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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 8, 2009 14:01:41 GMT -5
Double D straightened up at the sudden warmth, the very thing he feared he'd never feel again. Aghast, he looked down at Helga beneath him, honestly surprised and perplexed by her concern and how tender and sincere it was.
Yet he took it all the same. Regaining his emotional frown, he pulled her closer. He held her very needingly, almost afraid to let her go, as if she herself was the very humanity he needed to maintain to prevent....
"...I..." he choked out, his voice weaker and trembling more than any of them would've guessed before. "...I don't.. want to... become..."
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Post by gantzgun74 on Dec 8, 2009 14:15:46 GMT -5
From where they watched, Otto and Wally watched on, frowning. "This... This is terrible..." Wally turned to Otto, hoping to find some kind of answer. "There's... There's gotta be something we can do..."
"I'm afraid I'm coming up empty in that department..." Otto groaned sadly. "The only idea I had when I figured it out, is something I'd rather forget..."
"Why?" Came Wally curiously.
"The idea was to kill him before he became the Wizard... But ultimately that would solve nothing." Wally looked at Otto, seeming aghast. "I was ashamed of myself that I even THOUGHT such a thing Wally. Don't think I'd actually go through with it." He turned back to Double D, "Double D is my friend... And I could never bring myself to harm him..."
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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 8, 2009 14:22:47 GMT -5
It was some time before Double D gave Helga a final squeeze, already feeling a little better. "...thank you, Helga," he breathed more calmly, drawing away slowly and giving her a watery smile. "Now I know who to turn to if I ever need the simplicity of a hug."
At a caress below him, he looked down and chuckled lightly as Courage did his best to help, nuzzling against his calve.
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Post by gantzgun74 on Dec 8, 2009 14:30:44 GMT -5
Helga blushed a little, "You're welcome Double D-san." After letting Courage nuzzle against Double D, she picked up the fuschia dog, and held him against her chest. "It... It just sounded so terrible. You must've been horrified."
Silence abounded for a moment, until Otto called everyone into attention by clearing his throat. "The only question that remains now is... What do we do about it?" He sighed. "What do we do about the Wizard, now that we know what he's up to?"
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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 8, 2009 14:42:45 GMT -5
"I'm sure everyone was..." Double D nodded slowly. "...it was more of a gradual realization for me as I put the pieces together.
"As for what we're going to do..." he hesitated. "...we haven't decided a definite course of action. All we know is that we were informed by an outside source, so there's a chance this may be going against the Wizard's plans."
A pause, then a definite shift in confidence. "But despite all of this uncertainty, I'm not going to let this knowledge break me. That's what he wants, and the LAST thing I want to do is give him what he wants." He stepped up, bringing them all together in a huddle. "I've already asked this of everyone else, but the more the better: I need you to keep reminding me what it is to be human. To feel happiness, love, anger, sadness...
"He keeps trying to tell me that a lack of emotion, a numbness of soul, breaks all boundaries and brings unlimited power, the ability to right all wrongs..." He shook his head. "...but you know that I know better than that. I'd never give up my heart for all the power in the cosmos."
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Post by gantzgun74 on Dec 8, 2009 15:03:15 GMT -5
A nod was the response to this, "Of course." Otto leaned back against the wall as he said that, "The Wizard may think he's won, but with this new advantage we could win out against him." Just when it looked like Wally was about to celebrate though, Otto put a hand on his shoulder. "But now is not the time to celebrate Wally. We are still dealing with a powerful enemy."
Helga's face turned a little braver at that statement, Like she was ready for a struggle. "But that doesn't mean we're going to run scared, right Otto-san?"
Otto grinned snidely at this. "Not a chance." His sneer widened as he slammed his fist into his open palm. "The Wizard may be Double D in some shape or form, but that doesn't mean I'll be afraid to fight him if I have to." If Double D looked to Otto in a confused fashion, Otto merely grinned. "Come on Double D. You said so yourself, you will do everything in your power not to become that man, and we'll be here to help you all the way." He lowered his head. "It shocked me to find out the truth, but if I have to, I will fight that madman."
