heart feels so heavy and why does he feel that’s not what God would want him to do?...

[…]

Edgar’s voice behind the bathroom door sounded like a distant reminder of reality, a reality he had not accepted yet. He wasn’t in the camp anymore. The cold floor under his grimy toes, that was the floor of a house. A home. Not a tent. The walls were the firm, solid walls of a house, not some tent that can easily collapse at the first demonic assault should they wish to ravage humans for pleasure as they did countless times. The walls... were walls of safety. But just because you left the slums, doesn’t mean the slums left you. The memories are there and they won’t leave you alone just like that. They won’t leave you safe, even if you hid inside a vault.

A deep breath…or two, three, how many needed, Vitale lost count before starting to undress, his raggy, dingy, dirty clothes thrown to the floor one by one. He had to make sure Edgar wasn’t nowhere near to listen or see him and, even if he could never be sure, not while in his own house, Vitale felt like he was. Walked a few steps, each one less careful and wary than the previous one, into the shower… only to stop by a mirror. His image.

How long has it been since he could see himself in a mirror, he wondered? His hair has definitely grown longer, disorganized, like weed. His face, thinner. Fingers reached to his face to touch his cheeks… only to feel them deep, similar to grooves carved on the ground. There was dirt under his nails but that didn’t bother Vitale at all. Nor did his ribs showing glued to a flaccid skin. At this point, his stomach had stopped roaring and crying for some food and went a dormant state. He was ugly. He was dying.

Vitale slowly turned on the shower, the bare skin receiving the unusually warm drops of water that felt like daggers. The body recoiled on its own, not accustomed to such luxury as a hot shower, while his hair, now completely wet, covered his sight entirely. There was some misery in his mouth, for the young boy couldn’t differentiate the sour taste of his lack of hygiene, the taste of dirty water from his hair…but the salty flavor, ah, that he knew. Under the water he couldn’t see, but Vitale has grown too used to this taste.

The taste of tears.

He knelled on the bathroom’s floor, under the hot drops of shower, his thin, tired arms hugging himself as hard as his lack of strength would allow. Crying and sobbing undistinguished words so loud that no doubt Edgar would be able to hear, like an animal, letting the water wash away the stink, the stains, the filth… the misery, the death, the past, the sins.

That cry tasted like freedom for the first time.
And may God forgive him.

[…]

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

Even though Alex was crying in the bathroom by himself, Edgar didn't go inside to check on him. The way that Edgar made those emotional approaches circled the fact that there was a lot of trauma that Alex had to unpackage on his own. If he was crying it out in disbelief that the nightmare was over, that was one of the many cycles that he had to go through. OF course, Edgar could approach this from a "good cop" perspective. However, that wasn't what he thought Alex needed. With that being said, Edgar gave Alex as much time as he needed until he washed up and came out of there. Eventually, he figured that the youngers hunger would get the better of him, so he went and ordered some food in the meantime.

"Don't worry, take your time. "

For those just seeing, maybe they would think that Edgar was being insensitive. Nobody appreciated the necessity of having a heavy hand. After all, it was how he was raised.

" When you're ready, come out. I have something I want to show you. It's an electronic called a V-pad where you can order things and the vault drones would bring it to you."

Posts : 94 Join date : 2016-06-05

Took a while, a long while until Vitale left the bathroom. His body didn’t ache anymore; the hot water has somehow numbed his senses as his weakened and wounded skin adjusted to the sensation. If anything, the sudden difference of temperature once he exited the steamy bathroom made him slightly recoiled. His appearance was disheveled, as much as it could get, but not as messy and miserable as before. His hair was falling down, following the outlines of his skin. The clothes… for once, they covered the entirety of Vitale’s body. A large monochromatic set of sweatpants and sweatshirt, something so bland compared to previously colorful (albeit filthiness wouldn’t allow) and short clothes. Vitale felt weird. These re wasn’t a cold breeze to make him shiver from head to toe, warmth was not a sensation he was used to.

