Noctium TDM Overflow

[sing_for_me]

Zoomies
[ Alex can run, and she can do so in heels, but thankfully the guild had lent her some boots because her usual shoes sure as hell weren’t made for booking it like this. Her knees are banged up and bloodied from how often she’s fallen over, though the bandages on her face were clearly placed prior to arriving here. It can’t be helped though, since every time she tries to move, she ends up running a lot faster than intended. At this moment, she might be charging right at you screaming for you to — ]

PLEASE MOVE!

[ Or maybe you see the odd woman frozen on all fours on the ground as she looks up at you pitifully. ]

Could...you give me a hand, please?

1-1
[ Still in a daze from everything, she follows the flow of people until she reaches the cafeteria. The pain she had felt was undeniably real, but her mind couldn’t wrap itself around everything going on around her. The GemSci were kind enough to change the bandages on her face and offer her the chance to clean up (though she insists on using her own clothes still), but Alex remained on edge. Tray of odd looking food in hand, she’s stiff as she approaches you at your table from behind. ]

Excuse me...is...is it okay if I sit here too? I won’t take long.

2-2

a) Alex wasn’t sure what was more shocking, that she was in a new world with gem people and futuristic technology, or that the government actually gave stipends to people. She turns to someone nearby who she recognizes from the sky station, assuming they received the same offer. ]

Do...you think it’s a scam? Would we need to pay them back with interest? Or would they order us to do something dangerous...?

[ If there was anything Alex had learned from Ergastulum, it was that there were always strings attached. ]

b) They even provided them with devices that Alex had never held before. Sure cellphones were a thing in Ergastulum, but she’d never used one herself. Tapping at pretty much everything, she selects the camera option, gasping as she takes a random shot of someone’s foot. Wanting to try again, she holds it up and uses it to scan around crowd until she finds a suitable target. She takes one shot after another, fighting with how blurry they always come out, the sounds of snapshots might catch your attention, or maybe the flash that suddenly goes off in your face when she gets too close. ]

Wildcard
[ I realize we are ab out two weeks into the TDM so f you’re interested in doing something else feel free to toss it in or hit me up at mightycheese ]

Comments

[sing_for_me]

[ A vague response, but it’s a description that could be applied to any place, if she really thought about it. It occurred to her that she might be approaching this the wrong way, attaching herself too much to the thought of a past connection. What did it matter if she couldn’t recall it herself? How was that fair to Itachi?

Her focus shifts to his question on synchrony. Physical intimacy as a way to earn a living wasn’t a foreign concept to her, if anything it was like the cotton candy version of her previous occupation. ]

It’s pretty straightforward, as out of this world as it might be for me to really understand. But having powers and...connecting with someone emotionally, I’m not too confident about that. It might take some time for me to adapt to something I’ve never really had.

[ Both she had desired for years, and both she had given up on. More recently, she began to yearn for power to keep the connections she finally made versus the alternative of cutting them off, all to survive. ]

I’d like to think it would be nice to have both. But... it feels a bit greedy?

[ Her laugh is awkward, not trying to hide how new she was to all this. ]

[anbu]

[Alex feels the same to him as she did in Aefenglom—a kind, gentle undercurrent to her thoughts and responses, a hesitant consideration for her words and how much personal detail she shares. It isn’t difficult, then, to get used to the differences. Perhaps the most stark of all is only the absence of her previous Merrow characteristics.

As she mentions powers and emotional connections, Itachi moves to cross the street, staying in the lead without losing her in the crowd. His voice is carefully neutral when he responds.]

It is normal to be apprehensive in a new situation. Time for adjustment is necessary.

[He would be more concerned about someone who took confidently to unfamiliar powers; ego and avarice are a dangerous combination in untrained hands.]

Are you ashamed of the desire to feel powerful? To be close to someone else?

[sing_for_me]

[ His tone was nowhere close to comforting, but his words still passed on the intention. Something about that made her smile as she watched him walk ahead of her. ]

I think both can hurt you. I’ve seen what power has done to some people and...getting close to others makes it more painful to let go.

