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He woke up dazed.
For a moment he had no idea where he was. He pressed a hand against his face, feeling strange and disoriented as he looked around. He was leaning against a wall, in an alley somewhere, but making the connection to how he got there was slow to come.
He…was shopping with the Proxy. That’s right. Wise had been planning to make a trip back to the city to run some errands, and Lucy had handed him a list of supplies and sent him to tag along.
They’d gone their separate ways once they’d reached Lumina Square, hoping to save some time by splitting up and each tackling their own stuff. Then…
That’s right. He’d spotted what looked like a Hollow fissure. A strange looking one at that. He’d cautiously approached it with the intention of trying to see if it was active, but then…
He wasn’t sure. He must’ve been pulled in. It was too hazy for him to remember.
He looked around again and realized that rather than some dilapidated ruins, it looked…like he was still in the city. He could still hear the noise of people in the distance and see billboards overhead.
Huh. Did he not actually get pulled into a Hollow then? Was the fissure more like some kind of bridge between 2 points? Not impossible.
He patted himself down. His phone and effects were still on him. He was suddenly glad he’d made a quick trip back to Wise’s car to drop off his shopping before heading to their meeting place. It would really have sucked to lose or damage any of his purchases by being dragged to a different location.
Satisfied, he started walking, trying to see if he could find any familiar road signs or landmarks. Wherever he was, it didn’t look close to the square. Hopefully it hadn’t dropped him too far.
After a few minutes of walking down streets and alleys, he started to get the sinking feeling that he might be lost. He didn’t recognize anything in this area. He was mostly sure he was still in Lumina, but beyond that he couldn’t tell.
Well, he’d just have to find someone to ask for directions. Shouldn’t be too hard.
As he walked down another road looking to spot a shop or something, he overheard a commotion nearby. He slowed his steps a bit, trying to hear.
“Give us…and we’ll…off easy, no one has…hurt.”
That…did not sound very encouraging.
He detoured toward where the voices were coming from, picking up speed a little when we heard a loud thud, like someone being shoved. Just his luck to stumble on a shakedown. More uncommon in the city, but he supposed thugs would be thugs anywhere.
He rounded a corner and finally spotted the group. A few raggedly dressed young men, crowded in a loose circle, and another person crouched on the ground between them, leaning against the wall.
“Hey,” he barked, the word loud and sharp, “Dunno what’s going on here, but you’d best break it up.”
The men whipped their heads over to look at him, scowling.
“Fuck off, jackass. This ain’t your business!”
He could feel his features harden at their blatant hostility, shoulders squaring as he grounded himself.
“It is now. Whatever you’re doing, drop it and leave.”
He glared at all of them and was a little confused to note they looked more like vagabonds from the Outer Ring than he first thought. While thugs were thugs, people in the city usually had a different look to them, a product of living amongst civilization.
These people, however…they had the same kind of look as the scavengers who hassled caravans. People desperate and willing to take up raiding suppliers. Their faces had a haggard, sunken look to them, and their eyes that wild light of the reckless.
Clearly they had struggles of their own. But whatever they were going through, it wasn’t his problem, and he wasn’t going to budge.
“Consider this your last warning.” He flexed his fist and slid one foot back, effecting a menacing air. “Get lost.”
They hesitated, sizing him up, but he could already tell they were realizing they couldn’t take him in a fight, and slowly they broke off to retreat. Doing so gave him a better look at the person on the ground, who hadn’t moved, frozen it seemed in anticipation of how things would play out. Gray hair…
Wait.
His face slackened in shock as Wise looked up at him, and he nearly forgot all about the thugs slinking past him. He took a moment to glance around and make sure they were leaving, guard still up, before turning back. Wise looked…different.
Way different.
His hair was shorter than it had been this morning, and his clothes weren’t the same. But more than that, his face was so much younger looking, his eyes wide and stressed, his cheeks a little sunken. He looked thinner overall, and he was holding a bag tightly against his chest, part of it unzipped so some folders were peeking out.
On top of that, he was staring at Lighter with absolutely no recognition, his whole body tense and primed for fight or flight.
He didn’t look hurt, at least, or not visibly. Maybe he’d stepped in before it got too violent.
“Just…stay there,” Wise finally spoke, voice faintly shaking.
He immediately held up his hands, hoping to calm him down. “Ok. Not moving.”
He watched the other slowly rise to his feet, trembling with leftover adrenalin, staring at him like he was going to make a move any second.
“Are ya hurt?” He asked carefully.
