exsiliumlogs | (no subject) (part 2)

You are so ready to welcome strife back into your life, even after Instrumentality.

[The Second is so very different from Shinji in that regard. She has her own method of hiding herself away.]

A life of quiet contentment bores you.

[ Aha! She puffs her chest feathers, pleased by the results of her sleuthing. So there will be a metallic dragon wandering about Exsilium in human shape. Now if she can just learn which human it will be... ]

Look like them? Look how like them?

Ah, okay!

( she's a little puzzled but WELL MAYBE HE IS....HER SERVANT? )

Kougyoku? My name is Ranka!

Every world had some dusty bowl of misery like this, I think.

[ He drops his arm back to his side, satisfied that it's terrible and hopeless. ]

Why not find an inn room until night? It would be significantly dimmer, if nothing else.

[Was that the same glowing alien that was Anthy's other roommate? The chuckle that escapes from her at Asuka's blatant confusion is light and abashed, like she realizes too late that she told something personal about herself to someone she just met.

It's a strange reveal, even in this time-traveling world. She has to be careful with it.] That's one way to look at it, hm? It doesn't hurt me. They disappear into here. [And she taps at the center of her chest with two fingers, gesturing to the right place just once before her hands disappear behind her back. Anthy manages to appear shy, her eyes lidding when she looks away like she's unsure about how Asuka will continue to react.]

And they stay there until the owner takes them out again. It's a little different than it was in my world, but it's the same idea.

[ from here ]

Well, you have. [ He leans back a little, hoping to make an uncomfortable shift look casual. ] Other transports around haven't.

[ Well, except everyone at the masquerade. But that didn't count, he'd looked presentable at that point. ]

Elissa had just finished tucking away another drink when Edgeworth stepped over. It took her a moment to realize who it was and she gave him a faint smile, though it was admittedly distracted. There was a conversation going on in the corner about the mayor and she wanted to hear it, though it sounded too much like foolish gossip to be useful.

"Hello," she said amiably. "I'm not certain why you'd think that. I frequent the bars at night in Exsilium from time to time." Generally with Tony Stark or one of her companions.

She gestured to the seat across from her. "What brings you here?"

Do you have a better idea?

[The words come out as more of a snarl than anything else. She's hostile and her metaphorical hackles are raised. But it's defensive. She has no idea of what else she's meant to do with herself besides fight. Trying to be "normal" seems like a good way to end up ignored and forgotten.]

I guess so. Whatever the reason, I'm glad we did.

[She scuffs a foot through the dust with a dismissive shrug.]

Not really. Unless you count comets. What about your people? They ever find anything interesting?

[Asuka's feeling less sure about the situation by the second. Anthy seems - well, she seems demure, unassuming. Shy, almost. At the same time, Asuka can't help but feel that she's missing something and that it's rather important. But she's Asuka Langley Soryu - why should she back down from anything? Despite the uneasiness that still tugs at her, she furrows her brow, still trying to fully grasp the concept.]

How... does that work? It's some sort of magic, right?

[It really is oddly fascinating. She shifts her weight, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the subject, but not willing to let that show up in her words or actions. Which doesn't stop her from running a hand through her hair in an unconscious tic.]

What does it actually do to the weapon?

[ Jacquese smiles wryly before erasing the text with a simple swipe of his hand and then writing something new. ]

I think they are desperate. [ Although Jacquese does understand, it doesn't mean he agrees with the Initiative's methods. Not that he can do anything about it other than shrug again now. Also, manners he has them and remembers them so he politely adds: ]

I'm Jacquese Foran.

[Asuka fumes silently for a moment, glaring at Hilbert with the intensity of a thousand suns. Then she finally loosk away with a grumpy-sounding 'hmmph'.]

I guess it's better than sitting around here all day....

[But she refuses to enjoy herself. So there.]

Instead of seeking change for yourself, you return to the familiarity of pain.

[He turns his head to look back up at the door of the saloon. Asuka really went in there, thinking she'd be welcome among a bunch of old men and prostitutes? She's just seeking attention from adults.

Kaworu isn't blaming her for any if this - Shinji is very similar. But something keeps him from feeling the same pity. Why?

She reminds him of Seele and their false sense of importance. Is that unfair of him? It's a reminder, not the same thing. Perhaps it's an excuse to for Kaworu to ignore the fact that he just doesn't like hiw she treats Shinji. The thought makes him pause. When he looks back to her, his expression seems a little softer.]

You deserve to be happy without having to put yourself in danger. You're the only one who can find that place of peace for yourself.

[Change. Change means relying on other people and hoping that they won't reject her and ignore her. Change means not pushing them away and acknowledging that she can't live entirely on her own - but she doesn't want that. Does she? She hates being alone, she hates the isolation she causes for herself, but it's better than risking being abandoned again and again.

Isn't it?

She trembles, gaze dropping to the dust at his feet as she tries to sort through her own emotions. Since Instrumentality, she's been more self-aware, but she's also chosen to ignore it in favor of old patterns of behavior that offer a small degree of comfort. Better a familiar pain and disgust than one that might be worse, should she try to embrace it. Her expression twists - she's never been good at hiding what she's feeling.

Maybe - Maybe she should try. She's still as deeply unhappy as she's always been, after all. But-]

What do you know, anyway?

[She's terrified of taking that step. She hates herself for thinking of relying on others. She can't make the world change to suit her, though. Not anymore.]

The genetic similarity between the angels and the Lilim is 99.89%.