[ The things Barry did to obtain more influence, how the superhuman abilities of the twilights disabled them and decreased their lifespan, the war that was breaking out amongst the different divisions of Ergastulum...Power more often brought ruin. Alex didn’t have the gall to consider herself close to Nicolas or Worrick either, but she couldn’t deny how much they and the others meant to her. ]

I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t want both though. To keep the people I care about...I need power, don’t I?

[ Alex couldn’t hide behind her powerlessness forever. ]

[anbu]

[There's surprising insight in her words, causing Itachi to glance back over the slope of one shoulder to study her face. It occurs to him that he doesn't know very much about Alex and her history, outside what he'd witnessed in a memory and what she'd later shared about her brother. Guessing through context only offers so much.

Getting close to others makes it more painful to let go. What is it that made her say this?

He studies her in the moment of silence that falls, considering her declaration, all of the secrets trenches within it. The topic of power only threatens to plunge him into a deep, dragging nostalgia, an ocean of agonizing sorrow always at the fringes of his self-control. He'd once craved power to do exactly as she says; still, he'd lost everyone.]

Which gem do you have? [Itachi looks ahead, rather than search her body for a visible glimpse of it.] Your power will be different depending on that. Have you experimented yet with it?

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex catches his gaze just as he turns away. She picks up the pace until she’s walking by his side, taking the chance to assume that he didn’t mind. Was there something he wanted to ask? The question about her gem felt more like a change of course, but Alex didn’t mind going along with it. ]

Amethyst. I haven’t purposely tried yet though. I don’t think it’d be safe to do that here. I don’t want to...cause any problems.

[ After finding out the reason behind her newfound speed, Alex was wary about using it carelessly. ]

Have you with yours?

[ She on the other hand, doesn’t stop herself from looking him over. Not that his clothes allowed for much to see. Surely a gem would stand out amongst all that black if it were somewhere visible. ]

[anbu]

[He nods his head, a short little gesture as Alex shifts ahead to keep pace with him; he doesn't comment on it. At the next turn, Itachi gestures before taking the corner.]

Not deliberately. At the moment, it's more of an inconvenience than anything, due to that volatility. You're correct that it's better to wait until you can find a safe environment to test it.

[The amethyst sits at the base of his throat, a dormant purple that almost slips beneath the collar of his long-sleeved shirt, barely visible. It isn't much larger than a dime.]

I would be willing to help you practice, given that we have the same gem type.

[sing_for_me]

[ Her eyes just barely catches a glimpse of the gem as it peeks from beneath the fabric of his collar, but his offer pulls her attention away. It stops her in her tracks, her hand unconsciously reaching out to tug at his sleeve, eyes wide as she stares up at him. ]

Wait—-Really? You would?

[ No matter whether he knew her prior or not, to assist someone like herself surely was more trouble than it was worth. Even though she’s received more kindness that she has in years, it was still foreign to her when she had little to offer in return. ]

But what...can I do for you then? Will you really be able gain any practice with me? Not that I wouldn’t try, but—!

[ Ah, she said she wouldn’t be so unsure anymore. ]

I mean, I’ll do it! [ Her grip on his clothes tighten. ] I’ll try me best, if you’re okay with me!

[anbu]

[The tug at his sleeve tows him obediently to a stop, out of the stream of foot traffic. Alex’s earnest response is endearing, certainly, sending him into a mixed nostalgia somewhere between the early days of training with his brother, and his friendship with a young girl named Izumi.

He doesn’t have to read into her response to understand that Alex sees her ability as lesser in comparison; she isn’t wrong. At some point, maybe that would’ve guided his decision-making. Here and now, it’s no longer a priority for him.]

There is plenty the teacher can learn through the instruction of a student. I’m not adept at these abilities, either, so perhaps we will both improve ourselves in the process.

[Itachi doesn’t pull his arm away, glancing down with the corners of eyes—mastering the slight curve of amusement at his lips.]

I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t certain, and I don’t expect compensation. Do you have any training in basic self defense?

[sing_for_me]

[ A teacher.

