You're sure calm about it for someone who didn't let it happen, then. [ You know, most people aren't that okay with being stabbed, in case that message didn't get across already.. there's just something a little Wrong about you, Elcia, he just can't put his finger on it. ]
Is that sort of thing normal to you?
[ He's not sure if he wants to know the answer to that. ]
i play only the sweetest and most demure of otome protags
I'd have to assume you're an iljin if you had been. [ Who else would get stabbed so many times for no reason.. but okay, maybe this is still a semi-normal girl? A semi-normal girl who.. got stabbed. Okay, that can happen to people, except he's more used to hearing about that kind of stuff since he was into iljin business, no thanks to his best friend. What's her excuse. ]
[ He slightly pulls his shoulders up into a shrug. ]
I hear it all the time.
[ .. granted, he's not a girl, and granted, he used to be one until he matured and cleansed his ways only a year ago or so.. but those factors clearly don't count, okay.
Point being, it's not as much of an insult to him by now, it's more just a description. ]
[ Fine, he'll at least admit that much.. at least she's not all that terribly offputting to look at, the whole bloody dress thing aside. The anime look would sure stand out where he comes from, but he supposes it must blend in in most worlds.. ]
Thanks.
[ STILL CHOOSES TO INTERPRET IT AS AN INSULT THOUGH, THANKS.. or maybe he's just being deadpan, who knows.
He stops walking in front of a nearby building though. ]
This place should sell clothes. [ "Should" as in.. you know, he's never been into girl stores here!! What reason would he have for that. ]
He's just staring for a moment. He's completely dumbstruck by this turn of events, and it's not even since it's a sexy costume and he's a hormonal teenage boy or anything - Heung Soo has completely fallen out of that period of his teenage years where he actually gave a shit about girls.
No, this is just.. the sheer ridiculousness of the situation, that's what it is. Is this real. ]
That was your first choice?
[ ????????? IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. Why would she. Why would anyone. ]
[ Well, at least it's better than her picking Sexy Santa on purpose. That would bring a whole other slew of questions with it -- and he doesn't really think she's lying either, so he's quick to shake his head at the offer. ]
No, thanks. [ He really doesn't want to see what else they have.... ] .. they got to have a better store somewhere else.
[ Because he'd feel sort of bad letting a girl walk around in that all day..?? Especially since it's sort of his fault. Technically. Look, he wants to turn off those mother hen instincts too, but he just can't, okay.. ]
[She blinks. Of all of the responses, she really wasn't expecting him to still....be willing to help.... in fact, it's safe to say that that is the opposite of the reaction she expected him to have, which would have been to fluster and leave.
[ LOOK.. DON'T CALL HIM OUT ON THIS. It's embarrassing when you make it obvious that he's mother henning, okay? Because while he can't help it, it's still.. well, not really like a tall intimidating-looking guy like him to be a mother hen, for one. And helping out weird animes is in itself embarrassing as hell alongside it.
So don't point out the elephant in the room here, Elcia. Just ignore it. Please. ]
Yah, what do I look like, some sort of gangster? I'm not going to bully some reward out of you. [ So he's just tsunning it off..
(He does look a whole lot like a thug though when he frowns like that. It's the 350 bench pressing eyebrows.) ]
[ why is everyone out for heung soo's bones stop making this a national sport
But don't worry, he won't even dare to question that with The Animes.. who knows what they can do. She could transform into a magical girl or pull a robot out of nowhere and he'd be like "ah, yes, sure" at this point. He's not going to doubt her power levels for now, okay.
Especially not when there's more important matters like her being incredibly embarrassing about it by pointing that out.. ]
[ He just said don't get weird ideas.. and here she is, getting a weird idea that's actually exactly right. How dare she. You come into his game, on this day of the intro log... ]
After this? [ NOW HE'S EVEN MORE DETERMINED TO PROVE HE'S NOT HELPFUL. So!! Determined!!
So what if she falls into the clutches of some out of control robots, not like h.. e... cares...
But...what if things get dangerous again? I'm definitely not ready to fight off those fat red men again... I think it'd be pretty scary to go alone....
[ GOD DAMMIT ELCIA. Don't just do this? This is why girls are dangerous, he'll be sticking to his bastard rather than turning into an otome love interest, thanks.... ]
You're not really scared.
