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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I could just as easily say the same to you or any other in this city, and yet here we both are.

[Lancer had every reason to distrust people after how his war had ended. Perhaps a more cynical man would, and Lancer may have been notably more bitter now than he had been when first summoned. But despite all that, he was willing to risk trusting others in this situation.]

An...experiment?

[He spoke as if he was unfamiliar with the word, though that wasn't entirely the case. Caster had experimented on his victims. Magi experimented with concepts and theories. Understanding something and comprehending it were not exactly the same, and it was the purpose behind the word that confused him.]

To what end? I'm not sure I understand what this situation could accomplish.

I don't know. I... Something similar happened just the other day, where I was from. The night that I came here. Something happened where it turned out to just be an experiment someone was running. If we don't have anything in common, then maybe it's less about who we are and more about what they want us to experience. We lost something, coming here. We're restricted. That might have to do with it.

I'm not sure how to equate it to everything that's happening right now. What happens at night or those creatures... Maybe....

[He trailed off again, silent with his thoughts.]

... maybe there's something or someone they're looking for. Something specific.

[Listening in silence, there was a faint flicker of something like concern on Lancer's face. That sounded quite likely, but who or what were they after?]

[He didn't like this in the least. It was too strange, and whoever behind this was obviously some kind of coward to hide behind distortions and shadows rather than make themselves known.]

That is a distinct possibility, yes.

Have you talked to many people? I wonder if anyone else who came here had anything they're missing. Maybe one of the things the person behind this could be looking for is someone who isn't affected by whatever's going on.

[Ainosuke rubbed at his face with his sleeve, taking a deep breath. This sounded crazy. He really couldn't believe he was saying things like this.]

... like this whole place puts a ... .. something like a block on our abilities, whether it's natural or not.

A few, yes. It seems we are not the only ones that have lost things.

[Without really thinking about what he was doing, Lancer brushed a hand against the small mark on his face. It was arguably least of what he'd lost, but somehow it was particularly jarring. If whoever was behind this could remove a curse from the gods themselves, what else were they capable of?]

...yes, that is a good way to describe it. But I don't think I've ever heard of magecraft that could do such a thing.

I don't know a good way to ask and find out who might be exempt from it. It's hard to tell who is telling the truth and who might be doing it just to bait someone.

[Setting his food aside again, Ainosuke tilted to the side and laid down on his side, hugging his arms to his chest.]

I don't like just sitting around and waiting for something to happen.

...no, I must confess it's not something I like either. If I am to fight against those who have caused this, I would want to first have them make their identity and intentions clear.

That's the only option we have right now, though. We don't have enough information to figure out who's behind everything and how to get to them. I doubt the hotel staff would say anything, if they even know about it.

[He turned his head to look up at Lancer again, nearly pouting.]

I guess for now we should just wait and see what happens. If you hear anything interesting about anyone, let me know and we'll see if we can get a better idea about what's going on.

[That last statement actually got a hesitant smile from Lancer. That was remarkably similar to a typical order from Master to Servant, and though he was filled with spite and anger towards his own Master as well as Saber's...

...it was nice to be given a purpose, however limited.]

I understand. I will look for answers to the best of my ability.

[Whenever Lancer smiled, Ainosuke couldn't help but smile in response. It was always little things that made him happy. Still, he was teasing when the other started acting like this.]

You keep talking like that. I told you, I'm not trying to boss you around.

[Annnnd right back to flustered.]

I-I know that. Of course I know that. It's just a habit, that's all.

[Which was admittedly true.]

[Before he could stop himself, Ainosuke was laughing. He wasn't laughing at the other to be mean, but was amused at the reaction he'd received.]

What kind of habit? Are you used to people bossing you around?

Well--no, not exactly...

[Just Kayneth, ~~that dick~~.]

I'm accustomed to answering to others in my particular line of work.

[It was amazing how much one could hide while still being perfectly honest.]

As long as you know I'm not doing it to be mean. I'm working with you, not trying to tell you what to do.

Of course I know that. Don't be ridiculous.

[Oh, Ainosuke. If only you had any idea what he dealt with, you wouldn't be worried about sounding cruel in comparison.]

[Except he really has no idea, so he's going to keep apologizing whenever he has the chance. The last thing he wants is to make Lancer feel like he's being taken advantage of.]

I'm just making sure. You're my friend, after all.

I know the difference between working with someone and receiving orde-

[...hang on, what now.]

[what. what is this i do not even.]

[im 25 and what is this out of nowhere]

I...I, er...

Right, yes. Of course.

[This was getting to be a very strange and jarring experience, especially considering the state Lancer had been in before his arrival.]

[Ainosuke noticed the other's reaction to his words, looking a little unsure of exactly how to continue. He didn't feel he had upset the other, but he'd likely made Lancer uncomfortable. Still, it didn't seem like a bad thing to have admitted that.]

I might sleep for a bit, now that we have everything out of the way. I'll see what information I can gather in the next few days. And... you're right about how I shouldn't trust everything I hear. It still might help to hear what they have to say, though.

There's surely some other trustworthy people in this city. Perhaps even some that will have actual answers. I advise only caution, not paranoia.

[He stood up and sighed quietly, running a hand through his hair to brush it out of his face--not that it did any good, the same few strands fell right back in his eyes as they always did.]

If no one else, I believe it's safe to say by now that we can rely on each other.

... right.

[Even though Ainosuke was a trusting person by nature, the current events had caused him to be even more aware and cautious about what he was doing. Part of him wanted to shove everyone away and try to do it on his own, but without Lancer there, he wasn't sure what sort of state he would be in. He pushed himself back up, lazily rubbing at his face with one sleeve again.]

I'm happy you trust me. [It was probably more than could be said for the cops back home, if things kept up the way they had.]

And I'm grateful I have someone to help me work out how this place is functioning.

[A sincere smile crossed Lancer's face, and he gave a slight but respectful bow.]

I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I find any new information.

I'll still answer any questions you have, even if they're strange.

[Ainosuke thought back to the question about what year it was, earlier. It still seemed unimportant in the grand scheme of things right now, so he would save it for later.]

Thanks. Just call me if you need anything in the meantime.

our dried voices when we whisper together [OPEN]

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