❪ test drive #4 ❫

[natha]

YOUR STORY BEGINS     The Storm came. You only remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that. All you know, perhaps, is that it was cold. You don't know for how long you slept, but the dreams were short, at least. You remember the expanse of stars and the universe that came in view. Every world and solar system ever known was displayed in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You have also witnessed The Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. It was a dark, thick smog — ominous in appearance and ever foreboding. Your Earth and similar planets were immersed in The Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of it. That was when she told you what happened, and how you could help. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new, even though you never asked for it. The details here weren't clear, but you knew you'd made a deal with Darma. Not long after, you'll wake at Thesa Station — your body is still cold. It all felt like a dream, but somehow, you knew it wasn't — now, will you keep that promise you made to Darma? PROMPT: THE STORM     CW: death You were awake on Thesa Station. But at some point you, like many other new arrivals before you, wandered into the Observation Deck. Ordinarily, this is where images of The Storm are replayed to remind Refugees of the fate they have escaped. The Natha Orbiters' technology has evolved. They are aware of your gaps in memory. You may have doubts of The Storm even existing, or of your world's destruction. Though they do not wish reliving those last moments on anyone, they have created an experience that will do just that. Before entering the Observation Deck, you are warned that what follows will not be for the weak of heart. As soon as you step in, you will find that the walls around you begin to transform and expand. Welcome to the Planet Cespi, in the Circinus Galaxy. Unfortunately, we were not able to save this world from The Storm's Consumption. These are its last memories. You are surrounded by blue, grassy hills as far as the eye can see and a pleasant breeze. The atmosphere is thick with a sickly sweet smell. Before you lays the scene of a quiet village, with its residents going about their everyday lives. You aren't alone, either, with an equally confused stranger (or perhaps you know each other?) surveying the scene. Then the world grows completely silent for a full minute. You and your partner are unable to make a sound, verbal or otherwise. Without warning, a deafening roar fills your ears and forces you to double over in pain. The villagers run out of their homes in a panic, finding themselves in just as much pain and confusion as you do. Where there was no sound before, now there is too much for a normal human body to process. Look up. An expanding mass of energy is swallowing everything you can see. It consumes the earth, the atmosphere, the depths of space — and it is getting closer. Your only hope is to outrun it, if you can. The people in the village certainly try to, racing past you. Their fear is very real. Their bodies are very real. You may be able to run from it for a time, only able to catch glimpses of this dark and sinister force swallowing everything and everyone. The earth rumbles and separates beneath you. Electricity surges through the sky, and then through your very body. You fought hard, but it is impossible to outrun the Storm forever. You too will be consumed. Your death is quick, but not painless. What were you thinking, before you took your last breath? You awaken back in the Observation Deck, next to your new friend. PROMPT: TRAINING MODULES     While it’s all nice and well to familiarize oneself with Thesa Station, it is most advised that new arrivals venture out a bit. Not physically. No one is quite prepared for that yet. However, there will be several virtual reality training programs set for those who dare to be adventurous. For those who aren’t and don’t dare, well — good luck, all the same. Once seated and appropriately strapped in, the system will automatically whir to life. 1. When you enter the Natha's newest program, at first nothing loads. You might think this is an error as you look around in apparent total darkness, only able to see your own virtual body if you look down, but soon enough a voice comes to life as if speakers have turned on somewhere. Long ago, the lands of El Nysa were dominated by the ancestors of the dragons who now live among the people, tamed. It was pretty dangerous! How about a little history lesson? And then the simulation comes to life— a. The lush lands that blossom to life around you all at once are real enough to make you forget you're in a simulation — at least for a moment. Those refugees who have been to the planet in reality before will find themselves in territory as unfamiliar as those who are brand new, as this simulation takes place far back in history. Instead of sprawling cities and civilizations, the most you'll find is scattered villages, many of them no more than nomadic campsites at best. You've been outfitted to blend in with the natives and these simulated people won't react to you as a newcomer, but as a member of their village. Are you a doctor, or perhaps a warrior? Maybe you're even in charge! But they want your help, and they want it quickly: a dragon is coming. The dragon is larger than the mount-sized breeds that exist on El Nysa today — much larger. It's a good six stories in height, bestial, and angry. Maybe it's then that you notice the lands that surround you are littered with scars of scorched earth, some of them several yards across, and there's a reason these people don't live in one place for very long. But don't linger too long on the makeshift grave markers sticking out of the burnt countryside — the dragon is coming. b. If you're looking for something a little less violent, perhaps