All the Burning Lies [OPEN]

[next_to_legendary]

Characters: Mr. Legend & OPEN
Location: Death City Central Hospital
Rating: PG
Time: March 3rd - Afternoon to Evening
Description: Mr. Legend is in the hospital recovering from his entry into Death City, and he's hoping for answers as well as visitors.


[Scenario 1]
He had been scolded for pushing himself too far with the network post, and the staff had even threatened to put him to sleep with medication if he refused to rest on his own volition. While he was in agony, this odd sharp clarity was not something that he could give up without a fight, and it was strange to think of fighting anything. He had given up long ago, yet the knowledge that there were answers here was invigorating. When was the last time he had asked questioned or better yet, when was the last time he cared about the answers?

As he lay in his bed staring towards the window, he couldn't well make out much. They had to lubricate his eyes to keep them from drying out because of his burns, so his vision was mostly a blur. It forced him to lay quiet and thinking, reflecting on matters he hadn't in a very long time. Most of it, he didn't want to think about, but it plagued him. There was no drink to soothe him, and even the notion of a cigarette sickened him and flared the pain throughout his body.

Yet, he was forced to wait for answers. They would come; the people of Sternbild always rose to summons, especially Heroes. It was their job, their duty to rise when called upon. If they had any integrity, they would find him, and he could know his painful truth. Did the city thrive? Did his family survive?

Swallowing hard, his jaw twitched as emotion threatened to overwhelm him with just a thought of his family. His jaw then tightened with agony and he couldn't help but strain in his bedding and bandages. It only served to increase his agony. Soon enough, he wasn't strong enough to fight his pain and was forced to bear it because he didn't want their drugs. They drugged him at night to keep him quiet, but that lucid state took all the clarity away. He needed it.

Turning his head to look towards the door, he could make out its dark shape. And he waited, hopeful but anxious for any news, any people who might come.

[Scenario 2]
The excitement of being able to see and speak with other people again was too much for him. Not only had he been scolded by his doctors for pushing himself too far, but he had been ordered to keep himself calm from now on. He had felt bad for the nurse who had graciously helped him, had taken a risk by allowing him to see beyond the small white room where he resided. He suspected that she would be spoken to and would have to apologize when he next saw her.

He was quite tired from pushing himself in such a manner as well, though he wondered if the people of Sternbild would come, Kotetsu and Barnaby. He hoped they would, which meant that he would have to be fresh to use his voice again. That was if the doctor allowed him to have visitors at all, but it was very important.

He agreed to be kept quiet and even for them to ease some of his suffering enough that he could nap during the day hours. They would wake him for dinner, and he drifted off to a drug-induced rest where he was forced to rest in a dreamless state. His dreams were normally so full of pain and agony that this was a thankful change of pace as well, though he couldn't allow himself to get comfortable on them. He didn't want the addiction, the need to rely on those medications.

Hours began to pass him by, though he was completely unaware. Soon he would wake, and he wished that it was to people to provide him answers.


[OOC: Two scenarios to choose from. Please indicate which you'd prefer. Action or prose is completely acceptable.]

Comments

[sentiments]

Barnaby was keeping up because he knew he had to. He was still rather stunned by this fact as well, not expecting anyone else from their world to arrive, and most certainly not the man in the hospital room they had seen. Only knowing of the hero through old footage and the history classes at the Academy, he couldn't be completely certain of the identity of the man until Kotetsu had basically confirmed it for him. That was, indeed, Mr. Legend in the hospital in Death City.

And through most of it, it was just waiting and hoping that the man would be alright. He had survived whatever injuries he had gained with his arrival, so the most they could do was wait and wish him a speedy recovery. And with waiting came watching over Kotetsu, who was definitely taking this a lot harder than he was. Perhaps that bit of difference was a good thing; Barnaby could keep his cool, and stay observant for when his partner couldn't. Especially with having to wait for who knew how long. Barnaby just did his best to try and keep Kotetsu from freaking out too much, interacting mostly with the nurse on so they didn't start any sort of trouble.

But that was one painful wait. Barnaby had never had to wait for news of someone in the hospital, but he really didn't like this feeling at all. While time passed, it just made him feel a little sick. The only thing you could do in a hospital was wait for news and hope it was good, and that in itself was unneeded extra stress. He had distracted himself by drinking coffee and convincing Kotetsu to not pace the hallways until the nurse came back. Legend was awake now, they could go see him. That was already a good sign.

