[PRP] - Awakening: Slven & Casshern

[Sen Cross]

Ghost was feeling uneasy. There was a foreboding sense of change in the air, he knew. It would happen today.

He had been pacing the hallways and the growth chambers repeatedly during the past weeks, waiting, waiting ... Whenever the other children were alseep and he had 'nothing better to do', he sat in the chambers, leaning on the plain wall across the two soft glowing tanks, staring at the seeds inside, waiting ...

Like today. The children were outside, and here he was, again, listening to the soft humming of the machines, the comforting melody he called mothers lullaby. Soon ...

The glow was intensifying. It wouldn't be much longer. With a faint smile, Ghost placed his palms against the fiberglass of the growth tanks, feeling the faint pulse of energy flowing through them.
Closing his eyes he listened to the whispers of the waking spirits, so different yet so familiar, calling to his memories of a distant past. He shouldn't be surprised, it was their residual DNA, after all, which was calling out to him, asking, urging him to remember.

They were sitting in the sky gardens, laughing, basking in the light of the colony's twin suns. The first war was over and the second had yet to start. Those were the short, peaceful time they were granted.
"Stop mocking me ... you're being unfair." He pouted, hiding his face in his palms with an exasperated sigh. "I'm not interested!"
The other two males shared a meaningful look, and Aren snickered. "Well, you should think about it sometime, kiddo. The war's over, you need something to keep yourself occupied with. A lover would be a start."
"Aren!"
"Leave him be, he's still a kid." Zeals melodic voice cut in, amusement dancing in his soft amber eyes. "Ghost will choose when he's ready to. You don't need to give him 'the talk'"
That did it. Blushing furiously, he threw his hands up in mock defeat."you two are evil! I hope you realize that!"
The two older males laughed again, and as Zeal leaned closer into his 'fathers' embrace, he couldn't help but smile.
"You know, Ghost," Aren finally said, lips curving into a half grin, half smile, "you might be a big brother soon. Think you're up to the responsibility?"
"You want a child?!"
"Yeah ... Zeal here is a bit envious of us, you know? He wants a little boy he can spoil, too." The pair of them laughed again as he choked on his coffee. Gods, they had laughed so much during those short, peaceful days ...
"We were thinking about asking mother. We even decided on a name ... well, almost. It's either Slven or Casshern."
"What if it will be a girl? You can't be sure, you can't exactly ... bribe mother."
"Zeal wants a boy, so it will be a boy. You'll see."

A sad smile appeared on his lips. That had been the last time they had joked around so freely. The day after that, the liberation war had started.
Ghost would never have guessed that they had really went through with their plan, not so soon, not during the war. But maybe it had been so soon because of the war, that they had asked mother to preserve their DNA, their legacy, to give them something to hold on to should one of them perish.
If only they had known ...

The humming stopped.
Slowly, Ghost freed himself from the memory, opening his eyes and meeting two identical pairs of soft amber ones that blinked at him innocently, curious.
The familiar feeling was still there, but those two were ... different. They weren't Aren and Zeal, they were ...
"Slven ... Casshern ..." His smile was genuine now, the familiar warmth spreading through him that he always felt when one of them opened his or her eyes to the world.
"I'm Ghost, your guardian. Welcome to Utopia."  

[Shiningamisgirl]

Casshern shivered to wakefulness; golden eyes opening slowly and blinking to clear the blurriness from them as he observed his new world. Everything was fuzzy at first, gently focusing until lavender filled his vision. The wordsat first were muted coming through the glass, but there was warmth with them, safety, and Casshern found himself unwittingly mimicking the smile on his guardians face.

This place was home, happiness, and as Cassern reached out to press his hand against the glass he felt another presence near him. This one so much warmer than the other, and so familiar. Cassern was sure he would know this one anywhere..would know Slven...even though it was his first time actually seeing him. It was an unshakable connection that had him smiling wider, and feeling sure that all of this was right. Their names were right; this man who called himself Ghost and this place of Utopia. They were all good things. They must have been, even if he didn't understand it just yet he trusted it.