another area of the historic simulation will be up your alley. This one finds you on a cliffside, waiting among other villagers for an event the people are talking about in hushed whispers, some of which you can identify as prayer. When the white dragon raises its head up from the depths of the ravine, towering impossibly high over you and the others on the cliffside, it's no wonder most of the natives fall to their knees in awe and wonder. This dragon doesn't attack, only looks at the people on land with an ancient and strange wisdom. Then it speaks. Not in words, but the low rumbling sound that starts in its throat and becomes a full trumpeting bellow to the sky seems to have meaning, and somehow, you can understand its cry as it entreats the people to praise and worship. The natives around you are already starting to give offerings with their prayers, food and carvings and — blood? Is that someone's arm being offered up? That's different. 2. Let us now travel forward in time, shall we? a. The Olympian settlement around you is quiet — until the screaming starts. Guerilla fighters from Wyver flood the streets, knocking civilians aside and breaking down doors and windows when they find their way barred. They move methodically, advancing toward the nicer parts of town where the politicians reside and leaving terror in their wake. They're here for the politicians, people say. They're here to punish the people who made the decision to advance into Wyver in the first place. Blood for blood, as the saying goes. Where they'll be taking them once they have them is anyone's guess. A soldier emerges from a building, dragging someone in elegant clothing out by the hair. Looks like they've found one. Will you rescue them? Make a run for it yourself, lest you be mistaken for one of their targets? Or maybe they've already caught you and some other unfortunate Refugee who's been dropped into this simulation, and the two of you need to figure out a way to escape. b. CW: branding You find yourself in the midst of a bustling crowd gathered at the Temple of Thesa. Robed acolytes stoke fires on either side of the altar at the front of the temple, where miserable-looking people who seem to be from a village in Wyver await, bound in ropes. The priest, at the front of the crowd, picks up a metal brand from the altar and gestures for another acolyte to bring a prisoner forward. The crowd watches with interest as the prisoner is forced to kneel in front of the altar, their arm laid out flat on the marble surface. Another cry — "For the glory of Olympia!" — and the crest of the city is burned into the prisoner's arm. The crowd cheers, deafening the cries of pain. The priest ushers forward another prisoner, and then another. Is that a familiar face you see in the lineup, thrust into this bit of history by the simulation's whims? You have to do something. Or are you unlucky enough to find yourself bound? ...Well, hopefully someone else in the crowd has more scruples than this priest. 3. And now, the present. After all those enlightening scenes, the simulation finally brings you to a more quiet area of Olympia. You are deposited out somewhere in The Outlook, a place the very first group of refugees had to trudge through before they found their homes. You've arrived in the early evening — but sunlight is waning, and soon you'll be under a sky full of stars. Luckily, their old campsites aren't too overgrown. The intention here is to get you familiar with some of the local flora and fauna. What sorts of plants will you encounter? Do you find yourself under a Verillum Tree, suddenly compelled to be painfully honest and truthful in conversation with a complete stranger? Find yourself behaving erratically in the presence of Whistleweed? Or perhaps you'll have to break the spell of being trapped in a Vena Amoris' vines... with a kiss. PROMPT: STASIS UNIT     You have found the massive section of Thesa known as the Stasis Unit. There’s no special access required to enter this part of Thesa Station, but refugees are warned that it may not be for the faint of heart. Here, in large pods that nearly cover every square inch of the space, are all of the people the Orbiters have managed to rescue. Your loved ones, your greatest enemy, your next door neighbor — you might find them here. These people are in a state of deep cryosleep. Due to the damaging effects of The Storm, their bodies are not yet ready to be awoken. PROMPT: OMAGE     Upon receiving your mobile phone, you will be asked to set a username. Voila, you can now access the network! You can choose to send a message to the entire network, specific usernames, or you can try out the Orbiters’ service, Omage, which connects you to a random user. They thought this might be a good way for their new guests to make friends with each other... Connecting to server... Looking for someone you can chat with... You’re now chatting with [username]... Say hi! PROMPT: WILDCARD     You are welcome to write any scenarios in Thesa Station! Characters have been granted temporary access to the Observation Room, and are encouraged to study it carefully. FINAL OOC NOTE     These threads may be carried over as game canon if players choose! Players are encouraged to submit TDM threads as application samples, but they are not required. Please direct any OOC questions to the questions thread below! An AC-length thread may be submitted for 2 NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINTS after acceptance here. Please submit by February 18th. We will no longer be providing overflow posts. In an event where the post hits CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals or create their own catch-all post. These threads remain eligible for REP. There will be an application cap of 60, and no reserves. Please read here for more information. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[thetaintedsorrow]