So as the two heroes headed back to the room, Barnaby just gave Kotetsu a knowing nod at that expression, his hand resting on the man's back. He wasn't sure what to say himself, honestly. Only the doctors knew the facts, and Barnaby didn't want to say something that would end up a lie. So he opted for saying nothing at all, merely trying to be as reassuring as possible.

"Let's talk to him," he said quietly. Just for a few minutes at least, if he was willing. That part would be fine, or so he hoped.

Reaching over, he went ahead and opened the door first to urge Kotetsu inside. But as his eyes landed on the next visitor, Barnaby blinked in surprise that only lasted for a few seconds. He hadn't been expecting the Judge to beat them there, but he must have been as concerned as Kotetsu. After all, Mr. Legend was iconic. It would have been stranger if he hadn't shown at all.

"Oh, Judge Petrov. You're here as well."

[hand_of_judgement]

The figure on the bed was breathing heavily while his mind attempted to cope with what it was seeing. Really, that figure could have been anyone, but those burns and the smell of that burnt flesh was all too much of a reminder of that fateful day. If this truly was his father, had the man been returned here just to torment him further? Everything he did was to prove himself to this man, one that he wasn't yet ready to accept as having such a bond with him.

His gaze was exceptionally cold for once, an automatic response to his attempt at locking down all of the emotions that he'd been feeling, and he passed it over the bandaged features of the man until it fell onto the chart at the end of the bed.

Yuri didn't need to step in closer to read what was written, and he felt his mind spinning as his scar ached at the sight of that name written on the clipboard. 'Petrov'. He suddenly felt disconnected from everything. All of his previous memories and the emotions attached to them slipped away into a void as the reality of it all sunk in.

"...Papa..." he muttered just above his breath before trying to force his body to move. The Judge was rooted to the spot though, and it was only the sound of the door opening that jarred him out of the abyss he'd fallen into. What vulnerabilities he'd been displaying moments before instantly disappeared behind his cool mask of indifference, and the Judge found himself having to take a moment to recognize the pair before he forced himself to nod.

"Mr. Brooks, Mr. Kaburagi," Yuri greeted, although his tone seemed a little more grave than it usually was. Coming to this room had been a mistake... he should have known that the other two would have been close by.

He didn't trust himself to say anything further at that point, and instead found himself taking a step back to allow the other pair to move in front of him.

guess who forgot to track this thread (hint: me)

[wildest]

It was definitely enough of a comfort that his partner had been there along with him to see Legend, so Kotetsu managed to stay calm enough to not turn into a complete nervous and worried wreck, but he still couldn't quite help but begin to wonder if the worst really could happen in this situation. But they had plenty of time to see how it would all turn out, and so with a nod of thanks he entered the room, preparing himself for however they were meant to handle this meeting.

Though he had known they would probably have to bump into Yuri at some point, Kotetsu didn't exactly expect that it would happen right that second, and as he found himself staring right at the judge in front of them he paused and watched him with wide eyes, his gaze moving between him and Legend's bed. "--ah, oh uh, yeah. Hi. You got here kinda fast Judge. Or. I mean, you kinda snuck in here before we could... catch ya." His words were rather awkward-sounding, as he still wasn't quite sure how to voice his feelings about the whole thing, let alone go about starting conversations with Legend's body just within feet of them.

A part of him admittedly wanted to just pass by Yuri and let Barnaby handle the talking while he went off to get a better look at Legend, and he found himself leaning to the side just slightly in order to get a better glance at him, his heart beating just a tiny bit faster in his chest. Was it really him? Was that really Legend? The person he had considered his idol for so long was right here in the same room with him once again, but things were far, far different than the first time.

gj thar.

[sentiments]

A quieter greeting from the judge, but that was to be expected. Although he looked as calm and contained as always, Barnaby wouldn't be surprised if he felt as shaken as they had when they first found out. But now with the three of them in the room, they were left just the sound of the beating monitor to occupy the silence amongst them. It felt eerily calm, almost uncomfortably so for the young blonde. But going off of Kotetsu's staggered start, he tried to make light conversation with the judge.

