Pandemonium

Mark: *not bothering to look at Leon and act like he has no idea what Leon is talking about* Huh? Yeah, why wouldn't I be? As good as always...
Clara: *pull Mark's sleeve* Hey, he wants to help you.
Mark: *look at Clara, then sigh and look at Leon* This guy? I don't know what you are talking about sis.
Clara: *nervous* He is special, just like us.
Mark: *think for a second then smirk* Well then I guess he is either screwed up like us, or cocky like Rea. So, no help there.
Rea: *turn around and breathe in deeply trying not to choke the boy*
Mark: *stare at the TV but get annoyed by Clara's constant whining and Leon's gaze. Frustrated turn to Leon and frown* Ok,...fine. Maybe then you will all leave me alone... What?!

"Well. First off.
Tell me about your family.
What were your parents like?"
I look Mark in the eyes.

Mark: What the... *feel uncomfortable for gazing into Leon's eyes and look away for a second* Why should I tell you anything? *look at Leon again because somehow his gaze was impossible to avoid. Sigh* For the sake of being left alone... Our father was a police officer as you might already know. We moved here so he could rise up in his career. He was a bit strict and up tight...*gulp* in that last period when I...*breathe in*
Clara: *look at Leon and finish holding her brother's hand* When WE played that game.
Mark: *nod* ...he became a bit violent and impatient with all of us...and our mother? I guess as a mother should be. She was a housewife, loving her husband and taking care of us...she didn't deserve what we put her through. None of it. *breathe in not to cry and gaze angrily at Leon* There. Happy?

I don't break my gaze, keeping a comforting look in my eyes, almost like a father or older brother.
"They loved you and you loved them, right?"

Mark: *stare now a bit confused struggling to keep his frowned face* What kind of question is that? Of course they loved me. More than anything. Both of us... And as for me loving them...I thought I did until...I did what I did. *smirk looking at Leon* Guess I failed in loving them as much as I should... *the words now just went out* ...Didn't love them enough to listen and not trying out that shitty thing god damn it! *stop and bow head* But why does it matter anyway now? I don't need more people judging me over it!

I put a hand on Mark's shoulder in a comforting manner.
"What happened isn't your fault, Mark.
Neither you not anyone else who played this game could have predicted the outcome.
But do you want to know what I think, Mark?"
I try to look him in the eyes.
"If I had a son of my own, and something happened that made me die, I wouldn't want him blaming himself for what happened.
It is okay to mourn, and okay to remember, but you can't give up on yourself for what happened."

Mark: *breathe in and look away feeling that if he encounters Leon's gaze once more he would break down and cry* But...you don't understand I... If I didn't do that then, then nothing of this would happen. They would still be alive! And we would be able to go to school normally without a fear of getting mocked out or even killed...oh wait... *shout* I can't die! *mess up his hair and put hands over his face blowing out* But what would you know, huh? Tell me, do you know how it feels? *now gaze at Leon* Well?
Rea: *come closer and speak gently* Mark, just calm down ok?
Mark: *look at Rea madly and briefly* I was talking to him! *to Leon* Do you? Do you even feel guilt about anything?
Clara: *run towards Rea and hug her* He...he didn't mean it.
Rea: *smile sweetly and stroke her hair* I know little one. I just hope he will be fine, that's all. *Clara smiled and held my hand as she waited to see what happens next*

I put my hand on Mark's shoulder.
"More than you care to believe."
I take a deep breath.
"I had a family before this.
My parents, little brother and sister.
Hell. I even had a girl I was planning on marrying.
We were poor, so we all lived together, but we were happy."
My eyes darken.
"When that...... Damned thing showed up on my screen, I clicked yes, just like you and Clara did.
Three days later, some people came to our home."
I grab Mark's shoulder firmly.
"They were killed right before my eyes.
I kept trying to deny it, block it, but the truth is, they died because of me.
But I know they wouldn't be able to rest in peace if I sat down and waited to join them!
I remember them every single day, and I hold myself accountable, as do you.
I realize my saying it isn't your fault is hypocritical, no need to point that out, but if you want to blame yourself as a man, then take responsibility as one, okay?
Live on, and don't live in the past.
Let your parents rest in peace."

