Checking in

[greennotgold]

Fletcher had gotten his rooming information; apparently he didn't have a roommate yet, which was a little disappointing. He'd hoped he could at least share a room with his brother.

When he arrived in Pale dormitory, room 1-A, he looked around the large room and sighed. There were five beds, and only one tiny boy living in this room. Between waking up on a mysterious train, watching that strange movie, and now this, he found that he really wasn't liking this.

He set down the two items he'd been given -- the Exaclan rule book and the white glove -- on a bedside table, and sat down. Well. What now?

Comments

[chainedbyred]

Russel stood, and leaned over toward Fletcher, his hands on the boy's shoulders. "It's okay, Fletcher. They said we'd all lost memories. Some of them are probably more important than others."

[greennotgold]

His mind was racing, trying to remember. Trying to pull that name out of whatever hole it had fallen into. He went through every masculine name he could think of, trying to attach it to his brother's face, but none of them fit right. He heard the words he'd just said, but they seemed wrong. It wasn't okay, it wouldn't be okay until he could remember.

He covered his eyes with his hands and whimpered. "I don't want to fight, though! Why-- why are they doing this to us?!"

[chainedbyred]

"Calm down, Fletcher. You don't have to. Listen to me." He pulled Fletcher's arms down so they can make eye contact. "You're still my brother, no matter what. Even if you can't remember my name. I'll protect you. You don't have to fight anyone."

[greennotgold]

He sniffled a little, not outright crying but still feeling pretty miserable. At least he understood and wasn't mad about it. "What if someone wants me to be a weapon? Or-- what if they pick me as a Player?"

[chainedbyred]

"Then you just tell them no. They'd have to be insane to want a kid to fight in the first place. And just because they pick you, that doesn't mean you have to fight in the first place. It just means you're capable." His voice was certain and resolute. In his mind, he made plans to find out whose ass he had to kick to get an exception made.

[greennotgold]

"But what about the memory charms? If-- I don't-- people can't just buy them for me." And then he remembered what the video had said, that that was exactly how it was supposed to work, and added, "Not without me doing anything in return! That's not equivalent exchange!"

If he thought about it rationally, he realized he wouldn't have to fight or be used; the video had said that Weapons had to agree to be owned, and if he was a Player he could just avoid owning anyone, probably. But there were still problems.

[chainedbyred]

"I'll get yours," he said. "I'm your brother, it's my job. And I'll give you my credits and you can buy some for me. That way it's all even. Okay?" He reached over and ruffled his brother's hair, in a way he hoped was comforting.

[greennotgold]

That was even? It didn't really seem like it. But then his brother ruffled his hair and he couldn't bring himself to protest. He always wanted to protect Fletcher from everything; the least Fletcher could do was not complain.

"I... um, okay." But he still wasn't happy with it.

[chainedbyred]

"We'll be okay. I promise," he said, pulling his brother into another hug. "Nothing bad will happen to you."

[greennotgold]

Fletcher clung, much more tightly than before, and didn't let go this time. He couldn't shake that feeling of guilt that he was a horrible brother for not being able to remember something as simple and basic as a name, despite knowing it wasn't his fault. So he didn't say anything.