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[It seems like a calm sight at first. Vincent walks towards the ShinRa Mansion after a long day, still wielding Cerberus but ready to cash in for the night. He passes through the gate, to the front door, and...

Pop! Out comes a SOLDIER zombie, foaming at the mouth and screaming. The sudden monster catches the ex-Turk off guard, a hard blow slamming him into the closed gate. With his altered body, the attack is no majour problem, but... something else seems to be happening. A crimson light engulfs his form, two dark, torn wings snapping and cracking out of his back, the rest of his body shifting and convulsing into something less than human.

The creature is on all-fours now, snarling and snipping at the monster and moving forward with breakneck speed. Its claws lash out, with no need for a gun or any other weapon. It's eager to fight, eager to destroy. The other monster is ripped apart almost entirely, what's left of its body clumpling to the ground in a smoldering heap.

Groaning at a bright white light in its chest, Chaos reverts back to Vincent, the worn man standing in the battlefield gasping for breath. If it had been anybody else, it would've been a terrifying experience.

Exhausted, disoriented, and just plain confused, he falls back against the gate again, slipping into unconsciousness.]

[He'll wake to reply, but he won't be too coherent right now.]

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[Hazel is a bit startled when he tries to stand. She gets up out of the chair and takes a couple steps towards him.]

What are you doing?

{It was a lame question but, she didn't know what else to say.]

I shouldn't be here. I can't accept your kindness.

[His tone is barely audible, head bowed solemnly.]

[She knew he blamed himself but, never really understood his reasons.]

Why not?

[If he looked at her now, he would probably notice that she's trying not to cry.]

...

[A very long pause here.]

...I shouldn't hurt anyone else.

[Sad face.]

You staying here doesn't hurt anyone. Being around doesn't hurt anyone.

[A small pause then very quietly.]

It hurts more to be pushed away...

[He stops in his tracks at the quiet words, glancing back at Hazel with a certain tiredness in his expression. He'd never been treated like this before, couldn't find the words to say or a proper response to it. It'd been so long since he'd had any human contact at all.

Maybe he forgot what it was like to even be human.]

...what do you want me to do?

[She's not very experienced with friendships herself.]

I wouldn't want to make you do anything but, just... don't go out of your way to avoid me and maybe try to let me help you if you need it.

[fidgets]

At least think about it... Please?

[He tries walking forward again, realizing how heavy his limbs are feeling by now. He wanted to rest, above anything, and avoid this conversation.

But that wasn't what fate intended.

He wobbles and falls, catching himself on the couch with a grunt before he fell the rest of the way down.]

...

Even if you're aware of what I've done? You'll... stay?

[Hazel was tired too and it probably showed.]

Yeah, I'll stay.

[She tried to keep the weariness out of her voice.]

[The situation was awkward. Everything was awkward and he simply did not know how to deal with this. He pushed himself up slightly, enough to be able to see Hazel better, and closed his eyes in resignation.

There was no point in arguing with someone who simply would not be moved, to change something unchangeable. The confusion was still there, of course, but some of the anxiety lifted. So he stood, looking towards Hazel but not directly at her.]

I... think I do need some time to rest.

[Hazel was relieved that he was going to rest now... and that this awkward conversation was over.]

O-okay.

[And since he was standing without looking like he would fall over immediately...]

There's an extra room right around the corner if you want. [Points in the general direction.] It would be more private than the couch.

[She hoped he didn't intend to go back to Shinra Mansion until after he got some rest. Under normal circumstances she wouldn't worry but, a monster infested building was not a good place for someone as worn out as he seemed to be. She stifled a yawn.]

...And I guess I should rest too. [A sheepish look.]

[Oddly enough, being left alone with his thoughts was something he had been doing far too much lately. He hesitates before actually leaving, still looking back at Hazel. He doubted she wanted to be left alone after all of this as well.

What to do, what to do?]

Come with me.

[Quiet and distant, he begins walking towards the room.]

The bed is for you. I'll stay on the floor.

[She was surprised that he didn't want to be alone but, only hesitated a moment before following. She was tired and she was sure she would have trouble sleeping if left alone with her thoughts.

She briefly considered arguing that he should take the bed but, since he was just tired and not injured it really didn't matter that much.]

Okay.

[Not even looking back, he walks towards the nearest bedroom, hoping Hazel will follow.]

[She sleepily follows him into the room. It is a plain room. Containing no personal objects it practically screams 'guest room'. The closet is standing open, empty except for some extra blankets and pillows stacked neatly on the high shelf. Hazel only glanced at them. If Vincent was going to bother with a blanket or pillow he'd have to get it himself. She couldn't reach to get them down.]

[It wasn't something to be terribly concerned about just yet; he didn't move to help her into bed, or to even lay down himself. Crimson eyes remained on her form, fully aware of the creatures still lurking around this particular Piece. He stood back, allowing her further room to step in, but didn't speak or awknowledge her exhaustion.]

[If Hazel was aware of any dangerous creatures still on the loose she didn't show it. They haven't been bothering anyone staying in the house for the most part.

She felt tired enough to fall asleep as soon as she got into bed but, for the moment she just sat on the end.]

Well... good night.

[This shouldn't have been happening. She was trying to get them to be friends, despite all of his protests and uncertainty. Friendships had always been awkward and untrustful, two things he wasn't fond of dealing with. But she had already died here once... it simply wasn't right for it to happen again. She was too young for the burden of fighting, of learning something lost and forbidden.

If it had been anyone else, he would have already helped her get more comfortable into the bed. But he still leaned against the wall, arms folded, just watching her movements. He closed his eyes with a slight nod, waiting for her to sleep before he even began to.]

Rest well.

[The words were out before he could stop them.]

[She was too sleepy to want to argue about him not trying to sleep yet. She only removed her shoes before getting under the covers and closing her eyes.]

You too.

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