[His red eyes take in the waves of emotion washing across her face and body. This person is important to Shinji-kun, even if Kaworu feels irritated by her cruelty.

If it's for Shinji-kun's sake...]

...There's a restaurant at the end of this street. They've been very friendly to the younger transports. [He's speaking much slower and more thoughtfully now.] I don't need to spend the money they gave me on food for myself. I think we have started on the wrong foot. Come with me, or don't come. It's fine either way. You can decide.

_{( His smile never fades. )}

At least a trick or two, at all times. _{( That sounds almost solemn, like a recitation. )}

[And he's not moving. He doesn't like her nor does he trust her.]

I'm not interested.

Oh- right that whole mission thing.

[He groans and softly hits the wall with the back of his head in exasperation]

Forgot about that.

[ He jumps down from the horse and comes over to lean on the banister of the porch. His nature might have been too optimistic to let being forgotten by Jake and Maya put him off calling out to Rin, but it's still a huge relief to be recognized.

He's not relieved enough to forget to correct her - ] It's Felix now! [ - but it's said happily instead of the usual snappy remark, and in his eagerness he moves on without remembering to explain. ] You're looking swell, a real sight!

[ After arriving in Exsilium and immediately being crowded into the Transporter Claire had kept unusually quiet. It was a chance to see the whole Transport population in one place, so rather than talk to anyone in particular he tried to remember as many faces as possible while thinking over the mission brief.

First glimpse of Black Rock, 1884 made it obvious that the town wasn't big enough for this new crowd and that the inns would be packed to bursting. Better to do like the cowboys in the movies and pitch a tent and a campfire out among the dunes and cactuses with only your horse for company.

That meant actually acquiring a horse. The money in his pocket wouldn't buy one, but it was more than enough for a pack of cards. ]

evening of the 12th; saloon
[ In the back of the smoke-filled saloon there were plenty of cantankerous-looking gaggles of ranchers who were only too happy to let a wet-behind-the-ears city boy in on their games of poker.

By the end of the night Claire had managed to hustle the lot of them with sleight of hand tricks and gotten out of the place before they'd had time to draw their six-shooters. The Initiative's small room-and-board fund had raked in a tent, a canteen, a few tins of supplies, a pistol, and a horse named Pancake. ]

July 15th; wilderness campfire
[ "Transports with the ability to sway opinions of strangers, whether charismatically or otherwise, are encouraged to do so", they had said. Claire certainly had a good deal of charisma, but an even greater deal of otherwise. Which was how Thomas Boone, 28-year-old son of Mayoral candidate Monty Boone, had come to be kidnapped, trussed up, and ridden out on Pancake to the little campsite Claire had set up just within sight of Black Rock.

Writing the ransom note was the tricky part. Claire scratches under the brim of his Stetson with the end of his pencil and reads the latest version out to the audience (thoughtfully tied up in the shade of a scrubby desert tree). ]

"We would appreciate your cooperation in pulling out of the elections in Black Rock. If you don't, your son will be returned minus his legs." Do you think that sounds kinda silly? [ Claire looks seriously at Thomas, who manages a glare over the bandana gagging him. ] You should just say what you really think. [ Claire ignores Thomas' noise of protest, distracted by a movement on the horizon - someone from Black Rock heading this way. Claire pulls his own bandana up over his face and watches the shape draw closer, hand hovering over his pistol. ]

anytime; around town
[ Pancake hadn't come with a saddle into the bargain but that suited Claire's circus training just fine. If riding around town bareback with his red hair standing out under his hat and bandana wasn't enough to draw attention there were also the tricks - particularly standing on Pancake's back while riding at a canter. Occasionally there'll be the sound of kids shrieking and trying to keep up with the crazy rider doing handstands on the batter-colored horse. ]

[Asuka stares at the dust for a few moments longer and then, almost reluctantly, she moves to follow him, arms folded tightly against her chest and gaze locked on the ground.

She's not going to say anything. She feels like it'd just make things worse.]

( She sounded sheepish, ducking her head down again. )

< Sorry, I can get carried away. >

( She inhaled, examining him critically through one wide, brown eye. Something right out of winter would be in hell here in the belly of the desert. Seh feels bad for Jack; it sucks when you're outside your element. The best thing was to usually find a way to get as close as you could back to it, but how would that... )

< Hey, you can freeze water, right? No matter how hot it is outside? Which would let you cool down. Right? >

( Her ears perk forward, hoping for an affirmative. )

The placesth I checked were already full. And I detherve to be rotting in the thun anyway.

[ Even right after being in rambling chat mode Claire picks up on the hostility that's consolidating in Asami's eyes, tenses that pause as she decides to act - and when she does act he reacts to it with a speed that could give anyone else whiplash considering how relaxed he was being a second ago.

He jackknifes his spine backwards and follows though into a backflip, springing off the dusty ground on his palms. He'd anticipated a gunshot so the sound and sight of crackling eletricity is a surprise.

He lands between the campfire and Thomas and stays crouched there, impressed, but sounding mostly amused. ] Yeah, you should be sorry! [ That wasn't nice at all! ]

[She lets out a short yelp as he twines around her hooves, nearly loosing her balance and having to take a step or two to right herself. After which she looks horrified.]

Oh--! Did I step on--

[And then sags in relief when she sees him again.]

Thank goodness. Be careful, kitty! I could have stepped on you.

[And while she's only pony-sized, she still weighs a good 500lb or more. Still with the cat safe in front of her she relaxes and brightens again.]

(no subject) (part 2)

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for rin

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overflow and still open like ibuprofen

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for Asami

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