Mark: *stare at him shocked and now tearing up* Uh I...I'm sorry man... *bow head down and dig it into his palms* Shit...I'm such an idiot!
Rea: *shocked by what Leon said but get a grip on myself and speak to Mark with high but not scolding tone* Young man, you are lucky one! You have her left! *at that point Clara ran to hug her brother* She is so worried about you and all you do is sitting around not giving a shit! *frown* It goes on! *turn around* And don't go around calling people cocky if you don't know shit they've been through! I am not like this because I was barely waiting for it. So stop judging me as well. *stop and turn around after hearing sobs and realise that Mark was crying into his hands*
Clara: *tear up and hug her brother tighter* It's ok big brother, we will be fine. *smile brightly*
Mark: *look at his sister and hug her back sobbing* Forgive me Clara...I...I will be here I promise... *sob harder*

I gently fold my arms around both of the children.
"I know we can't replace your parents, but, for better or worse, we're family now. We gotta watch out for each other, yeah?"

Rea: *sigh and smile* Yeah. So we better start acting that way.
Clara: I miss mom and dad as well, brother, but I am sure Rea and Leon will do what they can to make us happy. *chuckle and hug Leon back* We love you too.
Mark: *nod* Uh y...yeah *it's been a long time he got a hug so he was confused, but it was nice. Get up and wipe tears off stepping towards Rea* Uh look I... *saying that he is sorry was still a bit awkward to him* I...I am sorry for how I acted. I don't think you are a bad person I... *sigh not knowing what to say and extend his arm to shake hands* Uh...friends?
Rea: *act insulted and cross arms pouting* Oh, so you remembered finally...well... *see that Mark is uneasy so laugh and pull his arm* Come here you stubborn little brat. *squeeze him and mess up his hair*
Mark: Uh...hey! Ok I get it! *chuckle for the first time and step away* I...I am going to clean up my room now I made a mess...
Clara: *jump off the couch now really happy* I'll help you. Can I?
Rea: *after the kids went together to do their job, step forward and hug Leon from the back* You did it. *think about what he said* I am sorry for what happened to you and that you had to go through that again because of this... *hug him tighter*

Hugs Rea back.
"It's fine, it's fine.
I still remember them, and I hope that, wherever they are, looking down on me, they're proud."
I smile at her.

Rea: *smile and kneel over his lap holding his head in my hands and staring at his eyes* Hey, of course they are proud. They managed to raise up an amazing person. And you are lucky you had the chance to be with them. And all the other people you cared about. At least for a while.

I stare back and gently kiss Rea.
"Well, i have to say, meeting you has definitely been a good experience."

*laugh* I guess so, if you are masochistic enough... *sigh and dig head into his shoulder* Man, I am so glad to have you around...*laugh insecurely* I am actually afraid to open those files that I brought back. Who knows what will I find.

Rubs Rea's back and cradles her in my arms.
"Then let's open them together, yeah?"

*chuckle* Thank you. *get the files and sit back to the couch staring at Leon* Ok here it is...ready? *sigh and open it pulling the paper out* Hmm it is some kind of research result... *frown* I have no idea what am I looking at... (Ooc: It's about that red liquid that was mentioned just so it won't be in vain because the idea is great)

I sigh and look at the papers.
"Data results, trials, but where is......
Aha!"
I pull out one page of the report and skim through it.
"Hmmmm.
'Attempts to artificially create Players.'
All of them were failures.
Resulted in death, but one.
Celes, female, 15."

*stare at the paper* Oh boy... that doesn't sound really convenient. *think* Wait...could it be that girl has a record or something, cause I could swear I heard that name somewhere before... Why would anyone do such a thing when there was already a way to make players through that game. Unless someone works to make an army for something else. But what?

"There's more.
This.... Exsphere Project......."
My face pales and my eyes widen at what I see.