Seikou wanders in slowly, looking kind of stunned and dazed and not even noticing Variance. He collapses on a bench in silence.

(Un?)fortunately, the same doesn't hold true for Variance. He immediately, yet cautiously approaches the dazed Seikou, one hand keeping a stern grip on his weapon in case he -was- chasing a false hope. "...Seikou?"

Seikou looks up blearily. "It's OK now. The virus is gone for now."

Variance heaves a sigh of relief and collapses onto the bench himself, almost dropping his spear in doing so.

Seikou says '...I assume you wish me to resign from the Hunters...?'

Variance keeps his gaze to the ground, voice somewhat quiet. "With all due respect to the rules, I -should-..."

Seikou says '...I apologize.... i thought it was gone.'

"That place.... It just..." Seikou shudders. "I couldn't fight it...."

Variance finally raises his head from the cobblestone path around the fountain, looking to Seikou with a soft smile and an air of reassurance. "I can't honestly say it's alright, but I'm sure I can do something so I could."

You say 'We all have our secrets... That -place- just seems to bring them out more acutely than others.'

Seikou blinks and raises his head a little. "Like what?"

Variance turns to the eternally airborne jets of water once again, the sound of it seeming to put him at ease. "My first round in there... I can't really say I had any secrets to reveal, but it roused something in me I never thought I could have. Hard to describe.

Seikou sighs. "Tell me, Variance-sama... in that place... what was screaming...?"

Variance narrows his eyes at something unseen, a memory flashing before him.

You say 'Espers.'

You say 'Dying Espers, being processed into magicite to be used for power sources. That's the screaming.'

Seikou looks startled. "An esper told me that they were used for power sources... I didn't really believe him. It was true...?"

Variance nods solemnly, expression still troubled. "I'm not sure what they're used in... and to be frank, I'm not sure I -want- to know."

Seikou says '...Bahamut-san said they were used in... Reploids.'

Variance takes his turn to look startled, quickly looking to Seikou. "But... how is that possible?"

Seikou shakes his head. "I don't know. I don't think it's a base part of my core, because there aren't any in the other world... but maybe someone's designing Reploids here?"

You say 'Considering this place, I wouldn't doubt it.'

Seikou says '...I wish I could destroy the entire building, but I don't really dare to go abck there...'

Variance returns to his previous calm demeanor. "I can't say I blame you. Even -I- was hesitant to go back there."

Seikou says '...So, may I remain a Hunter? I promise you that as long as I don't go back there, I'll be OK...'

Variance smiles knowingly, looking off to the horizon. "Like I said, we all have our secrets. I'll just have one to keep~..."

Seikou nods and bows. "Thank you, Variance-sama..."

Variance nods in return... then suddenly lets a short laugh escape him. "I have to admit, you -did- have me on the ropes there for a while."

Seikou looks embarrased. "Sorry, Variance-sama..."

You say 'It's nothing to be sorry about. Besides...'

Variance smirks snidely, shooting Seikou a sideways glance. "I had you -pinned-."

You say 'Fairly well, if I do say so myself.'

Seikou looks annoyed. "What does that have to do with anything?!"

You say 'Oh, nothing...'

Seikou says 'Back to patrol with us...?'

Variance takes a leisurely stretch, more out of habit than anything else, maintaining his smirk. "But if a humble magic-user can pin a hardy warrior, I'd say the latter has a little work to do~..."

Seikou winces. "I was playing with you," he mutters, clearly annoyed.

Variance laughs a little more audibly, taking a few steps before Seikou decided to 'play' with him again. "I guess duty calls... I hear Cosmo Canyon's been a little unruly of late..."

Seikou nods. "Care to lead the way?"

Variance nods and starts off...



Bustling Canyon, Cosmo - Entrance
A large sign saying "Welcome to Cosmo Canyon" invites everyone inside to
enjoy themselves. A well-dressed man stands here greeting all who gaze upon
the city. He bows to you and waves his arm to the city. The city is large
and tiny huts dot the canyon wall. The man steps out of the way to allow
you entrance and bows to you once more.

(] Exits: east west sw [)
A citizen of Cosmo Canyon stands here gawking at you.
Seikou has arrived from the sw.


Seikou says 'Seems quiet enough...'

Variance crosses his arms, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I could've sworn there was a report from this area..."

Seikou says 'All I can see is citizens.'

You say 'Odd... Maybe it's another false alarm, like...'

Seikou says 'Hmn...?'

Variance cuts himself off abruptly, coughing lightly. He did -not- need to tell anyone of the little Hinata incident, especially not a colleague. "I guess there's nothing here."