ellipsanet | Video || un: hardboiled

Oh, look who's here. My pointer is to run right into more danger here.

[ There is an expression on Badou's face that he is none too pleased to see Giovanni. It is an expression that speaks volumes. ]

No thanks, I'll pass. Thanks fer caring y'psycho.

[ Ok, the big question. Is it Herbst? Is it the OG Giovanni? Time to find out. ]

Go fuck off to the opera or something.

[ Brilliant maneuver. ]

Edited 2023-10-16 02:13 (UTC)

Why the hell would I do that, eyepatch? Especially when there's so much fun to be had here?

[ Not Herbst. Check. He has an expression of mock realization on his face. ]

Oh right, I forgot! Yer idea of fun is fuckin' around with people with a side of murder. Ain't sure why they brought you here out of all the crazies. Better than your psychotic mom though I guess.

[ One more thing. ]

Don't call me eyepatch!

They just love to have me world-hopping.

And - I'll do what I want. What can you do about it?

[ Because he's a petulant shit -- ]

Eyepatch. Eyepatch. Eyepatch. Eyepatch.

Fuck, some other place got afflicted with you too? Standards are pretty low these days I guess.

[ He clenches his teeth despite the cigarette. As much as he wants to snap back at Gio - He's got guns but no bullets (Not that they did much damage anyway on his kind of people) and he has a feeling throwing the guns at his head will be pretty ineffective. ] There's gonna be a bigger fish in the pond that's gonna get you one of these days - Fuckin' count on it.

[ At the nickname, Badou's expression quickly changes to a rather pissed off one. The video shakes, clearly he'd been sitting down previously and is now standing. ] Don't.Call.Me.Eyepatch. You little shit.

I'm sure these places don't pick, and neither do we. A real shame, maybe they could have brought Heine instead of you.

[ Hmm. He sounds amused rather than anything else. ]

None of those big fish are here. A real shame that there's not really any challenges here.

[ Well, there's one he knows of, but -- he wouldn't disclose that. ]

I'll call you Eyepatch all I want.

What season did you wake up in? Some of us can make fire so you wouldn't need a lighter then.

Magic is weird if you're not used to it but this place isn't bad.

[ A pause. That's right, there's other seasons in this place. It's not just a rumor. ]

Huh, I guess it was kinda like back home. More snow tho'. Ain't nothing but winter from where I'm from. Maybe there were other seasons once but that ain't a thing anymore...

[ He chews on the end of his cigarette thoughtfully. ]

Someone mentioned that I think. [ He sure did pay attention during the orientation - Some PI he is. ] So our magic is linked to the season we popped in? [ Okay, maybe he was paying attention a little. ]

That sounds exhausting, being cold all the time. Only one part of this place is winter all the time. The other places are different seasons.

But if you woke up where it's winter, that's water powers. Summer is fire powers. There's probably somewhere to get a lighter, but I just use that power for whatever needs fire.

Sorry, it sounds kind of wild if you're not used to magic.

Ya get used to it, I guess? But if you've lived with it all your life, I guess you don't know anythin' else. Maybe I'll give the other places a looksie once I figure out this city. [ He actually looks sincerely curious - This is not hard boiled PI behavior, Badou. ] It'd be kinda nice I think.

Water powers, huh. [ He scratches his chin thoughtfully. ] So can I make it rain or some shit? I mean I guess I could if you can make fire. ...Course I don't get the thing I'd use the most.

Kinda takes getting some used to, but I mean, where I'm from they got some crazy science goin' on - so this ain't my first "weird shit I am learning about" rodeo.

[ He shrugs. Again he's taking it in stride. ~~Not because he had his freakout when he was wandering the snow or anything~~ A beat. ]

Oh yeah, what do I call you, mysterious voice? Th'names Badou.

I guess that makes sense. If you don't know anything else, then…the way things are is always normal.

