Game 008 [Action] - Not Just As Planned

[neverplaysfair]

(( In which Kim lacks appropriate icons s-sob ))

[ In the early morning hours, standing roughly between buildings 36, 38, and 39, is a somewhat unfamiliar figure. Maybe you recognize those rainbow wings. Maybe that hair style and color looks awfully familiar. Maybe you can't see at all, what with it being really freaking early and still dark out.

But one thing's pretty clear: the figure standing there isn't a teen. He's an adult.

He raises his hands and closes his eyes. After a moment, he starts mumbling to himself. He didn't see anyone close enough around to hear him, but if you happen to, you might notice the translation keeps slipping. ]

... stablishing li... wer. Release con... cessitates spa... ting. Beginning scan.

CRACK!

[ A noise, loud enough to give you the feeling of being hit in the chest if you're reasonably close, echoes loudly around the village. Feel free to be woken up, investigate, whatever. If you manage to locate its source, you'll find an adult Joshua kneeling on the ground, clutching his head in pain. ]

Shit.

Comments

[neverplaysfair]

Less so than the strong.

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

In some cases. A lot of cases. But they're still human.

[neverplaysfair]

So?

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

So everyone's got a part to play. They all bring something new to the table, even the weak ones. And then there's all that stuff about mercy, empathy, valuing human life, but I know you too well.

[neverplaysfair]

Last I checked, we weren't discussing improving this world. We were talking about escaping it.

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

Don't see why we can't do a little of both. [ He grins, leaning against the counter. ] But, alright, the 'escaping' bit does take priority. Looks like we've ruled out the direct approach. That's progress.

[neverplaysfair]

But it isn't very helpful. [ He sighs. ] I would've been quite happy just getting back my full strength.

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

Yeah. [ That smile fades somewhat, and he moves to get more coffee beans. ] Haven't tried testing my limits yet, really. Don't wanna draw attention, or deal with the backlash if I reach too far -- speaking of which, how's the head? You can stay as long as you want, 'course.

[neverplaysfair]

... Still hurts, but it's not bad anymore.

Aren't you going to try anything?

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

At some point, sure. For now? I like it on the sidelines, where I can watch and work things out. More interested in collecting information than jumping into anything -- goin' on the offensive ain't my style, J.

[neverplaysfair]

... I've been told the Malnosso aren't the ones bringing us here. If they don't have full control over this space, I wondered if there might be cracks to exploit.

1/2

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

...?

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

Hadn't heard that. That's... useful. You might be onto something, actually.

[neverplaysfair]

I couldn't find any.

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

Still, the Malnosso might've been the ones who set the borders. Any gaps could be beyond our reach.

[neverplaysfair]

There weren't any borders. It was just... completely empty. Until it retaliated.

holy tl;dr. reposting tiem

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

I meant the physical borders. The gaps could be beyond the barrier, and only this area is so tightly controlled -- I gotta look into this further. The Malnosso didn't bring us here? Then either it's the place that does it, there's a third party pulling the strings, or it's us. Maybe there's a pattern in the kinds of people who show up... and if the place retaliated, it means someone's got a good grip on it, or the space itself is breaking down. That'd account for a few other things, too, but We've never... third party is still the most likely.

[ Dammit Joshua, you've got him in full-out Producer mode now. Hanekoma is just going to continue like this, mostly to himself and absently reaching for more coffee beans, until you shut him up. ]

I liked the tl;dr :<

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua just stares for a while, until... ] You don't get sick from all those beans?

You still get slightlyless!tl;dr? AND A SIDE OF HTML!FAIL

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

Hmn? [ Oh hello Joshua, forgot you were there. He'll just stare right back, uncomprehending. ] Get sick? From... too many beans? [ WHAT IS THIS MADNESS ]

lol whoops

[neverplaysfair]

From eating all of them.

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ More staring. And he's still chewing a coffee bean. ] Nah. Why?

[neverplaysfair]

I was just curious.

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[ A shrug, and he waves it off. ] Right. Anyway, it's late -- dunno about you, but I wouldn't mind gettin' some more sleep. You staying the night, or what?

[neverplaysfair]

... I probably shouldn't be seen too much like this.

[nattocat.livejournal.com]

[[ AIM plotting tiem, plz? ]]

And I don't wanna throw you out in the snow if you're not up to it. Hey, no worries. I've got space.