synflux | ( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[ Would she be the type to feel pity for him if he were to use the birthday card? No, he doesn't want to use it, nor would he ever use it in that context regardless of his certainty of her answer, but he does contemplate it for the brief second.

Instead: ]

I just wanted company today, Miss Gebura. [ A smaller smile. ] You remind me of someone, so you were the first person that came to mind. I know I've been overfamiliar, but I won't apologise. I do want to get to know you better.

[ He takes a step away to give her personal space, and tucks his free hand behind his back. ]

Will you come if I promise to behave?

[ Does she look like the type to feel pity? Elysium, please.

If she reminds him of someone, she might feel something like a sense of tired empathy for this mysterious individual, though. Because it's not like this guy with his overly familiar manner and refusal to know shame doesn't similarly remind her of someone.

Still. ]

I don't recommend you putting your thoughts and expectations of someone else on me.

[ ... Really, she needs to keep that in mind, too. But, with a sigh, since he can't really change from that if he doesn't at least get to know her enough to note the differences-- ]

Fine. But I'm leaving after that.

[ She doesn't, which covers 1% of the argument behind why he wouldn't ok ]

Not wanting to see someone else in you is exactly why I want to get to know you more. Why do you think I wanted to spar you, too?

[ He could've just as easily held that card to his chest and continued to project, but he'd like to think saying it aloud sends its own message—which is why, his words echo her own thoughts. ]

Alright, I hear you. [ Muted. He's keeping his promise. ] So do you have any allergies, or foods that you don't like?

[ He sure did echo her thoughts exactly and she swallows another sigh. Right, okay, she'll let him have that. ]

I'm not big on bitter food.

[ A tad reluctantly, because she would eat it if she had to. She's not that picky. More importantly-- ]

This person I apparently remind you of--do we have similar fighting styles?

That one's easy. Nothing bitter? Coming right up.

[ With that point alone in mind, Elysium will set off in a direction with confident strides. It's a trend—did this guy ever show hesitation in anything? Probably not. ]

And no, the two of you couldn't be further in that respect. [ A soft laugh, as if he's bringing up the exact memory of her. ] To give you context? You remind me a hell lot of my captain. I'm on loan more often than not, but I technically belong to a special operations squad. You can imagine, then, that we fulfill a bunch of specialised roles that don't necessarily suit the frontlines of a battlefield.

[ It's serious business when they need all hands on deck, but it's gratifying. As fun as it is being shuffled around and working with all manners of people, there's nothing quite like being the second-in-command to his captain and witnessing and experiencing her brilliance first hand. ]

… If I'm being honest, I've long started to suspect that the two of you only have two main threads of commonalities. [ Is it too soon to say that? He says it anyway. ] But that hardly matters. Every person deserves to be known in their own right.

[ So a bit like being a team member or an assistant librarian. Thankfully, her own underlings weren't too overly attached to her, but they do look to her for advice (and she still finds that strange, to be able to give it and have it be useful), and Gebura's gaze turns thoughtful even as she easily matches Elysium's stride.

Does she know where they're going? No. But that doesn't matter; she'll keep up.

Right, he'd jokingly called her "Captain" once, hadn't he? ]

Your captain's got to have some kind of special level of patience if they've got you on their team. [ It's not quite an insult, just an observation. A blunt one, admittedly. ]

But I wouldn't exactly want to be too much like anyone, anyway. [ Technically, she'd already faced herself in combat and even then, she'd been able to acknowledge things were different there. ] If it's only two points, so much the better.

[ The two certainties when being around Elysium: 1.) his boundless and relentless optimism, and 2.) how one will never get lost. At least, in this respect, she's in good hands?? ]

Oh, she has a special level of patience, alright. If her patience wasn't in the negatives, she'd stop scaring so many people away. [ What a nice thing to say about someone. And yet, the way he says it can only be read as fond. ] It's what I've told you before: I'm too useful to her to get rid of. Lucky for me, I've got plenty of job security.

[ A special level of patience for a special kind of dynamic… that's them. ]

… But anyway, [ considering at this point they've been here for… two weeks?? about?? ] how have you been adjusting to our new circumstances?

[ Optimism doesn't tend to last long in the City; it usually means it's a fresh-faced Fixer who hasn't experienced more than one assignment yet. Or it's someone who's on the verge of broken insanity.

Well, it might be a different situation where he's from. Hopefully. ]

... It's been fine, I guess. Wouldn't have made it as long as I did if I couldn't adjust to unexpected situations.

[ Rather, this is a lot kinder environment than the one she's used to. ]

[ verge of broken insanity? couldn't be him

That also tells him almost nothing, but it's fine. Although he's already promised not to be (too) annoying, surely gently pushing a conversation along wouldn't be that…? ]

Considering what they brought us here for, it's been relatively peaceful. [ a low hum. ] But I won't beat around the bush, I've been thinking a lot about what other worlds people must've come from. Some claim to come from this one in a distant past… and others, like myself, from an entirely different one. Would yours fall into the former or latter?

Never heard of Japan or any cities with names like these, but there have been familiar things to me, so it's tough to say.

[ Gebura shrugs as she walks. Sorry, she is not much of an information dispenser. ]

Maybe you'd call it a different world. No one here seems to know what a Fixer is, and it's not exactly an unusual word where I'm from. Then again, implants and augmentations aren't anything that new to me, either.

