.hack//SIGN Fan Fiction / .hack//LIMINALITY Fan Fiction / .hack//Legend Of Twilight Bracelet Fan Fiction ❯ Episode Three: .hack//Liberty ❯ Storms of Change ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter Seven- Storms of Change- The Real World

 

Dan stood there, looking shocked. The room was a dark blue where it wasn't wood, which was almost everywhere. In fact, the only place for the blue was on the ceiling.

He had a monstrous four poster bed. Beside that was his dressers, apparently already stocked with clothes. He had a flat-screened television, complete with all sorts of gaming equipment. He had all sorts of movies. He even had a fridge, stocked with his favorite foods and drinks.

“So you won't have to trek all the way downstairs to eat if you're tired.” Dan nodded. He was sure there were more surprises, and he expressed that to Ryo, who laughed.

“I'll let you figure those out.” He only said. Dan looked one more time at the room.

“I love it. Now, where is my office?”

“Through the door.” Ryo said, a smile on his face.

“Okay. Let me guess, the door is hidden?”

“Safety precaution. It's only in your room. You made everyone angry when you escaped. Vanessa, well, they don't like her, but they detest you. If we have a raid, they can't find you here.” He handed Dan a key chain. It had one button on it. “Press that button at THAT picture.” Ryo said, indicating a picture of a Viking ship. Dan did so. There was a click, and a door opened on the wall opposite the room door. Dan was impressed.

“UBER COOL!” He said excitedly.

“I thought you would like it.” The two walked into the office.

“Sure this isn't the library?”

“Nope. That's downstairs.” The room was massive. It housed ten bookcases, each filled with hard bound books. He looked at one shelf where it wasn't completely full of books and picked up a long picture frame. It was a group picture of all the dothackers in The World. He, Vanessa, Jas, and Morgan were in it. Helba and Aura were in the background.

“When was this taken? I didn't know you could do this in The World.”

“Yes, well, this was the day that the knights attacked. When all of us gated in Helba got the idea, warped everyone who wasn't there, or at least their skins, and herself and Aura over for a split second. It turned out rather nicely. I thought you might like it.”

Dan looked from there to the little figurine.

“Ed Elric! My favorite!” Ryo laughed.

“I figured as much. You two are alike in many ways.” He pointed around the burgundy colored office. “I used the same color as his cloak. There is the infamous Alchemist's Cross.” Ryo pointed to where it was painted on the wall.

“Like I said.” Dan said. He looked at the desk. It was extremely big. He walked around and sat down. The desk was probably filled with things. He'd explore later. He then looked behind the desk. There was a door to a balcony overlooking a lake, and beside that were three computers.

“Three? Okay, I get mine and the laptop, but the third?” Ryo smiled.

“It's hooked up to a network. You can chat with anyone in the house that's logged in at anytime. You can even look at them. It also helps to share information. This house IS big. This is like the message board for everyone, so we aren't chasing each other, trying to find them.”

“Pretty cool.” He looked at Ryo. “You must be pretty wealthy.” Ryo smiled.

“Riches, to me, is rubbish. I work doing one thing: writing. It's hard work sometimes, but you can get so much revenue out of it, it's crazy. But, I don't do it for the money: I write stories of inspiration, of help. They can guide people into the right course of action.” Ryo smiled. “I also don't live for the money. I live for the kids I take care of. Tsukasa is not my real daughter. She, well, I am her sponsoring father. We're working on getting her officially adopted.”

“Who else have you helped that went on to be dothackers?”

“That, my child, is a secret. Ask them. But, you already know of another two.”

“Who?”

“You and Vanessa.”

“Heh. Funny.” Dan said. “Why do you do this?”

“Because, even though a child may come from riches or rubbish, they are still worthy of help. I am quite capable of doing it, so why not? It isn't an issue of why won't I, it's an issue of why shouldn't I. See?”

“Yes.” Dan said. “I would like to thank you for every kindness you've shown us two. Hopefully one day I can repay you.”

“Save The World first. Then we'll talk.” Ryo said as he turned to leave. “I'll give you however long you want to explore the rooms. Here,” Ryo reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. It was black, with a background that changed colors. Dan hit a button and messages were displayed.

“WHAT-HO!” Dan said in surprise.

“It's synched with the network. It'll beep you at ten till ten. If you want dinner, it's at seven. If not, you have plenty of food here. Just throw it into your trash can. Jeeves will be by every day to empty it.”

“Until I can.” Dan said.

“Of course. Well, until we meet again, have a good afternoon.” Ryo walked out of the door. Dan looked at him with a deep respect.

“There goes a man who is a king.” Dan said to himself as he walked back into his room to explore. The office door shut behind him as he exited.