Once he was out, there was the image of Edgar. Vitale stared at him, silently. Of course the thought of Edgar listening to his emotional breakdown crossed his mind, but he wasn’t too concerned. If anything, his face was at a blank stare of torpor.

“What…?”

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

"hmm.. let me look at you for a second...."

Edgar moved closer and softly grasped Alex's face. He moved it from left to right, rather examining him before taking a picture with the pad and typing a few things.

"There, that did two things. Not only is the V-pad biometrics locked, there is a face id with it as well so you can use it when I'm gone. And I just ordered your skin care products after scanning your face. "

Technology sure was grand, he was hoping that Alex would be wowed to this. But if he wasn't that was also fair, he's been through a traumatic experience.

"You can scan through the clothes section, types of food, music, it's easy for you to pick up on. "

Handing the pad over, Edgar decided to let Alex give it a try.

"You been through a lot and I'm trying to cheer you up. I'm not good at it, but I decided to outright take care of you for a while, so bear with me. Even if you want to pretend... that's ok too. "

Posts : 94 Join date : 2016-06-05

Vitale recoiled at the sudden proximity of Edgar, furrowing his eyebrows but ultimately not opposing to the physical contact. His gaze was wary like a cornered animal, letting him do whatever he wished even though there was no comprehension of what Edgar had in mind. Even with the explanation, Vitale’s mind was at a blank state, still numbed to be fazed by any technology wonders he was completely ignorant about. Granted, if he actually understood Edgar’s technical terms, his reaction probably would be slightly more energetic than his outward apathy.

It was not until Edgar explained his intentions further that Vitale dropped his guard slightly and allowed himself to be taken by awe. Technology may not surprise the boy, simply because of his own ignorance, but displays of affection… these were, inadvertently, responsible for a less prudent behavior. His hands cautiously caught the pad the man handed over, as a single question escaped the unsure lips:

“What do you want from me…?” A straight-to-the-point hoarse voice of someone who exhausted their throat through so much crying and yelling. The back of his hand, Vitale rubbed against his face, trying to dry off the miserable aspect of it. “Why do you care?”

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

"What do I want from you? Your emotions, your body, your human soul. I want everything from you that makes you yourself. I want to truly find out if it is safe to liberate the people who are enslaved as you and if they can get back to regular lives if put in an environment to do so. I noticed that it could be exceptionally hard depending on the traumas that one might have faced in the past. However, I'm taking it upon myself to take you. I'm responsible for you and if by some chance you turn rabid because of demonic control and kill me in my sleep. At the very least, we got information out of it and only one person had to die. "

However, Edgar had no intention of dying.

"Why do I care? Well, after seeing the state that you in, I chose you. It could have been anyone, but when I saw you, it had to be you. I believed that you were suffering so much that you needed the most help, and I didn't want to leave you in the camp. I'm a detective, not for nothing but i do have some emotions if i seem unlikely."

Posts : 94 Join date : 2016-06-05

At first, Vitale said nothing. Even though he was still apathetic after his rescue past the first thrilling emotion of running for your life in the middle of the night, a sensation he had only experienced back at the first years of his teens, it didn’t feel real. Being safe, being at a house to call home, being with someone who claimed to genuinely care for his welfare… it was a dream after a long lasting nightmare. All he ever wanted, to escape the torment of slavery, finally happened.

“…what the fuck? Demonic control?”, he uttered, however his tone could be easily identified as more like a flustered attempt of being angry at the absurdity of the suggestion than truly being offended. Demons were a reality, after all, one not even the most devoted Christian could deny. Yet, no demon has ever attempted to punish or torture him while in the camp and Vitale was 100% sure it was God’s influence protecting him.

…the camp. The memories would return at full force when Edgar mentioned it. Specially the memory of a certain someone. Zacharie. There was a reason as to why Vitale wasn’t exactly feeling exhilarated after finally breaking free and now he could identify the source of such anguish: he betrayed someone and left them behind.