[ Judging by her attitude earlier. But it still manages to play onto his mother hen side all the same, so it's not like he can give a definite no to that.. more like a begrudging "well, yeah, sure". ]
.. just follow me and don't make a big deal. [ Before anyone else sees this.. ]
It's a trick question. I don't believe anything here is r—
[ And — wow. Poking at the worrisome creature like that probably represents the same sense of self-preservation that got her, well, covered in blood. Ok he's just going to gently grip her shoulder and try to nudge her away from the mirror.
[She is gently guided away from the mirror, and-- just in time, too, because that's when the lights go out. Elcia is not pleased by this.]
Hey--!
[And then there's that force, and Elcia finds herself on the ground, too breathless to say anything. Really, all she can do is cover her head when the glass shatters, until the lights flicker on and...
....... She sits up slowly, extremely unimpressed.]
That wasn't a very funny joke.
[she was actually pretty scared, not that she'll say so.]
[Yes, they will just have to accept that this is how their dynamic must be. But for now...did he really just tell her that her mettle is formidable?
Holy shit.]
... Well. It wouldn't be the first time. [For her, anyway. She's from the post-apocalyptic time, really, this isn't that startling to her.
(She forcibly squashes any hint of a twinge at the thought of her world being gone. She doesn't miss it. ...Maybe, if anything, she misses what it was at one point in the past.)]
[Accepting what one cannot fully comprehend... Truly, deep life philosophies right there
Trudges on with ~righteous obliviousness~
..."Wouldn't be the first time"? That catches his attention, but her question must be answered first. Not only because of an overbearing sense of chivalry, but also because that question resonates deeply with him. It has been on his mind after waking up here, ever since he reeled back in enough from the original shock of the information (alternatively, 'catatrophe') overload.]
...
I do not yet understand how this "retrieval of data" has been performed on us. In truth, it is vexing to confess that I grasp woefully little of this predicament. I must keep my vow to the Empress, however, and I'll not have the effort my comrades have expended safeguarding our world vanish for naught. ...To those ends, I must persevere.
"Not well enough, if I may still lose myself so far as to shout at a lady", he thinks, but accepts it with a self-disatisfied hum.]
With patience, more information will no doubt come to light. Organica is also brimming with bright and resplendent Spirias; I have faith that my comrades shall tiumph.
[A beat.]
If I may ask, miss Elcia. What did you mean, by "it wouldn't be the first time"?
Kind of hard to imagine, but he's seen a completely dead planet before. So it... can be pictured, a world that's barely alive. Not pleasant, but he can grasp the idea (he thinks). He'd never presume to have the slightest idea, however, about how living is LIKE, for the people who struggle with the world itself throughout their everyday lives.]
I'm sorry to hear that. There is wretched logic to be found, however: accustomed to arduous living conditions, your resilience and resourcefulness must be peerless, no doubt.
[Why's he so.....earnest... It's weird. She accepted that that was just what her world was like from childhood. It's a rough living to make, but she made it just fine.
She blinks.]
...Well. Thanks for the compliments, I guess. [She's...really not sure what to make of this guy, his earnestness keeps surprising her with how deep it runs.]
You don't have to worry about me, though. That sort of thing--it happened long before I was born. Can't complain when you've never known much else, right?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yosuke.
[She blinks.
And then slowly arches an eyebrow.]
Like what? Don't hurt yourself trying to impress me or anything.
yosuke.
[He can kill Shadows, does that count he hopes so]
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[yeah no, Elcia, you botched that one.]
I take it that's a weapon?
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[He winks back at her, like this is supposed to impress.]
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[There is so much deadpan in her words. The deadpan never stops. It is so deadpan, it can't possibly be taken in any other way.]
So you've got weapons. Is that all?
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[What does a guy gotta do around here?]
Eh... [Some people have already seen his persona, and they didn't seem too freaked out.]
Well, no. I've got something else.
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[wow, that was easy...Yosuke sure is easy, isn't he. Still, she can't deny that she's curious, so long as--]
Don't tell me--you've got another weapon hidden somewhere.
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[He says a little sing songy, like he isn't going to reveal what it is right away.]
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[With that, she turns on her heel to keep walking.
It appears her attention span doesn't quite exist for long enough to handle that sort of thing--
coming?]
zero.
[... a pause.]
Because I'm not doing anything if I'm not getting paid for it.
heung soo.
... ... ...]
Really. THAT'S what you're going to tell me? Don't let it happen again?