[ Eren got used to horror and death (on a level no one should), after all. He's heard other worlds that sound impossible to him. People can get used to anything, seems like. ]

I don't really know much about science…but I didn't know anything about magic until I left my own world. For water…I don't know if you can make it rain, but you should be able to create water out of nothing, at least. I know someone else who has winter powers but I'm not sure what all you can do. It won't come all at once, though. You have to work at it.

[ Oh, right. He had audio on by default but he switches it to video. Seems fair. ]

My name's Eren.

Never seen a spring before so that'll be interestin'.

The science I've see, man. I'd rather not see it again. [ There's a deep frown on his face as he says that - Bad memories and all. What happened to Dave... And... He snaps out of it. ] Workin' on it, huh? So I guess I gotta take baby steps and then I can make it rain. Guess I gotta find me another winter buddy at some point.

[ He does a small casual salute once the video comes to life and he sees the other person on the screen. Oh man, he's kind of got a broody face - Where has he seen that before? ]

Good to put a face on the name. Take it you've been here a while?

Wow…that's hard to imagine. But there's a lot of stuff I never saw at home too. You can see all four seasons here just by travelling to the different sections. It's pretty cool.

[ He shrugs, evident in the movement of a shoulder and the slight jostle of the camera. ]

Something like six or seven months now, yeah.

I wish I could only imagine the shit I've seen, let me tell you. [ He does make a mental note to do a grand tour of the seasons, it'd be kind of neat to see what other seasons actually look like. ] Different sections? So they're not all in the same place? [ Badou how would that even work you goober. ]

[ There's a quirk of his lips as he takes that in. ]

Months here? Damn - It ain't a quick little vacation then. Guess I gotta figure out what to do here. Pretty sure ya weren't twiddling your thumbs while you've here.

Yeah. I know that feeling. I don't even think I could make up most of what I've seen, though.

[ He's right. He's twisted because of what he's seen and done, but how could anyone make up the horrors of their world? ]

No, they're not all the same place. This place is pretty big, I guess. But it's easy to travel between them most of the time.

[ He shakes his head. ]

It's not a quick vacation. But…I don't wanna go home anyway, so I don't really mind.

[ Does Eren actually do anything to help save this world? Debatable, but he does at least care about doing so. If this world falls, where will he and his friends even go? Home? Hard pass. ]

There's things to do. A lot of people work in shops or whatever.

[ HE GUESSES, not like he would know. He doesn't have a real job. ]

There are missions you can do for the Guilds that sometimes pay pretty well. I just do that.

[ He calls them "missions" but he means "quests." ]

The rescue from mortal danger is a side benefit, but it is pretty nice when it happens, not gonna lie.

Advice? If you don't touch anyone for a week you'll turn into a statue, but the touch requirements are super low. Like you can absolutely get by on handshakes or whatever, even if you're not a touchy person there's no excuse for getting turned into a rock.

Kinda is - But... [ He waves a hand dismissively. ] Look, it's complicated. Kinda glad, kinda not, y'know?

Does a high-five work? I ain't above giving a handshake to someone but feels like it'll get awkward real fast.

High-fives work. It's super, super lenient, even for the most awkward of guys.

Good to know. I don't know if I could deal with holding hands and singin' kumbayah or somethin' everytime I didn't want to be a statue.

Speakin' of life or death, we just gotta keep close to the populated areas if we don't wanna tangle with your friendly neighborhood monster, right? [ It was very easy for him to remember the DANGER bits in orientation at least with his finely honed survival instinct (Not that he listened to it sometimes). ]

Yep! As long as you stay out of the Segments and stay in the city proper, you shouldn't see any aggressive monsters here, or tangle with the extreme weather for that matter.

...Extreme weather? [ Please define that Evangeline, this is concerning. ]

Like, tornadoes or hurricanes or blizzards or whatever? They're not happening all the time out there but they're pretty frequent.

[ Badou not everyone considers a person an extreme weather condition. Something else does occur to him however... ]

Let me guess, with all this weather and monsters, there's a catch isn't there? Like we gotta fight them or something with our powers or some shit like that?