“Hey… mister… I have to go back…”, he said, almost as a whisper if only a little louder than that. Both his hands touched Edgar’s arms with more strength than his calm voice would indicate. That was despair again. “I have to go back… I can’t stay, I… Take me back…”

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

"You can't have honesty with preferences. You either want the truth or you want me to lie to you. So I'm going to give you the truth, regardless of how it makes you feel. That's what they are called in the camps, enslaved. We don't know how much the demonic influence extends upon splitting you up from their presence. The only hope is that you guys can regain your free will without any complications. It's the actual conversation that people are having because it determines if those people are worth saving in the first place. "

It's a hard truth, but he needed to know. If they intended to turn on the people who granted them freedom for the sake of their demon captors, then what was the point of releasing the humans from their grip. They would be seen as expendable adversaries, but Edgar still held out some hope of their willingness to fight. He saw it in Alex's eyes, more so when the knife was pulled on him.

Pushing Alex down with one hand, Edgar only applied a little force to prove a point of how easily he can get over him. In a way, Edgar towered over him in an intimidating way. He wanted to be stern with Alex, he didn't want the lad to waste his life.

"You are weak, hungry, and tired. I know you want to help your friends, but you have to be more selfish for your life for now. You need to help yourself first, and when you are ready, I'll do what I can. Can you try to calm down now? The couch is comfy yes?"

After letting go, Edgar would look to the stereo and play some jazz music. It always seemed to calm him down, maybe it would lighten Alex's mood as well.

"When was the last time you heard music?"

Posts : 94 Join date : 2016-06-05

Edgar was right. Vitale felt completely weak, hungry and tired even though his mind insisted on a constant alert state to his surroundings, and he knew it. It felt like the world started spinning when he forcedly sat down to the couch, like some nauseated feeling, and the serene jazzy soundtrack playing didn’t help. In fact, it felt even more distressing, like it increased his anxiety. It’s been a while since Vitale ate for the last time and his body, as accustomed to long periods of starvation as it was, started begging for some food. “No… n-no, you don’t get it…”, one hand rubbed his forehead, taking the hair strands away from his sight.

“I’m not possessed, I’m not under demonic control or whatever, I’m not a dumb fuck, I’m fine, okay?? Don’t treat me like a damn idiot because I have God with me, God has always been with me, I’m-fucking-FINE!!”, his speed-paced voice gradually raised to almost a furious yell. Both of the hustler’s hands grabbed his head and to anyone looking at Vitale right now, it would seem like the young one was giving in to a crescent madness. Inside of him, there was a voice…someone calling to him, whispering suggestions of a return to the camp, of a goal to accomplish there, a goal yet to be fulfilled. A goal Vitale took to the utmost consequences. “I’m sorry… the music… it’s too loud…”

It wasn’t, in reality; just his brain struggling with coping with his regular senses. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to, mister… Look, I can’t stay here, I’m not finished with what I had to do there, at the camp… God wants me back, I have a friend there, I promised him I’d help him saving these people, I can’t leave him alone, I can’t break my promise for the love of God…”

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

Edgar was actually surprised, the kid had an instant mental breakdown that made Edgar shut off the music as soon as Alex mentioned it. Perhaps that was too much stimulation at once, too much for the younger to handle.

"Sorry..."

Taking the stereo remote and placing it back on the counter, Alex started to go on and on about God. It seemed as if Alex was a high religious lad that believed in God and the bible. Fair enough, demons exist, so why not angels? It was all fair game but back then, the actions of god telling people to do things were based on a higher morality of people doing things because they consider it correct, or the right thing to do. It was adorable, Alex wanted to do right by the people who were suffering, perhaps he even wanted to save them.

"You have no plan, you have no allies, and you have no power. You have me, but that's not enough. Pretty soon, we will meet with a contact that could "possibly" help with the rest of the slaves, but there are no guarantees in this. We have to sit tight for three days max, look how you are acting within the hour. Remember what I mentioned before about the checks and balances of the people we are attempting to save? I need you to be the best representation of those people to entice others to want to save them. Do you understand how the game is played now?"

