(Sure!)

Astoria was settled quietly in a small Cafe, a cup of warm coffee in front of her. It wasn't nearly sweet enough for her taste, so she had barely touched it, but Will said it had been her favorite. Before... before the accident. Will was chatting softly away at her, looking overjoyed. Probably because of the fact he could talk with her. They had been best friends; even more, actually, before the crash. Apparently.

Astoria kept herself curled up in the corner of the booth, her eyes glazed over as she stared out the window to a wintery day. Her name being called snapped her out of the reverie. She blinked at Will for a few moments and then offered him an apologetic smile. "Sorry, what were you saying?" She asked blankly.

Ajax had spent days wallowing in misery, not letting Goose or Rooster near him at all. Then he went and tried to find Mercy. For 2 whole months he searched before finally finding an angel and rather forcefully asking them where she was. They had explained everything that happened, and a day later he was sitting on his couch, staring blankly at the wall and going over what he had heard. She had been.. demoted. To a human. She was alive again. Alive. She was alive. She was a human. She was ALIVE. AND HE WAS DEAD. Another fit of anger overcame him as he let out an angry yell and chucked one of the last not broken lamps at the wall. It shattered. The whole cabin looked horrible. Stuff was strewn everywhere. It hadn't been cleaned in forever. He hadn't eaten since the day she left. His hair was messed up, black shadows stuck under his eyes, and his clothes were ripped. He looked haggard. The two things that looked perfectly intact were two beds, for Rex and Binx. Ajax had kept the cat, and had even fostered a friendship with it.. Binx was the closest thing he had to Mercy. He had torn the suit to pieces, erasing any memory of the wedding. The whole place, including himself was in ruins.. but the worst thing had not even been mentioned yet. On his right arm, starting at his shoulder, were scars, each getting newer and newer until they weren't scars anymore, they were wounds. Gashes, going deep into his arm, the same shape every time, in a line. He had almost reached his wrist by now. Every day that he failed to find Mercy, he took a long dagger with a jagged edge to make sure it hurt and make sure it made a scar, and stabbed himself with it. For more than 2 months he had done this. 2 months worth of bloody wounds. To punish himself for failing her, over and over and over.

Standing and angrily grabbing a blood dried dagger, this time he sank the tip deep into his chest, gritting his teeth in pain before tossing it away. New blood welled out, but he didn't bother treating the wound. His tattered shirt and bloody chest and arms were all stained with dried blood, but he didn't care anymore. He was failing her. He hadn't found her yet.

Ajax exited the cabin and flared his wings, deciding today to try the city where she had last lived... again. For the 32nd time. He assumed she was back with her family, but he had no idea where they lived. After flying to the city he hid in alleys, searched until it was almost dark, and finally just collapsed in a back alley and let tears overcome him again. It had become a daily thing, because he realized he was too weak to not.

Will frowned slightly and then waved his hand dismissively. "You know what? It's not important. Let's get you home, I promised Sam we could play catch." He smiled faintly, running a hand through his hair absentmindedly. He offered her his hand as she stood. She observed the tussled look and stood, taking his hand with a small smile and a nod. She knew she stressed him out. He wanted to talk; but she wasn't... she didn't know what to talk about. "Okay. That sounds great." She nodded quietly, curling her fingers with his quietly and following Will out of the shop. She glanced around quietly, almost in a dazed manner. It was still so hard to pull the right thoughts into the forefront of her mind; like a thick brain fog. It had been getting much better recently, but it still wasn't gone. She hesitated at the sound of weeping, glancing at Will in confusion. "Do you hear that?"

"...hear what?" Will hummed softly, glancing at her lightly. It was obvious he adored her. Astoria thought for a moment and glanced down the alley at her side.

"Someone's crying." She said softly, lightly untangling her fingers from his and blowing out a clouded breath. "I'll be right back."

Will started to protest, but seemed to think better of it and let her move into the alley, since she wouldn't stop.

She made her way quietly into the narrow alley, squinting into the darkness. "Hello? Is someone there?" She called softly, slowly advancing farther into the alley.