[ Who wants to reveal too much of themselves, too soon? One's environment doesn't tell the entire story of who they are and why, but it can illuminate all the same which to some, would already be more than they're comfortable with.

At least, Gebura has been forthcoming with enough information that he continues to ask his questions freely… there's also not going any lower than that one conversation they'd had, that would still leave him reeling if he were the type to dwell on past encounters. ]

… It's a little interesting. The maps don't line up, but from what I could tell? From the various cultures present here, my world has a one-to-one equivalent for almost everything.

[ If not everything. Bizarre! ]

Makes me really want to go out and see what's out there! But, [ he exhales a genuinely tired sounding sigh, ] I don't think that'll be in the books for quite a while. You could say I was curious whether it was the same for you.

[ One day, he can learn all about her death and it will be great (it will not be great). But he's at least learned not to ask (probably for his own sake) and she doesn't offer details if she doesn't think they're necessary. Which are most details in regards to other people here, she tends to think. Here, she's just a straightforward person to the point of being blunt, who just so happens to fight good. ]

I don't know about a one-to-one equivalent; the City isn't exactly this much of a mess, though it's still a mess in its own right. [ And as far as she can tell, there aren't things like Singularities and Distortions. The closest thing to Abnormalities appear to be the kaiju, but that remains to be seen. ]

The food's more or less familiar, though. Some of the naming conventions, too. I'd like to get out there too, but one thing at a time.

[ Well, and certain people sure did demonstrate what it was like to be thwarted-- ]

[ Help… how did no one try before him. Where is everyone's sense of adventure?

Also, is the City really less of a mess than Neo Tokyo? At this point he hasn't heard much, but from the things I've heard…… Anyway. All his thoughts towards it probably just amount to words for their terribly uncreative toponymy. ]

Willing to share what the first thing on that list might be?

[ Less apocalyptic, definitely more Fucked Up. Don't worry, he'll learn even more one day. Surely. ]

... It's not going to be that interesting, even if I did feel like sharing it. [ Not, in her opinion, to this social butterfly of a guy. It's just what she usually does in terms of dealing with a new situation. ]

[ He purses his lips: ]

If you feel like sharing, why don't you let me be the judge of that? Otherwise, how am I to get to know you?

[ huff puff… ]

[ But what if she doesn't want him to get to know her--

No, she does still find it a little baffling and she doesn't exactly trust the intentions, but she also doesn't quite view him as someone she'd have trouble with cutting down if he really had to. Sorry, buddy. ]

I want to map out the area better. The more troublesome spots, the places that might provide the most information, decent sources.

[ Not quite "the best places to dine"; it's a pragmatic approach. She's not looking to relax and enjoy herself, not when she's not sure she trusts much (if anything) about this organization. ]

[ … Interesting! His eyes will flash with amusement. Did she bring it up because she remembers one of their earlier conversations, or was it something she's simply interested in innately? There's no denying that it's an important item on the checklist for any seasoned person plucked and dropped into foreign territory, but for it to be her first item has his eyes shining. ]

As in a literal map, or just getting to know the lay of the land better? [ He stops in his tracks and she might note that although he generally does carry himself with confidence, he's absolutely brimming with it now. ] Really! You didn't need to look any further than the man in front of you. I told you, didn't I? That I was a fields and communications expert. Scouting out such locations so happens to be what I'm adept at. Got that all done my first week.

[ He holds out a hand, as if metaphorically offering her a deal to grasp. Evidently, there may be a price to pay. ]

Tell you what. I can draw out a map for you detailing all of that and more. If you want to verify my knowledge before that… I can take you to what I'd consider the second best vantage spot. How about it?

[ important to note: Elysium's maps are often so convoluted no one but him can make sense of it. but that's not a current problem, is it!! ]

[ The answer is more the latter than the former, though she hasn't forgotten what he specializes in.

... All the same, it's a bit of a surprise to see him light up so happily within a few seconds of her explanation and her gaze lowers to his hand for a few seconds. She does nothing with said hand, because why would she? It's probably just another dramatic gesture of his.

It's helpful information he offers and the confidence doesn't appear to be insincere for the sake of a deal, but first-- ]

And what do you want for that? [ That's materials, time, and effort. None of that is free, no matter where you go. ]

[ Elysium would very well offer bits and pieces of information freely, but it's true that an entire map is on a different scale. So, even he's not above bartering. Beyond that, even Elysium would believe that it's necessary to have some contingency when dealing with new faces, regardless of his personal opinions and interest. ]

The fairest trade would be expertise for expertise. You said you were something of a mercenary, weren't you? So when I'm in need of your services, I would hope that you wouldn't turn down my request. Though, you'd be free to if you deem it unreasonable.

[ It at least proves he's not an idiot, though the fact that he's still alive likely proves as much--that or he's incredibly lucky. The ones who did something for nothing were few and far between and Gebura could do it only because she'd had faith in her own strength after enough time to make anyone who tried to mess with her regret it shortly before they died.

That's not the case here and she hears out Elysium's terms quietly before she closes her eyes briefly, then nods. ]

Fine with me. If you've got a need, I'll hear you out when that time comes. Like you said, no obligation I'll agree to it, but even you should know better than to abuse that sort of thing.

[ No calling her out for stupid things, but she can protect him or fight her way through a problem in exchange for information, sure. ]

( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

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