At some point in the night Ram had gotten into bed, still fully clothed, eyes bleary from staring at the computer screen too long. There hadn't been anyone to go to bed with, hadn't been anyone to suggest bed to him. When he woke up his neck was a little stiff, and there was a little puddle of drool on his pillow. He swiped his hand across his mouth, glancing around, still groggy. No, no sign of Java. There was a deep throbbing pain in his chest and he worried that maybe something was seriously wrong with him. What if he ever became seriously ill, would anyone even come to check on him?
Climbing slowly out of one side of the bed, he had a creased brow. His mood was completely foul, and wasn't very likely to improve. All he had for breakfast was the leftover rice that he'd made last night, which he didn't even bother to re-heat. Nor was he in the mood to shower, although he did do his hair and touch-up his face paint. It wouldn't do for the Lord Ram to go about looking like a complete slob.
If things went well today at the mall he had hopes of moving back to the hotel again. Then he could have more troops around, and it would be easier to get more recruits, as well as get back some more of his loyal troops who were currently in hiding. There were so many plans in his head that he couldn't help but get a little excited. One day he would exact revenge upon those who had betrayed him, until then he would bide his time and take back all that which was rightfully his, piece by piece if he had to.
Everything was quiet and dark when he entered the apartment building where they lived. Not another soul was there, and it felt so lonely, so isolated in the apartment all alone. Ram roamed from one room to the next, pausing to look at the bed, at the bathtub, glancing in the refrigerator. Whatever it was that he was looking for, whatever reassurance he sought, it wasn't here. It would never be here again, he could feel it in the air. His Javie, his wife, his first lover, was gone. Maybe her body would return, but it didn't contain the woman that he thought it did. That woman was a figment of his imagination, not any more real than VR. Perhaps he was assuming the worst, but there was no good to assume, not after the information that he'd found out.
In the quiet solitude Ram fixed a small meal which he ate while working on his computer. On the off chance that Java would come back he placed the leftovers in the refrigerator. There were plans to be made, programs to be written so he went to work on them. As long as he worked he didn't have to think about his personal life, didn't have to feel the pain of another betrayal. Time would pass silently, and he would not notice whether Java came home.
mood:  gloomy
Ram put the book down on his bed after Java left his room. He kicked himself mentally for letting her leave. Last time she left, she didn't come back until a week later. The front door of the apartment clicked shut.
Ram put on the shoes he had placed under his bed and tied them neatly, a little too neat, being nervous. He got up off his bed and paced a bit looking at the floor.
Would she come back before dark, as she had said? he wondered. He stopped at his desk and straightened up the disks he had sitting out, filled with old game templates.
He went back over to his bed and smoothed out his comforter. In the middle of putting the pillows neatly back into place, he realized what he was doing: He was cleaning. Not because it was messy, because he had reverted. He sighed and sat back down. He thought he had dealt with his need for this to be tidy and clean. He thought he was done with it. He held the pillow close to his chest. Was he falling apart?
The outbursts as Java earlier, the compulsive cleaning; was he reverting back to his old self, the boy who wheeled around bitterly, screaming at anyone who got in his way?
Ram shook his head. He did not want to go back to that. He wouldn't go back to that.
He put the pillow down and walked out of his room into the living area of the apartment. He sat down on the couch, setting his legs up on the coffee table with scratched and chipped paint. Nothing to do now but wait for her to come back.
mood:  anxious
After finishing the dishes and watching Java depart to her room, Ram decided to follow suit and go back to his room. No doubt Java would want sometime to unpack and rest. It had been quite a day for them both.
Ram sat down at his laptop and opened it up. After entering the correct passwords, he opened up the program he had been previously working on and resumed his work. However it wasn't too long before he got drowsy.
He didn't bother turning off the computer or even shutting the program before he got out of the chair and went to his bed. He didn't bother turning down the cover either.
"A quick nap should do." he said yawning and putting one of his arms around one of the pillows on his bed.
He laid there on his bed, partially spooning one of his pillow, and drifted off to sleep.
mood:  tired
After Java left, Ram turned off his computer and grabbed a pair of virt clothes from his dresser. He headed towards the bathroom and took a quick shower. He kept it quick and emaculate, unlike his one that morning: quick and almost-pointless (other than waking him up).
