synflux | ( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

I should be asking you that?!

[Because really, he can't explain anything like this. Wait, maybe he's crazy? Naaaah. This feels too real. Elysium grabbing his tail suddenly makes him jolt up in a way, like electricity up the spine, and the thing curls itself around the other's arm. Who needed their spine to be this long and prehensile? Sheesh...]

[He's running like the dickens, though.]

What is going on here, man...?

[ damn way to make him admit to his failures before he can even so much process them

Still, it probably is the best time to get an objective account… ]

I lost the others when we got ambushed.

[ As if that clarifies the situation any, but look, how would he know what they're working with? His tone brooks Sampo not to push this point further, arms wrapping around Sampo's tail that much tighter in tandem with its curl. Like it's a lifeline—like he doesn't intend to lose Sampo, too. ]

Rather than go down together, I made the order to split. It's possible that they're still out there somewhere… but someone needs to tell people what happened. [ meaning: they have to leave men behind. ] The whole city—it's compromised.

[ unstated: he imagines the rest of the country shares a similar fate. ]

...

[Lost the others? Outsiders? Other people? Did they get ambushed by a kaiju when they least suspected it?]

[The tightening of the other's grip makes his ears burn, but he can't understand exactly why. No matter. He has to get his bearings. The whole city compromised...by what, though?]

Alright, alright, we...need to find a safe place to take a breather and we need to talk whatever it is out to tell the rest, okay? But please tell me whatever it is...are we out of danger?

[ What a funny question to ask.

Beyond every other question Sampo's posed so far and his general deer in headlights demeanour, 'are we out of danger?' is what tips Elysium off the most that something's terribly wrong. It's a question he'd never expect to hear from the "Sampo Koski" he's come to know—at least, not the Sampo Koski that he's been working alongside with for the past few weeks. A person who'd put on airs for whatever reason he's yet to completely fathom, yes, but everyone knew the gravitas of what they were dealing with, and at the bare minimum, Elysium doubts he'd ever make light of it by describing it so simply.

For better and for worse, Elysium isn't capable of summoning his usual and often inappropriate optimism. He isn't the type to lie, either, so Sampo will have to take his silence and an uncertain sidelong glance at his answer.

…

well, shit.

Just when he thought he'd had enough to worry about. Perhaps, this is the most clearly Elysium's ever worn his emotions for Sampo to read. What had transpired in the time they were separated? But their safehouse is up ahead, and his eyes will fix on it as if to communicate their direction in that manner. Take it one step at a time. One step at a time. ]

...

[That is a look he's never seen before. His own cheery optimism never rises to the surface, either, because he can't fathom a few creatures simply making this man this on edge. No, they're not out of danger yet.]

[He also falls into silence, eyebrows pinched together in obvious worry, but they should be out of the woods soon. They should hopefully be...out of the woods. Maybe.]

[Near the door, he'll start tugging his tail out.]

I-It's fine, you don't need to keep holding it...

[ hello? that's his emotional support tail?

He doesn't exactly look reluctant, but he does hold onto it for a beat longer than necessary out of a residual stubborness. The real answer is that they'll never be out of danger, not for as long as the Seaborn threat exists; Elysium could latch the door and barricade it all he wants, it realistically does nothing to deter their most pressing issue from creeping down under. The brand itself is their biggest threat, and by extension, humanity's, when it's already corrosive to their minds to so much step on.

Quiet for several seconds longer, he contemplates the time they have. Then, he exhales a tired sigh. ]

Before I answer any of your questions, tell me what's up with you first. Something's wrong with your memory. What? What's the last thing you remember? [ If Sampo is feeling cornered, that's because Elysium is backing him into one. He might note that Elysium's hand is by the hilt of his sword, as if ready to draw it at a moment's notice. ] … You don't look like you've become one of them. I need you to be serious with me.

[Now here's a real predicament.]

[He really has two major choices here. Elysium stands, asks him about what's wrong with his memory. Asks him if he is "one of them". Clearly, something has happened where he's been brainwashed, had his memory tampered with, or worse. Sampo's eyes flit to the sword. He could play along. Say he was hit by a rock, forgot his memory that way. But is Elysium is thinking he's possible something else...well. As much of a liar he is, how can he keep that up?]

[Then again, the truth might be harder to believe. They have to get out of here somehow, right? Sampo grits his teeth, before wincing when he feels the tip of them press into his lip - aw, geez, no wonder his mouth felt weird, he has fangs? fangs - and heaves a sigh.]

