Snippet #2408772

Feeling nothing, Ryan allowed his hands to cross on his lap. The sensation of hearing someone without seeing their body was quite odd. However, something was wrong. Something bad had happened, Ryan knew instinctively. Melanie took a few deep breaths, as if very agitated. However, Ryan heard her from the doorway. He tilted his head sideways as she spoke.

"Let me try to explain, Ryan." She began, with a tone that belied exaggerated patience. "Yes, you are in the Titan's Tower. You are having to recover from your actions the other day where you risked your life to save the life of others. And because I promised that, if you survived the feat, you would be allowed to become a Titan." She took another quiet breath and it was clear by the edge in her voice she was uncomfortable when she next spoke. Ryan bowed his head. He'd messed something up again, he just knew it.

"As for me...." she trailed off a moment, obviously choosing her words carefully. "I do not possess a body of flesh like you or the others, and I would greatly appreciate it if you did not touch the one I DO have. Additionally, as you can probably tell, I do not care to have others know about my... wavering existence, and would also appreciate it if you could refrain from telling the others as they do not yet know." Ryan drew the obvious conclusion and hung his head deeper. Ryan was pretty sure he'd just gravely insulted the girl who'd carried him back to the Tower and was currently taking care of him. The way she phrased everything was very careful and she hesitated before speaking. "Understand, Ryan?" It was clear from the way she spoke that, though these sounded like friendly suggestions or favors, they had much more weight behind them than that.

Ryan shook his head slowly, "Of course." He replied simply. "I'm very sorry. I... I didn't mean any..." Ryan sighed. Words were never his strong point. "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 started. He felt a strange connection to this girl. The kind that you didn't often find. It may have been that she saved his life, maybe it was her proximity to him after such a pivotal moment in his life, or maybe Ryan was just bored, but he needed to speak. He felt like what he said next could change the rest of his life here. "I lost my family when I was young." Ryan started, stuttering. His fists were clenched, and his eyes were shut tight. The words themselves seemed to cause Ryan physical pain. He started again. Slowly. "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 shook with rage. For a moment. He was silent once again. Finally, after he was calm, 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." 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. Once he was done, Ryan stood. "Enough reminiscing. Where have you out my gear?" Ryan asked.