sci fi psl

[anenemies]

[Kagami is escorted into the recreation space hissing. This proves to do little other than result in his captors transcribe their observations in a language he doesn’t understand, and he doesn't even feel better after the fact! But he can be stupid stubborn when he puts his mind to something. More importantly, he runs on spite and being petty.]

I hope all your data gets corrupted~!

[He waves at them in what would usually be a cheerful gesture, and ego bruised and no closer to escaping, he turns his attention to the most interesting person here. To be fair, they're the only other person here. Surprisingly humanoid, at that, but ephemeral and frail. They’re pretty, and in another life and in a better mood maybe he’d flirt with them. It takes one look for Kagami to conclude that they won't be of much physical help in an escape. He fears they'd collapse if he nudged them too hard.

But they’re someone other than their shared captors, and he’s not one to turn down the opportunity to needle at people he dislikes— usually those who abuse their power and boy do the researchers who abducted him fit the bill. Their translators informed him of the goal of the study. Not that he has any reason to trust they’ll keep their word!

He’ll start by moving close to Nen. Get in their personal bubble and ooh and ahh like he’s never seen a person before. His eyes sweep up and down, appraising. He bats his lashes and plasters on his sweetest, most infuriating smile.]

Goodness, I have no idea what made them think this was wise. But I have an idea. Instead of becoming best friends, why don’t we speedrun their little experiment into the ground?

Comments

[anenemies]

Temporal...you can't control it?

[...They do look pretty sick. He doesn't think they're lying.

Well. That changes things.]

Give me your hand. Hurry, we don't have much time!

[essenceborn]

My hand...

[ The fact that eh wants to touch them at all after what's seen them do catches Nen off-guard. They're always so careful not to touch anyone, just in case--but he holds out his hand and they find themself lifting their to take it.

There's a short moment where they fear they'll rewind him, and then he's pulling them up off the bench. Nen stumbles along after him ]

Where are we going??

[anenemies]

[Nen's palm is cool against Kagami's. He pulls them as he rushes for the door, more concerned about their escape than Nen's athleticism or lack thereof. The risks of touching them weren't something he gave much thought, but even if he had, not acting would have meant they stayed trapped here. It's worth the risk.]

We're going to learn the layout of this place! And I'm going to learn the extent of the anomaly that affects you.

[essenceborn]

M-more research...?

[ They've barely cleared the first corridor and already Nen's begun to pant. Their words take on a breathless edge and they struggle to keep up with his pace. He's more or less pulling them along despite their best attempts. ]

Please...slow down...!

[anenemies]

Yep! It's for the data~!

[He sounds entirely too happy about it, saccharine sweet, but Nen's breathless plea stops him in his tracks. He looks over his shoulder, at the way they pant and look on the verge of passing out and he doesn't like how it makes him feel.]

What? Are you bad at running?

[Come to think of it, why haven't the researchers stopped them yet?]

[essenceborn]

Yes...!

[ Very Bad. Their lack of athleticism and physical prowess is AU-SPANNING. This Nen is better than OG!Nen, but they've been largely holed up in a super-natural medical facility for the last...however long it's been. ]

I have...a weak...heart.

[ HMM YES FUNNY THAT... ]

[anenemies]

[You could timestamp the different emotions that flash across his face.]

Wh...Why didn't you tell me?!

[Weak heart?! People have those! Kagami grips their wrist, feeling for their pulse, looking at their face and then chest in a panic.]

And they're keeping you here? Do they even know how to take care of you? You're not going to collapse on me, are you?!

[essenceborn]

I will... I will be fine. I just need to rest...

[ Thankful he's taken them to a complete stop, Nen leans against the nearest wall. No sound or protest is given as he checks them over. They're used to such treatment. Getting their breath back and their pulse under control is the most important thing; Nen closes their eyes and takes several slow, steady breaths.

Their skin is pale, but colour starts to return the longer they rest. ]

I'm sorry. I did not think...we would run.

[anenemies]

[Kagami stares for what might be a minute too long and hovers at their side. When it looks like Nen isn't about to pass out, he puts his hands on their shoulders to try and get them to sit.]

Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault. [Stupid researchers.] Do you have an idea of how much physical activity you can handle?

[essenceborn]

A brisk walk is usually my limit...and not too many stairs at once. I can go for longer walks if I am careful.

[ Obediently, Nen sits; grateful for the insistence as they close their eyes for the moment and rest. ]

I have been making gradual progress in my physical fitness under Doctor Koskinen's care here in the facility. He has high hopes I will be able to handle up to three flights of stairs at a time in a few months.

