Emovere

Turn 9: If No One' Created Equal, Does That Not We're All Special?

Watson nudged Mori back and shut the door. Before saying another he made his way around the room rubbing his hands against the walls and floor. He then leaned in close and whispered in Mori's ear.
"If you're just gonna lose, then get out there as fast as you can. It's not gonna be pretty. And whatever you do, DON'T come back here and DON'T go back to Sollicitus either." With that, Watson made his exit. However as he began to close the door, he left Mori with one final message, "I know you hate those eyes of yours, but tomorrow they'll be your best friend — trust them."

Watson gave the door a little extra force as he closed it and Mori made his way back to bed.
"Watson...just what exactly is going on? That's the first time I've ever seen you look worried. You had a tremble in your voice and it appeared as though you were shaking. Just what is this Tournouá Tou Menos? What is the reason I and, I assume, others were sought out? Is this truly a simple tournament for a prize or is it something more? And why has it been moved to an unknown land? I've heard of this Inanis before, but only in passing. They say the land is no longer inhabited ever since the wars began. Sadly I have yet to find out any other information. If only these eyes allowed me to see intentions that weren't just aimed my way I would've been able to read you better, Watson. Your strong desire for me to win was perplexing enough, but now you're saying I should leave immediately? Dan...Shaki...what should I do? Can I trust these eyes that have forsaken me for so long? Or should I attempt to win? I do not desire to shed any blood whether the person deserves it or not for who am I to judge another? But at the same time, I've never felt this sense of unease from him. I have a few hours, maybe I should go for a walk and clear my head."

Under the full moon sat Solis, as he gazed at the Perdita's starless sky wondering if he'd ever see as beautiful as the ones he'd see with deceased lover.
"Hopefully it's the last day of this ol' full' moon. Them damn things don't bring nothin' but bad luck. Mama...Dad...Stella...all three of y'all passed away on full moons, and now I get stronger 'cause of 'em. That just don't seem right. Then again nothin' in this world seems right.

Solis dropped his head and began to shed a few tears before what felt like his wife's hands raised it and wiped the tears away.
"You're right, love, I can't be thinkin' negative. I have to stay focused. First ima get my brother back and then we'll get Menos together. That Tournament fella promised me they'll talk to their lil buddies and that he should be back by my side before we leave. Afterward, I gotta get back and save Gladius. I didn't forget about you either ol friend. I'm coming for you and I'll have Menos with me too. You're the only person who never turned your back on me and even helped me recover my dad's body so I could give him a proper burial. I owe you so much that I couldn't think of a better way to pay you back. I know you wouldn't care for the whole 'eternal happiness' thing, but maybe it could cure your blindness. I know you say it's not a big deal and maybe it isn't, but you deserve to be able to see this world again. I get it ain't the prettiest it could but you just make it better. Ever since the day you lost your sight you haven't talked about yourself as much anymore and say what you want, but I just know you're hurtin' inside."
"G-G-Good evening Solis. I figured I'd f-f-find you out here." Ira said as he approached the large man.
"What're you doin' up so late? Couldn't sleep either?"
"S-S-Sadly, no I couldn't. I don't know wh-wh-why I'm competing tomorrow, but I am. M-M-Mother expects me to win. She even s-s-sent my s-s-sister to make sure of it."
"Woah now, you have a sister? Well, why haven't yuh let me meet the lil' lady? Matter of fact, why ain't yuh hanging around her?"