Just something to break the heavy silence. "We weren't allowed to see him earlier," he elaborated. "So we waited until we were permitted back in." Waiting all afternoon, and waiting some more. It had just been long, long and unnerving. But with Kotetsu so visibly shaken, Barnaby was sure to keep as calm as he could.

He knew that being as young as he was, he hadn't properly seen the Legend in action or had the chance to meet him as Kotetsu had. It felt strange watching the old hero who he had only known as deceased lying before them, definitely alive and kicking. Already, his mind was speculating that it was something having to do with the BREW, but why did he come in such a condition? They were normally pulled to help with the war here--but an injured older man couldn't be of much help. Not unless he had been injured upon the travel there, but even that seemed somewhat improbable. They would probably have to wait for him to wake up again to know what properly happened, but for now, he could only be left to his thoughts.

He could only hope the Judge was able to take it well. As much as Barnaby wanted to ask, he wasn't sure how.

[next_to_legendary]

Mr. Legend came back to a hazy consciousness to the sound of voices, which wasn't unusual in the hospital. His small bouts of sleep were almost always punctuated with a dull noise, but he found that it was infrequent to be so many male voices all at once. His doctor and a few nurses were male, but they never seemed to discuss him in the room. This was definitely male voices though.

He didn't move on the bed, unable and unwilling to cause himself the agony that lurked beneath the surface of any activity. He remained still, listening to the various voices even if they didn't seem to be speaking as much as he would have expected. Perhaps they were new nurses?

Slowly, he pried his eyelids open, the act itself difficult from the serum and protein that his damaged skin exuded at all times for now. He blinked several times to gain his bearings, and the hazy outlines of three men washed away the need for further sleep from his mind. They weren't anyone that he knew or recognized, but then again, he hadn't expected anyone to either. Their dress didn't make them medical professionals either. That left one option in his mind.

"Are you three... from Sternbild?" His voice was rasping, his throat dry and his tongue thick from sleep. He made an effort of swallowing.

[hand_of_judgement]

He watched the pair as they fumbled around with either their nervousness or awkwardness of the situation. It was obvious what both of them were feeling in regards to it, and that the man on the bed meant much for Kotetsu. His father had meant a lot to many of those during his reign as a Hero, but he did what he could to pay no mind to Kotetsu's attempt to try and get a better look at the man without being too obvious.

Turning his attention onto Barnaby, the Judge easily nodded his head to the explanation. "I am certain that Mr. Legend will appreciate the dedication you both have shown," Yuri said in return. His father had always taken pride in what he had once been, a pride that had lead to the spiralling mess he had become in the time leading up to his death. A death caused by his own hand.

He had been unaware of the stirrings on the bed while his attention had been fixated on the heroic pair. Yet all of that came crashing down as that dry, raspy voice spoke up from the bed. He felt his chest suddenly seized within an icy grip as his face erupted in pain. Hiding the wince, the Judge moved to step back to allow Kotetsu and Barnaby the space they would need to speak with the injured man.

[wildest]

Kotetsu tried his best to evenly divide his attention between the other three occupants in his room-- that was of course until Legend finally spoke up, and it sent some weird chill down Kotetsu's spine. Something like that was expected though, wasn't it? When you hear the voice of a person who's been dead for years, in such a pained and agonizing tone, when all you previously knew them as was practically indestructible... it didn't seem fair, and Kotetsu had so many things he suddenly wanted to ask the eldest hero but he knew he was in absolutely no condition to do any talking.

He rushed toward the side of the bed, eyes filled with worry and as reflexive as his calm words were he still didn't completely have himself together. "We are, sir, but please don't talk. All three of us are from Sternbild, we-- me, my partner and I, we're heroes, and you're in the hospital, so don't worry about saying or doing anything and just rest."

[sentiments]

Barnaby nodded to the judge, ready to respond, until he heard the gruff, strained voice behind them pulling their attention back over to the injured hero. No time to settle and think, since Mr. Legend was already rousing and trying to get their attention. Barnaby's head quickly turned to look at the oldest hero, trying to keep from looking too concerned. Already, Kotetsu was hurrying over to get the man to rest, and Barnaby really couldn't argue with his coddling.