Casshern found himself feeling excited and nervous all at once. He wanted out, but not without his other half, and he needed to feel more than his hand pressed against the glass would allow. To free himself from the now cramped confines of the growth tank. Mouthing a small wordless greeting to Ghost, Casshern pressed himself more firmly against the fiberglass. Running his small hand over the spot where Ghosts palm was pressed and marveling at how they were separated by the material. His bright, curious gaze darting between what he could view through the tank and his twin.  

[Cheekiebirdiee]

The soothing hum had stopped, the sound he was use to for so long. Where had it gone? Slowly more awareness seeped in as the seed in the tank reached completion of its growth, leaving the child like genome in its place. Two pale hands reached up to rub in semi-circular motions over amber eyes. Hands moving to rest at his side, he was free to look around and the first thing he saw was another staring back at him. The lavender hair and gentle genuine smile both pleased and furthered his curiosity for what was taking place in this, his new world. The one behind the glass was speaking, Slven focused on his lips, intently. Taking in all his words and holding them to heart. His own lips twisting slightly at the corners for an attempt at what the others were doing, smile, head tipping as he watched in amazement. Mesmerized for a few moments at the one behind the glass, before his attention shifting, body jumping slightly when he realized he was not alone. Casshern's movement had caught in the corner of his eye.

Amber's now turned to fixate on the one next to him, able to make him out well enough from his tank, then back to Ghost as if silently saying do you see him to? Strange, there was a clear connection here and he knew it was right even without knowing how or why. As the name hit is ears he smiled, this was Casshern. This was certain, the boy was starting to grown uneasy from being confined in the tank..His eyes glued to what he could see of his twin as he started to shift around. A thought passed through his mind, this Casshern he was his. This was unquestionable to him, no curiosity remained about the twin other than what he felt like, if he felt the same as Slven. Slven reached his hand out towards his twin, then withdrew it before it touched the glass. This act was not in fear though it might have appeared that way. A wave of warmth flooded over him and the boy let out a noise, a strange noise well a strange noise in that it was his first. The noise was soft and high in pitch, echoing in his tank and tickling his throat as it came out, he had giggled. Feeling, he wasn't sure of what it was or what it meant but knew he felt happy and safe. Slven knew and it made him giggle in delight.

Utopia, the boy shifted anxiously in the growth tank his limbs stretching out causing him to feel a little cramped. Eyes cast down in a troubled look as he ran over the area he was in, he wanted out. He wanted to be able to touch things other things, his fingers flexed and then quickly rose to the glass causing him to bump his fingers to roughly into it, a sound came out not only from his lips in a whine of pain but from the glass ! The pain the bump caused his fingers forgotten in an instant in favor of the sound the glass had made, he folded his hand into a fist to protect his fingers and hit the glass again. Thump. Eyes widened as again the noise rang out inside the tank with him. Thump. Thump. Thump. Unknown to himself he was knocking at the tanks glass, fascinated by the noises as his tiny fist hit it repeatedly. Mouth falling open into a look of sheer delight as he turned his eyes up to Ghost looking for praise with a wide grin, hand furiously hitting the glass to show him what he had found, this sound. Out of the corner of his eye he made sure to keep watch on Casshern, beaming at his discovery. His lips parted and he giggled again.  

[Sen Cross]

Ghost smiled as he watched them waking, so curious, so innocent. And he would do all he could to preserve that sweet innocence.
"Hold on, you two. You'll be out in a moment."

He turned to the control console between the two tanks, pushing a quick sequence of commands into the keyboard.
The soft remaining glow inside of them concentrated and engulfed the two small boys, solidifying around them into two identical silverish white bodysuits.
Watching their wonder with a soft smile, he waited another moment before he hit the final control button, opening the locks of the growth tanks and causing them to slide open and their inner light to fade out.

"There. Come on out, it's fine."
He could barely keep himself from trembling as he held out his arms, inviting, encouraging.
"I'll show you. This world of ours."  