Right. You can call me Chuuya, then.

[He GUESSES he’ll let the lack of honorifics slide.]

Can I ask you one more thing?

[gekkajuu]

[This conversation... is going pretty smoothly? Atsushi is a little proud of himself.]

Yes, Chuuya-san?

[Shhh, you still get an honorific, Chuuya. You may have been an enemy, but you're still a senior, anyway.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Hehe, now he likes Atsushi just a bit more.]

Do you want to meet? Like, in person?

I dunno why, but I feel like that’s something I should do.

[gekkajuu]

[It shouldn't make Atsushi nervous, but it kind of does, even if he can't pinpoint why. Still, he's taken the first step; he may as well continue with the second.]

I'm still on Thesa, if you want to meet right now.

[thetaintedsorrow]

Great.

I’m going to the stasis pods.

I haven’t been, and I need to see it.

[gekkajuu]

[It's true that everyone should see the stasis pods, and yet... something about the way Chuuya says it makes Atsushi think that the mafia, unlike most, isn't underestimating the experience. And it's absurd to feel any empathy for someone who no doubt has done a myriad bad deeds in his life, but Atsushi can't help briefly feeling something like it all the same. The stasis pods are like living graves, after all. There's always hope that the people in them will wake up, but Atsushi knows it's rare - and he knows people can go back there.

But people do need to see the stasis pods - and even if they didn't, Atsushi can't make Chuuya's choices for him.]

All right. I'll head right over.

Please wait for me, if you get there first.

[Another pointless thing to say; yet more of that empathy that he should do without. But how could Atsushi not feel for a new arrival? He's been in that position.

He doesn't run or anything quite that dramatic, but he walks to the stasis room at a decent speed all the same. If Chuuya isn't there yet, Atsushi will wait at the entrance.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Of course Chuuya has been though his fair share of tragedy in the Mafia, and he’s seen dozens of men mowed down (on both sides) right before his eyes. He’s absolutely no stranger to death and loss, but can the stasis pods really be called either of those? It’s like existing in a limbo between death and life, with no guarantee of truly experiencing either. It’s both a blessing and a curse, Chuuya thinks, and when he arrives outside the stasis room he’s greeted with the sight of Atsushi already waiting for him.

He stops right in front of Atsushi, looking as stoic as possible to brace himself for what he might find inside.]

Hey.

[Chuuya doesn’t know exactly how to greet Atsushi; old enemies are a bit more difficult to deal with than casual acquaintances, after all. Even if Chuuya never did bear a personal grudge against the guy...

He finally settles for offering a handshake, eyes dragging over Atsushi’s form all the while; so this is the weretiger everyone was making a fuss about...

He doesn’t look intimidating at all.]

[gekkajuu]

[Wow, excuse you, Atsushi is totally -... Okay, maybe he's not very intimidating, the way he stands there, very clearly trying to keep from running away. Well, that's exaggerated, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel overwhelmed by Chuuya's presence. Short or not, the guy's self-confidence is through the roof, almost like a huge aura surrounding him. It would have been easier if they'd met as enemies here, too; if they were doomed to fight. But they're not, and that leaves everything up in the air all over again.

OH GOD HE'S GOING TO -... shake his hand. Right... Atsushi can do that. After a slightly panicked glance at Chuuya's hand, he extends his own to shakes it. For all his flaws and nerves, at least his grip is fairly solid.]

Nice to meet you... again, I suppose.

[This was even more awkward than he'd imagined... Maybe he should just get the worst of it over with.]

This way. I don't know everybody's location, but I know where to find a few people we both know.

