Forgive the poor writing this chapter. Ruvik is especially hard to write for.
As for the brain section- I was going for a clone of sorts? You know, because Ruvik can do just about anything. Displaying a copy of a brain, shouldn't be a problem.
The brain is a fragile thing, it can be manipulated and transformed; created a new. Even memories can be tampered with, could be bent to another's will. That was the rule of this place, and it's "god" made perfect use of it. However, some attempts were not fruitful; sometimes, the brain produced unexpected results. This most recent manipulation, led to actions the manipulator wasn't prepared for. The warmth from the sudden advance, still lingered on his lips; it confused him. Not once, had he foreseen such a thing; the detective hadn't struck him as...that kind of person.
"Where in your mind...do you hide such thoughts, Seb?" Ruvik flexed his fingers, and a brain appeared before him. Every memory, thought and action was displayed for his amusement. It was thrilling, to have such control over one person.
"Show me-the darkest recesses of your mind". He ran the tips of his fingers across the muscle-rhythmically; images flashing behind his eyes.
There were memories of Sebastian's childhood, his days as a rookie, even the first kiss he shared with Myra; but none of Joseph.
"Was it really so shameful...that you would hide it so far away?" He brought his fingers closer to the frontal cortex, and added pressure. There was something stored there, and for a brief moment, he had caught sight of it; but it vanished as quickly as it had come.
"Loneliness...will drag you to such actions...won't it?" Ruvik released the brain, and stood quietly. He had seen enough to know-just how lonely Sebastian had been, after Myra's disappearance. Though...he was still unsure how large a part, the Joseph subject played in this.
"The only way to deduce a problem, is to face it". He mumbled quietly to himself, before seeking out the detective.
Surprisingly, Sebastian was not where he had left him; there was only blood. It seemed the man could withstand the pain after-all; this made Ruvik smirk. Perhaps this experiment would still be worthwhile. All he had to do, was set his plan into motion.
"Sebastian?" He imitated Josephs voice, trying to match the level of concern the real man would have toward his partner. Watching the duo all this time, had payed off, in some respects.
Though...his attempt hadn't seem to work, no reply had come his way. That meant his test subject was dead, or hiding. He assumed the latter however, for he would know, if the man had died. Only he, were allowed to kill him.
"Sebastian, you here?" He tried again-feigning concern, as he approached the door beneath the stair-case. The blood had made a gruesome walkway toward it; but he barely payed attention, as he took the knob.
The door opened with a small creaking noise; probably due to neglect to the hinges.
The blood was thicker on this side, and made a wet sloshing sound, when the door slid over it. Ruvik's eyes followed the blood, until they landed upon the detective. He was slumped against a bookcase and looked like he'd lost all hope of moving. The madman smirked coldly at that assumption; it made his work easier.
"Sebastian?" He approached the fallen man slowly; watching as his face changed from defeat, to relief. It seemed that he had still seen Ruvik as his beloved partner; it was so satisfying.
"Jo...seph, that really you?" The detective sat up, best he could and reached out to the fake. There was hope steadily rising within his eyes again.
"Of course it is, what-did you forget what I looked like?" Ruvik spoke in mock playfulness; speaking as the younger detective, was challenging.
He wanted to rip Sebastian apart right this instant, but his experiment was not finished.
"Course I didn't...but I saw Kidman shoot you, and then the playground collapsed...I thought-"
"You thought wrong, you know I wouldn't leave you alone in this, Seb". The older man nodded, then tried to stand; Ruvik reached out to steady him. It was something these two often did with one another.
"Man, am I glad you're here with me". He gripped Ruvik's shoulder, and squeezed lightly; making sure he was actually there.
"I feel...the same, I didn't know what to do, when we got separated". He imitated Josephs smile as best he could; all of this kindness, was making him irritable.
"We can talk later, right now we have to get out of here". Sebastian took hold of Ruvik's wrist and tried to move; he barely made it a foot. Ruvik deduced that he would have to...carry the detective to a safe room. There was one not very far from where they stood, so he shouldered the older man and led him back to the foyer.
"There is a room just up these stairs; are you alright to climb?" Sebastian nodded weakly and stepped as carefully as he could; he was going to pass out.
"If I fall unconscious, just leave me, alright?" He sighed heavily when his eyes landed on the stair-case; that was way to many steps.
"I won't do that, you never gave up on me, did you?" Ruvik recalled the moments Sebastian had kept his partner breathing; they were all so weak. If only they would realize how futile their efforts were.
"Just because I kept you alive, doesn't mean you have to do the same" Sebastian climbed the steps weakly, laughing at his partners impostor.
"Of course it does, you're my precious partner, Sebastian". The older man stared quietly into Ruvik's eyes; something flashed inside them.
The experiment was going according to plan.