Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 4

Tom stiffened slightly, feeling the Flow. He needed the ability to survive, so he was attuned enough to sense that something was off.

"What is that?" he asked Nathan.

"Source of flow." Nathan muttered quietly. "It's what we're going after. There are a number of things like it that are the reason for flow. The Big Five were in control of it and they split into six or seven pieces."

Tom nodded, keeping his voice low.

"What's the matter with you today? I don't want to charge into something like that without being able to count on your support," Tom replied, not sure if it was the right time, but not wanting to risk it.

"It's nothing. Forget about it." Nathan responded quickly his gaze never turning to Tom.

"That just proves it ain't nothing," Tom replied, a bit more firmly.

"Empathy." Nathan muttered again his fists clenching. "It's... heightened all of my emotions as well as bringing out once I've been repressing."

"Ones like?" Tom asked empathetically.

"Guilt... depression... sorrow... and... love... I think." Nathan responded cautiously. "Mainly the first."

"What gives you the strongest feelings of guilt? ...And love, what about that?" Tom asked. "It'll help."

"What I did in the tower... Luke... Kira... Heidi... Erika... Sabina..." He responded cautiously. "The love thing isn't important at the moment."

"Oh love is as important as the guilt. Love is a motivator where guilt isn't. Can lead to a man doing stupid things, mess up his perception. Way I see it, I'm one of the only people left that see you straight nowadays," Tom replied sympathetically.

"It won't have an effect until we get back to the others." Nathan said forcibly. "And yeah you probably are... but meh."

Darkness started to roll around her once she heard the voice. "Victoria," she responded.

"Here to help," Tom replied, shrugging massive shoulders.

----

"You're not from the village," Luke stated roughly. "What are you doing here?"

"Walking. Don't know how I got here though," Victoria responded as she glanced over her shoulder. "Didnt catch your name."

"Luke Evans," said man replied. "You're one of Nathan's, aren't you?"

Now he had her full attention. "You know him, so...you must be from that Acer tournament..." she concluded

/ gotta bounce.

"I was Nathan's team mate," Luke growled through clenched teeth.

-----

OOC: Adios.

Heidi stayed away from the two, bouncing on her heels in boredom. She figured Tom would do a better job of setting Nate straight than her, she'd just end up getting angry.

---

Kira frowned, hesitantly approaching Luke and Victoria. Partially hiding behind Luke, she asked, "Wh-Who a-a-are y-you...?"

"That's funny." Nathan said with a rare smirk. "I've never had help." He turned back to Heidi. "And you're probably the only one who can help me with anything nowadays. You're definitely the only one who's willing."

Heidi raised an eyebrow, before shrugging. "Stop your blubbering, Nate, it's weirdin' me out. But the village gets stuffy after five years, anyway. It's nice to be out and about." She paused, frowning. Hopefully, Simon was doing okay. She wanted to go back soon, and see him. They hadn't been separated this long...ever.

"Scared to see some emotion that isn't anger or coldness?" Nathan retorted. "Maybe you might actually begin to think of me or someone who isn't an enemy?"

"So, wanna get this Flow thing sorted?" Tom asked, figuring they weren't going to get anywhere further with introspection. Although, Heidi and Nate might not want be so easy to stop.

"And isn't that everyone's problem? It's Luke and Kira's anyway."

"Probably." Nathan noted. "You're all scared to trust me again. And you all thing that I'm still trying to kill you all."

"In case you haven't noticed, you don't even look like a very trustworthy person," Heidi retorted, scowling.