Posts : 94 Join date : 2016-06-05

Vitale said nothing is response. It was all too much for him, so much that his body answered on its own, in the form of silent tears Rolling down his cheek. Edgar was right, Vitale was powerless. He firmly believed God on his side had prevented him from dying this whole time or facing a more gruesome, cruel destiny, but he was equally defeated at Edgar’s arguments.

“Okay…okay…”, he murmured, cleaning his face with the shirt’s sleeve cuffs, taking rounds of deep breaths. Distressed as he was, Vitale paid attention to what Edgar said, namely the part of him meeting more people willing to help freeing the slaves. Intentionally or not, Edgar’s knowledge of an alliance of freedom, meaning there was an orchestrated movement of humans favoring humanity, were calmed the hustler down considerably. He was not cantankerous, cornered and scared animal anymore, but the embarrassed, sheepish child he once was. “I’m sorry… I know you’re trying to help. It’s God that put you in my path, you know… God told me to come with you when I met you… He wants me to meet these people you mentioned in the right time, His timing is always right… He does believe in you, so I do too”, Vitale said, a serene way of glancing back to the detective albeit not directly, but through the corner of his eyes. Even such thing as eye-to-eye contact felt embarrassing in light of his previous behavior.

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

"Debatable but appreciated. " Edgar didn't want to get too much into the whole god bit. It was Alex's belief and he wanted the younger to still maintain some hope. If it increased his will to live, then it was a good thing. However, he had to reign in Alex if he started to act in a way that would put himself in danger without thinking of the consequences. "First time someone said they believed in me though so I guess I have a god to thank?" With a small smile, Edgar decided to skip cooking and try to show the v-pad again. "You can order what you want here. I need you to learn how to use this. The truth is, technology has advanced in time and maybe you saw some of these things before, but it's become a part of everyday life down here. The faster it is to adapt to the things we have here, the easier it is to integrate. Come on, I know you're hungry. Just pick what you think looks good. "

Posts : 94 Join date : 2016-06-05

Vitale glanced at the v-pad with little, fake interest. There was a considerable amount of curiosity but ultimately he decided to just…look and let Edgar decide whatever they would eat. Plus, his mind was at such convoluted state hardly any learning knowledge would sink in his skull.

“I don’t know… Anything is good. You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth after all, as long as it’s not rotten or with mud, I’m fine”, he pulled his legs to the couch and let his head rest over his knees. Vitale didn’t feel like being picky, even though the more he scanned through the nearby store options, the more his stomach felt like roaring, much to his crescent embarrassment. “These clothes you gave me… They are too big. You’re way bigger than me”, he stretched his sweatshirt to the maximum he could. There was more than enough room there for one or two people to fill in with Vitale.

Posts : 4801 Join date : 2014-01-13

After picking some sort of Italian food to be sent over to Edgar's vault, they pretty much had twenty minutes to kill until it arrived. In the meantime, Edgar started to cycle through the clothing section since Alex mentioned his clothes were big. in a way, Edgar was indeed a big guy. Managing his following meant that he had to always be ready for those underwear shoots, regardless of where they may land. The field of glass might not be as tempting in risk of getting some sort of demonic glass in his foot, but perhaps the imagery would be nice.

"Yes, I am very big. Thank you for stating the obvious Alexis. " Patting the younger's head, he would then show the pad once more. "Pick out some clothes for yourself. Anything that just screams inside of you "that's totally me. " It's under your profile, like the skincare products I ordered so it'll remember and make some recommendations for some new threads that you might find interesting. Shoes too."

» Vitale [Parisian Forgotten]
» Who stole the dog? [Ezra x Vitale SL]
» The Unlikely Visitor Cherry/Edgar
» A Returning Customer [ Vitale / Jackdaw ]
» Those With Potential [Hugo/Edgar]