“…No.”
“Good.” He gradually dropped his hands, maintaining eye contact. “Listen. Whatever just happened, I have no intention of hurting you. I was just passing by.”
Wise glanced over him, eyes settling on his jacket. “Are…are you from the Outer Ring?”
He gave him a playful smile. “Can tell just by looking at me, huh?”
It didn’t seem to help the tension as much as he hoped, because Wise just squeezed his bag tighter. “Why are you in the city?”
“Grabbing supplies with a friend.” Never mind that said friend was standing in front of him. What the hell. “Was heading back to meet him, til I heard the ruckus.”
There was a slightly awkward moment as he debated what to do. Should he leave? He didn’t want to, but whatever the hell was going on here, this wasn’t the Wise he knew, or the city he was familiar with. Would it help the situation to withdraw? Should he try to convince Wise he was friendly?
Something must have helped Wise figure something out, because his shoulders lost a little of their tension, and his mouth opened. “Then…um…”
“You there!”
Both of them jerked as a new voice called out, turning to see a woman in a pubsec uniform rapidly approaching. Shit, Lighter thought. Not good.
“Need something, officer?” he asked, trying to sound casual but not too casual.
“I just saw some young men hurrying out of this alley, and they didn’t exactly look like they’d been up to good. Are you both alright?” her eyes fixed on Wise’s shaken and disheveled form, and narrowed, “Were you assaulted?”
Wise gave a hesitant nod, and Lighter spoke up. “I wasn’t here when it started, but they jumped him for some reason. I broke it up before anything bad happened.”
She turned to him and he tamped down the slight concern of whatever she might want to ask him. “That was good of you to do, but you don’t look to be from around here. Could you show me some ID?”
“He’s my brother,” Wise said suddenly, and both of them looked at him, Lighter in surprise. “I was supposed to be meeting up with him when those guys attacked me and dragged me over here.”
The officer frowned slightly. “I see. Are you looking to file charges? I could take a statement as well, if they’re harassing passersby.”
Wise shook his head. “No, it’s alright. We’re heading to the Pubsec office anyway. Um…” he reached into his bag and pulled out a paper to show her, “We’re on our way to get our new citizenship filed for the recent immigration procedures.”
LIghter’s eyes widened. Immigration? As far as he knew Wise was already a citizen. And the last time the city had changed the procedures was…
Oh.
The woman’s eyes immediately softened. “Ah. You’re from the old capital aren’t you?”
Wise nodded, eyes downcast.
“Is that why those men were harassing you?”
A pause before he nodded again.
She sighed, rubbing her head briefly. “Okay. I understand the situation now. We’ve had a rise in cases like this with people trying to get their information registered. I’m glad it didn’t get that far.” She patted his arm reassuringly and he tucked the paper back inside. “I won’t hold you up any further. Would you like me to escort you to our offices?”
Wise glanced over at him briefly, a strange look on his face, before slowly stepping up beside him as he faced the woman. “No. It’s alright. My brother’s here now, so we shouldn’t have any more problems.”
He wasn’t sure what had triggered Wise’s change of heart, but he was certainly glad for it as he nodded to the officer. “Like he said, we’ll be fine now. Thanks for all your help though.”
“You’re welcome,” she smiled, warm and sincere, “I hope your registration goes smoothly. And I hope as new citizens, this doesn’t sour your expectations too badly. If you ever need anything else in the future, we encourage you to reach out to us.”
“We will,” Lighter said, “And don’t worry, we won’t take it to heart. I’m sure things will settle down eventually.”
He knew they would.
She nodded to them. “I’d better get back to my patrol. Good luck, you two.”
He waved at her as she turned and headed back towards the street, watching as she eventually moved out of sight. Wise seemed to be putting his bag back together, and he turned his attention to him.
“Your brother, hm?” he smiled, “I’m flattered, but that was a quick turnaround.”
“Well, you looked like you didn’t want her asking questions. Neither did I.”
“You’re right. But what now?”
Wise slung his bag over his shoulder as he regarded him cautiously. He still seemed a bit on the defensive, but this time he seemed more wary than afraid.
“I wasn’t lying about going to Pubsec, or why. And…don’t you need to meet your friend?”
He considered for a second how to respond. “It’s still early, I think. Actually, could I see your phone? Mine’s not getting signal.”
There was a brief hesitation before Wise nodded and pulled his out of his pocket to hand over. Lighter took it and immediately checked the date.
Holy shit. Seven years ago.
