synflux | [ OPEN ] here comes the boooooooy

There should be plenty around the city. Tokyo's pretty big and all. [ Oh, right. She should be trying to sell their cafe more! That's what the manager said anyway. ]

B-But! Our kitty cats are the cutest in the whole city! For real!

[ Imagine being here all of three hours and already thinking about how to put the organization in order. Cannot be him! This guy seems to have a real Type A personality which just tells Elan they are going to clash. ]

Let's see...Their paperwork system could use fixing, their technology always glitches, and they constantly withhold information from us. Could you get us a raise while you're at it?

[ He has a list of problems and he's filing all his complaints through Yzak now. ]

[Looking over them again, it's clear that they are variations on the same design, but some of the components function differently. He thinks of Winter, of how both Exandria and Faerûn share the same systems of magic, the same races, and strangely similar environments, but they diverged at some point.]

If he recognizes the countries from your world, then you know you're from the same place. Of course, there's a chance that it's slightly different, like how lots of people here have a Japan at home. [He shrugs.] Either way, you guys are the robot piloting experts.

A planet can be too vast for peace to be maintained. From my experience, anyway. [ Said with all of the Very Done exasperation that he can manage.

But organizations more about profits ... the planets in their net of control being deemed safe enough... Yzak idly wonders if that's so easily the case if a planet somehow comes to cease serving those profits. Experience has also made him a bit jaded there due to what he just left behind in coming here.

Still... it might have been nice to hear peace was attained somewhere else in some other form. ]

That being said, I don't think I understand half of those terms you just used. Aeon? Qlipoth, Amber Era?

Well, I assume that last thing could be what you call your calendar.

I didn't say anything about you!

But I have an entire team to look after back home, so I have to make sure none of them are pulling some kind of shit like that. It's more common an occurrence than one might think!

And since I'd like to get this mission wrapped up as soon as possible so I can return to my duties there, I'd prefer as few people as possible here were pulling that, too.

Ugh ... I'm already well aware of the problems with getting their paperwork in order. [ Which says it all, really, if the way his face gets red doesn't. He was one of the many unfortunate victims of those maid outfits. ]

Are none of the people they're bringing in practiced in technology or programming? That would be a gross oversight on their end since so much of this is reliant on that technology.

And not sharing information if there are issues like that... [ Yzak's eyes narrow, instead of the complainy, blustery aura he's given off so far, there's a more serious gleam in them now. ] What sort of information do you mean, when you say that?

I'll have to dig deeper and find out if that's the case or not.

Considering how ... different [ In a tone that really also means 'ugly'. ] the entire design is, I doubt we're from the same place.

But you are right, I know my partner and I are more than qualified to pilot our machines. We've had years of experience in the military. Hopefully Elan has similar experience or can at least keep up.

[ And once he says that, his focus seems to shift more toward the man directly in front of him. He meets Taryon's gaze with sharp, curious blue eyes. ]

Have you been here for very long, then? And if we're the 'robot piloting' experts, what does that make you?

It'd better be!

[ Because beneath all of his loud remarks and his bluster, Yzak's got a fragile little ego and something like this is humiliating to him - for more than just the easily assumed reasons. Which is why the flush of his face is still as bright and red as it was moments ago.

Still ... the apology doesn't go unnoticed. And it somewhat douses the fiery upset he has going on since this first happened. And it draws Yzak in so he can focus on literally anything else, now. ]

Have you been here for a while, then? Your name?

[Dearka's own experiences as a soldier, the conditions and stressors and all the nastiness that comes with battle, line up almost exactly with Yzak's. There's just one crucial difference between the two of them: Dearka has actually experienced captivity before.

Not that the Earth Forces ever shoved him in a goo filled pod; that angle is entirely new. But his history does put a spin on his immediate reaction upon waking that is just ever so slightly different. A contradictory tinge of familiarity towards the sensation of waking up somewhere so utterly un-familiar; for his first few semi-conscious moments, his mind his floating through a bleary haze as much his body is floating through that draining stasis fluid. And he is flung, in an abstract sense, back to those early days aboard the Archangel... Back to before his cell ceased to be a surprising place to wake up in. Before his feelings of shame and loneliness became ever-present companions upon which he'd reflect.

As confusing and distressing as that all would be on it's own, the coughing and spluttering he goes through in the process of waking from his pod, in tandem with the others in the room, only adds to the unpleasantness. It's the sound of a very familiar, very agitated squawk which finally spurs Dearka into action; it snaps him out of his uncertain spiral, and makes him push through the stress of acclimating faster than he otherwise might have.]

Y... Yzak!

[He's still half blinded by slime, but he viciously shoulders his way out of the pod and barely manages to keep his footing as he staggers free, stumbling to his friend's side in seconds. Dearka, who is usually so calm these days, is absolutely bristling as they unite, glaring suspiciously around the room even as he's still trying to blink stasis fluid out of one eye at a time. He looks like he's about ready to bite anyone who gets within 5 ft of either of them.]

Oy... Just what the hell is going on here...!?