[Dazai and Akutagawa in particular. Most of the Agency is there; most of the mafia probably is, too, but Atsushi hasn't bothered looking too hard for them.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya won’t say that he can smell fear, but he certainly can detect a hint of nervousness in Atsushi’s mannerisms, and he’s surprised when the kid doesn’t just straight up run away instead of actually shaking his hand. But shake it he does, and Chuuya doesn’t send him flying like he very easily could, because as amusing as that would be, Chuuya isn’t keen on making enemies his first day here. Especially not when Atsushi has given him no real reason to be malicious.]

Right.

[Chuuya follows along without a fuss, looking a bit solemn as they enter the stasis room. This will be Chuuya’s first visit, and honestly he’s a bit speechless when he sees the sheer number of pods. He knew that the Natha had been collecting lifeforms from various planets to save them from the storm, but holy shit that’s a lot of sleeping people! How are they ever going to find anyone they know...?]

Lead the way.

[gekkajuu]

[Okay. So far, so good. Chuuya seems to be showing him a bare minimum of respect, and that's a hell of a lot more than Atsushi ever counts on. Atsushi gives a solemn nod in reply, appreciating Chuuya's attitude in general. Lead the way, Atsushi does.

Even with everything going all right, Atsushi's thoughts are racing. What if this is some kind of trick, after all? What if Chuuya goes nuts and tries to destroy the whole Armed Detective Agency? He doesn't seem the type to kill people in their sleep, but who really knows with the mafia? To be as safe as he can be, Atsushi walks them to Akutagawa first. Better to get the first emotions over with on a former ally and gauge Chuuya's reaction than to take him right to Dazai and risk whatever.

Atsushi stops in front of the pod with Akutagawa.]

Here. He was awake for a while... I think a few months?

I'm not sure how long exactly. You'll understand that weren't very close.

[thetaintedsorrow]

[If Atsushi voiced those concerns Chuuya would just look at him like he’s crazy; he would never kill a sleeping person, nor does he have any motivation to now that the ADA and the Mafia are no more. Nearly everything he’d done was because of some kind of order given to him, and the only personal grudge he bears against the ADA is entirely Dazai-related. Killing the agents while they’re helpless holds absolutely zero appeal to him.

When they find Akutagawa Chuuya’s stomach sinks through the floor. Maybe they weren’t exactly close in the past, but seeing someone as proud and fierce as Akutagawa trapped like that...sleeping so peacefully...

Chuuya removes his hat and places it over his heart in respect.]

Yeah. I know you two don’t get along. I don’t blame you.

[Akutagawa isn’t exactly friendly, after all, and considering Atsushi’s relationship with Dazai, well...

Anyway.

When Chuuya finally glances back up he notices a few of the other Port Mafia members sleeping in their pods, including Kouyou...]

At least they’re safe.

[He places his hat back on his head to hide the expression on his face.]

Where’s Dazai?

[gekkajuu]

Yes... It's only the young ones that the Natha can't wake up.

[No one of any importance in the mafia, but it sure goes for Kyouka. Atsushi never did manage to find her, but since she wouldn't be able to be woken up anyway, that might be for the best.

... Or is it? He can't decide. It's probably one of those "loved and lost" dilemmas, where less painful doesn't necessarily equal better.]

This way.

[Whether it's a surprise or the exact opposite, the Armed Detective Agency members that Atsushi has been able to find are some distance away, though they're pretty close to each other. Dazai is back there too, now. It's funny... Even with his own life pretty much in order, Atsushi still misses Dazai a lot.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya figures the younger ones need more time to adjust or something, so it’s really no big deal to him. Kyouka was pretty much Kouyou’s little doll, as well as lower in rank than him, so Chuuya really had no reason to interact with her outside of business matters. Kids are just annoying, anyway, so why bother? He won’t say that out loud, but he’ll definitely think it.

Speaking of annoying, the second Chuuya lays eyes on Dazai’s pod his expression morphs into one of pure irritation. God fucking damn it, even when he’s frozen in stasis Chuuya wants to punch his stupid face in. He’s definitely not the least bit relieved to see him safe. Nope. Not at all. The asshole can die in a fire for all he cares. No way does seeing him like that affect Chuuya at all.]