Was that really possible? Hollows still had many unexplained phenomena and the scope of their origins and capabilities were constantly being discovered and explored, but to throw him back in time? He’d never heard of anything remotely like that.
What if he couldn’t get back?
No, he wasn’t going to think like that. He got here somehow. It wasn’t impossible to get back. That’s what he decided to believe. He wasn’t smart enough to worry about the details. He’d make sure Wise…this Wise was safely to wherever he needed to be and then retrace his steps to that fissure.
“You okay?”
The question broke him out of his thoughts and he quickly pulled on a faint smile as he handed the phone back. “Yeah. Sorry for spacing out. It’s even earlier than I thought. My friend is still gonna be busy.”
He tipped his head back to look at the sky. Late afternoon, the angle of the sun reflecting off the tops of the buildings.
Well, best get to it.
He faced Wise and rolled his shoulders. “Well, which way to Pubsec?”
Wise gave him a confused look, frowning. “You don’t actually have to come with me.”
“Yeah, I do. You told the lady I’d handle the rest, and I don’t have my bearings as to where exactly we are. We go to Pubsec, you can handle your business and I can figure out where to go.”
He started walking back towards the main street, same as the officer had, before casting a glance back at Wise.
“Well?”
After a moment, Wise let out a tired sigh.
“Ok. Let’s go.”
—----------------------------------------
They walked largely in silence as Wise led the way through the street, briefly checking his phone when they started, perhaps to confirm their directions.
“That officer before,” he spoke after a while, “She mentioned cases like yours. Is that really a big issue right now?”
Wise gave him a funny look. “Of course it is. With how many refugees came in after the old capitol fell, getting people sorted is a nightmare. That’s the whole reason they had to rework the citizenship process and it took so long to get registered. Lots of people don’t qualify either. Identity theft and scams are pretty much rampant.”
Lighter shrugged. “I guess I just didn’t think they’d be jumping random people in the streets to steal some paper.”
“It’s hardly ‘some paper’,” Wise argued, his expression falling as he licked his lips, “If I’d...if I’d lost it, I might’ve been screwed.”
Lighter considered that, turning it in his head, before carefully inquiring, “Could you not get your family to do something about it?”
He wasn’t entirely sure, as it’d never come up much in conversion, but they were also meant to be strangers, so it might be out of place not to ask…
Sure enough, Wise’s gaze dropped further. “I don’t have any other family, aside from my sister.”
So he was right. “She didn’t come with you?”
“I had her stay home. I’m basically her guardian right now. And…well, you already saw it’s not safe much nowadays.”
He nodded his head, conceding the point.
“You…you’re not here to get citizenship?” Wise asked.
“Don’t need it. I live in the Outer Ring. And I’m content there. Trips to the city are one thing, but that’s just for the occasional supplies.”
Wise slowed down a little, so they were more equally keeping pace. “What, uh…what’s it like living out there?”
He looked down and smiled slightly at the obvious curiosity in the other’s expression. “It’s not as bad as people think. It’s a hard life, sure, but it has its ups and down like everything else. A lot of things are run by the biker gangs, and not to brag, but mine is pretty high up the chain.”
“I can’t really picture it,” Wise admitted. “I just know it’s mostly desert. And Hollows.”
“Well, maybe someday you’ll see it for yourself, if you ever felt inclined to find out.”
He huffed. “Dunno about that.”
They didn’t say much more before the Pubsec offices finally came into view. As they stepped through the doors into the cool, air conditioned lobby, Lighter noted that it looked mostly similar to the present version. The layout at least was pretty much the same, but it was missing what were likely renovations they’d made to the building later on and on top of that, it was packed with people.
Wise scanned the lines and started to get in place when he paused and turned to Lighter, looking unsure.
“Uh…I don’t know if you actually have any business here.”
“I don’t. But I’ll just cool my heels for a bit. I’ll wait for you to get done, yeah?”
Wise blinked in surprise. “Oh, uh…you don’t have to…”
He pointedly leaned against the nearest wall and made a show of making himself comfortable.
“I’ll wait.”
Wise hesitated, but ultimately had no idea how or what to argue, so he hurried to get in line. Lighter watched him and felt a stirring of sadness. Almost all the people in line looked eager, tired, or stressed. They were probably all waiting for the same thing Wise was, hoping to officially make the city their home, and gain the security it would bring. It gave perspective to the desperation he’d seen in those thugs earlier, trying to snatch someone else’s means of getting processed for themselves. They probably didn’t meet the requirements.
