~Watching and Waiting~
Slow walked slowly through the quiet hallway. Pardonner had warned him that even though he managed to fix him, his system was still fragile and he should take it easy. The Douji of Diligence already knew that; his spirit sphere sent small waves of pain through his body every time he moved, and only when he stood still or laid down did he feel no pain. But Slow had to walk down this hall. He had to check on Gauge; they have suffered big setbacks and tragedies; they have lost Eco, Regula, and Doctor Shakuji. He, Ultimo, Pardonner, Gauge, Sophia, Machi and Maruyama were injured. Hiroshi couldn't move from his neck down, forever bound to a wheelchair.
All present (and overwhelming) dark thoughts stopped as he reached a deserted room of the building that they were using for a hideout. Pieces of concrete were missing from the thick pillars. Some ceiling panels were missing or on the floor, revealing pipelines and thin wires. Cracks that decorated the titled floor seemed to point to the large, primarily grey colored Douji.
Slow walked up, his sandals barely beating against the already torn floor. When the dark purple and dark gold colored Douji stood right in front of his-at least appearing to be- sleeping comrade, he plop on the ground. His right sandal fell off but Slow paid no mind. Neither did he take notice on how Gauge still managed to tower over him even when he was sitting Indian Style. Slow was sitting on his knees, his hand placed flat against the floor and his kimono sleeves creating a deep purple silk pile.
His deep violet eyes traced over the cracks in Gauge's garnets before settling on Gauge's stomach. His open stomach. Thick wires show through the wide wound. Cracks went from the opening to the middle of his chest, right under where his spirit sphere pulsed. Slow could have gotten up and left the room then, could have left Gauge alone. But he couldn't. As selfish as it may be, Slow wanted to be the first one Gauge saw when he opened up his eyes.