When he felt he was clean enough, he turned off the water and wrapped a white towel around his waist and walked over the sink and counter, where he had set his clothes. He looked at the mirror above the sink and wiped off the condensation on it. He looked at his reflection and smiled. Java had returned and he finally was satisfied with his life. He no longer had to do anything for anyone except himself and his wife. And as long as he kept the Apartment building's generator running, he didn't have to worry about electricity running out. He turned away and grabbed another towel to dry his hair.
He quickly dried off the rest rest of his body and began to put on his clothes: a pair of black pants, a short sleeved, button up, black shirt , two black wristbands, and a pair of black and white sneakers. They were regular virt clothes, but somehow seemed different. They were much cleaner and tidier, despite his lax his cleanliness since his downfall.
He didn't bother gelling his hair. He liked it better down, anyways. Then he went through his makeup and found his orange-yellow and silver pots. He placed two stripes of each color on both of his cheekbones and left off his Techno insigna. Then he found his eyebrown plates on put them on carefully.
When he was satisfied with how he looked, he picked up the towels he had discarded and hung them back up. He also picked up his uniform. What he was wearing now was much more confortable than the lycra. He put the uniform in a clothes hamper and made his way to Ved's room.
( More )
mood:  content
Ram opened the email program on his laptop. He had already thought about what he was going to say in the emails. More or less, both were the same. Siva's however, would be less formal and appologetic.
He typed them up quickly. He sent Salene's email first, then Siva's. He doubted they'd be thrilled to hear from him this soon. All this did was make him look like a liar, as if he just wanted to visit the mall the keep up with the virts.
The virts had been the farthest thing from his mind since he was on his own, with exception of his very short infatuation with Danni, which ended rather quickly. He was quite content living in his own little world, far away from anyone except for his dear Java and occasionally Ved. Here, no one could touch him, and he rather liked that. It was like an alternative form of Paradise. Mega really under estimated him.
Ram turned around in his chair. His uniform was becoming uncomfortable. It had been a long time since he wore his full uniform, complete with his hair and makeup done, just as it had been done when he was leader of the Technos. He wasn't sure if he should change or not. He certainly didn't want to anger Java again and that type of thing could do it: seeing her husband in virt clothes, getting lazy with his appearance.
He tugged at the lycra and bit, the unzipped his sleeves so he could push them up to his elbows. Unzipping his collar a bit, of course followed.
"The emails are sent. I hope I didn't worry Siva too much this morning. She was really concerned about you, Javie. Almost as much as I was."
Ram awoke. He hopped out of bed immediately. He had only one thing on his mind. He had to get Java back. If this meant demanding help from virts, who owed him a favor anyways, then he had to go see them, as much as he despised them.
Mechanically, he got out a clean uniform from his dresser and walked into the bathroom to shower. He kept the shower short. He wanted to get to the mall as soon as possible and as it was, it was an hour walk there.
He did his makeup and hair as usual, that way no virt could mistake it was him. He didn't care if he were jumped on the way. For one it was unlikely it would happen. Ved had told him of a way through some abandoned parts of the city. And also, with hhis training in VR, Ram could more than handle himself with a couple of virts.
After getting dressed and made up, Ram turned off his laptop and tucked it under his arm. He didn't bother taking any of the cords. If Salene wanted to see what he had, she could get the cords from Ved. The battery should be charged enough, anyways.
He shut off the lights in his room, remembering shortly that he did it: he gave everyone electricity. Then the lights in the mainroom and the kitchen. He locked his door and put the key in the usual spot, on top of the doorsill. Even though Ved had moved into the mall, he was still welcome back, and Ram certainly didn't want to lock him out. Ram stepped into the hallway, bound for the mall.
mood:  determined
The sun was setting and there was still no sign of Java. Ram had spent most of his day at the window, just waiting for her. She's gone for good. It's my fault. No doubt that when she left she had made up her mind. Who, though? Who would Java be in love with? She always kept to her kind, seeing everyone else as inferior. It was true, for the most part, too. Java was athletic, smart, clever...So many things. She would have no problem finding a guy that would worship her, but she was picky. It didn't matter who he was. He had the technology, he could track him using the cameras and kill him. Then she would comeback to him. No, she hates that kind of stuff. She would only be delighted if he had killed Ebony. Not that that wasn't tempting or anything, it's just that Ebony held a lot of power, she could be elemental.