Maybe it was because he knew him personally, or a version of him at least, but it made Wise look especially pitiable. He appeared to be the youngest person presently in line, thin and worn out, like he’d be easily knocked over should anyone run into him. Lighter wasn’t sure how old he was now, but he couldn’t be older than 20, younger more likely.
And his sister…was Belle a minor right now? Wise mentioned he was her guardian. He wondered where they were staying.
He turned his thoughts to his plans after this as the minutes dragged on and the line moved up. He stopped being able to see Wise at some point and instead just focused on going over what he remembered when he’d woken up here, committing to memory the details of his earlier location over and over until they were firmly engraved. His thoughts then drifted to what might be going on in the present. Would he go back to the same time he left? Would anything be different?
Eventually, there was a pat on his arm, and he blinked to see Wise standing in front of him, pointing towards the door.
“I’m done,” he said simply.
Lighter pushed himself upright and they made their way outside.
The sun had dipped further during their time inside, and he stretched his arms to work out any kinks from standing stationary for so long. Wise was standing quietly a few paces from him, and he waited to see if the other had anything to say to him.
When it didn’t look so, he sighed. “Got all your paperwork sorted out?”
Wise jerked his head up. “Um, yeah. It’s all sorted.”
Again, nothing followed. Well, if this was as far as they went, there wasn’t much he could do. He’d just need to see about finding that fissure, and hope everything worked out from there.
“Thanks,” Wise said suddenly, “Really. Thank you for helping me. You didn’t have to go out of your way.”
He shook his head, adjusting his sunglasses. “It wasn’t a big deal. If I’d minded, I wouldn’t have offered. Trust me on that.”
Wise looked away, expression vaguely embarrassed. Lighter gave him a light pat on the arm.
“Well, I’m gonna head out then,” he said, turning away, “Hope everything works out for ya.”
He didn’t make it two steps before something grabbed him.
He paused and looked over his shoulder to see Wise timidly holding the back of his jacket.
”Uh…If you really don’t mind…Would you walk me back to where I’m staying? My sister is waiting for me, and…I’d really like to make it home okay so she doesn’t worry.”
Lighter observed him carefully. Wise wouldn’t meet his eyes, but he could tell he was probably still a bit shaken about what happened in the alley earlier.
And who could blame him? After all, if something happened to him…who would look after his sister?
It was strange to see him like this. He didn’t like it.
He looked around briefly and his eyes caught on a vending machine nearby. Gently, he moved out of Wise’s grip and walked over to it, jerking a thumb in its direction.
“Ok, but I’ll need compensation,” he said, tapping over his favorite drink, “Buy me one of these, and I’ll do it.”
Wise looked up in surprise, raising an eyebrow. “A soda? That’s it?”
He shrugged. “A guy’s gotta stay hydrated, right?”
For a moment Wise just stared at him, seemingly unable to comprehend what was happening. It made him look even younger, with his tired eyes and hassled look. Then it cracked as he snorted, face contorting into a smile for the first time since they’d met and bending slightly as he laughed.
“Ha!” he chuckled, “You’re so weird.”
Lighter watched as he composed himself and walked over, pulling some change from his pocket and inserting it into the machine. After he made his selection and the can clunked into the grab box, he retrieved it and held it out to him.
”Your payment,” he offered, grinning slightly.
It was nice to see him relax a little. Lighter smiled as he accepted the drink.
“Consider it done.”
—-----------------------------------------
They stuck to the main streets as Wise led them back to wherever he was staying, mingling with the crowds and making light conversation. Wise pointed out the streets and landmarks as they went, helping him map out his way back. Neither of them talked much about themselves, preferring to stick to topics about the city or in Wise's case, the current news.
It suited Lighter. He was hesitant to tell Wise anything personal about himself or the gang. If things worked out, he wasn’t planning to stick around in this time for long, and the less information he shared, the better. He had no idea how time travel works, but he was familiar with enough media interpretations to be wary of whether it might have effects on the future.
He’s sure the present day Wise would have all sorts of theories or references to share, being the movie buff he was, but sadly he wasn’t here.
Was this version of Wise into movies now? Was it something he’d always liked, or something that had come later? He decided he’d ask when ( when ) he’d made it back to his own time.
Mercifully, even as they left the busy streets and crowds for the quieter, rural areas, nothing looked like they would have any kind of trouble like earlier. He saw a few people here and there looking down on their luck, but they seemed absorbed in their own troubles, and paid no attention to anything else.
