synflux | ( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[ It goes something like this: a request for a spar with little to no preamble the day before, followed by a location pin to one of the local parks. Perhaps they haven't known each other long enough for the conversation to feel frighteningly concise coming from him, but it is, because he figures that the less he says, the more he'll improve his chances.

Anyway. If she wants reasons, he'll readily provide them: it's been a while since he's sparred (real) and she's the first person he'd thought of for a practice partner (also real). What he won't mention is that he's used to spending this particular day (and/or adjacent days) surrounded by company and making merry, and how he ends up buying a shitty sword for the express purpose of not spending it alone.

When she finds him, bright and early and as the sun is just about peeking through the horizon—he'll be going through his forms. As serious as he looks, it, too, is all a part of the show. ]

Edited 2024-05-10 05:42 (UTC)

[ this is so stupid i'm sorry in advance, but anyway

For whatever inexplicable reason, they're both here and existing in the market district. At least, Elysium is here for the express purpose of finding a very specific something, pouring over accessories by picking them up and inspecting them one-by-one. In truth, he already has an idea of what he wants and could be done with his business in minutes if he put his mind to it—but he likes thinking about the faces that would go along with every piece he picks up, their smiles that would inevitably follow, thereby smiling himself before he moves on to the next.

Seeing as there's nothing in particular to be in a rush for, there's nothing wrong with being a little distracted, right? Which then brings them to the following scenario: Elysium with what isn't an accessory for his hands for once, using it to

poke the back of this random guy's (Megumi's……) head. ]

Woah. Why does it look like you don't use wax or gel?

[ The fact that he understands deeply already that the less he says, the better, is what makes him more of a threat, and Gebura already finds it a little odd that it is such a succinct request and does indeed demand reasons in the event that this is is some kind of ploy.

It could still very well be a ploy, and she keeps that thought tucked close, even as she opts to not bring along Mimicry in favor of a less dangerous blade. She doesn't want to actually kill the guy (probably).

Said blade is balanced casually over one shoulder as she approaches him, choosing to stand there while he goes through his Clearly Very Focused forms until the sun's starting to lift a bit more and that light sinks into the vivid red of her hair. Yeah, that's enough waiting. ]

You good to go?

[ Hi, Elysium. ]

[ Look, he's technically left her to her own devices for a good amount of time by now? A few days' peace has to mean something for their tenuous camaraderie. Sparring may not be the highest on Elysium's list of priorities, but staying active is nor would he ever deny the benefits of it and would agree that it's best to keep sharp.

There's a beat as he finishes his last form—and as he turns to regard her, his smile comes readily along with a lazy wave. ]

'Morning! Not into any pre-spar pleasantries, I take it. But that's fine. [ Expected… he can ask what she's been up to and whatever else later. (ahem) ] Shouldn't we set some ground rules first, Miss Gebura? We are holding terribly real weapons here.

[ Taking the beginnings of another stance, he throws his blade with a twist of his wrist, catching it just so that the dull side faces outwards as he points it in her direction. Showy, showy. More indictive of him as a fighter is that he's looking lighter on his feet than ever, the flag he normally carries with him waylaid to the side. It isn't often he has the chance to fight so unfettered, so perhaps on that point alone what started for show isn't entirely for it. ]

[ Gebura steps forward; there's no sense of showiness or flair to her movements, in direct contrast to his, but there's a sharp gleam to her eyes and a subtle shift to her posture. She gazes at Elysium not as an annoyance but as an opponent she knows better than to underestimate.

She knows better than most not to lower her guard based off someone's outward appearance. ]

So we are.

[ The sword she holds is pointed forward in one hand, straight and unwavering, just like her gaze. ]

We're not doing this to the death and I'm not really into maiming for a simple spar. If you want to go til first blood is drawn or until one of us is disarmed, I'm fine with either one. [ Even dull, a weapon can cut. She can't guarantee an injury-free encounter here. ]

[ we're gonna say that the Great Helicopter Incident happens somewhere during the first week of may so i don't have to think about timelines anymore than i already have, please forgive

so with that:

Here Elysium is, keeping to Neo Tokyo with a lid on any spiteful energy LILITH may have incurred from the aforementioned event. If there weren't so much else he could busy himself with, it's highly likely he would be out and about exploring the outskirts in every which distance within the imposed time restrictions—not quite out of vindictiveness (though there's the teensiest part of him that is…) but a genuine born desire to see all that's out there. And yet, he can't say he's keen on getting into trouble again for a second time when he's only been here for a little over week… Pushing boundaries and limit testing could always come later, when there were either accolades or achievements under his belt to prevent an early firing.