 

It didn't take long before he found some little surprises. By pointing the key chain to a picture of Starry Night, another door opened up, leading to Dan's bathroom. He smiled at that. It was almost as big as his room. He had a separate room just for the toilet. He smiled. Ryo really went all out.

When he got into the bed, he found it could be adjusted for firmness, angles, and a lot more functions. It even had a heat and cool button. He felt something next to him in the bed. He picked it up.

It was a Fullmetal plush. Dan laughed. He hadn't had a stuffed toy since he was a child. It felt good to have one again, oddly enough. Behind the room door were two cloaks, one for the bath, and the other modeled after the one that Edward Elric wore in the Anime show that Dan worshipped. On the wall behind him there were movie posters of his favorites. He smiled at that. It was the little touches. He then sighed.

“I can't return hom-“ Dan's mind clicked. “The Epitaph of Ragnarok said I couldn't.” He slapped himself on the head. “I'm so stupid.” He sighed. “So, it has be pre-ordained. I can't argue with that.” He brushed away a tear. “Never look back.”

The office held many more surprises. There were books on everything, from Terry Goodkind to Sigmund Freud. There was even one by Ryo! He looked at it and vowed to read it. He looked at all the philosophy books. He then looked at the meditation books, and saw there were yoga tapes. Dan laughed.

He checked the desk to find it full of paper, pens, and other office accessories. He wondered what business he would be doing. He walked out onto the balcony to find a chair where he could sit and relax. Ryo really did think of everything. He looked over the balcony, remembering when he and Jas jumped the one at their house to escape Mr. Ides. He groaned. It was probably Mr. Ides who turned them in.

That liar.

He walked back inside his room to get cleaned up. He took a long, scalding hot bath. He got out of the bath and stretched, feeling much better. He dressed, and looked at the shoes.

Ryo had even gotten the special boots he wore.

This man had some serious OCD. Dan was positive of it now. He looked at his watch after he pulled his hair back.

“Almost time for dinner.” He accessed the elevator and walked into the kitchen, where all the noise was.

“Ah, Master Dan.” Jeeves said. “You are looking much better than you were.”

“Thanks. I think.” Dan said. Ryo smiled.

“How do you like it?”

“I found the bathroom.” He said. Ryo laughed.

“Forgot to show you that one. My bad.”

“No problem, it was fun.” Vanessa looked confused.

“You couldn't find the bathroom? I get to mine by opening a door.” She smiled. “It's hard to find. That's how I get to my office too!” Dan laughed.

“Mine's a little more complicated. Even if you are told how to!” He smiled at Ryo. “I'm lucky I got the idea to point the thing at different items and see what happens.” He laughed. “But, I do have one question: why is there office materials in my desk?”

“There is?” Vanessa asked. “There's just candy in mine.” Ryo laughed at Dan.

“Simple. I want you to work as my understudy.” Dan, Tsukasa and Vanessa's jaws dropped at the same time.

“WHAT!” They all asked. Ryo smiled.

“If you're going to be here, you might as well learn from me. Besides, I'm not getting any younger! All of you are invited, of course, but there may be times where you two will have to leave.” Dan pulled his jaw back up.

“Okay. It makes sense. I will accept.” He said. The other two clapped. Ryo smiled.

“Thanks, Dan. We will have a celebration dinner. We'll go out though. I feel lazy.” Dan laughed with the others.

“You know, I think I might want to change my name permanently.” Vanessa looked at him in surprise.

“Why?” She asked.

“Well, we can't return. All we have left are memories of something to fight for. We can get the four back home back up and running, but we can't interact with them personally. You know my philosophy, never look back. I did some serious thinking when I was in the bath. A lot of crying too, to be honest. But, memories are great, but that's all they are. We have to start a new life for ourselves. Thus, I want to officially change my name to Jeremie Sircosgi Ardiwin Claude. You do as you wish, Vanessa. I have to. Call it closure of a chapter, and the beginning of another. You all can still call me Dan, if you wish. Just when we're alone.” Ryo smiled.

“You may have to teach me, young one.” Ryo said. Everyone laughed. Vanessa nodded.

“I too, will change my name to Emily Renee Tanner. Vanessa to ya'll, I guess.” She and Jeremie clapped hands.

“You know if we get married then you will sound triply French.” Jeremie said to Emily. She laughed.

“I guess so.”

“So, let's get a move on!” Ryo said. “I know a place in town.”

“Not again.” Tsukasa said. “Last time he said that I got food poisoning for a week.”

“No. This place is good.” Ryo promised. The four walked to the car, where Jeeves was already waiting. They drove off to dinner, which Jeremie thought was good, then back home, where they could unwind and wait until it was time for the meeting.

 

End of Book One