Roland contemplates as he listens, thoughts running faster than he can even keep up with it himself. Not quite overwhelmed, but apprehensive of the things he's hearing. Why is he constantly shocked when the most jaded part of his heart already knows humanity functions on a cycle - violence, always, but in different forms. For him, the nuclear bomb that leveled one city. One city, then two, then he knows for certain the rest of his nation and the world would follow. For Senku and Gen, an innocent day in June that brought about their end. Or, perhaps, a new beginning. But not the best kind.
He reserves his comments and questions until after both of them speak. Doesn't think it wise to interrupt when he's so enraptured with the tale anyway. Senku had always given him an impression that he was a guy who knew what he was doing, talented beyond measure, but it's when he recalls the history of their version of earth that Roland realizes Senku was not just an ordinary high schooler. He's also truly, without a doubt, a leader of a budding faction. The Kingdom of Science. Roland respects him for that, respects him for what he's had to go through without anyone else -
Alone. Roland's stoic expression is only marked by disconcerted nuances; a dip of his brow, the deepening of his frown, or the tightening of his arms against his chest. They were conscious that entire time they were turned to stone? He was counting the moments until what, death? For three thousand years? Until chance helped him break free...? It's this piece of information that makes Roland swallow thickly, as if Senku and Gen were speaking of a plot of a horror movie and not real life.
But this is what he asked for, wasn't it? To see a new perspective from someone who's survived the worst of the world's horrors; who built from the ashes the way Roland dreams of, has nightmares over. But at least he did, right?
It can be done.
He speaks then, with the gravitas deserving of the tale. "I...came from the year 2018. And as far as I can tell, our world histories do seem to share similarities. There's nothing special or magical about the world I was born either. We had internet, the space station from NASA...Easy communication, too." It seemed a good time to show them, a semblance of proof. His hand glimmers from the Arms Band, and out comes his mobile phone. A touchscreen, a couple of inches long, but it's turned off. "Cellphones, tablets, laptops and computers. The works. It's the same. We're just different versions of one another's Earth." He leaves his phone out, but it is laid down with the screen against the table.
"There are small differences, though. The names of countries, for one." He shuffles his gaze between them, though this isn't something he's uncomfortable sharing. It might help give context on his own reasons. "It's Aremica, where I come from. And I'm the president of its United States."
He takes a breath, quick. On to the rest. What really matters.
"So Byakuya Ishigami, your father, was part of the ISS team that survived the petrification. Did that team leave any sign or message that they were aware of what happened to the rest of humanity when they were in orbit? Traced the light back tot he source of the attack...?" Roland thinks a bit more; wants to add, for his understanding.
"It can't be coincidence that the 'Whyman' sending you instructions to fix the weapon that petrified the world came from the moon." Not that he was implying anything, but he had to be logical too. "I suppose more than anything, I just want to say that being the first to awaken and then being alone for all that time is...a feat of a lifetime. Senku, you're strong." More than he is brilliant, but that already received Roland's constant support on the day to day. Here, he sees the tenacity that he might have recognize but not put a name to since meeting the boy genius.
"How did you get unpetrified then, Gen? Plus, there's a matter of...the matter of what you did when you woke up. I've built nations and helped create kingdoms in my lifetime twice over, but to do so without any aid is unprecedented." He swallows again. The determination set on his face, more than before.
"What did you do? How did you do it? What was the first step?"
no subject
He reserves his comments and questions until after both of them speak. Doesn't think it wise to interrupt when he's so enraptured with the tale anyway. Senku had always given him an impression that he was a guy who knew what he was doing, talented beyond measure, but it's when he recalls the history of their version of earth that Roland realizes Senku was not just an ordinary high schooler. He's also truly, without a doubt, a leader of a budding faction. The Kingdom of Science. Roland respects him for that, respects him for what he's had to go through without anyone else -
Alone. Roland's stoic expression is only marked by disconcerted nuances; a dip of his brow, the deepening of his frown, or the tightening of his arms against his chest. They were conscious that entire time they were turned to stone? He was counting the moments until what, death? For three thousand years? Until chance helped him break free...? It's this piece of information that makes Roland swallow thickly, as if Senku and Gen were speaking of a plot of a horror movie and not real life.
But this is what he asked for, wasn't it? To see a new perspective from someone who's survived the worst of the world's horrors; who built from the ashes the way Roland dreams of, has nightmares over. But at least he did, right?
It can be done.
He speaks then, with the gravitas deserving of the tale. "I...came from the year 2018. And as far as I can tell, our world histories do seem to share similarities. There's nothing special or magical about the world I was born either. We had internet, the space station from NASA...Easy communication, too." It seemed a good time to show them, a semblance of proof. His hand glimmers from the Arms Band, and out comes his mobile phone. A touchscreen, a couple of inches long, but it's turned off. "Cellphones, tablets, laptops and computers. The works. It's the same. We're just different versions of one another's Earth." He leaves his phone out, but it is laid down with the screen against the table.
"There are small differences, though. The names of countries, for one." He shuffles his gaze between them, though this isn't something he's uncomfortable sharing. It might help give context on his own reasons. "It's Aremica, where I come from. And I'm the president of its United States."
He takes a breath, quick. On to the rest. What really matters.
"So Byakuya Ishigami, your father, was part of the ISS team that survived the petrification. Did that team leave any sign or message that they were aware of what happened to the rest of humanity when they were in orbit? Traced the light back tot he source of the attack...?" Roland thinks a bit more; wants to add, for his understanding.
"It can't be coincidence that the 'Whyman' sending you instructions to fix the weapon that petrified the world came from the moon." Not that he was implying anything, but he had to be logical too. "I suppose more than anything, I just want to say that being the first to awaken and then being alone for all that time is...a feat of a lifetime. Senku, you're strong." More than he is brilliant, but that already received Roland's constant support on the day to day. Here, he sees the tenacity that he might have recognize but not put a name to since meeting the boy genius.
"How did you get unpetrified then, Gen? Plus, there's a matter of...the matter of what you did when you woke up. I've built nations and helped create kingdoms in my lifetime twice over, but to do so without any aid is unprecedented." He swallows again. The determination set on his face, more than before.
"What did you do? How did you do it? What was the first step?"
Because if I have to do it too...