[anenemies]

A. Brisk walk. [Doctor Koskinen?] You know their names.

[He's no longer trying to sound cheerful. Every word uttered seems to press down on Kagami and make him closer to sinking in defeat.]

Three...?! I don't have a few months. [...] I know! If you get tired, tell me and I can carry you.

[essenceborn]

You want to carry me??

[ Nen here, not at all having realized that they're on an impromptu escape mission-- ]

Is this test that important Kagami?

[anenemies]

[For his part, Kagami sits curled up and nods pathetically. Is he playing it up? Maybe a little. He can't even get mad at Nen. It's not their fault they got kidnapped and that the researchers are using them.]

It's very important. It's important to me.

[essenceborn]

[ It does appear to matter to him a great deal. Not knowing what's going on won't stop them from picking that up...so after a moment to consider it all, they nod. Start pushing themself back up to their feet--carefully. One hand on the wall at all times in case their feel light-headed. ]

Then we should see this through to its culmination. Do not be disheartened. I will do my best not to hold you back.

[anenemies]

You won't?

[He claps his hands together and springs up.]

How could I be disheartened when I hear that? We'll gather so much valuable data, Nenonen!

[It really is getting under his skin that no one has intervened yet. He feels like they're on display, and he hates that.]

I don't think we need to rush right now, but that might change. I won't let you get hurt!

[essenceborn]

[ He's not entirely wrong about that. There's cameras everywhere and doubtless they've noticed the door malfunction...but I mean. He's so handicapped by Nen right now that for the moment, they're letting things play out. This is the most 'cooperative' Kagami's been with anyone so far.

It's worth observing. ]

I can keep going. We can complete the dataset.

[anenemies]

[How did this become his life]

Yeah! You should hold my hand in case you teleport again.

[And in case Nen looks in danger of collapsing again. As much as he wants to escape, he doesn't want it to be at the expense of harming Nen. They had no control over him being here.]

We might as well get to know eachother in the meantime. How long have you been here?

[essenceborn]

[ A thoughtful (pleased) noise escapes them as he asks (takes their hand again). ]

Almost two years now. I was much weaker and temporally unstable when I first arrived--my time would rewind on its own. I didn't need to interfere with other time to make it happen.

...Some of that two years is rewound time, though. It had only been a year and a half for the researchers here.

What about you?

[anenemies]

[Don't mind him and how he holds Nen's hand tight.]

Two years?! Holy shit.

[...But Nen mentioned they were comfortable here! Of course they'd stay as long as they could! He doesn't need to panic (yet).]

A couple of months. You're the first person I've talked to outside of the researchers because I'm [Combative. Uncooperative. Hissing and pushing what he can off the counters] because they thought we'd work well together~

[essenceborn]

It has not been a negative experience. I can experience and exist within the normal flow of time thanks to the researchers here. Although they don't remember all of it, I have a very good memory.

[ Nen looks ahead to the end of the hall, where another locked door rests. It has the same keypad and card reader combo as before. ]

We have made great progress together. I will help you with your work, too. You must be very important to receive such a task so soon after arriving.

[anenemies]

Does the anomaly normally affect you worse than this?

[Heh. This is so easy. Nen is probably their ideal subject to study. Cooperative, someone who wants to be here, and too weak to run.]

Maybe you’re important to be trusted to work with me. [He still smiles at the praise. Praise is praise.]

[essenceborn]

Before the Foundation found me, I was trapped in a thirteen-day time loop. Things were much...worse, then. I am happy to be living in linear time.

[ Enjoy that lil drop of heavy information Kagami oops. But also, how sweet of him to compliment them, they think! ]

...Thank-you. I hope that is the case.

[anenemies]

Wha— was it the anomaly? How long did you live there?

[Oh no now he’s starting to feel concerned. Could it be contained the way it seemed to be here if they escaped?

…He plasters on a smile before he can look too worried]

I think it is! You’re important, Nenonen~

[essenceborn]

I am not sure. I do not know much about the anomaly or what created it. I have been told the Foundation is still looking into it. I have given them my best recollection of the events though.

[ Mostly they're glad to be free of it and don't spent additional time thinking about it if they can help it. ]

I will do my best to help.

[anenemies]

Hm.

[Probably so they can use it themselves. Nen is too trusting, they've been through too much to recognize this for what it is. Kagami will be doing them a favor in finding an escape.]

Okay! Can you do that thing you did before?