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Even now, the inerasable sin deep in my chest hurts, but...

The blonde haired figure sat onto a pile of rubble, absentmindely playing with his saber. The green glow bathed his face, made him partially visible into the deep darkness.

The glow of the plasma blade was more to him than anyone could think, really... it was the reason he went on in despice it all.

Tsk. I wouldn't mind seeing some blood on that blade, wouldn't you ?

"Shut up." His deep voice mumbeled. Stupid virus... stupid anger, stupid everything.

He had stopped counting the days, but he had been alone with only that stupid voice in his head... That always danced at his mind, whispered at his ear.

What it is ? Its fun. You know it. No one can catch you... Come on. Kill them. Kill them all...

"I said, shut the ******** up."

The voice was sometimes too tempting. But tonight, he wouldn't give in. That stupid virus couldn't control his life.

At least he liked to think that.

A slender and short- very short- figure slipped through the shadows near Zero's position, and paused before stepping into the light. The young-appearing man wore simple black clothing, easy to maneuver in, and black fingerless gloves that reached his elbows; he flicked red bangs out of his eyes and frowned.

"Sir...? This is a dangerous area. There are demons in every shadow." He paused, spotting the blade at last, and set one hand on his hip. "Are you one of the mercenaries? I haven't seen you around."

Zero rose an eyebrow.

"I know. Makes it more fun."

At least THAT he could throw virus-fueled rages on without getting in touble.

"And ill'd return that warning right back at you, but well, they say not to judge a book by its cover..." The blade flicked off with a small wooshing sound, and he stretched his arms.

"Im no mercenary... I just... come and go, from city to city, taking small things here and there, I guess..."

The newcomer smiled sweetly, clasping his hands behind his back. His emerald eyes sparkled with some inner amusement- he seemed perfectly comfortable out here. A glance was all he granted their surroundings; he also seemed to know them very well. "I'd take the warning, but it's my job to make sure these streets are relatively safe. I'm out here every day, pretty much." He offered a hand, cheerful.

"Kazimiras Fleur, second in command of the syndicate known as Blue Heaven. Might I ask your name, then?"

Well, that one was interesting, he had to admit... He pushed a blonde strand of hairs from his face, revealing a piercing blue eye.

"Afraid its nowhere as fancy." He shook the hand that was offered to him. "Zero."

Kaz shrugged, shaking his head. "My family's French, what can you do?"

He let the comment float in the air, peering at him. "If you're a wanderer, you could always stay at Sanctum. It's pretty rough at the moment, but it's a solid base...and the food's pretty good. We could always use news from travelers, or an extra hand for a fight."

"Well, im not one to remember all short of tiny details, or anything like that." He shrugged. "But hey, can't turn down free food, can I ?" He slipped the saber handle in the pocket of his kaki pants, that visibely had seen much better days.

"Lead the way, I guess."

"It doesn't take much memory to go to the walls during an attack and beat the s**t out of a few demons," Kaz stated dryly, and turned away. His shorter legs didn't cover the same distance as Zero's, but he managed well enough. He talked as he walked, gesturing towards the thin, dark tower rising up in the distance and the ragged city that surrounded it like a mob.

"That's Anadark, the Northern base in the South, and the airship port. The darkness around it is Sanctum, the city's last refuge against the demons. Our survivors are pitifully few...but those who have stayed aren't willing to go down without a fight."

"I can do that." A small grin escaped on his cold face, as he sprung up to follow.

"That's good." He answered, hands in his pockets. "I can respect those who don't just roll over and die, really... What's up with those demons, anyway ? Where did they come from, and why do they keep attacking ? You got any idea ?"

Hesitation- definately a question Kaz didn't want to answer. "it's complicated as hell. They came from the Mist that used to divide the countries- no one's really sure why they suddenly decided to attack, but we suspect the Mist has found a host and that 'person' has given it orders, or control. Thousands have died...it's a rough life, staying here, but we live with it. Between them, Chi, Demitasse, Hoshi, and even Fai have kept this place habitable...even if they had to do it by sheer force of will."

There was a noticable softness on the name 'Chi,' and a harshness given to the name 'Fai-' evidently, Kaz wasn't happy with all four of the Southern Kings.

And seriously, Zero couldn't care less about who was running what and who was in who's good graces - as long as he got the facts.