[ They're very much in tandem in that moment, because Yzak so often shifts into that tense, defensive, ready-to-attack-if-needed position, and this moment is no different. Dearka comes to him, and as he blinks himself into clearer vision Yzak's looking over and up at his partner, as well as behind him and what he can make out of the rest of the room to likewise ensure his and their immediate safety.

But it's not hard to quickly get the impression that whatever is going on ... there's no active threat to them in this room. Not that it does much because Yzak still does lot let himself lower his defenses, something is still clearly here, somewhere close if not in this very room. He shifts a leg so he can rise to kneel on one knee, an arm reaching up to Dearka to help hoist him up the rest of the way - quickly and wordlessly for he trusts the other will react and move to give him the hand up. ]

I don't know—

[ Of course with the way they're both very slippery, he doesn't opt for his hand or even his forearm, but rather to grab behind his elbow. And even that's a bit of a struggle, but Yzak gets up onto his feet and immediately takes a step to the left so he's not standing in all of that goo. Don't want to chance slipping right back down onto his ass. ]

That voice. Did you hear it, too? [ He turns his head to look over his shoulder at the pod he was just so unceremoniously dropped out of. ] Just a moment ago. [ "Your questions will be answered soon enough." Yet even with that promise, Yzak narrows his eyes with heavy suspicion. ]

[ So no action item on salary. He sees. ]

Like how they brought us here and how we get back.

[ Probably not what the man wants to hear, but Elan wants out of here, thank you very much! Everyone should be more concerned about being drafted. Then there's also LILITH's DNA research and a host of information about kaiju they're withholding, but does he want to get into it? He doesn't want to stand here being interrogated all day. ]

You're going to get really bored if you do that.

[Though this does have Ren thinking about how often they even get emergency announcements... Usually only when people are actually asleep or mostly on base, conveniently enough.]

If you're that opposed to cats, you could resort to job hunting, but I think this one likes you.

[He points to the offending cat. Look how cute it is, how can you resist that :3 face?]

[Of course he offers him a hand up. Actually, he offers the elbow first thing, because he is-- regrettably, for those of us who love a good moment of slapstick comedy-- competent, and a good second-in-command. He watches Yzak for a moment longer before assessing the room himself, eyes skimming from point to point with intense suspicion.]

...Yeah, I did. [He doesn't sound impressed.] Can't say I found it particularly reassuring though. And there's no sign of whoever said it.

[His golden hair, which is usually slicked back and carefully coiffed, is absolutely sodden from all the stasis fluid. Irritated, he pushes a few wet strands out of his eyes and then falters, sucking in a pained breath through his teeth before rubbing at his eyes with thumb and forefinger.]

Damn....! What the fuck?! I...

...?

[He doesn't finish the sentence. Eyes widening with horror, he's just noticed there's something... Very unusual about his wrist, and is staring at it intently.]

Edited 2024-05-16 13:09 (UTC)

[ Yzak, meanwhile, has been all around the base due to the fact that upon awakening, he had to ensure he obtained as much information as he possibly could about the situation. He can't stand being idle, much less feeling like he lacks knowledge of something going on. It's a complex for sure, after some very personal experiences. So when he stares at Lucy for a good long moment, he realizes he has seen her in passing at least. The face if not the name. ]

Cute cats aren't really what I care about.

[ He does step across the street, closer to her and the shop now after a glance around to ensure nobody else is wandering by, and looking less like some skeevy lurker now thank goodness. ]

I'm not sure if I even want to bother just yet, since this isn't the sort of job I ever take myself. But ... it would be wiser to stick to the story I've been given if I had to.

[ When Yzak reacts like that, it just makes Winter realize he’s fun to poke at. Good luck, buddy. ]

I don’t think it’s us you have to worry about. Completing this “mission” is no easy task. Some Outsiders have been here for nearly half a year, and not for lack of effort or poor coping mechanisms.

[ Nyuu is instantly lost at the idea of sticking to a story, but she does nod regardless. It seems he's stuck for what job to take, but since she herself is only vaguely aware of LILITH thanks to Lucy, she assumes he's pressured by something or someone else. ]

Then, half price!

[ She pats her hand against her upper chest, puffing a bit as if she's struck a great deal. ]

We can talk about what job you would like, with a nice drink at my discount. And you can meet my favorite kitty, Sumomo!

Edited (Random capitalization wtf ) 2024-05-16 19:07 (UTC)

Ah... Yes, I suppose I have. I arrived about six months ago with the first group of Outsiders. My name is Kuzunoha. Kuzunoha Raidou.

[He gives Yzak a quick little introductory bow. He's the polite sort. Doing so makes the little bell on his collar jingle, though. Embarrassing. He grabs it with a hand.]

... Let's also hope this will be resolved quickly.

[ That's actually assuring, because that means Yzak was not, in fact, just hearing voices out of some sort of delirium. Still worrying, but at least he's not losing his fucking mind.

Not yet anyway, and even that will be ... tempered, when it finally comes around, unbeknownst to the both of them.

Still, Dearka doesn't sound impressed and Yzak doesn't look impressed, about to speak what's next on his mind before Dearka derails that completely with that next reaction. ]

What...?