You don't have to. Like you're perfectly allowed to just stay in the city proper and not deal with that. But like, there's quests and stuff that pay really well if you do want to go out and fight them.

[The catch is that money is a nice thing to have.]

( so maybe the first thing that catches his attention is the unlit cigarette — a kindred spirit, perhaps? — and not the screen full of fire-colored hair, though he doesn't miss it, that's for sure.

he really doesn't have anything to offer, but if you think that's going to keep him from chiming in and giving his two double dollars, you would be deadass wrong. )

Ain't got any pointers, bein' new here myself, but— ( there's a pause, and the distinct clink-fsssh of his lighter being lit.

( how else are you supposed to describe that sound? nobody cares but it needs to be part of the introspection. ) ) Got a lighter, though.

Magical world 101 wasn't your cup of tea either, huh?

[ He visibly perks up hearing that familiar noise. That blessed snap. While he's usually a matches person himself he recognizes the sound like all nicotine fiends do. ]

Now yer speakin' my language, buddy.

If ya promise me you're not some psycho [ Look he's had a lot of bad luck in that department in the past. ] can ya spare a flame for a poor soul?

( it's just a sound you know. if you know. just wait until you see the little flip trick he can do with it.

( and he's used to livio being impressed by it. there aren't going to be any hurt feelings if a grown ass man doesn't think anything of it. ) )

Must've skipped class that day. ( he chuckles. he likes this guy already.

but that doesn't mean he isn't going to mess with him at least a little bit. )

I can promise ya I'm not a psycho all day long, but it's up to you whether or not ya believe me. ( he's having a little too much fun with this. ) Still wanna take that chance just for a light?

[ He'll...Be polite about it maybe? ]

Didn't miss much. Something something magic and seasons and some shit like that.

[ Of course it's up to him to believe Wolfwood or not - But honestly? He's dealt with a lot of psychos back home (One kinda sort of his friend he guesses) so if the other man is lying what's one more? No bullets in his gun but if worse comes to worse, he can chuck the empty thing at Wolfwood's head or something. ]

For a light? Y'sound normal enough. [ He shrugs on camera. Look, the need for sweet sweet smoke to fill his lungs is very real. ] We'll find out if yer a liar I guess, yeah?

( better than nothing, tbh. )

Somethin' about magic havin' a lot to do with those seasons too, if I'm gettin' the gist of what I've been hearin'. Summer and fire, things like that. ( so maybe he's not being too much of a shit about it. he knows when information is useful.

he watches badou for a second, not so much like he's sizing him up but just ... observing, because that's something he's good at. always has been.

after about a full minute: ) If you're gonna trust me, might as well give you my name, yeah? Call me Wolfwood.

Where are you, exactly? Can't give you a light over this thing.

Yah, learnin' that since I ended up in a snowpile gettin' here that I can control water or some shit. [ Looks like both of them were actually paying more attention than they let on.

He raises an eyebrow at the long pause from the other man before there's a barking laugh. ] I know I got a pretty face but a picture will last longer. [ He gets the need to observe, after all while he's had mixed results at best, he's still a PI in a sense. ]

Nice t'meet you Wolfwood. Badou.

In the Airship station? Not gonna lie haven't seen the rest of the joint yet. Looks kinda crazy and wanna make sure it's the kinda crazy I can deal with. [ He looked out the windows of the airship station first thing - The ritz and the glitter of the city nothing like back home. Hell, a lot of the tech was far beyond what he'd seen before.

It was gonna take a while to get used to, that's for sure. ]

Were you injured before you arrived here...? ( For a moment, Historia looks worried, but she pauses before speaking once more. ) If you were -- it seems that you're alright now.

But, this isn't a hallucination. It may be difficult to believe, but everything about this place is real.

[ He holds his hands palms out in front of his hands. ] Ah, no! It just was...Uh, a situation going down and it was gonna be real bad. But I ain't there anymore so I guess I don't have to worry about it for now.