"Wierd as hell... But eh. Fun to bash on, sucks they're destroying everything along with it. Bastards need to learn to hold still."

"Now where would the fun in THAT be?" Kaz murmured wickedly, smiling faintly as they approached Sanctum's gates. They were masive, industrial...they smelled of gunpowder, grease, violence, and anger. He walked through them calmly, but the sentries watched Zero carefully...there was a feeling that he only got in because he was with a survivor.

The feelings - they all crashed into him like a wave, so much at the same time that he almost flinched. That aura... He didn't like it.

Well, now that'lld be my kind of place... The voice whispered at his ear, like a deathly sonata.

He didn't bother to answer this time, following Kaz and trying to ignore the piercing stares.

Kaz grinned, turning to face him as he walked backwards. "We've been spotted. The entire place will be wondering who you are now...we don't get new blood very often. We're more likely to lose what we've got." His tone grew sad, and he shrugged as he turned back around.

"Left is barracks, right is the arsenal, straight ahead is the command center. There's various offices and such there- watch for the giant organ, it's actually the main control center for the security systems. If you hear it being played, get your a** to a wall and prepare for boarders."

"Hey, im not promising im actually staying." He said, shrugging, desesperately to regain his cool and win his little mental war. "Things get dangerous when im in one place for too long. But maybe I will. Can't tell."

He ran an hand trough his bangs.

"Organ playing = time to kick some a**. Got ya."

"Tall skinny guy with black hair and a lawyer's smile plays it. If you see HIM running, that's also a good sign." Kaz slipped through the halls, snagging a clipboard off of a wall and peering at it.

"No surprise, we've got tons of space open...top floor, bottom, or middle? Top has easy access to the roof." An eyebrow raised, and he smiled faintly. "Even if you only stay for a little while, it's good to know when to haul a**, right?"

"I like how you think." Another small grin drew itself on his face. "Top sounds good, as long as there's no annoying neighboors. Im not pretty when im angry."

Wouldn't that be *me* ?

...One was enough, anyway. One he couldn't get rid of, even.

Kaz nodded, making a note on the clipboard and replacing it before moving on. "Good choice. Great view, too- and most people avoid it out of instinct because it's closer to the demons. You'll have more space."

A set of stairs later, he opened a door into a large room lined with bunks. "All cleaning is taken care of by the survivors who can't fight. Healers are on the ground floor, the very center of Sanctum- follow the green floor stripes. Pick any bunk that doesn't have someone else's crap on it."

"Got you." He nodded, heading inside the room, scanning, and choosing the one the furtest into the room.

This is boring s**t. Hell, you're so ******** boring, goody two shoes my a**. I wonder if the midget's as rough as he looks.

"Don't even think about it." He mumbeled under his breath.

Interesting. Looks like our new guests has his own demons to fight...he'll fit right in. Kaz nodded slightly, and flicked his hair out of his eyes. "I've got to go check in. Follow the yellow stripe to get to food- I'll likely see you frequently in the mess halls."

He tossed Zero a salute and slipped out, leaving him alone to his thoughts.

"See you." He absentmindely mumbeled, threw a dusty bag on the floor, and decided to sleep for awhile.

Some precious hours without hearing that damn voice would do much good indeed...

Setosa made his way through the street, avoiding the people who hurried one way or another on some type of business or another. There was a store near here, barely more than a newspaper stand, and it was there that he was supposed to go. The letter had specified that the man he was looking for was tallish, with blond hair. Not much of a description to go on, but hopefully he'd be recognized in return.

There, that was the place. Nobody in sight who matched that description yet. Stifling his annoyance, Set picked up a magazine and pretended interest.

Damn that city being so big. It still made his head spin.... Too many people rushing to whatever they had to. Big cities was not something that Zero was much too used to... He usually prefered to keep moving, away from places too crowded.

Pushing the stap of his backpack upward on his shoulder, he headed to the nearby newspaper stand, maybe he could get some damn directions.... How hard was it to find a place to rent in there ?!?

Set glanced sideways. Blond and tall - he glanced at his watch; this was the correct time. Quietly, he said, "Do you have them?"

Zero first was pretty sure he was not adressed to... Who in there would want to talk to him, expecially about something like.... What, at any rate ?

It took him some time to reply, as he glanced to the other male, a bit confused.

"....Have what ?"