Look, buddy, I... [Another pause, his tail coiling on the floor.] You want honesty. You got it. Last thing I remember...we were in that city. The casino city. I didn't even see you, I just wandered into some building feeling like I was gonna puke. Next thing, I wake up here and there's those creatures...I really have no idea what the hell's going on, my guy. I'm serious.

Edited 2024-06-02 14:51 (UTC)

[ If Sampo's looking for any glimmer of recognition throughout his entire spiel, he isn't going to find any. And yet, Elysium's said it before that he's always trusted his own judgement. So, taking a step back and drawing his sword is what he does. As he raises it and holds out his other hand, whether Sampo is capable of following his movement or not or whether he intends to defend against it——

Elysium flicks his wrist. The blade goes sideways. He slices a shallow cut across his own palm, and watches blankly as both the pain rings true and bright red drips down to the floor.

…

They may not be on the same page, but they can get on the same page. Elysium smiles thinly as his shoulders relax, sword sheathed as briskly as it had been drawn. ]

I'm sure you'll be just as pleased to hear that I still don't know what you're taking about. [ 'But that's hardly what matters.'

In spite of the probing questions Elysium would very much like to follow-up with, he's pragmatic. What would knowing the answers do to change their situation any? Nothing. It's not as if seems Sampo's lost his wits about him completely, either, though they were all but stuck with one another.

He crosses his arms, contemplative. Closing his eyes, he leans against one of the walls—he thinks this is a conversation neither of them will enjoy having. ] Alright, then. Your turn.

Oh. Whoah, hey-

[But the sword isn't meant for him, and Sampo stares, a little stunned, when the blade makes its mark over his hand. The wide-eyed look shifts to something a little disgruntled.]

You do know the palm is like the worst place for that kinda thing, right?

[But....uh. His turn. For what? What is he expecting to see, or not to see? Sampo reaches and finds one of his own daggers, pulling it out. He doesn't like this, but....well, he needs to get on the good side of Mr. Brainwashed over here, he supposes.]

[A shift, a quick little slice across the back of his hand, and there...red blood welling up from the wound.]

Are you happy? I mean. I suppose this is a test. Did I pass?

So your head is on right. But it looks cooler, doesn't it?

[ … Maybe the conversation won't be so bad? There's a sudden shift in the air as if the quip's knocked some sort of reminder back into Elysium's head. At least, his body language's no longer brooding, smile relaxing into something that could be called genuine, if not tired. ]

You passed a while back. That was—… something else. You know, in case something was wrong with me and the paranoia was all my imagination. If the wound sealed right up, I would've told you to kill me.

[ casually. ]

… I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you. [ Even if events still hang over his head, ] I meant that it's your turn to ask questions. Whatever's going on, we can figure it out together.

[ This was how you took things one step at a time, right. ]

[...]

[He steps over to him to touch his shoulder. As much as he is the smiling laughing merchant everyone loves, he knows when there is a time to get serious. Paranoia? Wounds sealing up? It makes no sense.]

[When has life ever made sense...?]

[In the distance, he almost feels like he can hear laughter.]

It's quite alright. Though really, I have to ask. [He spares a glance to the window.] What....are you worried that you and I will become?

[ His gaze flits from Sampo to the hand on his shoulder, before it resettles on Sampo himself. Here, he offers the same hand several pats on the back of it. ]

I think we'll have to go a little earlier than that.

[ For the final pat, his hand lingers atop Sampo's for a brief second before dropping back to his side. Might as well assume he's working with a blank slate here, for whatever reason, and intuit the rest on his own. ]

The monsters you saw out there? They're called Seaborn. The ones we encountered specifically are pretty nasty guys, but for the most part, you really only have to worry about them trying to eat you. [ … ] The real trouble starts after they do or if you've run into another kind that's had a particularly nice buffet since they adapt and evolve rather quickly.

[ worse, when they assimilate trained operators. there's another tug at his smile with the reminder of their former squad mates. ]

… I think I'm still myself. [ there's his answer. ] And I think you are, too, even if something else seems to be going on.

The Seaborn. Weird stuff to find out in the...

[He starts, stops. Something feels a little fuzzy. A word that slips out of his fingers like oil. The patting is nice, but it doesn't take away from the spike of disorientation.]

Anyways, like I was saying. Weird stuff. And...adapt and evolve? That's totally not scary at all.

[Totally not! He heaves a dramatic little sigh, the tip of his tail tapping against the floor as he puts his hands on his hips.]

All I know is that we're not supposed to be here. And I-! Am not supposed to have a tail. Like you don't think that's weird?

Hm? It was kind of nice having it in my arms, though.

