Electronic Foils (Valo)

So she's going back home...

To say that he was worried was an understatement, but he understood that she had her reasons for it. She couldn't just up and leave with nothing. She couldn't just disappear like it was all okay. Not yet. He didn't know anything about her father but what bad things she'd mentioned or hinted at, but he could only hope that nothing bad would happen to her. The implant in her hand only served as a justification for his worries, but if she felt she would be fine, then he wouldn't try to impose on her. If she really was in a bind and needed the help, she would call for him with the tracker he gave her. That's all there was to it.

"As long as you'll be okay. Just remember, Siobhan, you're not alone."

Strength from your allies, from a friend, is sometimes all you needed to make it through. It granted you courage you thought you didn't have. But although he had people he could trust, he had his own personal battles that only he could fight. He understood this, and he was sure that Siobhan didn't want others involved if she could help it. Whether it was for their safety, or due to a stubborn notion of being able to accomplish things on her own, she was a fighter at heart. And he respected that.

"I don't know how the housing works here, do I have to wait a certain period of time or do I just get a dorm and make payments from there?"

Valo thought for a moment about this question. Normally, the housing at the school was for the low income students or students who had issues getting to school, and it was probably a bit hard at this point to get one. However... he would pull his phone out, and begin to type a text to Macht, who owed him a favor at the least.

"I'm gonna arrange something with the school captain for you. He could pull the necessary strings to get you in there as soon as tomorrow if you need it." He finished sending the text, purposely omitting details on why it needs done. He slid his phone back into his pocket before he talked again. "If you need a place to crash tonight after you head home though, just let me know."

He was almost certain she wouldn't accept the offer, but it didn't hurt to give it. A lot could happen in a night, and it made him uneasy to think of what could happen to her while she attempted to sleep. He tried not to show that on his face, however, not wanting her concerned about him over herself. She had enough to worry about without his own worries weighing down on her. He would just make a note to himself to stay up tonight just in case. He was sure he could find some way to occupy his time.

"Thank you by the way. I'm guessing that wasn't too easy on you..."

It wasn't. But... "No problem. I've... done worse. I can't say I was expecting any of this. But... it's what friends are for, right?"

Valo was trying to be careful as to not cause Siobhan to panic, but it seemed nearly everything struck a dissonant chord within her right now. He couldn't really blame her, everything must have been so confusing and tough to bear after all of these sudden developments. He imagined if they were in an anime, her face would be bright red and she'd be burning up like a tea kettle before her head exploded in exasperation.

He also had no idea of what her original plan with Macht was, overthrowing him or otherwise. He wasn't trying to jeopardize her, but rather help her, and Macht was quite possibly the best person around to get on the good side of. Even if he didn't really know Siobhan well, he was bound to help Valo out for saving his life before. Valo didn't mind using that personal favor on someone else when their life was potentially at stake, not that he'd tell Siobhan that.

"A-Actually I probably need a place to crash for later tonight, but don't worry about afterwards. I'm sure... I'll have something figured out later... anyways..."

Well, that was really unexpected. He thought she'd turn him down, but she seemed willing to take it. Her stuttering seemed so unlike the surefire tough Siobhan he had seen just minutes before, but maybe she thought she shouldn't refuse all the options he was trying to give her. She was an ally, and if she could feel secure for even just a night, then he'd try to give that to her. As paranoid as he was, he had countermeasures in place in the event that anyone tried to compromise his location. That same security would be extended to her.

"Alright, that's no problem. I have a spare room, and you can crash as long as needed. Don't be in a rush to leave until you're positive you're secure."

Whether it was one night or many days to come, she needed to find herself and to pick herself back up after all of this. And by offering his place to her, he was letting her in closer than he'd allow most people, meaning he had to do his best to trust that she wouldn't go through with her original mission anyway. But looking at her, he didn't feel like he had to doubt her. He felt more sincerity out of her than before. If she was acting the same way she did back at the PA room, well... he doubted he'd be nearly so kind.

"You don't need to apologize. You've overstepped nothing. When I offer to help someone, I intend to do my best... so you're fine."

Maybe someone to talk to would do him some good as well.

