MASKTOURN

Evan made his way back to the Gala. During his time away, he had missed out on the announcement. Tragic. Fiddling around with his Tamagotchi, he clicked a few buttons and smiled as his little friend ate some snacks. Good, everything was going well for it! He pocketed his Tamagotchi and looked back around. There were definitely more people around, and it was- Intimidating. Anxiety-inducing. He regretted coming into this particular part of the Gala- It was far calmer in the refectory section. The boy shifted and moved around, careful not to bump into any people or get in anyone's way. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

(I fell asleep i am so sorry

) As Evan weaved through the crowd, he would suddenly come across a rather large wall in front of him--Or rather, a burly figure standing in front of him. Ryu easily overshadowed Evan as she nibbled on some fancy sliced meat and cheese. She seemed a little bored, but when she noticed something small moving in the corner of her eye, she glanced down at Evan. "Woah--Slow down there, squirt. What are you in such a rush for?" She asked with a small, easy-going chuckle. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

(It’s okay! I’m glad you got some rest!!) As Evan looked up at Ryu, he instantly appeared intimidated. He quickly looked away to avoid further eye contact. “I-I’m sorry-” He rushed out. “I was just- Tr-trying not to get in a-anyone’s way- I’m sorry for g-getting in your way, I’ll b-be more careful..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The moment Evan spoke, Ryu tilted her head in interest. She bent down to his height and slightly lifted her mask, exposing half of her face. "Lil E? Is that you, kiddo?" She asked with a level of uncertainty. The body language and stuttering was familiar to Ryu thanks to the amount of times she had seen the kid hanging with Tatsuo. Though, he seemed a bit younger than normal. Than usual? Timelines were a mess here. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Hesitating for just a moment, Evan slightly lifted his mask as he looked to Ryu. The boy looked confused, still anxious, but ultimately, confused. “D-do you know me?” He spoke cautiously. Maybe that guy in the streets had a point about people claiming to know you. “I-I-.. You seem familiar, but I can’t figure it out.. I-I’m Evan..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The moment she saw Evan's face, Ryu immediately knew the young boy was even more kiddish than the one she knew. Must of been a good few years younger. "I'm Ryu. I'm a good buddy of your brother's—If you know him already. If not, forget I told you anything," she chuckled with a light tone. "Hm.. well, you may not know me, but I know you in my world. We're buddies. Well, when Tatsuo actually brings you around," she smiled. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“O-of Tatsuo’s?” Evan visibly lit up. “Y-yeah- I know Tatsuo! B-but I d-don’t recognize you entirely- but the name Ryu does sound familiar!” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Oh? So you do know him. That speeds things up a bit," he nodded as he put his mask back down. "Everyone calls me Ryu, but he might call me Ryunoske every once in a while if that sounds more familiar. You're a lot younger than the Evan I know.. how old are you and little Tatsu?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh- Ryunoske! I th-think I’ve heard that more than Ryu.” Evan managed a small smile. “H-how old is the Evan th-that you know? I-I’m fourteen, a-and he’s twenty-four..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You're fourteen?!" Ryu repeated with shock. What was a child doing here?! Ryu cleared his throat as he recomposed himself and looked down at Evan. "He's about nineteen? Twenty? Something like that... I'm not too sure. I just know you're way younger than he is. Tatsu's about the same in mine. I guess you guys have a bigger age difference in your world." She then sighed. "Is this your first time being forced into one of these things, kiddo? Or by some awful chance, is this a common thing?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Y-yeah, fourteen..” Evan cleared his throat. He tried not to think much about how young he was. Dying at fourteen was depressing to think about. “Y-yeah, I g-guess the age gap’s b-bigger here than over th-there..” Evan took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Th-there’s been others? O-other events? N-no, I haven’t- Been to one of these before.. Have y-you..?” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu slowly nodded. Alright, this was the kid's first rodeo.. Not looking too good. "Mm.. I see. Well, this is my second show, so yeah. Plenty of other people here have been to similar things already too. It's a bit strange, but regardless.." Ryu sighed as she pinched the skin between her brows. "A freakin kid..." He grumbled. "Listen, lil E. Why don't we try to stick together if we can? I'm hundred percent certain Tatsu is probably freaking out at home about ya, so I'll do my best to make sure you get back to him, alright?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“R-really? Is this- Is this kind of st-stuff common?” Evan made a face. “I c-can’t believe this is your second one, th-that’s bizarre..” “O-okay, we can stick together,” Evan managed a small smile. It felt nice to have someone else he could trust. “Th-thank you, Ryu- I-I’ll do my best to do whatever I can to help you get home, too!” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu nodded and folded her arms across his chest. "I guess so. Common enough to where it's kinda strange and too much of a coincidence," she replied. Though, she did manage to reflect Evan's smile as they continued. "I appreciate it kiddo. I'm sure your brother is worried sick about you too. If I don't get you back, I'll never hear the end of it," Ryu lightly joked. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm.” Evan copied Ryu and folded his arms over his chest. “Definitely strange. Really strange. I hope you don’t get s-sent to a third one once this one’s over..” Evan chuckled quietly. “Y-yeah, Tatsu’s pr-probably worried. He’s probably blowing off st-steam somewhere right now..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu laughed a bit at that. "I hope not either, kid. It's only been five days since my last one. I'm quite tired," she said with an amused smile. "Yeahhh.. Hopefully Lil Tatsu isn't going too crazy. He can be a bit mean when he's stressed," Ryu joked. "Say, E, who did you talk to when you got here? Was it the blonde-white haired Lifebringer or Albanes?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“What!” Evan exclaimed as he uncrossed his arms. “F-five days? And no break? Oh my god- I can’t believe it, they pulled you right in for another one!” “Yeah, he can be,” Evan chuckled quietly. He was familiar with Tatsuo’s tendency to get angry when stressed. “Oh! I-I spoke to Albanes. She was n-nice- She offered to look out for me while I’m here.. I was told to avoid the other Lifebringer..