The Trick to Falling in Style

Familiar

There are many abandoned buildings in Logstedshire. Most of them are occupied with teenagers needing a place to hang out, or the homeless needing a place to stay. They are usually situated near the walls that separate Logstedshire from the other districts or along the edge of the Ravine. Vermillion knew of their existence, and he had gone to some of them when he found clues pointing him towards trafficking rings or drug deals.

"We've been staying here for the time being," Unfound mentioned off-handedly, gesturing towards one of the crumbling buildings. It was made from sand-colored bricks stacked together with off-white filling. Tommy estimated that it was two or three stories, but the roof seemed to have collapsed on one side. Part of the roof smushed down the floors while other parts were stacked precariously to the side of the building. The door was painted red, but the color had faded with time. The few windows that were still intact were filled with cracks. The stoop leading up to the door was missing one of the steps and a large piece of the black iron railing. The entire building seemed dead and gray, the life sucked out leaving pale colors that reminded Vermillion of death.

"We were staying at a hotel in L'Manberg, but we decided to get closer to the Ravine," Combust said as he jumped up the steps without caring that he could slip. He pushed open the door, holding it open for the rest of his companions. He was smiling, and Vermillion wished it wasn't so familiar. If he focused on that smile and nothing else, he could convince himself that it was nearly two years ago. But Vermillion was never exceptional at focusing. He would always get distracted, especially by horrible memories that churned alongside the power in his head.

"You say that as if you were the one to make the decision to move. You wanted to stay at the hotel because of room service. I had to basically drag you from our room out here once Unfound and I found a good place to stay," Dream said. Vermillion tried to hide his flinch. Dream's presence remained steady behind him, but it still surprised Vermillion every time he heard that voice. A phantom pain sent a pang throughout his mind, reminding him that Dream's voice was the last he heard before the light dimmed. Dream turned to Vermillion, his demeanor never straying from positivity. "I wanted for us to be closer to the Ravine. That's where our opponent is, so it would be best if we didn't have to trek all the way through L'Manberg and Logstedshire to get here."

"So, you guys are after the Corrupted Cauldron, too?" Vermillion asked, pointedly looking away from Dream. Unfound had disappeared into the house already. Combust seemed to be staring into the house with a tense expression. He startled back to attention as Vermillion gripped the remaining parts of the railing to keep himself steady. He felt exhaustion inside his body, beating alongside his heart and flowing with his blood. It was terrifying to be in the presence of Unfound, Combust, and especially Dream while he was working on less than his best. His fear was partially diluted by the sheer weight of his sleepiness and the empty feeling that came from overusing his powers.

"The association sent us to investigate a couple of weeks ago. We were supposed to stop the spread of Impulse, and our mission evolved when things got more complicated," Dream said, his voice growing wispier as Vermillion finally came to the last step on the stoop. Vermillion found his way to the door, dodging Combust's attempt at helping keep Vermillion steady. The vigilante might be tired in every way someone could be tired, but he could walk with his own two legs just fine.

"I wanted to help with the red gas in the Badlands, but the association told us to remain in position," Combust grumbled. Vermillion understood where the anger in his voice was coming from. Combust's ability to create fire from his skin wouldn't have helped him in the contaminated Badlands, but the district was his home. He had been born and raised there. It was the Badlands where Halo found him, taking Combust in as a sidekick. Combust, like Vermillion, wanted to do everything he could do to save his home. It was their loyalty to their homes that framed the beginning of their relationship. Their similar interests and senses of humor allowed them to grow closer. Vermillion's actions are what drove them apart.