Valo himself wasn't sure what his relationship with Macht was. They had been bitter enemies since the start, although for a really silly reason. It started out as typical teenage anger, and Macht had always looked down on Valo for how weak he was. It wasn't until the later gang wars on the school that Valo had proven to Macht that he wasn't just cannon fodder, until later when he had given his own life to save Macht. But even then... were they friends? Or just people who shared a common goal who simply learned to tolerate the other? No matter the answer, his opinion of Macht was a high one. And he'd gladly try to get Siobhan into Macht's good graces if he could, should the opportunity or need arise.

She wasn't Valo's responsibility, but his natural instinct told him to worry and do what he could. If he just let Siobhan walk out of here back into that life of her's, especially after getting her implant removed, he couldn't live with himself if she got hurt, if he could've stopped her from getting hurt. And if that happened, who knew what twisted thing would be done next? It could be far worse than a tracking implant. He shuddered at the thought.

"So you've proved. I owe you one Valo... Also, just in case I don't figure anything out... can you see if the Student Captain will go ahead and reserve a room for me? ...If it won't be too difficult.."

She owed him... he didn't really want any favors in return, except for her to watch herself and stay safe. But he'd answer her question, looking over to her and returning her gaze.

"Of course. I'm sure he'll have an answer to me soon, when he gets a chance to respond. But I'll keep bugging him about it. It wouldn't be any issue."

He wasn't sure if it was desperation he saw in her eyes, or determination. Looking at her, he could see a part of his life that he wanted to forget about looking back at him. Her story and her past made him reflect on his own, and he realized he was always going to be carrying it with him. Burying it did nothing, so he'd have to face it. But looking past all of that... Siobhan was someone he felt he too could come to rely on someday.

"Well then, shall we be off? We got to get everything arranged." He stood up, looking over at Siobhan and offering his hand to her and giving a friendly smile. "Besides, we were supposed to get some food."

Valo himself hadn't really accepted the luxury of spending time with another person casually in a long time, not since the Wraith inhabited his body. He shut himself off from people for fear of them casting him away, for fear of him hurting them if he failed to control it. He didn't feel human anymore regularly, and was afraid others would look at him in the same way. But as Siobhan turned ally, as he found someone who could sort of relate, and as she took his hand, he couldn't help but feel an unfamiliar ease in his chest.

"Don't worry, I won't keep you long."

Although, he preferred if he could. He didn't want to risk her going back home to her father. He hardly new her, but he was concerned for his safety in a way that was hard to put into words. He wanted to find a way to get her out of that life in its entirety, wondering if it was even possible. No, it had to be possible. As long as there was a way, he was going to keep pushing for her. He wasn't going to resign her to a fate that was out of her hands, she had to carve her own path. Her life was her story. It didn't sit right with him that she was living for someone else, and not her own happiness.

A bit of time would pass before he realized he was still holding her hand, and he quickly let go and looked away for a moment. He grabbed his bag, lifting it over his shoulder before he noticed her turning towards him with a very serious look on his face. He could only wonder what that meant.

"So, chocolate milk or white?"

...
.....
.......

Okay, he wasn't expecting that. The serious look in her eyes, and the serious tone of voice she had... Valo was waiting for her to crack into a smile or a laugh, but it never came. He was completely caught off guard, but opted to regain his composure and answer just as seriously.

"Should that even be a question? Chocolate, all the way. I could live off of that."

Woah.

Valo was caught completely off-guard by this new side of Siobhan. It was as if she had no worries in the whole world, a new light shined through in her eyes that he hadn't seen before, and when she started to speak... he felt like his eyes had been opened to a whole new world of milky goodness, the way she spoke in one breath just like that was astounding to say the least. Needless to say, it probably wasn't the best time to tell her he had never had any fancier chocolate milk brands, just the kind you buy in the jug at the grocery store or the chocolate mix that you put into milk yourself.

"Ah, well, that's just me... I'm not too hungry so I think I'll just get milk. Chocolate! Milk...."

At that, Valo couldn't help but smile, suppressing a laugh. She was quite adorable, he couldn't deny that. A woman with class, but she had a childish side to her too. It was refreshing to see such signs of life in a place like PHS #552, but even moreso from her. After their earlier conversation, he was worried she just didn't know how to have fun. But it was there, he hoped he could see that side of her more often. Something about her... made him feel like the Wraith inside of him wasn't a problem, that if he remained content like this, he could fight it. She was helping him in a way he didn't understand, and yet... No, I'm looking too much into it.

"Alright, Miss Chocolate Connoisseur, we'll get some chocolate milk." He smiled at her. "Vending machine, or... would you rather go somewhere?"

