After-taste

While still getting accustomed to the bright, sterille environment along with the throbing headache, Lime tries to further recall how he ended up here in the first place. Everything seems quite blurry although he recalls part of how everything unfolded that night and he's hoping someone can fill the gaps for him in order to recall the whole situation.

- How are you feeling, young man? You gave us quite the scare there; mentioned a nurse while trying to check for any signs of cognitive disfunction.

- I feel like a truck ran over me back and forth about 5 times but other than that I'm pretty glad to be in one piece; he replied as his senses started to fully adjust.

- I see; nodded the nurse concerned while glancing insistently towards one of the doctors.

-We will have to conduct a series of tests to ensure we can further treat any of the symptoms that you may be experiencing due to prolonged use of core energy; pointed out the doctor while the remaining staff started prepping the required tools. 

-Excuse me, do you perhaps know how long have I been here; asked Lime politely while trying to get up. 

- Well, you've been transferred to this section for further monitoring around 2 weeks ago; mentioned the second nurse while trying to offer him some pills.

- What? Are you for real?! Have I really been out for that long; he questioned in disbelief while trying to chew down the drugs in hope that the pain will subside.

- Could you stay still for a moment. We'll need some blood samples for the lab; intervened the same doctor while trying to insert the needle in carefully.

- Hold on a moment. What do you need the blood sample for exactly; refrained Lime in confusion.

- Worry not Mr. Green, you are in good hands with us; stated the man in a stern tone as he proceeded to grab his wrist firmly.

-I don't feel safe enough to offer my DNA sample just yet. Is there anyone from the Division I could talk to first; refused Lime while pushing the doctor's hand away a second time.

- He's being uncooperative. Hold down the patient sister Vermilion; he demanded with a cold gaze just as Lime becomes even more confused and concerned. 

- What are you doing? Let go of me; yells Lime just as his headache gets worse all of a sudden.

-There is no need for the standard procedure for highly dangerous individuals Dr. Fuchsia. This one is just confused; interrupted a familiar voice. 

-I apologize sir. We had direct orders from the council to proceed with it as a for of precaution given the unpredictable factors; pleaded the doctor respectfully.

- I can assure you he is far from aggresive, so could you please give us some privacy; requested Burgundy steadily while draging his crutches across the room closer to where Lime was.

Just like that the staff left the room quietly leaving the two chromati alone. Lime is relieved to see a familiar face and tries to say something however he stops as a strong state of nausea takes over his body.

-The bathroom is to your left buddy; indicates Burgundy calmly as he sits on a chair.

15 minutes go by and Lime is still throwing up like his life depends on it. Perhaps that's still the case given the experience that led to him being hospitalized. The good part is that his limbs are still attached to his body despite how rough the fight actually was from the start. 

- Give your body some time to adjust. I'm assuming that whatever you did back then was not something that you mastered yet; advised the big guy while still waiting for Lime to regain his composure.

-I hope blueberries are erased out of existence for as long as I live; he responded after washing his face with cold water and returning to his bed.

- So what was that exactly? I doubt any of that was documented anywhere on your Chroma chart; he questioned curiously while handing him the document.

- If I tell you does that mean you'll report me to the Division afterwards; suspected Lime as he reluctantly took it.

- It depends on the information that I get from you; he answered with a serious tone.

- Well it's something that I'm not very keen on admitting if it'll get me into trouble; he reasoned while reviewing the chart carefully.

- I don't know about getting you into trouble; but I certainly can help you clear your name in front of the council when it comes to the stunt you pulled back there; reassured Burgundy while cleaning the lens of his gear.

- What is that supposed to mean? 

- Exactly as you've heard. We are intending to defend you as long as you tell us more about that special ability of yours; he smiled after looking through his lens confidently.

- Don't make such a bold claim meat-head. The rest of the Division is not even aware how things were handled. Plus this young man had the audacity to not show up to the special evaluation after I specifically instructed him to wait for my call; stated Emerald just as he popped in through the open window.

- Come on, don't be that prickly. He proved his worth enough already, I've seen what he can do with my own eyes- he saved my life afterall. Is that how we're going to repay this brave fella; argued Burgundy while inching closer to Lime and embracing him forcefully.

Just as Lime was trying to free himself from the stronghold full of gratitude that was slowly leaving his lungs with a limited ratio of oxigen. Emerald was quietly observing everything from across the room and took his time to respond although it was more than clear that he was pissed of for one reason or another.

- By irresponsibly breaking one of the Sacred Codes?! If we had the leisure to go around bending the laws without any consequences then we would be no different from those Aberrations. Plus, you'd be the first in line to the execution room; reasoned Emerald while fixing his tie then gazing coldly at those buffoons.

- Come on... You know that I never meant for THAT to happen. Plus the chairwoman made sure to cover up for me as long as I wear my second limiter and never demolish any building; commented Burgundy while releasing Lime from his firm embrace.

- Excuse me, but what does breaking the Codes have to do with me; he stupidly asked while trying to breathe in and out as if he spent the past 3 minute wrestling a bear.

-It's related to what happened at the abandoned site.

-Was it because I trespassed that time; questioned Lime trying to gouge out the truth.

- Now, you see why I was reluctant to even recruit this one; sighed Emerald as he picked up the lint from the surface neatly before taking a seat.

