wilderlogs | gently whispers "what the fuuuck" [OPEN]

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gently whispers "what the fuuuck" [OPEN]

Who: Shuichi + OPEN
What: Awkward detective fumbling his way through the sudden arrival and trying to make sense of this bullshit magic temple nonsense
Where: The woods and the temple
When: Couple of days after the squad arrives at the temple
Warnings/Notes: N/A, will update if necessary

A. MAGIC MIRROR OPTION

[(Y'know, if anyone feels like helping this sad city kid find his way to the temple.)

Is he dead? Fuck, maybe he is. This really isn't what he thought death would be like, but after what just happened, being dead would make sense...

But while this would be a seemingly peaceful enough afterlife, just trees and nature in every direction and no one else around, there are details that leave him with doubts. For instance, he hadn't really been alone at the end there, and he can't imagine the others wouldn't also go...wherever he ended up. Unless that's just how death works. Hell if he knows.

The sword and mirror laying in the grass beside him are better evidence that this isn't anything that simple. He's never owned a katana or a hand-mirror in his life, so why would he just wake up here with something like this? And there had been that voice... Whatever was going on, being alive somehow makes more sense. The question is just whether this is more of the same kind of bullshit as what he'd just escaped, or something else entirely.

If anyone happens to have the magic mirrors on hand, they might find the image of an Asian teenage boy there, the picture tilting dizzingly as he turns his own mirror to examine every inch of it.]

A sword and a mirror, huh...?

[His eyebrows knit together as he looks over the mirror, frowning thoughtfully. A mirror could be used as a signal by catching the light, he supposed, but that's not really useful when you're alone. Jeeze, if he was gonna be abandoned in the middle of nowhere with supplies then food or whatever would have been way more helpful.]

B. THE TEMPLE

[He's held onto the sword for some reason. It's not like he knows how to use it, but it seemed significant. Too significant to just leave lying in the middle of the woods.

That doesn't really make him feel any less awkward just carrying it around the temple in front of others. Even if a lot of the "others" here are...kind of bizarre. Given the kind of people his classmates were, "bizarre" means a lot coming from him. Whatever progress he'd made back home in the way of being social, it suddenly seems way more nerve-wracking to just approach any stranger here at random. Some of them are literally aliens, if everything is to be taken at face value.

He's not really sure he believes it all. But he still hasn't worked up the confidence to go around introducing himself at random.

But if they're all going to be here for at least a few days, he can at least find a place to stash the sword for now. Anyone who's claimed a room for themself might suddenly find a new kid wandering in and startling upon finding someone already there, hands lifting defensively in that universal sign of "I am unarmed". Except...he's literally holding a sheathed sword. Goddammit.]

S-sorry! I didn't realize this one was claimed already!

C. INVESTIGATION START

[Once settled, his first instinct is to explore the area and examine everything unusual thoroughly. And...well, there's a whole lot of "unusual" around here.

But for now, he's really curious about that mysterious music. It's nice enough that he feels pretty relaxed, even as strange as all this is. But it's still weird and inexplicable and he's gotta figure this out. So he's crouched in front of one of the statues the music seems to be coming from, inspecting it closely and carefully feeling every nook and cranny of it, trying to find some less ethereal source of the music.]

D. WILDCARD

((OOC: Hit me with whatever tag you want, if none of these work for you! You can bother me via PM or at

tinybro if you wanna plot anything in particular out!))

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[Dixon's got a lot of emotions.

He nods, swinging the raccoon slightly as he tries to pick back up into a normal hike instead of a mopey shuffle. There's not enough heart in it to really make a difference.]

The logical explanation could be magic. Actually. Magic answers a lot of questions. [Much as Dixon is not a fan of magic being the answer, it is a very convenient answer. Seals a lot of leaks in the bottom of the boat. Keeps expectations for any of this to make sense rock-bottom low.]

But if you can come up with something better, I'm all for it. I'm done trying to put it together myself. I'm just going with it. Trying to figure out the "why" is a waste of time when we don't even got running water. There's stuff to do.

[Ugh. Shuichi is glad he's behind Dixon right now, so he can grimace openly at that swinging raccoon and not feel bad. Gross.]

Uh...is everyone managing alright so far like that?

[With a group that big, problems like a lack of running water are either much easier to take care of or much, much harder. And as disparate as Dixon has made them sound, he's not gonna make on "easier".]

We're doing alright. There's a river or we'd really be out of luck.

[Thank God for small favors. The temple is actually a really good spot if they're going to rough it - good vantage point, near a river, surrounded by a forest full of animals and fruit-bearing plans. It just doesn't make the transition easier on someone who's used to Wi-Fi and electricity.]

So, what were you up to before all this?

[Dixon's kind of aware that it's a loaded question, because before he got here he was on a roadtrip to blow off some steam by shooting some guy he met at a bar. For all he knows Shuichi came from a similarly momentous point in his life. Maybe that's why the kid avoids eye contact and looks like it's stepping on a nerve to be socializing so much.]