Her head lowers slightly, something about that lit up her eyes and fluttered in her chest. She’d never had a teacher before, not one that she could remember. Anything she had to learn was mostly forced onto her, and none for her own benefit. But now, she had a chance to learn something proper. And to think it was from someone humble enough to say he might learn something from her.

Instead of her own fingers, she takes to fiddling with his sleeve, trying to control the smile threatening to widen even more on her face. She was so pleased that his next question didn’t bother her. ]

Oh, no [ She laughs. ] I don’t think what I know would count as proper self-defense.

[ Barry would never have allowed her to learn such a thing. If she had, maybe she could have prevented so many things. Alex was more of a scrapper than a fighter, making use of whatever was around her or her own self to bite, scratch, or kick her way out of a situation.

Once again, she looks up at him expectantly, not wanting to be greedy, but not doing the best job at hiding it either. ]

Would...you teach me that too?

[anbu]

[Once, the idea of training someone would have seemed novel and awkward to him—and dangerously personal, for the reliance it put between student to teacher. He’d even used that position of authority to push his own younger brother further and further away from him. He never had his own true sensei, unless he counted his father, but he could remember how Shisui’s companionship in the early days of his life had lifted him out of painful solitude.

Then in Aefenglom, there was Jonas. He doesn’t expect Alex’s proficiency to be high, much like the young teenager he’d attempted to train in magic, so the situation is almost... similar. Nostalgia is a strange, aching burden for a moment until Alex’s words clear his head.]

Yes. It’s something that I believe everyone should learn.

[Itachi glances down at the sleeve she’s toying with, faintly amused by the behavior.]

We can exchange contact information. I’ll send you a message when the situation is more settled here. What is your username?

[He’s fishing out his own device from one pocket—a sleek, black phone—prepared to input her name into the contact list.]

[sing_for_me]

Oh!

[ She exclaims suddenly, quickly pulling out her phone from her jacket pocket. She just learned this not too long ago!

A determined look on her face, her expression is serious as she starts to tap away at the screen. Her face then brightens when his name turns up from her search, and just as quickly switches to focused as her thumbs awkwardly moves across the device. Alex wasn’t used to the action yet, and moreso her left hand from the bandages wrapped around her fingers. With a final tap, she ends with a proud and satisfied smile. Itachi’s phone should notify him of a new message. ]

Hi Itachi. It’s Alex [ As if her name as her username didn’t make that obvious. ] I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

[anbu]

[He waits patiently for the duration of her careful text messaging, then moves to unpocket his own device as soon as it chimes to alert him. One brow lifts - mock surprised, or perhaps impressed - before he taps out a sufficient reply.]

Hello, Alex. I'm glad.

[Short and simple, stowing the device away a moment later.]

See? A quick learner. [Inclining his head, Itachi turns to continue on the path; they only have one more block to go before the Embassy looms into sight, towering and bureaucratic.] There are individuals inside tasked to help you find accommodations in Sumarlok. Will you be all right on your own from here?

[sing_for_me]

[ Proud as she was, she felt rather childish at his praise. She follows him without much comment, her gaze moving upwards as the Embassy starts to get closer. Hearing that this is where they would part, her head lowers slightly. Their walk was a lot shorter than she had expected. ]

Yes, I’ll be fine.

[ She knows she has to handle things on her own, and she is determined to do so, but there’s a lack of energy in her response. ]

Then, will you be leaving now?

we can probably wrap this up!

[anbu]

[Unable to read the meaning behind that body language, Itachi watches her closely, attentive to the tone of her voice. Is it disappointment? He finds that difficult to imagine, considering Alex knows so little about who he is or what their relationship was previously. Or perhaps she is more perceptive than he gave credit.

With a nod of his head, he looks to the building.]

If that's all right. If you have questions, you may contact me. I'll be available.

[He'll make an exception for Alex, despite his usual avoidance of unnecessary social interaction.]

Sounds good

[sing_for_me]

[ She couldn’t say it wasn’t, now could she? But that he left an open line for her to reach out to him...that’s more than she thinks she could ask for. Her hands clasp behind her back, just in case she does something childish like reach out for him again. She takes a few step towards the building, turning halfway back as she flashes him a small smile. ]

Take care, Itachi.