Unfortunately or fortunately, preoccupying himself means taking up more shifts as a civilian; whether it's a restaurant Yuwon frequents or not, he'll spot a new face at the bar he's chosen to visit when he's seated as a solo. It's his lucky daaaaaay ✨ ]

Alone on a Friday night, are you? [ Lazily, he props an arm up on the bar top to rest his chin on his hand. ] How can I help you?

Edited 2024-05-11 21:26 (UTC)

[ you ever think about how they never actually mentioned a time

anyway

Perhaps giving credit to hottie's words that this is a legitimate affair, the location pin leads to one of the nicer izakayas tucked away in an alley of Neo Tokyo. Cozy and dimly lit, with wooden furnishings and traditional décor—it's a bit like stepping into a relic of the past, a respite from the neon lights and commotion, waited entirely by human staff.

In any case, there's a part of Elysium that doesn't expect moneybags to show up as online banter is simply just that, at times—but when he does and is escorted to the counter, he'll have a terribly amused face staring right at him. ]

Do anything interesting with your password recovery answers yet?

[ Along with the 'greeting,' a drink, as was promised, is slid in front of him. Sampo can have fun with it: it's a cocktail that isn't expertly mixed whatsoever, so the ratios are likely way off. That's what he gets for accepting something on the house…! ]

[It is a legitimate place. Who would've thunk.]

[Of course, he's intrigued by this so-called five star person. Amused, even. And for a man like Sampo, sometimes amusement is all he needs.]

[As he's allowed to approach the counter, he'll absolutely let his turquoise eyes move from top to bottom and back again, before they're creased with a wide grin.]

I haven't the faintest idea of what you're talking about.

[His judgement? He's not giving it, yet, giving the drink a once over. He does seem to actually know his drinks, as he lets out a little disappointed huff as he gives a sip.]

...How long have you been working here, again?

[ She's a presence that commands attention, that's for sure—but he hadn't expected anything less even from their few interactions. By the second, he feels increasingly justified in his judgement call; he pulls back into a stance more befitting of a spar, posture remaining both steadfast and confident. ]

Is drawing blood during spars the norm for where you're from?

[ He keeps his tone and gaze level. Since his initial acknowledgement of her, his eyes never once stray. ]

No matter. Let's go with either or. Don't hold back on my account, alright?

[ There's a wealth one can learn about another from the way they fight—and already, he feels like he's gained plenty before they've even begun to so much as cross their blades. Is he still in the process of judging her, like he'd said he would? Yep. ]

[ This is what they mean by when there's balance in the world: presenting, a five-star face for a one-star in everything else, or at least, in bartending. Although his experience in mixing liquors probably extends only so far as dumping all the alcohol one could find into a bucket in his world's equivalent of college frat parties, he has had his share of good drinks—so he gets the concept. He gets the spirit. He just doesn't have to drink any of his own productions, and so.

Mixing things by feel it is :') ]

Here, specifically? Four days? … Five? No, that was that other place. [ … ] Three sounds about right.

[ Basically… he's been flitting out all sorts of places! But he's stalling, and purposefully so. There's the sound of a light hum before he cants his head innocently. His stare—and the way it narrows, though—not so innocent. ]

Seeing as you didn't bother to be subtle, should I return the favour?

[ Like how Sampo apparently doesn't have the faintest idea of what he'd been talking about earlier—yeah, Elysium doesn't care all too much about it, either, willing to discard it in favour of whatever the hell this was. ]

This definitely feels like a drink made by a guy who's only been three days at it.

[But as much as he knows that's....definitely an insult, he follows up quickly with:]

But! The most important part of the journey is the first step, right? You'll get this down. Of course, I know a little bit about a good drink, sooooo...if you ever need pointers......

[A little pause for emphasis as he leans in.]

I could do so. For the real low low price of letting bygones be bygones with those silly personality quiz questions. And getting to chat with ya a bit more. That's all for now.

If someone pointed a weapon at me, it was usually to try to kill me.

[ Shortly. She hadn't really learned from things like "practice" or "lessons" until she'd drawn the interest of a veteran Fixer, so to speak. It was all experience learned from trying to survive.

But their terms have been decided, and Gebura breathes a sigh. ]

... I'm not in the habit of holding back.

[ So he doesn't have to worry! And sure enough, when she dashes forward, there is absolutely no hesitation in the way she launches her first forceful strike, a diagonal slash at his shoulder. It's maybe to test his guard at first, but she's also not really giving him any easy openings to exploit off the bat either. ]

[ Yeah, he's not offended. There's a laugh; you can't win them all and he can't say he's trying all too hard. It's obvious why they'd given him the job when he'd had absolutely zero practical experience, so why go beyond expectations?