Ajax hung his head between his scarred legs, feeling defeated. He didn't know how he could go on like this. At the slightest sound of footsteps he scrambled to his feet, fear flashing in his eyes. Many, many more emotions poured in as he heard a very familiar voice, and then an even more familiar face showed in the darkness. "Mercy?" He whispered hoarsely, taking a step forward before freezing as he remembered something. The angel he had nearly strangled to get information had said that Mercy has lost all her memory. Which meant she wouldn't remember him. At all. His heart broke all over again and he started backing up. "No.. no I'm fine... don't come near me." He mumbled lowly, hiding in the darkness at the back of the alley, almost pressed against the wall. Stupid dead end alleys. He was trembling from pain and exhaustion and blood was staining everywhere, but all he could think about was how she would never remember their time together.

+++

(So should they get to know each other and then Ajax finally says something that triggers her memories?)

That sounds good to me!))

Astoria tilted her head gently at the faint vall. "Uhm, mercy? From what? What's wrong?" She cooed back softly, backing her way toward the hunched figure. It was a man, she knew that. She didn't know he was nearly as big as he was until he straightened and backed away like she was going to tear him limb from limb, somehow. "I won't hurt you, big guy. What's your name?" She asked quietly, holding her palms out to him like she was coaxing an animal. She squinted through the darkness at him for a moment. "Are you... are you bleeding? What happened?" She asked softly, a sense of urgency flooding her as she stepped quietly forward.

(At this point, Ajax is more animal than human xD)

++++

Ajax shook his head again, shaking so hard he felt like he would fall over. He leaned heavily against the wall, his eyes glazed. +... big guy?+ he thought faintly. She really didn't remember anything. It was like a stab to the heart. And stomach. And brain. And everything. "Not big guy. That is definitely not my name. Ajax Ripp, but that doesn't mean much to you anymore." He mumbled the last part, his gaze dropping to the ground. As she spoke again he winced, cradling his arm in his other arm to mostly hide the newest wound. "I-It's nothing, really. I-im fine." Even his voice trembled. She was so close... yet so far. His mind flashed through every special moment they held together, every single time they kissed, every time they were even close.. all gone.

"Hey, friend, just calm down. There's nothing to be afraid of." Astoria soothed softly, tilting her head as he got worse the longer she coaxed. She nodded slowly at his answer, approaching until she was a foot or two away from him. She couldn't make out his last words, but they didn't seem to be meant for her. "Okay, Ajax. I'm Astoria." She responded with a soft smile, watching him cradle his arm. "Okay. Well, why don't you come with me? We can talk some more." She said quietly.

Ajax let out a slow breath, trying not to hyperventilate. He wasn't afraid of HER. Not at all. He wanted to be closer to her, wanted to just run up and hug her, wanted to sob and tell her how much he loved her, and that's why he was scared. He was scared he'd never get to. Scared that he WOULD and she would freak out and leave. He was also scared that if he went with her now all she'd see is a beat up bloodied crook that was crying in an alley. Maybe if he left and went and got more intact clothing, or showered, then he'd have a chance, but right now he was treating himself like garbage. As Mercy got closer he looked away again and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to conceal his emotions the best he could, trying to resist wrapping his arms around her and squeezing her tight. As she introduced herself he quickly realized she obviously didn't know who Mercy was. To her, she was just Astoria.. or as Grady said, Ria. At her invitation he let out another breath. "I... I can't. I'm just a tattered mess, I couldn't possibly come with you. Don't worry though. I'll see you again... and I apologize if that sounded weird.." He knew he shouldn't but he needed to leave. Quickly cloaking himself in shadows, as if he disappeared, yet there was still a rush of air as he summoned up some strength and pulled himself over the high wall. After he was out of sight he flared his wings and disappeared into the clouds. Straight to the place he had always found his clothes he went, picking up what he needed, then straight home. He was determined to see her again... under better circumstances.

"Hey, that doesn't matter to me. I don't mind if your a mess. We can get you some clothes, and some care, and..." Astoria tilted her head at him softly at his words. "Hey, no, Ajax. Just stay. Please stay." She offered soothingly. She blinked in utter surprise as he vanished from sight. "Ajax?" She asked incredulously, walking forward and pressing her palms to the wall where he had been, looking around in confusion. She simply stared, confused, and shook her head. Maybe it was just another post-coma hallucination. With a frustrated exhale, she made her way back out to Will, curling her fingers around his. She obviously didn't want to talk, so he didn't press her.