[she's so incredulous right now, she really is.]
It's not like I was intending to let it happen the first time.
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT PICTURE
Is that sort of thing normal to you?
[ He's not sure if he wants to know the answer to that. ]
i play only the sweetest and most demure of otome protags
She's lucky she lasted this long.
But she waves a hand at that, and he can feel relieved that her answer is--]
No, of course not. It was just an incredibly rotten day. I can solemnly swear that I've never been stabbed before that.
i miss mai already....................
Being stabbed.
Truly an incredibly rotten day. ]
I'd have to assume you're an iljin if you had been. [ Who else would get stabbed so many times for no reason.. but okay, maybe this is still a semi-normal girl? A semi-normal girl who.. got stabbed. Okay, that can happen to people, except he's more used to hearing about that kind of stuff since he was into iljin business, no thanks to his best friend. What's her excuse. ]
TOO BAD
Though that makes her squint a little at him, tilting her head thoughtfully.]
An...iljin? What's that supposed to be?
[She doesn't have the vocabulary for this!!]
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[ A high school thug, to be precise, but he figures that just saying this much has got to sum it up.. ]
They get into fights all the time. [ You know, as an explanation for "being stabbed wouldn't be so weird in that case" and all. ]
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[seriously man, does she look like a thug
(she's kind of a thug, not that she looks it)]
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I hear it all the time.
[ .. granted, he's not a girl, and granted, he used to be one until he matured and cleansed his ways only a year ago or so.. but those factors clearly don't count, okay.
Point being, it's not as much of an insult to him by now, it's more just a description. ]
no subject
[You know.
Like.
Basically everything.]
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Thanks.
[ STILL CHOOSES TO INTERPRET IT AS AN INSULT THOUGH, THANKS.. or maybe he's just being deadpan, who knows.
He stops walking in front of a nearby building though. ]
This place should sell clothes. [ "Should" as in.. you know, he's never been into girl stores here!! What reason would he have for that. ]
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[Either way, she shrugs and heads on into that store without hesitation. If he waits to see the grand reveal after a few minutes, then he'll get...
this disaster
She's tugging at it even as she walks out the door, scowling.]
It's not really my color...
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He's just staring for a moment. He's completely dumbstruck by this turn of events, and it's not even since it's a sexy costume and he's a hormonal teenage boy or anything - Heung Soo has completely fallen out of that period of his teenage years where he actually gave a shit about girls.
No, this is just.. the sheer ridiculousness of the situation, that's what it is. Is this real. ]
That was your first choice?
[ ????????? IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. Why would she. Why would anyone. ]
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[She really, really didn't want to have to wear this, really. Really.
She sounds unbelievably wry.]
Want to go look at the other ones? They were worse.
[Really.
Even worse. She knows what she's talking about.]
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No, thanks. [ He really doesn't want to see what else they have.... ] .. they got to have a better store somewhere else.
[ Because he'd feel sort of bad letting a girl walk around in that all day..?? Especially since it's sort of his fault. Technically. Look, he wants to turn off those mother hen instincts too, but he just can't, okay.. ]
no subject
Who is this guy......]
... Huh? You're still going to help me out?
[An arched eyebrow.]
You know, there's nothing in it for you.
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So don't point out the elephant in the room here, Elcia. Just ignore it. Please. ]
Yah, what do I look like, some sort of gangster? I'm not going to bully some reward out of you. [ So he's just tsunning it off..
(He does look a whole lot like a thug though when he frowns like that. It's the 350 bench pressing eyebrows.) ]
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[She says, smiling so cheerfully and innocently.
She'd.
Break your ribs, friend.
As it is, though--]
No, you just seem like the sort of person who doesn't want to be caught helping other people. But maybe you're even nicer than I took you for.
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But don't worry, he won't even dare to question that with The Animes.. who knows what they can do. She could transform into a magical girl or pull a robot out of nowhere and he'd be like "ah, yes, sure" at this point. He's not going to doubt her power levels for now, okay.
Especially not when there's more important matters like her being incredibly embarrassing about it by pointing that out.. ]
Don't get weird ideas.
[ Aka exactly the right idea.... ]
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[she looks pleased, at least... look at how happy you've made her.
For now, though, she changes the subject.]
Are you going to give me a guided tour now?
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After this? [ NOW HE'S EVEN MORE DETERMINED TO PROVE HE'S NOT HELPFUL. So!! Determined!!