The offer, though, is interesting. He taps a finger atop the counter in mock thought (because it isn't as if he's truly contemplating it)—if anything, they'll have to get back to it later. First: ]

I thought we were already past that when you said you had no idea what I was talking about? It's like you want me to rethink my decision, bro.

[ Or maybe he was misunderstood, that's possible, too. Breaking out into an easier smile, his gaze flits lower, as if to draw to attention their proximity from how they're both leaned in. Rather, he was talking about how the other's eyes moved top to bottom?? So he'll be doing just that, perhaps made all the worse and shameless from how close they are. ]

No, no, ya see, you strike me as the kind of guy who maaaaay not set aside things so easily, despite what he says. I mean, I'm kinda the same way, so I don't blame you! I just like a guarantee. That's always important in business.

[That IS shameless. Then again, perhaps that's expected out of username @ hottie. Sampo doesn't seem to mind - there's no shy sideglances here, no sirree - and just lets his eyes crease a little in coy amusement.]

Besides.....I'm guaranteeing a sort-of kind-of good drink instead of a so-so one. So it's win-win. What do you say?

[ Trial by fire, was it? There's the hint of a grimace, though he'll refrain from commenting. Those who had a similar background were more common than not in many places within Terra, and theirs weren't his to judge when his upbringing was nondescript in comparison. It's hard not to wander back to their conversation on scars—being distracted isn't the best choice he's making at the moment, but as this was an exercise to get to know her better…

It's instinct that ends up saving his ass by hauling him to dodge, her blade narrowly missing flesh to catch parts of his sleeve instead. ]

… You're no joke! [ But when is she ever? His first priority is to re-establish distance, eyes left blinking at the sheer force he'd felt in the trajectory of her blow. It's a good thing he isn't the type to parry, because he's not entirely sure he would've even been able to. ] Maybe I should've clarified 'til first blood's drawn… but I'm not the type to take back words, either!

[ The implication there is, damn girl, a one-hit KO is technically first blood?? Elysium should probably not be trying to banter in the midst of this, but at least his mind won't be wandering again anytime soon. ]

It seemed more like a test of character than anything. That's why I asked if you did anything interesting. Because when everything's pretty much locked by biometrics, what can you do with that information?

[ Coincidentally, they're both making judgements based on usernames at the moment. @ moneybags because of his transactional nature, perhaps? Well. He supposes that makes things easy. ]

Ahah, is that where the extra star comes in from? The experience on top of the view? [ But there he has it, @ hottie's endorsement. ] Tell me what to get for you, then. I learn better through watching.

[ She's come a long way from bristling at every person who thought that they'd had a harder life than anyone who'd just barely survived the Backstreets, but the Nest-born truly had laughable ideas of what made life hard more often than not.

And of course this yahoo is trying to banter and she honestly isn't sure if that's him trying to trash-talk or if this is just his default. Maybe the latter; "you're no joke" isn't exactly a taunt. ]

You're the one who said not to hold back.

[ And so she's not going to give him much of an opportunity to get that distance, dashing forward once more for another strike. She does at least appear to be aiming for his limbs, for disarming more than maiming. ]

So don't regret your words, in the end!

A lot of things, my friend. For example....celebrating birthdays! Isn't it nice to have a surprise party for such a special day?

[Obviously its just for the birthdays. Obviously.]

[He lets out a little laugh at that, pleased, and gives a cheeky little wink.]

Exactly. Though if you work hard, you can get an extra star too. [Also his endorsement right back. Look, some people are easy on the eyes, what can he say.] Let's see....can I go behind the counter? Some places have way different ingredients, you know! I hardly could predict what this one has and doesn't have. Should have the staples, though...

[ Elysium wouldn't give up his flagbearing duties for his life, but he has to admit that fighting without it and enabling the yahoo in him to its full potential is enjoyable in its own right. In adopting one of the more obnoxious fighting styles known to man in incessant dodges and feints, the rhythm in which he spars is much like a dance; quick as he is, it hardly matters if he can't find an opening or land a decisive blow.

Still, with every near swipe of his limbs, there'll be an accompanying yelp. ]

Wouldn't — dream of it——!

[ …is this going to be an endurance test…? It's looking increasingly like it. To his credit, he is trying to get fast ones in on her. Alas, it's looking likelier that she'll be able to overwhelm him through strength alone if she chooses. ]

You did ask some questions to that effect, didn't you? How could I forget? For such a benevolent person, I'm always willing to let bygones be bygones.

[ Will he have any moneybags left by the time he celebrates everyone's birthdays? Damn. ]

But go right ahead. You don't need to convince me any further than you already have. [ He says it well before he's presumably looking around for his manager, who, for all intents and purposes, appears to be nowhere. For a Friday night, it's surprisingly quiet.

