This Blood Keeps Me Alive, but What is it that Runs through You? [November 9]

[dead_black_eyes]

WHO; Elian & Lazarus
WHEN; November 9, Midday
WHERE; Formerly the Willow Ridge Boarding Academy, currently L's Latest Insanely Ambitious Project.
WHAT; Elian drops by to offer some much-needed assistance to a man with a concerning work ethic.
WARNINGS; Nothing; will update if necessary



The last several days have been what L can only describe as a "grueling blur"; his motivation and will haven't flagged, but his body is starting to protest. His hands are raw and blistered in inconvenient places, the few hours here or there he takes to sleep aren't enough to keep him from feeling somewhat loopy, and he's sore and stiff... but his tenacity has paid off in the form of some good results. What's made it truly impressive is the help of others; he's got the beginnings of an intelligence center in the basement, along with the teleporter, well-disguised and courtesy of the cameras and alarms placed around the building, far better-guarded than it was when it was at Espresso Yourself.

He's taking a break at the moment from hard labor, sitting indian-style in a swiveling chair in front of several glowing computer monitors. There's room for others, and hopefully, someday, others will be present, working alongside him. For now, it's just one tired man who's finally permitting himself to sit down for a few moments and reflect on what's been done... and, of course, what's left to do.

Comments

[wastingtime]

The old man approaching the school is perhaps not nearly as tired, but he does bear his own burdens. One of which is slung over his shoulder in a golf bag, for lack of any better way to carry it; he'll have to see about a somewhat less conspicuous and/or bulky setup, but for now, it suffices. At least he can carry it; he may still slight himself as old, but these Echoes, if nothing else, have given him a new lease on life.

Even if they're sometimes more trouble than they're worth.

The place Lazarus described to him does seem to be in need of care...Elian eyes it critically, though he does notice a few places here and there that seem to be recent repairs. And while he's not certain all of what's planned, it does seem that they could use it as a refuge of sorts...

That is, assuming it doesn't get destroyed like so many other things.

Sighing, he makes to step through the doors, considering pulling out a notebook and seeing if he can find where exactly the younger man is.

[dead_black_eyes]

L realizes he must have been dozing where he was seated, because the flicker of motion on one of his monitors and the softly beeping alarm snatches him back to a state of relative alertness. The face on the screen is, fortunately, a familiar one that he's been expecting to meet in person soon, so he makes his way upstairs to the school's wide foyer, ice staff in hand as a formality and precaution more than out of genuine concern that Elian poses or brings a threat with him. Necessity has taught him to be overly careful.

Though he moves with purpose and stands straighter than is really comfortable for someone with his degree of scoliosis, he looks brittle, unkempt and slightly feral, considering he hasn't left the school since he began work on it close to a week ago. His eyes, while hollow and dark-rimmed as a result of a heavy sleep debt, are sharp and focused as he regards his visitor from what he judges a safe distance.

"Are you armed, and are you alone, Elian?"

The questions are what some might consider rude or paranoid, but L is alone, and vulnerable, so perhaps they can be forgiven.

[wastingtime]

Elian doesn't seem to have noticed the approaching man, at first, but he does pause (in not-quite-midstep) at the voice. He doesn't seem surprised by the call, but once the words process, he does furrow his brow at the words and voice and ah, there.

"Lazarus?"

Yes, it's him, and- he looks even worse in person. Where are his parents? Elian wonders for not the first time, before reaching for the strap on his shoulder.

"I think yes to the first, no to the second. I didn't happen to see anyone following me." He didn't really check, to be fair, but he had been paying some attention. Revisiting Locke has reminded him of the dangers to be had, and he'd rather not have brought any with him...

The end of the bag hits the ground with a light klunk, something metal shifting within.

"Though the first may be up for discussion."

[dead_black_eyes]

He confirms his identity with a curt nod; though some need to recognize him for the sake of making progress on mutual endeavors, it's not exactly a fantastic time to be recognized as Lazarus Lawliet in the volatile Locke City, which is a huge reason he hasn't had a permanent address in months.

He quirks a brow at the qualifier "I think", but seems to ultimately find the report acceptable. His eyes don't leave the bag as Elian unburdens himself, but he doesn't come closer, and won't until he's seen its contents revealed.

"I'm open to begin discussing immediately," he offers, mannerism still brusque and defensive. For the authority and ease he communicates with over a distance, he seems skittish and uneasy with in-person meetings.

[wastingtime]

The mannerism is well noted. Elian wonders if he's done something wrong, frowning a little as he bends over to open up the bag. "Well, I'd hoped for a better area to do it in, but - you remember how I mentioned that sword, those days ago, when I'd returned to the network?"