He was still injured, and he'd still need some time to recover. But seeing as the man had tried so hard to reach them, he doubted he would just turn over and sleep. The most they really could do was make sure he was comfortable and make this conversation easier for him. Moving closer to the side, Barnaby poured a cup of water, holding it up for him. "If you'd like, we could stay near and once you're rested a bit more, we could answer any questions you have," he suggested. "It's probably better for you to rest a bit more; we don't want you to exhaust yourself too much while you're still healing." And he was pretty sure they wouldn't be far at all.

[next_to_legendary]

He wasn't certain what he was expecting in the way of reaction to the three men in the room with him. Ah, he wished that he was in better condition to brush off their concerns, but he found that their reactions oddly endearing since he didn't even know who these three were. Well, it was difficult to see them.

"Heroes?" He couldn't help but say the word with fondness and pride. It was nice to know the mantle was taken up by others. "Such an important role for the city. It pleases me to hear that there are others to keep the city safe."

He squinted at the faces closes to him because it was the easiest attempt to make out their features. The act caused a flare of pain throughout his body. "Perhaps... introductions are a good start?"

[hand_of_judgement]

His mind constantly reminded him to the opened door and just how easy it would be to slip out without anyone noticing. Yuri hadn't missed the honest concern and worry Kotetsu felt towards the man on the bed, and found himself watching silently as the hero shifted around and fussed over Legend's health.

That was something he couldn't bring himself to do. It was a right he had lost decades ago when he had killed his father. That fact was only further driven like a stake through his chest when he sensed the fondness and pride held within his father's voice as he spoke of the heroes of the city. He glanced away in that moment, diverting his attention completely, and closed his eyes while he waited for that feeling within to pass. He doubted that it ever would, and in some ways he didn't want it to.

Gritting his teeth in response to Barnaby's words, he felt his entire body grow cold at the mention of introductions. That drew his attention back to the trio in the room, along with the reminder that the door was open. It was a route he would have taken if he knew it would have proven fruitful, but even if he could have, the Judge wound himself physically unable to move. So he simply stood there quietly in a hopes that the others in the room would forget that he was even there.

[wildest]

He'd set his hands just slightly onto the edge of the bed, just to make sure he kept a good enough distance between himself and Legend while he spoke, but also to help him steady himself. That proved to be a necessity when Legend spoke up once again and Kotetsu couldn't help but think that he sounded exactly like he did that fateful day all those years ago (at least for him) when he'd finally met Legend face to face. This was exactly the same voice, the same person, the same inspiring motivation that had made him wish to have such a high regard for heroes. This was the person that helped to make him who he was.

And yet, even so, he could still recall everything Ben had told him about what the actual Legend had turned into. Was it all an act to look good in front of his fellow heroes, or was he being honest? Just how much of what he said now could be taken to heart? The person he'd met during that bank robbery, the one he read about in magazine articles and watched on television for hours on end; was this the same person?

Kotetsu jerked his head up when he remembered Barnaby had spoken up and he took a step aside, turning toward him slightly. "It's, a little different from how things are in Sternbild but, we try our best. This is my partner, Barnaby, and I'm Kotetsu. Kotetsu Kaburagi." His eyes darted over to Legend for a moment. "We can always do a better introduction when you're feeling better, there's really no rush."

[sentiments]

Rest would come eventually, it seemed. So long as Mr. Legend didn't want to rest, Barnaby wasn't going to stop from answering his questions. Introductions... They would be a good start, especially since the eldest hero wouldn't know any of them. After all, the last time Kotetsu had seen him, he was very young and looked quite different from his older, kitten-beard-porting self. And Barnaby figured the Judge was in his own footsteps, having seen but never met the legend.

"I'm Barnaby Brooks, Jr," he said to the man after Kotetsu, doing his best to give an assuring smile. But from the silence that followed after his voice, Barnaby glanced over his shoulder to notice that the man's third visitor seemed somewhat frozen in the back. Perhaps he was just nervous. After all, Yuri was quite reserved; it wouldn't surprise Barnaby if he hadn't been in a situation like this and left the two to take charge. But they were all just visitors, all on the same level. So Barnaby just stepped aside, lifting an arm to beckon him closer.

"And this is one of the judges from Sternbild's Justice Bureau, Judge Yuri Petrov." He aimed a kind smile over to him, if only to assure him that they wouldn't bite. It was okay to come closer, if that was what he was worried over.