So what if she falls into the clutches of some out of control robots, not like h.. e... cares...
.. why is life so hard. ]
Just find the apartments. It's not that hard.
[1/2]
"Just find the apartments".
She's pretty sure she could do that, but also--]
[2/2]
But...what if things get dangerous again? I'm definitely not ready to fight off those fat red men again... I think it'd be pretty scary to go alone....
no subject
You're not really scared.
[ Judging by her attitude earlier. But it still manages to play onto his mother hen side all the same, so it's not like he can give a definite no to that.. more like a begrudging "well, yeah, sure". ]
.. just follow me and don't make a big deal. [ Before anyone else sees this.. ]
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But she just smiles in response to that, nodding easily enough and following him contentedly.]
Sure, sounds good to me.
[victory is hers.
Sorry, Heung Soo, now you have a new duckling.]
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But he realises there's no way out now, so.. yup, off they go together.
Into the sunset.]hyoubu.
[It can't...get them. Whether or not it's real, well...
Who's to say, she's sure as hell not sure. Reality is always a little difficult of a thing to Get for certain.]
Hey, do you think it can hear us?
[She wanders closer to poke at the glass, thoughtful.]
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[ And — wow. Poking at the worrisome creature like that probably represents the same sense of self-preservation that got her, well, covered in blood. Ok he's just going to gently grip her shoulder and try to nudge her away from the mirror.
And that's when the howling starts. ]
Ahaha. Signs point to "yes."
no subject
Hey--!
[And then there's that force, and Elcia finds herself on the ground, too breathless to say anything. Really, all she can do is cover her head when the glass shatters, until the lights flicker on and...
....... She sits up slowly, extremely unimpressed.]
That wasn't a very funny joke.
[she was actually pretty scared, not that she'll say so.]
chalcedony.
Holy shit.]
... Well. It wouldn't be the first time. [For her, anyway. She's from the post-apocalyptic time, really, this isn't that startling to her.
(She forcibly squashes any hint of a twinge at the thought of her world being gone. She doesn't miss it. ...Maybe, if anything, she misses what it was at one point in the past.)]
So what are you going to do about it, then?
no subject
Trudges on with ~righteous obliviousness~
..."Wouldn't be the first time"? That catches his attention, but her question must be answered first. Not only because of an overbearing sense of chivalry, but also because that question resonates deeply with him. It has been on his mind after waking up here, ever since he reeled back in enough from the original shock of the information (alternatively, 'catatrophe') overload.]
...
I do not yet understand how this "retrieval of data" has been performed on us. In truth, it is vexing to confess that I grasp woefully little of this predicament. I must keep my vow to the Empress, however, and I'll not have the effort my comrades have expended safeguarding our world vanish for naught. ...To those ends, I must persevere.
no subject
Uh.
...... What.]
Wow, you... [...] ... You're very... well-spoken.
[...]
I'm sure you can....persevere. Yeah.
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stop
judging him.........
"Not well enough, if I may still lose myself so far as to shout at a lady", he thinks, but accepts it with a self-disatisfied hum.]
With patience, more information will no doubt come to light. Organica is also brimming with bright and resplendent Spirias; I have faith that my comrades shall tiumph.
[A beat.]
If I may ask, miss Elcia. What did you mean, by "it wouldn't be the first time"?
no subject
As for that--she blinks, and then shrugs simply, entirely unbothered.]
My world is post-apocalyptic, I guess you could say. We live underground, because the world itself is no longer inhabitable.
[so this is... just the same-old.]
You'd think they'd pick a better target, but I guess that's contrived space-aliens for you.
no subject
Kind of hard to imagine, but he's seen a completely dead planet before. So it... can be pictured, a world that's barely alive. Not pleasant, but he can grasp the idea (he thinks). He'd never presume to have the slightest idea, however, about how living is LIKE, for the people who struggle with the world itself throughout their everyday lives.]
I'm sorry to hear that. There is wretched logic to be found, however: accustomed to arduous living conditions, your resilience and resourcefulness must be peerless, no doubt.
no subject
She blinks.]
...Well. Thanks for the compliments, I guess. [She's...really not sure what to make of this guy, his earnestness keeps surprising her with how deep it runs.]
You don't have to worry about me, though. That sort of thing--it happened long before I was born. Can't complain when you've never known much else, right?