In a shadowed corner of the hideout, now feeling emptier than ever, Orpheus sat against the creaky wooden walls, still visibly dispirited at their loss.
He listened vacantly to the bickering of the demon and Electra's giant snake, before stealing a concerned glance at the other Remnant in his company; Gray.
Laying eyes upon her, both his gaze and his heart softened- Electra likely had too little time to fully explain everything the same way she'd done for the young man, and even then Orpheus still had plenty questions.
Furthermore, there was a certain...melancholy about her. The same melancholy that had been following him ever since that fateful day he had to leave everything behind. The same subtle melancholy Electra carried with her, despite her determination to change her fate and theirs.
Perhaps all Remnants carried this same loneliness with them, Orpheus thought. The loneliness of having been refused a normal, peaceful existence like everyone else.
Above all, however- as much as our young vagabond would refuse admittance of this fact - Gray reminded him of Lyra, his daughter. Her first birthday was last month.
Orpheus didn't know if it was the flare of paternal instinct in his heart, or the fear of having to relive that dreadful memory of leaving everything behind that caused him to stand up so suddenly, but he nevertheless found himself on his feet.
"I..." he began shakily, but soon finding his footing and looking up at Gerrik placatingly. " I don't know about slave, but it's clear Electra still believes you're of great use to her. To us. Thus, perhaps it's in our best interest to put our differences and...methodologies aside for the time being in order to work towards our common goal of freeing her."
He looked to the side, tapping his foot on he floor. remembering what Electra had told him before. What they tried to do to her previously at the Academy. What they may try to do to her now.
"Our first order of business is to come up with some sort of strategy or plan going forward, and quickly."
He began pacing up and down, his mind doing what it did best- juggling a plethora of different possibilities and paths to take. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers before scurrying over to Gray, the excitement of planning a strategy taking over.
"The card!", he exclaimed, recalling the scene of Electra waving around some sort of card when they had met with Gray, just before... they arrived.
"Electra was talking to you about some sort of card, correct? Did she mention any functions it had? Or perhaps some significance it held?"
He paused, before finding his composure and clearing his throat.
"...my apologies, it seems I left my manners elsewhere. My name is Alexa- ahem, Orpheus, and I believe Electra mentioned your name is Gray." he spoke, his body language opening up, and general demeanor softening greatly. He got on one knee so that he was more-or-less level with the girl.
"I wish we could've met under less stressful circumstances, though here we are. It seems you and I belong to a special group called Remnants. I'm not sure how much Electra told you about all this, and I know you must be confused and frightened. I ask you to not to worry, and let us," he gestured to Gerrik and SJ, "handle this. I'll explain all I can once the time is right, though once we retrieve Electra, she can give you the proper run-down you deserve."
Finally, he queried her once more, this time much gentler.
"Do you remember that card Electra was waving about? What can you tell us about it?"
He listened vacantly to the bickering of the demon and Electra's giant snake, before stealing a concerned glance at the other Remnant in his company; Gray.
Laying eyes upon her, both his gaze and his heart softened- Electra likely had too little time to fully explain everything the same way she'd done for the young man, and even then Orpheus still had plenty questions.
Furthermore, there was a certain...melancholy about her. The same melancholy that had been following him ever since that fateful day he had to leave everything behind. The same subtle melancholy Electra carried with her, despite her determination to change her fate and theirs.
Perhaps all Remnants carried this same loneliness with them, Orpheus thought. The loneliness of having been refused a normal, peaceful existence like everyone else.
Above all, however- as much as our young vagabond would refuse admittance of this fact - Gray reminded him of Lyra, his daughter. Her first birthday was last month.
Orpheus didn't know if it was the flare of paternal instinct in his heart, or the fear of having to relive that dreadful memory of leaving everything behind that caused him to stand up so suddenly, but he nevertheless found himself on his feet.
"I..." he began shakily, but soon finding his footing and looking up at Gerrik placatingly. " I don't know about slave, but it's clear Electra still believes you're of great use to her. To us. Thus, perhaps it's in our best interest to put our differences and...methodologies aside for the time being in order to work towards our common goal of freeing her."
He looked to the side, tapping his foot on he floor. remembering what Electra had told him before. What they tried to do to her previously at the Academy. What they may try to do to her now.
"Our first order of business is to come up with some sort of strategy or plan going forward, and quickly."
He began pacing up and down, his mind doing what it did best- juggling a plethora of different possibilities and paths to take. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers before scurrying over to Gray, the excitement of planning a strategy taking over.
"The card!", he exclaimed, recalling the scene of Electra waving around some sort of card when they had met with Gray, just before... they arrived.
"Electra was talking to you about some sort of card, correct? Did she mention any functions it had? Or perhaps some significance it held?"
He paused, before finding his composure and clearing his throat.
"...my apologies, it seems I left my manners elsewhere. My name is Alexa- ahem, Orpheus, and I believe Electra mentioned your name is Gray." he spoke, his body language opening up, and general demeanor softening greatly. He got on one knee so that he was more-or-less level with the girl.
"I wish we could've met under less stressful circumstances, though here we are. It seems you and I belong to a special group called Remnants. I'm not sure how much Electra told you about all this, and I know you must be confused and frightened. I ask you to not to worry, and let us," he gestured to Gerrik and SJ, "handle this. I'll explain all I can once the time is right, though once we retrieve Electra, she can give you the proper run-down you deserve."
Finally, he queried her once more, this time much gentler.
"Do you remember that card Electra was waving about? What can you tell us about it?"
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