[next_to_legendary]

This meeting suddenly came with surprises, and he was actually glad that he was laying down and wasn't able to move. His gaze shifted to the three occupants of the room slowly, though one was further away than the other two. He found himself staring at the brunette in the room, recognition flickering in his gaze at the name.

Wasn't that...? He stared at the face, not recognizing the features, but the name definitely struck a cord with him. That meant that he knew the person from before he had lost his powers. "Kotetsu...? I remember a boy with that name, I think," he murmured softly, trying to recall where he had heard it before.

The other name was a surprise as well. Brooks Jr.? He wondered if that boy was any relations to the science husband and wife. He had known them through the Hero business, and it was tragic that they had passed away as they had. "Were your parents scientists by any chance, Barnaby?"

However, he froze where he lay, stiffened up and wracked with pain at the motions at the casual introductions of the third man, the one furthest from his bedside. He made a soft choking noise before shuddering and his eyes sought out the hazy outline of the man furthest from his bed. "Judge...?" It wasn't the title that cause memories to flare inside of him and his skin seemed to burn all over again. "Yuri... Petrov? You're..."

[hand_of_judgement]

This wasn't the time or the place for such conversations, but there was nothing that he could do to prevent what was going to happen. The fact that Kotetsu had seemingly forgotten his existence was a blessing in some way, and so long as Barnaby did the same, he could then use that as an excuse to slip out of the room in order to recollect his thoughts. He simply wasn't prepared for this, could never be prepared for this, and he felt himself becoming trapped with every moment passing by.

Yuri didn't allow his emotions to show on his face though, but that didn't stop the growing feeling of dread as Barnaby found it within himself to finish off the introductions. He knew that there would be no avoiding what he had hidden for over twenty years, and while he often kept his silence when he wished not to answer, the Judge knew well that he couldn't do that here either.

He was feeling sick to his stomach. It was a feeling that grew with intensity as the young hero levelled him with that look before stepping aside and gesturing for him to move closer as his presence was announced. Yuri couldn't move at first, and he was frozen to the spot as he watched the various emotions run throughout his father. There seemed to be recognition at each of the names provided, something that partly surprised the Judge, before his name was spoken and the man on the bed instantly froze and was racked in pain.

There was no doubt within his mind of the memories flashing through his father's mind at the sound of his name. The last time they had been with each other, he had burnt the man to death. That choking noise was enough to confirm that thought, and it was only then that he found himself being able to move.

His father feared him. That thought hurt far more than anything even if he knew that it was entirely justified. It was something that he had to accept, and would accept. That was why he cautiously stepped to the side of the bed as the presence of the other two seemed to disappear.

Glancing down at him with his pale gaze, the Judge couldn't take his eyes off of the burnt man as he quietly spoke, "...Papa."

[wildest]

Yuri had definitely not been at the forefront of his mind, even as Barnaby took the time to introduce him, and when Kotetsu returned his slightly worried gaze toward Legend he found himself in conflict of what to do from there on out. A part of him wanted to remain in the room as long as possible to make sure Legend was okay, and the other considered simply having all three of them leave so he could get the rest he deserved. That of course only brought up the question of, 'what if something happens while we're gone?' Really, he was just at a loss, and he hated it. Kotetsu could never stand being helpless in any way, and regardless of his own conflicted feelings on the meeting, all he wanted to do was help.

He'd been about to take a step back to gather his thoughts more easily until he watched some sort of recognition flicker in Legend's eyes, and when he questioned him he merely thought he'd been misheard. But he hadn't, and as Legend explained that the name had even sounded familiar, Kotetsu could swear that his heart skipped a beat. There was only a brief moment of confusion before he realized that... he remembered. He remembered him. That day he'd met him, he took the first chance he could to try and leave some sort of lasting impression on the man that had helped save his life in more ways than one, but even with the hopeless possibility that he'd remember his name he never quite thought it'd happen.

He remembered him. Legend remembered him. That had been years ago, he'd only been a child. Legend had probably had moments like that in his life far more times than he could count and yet Legend remembered him.

Kotetsu's jaw went slack, he was too overwhelmed to say anything, even as Legend mentioned something about Barnaby's parents. He couldn't move, couldn't turn his head to look at his partner and give him his baffled expression. Is this really happening? Is he really telling us all this?

