tvklogs | our dried voices when we whisper together [OPEN]

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our dried voices when we whisper together [OPEN]

WHO: Ainosuke Tanaka (

hidari_me) and whoever shows up.
WHAT: Investigating the town and his surroundings.
WHEN: June 21st, late afternoon - evening
WHERE: Bayview Hotel, Lobby (likely to extend to other places around town)
RATING: PG-13
WARNINGS: None yet.

It had only taken a few minutes after Lancer had left his room the night before for Ainosuke to fall asleep. To Ainosuke's surprise, he had ended up sleeping for a great deal of the day. Until an hour or so before now, he had been staying in his room ever since his arrival. He wasn't sure why. Was he waiting for something to happen? Maybe... Maybe he was waiting, hoping his brother would show up and admit that he was the one behind everything. Then he could have an excuse as to why all of this was happening, but it wouldn't explain why everyone else was there.

But there had to be a reason.

That was why he was leaving the hotel now. He'd gained a few hints from his talks with other arrivals, though nothing seemed to come together yet. Ainosuke's first goal was to go out and buy a sketchbook. Putting all his thoughts down on paper instead of having them in his head would be the first step towards looking at the big picture.

Ainosuke stepped off the elevator and into the lobby, patting the pockets of his pants and his jacket to make sure he had everything with him. Cell phone, card key, cards for... wherever those restaurants were, so he could get something to eat. It looked like he was ready to go.

He stopped only for a few minutes, taking the time to look around the lobby and making sure there wasn't anything of interest he had overlooked the night before.

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[At least Ainosuke had an idea of where on the planet he even was. Lancer didn't have the slightest clue, and yet he knew it might seem insane of him to ask.]

[It was almost funny if he thought about it--last night on the discolored streets Lancer had been the one to more or less take charge. But in the daylight there was really nothing he could do but rely on a human that more than likely knew what the hell he was doing.]

[It took a few minutes for Ainosuke to get what he wanted, leaning over the counter the entire time and still trying his best to communicate. It was around this point that he started to realize how strange it was that the hotel staff was understanding him so easily. His English certainly wasn't this good, at least for certain terms that he kept fumbling over, but the staff didn't seem to have any problem. Were they just able to infer what he meant? It still... seemed really strange. There was a lot about the city that didn't sit right with him.

Once he was done asking his questions, Ainosuke shuffled back to Lancer, carrying a piece of paper with a list of things written on it as well as a few pamphlets. ... investing in a new bag seemed like a good idea, too.

Ainosuke tried to balance them in his hands as he opened one that advertised for something or another on the island as a tourist attraction, his eyes scanning the page for any words that stood out.]

At... lantic... Ocean.

[He made a face at that, tilting his head. If the Pacific was Japan's ocean, then that meant it was the west coast of the United States. ... which meant the Atlantic had to be the east coast. When he spoke, it was quiet and more to himself.]

... how did we end up this far away?

...

[Lancer did at least know enough to figure out that being near the wrong ocean was pretty damn far from Japan. Thankfully he was only clueless, not stupid.]

That is a question I doubt we'll easily find an answer to.

['I have no idea and can't even begin to guess.']

[For now, Ainosuke closed up the pamphlet he'd been looking at and folded it along with the others. He shoved them into the pocket of his school blazer, keeping the piece of paper with the notes on it in his hand.]

I've got a few places in mind to check out. Was there anything you wanted to look at first?

I can't really think of anything in particular.

[Which was far more truthful a statement than it might have sounded, all things considered.]

Wherever you can think of is perfectly fine.

All right.

[He thought he should ask again in a different way, but decided against it for now. Ainosuke was trying to think of the important things he needed to get. The food was technically being provided for them. Then, he had his room. Clothing wasn't an issue. He mostly needed to buy a sketchbook, some pencils, and probably a new bag to carry around with him.

The last thing Ainosuke wanted to do was to start planning for anything long term or to start treating this place like he was getting used to it, but what else was he supposed to do? No one had come forward since they'd arrived and given them any hints about what to expect next.

So, he turned and led the way out of the hotel, looking at the paper in his hand again and checking street signs as he went.

His first idea was to go to a bank. At the very least, he could try to exchange what money he had on him to something he'd be able to spend here.]

[For the most part Lancer followed in silence, alert and attentive. There was a look on his fact that suggested he was trying to memorize the area, and of course he was. First so he wouldn't get lost and second so that he could find advantageous positions in any fight that could occur. It was best to familiarize himself with their immediate surroundings as soon as possible.]