[Shiningamisgirl]

Casshern twisted in his tank to stare at Slven with wide eyed surprise. Mouth falling open into a soft 'o' as his brother seemed to come to life with new noises and sounds. It was almost frightening at first, the thumping and the high gleeful giggles, but seeing Slvens face looking anything but frightened gave Casshern the needed courage to try it himself. Giggling, softly at first, as the small thumps of his brothers fist on the glass echoed through the chamber. His little giggle growing until he was clutching at his sides with the mirth of it. It was hilarious, and looking to Ghost told him all was alright. Ghost too seemed amused with the noises; looked pleased even with the exploration of the small space and their growing curiosity.

The sudden new glow of light made Casshern squeal in surprise. Squeezing his eyes shut as the soft strange glow increased and consumed him. Huddling down inside the tank and refusing to open his eyes again until the glow had dimmed and died away. It took him a few moments to adjust to the strange new feel of the garment. It almost felt like wearing nothingness, air and silk that had perfectly molded to his form. He couldn't help but run his fingers over his arms and chest, marveling not only at the texture, but the color as well.

Golden eyes not sweeping only his own form, but his twins as well. Immediately worried when he saw that the glow had left Slven in the same state with an outfit matching his own. Reaching out to gently touch the glass separating them just as the tank doors unlocked and swooshed open before him. Ghost was waiting beyond the doors, gentle and beckoning to them softly.

Casshern was hesitant now that he had the chance to move beyond his own tank. Inching to the edge before freezing up; whining with uncertainty as his looked again from Ghost to Slven, he couldn't imagine going out without him.  

[Cheekiebirdiee]

Slven blinked surprised but overjoyed as he hears the sound of laughter, this time not from himself. Casshern, his twin seemed to be enjoying the noise to. His fist banged happily at the glass as the others giggles filled his ears, wanting him to laugh more and pleased he was the one causing it. The boy starting up a matching laughter as he knocked, only silencing himself as the glow in his tank engulfed him. He was frightened at first unsure of what was happening, the squeal he heard from his twin only pushing his fear up more. Amber eyes screwed tightly shut as the boy took a deep inhale of air holding on to it as if it might be his last, hunkering down into the tank to make himself as small as possible. A few minutes had passed and he slowly peeked an eye open, only to be baffled by the new discovery that was covering his previously bare body.

Slven rose up to run his eyes over the newly acquired body suit, head tilted eyes flickering from his arm to his legs in fascination. What was this? The curious look on his features told it all as he reached a hand out to pinch at the suit, wincing slightly before starting to run his fingers all over himself to take in the feel of the fabric. Soft, light and a brilliant silvery color it was truly amazing. This was his? The boy peered to Ghost as if asking this to him. Could he keep this, yes this was his. His eyes turned to look to his twins tank noticing the laughter was gone. Worried filled his eyes as he noticed his twin reaching out towards the glass, had the glow hurt him? Slven immediately drew his fist up to hit the glass only to have it escape the knock by opening. The boy jumped back slightly and fell right out the opposite side of the tank and into the floor. "Oft." Slven grunted, laying in the floor for a moment before his tiny hands reached up to grasp the side of the tank, pulling himself up to peer over at Casshern then to Ghost.

He grinned sheepishly, pulling himself further up trying to get use to standing on his own two legs. Using the tank to steady himself, he started wobbly around the tank towards his whining twin, hesitation and fear clear in his slow movements. This while it was slightly scary was new and exciting he wanted to experience it with Casshern, which meant he had to go and get him. Slven knew this was right but just to make sure he paused his advance on the other boy and looked to Ghost. Tipping his head in curiosity as he took in the beckoning man and open arms. The warm invitation of Ghost's words driving him towards the man and away from his twin now, though he held out his hand as he walked shakily towards the open arms, glancing back for Casshern as if silently telling him to come and take it. A small chuckle rang out as he turned back to look at Ghost. Feet moving slower to make sure Casshern was able to catch him before he got to Ghost.  

[Shiningamisgirl]

Casshern gasped as he watched Slven tumble to the floor, his first reaction was to crawl closer to his brother using the glass to steady himself as he clung to the opening in his tank, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth as he watched him lay there. The small spike of fear washing away when he saw Slven smile, perfectly alright and moving again, standing even all by himself! Casshern let out a small relieved sigh at the sight. His courage wavering for a few moments more, seeing Slven move further away towards Ghosts opening arms.

