001;

[enduringwinter]

[There's a new face tonight. Richter steps onto the plane without stumbling, looking for all intents and purposes like he had been doing this forever. He reaches up, probably to brush hair out of his eyes, but stops and lets his hand drop to his side]

This place is... No, the Temples have a different atmosphere.

[Richter looks around some

Comments

[formervanguard]

[Marta's just relaxing on the Plane minding her own business, probably looking for Emil or something... and then, she spots the new arrival. Redhead. Familiar. Oh, it's Richter.

... Richter.

... Oh, goddess...! Richter is on the Plane. Marta gasps, and very nearly screams, but she manages to stifle as quickly as she can.]

You...!

[enduringwinter]

[he turns to look at her and...

And doesn't immediately go for his weapons. But he does look as surprised as Marta is though. Seriously, what are the chances?]

Marta?

[formervanguard]

[Richter may not draw his weapons, but Marta's holding her hand up like she intends to pull out her circular blade. Meanwhile, she's taking a few steps backward. She manages not to look too frightened, it's pretty obvious that she is.]

How-... What are you doing here?!

[Maybe she should leave. Drop from the Plane. Not come back. Hmm...]

[enduringwinter]

[his reply is measured, careful]

The same as you; taking time away from Aselia.

[formervanguard]

[Yeah, and this was kind of like a safe haven until you gained access...]

Just... just taking a break? [She watches him carefully, incredibly suspicious.]

[enduringwinter]

[the way she was acting around him...]

Killing you here wouldn't exactly further my goals back in Aselia, would it? Unless there's something you'd like to tell me.

[formervanguard]

No, I... guess not...

[She relaxes, but only slightly - hands clasped together behind her back, she glances off to the side, glaring defensively at nothing in particular. She's more indignant than challenging or angry when she adds:]

But that doesn't mean I have anything to tell you!

[enduringwinter]

[he just shakes his head. Well, no use asking Marta anything then... What a pain]

I thought as much.

[and don't mind him, he'll just be wandering off now. Probably over to the kiosk, because it would probably be more forthcoming with information than Marta will be.

Also known as Richter is a jerkface and you should yell at him more 8( ]

[formervanguard]

Wait!

[It's Marta. Of course she has more to say despite saying she has nothing more to say. Though to be fair, she did just remember that not everything on the Plane is as clear-cut as she'd like for it to be - there's both an Aster and an Emil, after all. So maybe...]

Richter... is this the first time you've come here?

[enduringwinter]

[he stops and looks over his shoulder at her]

What do you think?

[Richter pauses, as if reconsidering what he said, before shaking his head. He doesn't turn around to face Marta again, but at least he's not walking away]

Yes, this the first time I've come here.

[formervanguard]

[She wrinkles her nose at his first comment, and very nearly informs him that he doesn't have to be so rude... but she holds her tongue. Instead, she takes a step forward, hesitant.]

So... where were you before? --Specifically, I mean.

[enduringwinter]

[it really wouldn't have done anything, even if she had called him on the rudeness]

I don't see why it would matter to you. [then;] Shouldn't you be back in Aselia, collecting the cores, rather than here?

[her previous reactions thus far have hinted to this but Richter really, really wanted to believe that this wasn't the case. It'd just be one giant mess if someone noticed that both of them had a core on their foreheads (the same core, no less and Goddess Martel, he knew he deserved hell for selling his soul to demons but wasn't this getting a bit ridiculous?)]

[formervanguard]

[No, she hasn't noticed the core on his forehead. And with a response like that, she can only assume it really is the Richter she knows. The Plane just became exponentially less safe for her.]

Time doesn't move while we're here. That's why we come here at all.

[enduringwinter]

[praise Martel, miracles do happen! I mean... just as planned.

That extra bit of information is helpful too]

Should you really be telling me that? [pause] Nevermind.

[formervanguard]

[jaflksdj Dammit, probably not. Ah well. Hands on her hips, she glares, even if it's a little half-hearted.]

Are you really telling me you wouldn't have found out anyway? [Save!]

[enduringwinter]

[he spares her a glance over his shoulder and can't help the scoff. Really, Marta? Even if Brute wasn't prepared to meet Richter, didn't Tenebrae try to teach you better?]

Eventually. But if you're willing to spare me the time then who am I to complain?

Thank you for that bit of information, Marta. [and he does sound marginally thankful. Just the slightest bit. Maybe. If you listen carefully which Marta clearly hasn't but oh well]