Tch. Figures he wouldn’t die, even in a massive cosmic storm.

[Chuuya huffs and turns away, arms crossed.]

I’ve seen enough. The people I was hoping to see are here. No reason to stay.

[And there he goes, wandering off with no real idea where he’s going.]

Anything else worth seeing around here?

[gekkajuu]

[Even with only the faintest notion of the animosity between Dazai and Chuuya, Atsushi is fully prepared for that reaction. It's part of why he wanted to come along, even if it's not the main reason: the last thing he needs is Chuuya attacking Dazai's pod. Those things are pretty sturdy, from what he's heard, but he'd rather not take any chances.

It's a tense couple of seconds while Chuuya works through his anger, Atsushi standing there with his fists clenched, arms rigorously held down along his body. He certainly doesn't want to invite an attack, but if it happens, he needs to be prepared.

Nothing happens, thankfully, and Atsushi sighs a quiet sigh of relief.]

That's true, isn't it? For all his suicide attempts, he sure doesn't die easily.

[There's a soft smile on Atsushi's lips in spite of the dark topic. Dazai is a strange, strange person. The man's no saint, of course - for that matter: Atsushi doesn't doubt that Chuuya has very real reasons to hate Dazai, even without knowing the details - but he's never (... almost never) been anything but a generous benefactor to Atsushi, so Atsushi can't help but care about him.

No point thinking about that now. Asleep is asleep.

"Worth seeing" is a matter of opinion. Even in the stasis chamber alone, there is a lot to see - but it's not meant to be a zoo. The observation deck is possibly even worse when it comes to emotional impact, and Atsushi thinks anyone could use a break after first witnessing people in stasis, anyway.]

... The mess hall is a good place to sit for a while.

["To settle down", he doesn't specifically say, out of respect: he doesn't want to treat Chuuya like a child that needs comforting. But the stasis chamber is a lot to handle. And what better way to calm down than to sit and eat or drink something?]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[...heh. Chuuya can appreciate Atsushi talking about Dazai’s suicide attempts in such a casual way; most people freak out and ask a million questions about Dazai’s health and well-being, but Atsushi just seems to treat it like a thing that happens. You know, kinda like that crazy cousin you just have to shake your head at and move along. Except way worse because it’s Dazai.

Chuuya doesn’t, however, understand that soft smile and fond look in Atsushi’s eyes when he talks about the bastard. Did he miss a fucking memo, or does Dazai really have this kid wrapped around his finger, along with the rest of the ADA...?

Whatever. He’s asleep now. Fuck him.

Chuuya isn’t really hungry, but he sure as hell could go for some coffee, or even better, some goddamn booze. He needs a drink after seeing all that.]

Then let’s go. You’re the tour guide here.

[Chuuya will follow Atsushi to the mess hall, glancing around the station all the while to take in his surroundings.]

So...you like it here? You got a job or anything?

[gekkajuu]

[After leading them to the mess hall, Atsushi gets something simple to eat, and some tea. It's all there, whatever Chuuya may want to eat or drink. (Well, not the exact brands, of course, but there sure is booze.) Atsushi may glance over at Chuuya's choice, but he won't say anything. Apart from anything else, Chuuya is an adult, Atsushi is pretty sure - and sleeping in stasis pods probably gives you jetlag.

Settling at a table, Atsushi continues their conversation.]

I do. That is: down on the planet. I work at the Olympia stables, taking care of the animals. That, and I do some odd jobs here and there. I had another job originally, but things happened, and -...

[His expression clouds. He really shouldn't mention this kind of thing in any detail, least of all to the mafia: he doesn't want to encourage Chuuya getting involved in this war. At the same time, he can't hope to keep that a secret either, can he?]

Well, I quit.

You'll find this out sooner or later, but the two major cities down there aren't exactly friendly with each other.

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya settles for a glass of red wine (he’s saving his gift from the Natha for later) and a croissant before having a seat right next to Atsushi at the table. He gives Atsushi a chance to speak as he sips at the wine, savoring the deep, rich flavor for a moment before finally speaking up.]

Stables, huh? Never did care for horses myself. Too big and temperamental.

[Chuuya, talking about being temperamental...oh, the irony. He nibbles at his croissant, raising an eyebrow in question when Atsushi mentions some kind of feud between the major cities. Boy is he no stranger to that....]