So whenever Sampo comes around, he'll choose to hover rather closely. Not close enough to be breathing on him, but he maintains about a two foots-width apart stock checking aside, a single hand propping him up on the counter as his body faces toward him sideways. ]

For the record? My birthday was two days ago. My favourite colour is red. As for my favourite food… anything that's homecooked. Is it too late to ask for my surprise?

[ this and the mixing lesson are clearly separate, ]

How very kind of you.

[He slips around to the back as easy as anything, like this is a practiced thing he's done a million times. As he starts to mill over the racks, his eyes flit towards the man who stands so close.]

[Something very amused settles in his smile, his eyes creased in a coy expression as a gloved hand reaches past Elysium's shoulder to pluck a bottle from the shelf. He doesn't mind the proximity whatsoever.]

Happy belated birthday, my friend. [He lets out a light laugh.] And that depends. I could, if you want.

[ In tandem with Sampo's reach for the bottle, Elysium cranes his neck to, ostensibly, give him easier access shelf. In reality, he can reach for it perfectly fine as is, so it doesn't quite serve any purpose here but to expose the crook of it, the feathers of his hair shifting to frame it perfectly in one smooth contour.

But Elysium's expression remains unchanged from its usual nonchalance, despite knowing exactly how superfluous the gesture had been—despite hazarding the other would, too. ]

The type of guy who likes to come out up on top, are you? I've already laid out my cards. You want me to stack them for you, too? How stingy.

[ his drink and homecooked meal, please ]

[His eyes flit to it, almost as if that line is a natural perch for his gaze - but it only makes his gaze more mischievous, like they're playing a game he's determined to win.]

Golly. So demanding, aren't ya. [His cheeky grin spreads wide as he taps the top of the bottle against the man's sternum, playful.] I'm already making you a drink out of the kindness of my own heart. You're the one being a little greedy here.

[And he's moving to tug the cork out with a little bite.]

Mm. [He's using his other hand to take the cork out from his mouth.] But if you're nice....well. I can make a birthday guy happy.

[ He's fast, she'll give him that. It's almost reminiscent of her time as a Fixer, where she'd definitely been faster. In the Library, she'd slowly been regaining her strength in yet another body that was similar to her first but still different, but short of tapping into that power (and she certainly won't be doing that in a spar), she isn't quite as agile as her past self.

He moves like a dance and if she were the poetic type, it'd be a shame to interrupt it with her own percussive moves--

But she is not the poetic type; the dull edge of his blade meets her arm (not enough to cut it, sadly) and Gebura spares it a glance. And then she moves, grasping his rhythm not out of intuition but observation, to go on the offensive full-tilt with unrelenting blows. It's at least to his credit that he hadn't spent the entire time just dodging, but she's not interested in letting him flit around for too long regardless. ]

[ It makes sense for most of them to make a beeline for their designated hotels; while technology has so gracefully allowed them some manner of luxury of not having to haul ass by way of clothing, there were still travel essentials that would be nice not to have to take around while sightseeing. A loose (terribly loose) description of it is that it's a little like travelling in a pod of school friends that slowly but surely splinters as individuals find their way home, and while that's probably not the intent anyone has, it is more or less unavoidable when they've all arrived from the same direction.

Still, Elysium isn't thinking that much of it, mostly being his conversationalist self until the person he happens to be talking to departs—and as he looks behind, recalling all their companions that have already flit into all manners of hotels except him… he looks ahead. Sees and pinpoints the sole other Outsider in Wriothesley then strides to bump his shoulder. To his credit, he's probably pretty normal their whole isolated journey forward, with maybe only a few choice words to having to walk under the grueling sun.

That is, of course, until they get to their hotel lobby… then worse, their room itself. ]

Wow. [ He has never sounded this unimpressed in his three weeks of conscription. ] Just the two of us, huh? In this big, bad…

…

Jail cell.

[ His smile stiffens in place. If Elysium can't hype up their circumstances, you know it's truly over. Nevertheless, he'll turn to Wriothesley with that same grim expression. ]

So what crimes did you commit against LILITH?

[ Elysium, unfortunately, knows his. Or maybe the irony is that the criminal needs a warden, and Wriothesley just so happened to be the unfortunate soul saddled with this purpose. ]

Edited 2024-05-17 09:09 (UTC)

( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

→ closed to gebura, 05/08.

→ closed to megumi, 05/09.

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→ closed to yuwon, 05/11.

→ closed to sampo, 05/10.

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https://youtu.be/soCkDYAwyyk?si=ugjte67y37rvIJlr&t=123 sheesh.........

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I'm very sorry she's strong

→ closed to wriothesley, 05/15.