It's kinda...Feels real, but also kind of far out, y'know? It's not everyday you sort of are in a situation and suddenly get whisked away and dumped into a pile of snow. Still tryin' to wrap my head around it.

That's good to hear. ( Historia responds softly. ) It's not completely safe here, but you're out of harms way for now. And... being here can help you brace for whatever might await you at home.

There's a lot to get used to here, but... it'll feel like home before you know it. At the least -- it feels a lot like that for many people here.

Did you have any questions in particular?

Yeah, I guess I am. Guess I got lucky - for once.

Home, huh? [ He chews thoughtfully on his cigarette. ] Y'know - You're not the only one that's mentioned this is a long term stay here... Guess I gotta get settled down one way or th'other.

Gonna need a job I guess if I'm stayin' here for a while... Y'know anyone hiring a PI?

There's no rush, really. There's plenty of space in the apartments here. But, it's true that finding a way to make money would be the best way to get settled in.

( There's a noted pause on her end before she responds to his question. )

A PI? A private investigator...? Not that I know of, but I'm sure that there'll be a quest where you can put your skills to use sooner rather than later. The questboard is the best way to find something that you can help with.

[ Oh, this is the perfect chance to be a senpai!! Maybe. ]

Greetings. What sort of pointers would you like to hear? There are various topics to cover, after all, and I imagine it would be very overwhelming especially if you've just arrived.

Although... I would suggest finding your temporary lodging so you can at least sleep on a bed tonight.

[ What's this - a kid? He shouldn't assume but... They're so smol... ]

Uh, wow, didn't expect someone to actually answer it but - Uh, I guess do ya know any winter people? Someone mentioned that we can control water and stuff.

Yeah, I think I got the directions for the place - Right now jus' tryin' to get my bearings, y'know?

[ Yes, maybe he should not assume. ]

You reached out to the network with a concern. People should answer, if they wish to help. [ Though judging by his response, he hasn't gotten any? That is sad. ] I know Thoma is affiliated with Winter.

[ She hums and puts a hand on her chin in thought. ]

Come to think of it, I do not make it a habit to ask people of their seasons. Perhaps I should. Ah- in any case, I believe once you have a good grasp of water magic, you would also be able to control ice. I'm not sure what else Winter power holders are capable of...

[ Forgive him - He is an idiot. ]

Eh... [ He shrugs. ] I figured it'd be worth th' ask but wasn't expecting anything. [ A pause. ] Thoma? That a friend of yours? Take it you ain't a winter person.

[ He tilts his head a little, thinking it seems like. ] Ice, huh. [ There's a bit of an ironic laugh. ] Of course I come from a place that's always Winter and I got the ability t'make ice. Shit, that's so stupid.

Thoma is indeed a friend, yes. I'm a Spring power holder, so I am gifted with the ability to use the element of wind. It's quite an adjustment, as I am more accustomed to ice back home.

[ But this isn't about her! She's got a newbie to try and help out. ]

I don't believe there is a specific reason how otherworlders become affiliated with a certain element. That may not be the reason why you are a Winter power holder. Though that may actually also be why.

I hope you will be able to get used to these new abilities without much issues.

Maybe I should meet 'em...Get some tips on it. And you said ice back home, did y'have a setup like this back there?

So the assignment is arbitrary. Got it. Ugh, the worst fucking kind of choice.

[ There's a pause for a moment as he thinks if anymore questions to ask. ]

Got any tips for someone tryin' out their abilities? Do I gotta wiggle my fingers or something? Say some magic words?

A setup... It's quite different, but there are some things that are the same.

It's not quite "magic", where I am from. Instead, I would call it more of a... gift, I suppose. One that helped me move forward in forging my own path.

[ That doesn't really say much, though. ]

I find that having a clear mind and a clear image in your head as to what you'd like to do helps. For example, holding out your hand over a glass of water as you imagine freezing it, might be something you can try doing.

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