[ Intentionally, his eyes will drop down to it. And just as intentionally, he won't pursue what Sampo finds so strange when Elysium's thinking the very same of him. ]

The captain would've never let me do something like that. If you don't want it, I wouldn't mind taking it off you more often.

[ It was somewhat like a body pillow. A little cold, but nothing body heat wouldn't fix. Solid. Tangible. Proof that he wasn't alone… for the time being. A laugh, because as nice as the conversational detour was—there were other matters to attend to, too. ]

… Anyway, we shouldn't spend too much time here. I can't tell you too much about them because that's one of the reasons why we were sent out to begin with. How do you fight something that's infinitely capable of evolving itself? I'm sure the guys back at Rhodes Island will figure it out. Until then… we do what we can.

[ A pause, as if uncertain. ]

I can try and find a way back to one of the defense lines for you. [ 'you.' ] We'll have to take a longer way around, but it should be doable. How does that sound?

...Hey, now. Don't say things like that. You'll make me want to let you touch it or something.

[Said casually as anything, veering into familiar flirtatious territory - but he sees that look, and in this context, it really just makes everything all the stranger.]

[The tail swishes now, almost thoughtfully.]

The guys back at Rhodes Island? Where is that? Elysium, my dear, its LIL...LILITH. We work for that one now.

[A little hiccup - as if tripping over the name. He sighs - defense lines, secrets. Sampo would like some understanding, but...fine. Sure. Something nags him about what was just said.]

And what about you? You just gonna stick around, shake hands with the monsters? Sampo Koski can't have that...

Haven't you already?

[ Said just as casually, as if the answer to whether Sampo would or wouldn't allow is a foregone conclusion. He allows the arrogance to flicker across his expression, because if they were to part, too? Then he'd prefer it to be at his best. Even with their currently tenuous understanding of each other, at least some things were still the same. ]

… Look. Maybe the me in your memory works for LILITH. I can accept that. [ What else could he do? Incite an argument? ] But the me right now's under Rhodes Island, and for the foreseeable future, at that. Rather than losing ourselves in what does or doesn't make sense, shouldn't we focus on what's in front of us? If your heart's changed, I'm not holding it against you, buddy. The situation's changed.

[ things are always in flux when one's life is on the line, he understands that much. more so when his read on Sampo is that he himself is unpredictable. ]

There's still something only I can do. [ … ] Besides, [ with an air of finality: ] this is my home country, Koski. I'm not abandoning it again. Either way you have it, you'll have time to think about it on the way.

Ah, I want to try to play hard to get. You have to let me do that sometimes, huh?

[A little joke. His eyes crinkle, but it doesn't eliminate the worry, the focus, the increasing discomfort that now he knows he can't do anything with. How does he convince a man of a reality he has no memory of? It would be one thing if he found him back there, but this is a new place.]

[Stranger lost in a strange land.]

...I get it. I really do get it. It's about the here and now. But! That makes you even more my responsibility. [For the first time here, he frowns.] Your home country, huh....but yeah. I'll think about it. But you think about it, too. Promise me that. Maybe we'll skip hand in hand outta this place.

No can do. I like knowing that I'm receiving preferential treatment too much for that.

[ A joke for a joke. Somewhat ironic, given what they're talking about and what Elysium thinks next: had Sampo ever been the type to be sentimental? Something in his head protests against the image, as if they're veering off script. But, what script?

Never mind that, ]

… I'll believe that when you can show you can run, much less walk, without tripping over yourself. [ To taking responsibility, anyway. ] C'mon, man.

[ Sorry, Sampo. He's not about to make promises he has no intention of fulfilling. But it's true: they do have to figure this out before they get a move on anywhere…?? ]

Greedy, greedy. Then again, when it comes to you, I could be greedy, too.

[No, he's always greedy. There's some kind of desire that has made him so perfect for being a Masked Fool. He may not be as extreme as some of the others, but he wants elation. He wants to laugh. He wants to smile, to see others smiling and laughing.]

[Circumstances likes these are the furthest from it, but Sampo will always be glad to play comic relief for that reason.]

Ooh, ye of little faith! Wow! That's bold! Lookie here, I've gotten used to it already. Just a twirl and-

[He's tripping over his own tail backwards, falling onto his ass. Owie...]

I can do it. This was a fluke, my friend!

Edited 2024-06-03 04:29 (UTC)

[ Sampo performs his circus act, and yet, Elysium doesn't laugh.

Greed, huh? He squats to level with Sampo. For Elysium, whose foreseeable future he doesn't see extending past the month at most, he imagines that his definition of 'greed' has taken quite the different turn. Though unreadable for the most part, Elysium's gaze is assessing—when finally, he does laugh, soft and quiet.