[ He can't see what Dearka is looking at on his wrist, but his expression alone sends a sense of dread pulsing through his body. In response, Yzak automatically brings up his own hand to take look at his wrist. And sure enough, just like his best friend, he, too, has what is clearly some sort of computer chip literally embedded into his skin. Dearka's own shock doesn't even serve as any sort of cushioning for the same sort of dismay that Yzak's expression shifts into. ]

The hell are these things?!

[ And so easily in Yzak, fear invokes anger, so he bares his teeth as his left hand snaps up to claw at the chip. But unfortunately it's not just the fact that his fingertips are still slick with the pod fluid that they just uselessly glide over it, but that thing is in there pretty solidly. ]

I was on some kind of table, [ He speaks with a tone that's just barely edged with uncertainty - that moment that he can only hazily recall still feels like a dream. But now... ] they put these in us?

[ And then he's whirling around to the nearest door, half open and inviting them in to dress and dry off. But those two things are suddenly the last thing on Yzak's mind. ]

That voice said they have answers? They've better give us answers! Where are they!?

[ And then he's storming off toward that door. ]

[Taryon wants to insist that all robots are beautiful in their own way, but if Yzak hates it, then he just has bad taste. It's a shame that all the robots and robot-experts can't get along.]

A few months. I was with the first group that showed up back in December. [He steps away from the Gundam to admire it from afar.] Sure, I've built automatons, but they're powered by arcane runes. Robots, as far as I've come to know them, are powered by electricity. Both involve mechanical engineering, but one involves studying circuits. I'm pretty sure I have many more books to study until I can full understand one of these.

[There's really something about the way Yzak reacts to things, which has an odd effect on the way Dearka does to the same. It's not... Calming exactly, but it kind of neutralizes things. Yzak flying off the handle always prompts Dearka to try and keep his cool, such is the case here. Yzak clawing at his chip distracts Dearka from staring at his own, and it redirects his concern elsewhere. Namely--]

H-hey, Yzak! Knock it off, you're just gonna hurt yourself if you--

[Ah. Nevermind... Looks like he can't dig it out. That's not exactly a relief, but at least Yzak isn't about to open up a vein or something. Dearka sighs, sags his shoulders, and presses the heel of one palm against his forehead, gritting his teeth. His eyes feel like they're throbbing in their sockets, and though he feels otherwise fine physically, he can't help but feel like there's something concerning about that...?

...No time to contemplate what, though. Taichou-dono is on the warpath.]

Eh? YZAK!!!!

[A few beats behind, Dearka calls out and hurries after him, wet feet plapping on the floor. He reaches clumsily for his friend's arm, tries to get a hold on him despite both of them being slippery as seals at the moment.]

Hey! I want answers too, but can't we at least make ourselves somewhat presentable first? There's no sense in running off half-cocked like this!

[Also you might slip. And that would be really embarrassing.]

[ He's doomed, oh no. What ever will he do! (lowkey enjoy it because it means he has a New Friend) ]

A year and a half, huh?

Wars can last for a hell of a lot longer even when you know who or what your enemy is, where they come from, what their goal is and what sort of offense they're launching. So that's not too surprising.

[ Still, the idea of being here for months when he was so busy back home ... Yzak's expression dips into a frustrated pensive one. ]

What about you? Have you been here for that long?

[ Will he be ready for the full force of Winter's... Winter-ness? Stay tuned! ]

Me? Just a couple of months. I've seen one large-scale kaiju battle in that time, and a number of smaller skirmishes.

[ The truth, of course, is uglier than Ratio has stated. But he senses the young man before him already understands this, and thus feels no need to elaborate. It did not seem like that was what he was seeking for in Ratio's words anyway. ]

Aeons are ascended, higher-dimensional beings that preside over the universe. You may liken Them to gods if that is more familiar to you, but They do not respond to human prayer. They care for little else but the Path They walk upon. Qlipoth is one such Aeon—the Aeon of Preservation.

That is correct. The Amber Era is the most prevalent calendar used across the cosmos, as it was created and promoted by the IPC.

[ Getting a hold of him is tough right now, so he feels Dearka's hand reach for his arm, which slips right out his attempted grip.

But feeling the attempt, it's enough to give Yzak pause, at least. He stops mid-stride to glare back at him, but doesn't fall into an idle position, fully intending to continue on. Luckily(?), he has not yet felt that implant in his eye properly activate yet, so his focus is still very singular. ]

Like I care about looking presentable to a bunch of people who cut into us!

[ He looks around after that impatiently - if he's going to stall for this, they'd better make it quick. ]

[Alright, fair point... Dearka's not feeling particularly charitable towards whoever did this to them either. Even so...]

Geez...

[Rather than following, Dearka maintains his position by... Pivoting over towards the lockers to grab one of those clean towels. He balls it up loosely and tosses it towards Yzak.]

At least dry yourself off first. How's anyone supposed to take you seriously if you run in there all sopping wet and wearing only your underwear?

[He grabs another towel for himself and starts mussing at his hair with it.]

[ OPEN ] here comes the boooooooy

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