He asked her, not really minding whatever they did. If they were short on time, the vending machines made the most sense, but he was more than willing to give her a ride somewhere. She had to go home, and so did he. But part of him wished this could last longer. Finding someone like her who could be a great friend... it wasn't a common occurrence in the slightest. He just hoped that every time they were together, he could bring out the real Siobhan, rather then the one who walked around with walls up around her heart all the time.

Valo looked at Siobhan as she blinked at him. Was she confused by something? He had no idea calling her what he did would give him such a puzzled look in return, but it was amusing to see her lost in thought and what he assumed was space out before she finally answered his question. At least interactions with her were unique and, somehow, not awkward.

He would walk over to the nearest vending machine that had what they wanted, sliding in some bills and some loose change from his pocket before hitting the buttons to get a couple of bottles of chocolate milk, rather than the small cartons. Because those were never enough chocolate milk, and were an insult when there was an obviously superior option to pick from.

Reaching down to grab the first bottle, and then the other when it came out, he would hold one out to Siobhan with a smile. He wasn't going to tease her further, as much as the temptation was there to do so. There would be time for that later, probably, and they were running short on time now. He would open up his bottle of chocolate milk, taking a small sip while she asked her question.

"Did you want to designate a meeting time at your place or have a spot to check-up in? I can't do any sooner than nine, but after ten it's fair game."

He paused for a moment to think on how they should do it. After a bit of time, he'd pull out his phone. "Here... let me give you my number. Just text or call me when you're ready or want me to and I can come pick you up somewhere. We're going to need to kill some time before the dorm is ready." He would head to the screen that displayed his number, holding the screen out towards Siobhan for her to see it.

Valo himself did have a curfew for the longest time, while his sister was still living at his house... he would come home after school every day to take care of her while she was sick, to help her with her homework, to feed her and make sure she was okay. But ever since the black mist incident, she had gone missing, taken by his father. He hated going home to that silence, it ate away at him and reminded him of his failure. And while he didn't realize it, even if it was just for a few hours or so, having someone else there would dull that pain substantially. A brief reprieve that he didn't even know he needed.

Valo noticed the frown, but tried to pay it no mind. He didn't pay for it out of a feeling she couldn't or anything. He just liked doing nice things for people he liked, even something as minor as paying a couple of dollars for a drink. Besides, she was a fellow chocolate milk lover, and damn was that awesome to him. He'd buy a whole friggin' chocolate fountain if he could. But probably wouldn't, that might be a bit much. Don't scare her away too soon, Valo.

"Ah my dad likes to harass the phone service carriers, and it isn't beyond his power to get numbers tracked, messages printed out, you know? It would probably be best if I called you from a public phone."

Why was he not surprised? Her dad was so willing to track her through every possible method, and after the tracker inside of her, nothing else seemed nearly as dark. But this was pretty crazy. He contemplated other possible solutions in his head. Could he get her a secret phone that she kept hidden? But he didn't know how far he'd go to search her, and if it was found... He hated to think what would happen to her. He wanted to help her, perhaps a bit more than he wanted to help anyone else he just met. He just wondered at what lengths he himself would go to to make sure she was safe.

"Yeah, I'm cool with that. I'll just keep an eye out even for numbers I don't recognize then."

Answer everything. He didn't normally get called, so he figured any random ones would be her. He was gonna be glued to his phone far more than normal as a result, but he felt it was a necessity for the time being. For the next day, maybe even week or month, he'd try to put her safety first. Whenever she did decide to come to him, though. He couldn't watch over her if she wasn't okay with it.

"Siobhan... I..."

Valo began, but wasn't sure where to go from there. He wanted to propose another solution to her, but he knew this one would be pretty crazy. He just met the girl. Anything he would say could come off as crazy. But they also just went through that whole ordeal with the tracker implant. He wasn't sure what to say, or how to say what he wanted to. He was a concerned kid, and he already cared too much about what happened to her.

"Can't I just... can't you..." He paused again. "... Nevermind. It's nothing."

He could never ask her to stay with him. It was wrong of him to ask her to allow him to protect her practically full time. She had her own life, even if she wasn't yet living it. But how different would staying with him be? Sure, he'd be protecting her. Treating her well and trying to make sure she was comfortable and happier, but in a way, he was worried it'd just come off as another form of control to her. No, if she needed him... she knew how to reach him.

"How long do you think you have until you have to leave?"