[ joke's on you dude he's just a passive loser to begin with

But shit, yeah that is a loaded question. One with an answer that Shuichi neither wants to talk about nor is sure that he even should. Everything's kind of a very fresh mess. He's still not even sure what's going on here let alone how the dust settled with the game.

His empty hands comes up without his really thinking about it to tug on the brim of the hat he doesn't even wear anymore, catching nothing but air at first and hoving awkwardly for half a second before he uses it to fuss with his bangs instead, trying to cover up the aborted gesture.]

Nothing exciting. Just...work, I guess.

[It's kind of not a lie, even. If you squint and kinda mentally force it to work.]

Shouldn’t you be in school?

[Granted, it’s not like teenagers can’t work, but usually that’s a side gig rather than their whole existence. Maybe Shuichi got picked up over the summer. Dixon worked summer jobs, stocking shelves at the local grocery mostly. During the school year he had to focus on school, because otherwise he’d be held back a third time.

He catches the gesture, but doesn’t really think anything of it, assuming Shuichi is just flicking away an insect or something.]

I was.

[Shit, he should have said that, huh? Ugh.]

It's a...side job, I guess.

[He's trying with all his strength to give off some please just drop it vibes, trudging along after Dixon with his head down.]

[Unfortunately for Shuichi, he's accompanied by someone with the emotional intelligence of an old sock.]

Yeah? Doing what?

[Not like Dixon volunteers his previous employment, though.]

[ bruh ]

Ah...I'm a detective.

[He bites down on the urge to follow that up with a "kind of". It's either just his shitty self-esteem talking and he's trying to be better about that shit, or it's doubt based on all the revelations from just a few hours ago and frankly, he isn't gonna talk about any of that.

Adopting an awkward attempt at a small smile and glancing back up, he just goes for the redirect instead.]

So what do you do? Besides...whatever is going on here, I mean.

Sure you are, Encyclopedia Brown.

[It’s such a ridiculous statement that Dixon doesn’t even start to take it seriously. Why would he? The kid’s only in high school at the oldest.]

Not much. I was gonna kill a guy before I got here but I guess that’s a wash. He deserved it, promise. [It’s an easier misdirect than “I got fired from the police department”.]

[He doesn't get that reference, unfortunately. Wrong country of origin.

And he might have just let that disbelief stand, too used to it and averse to conflict to push back. But then Dixon admits to plotting murder and he frowns, staring at the scarred and bloody man long and hard.]

...I'm not lying.

[There's a bit more backbone in that statement, and at least the uncertainty in his gaze now is directed outward instead. He's...really not sure what to make of that claim. He's never down with killing, but the "he deserved it" is uncomfortably familiar and he doesn't really want to get bogged down dwelling on that case again.]

[Dixon snorts and rolls his eyes, exaggerating his own dismissal in response to Shuichi's seriousness.] You need a high school diploma before they let you into police academy. Believe me, I know.

[The promise of the uniform was just about the only thing that got him to finish high school. It would be a body blow to think he stuck it out that long unnecessarily. He turns and starts trudging again; they're not that far from the temple now.]

But if you want to grow up and be a detective, I can give you pointers. [Don't throw people out windows.]

[Shuichi's jaw goes a bit tight, his whole stance a little stiff. But he isn't going to fight this.]

I'm fine, thanks.

[It's a polite dismissal in return as is his nature, but curt and without room for argument. It's hardly as if he thinks he's perfect at what he does, "Ultimate" or not. But he doesn't really want advice from someone who casually admits to planning a murder without remorse.

He should just take what he can from this. If all this is something similar to the game, somehow, then it's unlikely to be one where the Ultimate titles exist. His age got him brushed off too easily for that. And if it's not something similar, then...he's got no idea what's going on.]

Your loss. [They get to the feet of the temple, where the stairs sprawl out like a red carpet. Dixon looks around, but doesn't see anyone on watch, and that annoys him. He wonders if he was supposed to be on watch and got the informal schedule mixed up and wandered away.

He knows he just wheezed and gasped his way up the hill, but God he needs a smoke. He has three left, and he feels he deserves it just for getting back in a halfway timely fashion.]

Well, there you go, kid. I'm gonna stay out here. There's probably a bunch of them cooking rats and boiling water. [He holds out the raccoon.] You mind bringing this up for me? Tell them I brought it.

["Cooking rats". Ugh. Shuichi grimaces at the thought, suddenly and absurdly missing the school. At least that particular brand of bullshit gave them actual food.

With a battered raccoon corpse shoved in his face, though, he pales.]

Uh--

[ oh god no he really doesn't want to touch that please ]

I, uh...I don't even know who "them" is, so...

The first person you see up there. They'll show you wherever it is they're throwing together the food. [He shoves the raccoon at Shuichi, looking still very proud of it.]