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu feigned a long dramatic sigh. "Yep. Right from one to the next. I guess I'm just really popular with the Lifebringers," she chuckled. She listened to Evan's reply with a small hum, and seemed content with that answer. "I knew an Albanes back in my world, and she was decent there too. I have a feeling that she doesn't exactly like what's going on, but she's doing it out of obligation," he shrugged. "Naiyta is the other Lifebringer. They're an asshole. I'll punch them like I did the other Lifebringer." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I really hope you don’t get sent to another one with Lifebringers. You d-deserve rest..” “O-oh.. So she m-might be a victim, too..?” Evan asked. He looked surprised. “O-oh- Oh, okay, so I’ll d-definitely avoid the other Lifebringer, then..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Mhm. You do that, kiddo. You got a strong power, but you still got some time to go before you're a real menace in the ring," Ryu nodded with an almost fond smile. "I don't know about 'victim'... but Albanes doesn't seem to want to talk about what's been going on with her. I just have a feeling she'll be the more bearable Lifebringer." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-I’m still not so good with my powers,” Evan admitted quietly. “But- Th-they’re good at keeping me s-safe.. I’m just not- Good at fighting..” “Oh, okay,” Evan paused. “Maybe I-I can try and talk it out of her..? She s-seemed okay with me while I was t-talking with her..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu chuckled and softly ruffled Evan's hair. "It's okay, Lil E. We all start somewhere. I'm sure as long as you keep on practicing, you'll get it down in no time," he reassured Evan. "Hm.. Perhaps you can. Maybe she'll put her guard down a little more towards someone who's not familiar with her.. but don't be risking anything for information, got it? You gotta be safe doing things around here." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Really?” Evan smiled. “Y-yeah- I’ll keep practicing! Thanks, Ryu!” “Mmhm, I’ll be safe,” Evan nodded. “I’ll be really careful, promise.” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Yes, really. You think me or your brother were good right off the bat with our powers? It takes time, but I'm sure you'll get there," Ryu nodded. "And good. I'll hold you to that promise then, kiddo. Have you met any friends or anything like that yet? It'd be nice for you to have someone like that at least." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Th-thank you, I-I'll get there one of these days. I'll keep working on it." The boy smiled. "And- I've met a few people. I met a guy named Ace, he was really nice. And then I met a guy who seemed like he was a few years older than me, he- Wasn't so nice.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Ace? Haven't met him yet myself, but if you say he's nice, he must be. Who was this other guy though?" Ryu asked with a raised brow. "Do I gotta punch him too?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"N-no, it's okay!" Evan giggled quietly as he waved his hands. "He just- Didn't seem too welcoming? He seemed a bit strange- But he didn't hurt me or anything. He's tall, kinda like you, but has brown hair, and some scars on his face. He seemed a bit short-tempered, though.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu tried to picture whoever this mean teenager could be, but nothing quite came up. He just seemed like some guy. "Well, any kid who picks on you is gonna get a word or two from me. I'll keep an eye out. He didn't hurt you or anything, right?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"I promise, it's okay," Evan chuckled. "He didn't hurt me, I'm all okay." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Hmm.. Alright, if you say so, bud," Ryu nodded, a small smile crossing her lips again. "But do let me know if anyone bothers ya. I'll beat the smuffin out of them. I would say you do the same, but always choose your battles wisely. If it looks like you can beat em.. Well." Evan would get what she was insinuating. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan was sure that there wouldn’t be anyone here who looked like he could beat up, but he appreciated the sentiment. “If there’s anyone who I can beat up, then I’ll beat them up,” Evan held up two closed fists. “Tatsu sh-showed me a thing or two, but I don’t think I’m ready yet t-to fight.” Evan chuckled as he lowered his hands. “B-but I’ll let you know if anyone causes me any trouble! So far, e-everyone seems pretty nice..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu chuckled and slapped her fist into her hand. "That's right, little E. You show them who's boss!" He cheered before letting his hands fall. "I'm glad at the very least you seem to be enjoying yourself. I wish they'd play some more upbeat music for us. I think you and I would tear up the dance floor." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"I-I'll do my best to show them who's boss!" Evan chuckled. He glanced out into the crowd. "Y-yeah, maybe- I'm not much of a dancer.. Crowds like this kinda make me a bit nervous.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu hummed as she looked over the crowd before peaking back down at Evan. "Nervous? Why is that?" She asked, her voice holding no malice or judgement. Ryu was just curious. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"I-I dunno.." Evan's smile faltered slightly. "M-maybe just- The loud noise? And- Lots of people, people I don't really know.. I j-just don't feel too safe around so many p-people like this.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Again, Ryu hummed as she soaked in Evan's response. "I see. Well, if that's the case, you should probably hang back by the wall or tables, Lil E. Running through the crowd is probably hell right now." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm, I’ll d-definitely do that. I wouldn’t wanna bump into anyone who’s mean..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Would you like me to accompany you to a table? I'll make sure no one bumps into ya. Plus.. most people tend to stay away from me if I'm walking," she chuckled and playfully winked at Evan. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-it’s okay, I might head back- To the refectory,” Evan offered Ryu a small smile. “It was a b-bit quieter there..” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu nodded. "I gotcha. Just come find me again if you need something, Lil E. I'll catch you around," he smiled and raised his fist up for a fistbump. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Y-yeah! I’ll see you around!” Evan smiled. He fist bumped Ryu back. “You h-have a good night, okay?” @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You two, man. Stay cool," Ryu smiled before walking back into the crowd. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan smiled and scampered back over to the refectory.