[Gobusters soap opera universe, lol]

[interpolate]

I'm flat on my back with my hands clasped over my face, the chain connecting the cuffs between my teeth, and it hurts but that's nothing compared to the static in my head, the splitting pain.

Fear, absolute terror. Anger, unbridled rage. Amusement? Laughter?

My back arches, I stare at the guards and they stare back. Guns drawn, aimed at my face. Everything fades in and out of focus.

I don't want this.

"S'il vous plaît," I'm begging, but for what? A bullet? "S'il vous plaît..." I twist and the guards twitch nervously, but they're still not shooting. Maybe they should be. Maybe they can stop this, before my friends have to do it. To save themselves. "S'il vous plaît!"

Black.

Then white.

Then slowly color focus. A shudder runs through me.

Curious.

The guards are moving closer. Fools.

"Salut, salut, salut!" I lift my arms, smirking, and my cables swiftly disarm them and throw them both against the walls before either of them can scream. The handcuffs split and fall away and I rise slowly to my feet.

I am in their base. So is my computer. Once we are reuninted, my majesté, Messiah will be freed from the subspace.

My goggles are still in an inside pocket of my coat. Very nice. I put them on before I step into the hallway. There are other soldiers out here. But not the Gobusters. So I have little to fear.

I lift one hand with another smirk. "Ça va."

[Open to KRC, Rabbit Hutch]

[notmeteor]

I'm feeling worlds better, proper rest and lots of vitamins will do that, it seems. I should probably feel bad about getting Gibken sick though, I hear he got it even worse than me. I'm trying, to feel bad that is, but despite general 'oh, that sucks' feelings I can't bring myself to care as much as I probably should.

I do wonder vaguely if he's better, maybe he'll be on the moon, a full fledged member of the Kamen Rider Club thanks to Kisaragi's abundant enthusiasm.

Rabbit Hutch is actually empty when I get there, even Utahoshi's little private area is devoid of activity. It's been a long time since the place has been so quiet, and I smile to myself, tossing my bag down on the table and sitting.

Might as well get some studying in while it's still quiet enough to hear myself think.

[Pagebreak'verse also Etienne needs moar iconz :(]

[interpolate]

I have no idea where Takosawa is tonight, which is possibly a bad thing. Usually when he's missing, he's up to something. Talking to Commander Kuroki or something. He's still pushing on getting me recalled from active duty, the sneaky jerk.

The bright side is that with him inexplicably missing, I can sneak out and have some alone time, which is not something I get often.

I'm tempted to leave base, just to prove I can take a walk alone, at night no less, and make it back without blacking out. But I'm not sure if I'm ready to risk that quite yet. I'm not an idiot, after all.

So instead I find my way to a training room to practice alone. I've been doing this a lot lately, whenever I can get away. Too often have I been blacking out in the middle of serious fights with Vaglass. I'm trying to work past it, the way Hiromu was trying to work past his.

[Open. In that giant mushball universe where everything revolves around the Fourze universe]

[beetlesazer]

Amanogawa High School.

Not my first choice as far as first school to teach at goes, but considering my other 'job' it's probably the one where I'll be needed the most. I actually find it sort of amazing that the school is still running, let alone keeping the regular attacks on the students and faculty a secret. I only know about it from Ein and Zwein's careful surveillance from Beet-Vizor.

It's been almost six years since I've seen them in person - about as long as it's been since I've seen Gordo and Patora, but I assume America isn't as dull as being in space - I hope they're not lonely up there in orbit by themselves. I wish I could see them once in a while, but then, I barely see Takuto anymore with all his traveling, and Ad's taken to wandering in recent years too.

Stop that, Kane, I stop in my steps to breathe in and out and shake my head to clear it, get my focus back. It won't do to go and get all weepy on your first day of proper teaching.

I push my glasses up my nose and fix the sleeves of my jacket. Ad was supposed to be joining me here soon, I won't be completely alone for much longer.

There are also fellow teachers and my new students to get to know. Not to mention I have to keep my eyes open for signs of the dark forces at work here. Lots of things to keep my mind busy.

For Ankh

[hinooo]

I float awake in a dreamy kind of way. I haven't been this contented in a while. I've got Ankh safely in my hand...

In my arms. He's in my arms. I spent the night holding Ankh.

I grin, then the door's pushed open gently and Chiyoko-san backs in with a tray. I scream. But at least we're fully clothed, I guess?