Ram layed down in his bed without changing out of his uniform. It wasn't until he had stopped being so germaphobic and peculiar had he thought about growing old. Like actually old. He always thought Java would be with him and they'd have a few children. They're children would really be something. They'd have to be, considering their parents. A mental prodigy who had finished college by the age of 12 and the most perfect woman in the world. I guess she didn't share those same ideas. Weird, because they always seemed to have the same goals. Well, maybe not all of the time, but most of the time, anyways.
Ram spooned one of his pillows and held it against his chest tight. All he could really now was sleep until morning and hope Java would be there when he woke up.
mood: gloomy
Steam rushed out of the bathroom attached to his bedroom as Ram opened the door and walked out. Clad in only a light green towel, which was wrapped around his waist, he walked over to the window a peered out. He stared hard at the street's horizon. Still no Java he observed while absently pushing water droplets off his chest with his arm, which was still wet.
He kept looking, letting his mind wander to the time they had spent the day at the beach together in VR. He didn't remember how bright the sun was, the temperature of the water, or even what color Siva's swimsuit was. All he could remember was how beautiful Java looked with her braids dampened, how the sand clung to her arms and legs, and how she had looked at him. Ram smiled. That was his favorite memory since before the virus, in or out of VR.
Ram looked down at the floor. His carpet was all wet. Teaches me for not trying off completely. He backed up, bumping into his nightstand and knocking downa picture that was on it. He picked it up and sat down on his bed, looking at it thoughtfully. It was a picture of him and his parents before the virus.
"I miss you so much." He said to the picture. "I wish you could have seen some of the things I've done. You would have been really proud. Especially you, Father. I perfected many of the projects you had started." Ram gave a short, sudden laugh and shook his head. His father always had a Hitler-esque moustache. It always made him laugh.
"You would have liked Java. She's very..." He searched for the right words. Thoughtful?...Well, not all of the time. Nice?...Not to everyone. Smart?...Not as smart as I am. "She's very special. You'll just have to take my word on that."
Ram put the picture down, noticing his lack of clothes, and went over to his drawers. He picked out a clean uniform and went into the bathroom to put it on and do his hair and makeup.
mood:  disappointed
The apartment was quiet. Ram had found Ved's note. It was bound to happen. Ram was no longer Ved's mentor. Ved no longer looked up to him as if he were the brother he never had. Ram sighed. Even at the height of the Technos, he knew it wouldn't last forever. He had told Ved that he was welcome to come and go as he pleased and that offer still held.
Java had been gone for awhile. Ram bit his fingernails and looked out the window. She was his wife, of course he was worried. She, like Ved, was free to come and go, but she often stayed. If she did leave, she would email frequently throughout the day. Nothing. He had received nothing since she had left. It wasn't like her at all.
Maybe he drove her away. He didn't mean to say harsh things to her. It's just that sometimes she meddled in things that didn't involve her. That was her nature, though. She just wanted to make sure he was doing the right things to achieve his goal.
He checked his inbox. Nothing.
He blamed himself. He always took Java for granted. Ever since he married Siva. He was foolish. Siva and Ebony never loved him and you certainly can't force that emotion on anyone. It's either there or it's not. Java definitely had loved him.
Where is she?
Maybe his infatuation with Danni was the final straw for her. I wish I could take it all back. He hadn't heard from Danni in a long time. She most likely left the mall. That was fine with him. A virt. How could he ever had thought he was in love with a virts. All virts were trouble. All they ever do is get in the way and complicate plans. Not at all like his Java. She always looked after him no matter what. He shoved it right back in her face.
He deserved to be tormented with constant worry. It was all his fault. She left because of him.
I'm such a jerk.
Ram got up from his chair and gazed out the window, hoping he'd see Java walking towards the building. He sighed. There was no Java. "She'll never comeback." He concluded out loud. She could do so much better than an aggorant jerk.
Ram walked towards his bathroom while taking off his shirt and unbuckling his belt. It was about time he had showered for the day. Besides, it would help pass the time.
mood:  worried
( OOC )
Ram woke up from his nap. A well-deserved one, he thought. He crawled out from under the covers on his bed. He walked over to his dresser in his boxers and pulled out his usual Techno uniform. Maybe I should start wearing Virt clothes around the apartment. He shrugged and put on the uniform.