[But every so often he'd get just slightly distracted by various things, a look of faint confusion and interest crossing his face. An electronics store in particular seemed to catch his interest for a moment or two before he remembered he was supposed to be following Ainosuke.]

[Blending in might be harder than he thought.]

[The first time Ainosuke noticed the other lagging behind, he made a note to keep checking on him, slowing down a bit to allow the other to catch up. The last thing he wanted was to get separated, even if it happened to be light out. It did make him a little concerned... He had meant to ask about that, hadn't he? It was just a matter of bringing it up delicately.]

Why were you dressed like that the other night?

Like what? [It took a moment to register that armor was an unusual thing for humans these days.]

Oh--oh, that. I'm...something of a soldier, actually.

[Which was true enough.]

[Well, he wanted answers, but he certainly felt like he was going about it in an awkward way. Part of him felt that there was more to their respective stories than either of them were saying, which he at least knew was true for him. It was probably better to not push too far. ... there might have been things he didn't want to know.]

I've never seen anything like it before.

[... he really had no idea how to get what answer he was aiming for, so he waved his hand dismissively after that, picking up the pace a bit.]

Nevermind.

I suppose I'm a little unconventional by most standards.

[Lancer gave an awkward smile; this didn't seem quite fair, hiding everything. Even in the middle of the Holy Grail War he had been perfectly open about his identity. But that was among Servants and magi, people who knew seeing a long-dead hero was not an impossible occurrence.]

[In a place like this? They'd all think he was completely insane, and yet he still felt shamefully dishonest.]

[Ainosuke seemed a bit more sheepish after that, but got over it quickly. It really did make him feel far too awkward to approach a thought that he was having. Lancer seemed... a lot different than anyone he would have expected to run into, just with the way he carried himself and the way he dressed. ... and the way he spoke. It felt like there was a lot more space between them and where they were from than Ainosuke could comprehend.

For now, he put the thought aside, working towards his destinations in silence. The first place he stopped was at the bank, converting what yen he had on hand to dollars. It was enough to give him a little over a hundred, which he hoped would last him for awhile. If most everything else was paid for, there would hopefully be little he'd have to get on his own.

After leaving the bank, Ainosuke stopped at the first grocery store he saw, still checking occasionally to make sure Lancer was all right and keeping up. He opened the door and stepped in, looking around and giving himself a moment to adjust. There was absolutely nothing familiar here.]

They should at least have something...

[He glanced over his shoulder again, smiling at the other.]

If you see anything you think you might need, let me know.

[Several things occurred to Lancer as he followed Ainosuke around. One, Servants didn't exactly carry any kind of currency. That wouldn't have been an issue except for issue two: as a human, he was going to need quite a few things that made the lack of money a glaring problem.]

[...Idly he wondered just what job qualifications a Knight of Fianna would have.]

...What?

[Relying completely on a Master was one thing. Relying completely on a human was faintly embarrassing and a bit of an injury to his pride as a knight.]

O-oh, I...I mean, there's... You really don't need to worry about me, I'll manage just fine.

[There was a rather glaring crack in Lancer's composure now, and he found himself caught completely off guard and a little flustered.]

[Ainosuke pouted in response to Lancer's words. It wasn't that he was doing it because he felt the other needed his help. ... well. Not entirely. He had a feeling the other was a lot more out of place than he was with all the things they'd been through already -- at least in normal society. When they'd arrived, whatever that thing had been, Lancer had been the one who knew what to do and had reacted appropriately.

It wasn't even about repaying Lancer at this point, though Ainosuke felt indebted to him. It was just his first instinct to what to do things for people.]

I'm not worried, but at least look around a bit. There might be something. Just don't worry about food right now, since I think those cards will have us covered.

[He pointed behind him.]

I'll see what I can find.

[With that, Ainosuke turned and shuffled off to dig around in the writing utensils and paper, hoping he could find an appropriate sketchbook.]

[Lancer found himself suddenly faintly embarrassed and a little guilty. Ainosuke was being surprisingly kind to him--or maybe it was just surprising in comparison to Kayneth--and Lancer had been nothing but vague about his origins and any questions he'd been asked.]

[It felt unbecoming of a knight to act this way, even if his indirect dishonesty had a good reason behind it. For a minute or two he hesitated, debating on just how he was supposed to handle all of this. One thing at a time, right? Start with the simple things and work his way up to 'I'm a dead Irish knight summoned to fight for the Holy Grail'?]