Suddenly movement caught the corner of his eye, and when he turned to catch sight of Yuri, all he could hear was 'Papa'... and the only thought in Kotetsu's mind was, 'What the hell is going on here?'

[sentiments]

Mr. Legend knew his parents? For a moment, Barnaby's brain just blanked, and he found himself spinning back around, just fixing the older man with a look of barely-contained shock. He hadn't known that at all. He honestly wouldn't have even expected it, even with his parents' profession, but it was definitely enough to have him already wanting to talk to this man more. But... soon. When he was better, he and Kotetsu could invite him and the Judge to lunch, and they could just discuss things.

It seemed like he really did have a connection to all of them. Past recognizing Kotetsu's name from his earlier years, down to...

Wait. Papa? Barnaby's head turned around just as fast as he looked at Yuri, then back to the injured hero. There was definitely something odd going on here; the legend was Judge Petrov's father? While he knew that all heroes--well, most heroes--had family, he did not think the son of a hero would be in a position to work with other heroes so closely or so often. But... the Legend had died some time ago on their world, which meant Yuri had been keeping that a secret for quite some time. Part of Barnaby wondered why, but he wasn't going to ask; it was most likely just painful, like the death of Kotetsu's wife, the kind of memories one didn't want to rehash.

But this family reunion seemed to be happening. So Barnaby just took a quiet step back to allow Yuri more space. He glanced over at Kotetsu, only to notice that the man was just as shocked. Well... He would just wait back here and try to find out what was going on.

[next_to_legendary]

He had hoped that introductions would make things more clear to him, but they had only made these three men more confusing and painful. Judging by the complete and utter shocked silence in the room as well, he suspected that his words had caused their own measure of discord. Had he said too much? It had been a very long time since he could remember having a conversation with a Hero.

Yet, as the grey image came forward to the bedside, he managed to squint up a better view of the man who had uttered a single confirming but damning word as well. He was unable to move, and his breath came to him painfully as he desperately attempted to reasonably accept the information in his brain.

Finally, he managed to get his thickened tongue to stop adhering to the roof of his healing mouth. His shock made his voice gruff and wheezy. "You're all... far older then I recall," he mumbled, staring pointedly at the man directly in front of him, his son. "How is... this possible? You..." he stared at the grey outline, "were fifteen... Kotetsu was surely no older than twelve. Barnaby... I'm sorry, but you were probably also a boy when I heard of you last."

[hand_of_judgement]

He could feel the shocked faces locked onto his position after he'd uttered that single word. There had been nothing else for him to say, as while he wanted to keep the ties between his father and himself secret, there had been no option given the situation. The Judge did what he could to ignore the shocked reactions, along with his own conflicted feelings spiralling within, and kept his impassive gaze fixated on the figure on the bed.

"The BREW is capable of pulling us from any point in time," Yuri methodically answered while being careful to keep any further emotion from his tone. He didn't say how old any of them were. While it was obvious that some time had gone by, the Judge felt it better to keep such information until a more private time.

He sensed Barnaby moving away, and some part of him had hoped that neither hero would do such a thing. It appeared that luck was not on his side.

[wildest]

Kotetsu had been well aware of the BREW's ability to bring people in from any time; the present, the future, the past. Barnaby was evidence enough of that. Most days he couldn't notice it, but at other moments he'd have a reminder of the two year gap between them, and he never really enjoyed thinking about it. He'd even overheard that BREW was capable of bringing people who had passed away, but he'd never seen it for himself before, not until now.

If trying to settle with what had been the case with Barnaby had been difficult, all of this was... even more crazy than he thought it'd be. Legend was alive. He was Yuri's father. The Judge's father was Legend and he was alive, after so many years. Kotetsu couldn't figure out what to say or do, even when Barnaby managed to move aside and Yuri spoke up, still too shocked and confused.

Eventually he swallowed hard, trying to find his voice yet unable to pull his eyes away from Yuri as he directed his words to Legend. "Its... been a while, since we were kids." Well yeah, obviously. He shook his head at the ridiculously obvious fact, bringing up a hand to rub at his head. This was really too much to handle, eyes finally trailing over to glance at Legend. "Also been a while since you... were alive."