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 Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:31 pm
“That’s what I said,” Riker shrugged. “I asked if he had a problem with Mauvians then, since they’re the ones who have to make that decision to awaken kids or not. He just kept going on about moral high ground or something. I also pointed out they were the ones turning people into youma.”
He knew he’d been lucky to get away from that General. Things could have turned out a lot worse if the General decided he was tired of hearing some teenager mouth off to him.
Riker glanced over at Evan again and shifted uncomfortably in his seat again, only because he knew what Evan had gone through.
“I’m glad you were changed back,” he mumbled. “I don’t know what I’d be doing if I hadn’t met you.”
He knew he probably sounded really pathetic, but it was true. Evan had given him a chance to breathe and talk about things that he was afraid of talking with his friends.
“Yeah, I’d like to find out, I think. Just so I know what to say when I run into him again. Oh… I kinda told him I’d let him know what I wanted to do after two weeks but… it’s been a bit longer than that.”
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Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:49 pm
Evan’s nose wrinkled. “Well, I hope the next time you two run into each other he doesn’t give you any problems. If he tries, you tell me and I’ll see him sorted out.” He’d just cry to Zac until he helped, anyway.
Maybe Evan really did need those karate lessons.
“It sounds like you did a really good job of poking holes in all that, too. I’m proud of you for not taking it at face value.” If Evan had been in his position…
He wasn’t sure he’d have had the willpower not to just say yes and do whatever Zinkenite wanted. Riker was stronger than him already. Or, at least, more stubborn.
Evan was glad he’d turned back, too. For a lot of reasons. Including getting the chance to meet Riker.
“I’ll see who I can get for questions and answers. I know a Mauvian, too. They’re smarter than most people, so he might even be able to answer everything, or at least find someone who can help. Do you usually patrol alone or do you have backup, just in case?”
Not that he was already expecting the worst case scenario imaginable with Zinkenite, but…
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Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:52 pm
“Usually alone,” he shrugged again. “I don’t want to bother the others, and I don’t really live close to any of them. I mean I guess it could be worse.”
He would like to patrol with his friends, but he was also worried about what would happen if they did run into Zinkenite again.
“Okay, thanks Evan. I mean, I know this is a war and all that, I just hope we don’t end up being the ones doing more damage than good. I don’t want to join the Negaverse,” he clarified, making a face at how awful it seemed anyway. “I just want to make sure others don’t have to deal with the stuff the Negaverse does.”
If he could circumvent that by using himself as a shield or something. No, that wouldn’t be fair to his friends. He knew that. He’d already upset Julian and Evan.
“Anyway… I mean it. Thanks. I didn’t mean to call you, but I’m glad I did.”
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Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:53 pm
“I’m glad you did, too,” Evan answered honestly. “Thank you for not making some excuse to stay outside and deal with this weather. You’ve got a lot of heavy things going on, I think. But if you ever want to talk about them, I’ll do my best not to get emotional or anything. I can just listen. But also I’ll probably worry.”
He sighed loudly but there was an apology in it.
It was raining in waves and Evan slowed again, squinting as he slowly, carefully, pulled the car in. He tried to do it as perfectly as Zac would have. He turned off the car quickly and was glad that Maxim didn’t start barking, and Zac wasn’t standing outside waiting for them.
Everything looked just as he left it.
The rain had been coming down hard, but for a few seconds it started to let up–and that was enough of a sign for Evan.
“Come on, let’s get inside.” Like rushing now would keep any of them dry. He was just optimistic. And maybe Riker would feel better in some fresh clothes and with a good dinner.
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