[Or just give his name. Lancer couldn't help but think this would bother him notably less if he admitted to that much--he doubted 'Lancer' was an ordinary name in any modern country anyway. About five minutes later he approached Ainosuke, seeming unusually awkward.]

I feel I might perhaps owe you an apology of sorts. I don't believe I've been quite as forward as you about some things, and that seems a bit unfair.

[When Lancer approached him again, Ainosuke was sitting on the floor in the aisle, holding a few different pencil sets and trying to figure out which ones he should focus on getting first. It wasn't that he needed anything especially high quality, but the less trips he would have to make out and around town, the better. He heard the other's voice, lifting his head and staring up at him while he listened.

Ainosuke smiled awkwardly when Lancer finished, keeping his gaze on him to let the other know he was sincere instead of letting himself be distracted.]

It's all right... There's a lot I haven't been telling you, either.

[He did appreciate the apology, though. It kept increasing the respect that Ainosuke had for him, to be so open about things like this.]

That's fine. I understand the necessity of keeping secrets, particularly in a foreign place like this.

[He knelt down to be a little closer to eye level, smiling.]

I should at least tell you that my name isn't Lancer, although I think perhaps that was obvious. That's...call it a codename.

My name is Diarmuid. I don't particularly like concealing things about myself, but I think many of the details would be a long and irrelevant story. I can at least give you my name in good conscience.

[Ainosuke looks a little unsure of how to go about pronouncing that name even though he just heard the other say it. He hesitated, thinking about why the other might need to use a codename to begin with, but figured it was something else he would find out in time. There were far too many questions at this point concerning anything.]

I won't call you by it if it makes you more comfortable to be known by something else. And...

[He trailed off slightly, putting one hand up to his face.]

I'll tell you anything you want to know about me, I just... can't say much about this.

Call me whichever you like. I simply didn't like the idea of concealing my identity.

[Which he was still doing, but to a lesser degree. It was easier to deal with, at least.]

And I hadn't planned on interrogating you for any reason. Tell me whatever you will at whatever time you should choose. I'm not looking to learn all I can about everyone who crosses my path.

[At least not yet, and not without being willing to exchange information on himself in an equal share.]

... I appreciate you telling me. And it's not interrogating me. I trust you, but I'm not sure what you'd want to know.

[Maybe there was something involving his skills or how well he could fight, maybe more about his past that he could admit that would make him more trustworthy. He wasn't sure.

Ainosuke turned his attention back to what he had been looking at, choosing two packs of pencils, a couple sketchbooks, and some miscellaneous things like a sharpener and some erasers. That would last him for quite awhile. He stood up, holding the items to his chest as he made his way down the aisle, looking for a cheap bag he could carry things around in.]

[Lancer gave a slight shrug of his shoulders; in contrast to the thousand and one questions about the city they were in, he couldn't think of all that much to ask anyone personally.]

[...no, on second thought he did have one question.]

There is something I'd like to know, but...I warn you it's going to seem a very peculiar question.

[Even if he had been a modern human, Lancer still wouldn't have been sure what the answer was. As a heroic spirit, it was just that much more difficult.]

What year is it, exactly?

Two thousand eleven, June... twenty-first, maybe. I'm pretty sure that's right.

[After he gave the answer, Ainosuke gave Lancer his usual bright smile. It was becoming more common now that he had been around the other this much and felt rather safe.]

We've both got our share of weird questions and requests, so even if I don't know why you're asking, I won't think any less of you for it if it's something you want to know.

Thank you, I do appreciate that.

[He smiled a little awkwardly, then took a moment to consider this. Lancer existed as a heroic spirit outside time--he could be summoned into any era. But if he'd been summoned again, he shouldn't have remembered the previous Holy Grail War. This would have to be a summoning gone horribly wrong to both make him human and retain his memories.]

[This was a difference of...seventeen years? A small gap of time in the larger scale of things, but still a confusing thought.]

Mm. It's fine.

[Ainosuke took a few minutes to dig through the bags, checking them over and seeing which one he could get for the least amount of money that wouldn't fall apart once he was gone. He only stopped to pick up one other item -- a box of tea -- though it took him a few minutes of staring at them and trying to figure out exactly what corresponded to the types he usually had. Getting used to buying things in America would be weird.

While he made his way up to the counter, he made sure to check with Lancer again.]

Are you sure you don't want anything?

I-I'm absolutely sure, yes. You really don't need to worry about me.

[He was notably less flustered that time, thought still perhaps a little embarrassed.]

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