And there it is- almost like a claymore, with a broad blade that seems to be made of some metallic blue alloy, intricate designs upon its flat and hilt. Elian draws it out with a mixture of uncertainty and memory, the latter in the way he instinctively cares for it; whether or not he's self-aware remains to be seen because there are certainly mixed feelings on his face. He sets it down on the bag but remains in a sort of kneel, bracing a hand on it as he looks back up.

"I had another of those pulses, and I'm no longer certain it is just a sword."

[dead_black_eyes]

He nods again, watching Elian remove the large sword from its covering. It's not a bomb, and that's good enough for him to venture drawing nearer; though he wears steel-toed boots, his steps are light and careful. He crouches nearby, laying his ice staff at his side and tilting his head and squinting at the blue-tinted metal.

"A lot of pulses aren't just what they seem..." he says, raising a hand to chew on an already-ragged thumbnail. A close and observant eye will catch a glimpse of black ink; Lazarus' Numbers are tattooed on the palm of his left hand.

[wastingtime]

...well, that's one way to remember them if you forget. Though Elian can't think of himself ever going that far.

"Indeed," he agrees, looking back down at it and tracing some of the lines. "I...remember, without context, that somehow such a thing may be able to be used for time travel, if you'll believe it," and he most certainly sounds dubious, "but as of late..."

He pauses, lips pressing together in an almost grimace.

"...I did something else with it. After using that teleporter for the first time. I had to recover, mind, and take it all in, but...while I didn't exactly travel through time, I did travel."

[dead_black_eyes]

Forgetting has never been an issue for the detective. Showing solidarity with those who can't hide their Numbered status, however... that's a little more pressing. And after everything he's been through, showing solidarity with those who have saved his skin is a priority.

"Time travel?" the words are soft and doubtful as he watches Elian's fingers following the lines and grooves. "How did you travel? If not through time..."

[wastingtime]

"Space."

He lets a moment pass before continuing.

"Which, if you think about it, actually makes a bit more sense- just as it's easier to travel left or right as opposed to up and down, so it is for here and there as opposed to then and now if you base it upon the ten-dimensional theorem, with time being the fourth-"

Elian on for a few more moments, practical technobabble coming out of his mouth before he seems to catch himself and clear his throat. He seems almost like a child who's doing their best to contain their enthusiasm and pretend they're an adult and, but he also seems quite excited about all the prospects.

"-assuming you have the method of course, through which to do so. Which I believe this is. I did some testing, while I was in Germany, and I managed to move from the bottom of a mountain to the top in a handful of steps."

[dead_black_eyes]

Yes, if not time, then space would be the logical alternative. With all L has been exposed to and heard of in his time as a Numbered individual, however, he can't admit to assuming it to be the only alternative. He's no longer that naive.

The technobabble doesn't intimidate him; when Elian falters, seeming embarrassed or like he's trying to contain himself, L's brow furrows; he seems confused as to why Elian isn't continuing, rather than perplexed by the information itself.

"10-dimensional theorem?" he asks, a pressing nudge toward further elaboration.

[wastingtime]

Ah, well, if Lazarus prompts...

"One of the theories of time-space," he explains, briefly reaching up to rub his nose and perhaps veil the faint smile on his face. "In it, time is not so much time as but a method in which we experience the world, just as much as width and depth and bending. We simply can on experience it from moment to moment. It's really quite fascinating," he adds, "and I can offer you some further reading on it if you'd like, but I absolutely must do more experimentation with this to see how far it can go."

Does he really think he can time travel? Not necessarily. But it would certainly be useful.

[dead_black_eyes]

He nods in quick agreement when Elian stresses his fascination with the topic; it does sound that way and he believes readily that he would absolutely find a great deal of enjoyment in reading more about it.

"I don't have a lot of time for leisure reading, these days, but... fortunately I'm a fast reader. I'd like that. And if there's anything I can do to help your experiments, you'll tell me?"

[wastingtime]

"Well, I was planning on trying to explore this a bit more. In somewhat more...familiar surroundings." Even if he's only so familiar with the school, it's better than the wilderness. "And, if you'd be willing, experimenting with...cargo."

Inanimate, and if he feels comfortable enough, building up to live.

[dead_black_eyes]

"I am always willing to experiment," L replies easily; one would not doubt the statement's truth, given the man's history of taking on pretty risky endeavors and uncertain gambles. "Cargo is something I have plenty of, and taking the trash away from here and bringing more desirable fixtures in discreetly is pretty important."

[wastingtime]

"Excellent. I thought that, perhaps, some simple materials would be best at first, and then if all went well building up to more and more complex things. I myself can walk through these portals without trouble, but if it's possible for others to..."

He lets it trail off. Lazarus is smart enough that he should be able to understand the possibilities Elian is trying to imply, he trusts.