Snippet #2410283

"Of course." Ryan responded respectfully to Melanie's request and she relaxed, slightly relieved. "I'm very sorry. I... I didn't mean any..." Ryan sighed and Melanie simply nodded, understandingly. "It's alright. Some one was bound to make the mistake." She reassured him, "But please don't let it happen again, especially with the others."

"I'll keep your secret with my life. I owe you everything." Ryan said, completely unabashedly. "Thank you." He added, in a voice barely a whisper. "It's been so long since I felt anything other than pain. Gratitude is a welcome change. I won't bore you with the particulars of my sob-story, but I do feel obligated to tell you why I did what I did." Ryan began solemnly, and Melanie didn't have the virtual heart to tell him she'd already looked up everything about him. Besides, stories were always different from the storyteller's own point of view.

"I lost my family when I was young." Ryan started, stuttering only slightly. She took note of how his fists were clenched, and Melanie could see that his eyes were shut tight. It was almost as if the words themselves seemed to cause Ryan physical pain and it took him a few moments before her could continue. "A madman visited my elementary when I was just about to switch to high school. My parents were coming to pick me and my sisters up from our after school activities when he came. He killed everyone. Worse yet, I hid like a coward and watched as he murdered my family and friends before my eyes. Even though I was small, I regret not fighting him. I regret not ending his life with my own hands."

Ryan's body was shaking with a silent rage Melanie knew all too well and she had the unnatural urge to reach out and touch his shoulder in a gesture of comfort, but she knew it would do nothing and instead had to stand there in silence as he calmed himself down again. Once he was calm again, he spoke. "The idiot blew up the gas lines with his misfires, giving me the scars on my face, neck, back, and shoulders. Luckily for him, it also ended his life. I spent the next six years, eight months, and sixteen days training for the day when I would take over the city, right all the wrongs, and end the hold that sick fucks like the one that destroyed my family had over Jump City."

Melanie nodded understandingly, and he chuckled. "It's funny, I used to see you as a hindrance. Someone I'd have to beat in order to get my way. Now, if you're willing, and I know it might take some time, I'd like to call you friend." Ryan said, finishing simply. There was a moment of brief silence where Melanie found her vocal speakers and said, "A friend huh? Well I'd much rather be seen as your friend than a hindrance." she chuckled, then added solemnly, "And I am sorry for all that time you spent grieving." Ryan seemed to think a moment than, apparently done, said, "Enough reminiscing. Where have you out my gear?"

Melanie grinned, much more comfortable with this kind of conversation than the more... emotional... stuff... Anyways, she snapped her fingers and a small click was heard and a drawer slid out of the wall. "All of your equipment is in there. I apologize if I was prying but I went ahead and scanned all the weaponry and repaired what had been damaged in battle." Turning to the door she puts her hand on the handle, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go check on all the others. It's become... just a little bit too quiet... Anyways, please come out when you're done." With that she gives a small smile and walks out.