(no subject) (part 2)

[initiatesnpc]

Here is an overflow log for the Black Rock, New Mexico mission! The original log is here, and the OOC information is here. Start new threads or continue old ones, this is just some more room for it to grow into.

Comments

[imusntrunaway]

It's okay. I'm used to it.

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. . .

I'm gonna assume you meant the camping.

[Used to being bored just sounds sad.]

[imusntrunaway]

[Shinji is the perfect example of a sad specimen s o b.]

Camping's not any better than the waiting...

[It's worse, actually. Human beings were not meant to regress to the wilderness. They were meant to advance to air conditioning and apartments. He smiles this time as he repeats himself. It's a resigned smile.]

It's fine.

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[Jeez, he really did mean waiting. Kazu's not a big fan of the wilderness himself, but at least he's got plenty of help with everything else. He rubs his neck, hesitating at that smile and that tone and the rest of the dusty week ahead of them, then kind of shrugs.]

They're not so bad when there's other people around. You wanna hang with us?

[It'll... probably be safer too, considering all that stuff Shinji's told him about not fighting (maybe can't fight, he thinks).]

[imusntrunaway]

[He blinks in surprise.]

Would that be okay...?

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[That sort of slipped out, didn't it. He shuffles his feet; plows on with it.]

Don't see why not. You got your own tent to bring, right?

['Cause the girls are probably sharing, which leaves him crashing with Ikki, and while they could squeeze a third guy in there—



There has to be some kind of karma waiting for hat boys who subject unsuspecting innocents to Minami Ikki.]

[imusntrunaway]

I--

[He hasn't hung out with anyone since he's arrived in Exsilium (there was no one to pass the time with) and it's been a while since he's relaxed with kids his age who weren't pilots. Touji and Kensuke were gone in his world, leaving him with no... normal companions, in a way. It surprises Shinji how much he wanted the offer.

His smile slides an inch into the genuine territory.]

... yeah. I do.

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Yeah?

[Some mild surprise 'cause he was half-expecting a no, thank you, but he did mean his offer. It's not like the others would mind—and the hell was the Initiative thinking anyway, dumping them in a place like this without so much as ensuring they're all suited for it.]

I was gonna bring the horse back, so I guess we can pick up your stuff and head over.

[imusntrunaway]

Mm. I don't... have much. Just the tent. [And some food and his clothes, which are on his person. The Initiative didn't give him time to pack.]

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Sounds 'bout right. We've just got tents and stuff too... And this guy, I guess, but we're giving him back.

[He tugs on the reins to get the horse going, looking to Shinji to lead the way. I guess they'll... join Kougyoku somewhere... Or meet her back at camp or SOMETHING.]

Think they ran low on funding or something?

[imusntrunaway]

Giving... back? [That is a very odd choice of words there. He gives Kazu a puzzled look.] Did someone lend him to you?

[Shinji starts walking towards his small camp, keeping an even pace with the other boy and the horse.]

Ah-- I don't think that's for me to say. [A beat.] But... they seemed rather... rushed. For this mission.

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[Sheeeeeepish look.]

...Not really. It just sorta happened. But yeah, they didn't even brief us properly—the hell's 'charismatically or otherwise' supposed to mean?

[imusntrunaway]

[Oh. Maybe it's best... not to ask how they came about the horse. He doesn't want to know what poor man you had to push off the horse to get it in the first place. Shinji makes a noncommittal noise.]

Otherwise... it means any way possible, doesn't it? They just need the votes, no matter how...

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I know, I'm just saying! No way these guys're not gonna notice a bunch of people popping up to rig the votes.

[imusntrunaway]

[He frowns.] Maybe... maybe it doesn't matter if we're noticed?

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[He considers this for a moment, but doesn't have much of an answer beyond shrugging.]

Hope not all missions're like this. The guy's called Moony.

[imusntrunaway]

If this is what a normal mission is like, I think it's... preferable. To the alternative.

[It's better to sleep with scorpions and help nutjobs gain office instead of pulling off something with actual danger...]

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If this's normal, I don't wanna know 'bout the alternatives.

[Mostly, it's a little daunting to be rushed on a mission he can't really contribute to, but he lets the topic go, sliding his tablet from his pocket instead.]

Anyway—I'll let the others know you're coming.

[imusntrunaway]

All right. [He looks Kazu's way.] How many people will there be?

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Just five in all. Kougyoku—that's the girl from earlier, she's with us. Not sure if you've been seeing the others around though.

[imusntrunaway]

It's fine. I'll be seeing them for the rest of the week, won't I? [He just hopes none of them are super aggressive like a certain someone he knows.]

1/2

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[...I'm so sorry, Shinji. Meet Ikki.]

[Glances up from his half-written text and nods!]

There's another girl called Adachi, her and Kougyoku are cool. Ikki's—

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. . .

Not so bad once you get used to him.

[imusntrunaway]

Oh.

[That hesitance makes Shinji kind of nervous Kazu!!]

Is he... that sort of person?

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Uh, just loud! And kinda a jerk, but you can count on him when it comes down to it.

...What sort're we talking about?