"Sh-Sh-She's not...we're not...it's c-c-complicated. We don't have the b-b-best relationship. She's l-l-less of a sister and m-m-more of mother's eye to watch me."
"Watch you, eh? I wonder why a lady who seems to hate him also values him as much as she does. Well, what do you plan to do? Seems to me you're just waitin' for someone to tell you you're making the right decision by tryna leave."
"H-H-How did you kn-kn-know?"
"I figured if you got a babysitter then there must be a reason and while I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer even I could've guessed it. Problem is did your mama guess it and if she did how do you plan on getting outta here without bein' noticed?"
"I-I-I don't know what to do. Once we d-d-depart it's going to be much harder to get a-a-away, but if I tried leaving now mother w-w-would sure find out."
"Tell you what, if you find an opportunity during Tournouá, make a break for it. Run, and don't look back no matter what. It might seem scary to be on your own at first, but trust me you'll be much happier. And don't worry I'll keep anyone who wishes to impede you at bay for as long as I can. However, I don't plan on dying just yet so keep in mind that you likely won't have much time, so don't waste it."
"I-I-I couldn't possibly leave you o-o-on your own, and to fight my battles no less."
"Like I said, I don't plan on dying. If I feel like it could come to that then I'm gettin' outta there.
"B-B-But how could I survive on my own? I d-d-don't know much about survival other than the few b-b-books I read."
"Take the basics and build from there as yuh go. Watch the animals. They'll teach yuh what food is edible and which isn't. The best place to lay your head, and when the elements may come into play. Most important thing to remember is you're not alone. The Goddess gave us plenty of friends, albeit some a bit hairier than others, so trust and rely on them."
"O-O-Ok hopefully I can find a chance to leave, and m-m-make amends with Felichs as well..."
"Yeah...about that. Yuh might wanna just keep your distance from that one."
"Why?"
"Somethin' doesn't feel right. I always felt the hate in their heart, but to see it oozin' outta 'em — now that was a scary sight to behold. I think it'd be for the better if you did your best to avoid 'em. 'Specially after they left yuh that nasty scratch. Speakin' of I'm surprised it still ain't healed up, not even a lil bit."
"Yeah...I-I-It still aches a lot too, but st-st-still! I want to make th-th-things right with Felichs. I have to!"
"The kid's heart's too big for his own good. What should I do? He's gonna get himself killed if I leave 'em alone, but can I protect him long enough? Heck, can I even face someone like Felichs right now? Ugh, Stella would kill me if I didn't protect a child. She always told me that children are the ones who can change this world, but what if they're older and wiser? This boy's almost an adult himself. He must know what goes on in this world. Can a child like this change or are they too much like us adults?"
"Y-Y-You know I'd love to h-h-help you Solis. You stood up for me a-a-against Mother and now you're helping me form m-m-my escape. And you've n-n-never made fun of my stutter either. It's only right that I re-re-return the favor. So please, allow me to h-h-help you. You want M-M-Menos right? And your br-br-brother too? Let me help then."
"How could yuh help lil fella?"
"I might not s-s-seem it, but I can h-h-hold my own. As far as your brother, I'm a M-M-Mors. Our name carries great p-p-power. I'm sure if I use my n-n-name they'll have to give him back to you."
"It's fine lil buddy I do appreciate the offer, but I'd rather not use a child. Besides, I've already been guaranteed to get Nox back!"
"D-D-Don't think of it as using. W-W-We're friends, right? It's what f-f-friends do for each other."
"Alright, you can help, but only under one condition."
"What is it?"
"If it gets too much you do as I said and run. Run and don't look back. No matter what. And take this too."
"A-A-A piece of your shirt?"
"Nox has the best nose in all of Emovere. Keep that on yuh and we'll find yuh in no time."
"Ok. I promise i-i-if it starts to get out of hand I'll g-g-go. Not far though. I can't continue letting people fight my battles. Brother used to and...I can't let it happen again...not this time."
Meanwhile, back in Mediocris, we find the ravishing Dr. Benignus scrummaging through her once office.
"Hey Doc, how much longer are you gonna be?" Called out a man who had just finished smoking his cigarette. "Everybody's getting antsy."
"Tell them I said we'll leave when I say we can. I must find it, it's very important."
"What are you trying to find anyway? You leave some medications behind?"
"First of all, they're not 'some' medications." Prescriptions are very important and can help prolong a life or take away pain." Screamed Dr. Benignus as she continued digging through her old drawers. "Second of all I'm not looking for any medications, I'm looking for...AH FOUND IT!"
"What the...what the heck is that thing? Some kind of needle?"
"Not just any needle deary, but a very special one. You see, not all patients can handle needles, matter of fact more than seventy percent of the population has a deadly fear. With that in mind, I decided to make a needle that could harness that fear and produce a serum to instantly calm someone once injected. The look on your face tells me you don't believe me. How about we go talk to those friends of yours?"
"Wait, wait, wait before we go. I was promised something for helping you dispose of those guards, wasn't I?" The man remarked with a devilish smirk on his face.
"I swear you men and your hormones. It's like even after you become adults you're still little horny teenage boys. Fine, fine you can grope my breast, BUT only for a few seconds or until I smack your hand away."
"This is so amazing, your tits feel so good Doc. I bet your ass feels just as — OW! You hit me!"
"I said a breast for breaking me in and that was it. You continue doing my bidding and maybe you'll get passed first base."
"Your wish is my command."
"Imbecile."