Yeah? How come? Just territorial wars, or religion, or what?

[He’s kinda curious about Atsushi’s previous job, but...well. The guy has been courteous enough not to bombard him with a million fucking questions, so Chuuya will return the favor. Plus, Atsushi looks pretty bummed about it already. Not that Chuuya really gives a shit whether Atsushi pouts or not. No skin off his nose.]

[gekkajuu]

While there are horses, the majority of animals is a little more -... [He trails off, unable to think of a way to describe them without sounding crazy. And, as long as he's sounding crazy, he may as well go all out.] There are unicorns and gryphons, among many other species.

[And Atsushi is quite casual about saying as much. The animals still impress him - just like most "normal" animals would, really - but little shocks him at this point. He's been here over half a year now.

Warming his hands on his tea, more for comfort than because he needs the heat, Atsushi decides to fill Chuuya in. Maybe it's a good idea and maybe it's not, but none of this information is remotely secret... and besides, Chuuya deserves to know. Still, Atsushi avoids eye contact, as if he's afraid he's doing the wrong thing... or just afraid.]

On a practical level, I'm sure it's territorial. But the reason usually stated is past insults and altercations. Both cities have their own past, and their shared past -...

Well. I'm sure you can imagine what it's like, with those two cities the only major players on the continent.

[thetaintedsorrow]

[...unicorns??? Gryphons??? This sounds too far-fetched to be true, but why would Atsushi lie? This is already like a goddamn sci-fi movie, might as well throw in some fantasy elements! Plus, he’s already met a vampire, so believing that unicorns exist isn’t too much of a stretch. Man, he’s gotta pet one sometime...

Oh. Right. Serious topics.

Chuuya is mildly annoyed that Atsushi won’t look him in the eye, but whatever. He’s had subordinates cower before him in the past, but Atsushi seems more self-conscious than afraid, and that’s not something Chuuya can fix. He sips at his wine, mulling over the information that Atsushi is sharing with him, and after a moment of consideration decides to add some commentary.]

I’m not fighting their wars for them. They better not try to recruit my ass, or I’ll be living in the woods like a goddamn hermit.

[He’s just...tired. Tired of turf wars, tired of seeing men that were loyal to him die. Yokohama was his home, his territory, and he would’ve gladly given his life to defend it in Mori’s name, but this? Fuck these people, seriously. He has absolutely no obligation to fight; if he’s going to start his entire goddamn life over, it’s going to be on his terms.]

You pick a side? Or you just trying to live your own life out there?

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi looks up at that, wide-eyed. He hadn't expected Chuuya to be so adamant about not fighting for either of the cities; if anything, Atsushi had been worried that Chuuya would do just that, and so tip the balance of any war to come. (And yet, would Atsushi have been so worried if he was convinced that Chuuya would fight on "his" side? He can't honestly be sure. War makes everyone a hypocrite, he thinks.)]

I haven't. That is: -...

[It's a lie, isn't it? Even if he doesn't want to fight, even if he wants to avoid war if at all possible, he's picked a side whether he wants to face it or not.]

I live in Olympia. If the city ends up under attack, I will defend it... but I'd rather try to avoid war altogether.

Not that there's a lot I can do.

[He's just one guy, without the power and influence of an organization like the Armed Detective Agency, and even without the cunning and intellect of someone like Dazai. He used to be doing just fine, never accomplishing anything and being totally helpless. But now... After everything he's done with the Armed Detective Agency, going back to that helplessness is incredibly frustrating.

He'd been fine when the planet had seemed at peace, and he was managing to build a simple but happy life for himself, entirely on his own strength. But with war on the horizon, not being able to go that extra mile is torment.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Hah?

[Chuuya completely understands wanting to defend his home, and he doesn’t fault Atsushi for that in the slightest. It’s not the same as taking sides in a war, obviously; more like self-defense, which is almost always justified. No, Chuuya doesn’t blame him for that at all; what gets that confused reaction out of him is Atsushi’s declaration of supposed helplessness. He’s not here to give anyone butt pats about themselves or stroke their ego, of course, it’s just that he’s genuinely baffled about why Atsushi would say that.]