"The seeds," Set answered. He studied the blond's face, beginning to feel a faint apprehnsion. Perhaps he'd jumped to conclusions a little too soon.

...Seed. Alllllright....

"...I am afraid you must be mistaken." Zero tossed a bang out of his face, a little nervously. "I do not have any seeds with me."

"Ah. Please accept my apologies, then," Set said, and nodded courteously. "I mistook you for someone; the fault is mine." Definitely a mistake, from the reaction - how awkward.

"Oh, it's allright... it happens, and there's so many damn people in there... Mixing up a few of them isn't hard." Zero wasn't mad at all. Akward ? Yes, expecially for someone who might have well have been considered an hermit. The other man was very calm and polite trough, and he had to admit.... this was just a tiny bit.... interesting.

"Excuse my language - I slip sometimes." He reached to grap a newspaper. "But seeds... are you some kind of botanist ?"

"I am not bothered by profanity." Set considered; this might turn out to be interesting after all, and the contact he'd actually been looking for was nowhere to be seen. "Yes, actually," he answered the question, and smiled faintly. "Some types of seed are less easily acquired in stores." No harm in admitting that to someone he would likely never see again.

"I see." Zero nodded along with that statement, and didn't pry further - something knowing too much landed you in trouble, trouble he didn't really.... need, at the moment.

"Maybe your guy got lost - this place is huge." He commented, a but randomly but still.


Set glanced around, raising one eyebrow. "The streets in this section are not too difficult to navigate," he commented, curiosity piqued. "I presume you are not familiar with the area - " He made it not quite a question. The other could answer as he liked, or not.

"I just recently came from Imperial." Better to be an idiot and admit it then pass for a wiseman and look even more idiotic afterward. "I am not too used of cities this side, trough I am no stranger to travel."

A very honest answer, as well as being polite and inclined to converse. Set replied, "And I am not accustomed to travel, but I know the city well." He smiled slightly. "Courtesy suggests I should offer my name; I am Setosa."

Courtesy ? Uh, Well... Zero wasn't too.... knowledgeful... But having so many people around and listening to be made him a little bit less of a social impaired robot.

"...Pleased." He smilled as well. "My name is Zero."

Unusual. Set kept that opinion to himself. "Pleased, as well." He paused, debating with himself. It didn't look like his contact was going to turn up anytime soon, which meant that he had nothing to do. He did very little on impulse, but - "Are you in need of direction?"

Zero blinked, a little surprisingly. Was he this easy to read ?

"Ah, well yes, now that you mention it." He admited, again. "I was looking for a place to stay - didn't have much luck so far. Something small, yanno.... Just to say I have a roof over my head."

"In the area? I could give you names of lodgings. I know of a few places that won't empty your wallet." He glanced at the magazine in his hand, handed a small bill to the owner of the newspaper stall, and suggested, "There are more convenient places to converse."

What was wrong with the place ? Zero didn't quite grasp, but didn't express anything against leaving, either, as he put the paper back on the stand.

"I see... Where to, then ?"

"There's a cafe a short way away," Set suggested, giving one last glance around before starting up the street, seeming to assume Zero would follow.

And that he did, both hands in his pocket, his long, sandy blonde hairs shagging behind him like a small wave.

"...What about the person you where waiting for ?" He suddently remembered.

Set glanced back and made a careless gesture with one hand. "I was there at the correct time. He was not. If he wishes to throw away potential payment in a careless fashion, it is not my affair."

"...I see." He nodded... a little confused he had to admit. Maybe those seeds weren't as hard to find then he thought ? Oh well.

Set tucked the magazine into a pocket and gave it mo more thought, not being actually interested in it. He didn't elaborate further on the matter of the seeds; soon enough he indicated an unassuming doorway. "Here. This is one of the better places in the area. Avoid the one three streets up. Filthy place." He was finding himself more interested in company than he'd thought; a couple of weeks with little conversation had made him talkative. And he could show off his knowledge of the area, at that, since Zero was unfamiliar with it.

Zero nodded a little absentmindely, but kept this in mind. Cafes where not really his kind of places.... but it might be useful someday.

He entered and waited to see where Set would want to sit - he himself didn't mind any spot in the cafe, but perhaps the other had a preference.