Take it, unless you want to stay out here while I smoke. Say, you ain't a smoker, are you? [Because God he will bum a cigarette off you in a second if you say yes, Shuichi. He's got the misfortune of being the only nicotine addict in this entire traveling posse, which he finds both statistically unlikely and deeply devastating.]

[Maybe if you weren't a lifelong smoker you wouldn't be wheezing like that, Dixon.

Because sitting still is really not in her skill set, Revan is out for a jog, and when she spots the pair, she alters her path to meet them, dodging through the branches and over the fallen trunks with all the effortless grace of someone who isn't Dixon.]

Hi, Dixon. Who's your friend?

[She's breathing hard but not winded, and she smiles over at Shuichi. Revan's left her robe at the temple, but she's still sporting the light-colored wrapped tunic and knee-high boots of a Jedi, not to mention the lightsabers.]

[The smooth way to handle this would be turning to introduce himself and conveniently "forgetting" about the raccoon. But he isn't smooth at the best of times and someone's shoving a bloody dead animal in his face, so Shuichi instead just looks towards the strange woman with a mildly panicked expression, silently begging for help as best he can.]

[Dixon greets Revan with an actual smile, faint as it is. Even if she's showing off with her leaping around like a damn gazelle.]

Kid named Sushi. Found him in the woods. And dinner, too. [He presents the raccoon to Revan with a similar puppyish desire for approval, then sets it down at his feet, no longer willing to wait for Shuichi to come around. He needs his hands free to get his cigarette lit, thank you very much.] Sushi, this is Revan. She's from Costa Rica.

[Don't hate her because she's a Bioware protag, Dixon.]

Dantooine.

[He's not even trying anymore. Revan corrects Dixon dryly, glancing down at the deceased racoon and diplomatically not saying anything about the state of the carcass.]

Nice to meet you, Sushi.

[That smile is much too friendly for it to be mockery--she genuinely thinks that's poor Shuichi's name.]

[Just judging by her quick correction there, he's willing to bet that not bothering to remember things like that is just a theme with this guy. At least this lady seems nice, if maybe way too ready to jump on the sushi train.

He sighs, but it's with the defeated air of someone used to being the team punching bag.]

It's Shuichi, actually. Shuichi Saihara.

[And because he's a good kid and this is a proper adult (who isn't covered in animal blood), he even offers his hand for a shake.]

[Well, at least she didn't outright reject the raccoon. He'll take that win.]

Gesundheit, [he says to Revan, before finally getting that sweet sweet nicotine into his system. The expression on his face is the one people get when sliding into a warm bath. He's exercised incredible and uncharacteristic restraint in stretching out his pack the whole week. He's definitely going to cry like little kid when he gets through the last smoke.]

That's what I said. Hey, Revan, Sushi here says he's a detective.

[That's a dismissive snort there for sure.]

Shuichi.

[She's repeating it for Dixon's benefit rather than her own, looking over at him with a hint of warning in her voice. She'll let his crappy behavior towards her personally slide, but being an ass to teenagers is unacceptable, and if he can't pick up the hint, she will have no problem spelling it out for him.

Revan turns her attention back to Shuichi and accepts the handshake, switching back over in an instant from commanding officer to normal friendliness.]

Welcome to...wherever we are. Did Dixon give you the orientation?

[She's not certain what Dixon would think important enough to mention, so this should be good.]

[Her manner does seem to relax him a little. He's used to dealing with the formality of police units -- or at least, he has memories of it, and for lack of anything certain in his life right now he'll just stick with those and try not to stress over the unanswered questions -- and friendly is always good.]

He walked me here.

[That's...something. He's trying to be positive here. He doesn't want to write anyone off immediately, even if they are self-proclaimed attempted murderers who shove dead animals in his face.]

And he told me a few things.

[Which "few things" he doesn't immediately specify. If she backs up Dixon's info with matching details of her own unprompted, then he can at least be a bit more sure of what's true. Or at least, what these people think or have agreed to say is true. It doesn't really feel like there are straightforward answers about anything these days.]

[Dixon immediately looks at his feet at the tone in Revan's voice. There's a kind of respect for her that was totally absent when he was just talking to Shuichi or even talking about the others. It's like he shrinks into himself a little at the rebuke.

He mouths the word "Shuichi" quietly, as if trying to actually get the name right, before taking another deep drag. Granted, he rolls his eyes a little too, but it's slight enough as to be almost unnoticeable.]

Just filled him in on the basics. We don't know shit, there's no running water, monsters tried to kill us, you know.

Edited 2018-04-07 00:36 (UTC)

[Dixon accepts the rebuke without an argument, so Revan's back to her default amiable (if a bit intense) self. If she acts like she thinks she's in charge, it's only because on some level, she does.]

Not the worst summary. You mentioned the food situation?

[She assumes so, since the mangled raccoon warrants an explanation. He must have beaten the blasted thing to death with a rock.]

It's not dire-- [she doesn't want to unsettle the poor new kid any more than necessary] --but none of us are in a position to be picky eaters right now.

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