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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 8, 2009 15:14:43 GMT -5
Probably to Otto's surprise, Double D only nodded firmly, at last a smirk coming to his face. "I'll be there fighting beside you. Though he's mainly my responsibility, I won't be selfish and claim it's my right alone. He's made all of us suffer, after all."
He sighed, just for the sake of breathing deeply, cleansing. "The Wizard does not frighten me anymore than he frightens you. In fact... the knowledge that he's a part of me is almost comforting; at least now I know more about him than anyone else.
"All things aside..." He gave them a meaningful smile. "I'm glad we've come to an understanding. The last thing I want is for all this to tarnish our friendship."
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Post by gantzgun74 on Dec 8, 2009 15:27:18 GMT -5
"Otto's friendship is easy to lose mate." Came Wally with a joking tone, "But when you're friends with me, there's no real way to tarnish that friendship. You could become the most vial person in the world and I'd still look at you as my best friend." He smiled goofily; just like good ole Wally.
Otto, whom was still leaning against the wall grinned to himself. "That aside however, I still look forward to finding Gantz and asking him a couple of REALLY good questions." It was only then that Otto's smile disappeared. "I assume you remember that form I took back at the church..." He looked his hand, which trembled lightly. "The one that turns me into a monster?"
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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 8, 2009 15:56:25 GMT -5
Double D smiled at Wally, heavily comforted.
Glad for the change in topic, Double D nodded in response to Otto. "Completely understandable. And there's also the matter of Him and the Soul weapons to address with him." His head cocked when a thought crossed him by. "...ahh, we met him at the castle, right? So much was happening at once, we barely had time to speak with him. Where did he say he lived again?"
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Post by gantzgun74 on Dec 8, 2009 16:03:53 GMT -5
Taking a second to remember, Otto held up an index finger, remembering. "Ah yes, he said he lived in the old church district. Some rundown house in that area. What was the number of the house again?"
Wally raised a hand. "Oh-oh-oh!!! Me-me-me!!!" Otto pointed at Wally as if he was a gameshow host, though it was done rather dryly. "5874! That was the house number he mentioned to us, while fighting that Spider Queen and Specter!"
"Speaking of which..." Came Otto once more, thinking deeply. "We'll have to be careful of them, if we ever see them again. They could be trouble."
Nodding at this, Helga eyed the gadget set hidden on her belt, reminding her of where it was, in case she needed it.
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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 8, 2009 16:09:05 GMT -5
"Ah, right, those fiends," Double D sighed, grinning lopsidedly and rubbing his temple in mock lament. "Enemies left and right. Really, it gets tiresome." Shaking his head, he turned to the door. "Oh well, that's how life is here. Shall we go seek him out, then?"
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Post by gantzgun74 on Dec 9, 2009 11:03:09 GMT -5
Otto was held up an index finger, "We will go in a minute." He reached behind himself and took some of his long hair to show Double D. "I need to make myself look presentable." He started back to his room as he said this. "This won't take but a few seconds."
Wally shrugged to the others, knowing that leaving now would be more appropriate. "Well, we all know Otto." He sighed. "Sides, going into any kind of field with hair like that, isn't exactly too practical."
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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 9, 2009 11:44:57 GMT -5
Double D chuckled. "Right, right, understandable." He fingered his own hat. "You should see the mess underneath here. Not as long as Otto's, though not as well kept."
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Post by gantzgun74 on Dec 9, 2009 15:06:26 GMT -5
Wally looked at the sock cap with rising wonder... "I HAVE always wondered what you looked like without that sock hat, Double D."
Giggling, Helga smiled at the two. "Indeed. Forgive me Double D-san, but I don't think I've ever seen you without it before. Surely your hair can't be THAT bad."
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Post by nintendonut1 on Dec 9, 2009 21:30:45 GMT -5
Double D hesitated. "...my. Pardon me, it's been forever since anyone's ever raised the question." He mused, shrugging. "But I suppose in the grand scheme of things, it's not as terrible as it used to be."
Casually, he pulled it off, and there atop his head slumped a mop of dark grey hair, somewhat feathered and sticking up and out in some spots. Grinning, he parted the locks that fell into his eyes.
"...yyyyeah. Pardon the mess. It falls to its own whim."
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