Not at his fall, that much is obvious. ]

I'm sure you can. [ do it, that is, but that could apply to several things here. he clears his throat, then. ] But, I wouldn't mind if you relied on me a little more. … try being more forward leaning. Take a wider stance, and sway your tail like you would your arms when you move. Or, you could just hold it yourself.

[What is behind those eyes?]

[Elysium bends down just so. There's a brief urge to whip out his hand as fast as a snakebite, take him by the collar to pull him closer, even make him topple. The man was already an amusing conundrum, now there's another layer here that Sampo can't decide is more exciting or frustrating.]

[Instead, his hand stutters over to his shoulder.]

Maybe you just want to see me fall over you. Would...you catch me? [An almost quiet question, hidden with his beaming grin. Time to use the man to help pull himself up back to his feet, using his shoulder as leverage.] Heh. Me holding my own tail...how funny. Things I never had to think about.

[ He might or might not be hung up over Sampo's words of responsibility and running away, just the two of them. Throwaway lines that they were, no one's ever said them to him before. Even if he hadn't necessarily started this mission alone, he'd intended to finish alone like how 'Elysium' himself came from solitary origins, running away and flitting from one place to another until he'd finally found a place he could call 'home.'

Taking someone else down with him… that's a different story.

A distant conversation comes to mind, one that would unfurl the dream if he had the mind to ask himself where or how; Elysium can't be the sun, either, destined to eventually burn out on itself. To go out in a supernova, to make a difference, to do something when he's done very little in the grand scheme of things—that's what Elysium tells himself he has to do.

The only thing, then, is to ensure Sampo's well and away in the event that the same supernova results in a black hole. But it is tempting, nevertheless, to think of what that future would look like. ]

Until you learn to walk on your own two feet, of course. No need to sound so suspicious, bro.

[ As always, there's the 'and then what?' But he smiles from down below, only coming to his feet once Sampo's managed to straighten himself out. And since they've managed to more or less disperse the tension: ]

Is it really that strange to you? I can't say we're all that familiar with each other since we'd only met a month ago, but you've never not had it. [ thoughtfully, ] And at that size, either. You were moving as if you've never had it.

Suspicious? Me? You're so mean...

[He pouts at that like a child, but its obvious in good fun. The next few statements make him stare at Elysium like he's grown two heads - honestly, he wishes he did, because that would be more understandable.]

[He's.......always had this?]

[It feels wrong. No, it feels....right. Weird. He was running back thee with no problem, right? He rubs at his forehead a little, flummoxed, but then gives the other a cheeky little smirk. (He feels worried. He feels...scared, almost. Bells are chiming somewhere, as if there's an end coming. But Elysium is here, they can get through it, sun and sea, right? Right? Right...?)]

You want to talk about my size, huh. [Sorry, sorry, low hanging fruit.] But...hm. Weird. Maybe I did hit my head! You should check it for injuries, hehe...

[ If things weren't already tough enough for Sampo, here's Elysium trying to be helpful: ]

You're Operator ███████, but we've taken to calling you Koski while we're not on official business since that's what you seem to prefer. Your file states you're from ██████, and that you joined to ██████ █████ █████████, and ██████ ███ █████. No indicators of having Oripathy, but your blood Originium-crystal density is almost impossibly low given the exposure you've had to have to it. [ For the first time, Sampo may notice a bracelet around his right wrist when Elysium's eyes fall down to it. ] Even if everything put together with your behaviour would make you sketchy to most others, trust is the basis between all Rhodes Islands operators. So long as you do your work, what does it matter?

[ What might the ████ sound like? Mind-splitting static noise, perhaps. Elysium doesn't seem to think anything of it when it escapes his mouth, as if they're perfectly normal "words" to say. ]

… If you did get hit by something, it might've been a psychic-related Art. But I didn't see anything around you that could've done anything like that, at least at the time of.

[Oh this is so. So helpful.]

[Really astounding, honestly, how a nice explanation can make someone feel like they need to take an Advil and lay in a dark room for five days. Amazing, honestly.]

[He lifts up his hand with the bracelet, before he stares right back at Elysium. Really, this would be nice if this was a joke. If this was a dream. If this was just.......nonsense.]

[But Elysium is so serious that there's a part of him wondering, quietly: Is it really true?]

I...see.

[Should one pretend? Play along? What does one do, here? Where does he even belong?]

I think I'm just going to sit down for a minute. [Here, there's a chair. He's taking....it, well, sweeping his TAIL OUT FIRST there we go. Sitting down.] Stuff like this makes a guy's head hurt. Either way...I do appreciate it.

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