Further away without him..towards someone warm and happy..someone who obviously wanted them to come closer. Casshern gathered up his courage to follow, not wanting to be left behind and alone. Especially not when Ghost was waiting so close by, and Slvens outstretched hand even closer. Casshern stumbled with his first attempt at walking; growling cutely at his own legs as he demanded they work for him just like Slvens were. His next steps a bit wibbly, but more sure, and the boy was grinning again when he caught Slven and Ghosts eyes on him. Grinning even harder when he caught Slven's hand in his own. Casshern felt triumphant and giggled as he todled along with Slven into Ghosts awaiting arms.  

[Sen Cross]

With a bright, honest smile Ghost caught the two boys in his arms, giving them a gentle, brotherly embrace.
It was good, having other children around. Even though the twins would most likely stick together, he honestly hoped that they would get along well with the other children too.
These two might be his brothers in a way, but he woulnd't show favoritism. He had a responsibility for all the children of this colony. That had been his choice. And he was glad that he had been chosen. He loved these moments, when their newborn brothers and sisters opened their eyes to the world for the first time.

"There, good boys." He ruffled their raven hair affectionately. "So tell me, what do you want to do first? Should I show you your room, or do you want to go outside and meet the other children?"  

[Cheekiebirdiee]

The raven haired child grinned up to Ghost as he approached, his hand outstretched and waiting to feel the touch of his brother whom he heard shuffling to life behind him. His grin stretched further over his lips as this happened, the warm feel of the other tiny hand that grasped his own. Yes, this was right,good and all his. When they reached the hands of their guardian, a small sigh escaped the boys parted lips in relief. It was hard work to walk that short distance, especially since walking was so new. Amber orbs peered all around as they were embraced so affectionately, his fingers gripping tightly to his twins locking their hands. Tell him? Slven blinked up to Ghost for a few minutes, a few sounds coming up as he tried to find it again...his voice.

"...Good. " Came the soft coo that was the boys voice, his eyes sparkled with pure delight as it hit his ears. A word! "Children! " He announced on a giggle, grip tightening around Casshern as if telling him to pick children to, though he did look to the other boy in question to see if he to would like to see these children. Either way, the fact that he wasn't letting him go showed that Slven would be with him wherever they went.
 

[Shiningamisgirl]

Casshern giggled softly and affectionately nuzzled Ghosts hand in return as the man ruffled his hair. It felt good to relax into the others embrace; matching his twins bright smile with one of his own, and squeezing his tiny hand in return. If being 'good' brought things like this then Casshern would make sure to do it more often. His golden eyes lighting up when Slven spoke, facing his brother with fascinated awe when he managed to answer Ghost. The suggestion sounded fun enough, children, others to meet and share with and listen to! Ghost sounded excited enough about it, surely it had to be just as good as this was, and if Slven wanted it...

"Ch-childr.." Casshern snorted and hugged Slven tighter giving a swift excited nod instead; words were such tricky things to get his tongue around. Besides whatever Slven wanted at that moment he wanted too! The word 'room' sounded boring to him anyways..short and dull, not nearly as fun as children did. "Child-child-child!" Casshern liked the shorter word anyways; bouncing slightly in place and looking up at Ghost with hopeful fascination, obviously eager for wherever he would take them next.  

[Sen Cross]

"Well then, you two. Let's go and meet the others." Ghost replied, holding out his hands for both of them to take. He wanted to see the smiles on their faces and the innocent wonder in their eyes some more and preserve their happyness forever. As long as the children of Utopia were safe and happy, he could fulfil his purpose, and maybe even one day see his dream come to life.

Waiting until the two boys took his offered hands, he led them out of the growth chamber and through the ship, explaining the most important things about it to them. They might not understand it all at the moment, but a genome childs consciousness awakened quickly after birth, and after only a few hours they had the mind and intellect a human child would have at the age of twelve to fourteen. They would remember then if they needed to.

Passing through the ships interior, slowly enough for the two of them to stop and stare in wonder if they wanted to - they were in no rush, really - they reached the hall on ground level, it's open entrance doors leading onto the clearing. And for the first time the twins were greeted by bright, warm sunlight.