Intro Log - December 2011

[daddyscythe]

Characters: OPEN to new arrivals and NPCS.
Where: En route to Casualty Communal
Rating: Gen
Time: January 9 onwards [forward dated]
Description: Whoa, it’s been a while!

Comments

[expendablepride]

Though a new world completely, there were many similarities between this Death City place and what he remembered from back in his world. Excluding the disturbing sight of the sun, of course, but it seemed humans remained fundamentally the same regardless of universe. It was a comforting factor, actually.

Still, Alvin preferred to be on top of things the best he could, and so he sat on Shibusen's stairs, giving the communicator he'd been given another look at. he knew how to handle technology, but this little device was something new.

Oh it functions like a mirror on top of everythng else too? Well, why not check his appearance then? Best not to leave a bad first impression with disheveled hair, right?

[steife_brise]

If Alvin wasn't too distracted by his own beauty, he would probably either hear the sound of regular, slow tapping footsteps from somewhere behind him. Or if he tilted the mirror toward the right direction, he would be able to see a man quite shorter than him, walking up to him with an amused grin playing across his features.

"Quite an unusual place you chose for this."

My slowatus turned into a hiatus. Had a busy Christmas, I'm sorry. orz

[expendablepride]

The footsteps were what Alvin initially noticed. 'Absorbed' as he was in checking his hair, keeping at least one sense or two open was not unlike him. Though his sense of sight was distracted, his hearing remained free and vigilant. Alvin half turned to regard the man who approached, and matched the smile with one of his own.

"It'd be a shame to meet and greet everyone when I'm not looking my best. First impressions and all that."

It's all right! c:

[steife_brise]

Saleh's steps came to a halt, stopping right beside the other man. He chuckled quietly at Alvin's comment about first impressions, but did not show any sign of agreeing with him.

"You're also a newcomer, I assume?"

Thank you!

[expendablepride]

His smile did not falter as he casually slid his communicator inside his coat. His hands found their way inside his pockets as Alvin rocked back and forth on his heels.

"You know it. Fresh as they come." A studious glance at the other man. "So are you gonna jump on board this war?"

♥ !

[steife_brise]

"I doubt there's anything better to do here." Saleh stated matter-of-factly, shifting into a more comfortable position, one hand to his hip.

"And besides, I can't help but wonder about all the interesting things I might get to see in this war." He gave Alvin a side glance, as if wordlessly implying a hidden meaning behind his words.

[expendablepride]

There was something in that single look that made Alvin pause. It wasn't threatening, per se, Alvin didn't feel at risk; as things stood, he had very little to lose, after all. A challenge... was it a challenge?

Not bad, Death City. Not bad at all.

He gave a rather amused hum in acknowledgment of the other man's words before he replied smoothly, evenly.

"Haha, can't argue with that. About half the people here turn into objects, after all. That's rather 'interesting', if not intriguing."

[steife_brise]

As interesting as people turning into weapons was, that was not the kind of subject that interested Saleh. Judging from Alvin's comment, the tall man either failed to see the meaning behind his words, or purposefully played dumb. He couldn't really tell which one it was.

Not that it mattered, anyway.

"It certainly is." He played along with the conversation. "Are you one of them?" An innocent question, for once.

[expendablepride]

"Hmm? Ah, you mean a Weapon?" Alvin shrugged. "Don't know yet. There were apparently some people around here capable of telling you, but they'll be hanging around these daily training sessions I've heard about. I'll ask around at one of those, I guess."

For someone who worked and lived as a mercenary, Alvin was taking the entire war scenario rather casually. What was the rush, he figured. It wasn't as if his singular presence would tip the scales in their favour.

"And you?"

[steife_brise]

"I'm a Meister. Even if I don't know in detail how this Weapon system works yet, I'm just glad I can wield a weapon again. I think it fits me more than being wielded." His smirk gradually grew wider, and more ominous. "What surprised me is that Weapons can disagree with the Meister's views and urges."

He fully turned to face Alvin, eager to see every bit of the man's reaction. "It's such a shame, isn't it?"

[expendablepride]

Alvin chuckled again, more intrigued by the nature of the other man's expression than wary. He certainly didn't fear letting others know his true self.

"Well, that's what happens when you're dealing with other people, right?" His voice was neutral, if not a bit cheerful; he couldn't suggest too much either way and give away too much about himself. Whether out of instinct, or genuine caution, he couldn't seem to decide. Perhaps it was both. Alvin paused, turning to meet Saleh face to face.

"What about it disappoints you?"

[steife_brise]

Disappointment wasn't exactly the best word to describe how he felt about that matter. While it was indeed a bit frustrating not to be able to carry normal weapons around, the fact that Weapons in Death City were living beings actually pleased him. And since most of them were humans, and human beings had all sorts of feelings, it was likely he would get the kind of entertainment he sought in there.

"Don't you think that dealing with disobedient people is a bit troublesome and a waste of precious time?" With that persistent grin still plastered on his face, he answered Alvin's question with another question.

[expendablepride]

With a short bark of laughter, Alvin shrugged. The concept of time, wasted or otherwise, no longer bothered him. That short moment after first arriving in the Kishin Chamber had Alvin discard nearly all the emotional baggage he was carrying; having embraced the forced decision to keep moving forward. There was no longer anything he could lose to wasted time.

"It's only as troublesome as you make it for yourself, isn't it?"

This man, whoever he was, was becoming far more interesting at every turn.

[steife_brise]

Trying to read the taller man was quite the challenge. Saleh couldn't really tell if what he was saying was his honest opinion; he seemed a bit too carefree for someone who had just arrived. Saleh himself was not much unlike him in that aspect, but seeing as he should be dead, he truly didn't have anything to lose or to care about.

"That's really an interesting way to look at it." He commented curtly, while his tone showed clear hints of mockery. "But don't you care about anything at all?" He pressed, eager to see for how much longer the man could keep that easygoing attitude.

[expendablepride]

The blatant mockery was noted, but Alvin did not retaliate. He'd learned, over so many years, to reign in his own feelings and keep up his friendly facade. In truth, it had gotten to the point where Alvin no longer really knew what he himself objected to. Some human being, huh?

"Well sure I do, I'm a person, aren't I?" Things he cared about, was it? "I care about my friends and family like anybody else. Ah, and this coat. Saved up over three weeks to afford this thing, you know."

Talking about friends and family stirred something within Alvin's chest; they were perhaps the most sincere words he'd spoken since he arrived.

[steife_brise]

That remark about caring about friends and family drew a scoffing laugh from Saleh. But then again, he assumed that words alone didn't seem enough to draw the kind of reaction he wanted to see from this man; he seemed too intent on keeping private matters to himself.

"You have good taste." A half-hearted joke. "But it's just too bad we don't get to know when we'll be sent home again, back to our loved ones, isn't it?"