He found a seat near the window, flagged down a waitress, and ordered something to drink, then he sat back comfortably, observing Zero. The other was quiet and seemed agreeable enough. "There are a few places of lodging nearby," he said. "I would suggest the one called the Stardust. Smaller, but clean, and the proprietor isn't nosy."

Zero didnt order anything, but dropped is backpack and seemed a little embarassed at the cloud of dust that flew from it upon impact.

"I see... I ratter prefer smaller places, at any rate. I don't really need much... and I value my privacy. Seems like this would be good.... Do you have the actual adress ?"

"I do." Set pulled a small notepad and pen out of a pocket and wrote the address in his small, neat script. "Here." He eyed the dustcould settling around Zero's backpack and pulled his foot back slightly. Must have been traveling for some time, truly.

Zero took the paper and read it over before pocketing it. Well, someone sure wrote better than him... He was told his writting was ratter.... horrible. Not grammar-wise, but messy to the point of being almost unreadable. He was far too used to computers, writing by hand was akward.

"Thank you." He bowed his head in respect. "If there is anything I could do for you, I will probabely be there.... All you'lld have to do is ask." Not that a brute fighter would be *that* useful to a botanist, but hey. It just felt like the thing to say.

Set eyed Zero and decided that the offer was a serious one. Well. It was always good to have contacts. "It's a small thing," he said, indicating the paper. "But I'll keep that in mind." He offered a small smile.

"Trough I have no clue what you'lld need someone like me for." He smilled back. There was something with this man.... Something that somehow made his words flow. "Im pretty good with computers.... and fights. No good with plants, trough." He gave a small laugh. "I couldn't tell one from another."

"We all have our strengths," Set said. "I am - ah - less good with computers than I would like to be." He shrugged.

"Yes, that's true. After all, what fun would it be if we where all the same ? A few hundreds of me running around would be big trouble." He seemed a little amused, even trough it was no laughing matter, expecially with the virus - where was it, anyway ? Not one wise crack since the start of this conversation.... Oh odd. Was his theory right ?

Set laughed, curiosity piqued. "That's an interesting image."

"Wasn't it ? I have no idea where that came from, really." The blonde idely reached to his back, grapping a few loose bangs that where visibely to bother him, and redo his ponytail.

He tilted his head slightly, birdlike, and considered it. "Cloning, the technology of the future," he commented dryly.

"Scary s**t." He answered, working with the red ribbon that held his hairs. "But I believe they would be more interested in robotics before clones."

Set watched Zero's hands idly. "I have done some reading on robotics," he mused. "A complex field."

A part of him seemed a little amused, wondering how he'lld react if he knew he was actually talking to one of those robots - but Zero wasn't that stupid to try it out, really.

"It depends." He said. "The most complex part is the ai itself... Im not too good on that part." He finally was done tying the ribbon, and brought his hands forward, to rest on the side of the chair. "I find the actual mechanics easier."

"A more concrete subject. I confess myself to be puzzled by the logical illogic of AI." Set leaned on the table. "That which is purely mechanical is far more easily defined and understood."

logical illogic ? Zero somehow really liked that combo, that.... about summed it.

"Yeah." He shrugged a little. "At least when you're doing the actual mechanics, you know what the hell you're doing - nothing worse than having to stare at a stange, cryptic code on a screen..." Trough their vision on that would probabely differ, as the robotic doushikai considered quite a few of those codes completely understandable.

"I'm certain that some can make instant sense of it," Set shrugged. "There are codes to all professions. Code that is described as such, and code that develops out of mutual knowledge."

"True." He admitted, laying back in the chair. "But some are most easely understood than others. AIs tend to use code invented only for that kind of ai.... to keep every random guy with a computer from playing god." He said. "As I believe biology must have its most complex sides as well."

"More would like to play god than are able to. Thankfully." Set's eyes narrowed briefly. "Biology has logic to it," he continued after a reflective moment. "A chaotic kind; but the unfolding of it is fascinating, and ordered down to its very cells." He gestured expansively.

"I never quite understood it.... Trough I didn't really do much efforts to find it out, I must admit... I've been too busy, one could say.... perhaps someday." Zero shrugged, staring a bit at the celling for a moment. "I find it nice to know things, even if I might never get to use that knowledge."

"Knowledge is the core of all things." Set nodded. "Everything is interconnected; I find the oddest things become relevant when I do not expect them." He smiled. "And it is pleasurable to learn."