Finally they stopped outside a small complex. As far as Lighter could tell, this wasn’t Sixth Street or too close to it, so this must be somewhere they stayed before Random Play came about. Unsurprising though, if they’d just finished the process of becoming proper citizens.
Wise turned to him with a vague motion toward the building. “This is it. Home sweet home.”
Lighter appraised it. It didn’t look shabby or rundown, so that gave him some relief. Maybe even now they weren’t too bad off, or so he hoped.
Belle was inside there somewhere, waiting for her brother to come home. He hoped she wasn’t too worried. They’d been gone a long time after all.
Wise cleared his throat. “I…I really can’t thank you enough for all your help today. Honestly, I don’t really want to think about what might’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up.”
Me neither, he thought privately. “I told you before it’s no big deal. But you’re welcome. I’m glad you got back safely.”
Wise chuckled. “What’s with that? You make it sound like I managed on my own.” He shuffled his feet a moment, fidgeting, before he held out his hand. “I...I was kind of nervous to give you my name earlier. I’m sorry about that. You were helping me out, but I was still a bit paranoid. Sorry. I’m Wise.”
He’d suspected as much, but he wasn’t going to bring it up. After the day Wise had, and considering the problems in the city right now, it was perfectly understandable.
He reached out and grasped his hand firmly. “Wise, huh? I’ll remember it.”
Wise gave him a half smile. “Are you not gonna tell me yours?”
He opened his mouth on instinct, but just as quickly closed it. No. Time travel. He’d already made his decision.
“Actually, let’s save the name for next time,” he grinned, inwardly apologizing, “How about lunch, your treat?”
He thought Wise might be disappointed, but he couldn’t tell, because his look of surprise crumbled into another snort of laughter.
Wise let go of his hand to hide his smile. “Heh. You really are so weird.”
“What can I say? We Outer folk are simple to please.”
Wise chuckled again and gave him an amused look. “Ok. Next time, my treat.”
Lighter said nothing more, just gave him a cheery wave as he turned and left.
Backtracking through the now nearly empty streets, he really hoped things worked out well for them from this point on. Logically, he knew it must, because the Wise of the present was a successful business owner and a legendary proxy. He and his sister lived a comfortable life, and were kind and generous people.
But he was no stranger to the darkness that lurked in a person’s past, however their life seemed, and he’d caught a clear look at that today.
It took him the better part of an hour to finally get back to the place he’d woken up in, and he combed every inch of the surrounding streets for clues. As he rounded a corner, he felt it. The faint pressure of ether in the air. The feel of a hollow.
He followed it to a dead end, and there it was. The same strange looking fissure he’d seen this morning, glowing eerily.
He wasn’t normally one to be carelessly sticking his hands into things like this, but all things considered, he was ready to dive in headfirst.
“Well,” he murmured as he approached it, “The moment of truth.”
He wasn’t the sort to pray to gods, but please, please let this work.
He reached out and touched it.
—---------------------------------------------
He came to in an alley, and the sense of deja vu washed over him strongly. Immediately he noticed it was brighter outside, midday most likely. He hurried to his feet and rapidly pulled his phone out even as he checked his surroundings. No fissure in sight, not a hint of ether. As if it had never existed.
Looking at his phone showed a full bar. He had signal again.
He quickly made his way out onto the street and felt all the breath leave him in a giant sigh of relief. Lumina Square, exactly as it should be.
He made it back. Thank god.
“Lighter!”
He whipped his head around at that familiar voice to see Wise jogging toward him. The normal Wise, just as he’d been this morning. The other wasn’t carrying anything with him, so he must have had the same idea as Lighter did earlier and dropped his things in the car before coming here. He let out a breath as he reached him.
“Sorry, Lighter,” he apologized, pushing his hair back, “I didn’t think it would take so long. Thanks for tagging along. How about lunch, my treat?”
Hearing those words felt like a strange, delayed whiplash, and for a minute he could only stare.
He really made it back. And just like before…there was no recognition in Wise’s eyes.
Had anything changed? Did this Wise remember encountering Lighter years ago, when he was younger and struggling? Would it be strange to ask?
Wise frowned at him.
“What’s wrong? Suddenly you have a weird look on your face.”
And then he realized. It didn’t matter. Even if he did, even if he didn’t…they’d come full circle anyway, hadn’t they?
He smiled, slinging an arm over the other’s shoulders.
“Nah, it’s nothin’. Lunch sounds great.”