- It was a reasonable response, he did it to stop the fight, not just destroy shit because he felt like it. He is not nearly as dangerous as the deliquent who started the fight. Thank God we won't have to deal with her at all! This kid right here did a service to the whole population, she was far beyond a mere threat.

- Wait, are you saying she's dead. Did I really do such a dumb thing? I've been trying my whole life to follow the Sacred Codes just to do something so foolish; interrupted Lime while digging his nails into the Chroma chart in contempt.

- What a nice way to break the news to him "gently"; added Emerald as he gently took the Chroma chart away.

In that moment, the room fell silent just as the two glanced at each other. No words needed to be muttered for them to assess the gravity of the situation; just as no amount of remorse could turn back time so that Lime could prevent such a cruel deed. 

- Look, it was done in self defense. On top of that you managed to neutralize a threat before the leader of the Primary Hue Division could aprehend her. That enough is a reason for the rest of the council to give you a chance. Burgundy will vouch for you as a witness but we need you to cooperate. For starters, we'll need to know how long you had that ability of yours and how it works so we can stabilize it; continued Emerald with a collected tone.

Lime simply stood there, avoiding eye contact, feeling ashamed of speaking his mind. 

- Listen, kiddo, we need you right now. All you need to do is place your trust in us this one time. I'm sure that we can figure out a way to avoid the rest of the organization labeling you as a major threat; claimed Burgundy.

- That's not the biggest concern here. They could exploit him or worse. Who knows what messed up ideas they'll get after we deliver the news along with this; he pointed out while taking out his cell phone.

-Did you really manage to get video footage of that night? Has anyone else seen it until this point; he replied as he leaned over, gripping his crutches tightly.

- I managed to retrieve this but I am unsure of the contents of the video since it was filmed by a nearby security camera that was already damaged when we located it.

-Can I see as well; requested Lime curiously.

- Sure; agreed Emerald while pressing "play".

 The pixelated frames portray a wide angle of the abandoned site as Burgundy chases the lunatic inside and shortly after Lime stopped and cautiously passed by the fence and inched closer to a small opening to peep inside the building.

- How did you even know we were there? 

- I smelled the blood; responded the young one as he continued to analize the footage as if he was looking to confirm something specific.

The footage continued to display the building as it slowly fell apart until only one of the walls was left standing. Among the debris and ice chunks, 3 figures portray what seemed like a gruesome fight before the whole thing went black.

-Was one of your limiters broken?

-No, they seemed to be working just fine; shruged Burgundy.

-Then how did the building collapse? You don't suppose it was the kiddos doing for this one as well; he dismissed while arching his brow.

- Well you see... he smiled wwith a slightly intimidated tone.

-I was not aware he had such a strong energy so I absorbed about half; intervened Lime while he and Burgundy were looking around the room with a guilty expression.

-You two are unbelievable... How can I rely on you two to face those council bastards if you're this irresponsible?

Emerald seemed as if he wanted to add another thing however he was interrupted by the alert on his watch.

-I'll entertain your foolery later, duty calls; he sighed while jumping out the window gracefully. 

-Couldn't he have used the door? It seems rather weird; pointed out Lime just as the other one left.

- I think it's because the doorknobs are touched by so many people. You see Emerald is a bit sensitive to anything that has to do with germs; reasoned Burgundy calmly.

-Dully noted; nodded the young one as he kept glancing at the view blankly.

- The weather is quite nice. Maybe, we both could use some fresh air; suggested Burgundy.

- Yea we could; he agreed while putting on some slippers and helping the big man get up.

- Hi, please tell Dr. Fuchsia that w'll head to the garden for some fresh air; he informed as he paged a nurse through his watch.

 The two slowly accompanied each other through the brightly illuminated corridor without saying a word. The crowded space was bustling with various chromati that once in a while kept stealing glances of admiration and curiosity upon noticing the complementary pair. 

-You don't seem to mind the attention; chuckled Burgundy while turning to Lime, who seemed to be rather chipper.

-A little attention never hurt anyone; smirked the young one while casually strutting and exchanging greetings with people from time to time. 

- I heard from Emerald that you were quite persistent with enrolling in the H.D. despite endangering your core energy; added Burgundy as he pointed to a bench.

-Well I'm quite dedicated to fulfilling my promises towards people; he confessed as he sat down

-And to whom did you promise such a thing?

-My mother, it was her last request before departing this world; he continued with a sad tone.

-I'm sorry for your loss kiddo. I'm sure

- Plus, I'd get to inspire people to change for the better and get those extra fancy perks as a bonus; he pointed out while interrupting his senior.

- You sure are as positive as she was back then; he responded as he observed his surroundings. 

- You mean you knew my mother?

-Yes, she always made her presence known to every chromati back in academy. Bright inside and out, she was exuding a certain warmth that pulled out the best from everyone around. Even from your father; he added with a certain melancholy.

-I didn't know she was part of the H.D.; he smiled then lowered his gaze. 

- She retired when she found out she was pregnant with you. I'm sure she had her reasons. Is your father around then? We could hang out like back in the days; he added curiously.

- No, he left shortly after losing mom.

-I understand. Well then you'll have to fill in for him, let's go for some ribs after you're discharged from the facility; he suggested cheerfully.

- Now that you mention food, I could really use some; he agreed while his mouth was watering.

-Then let's head inside for a bite, my treat.