A Frightening Friend's Return

[broken_frightener]

[In the aftermath of the Wulgaru attack a familiar face makes a return... at least for a while. Leos and his team - not just the two that accompanied him but a number of other pilots as well were taking some time off at a Unity Group base.]

Well... I'm glad not much changed. Like I said to everyone out there.... its good to see you all again.

[There's something odd about Leos as well. For one he doesn't seem as energetic as he was before, and his voice was significantly more calmer too.]



"So this is the Unity Group huh? Can't say I'm impressed."

Boyle. Do shut up. Remille. Keep your brother from talking too much please.



"Understood Commander Klein."

[Boyle simply grumbles and folds his arms while the rest of the Frighteners chuckle at his expense.]

So. About that Pudding.

Comments

[brought_it_back]

I'm not much of a sweets person, sorry...

Who are your friends?

[broken_frightener]

"We aren't Commander Klein's Friends. We're his team."



Remember what I asked Boyle. Shush. Still. He has most of it right. They are my team. I won't bother with the introductions.

"Damn right. We don't need to-"

Boyle.

"Keeping quiet now Commander Klein."

Line #34 in Small Talk For Dummies

[brought_it_back]

Well...how have you been?

[broken_frightener]

Oh, so-so. There hasn't been anything worth talking about at all.

[brought_it_back]

...I...See...

[Something...something is wrong.]

Um...I've been busy, as well...

[broken_frightener]

I'm not that surprised. I've heard a lot about what's been happening since I was away.

[That frozen in place smile wasn't helping the feelings at all either was it Eva?]

Or... did you mean you finally found a hobby?

[brought_it_back]

[That's the long and the short of it, yes.]

Um...I did that before you left, actually...

...If you don't mind me asking...what happened? You feel...different.

[broken_frightener]

I just decided to grow up a little. What I was like before didn't help much at all.

[Somehow this doesn't even feel like it was remotely the right answer.]

[brought_it_back]

...It's...

[A lot like that time they fought with razor blades. Calm and commanding, but...]

Not comforting.

[broken_frightener]

"Commander Klein's mannerisms should not have to be comforting to anyone. His position as Leader of the Frighteners as well as the Ninebreaker means-"



Thank you very much Remille, but I would quite prefer to explain things myself.

[His wingwoman nods as Leos steps a bit closer to Eva.]

A while ago I thought you would have preferred me to show a little more professionalism... or at the very least tried to be calmer.

[brought_it_back]

Things change.

[She takes a step back.]

I am...much less sure of things, now. And...when your mood is like this, you are at your most dangerous.

[broken_frightener]

They do don't they. Pity how sometimes they just can't change back.

[He shakes his head and looks Eva in the eye... something about him feeling more unsettling than before.]

Am I really that dangerous Eva- None of you answer that. I was asking her.

1/2

[brought_it_back]

...

2/2

[brought_it_back]

...Absolutely.

1/2

[broken_frightener]

[Leos chuckled at that, nodding in agreement. Some of the Frighteners eyeroll as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. Either way though what happens next would probably be something of a shock as he closes in rapidly on Eva and his hand snaps up to her face! Rather than any sort of violent strike though his fingers catch her by the chin in an almost affectionate way.]

That's the right answer. Its pretty funny now that I look at it, you're probably one of the few people here that would actually go ahead and say it.

[What Eva could feel from the contact was for all intents and purposes, unpleasant as all hell. While Leos was a mess before, what lay under the smiling face in front of her was a writhing sea of loathing, bitterness, hatred and despair. Faint strands of more positive emotion were present but they were almost completely drowned out by everything else.]

But you want to know something else Eva?

2/2

[broken_frightener]

[Regret and Guilt soon joined the twisted mess that was Leos' current state of being. That twisted grin seemed a little more weary now.]

I think I actually missed you.

[He shakes his head.]

Isn't that weird?

1/2

[brought_it_back]

-Ghk!

[Eva has to swallow hard to keep from vomiting. She pulls back, but Leos's grip keeps her from going anywhere.]

2/2

[brought_it_back]

[She recovers; there's a glint of light, and Eva is pressing her knife up into Leos's neck.]

Let. Me. Go.

[broken_frightener]

[There's the sound of several guns being cocked and pointed at Eva's general direction.]

Hah... don't even bother shooting. I'd end up blocking enough of the bullets that she'd get away. Guns down. All of you. She walks away too.



"Commander Klein-"

No arguements Remille. Absolutely none.

[Leos actually has the nerve to lean a little into the knife. Not caring about the sensation of the blade biting into his skin a little.]

Are you willing to kill me if I don't Eva?

[brought_it_back]

...

[No answer, but she also doesn't slit his throat.]

[broken_frightener]

[Leos simply lets go, taking a small step back and ignoring the faint stinging sensation at his neck.]

It was good seeing you again Eva.

[He lets out a soft chuckle as he turns around, motioning for the Frighteners to follow him and walking away.]

[brought_it_back]

[She watches him go...]

Ugh...

[...And immediately sits down once he's out of sight.]



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