What, did you lose your ability to turn into a weretiger or something? What do you mean there’s not a lot you can do?

[Chuuya downs the rest of his wine before cutting his eyes back to Atsushi, a rather intense look reflected in their depths.]

You’ve got the power and the strength to do whatever you want. I know because you’re the one who gave the Port Mafia such fucking trouble. So what’s the deal? Do you need help finding your balls or something?

[gekkajuu]

[If Atsushi's eyes had widened, before, they positively turn as big as saucers now. He doesn't understand... Why would Chuuya say that? Not only does it come out suspiciously like a compliment, even with that attitude, but... did Atsushi really give the Port Mafia so much trouble - enough that an executive was aware of it? Surely that was the Armed Detective Agency in general, not Atsushi personally? He's never considered much of anything he did in the ADA a personal achievement, even though he's always thought of his failures as purely his own.

The funny thing is, Atsushi doesn't doubt Chuuya when he says what he says. It's exactly because Chuuya has no other reason to know those things, let alone say them, that Atsushi can't dismiss the compliment as an exaggeration at best, and that makes it come as quite the shock - enough of one that Atsushi all but forgets to argue against it.]

That's -... If it was an all-out war, I'm sure my ability would come in handy! But it's peace that I want to accomplish, not more fighting.

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Atsushi certainly gave Akutagawa a lot of trouble in the past, and that’s quite a feat considering that most people who are brave enough or stupid enough to stand up to him are quickly mowed down like so many blades of grass. There’s also the fact that he and Akutagawa were able to take down Fitzgerald together, which is yet another impressive feat. Really, Chuuya might not know the guy too well personally, but he’s certainly heard of his exploits, and those are quite impressive on their own.

Chuuya shrugs at the mention of peace. Sure it’s nice to think that a lasting peace could be achieved, but in his experience it just isn’t feasible. There’s always something to fight about, and humans are bloodthirsty creatures by nature; it only makes sense that even on a new planet they’d find new grievances with each other. It happens. That’s just how it is.]

Okay. Then do something other than fighting.

[He says, as if it’s just that simple.]

Or better yet, look out for yourself and those you care about and screw everyone else.

[That’s his philosophy, and he’s sticking to it.

He yawns and stretches, curious what time it is but not bothering to look.]

Anyway. The hell do you do for fun around here?

[gekkajuu]

... There's nothing else that I'm any good at, though...

[He's kept training since his arrival, mostly in case Akutagawa woke up and demanded their fight, but the latter never did end up happening. So Atsushi is in decent shape for defending whoever he wants, but at the same time, that doesn't give him the peace he wants this planet to have. By the time his ability comes in handy, it will already be too late.

He's neither rich enough nor important enough (nor, if you ask him, smart enough) to be a politician. And even if he was, what would he do - step right up to the Empress and ask if she could pretty please avoid going to war? (Actually, he would do just that, if he could. Maybe in time...) So he's stuck waiting for shit to inevitably hit the fan, and trying his best to deal with the fall-out.]

For fun...? [He asks like it's a foreign concept - but then, with his mind stuck on war and peace, it might as well be.] There are lounge areas with TV and games, and you can train by doing simulations...

[Neither of those seem appropriate, though. Atsushi couldn't help but notice that yawn.]

... If you're tired, I recommend resting up in the sleeping quarters. Once you can go down to the planet, there's no telling what you'll find down there, and when you can get any sleep.

[Which sounds like a very dramatic exaggeration, and maybe it is, but it's still not far from the truth.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Look. I’m not gonna baby you. You need to realize your own worth on your own.

[Chuuya has always been so confident in his own abilities that this kind of self-deprecating talk baffles him. If someone really thinks of themselves as that shitty, then why not try to change and prove that thought process wrong? Of course Chuuya knows that he has his own faults as well, but he more than makes up for them by doing his best in every task he’s given, and never allows the world to beat him down.

Whether Atsushi is strong enough to realize that he’s capable of those same things remains to be seen.]

I’ll have to try out the training. Gotta keep in shape, after all.

[Chuuya finishes off his croissant and wine before taking care of the glass, and that filling snack is definitely beginning to make him feel drowsy. He yawns again before nodding to Atsushi.]

Take me there. I’ll figure the rest of this shit out eventually.