At the end of everything...

[Ever since the last experiment ended, it's made Seto come to realize a lot… a lot about how much has changed in his life in the two and a half years he’s been in Luceti. How much he’s changed.

When the experiment started… Seto woke up almost in the same condition he was when he first arrived in Luceti, though a little worse off in some ways. He was fifteen again—two years younger than he is now. He was thin, his muscles weaker and his body wasn't in that great of shape along with his health because of the lack of proper nutrition all his life.

What was different though... what was different was that when he woke up, he believed himself to be all alone in the world. The only person he had ever known in his life died and he just finished burying him in the front yard. He didn't know of the survivors his grandfather spoke about in his letter yet, he hadn't read that his Grandfather told him thank you for the first time in his life, he hadn't seen the silver haired girl or met PF, Crow, Chiyo or Sai. The happy and sad memories he created with them... he didn't get to experience yet.

He was... truly all alone in the world at that moment.

That's why when he stepped outside that day, when he saw all of the people here, even the ones he thought of as his family and friends before... he was scared of them. Seeing them threw him into a panic because he wasn't ready to see them, his mind wasn't ready to see them. Not how after the condition of his world left him...

Now here he is today, a seventeen year old boy. He’s stronger and taller than he was back then, even his hair is longer. He lives a healthy life, able to eat meats, vegetables, fruits and desserts whenever he wants. Every day he trains with a sword given to him by a friend who left a long time ago with the techniques Terra and Jin both taught him.

He has a family; Firo, his older brother (though he acts like more of a mother), Tsuzuki, someone he still sees as his father with the lingering feelings from the experiment months ago, Crow, his best friend, a more special case in the sense of family--he isn't quite a brother but he is most definitely family in a unique way.... then there was Mia who was like an older sister to him and Emil, his twin older brother... hell, anyone he's become friends with is like his family.  Even those who have left are still his family, like Ange.

He doesn’t take what he has here for granted, he cherishes it. He cherishes the things he’s never had. A family, warm and fresh food, good health, a warm place to sleep, good clothes to wear that fit him as he grows… Though as much as it scares him to think about, he has to wonder... when he's seventeen in his world, what will he be like then? Will he even still be alive?

It's late when he opens his journal to voice his thoughts]

You know… it’s really amazing, how much we can change in just a few years. I knew that a lot of things had changed in my life since I've been here but... during the last experiment I guess I just... was reminded of how different things were for me back then... [Not that Seto forgot how his life was back home. He could never forget. It's just fresh in his mind again

There's a beat]

Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud. Anyways, does anyone want to come outside and look at the stars with me? I know it’s getting colder outside but I have blankets and hot cocoa to stay warm. I'll be outside house forty-eight if anyone wants to come by. [And true to his word, Seto will be outside his house, looking through a telescope in his front yard.]

( sad tl;dr stuff )

It takes him a few minutes before he finally grabs his journal and opens it up to make the annoucement. It’s been a while since he’s done something like this so for a good few seconds, there’s nothing but silence as he tries to bring himself to say those words.]

…Lightning has been sent home. [Said gently and sadly. He pets Baldr's head as he lays down beside him.]

I… don’t know if she left anything behind for anyone. I went to her house but nothing’s there. [Granted he didn’t snoop around but he felt it was wrong to do so, even though she isn’t here anymore.

He still feels like he has to be careful where he steps when it comes to her. He wanted to gain her trust back, he was slowly getting there but now… no, come now Seto, maybe she’ll come back one day. And he can try again, even start from scratch if he has to.

“Friends always see each other again.”

Right…

He isn't sure what else to say so there's a long pause before he speaks up again.] Does anyone want to go on a walk with Baldr and I? I know it’s cold but I think he’s sad… [Seto’s no expert on dogs by any means, he’s more of a cat whisperer, but still. Maybe a walk will do him some kind of good. Seto too.

Whether anyone has decided to join him or not, a little bit after his entry goes up, Seto will be walking around the village bundled up with a big black dog at his side. He’ll be seen just about anywhere around the village so feel free to bug him!]

[Voice]

Hey guys, what's with all the lights?  I was walking around last night and they're everywhere!  Is something going on?  Another festival?

[He pauses for a moment, almost shutting his journal when--]  Oh right!  let's see...

[Voice - Broken filter to Jin and Terra]

There, I think I got it.  Hey Jin, Terra, could y--...am I not doing this right?  I though that was how you made a filter.. [A pause and some shuffling] How about now?  

...No?  That's weird, I guess I'm doing it wrong after all.  Oh well, I can do it without that.

So--Jin, Terra!  If you hear this, meet me at the battle dome, okay?  I'd like to train a bit more.

[Action] 

[Even though he has to wait until the evening for the lights to turn on, Seto will be out and about during the day, either at the battle dome, training/waiting for his two trainers to arrive or wandering around just outside of community building four, looking mighty sad because well--his two training partners never showed!

It's mainly at night when Seto will be seen all around the entire village, just looking at alllllll the pretty Christmas lights.  Not that he actually knows what they are but they're still beautiful!  He's never seen anything like them before, and it goes great with the snow too!   Will you bump into him as he walks through the colorfully lit up streets?  Or will he maybe bump into you since he isn't exactly paying attention?]

Seto sits quietly in the dull, doll filled room, his forehead resting on his knees as his shoulders give a small shake every now and then.  His hands run through his hair but stayed atop his head, his red-brown hair messily entwining around his fingers.  The flashlight that lays on the other side of the room shines on the young boy, making the silver skull ring on his finger sparkle.  In front of him is a crow's feather, just like it had appeared once before back in his world to signify that his best friend...is gone.  This place has taken it upon itself to snatch him away while reminding him where he died.  

The journal lies next to him, open and only recording the sniffles that come from Seto every now and then.  He mumbles quietly before shutting it]

....Crow is gone.... [click]

[Voice/Action]

[In the young boy's sleep, Seto tosses and turns, pressing a button on the journal so the voice turns on.  His choked sobs can be heard along with the soft rustling of blankets.  Then all goes silent...

A scream.  Not loud enough to be considered a bloody murder scream, though it obviously sounds like he's in pain or he's scared.  He turns one more time in his bed and knocks the journal off and it shuts, cutting the audio off.  Don't bother reaching him through it right now, he's out cold.]

-------------------------

[For once Seto is in a relatively...sad mood today.  He's currently sitting in the living room area of his apartment, staring out the window to watch the rain hit the window repeatedly with thunder then lightning following.  This is pretty abnormal since his usual attitude is happy-go-lucky and sunshine everywhere.

His thoughts have been circling around the draft for the past few days.  That's what had even haunted his dreams this morning.  When he had first heard about the draft and what it actually meant...it frightened him.  People leaving to go fight in this war, how could he stop thinking about them?  It's late in the afternoon by the time Seto reaches for his journal, his voice trembling as he speaks]

...T-The people from the draft...are you okay...?  If you can hear this...answer...please...