When he was dressed he turned on his computer and opened his most recent project.
Ram walked back into his room from visiting Ved. He was glad he was back. Sitting down at his desk, he thought over the city and what he saw. They really had no form of currency, it was mostly trade. Everyone seemed to know who their allies were and didn't talk much to outsiders, especially one from an unknown tribe. The currency thing still hung on him. Civilizations always came up with a form of currency. It's just how it was.
Ram checked his messages. None. He sighed and turned off his computer.
mood: anxious
Ram unlocked the door to his apartment and flipped on the lights. He set his pack down on the floor against the wall while shutting the door and locking it behind him. He was tired and failed in his attempts to find out more information. He had only really talked to one person while he was in the city.
"She would have made a good Techno." He said, yawning and walking back to his room.
He switched on his computer and pulled off his shirt. He didn't wait for his computer to boot up so he could check his messages; he crawled right into bed and went to sleep.
Ram awoke. He had walked most of the night and fallen asleep in an alley. He didn't have any worries of sleeping on the ground of a dirty alley, he was happy. He had made it to the city without any life-endangerment. He stood up and picked up his pack. Dusting off his pants he pondered what to do next. He hadn't exactly thought it all the way through. He shrugged and started walking through the streets in hopes of finding somewhere to live.
mood:  accomplished
[OOc: Curiously, I've been having problems logging in the passed couple days on this account.]
Exiting the shower, Ram wrapped a towel around his waist and looked in the mirror. He dried his hair and his face then grabbed his makeup. It's about time... He didn't re-apply the T. He had been debating whether to or not the past couple of weeks. The T was him. It summed up his cause and personality in one single marking on his forehead. Now, however, the cause was shot down and pointless. In the city, everyone is exactly where they were at before the Technos arrived, only with water and electricity.
He also skipped the green around his eyes. If I want it to work, I can't have tell-tale signs. He thought. Instead, he put yellow and silver markings on both of his cheekbones. He decided against putting a silver and yellow marking on his forehead, in case if someone noticed the likenesses.
He surveyed his semi-dry hair. He didn't bother to put it back into the spikes. Instead, he left it as is, with the red streaks haphazardly placed.
Ram exited his bathroom and pulled out virt clothing. A blue vest over a white shirt, black and white arm warmers, and blue jeans held together at the knees with several safety pins.
He gave the mirror in his bathroom one last check; grabbed the bag he had packed earlier by his bed, the map he had made, and his laptop; and put his head set in a pocket in his vest. He shut off all the lights and closed all of the doors in his and Ved's apartment. He locked the door and did the only thing he deemed logical: He set out towards the city disguised as a virt.
mood: determined
Ram checked his incoming messages. Only one new one: from Amber. "Blah blah blah, I remember you, I hate you. Blah blah blah I'm too busy to capture you now, but I could if I had the time because my name is Amber and I'm a deity and everyone worships me and hates you. Blah blah blah I also hate Ved, but he's helping me, of course with the programs you've created and gave him." He read aloud to himself. Always the same thing from her. Doesn't she get it that I really doubt she could find me. Therefore all of her threats are empty and meaningless...besides, shouldn't she be out looking for her baby, rather than bothering me?
Ram retreated back to his room after telling Java to get out, in more words or less. He walked over to his window and peered out, thinking to himself.
It's really none of Java's concern what we're up to. She's the one who up and left. Besides...I don't think I really trust her, or any of her sisters for that matter. However, Siva has always been pretty innocent. She has morals, something both Ebony and Java lack...
Ram looked over at the box of disks he brought into his room. Sure enough, he set his headset on top. He put it on. Talks of maps and weapons with Amber. Nothing he was interested in. This whole thing was out of his hands now. He had more than prepared them, it was now up to the Mallrats to get their lost ones back.
Besides, the fewer the better in my opinion. He probably wouldn't have surrendered his camera programs if it hadn't been for Ved. He has a chance at happiness, even if that Cloe-girl is loud, who would I be to take that away?
Ram sat playing with the box of disks he had in his lap. He had to make the scouting story believable to Java.
"Ved, the North part of the city, how many tribes are there?"
mood: anxious
currently viewing:
« back 20
|
May 19th 2005 : 02:09 am
angry 