"Yes... exactly. I have answers that I seek, and that I don't know where to look to find." He shifted position, once again looking at him - his blue eyes seemed a little distant as he spoke, as if it meant something very close to him. "Figures the answer might be where Ill'd never think to look, you know ?"

"That is generally where answers are." Set's expression went briefly distant and serious. Then he focused again and produced a smile. "Sometimes they only spawn more questions."

"Oh, I know much too well." It was his turn to become serious. "Who am I, where am I going, what is my place in this crazy rollercoaster we call life ? All kind of questions."

"We are all philosophers," Set said, his tone gently mocking. He shook his head and sighed.

"Some more than others.... And some really suck at it." He grinned, visibely having taken the comment as it was mean to be - not too serious. "I believe I am in category number two."

"Not all are meant to be great sages. Thankfully! Tripping over Zen masters would be inconvenient." Set decided that he did indeed like this male.

Zero couldn't help it - he just started laughing. "That was your turn to have a lovely scene in your head, uh ? Well, it wouldn't be too bad until you tripped on a religious zealot. They tend to like curses." He said playfully, a grin on his face.


"May you live in interesting times?" Set answered, smiling outright now. "The worst curse of all, or the best. It all depends on viewpoint."

"Well, I usually get "Burn in the depth of hell" or something like that...." Oh, yes, he was extremely amused. "...But I don't think ill'd mind that one... but yeah, I guess ill't depend on the times."

"An irrelevant curse, if one does not believe in the hell in question," Set observed solemnly.

"Exactly, but don't even try to explain that point to them... Nothing good would come of it." He shrugged, glancing out at the window. How long had they been sitting there, just talking ? He had lost track of time.

It was oddly pleasant.

"It can be entertaining to observe," Set said. "Polite disbelief is enough to make most of them go into a frenzy." He flicked his fingers at the window. "There is one who comes to the park in the mornings. Harmless, unless he decises one is a sinner. Difficult to detach." He grimaced slightly in recollection.

"Ill keep that in mind." He nodded, as per habit. "But yes... But better them to believe in something that make them relatively harmless." He sighed, shaking his head a little. "....I believe you know what kind of situation Imperial is in at the moment ? Nothing really pretty...."

"I've read about it." Set leaned onthe table, his expression falling into more serious lines. "I've never been outside Elysium, myself. The situation sounds - horrific."

"Horrific.... is not the word. It's much worse... Something you've only can trully understand when you've been caught in the middle of it. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy - ....Trough he'lld prolly find it funny and quite enjoyable..." The last sentence was muttered, with a tint of hatered... no one could really think he was really talking about himself - a part of himself that he hated beyond any other thing.

"I have seen some of the refugees," Set mused. "They look empty, in some way." He gave no hint of having heard the half-audible statement, though it piqued his curiosity. Not something to ask someone he barely knew, fascinating as it might be.

"Yes... It affected each and every one of us, some more than others...." He seemed to have caught himself and calmed down a tad. "Alas, its too hard to do anything for Imperial. All we can do is move on - some will never be able to."

"Perhaps someday," Set said. He kept his morbid curiosity leashed. For now, at any rate.

"...Yeah, maybe." He answered absent-mindely. "But I perfer not to create illusions to myself.... And ratter be amazed when those kind of things come."

"Better to be pleasantly surprised by life than constantly disappointed," Set nodded.

It was wierd to meet someone who actually understood him so quickly and so well - a... pleasant kind of wierd, as wierd as it might be. Idely, he glanced at the clock.

"...Well, I believe I might have taken enough of your time, no ? If I want to go visit, I should not wait until too late in the day." He readjusted his hat.

"Probably a good idea to get in before evening." Set stood also, nodding. He paused, then offered, "Perhaps we will encounter one another again, if you are going to stay in the area for any length of time." It had been an unexpectedly enjoyable conversation.

"Well, I believe you'll know where to find me." He smilled. "Im not really picky.... So im likely to take the place you gave me the adress to, unless its like.... falling appart. And I do hope so.... It was a pleasure meeting you."

Zero couldn't quite explain how he felt when he turned and went in the streets again...

But it was anything but scared.... He liked this.

Perhaps Elysium really meant the start of something new.

"A pleasure to meet you, as well," Set answered, and meant it. He watched Zero leave, and sat down again, thoughtful.