[ he sets it in stone, for less nefarious purposes. perhaps. who knows. there's a path that eventually meanders towards an arch, but for now: ]
I'm curious—what do you suppose someone gains from taking away color from the world? Seems an odd form of torture, an even stranger form of punishment. You suppose it was meant for us? Or for those who might have been here before us?
[ there has to be some reason it's been drawn out like this. he does smooth a hand over his coat briefly and nods. ]
But yes, I did. I take it yours similarly did as well. It's a wonder where it all goes, or if perhaps it's been hidden from us. Nothing says they can't have spelled our vision, correct?
[It's not impossible some Contractor has the ability to make other people see black and white. It's a seemingly useless ability, but a good Contractor finds a clever use, that's for sure]
[ it really is strange, percy definitely was certain he was covered in blood, not ink, until he remembered the moments prior to his arrival. he furrows his brow. ]
What sort of wretched Plane have we found ourselves in...
percy's just sitting in central, once again on the bench he has christened with dark stains from before. he's taking apart his rifle to check it before putting it back together with all the speed and practice of a man who is not just familiar with it, but rather, intimately familiar. ]
Ah, Mr. Simon. How are you faring today?
[ if he's already looked at the contact cards on the phone, he isn't mentioning it. ]
Compared to yesterday I'm doing better. Keeping an eye on my grievous injuries and waiting to see if they are more than meets the eye.
[The sight of that rifle definitely gets November's attention. It's good to see a weapon around here. Rifles are not something November tends to use -- his power is far more versatile than any weaponry -- but it's good to know such a thing exists]
Although I do admit the sight of your weapon makes me wish I had one.
[ he pauses, his shirt still bloody, he peels back at a hole in it, showing a gnarly bullet wound right over the heart. this guy seems interested in unraveling shit. it's worth trying. ]
The wounds I came here with were utterly fatal when I arrived. I wonder if it's something about this place that makes them... less so. We're worth more alive, it seems.
...yes, it does. I'd rather you don't spread the word about this, but I was in the middle of dying from internal injuries. Surviving until now would be impossible if it wasn't for this realm's qualities.
[November is pretty sure once he finds a way out of this monochrome world he'll drop dead, really]
Keeping information in the down low is a tenet of my former job. You have nothing to worry about.
[Says that yet he doesn't care anymore about keeping quiet about some job-related stuff anymore. Given everything that happened he can't say he holds any loyalty to those particular secrets anymore, hah.
The question about what sort of weapon he works best is a good one! Explaining his powers is out of the question right away, that much is for sure. Even now, revealing he's a Contractor is bound to attract too much attention on himself. Time to conceal the truth. Smiling, he answers:]
I'm capable of using a variety of weapons but I'm especially good with throwing knives. My aim is outstanding.
[Throwing icicles is close enough to throwing knives, isn't it?]
[ it's a typical monday in the crystalline apartments and here is percy giving his gun a good old cleaning on top of a dark towel. it's disassembled and he's going over it with a soft cloth, the soothing waves of calm rippling off of it very gently. the keurig emits a soft coffee scent into the apartment. he looks up when the door (to wherever) opens and offers a nod in greeting ]
Seems at least we're back with our proper talents today.
[Ah, time to return! November enters to the apartment. Judging from his expression, something is up -- he seems kind of confused]
Morning, Percy.
[Making a mental note to check himself for new colorful tattoos later, November shrugs]
There are a bunch of new places to go to. The Prism is getting larger, I suppose. Other than that there's... [...how to describe it...] Do you feel different this morning?
I don't know if that's lucky or not. I've only had terrible dreams... that last one was probably the best one I've had in years.
[ he tips his head, his finger tapping carefully on his own knuckles. there's something a little impulsive building up in his hands, but he at least has the mental fortitude to. put it away at the moment. just. put it away. ]
What sort of feeling, if I might ask?
Edited (hit enter too fast!!!) 2022-02-28 21:48 (UTC)
[ ahhhh percy just looks at november briefly with a raised brow, like he's mulling over the truth of the statement before before chuckling a bit. great. he's almost afraid to ask more. ]
Really?
[ as if he isn't feeling himself in the way his fingertips twitch ever so slightly. if only he witnessed the hands u put on people's faces, he would probably be just a little amused. ]
And how's that going for you? The... physical contact requirements of the day? Think you can cope?
[ percy looks down at his tightly clasped hands for a moment before back at november. he holds a beat and then. ]
I don't see why not.
[ he lifts a hand. fine. this is cooperation. this is what they're meant to do and november? well. there are worse people. people who will make a huge deal of it. so he'll remove himself from his seat and close the gap between their hands.
when he holds it, it comes to him almost too easily. ]
[It's so curious. Once he grabbed Percy's hand this just felt right, apparently having underestimated how relieved he'd feel once this happened. Curious! November blinks, looks down at their hands, and comments:]
Looks like there's going to be a lot of handholding for the next few days.
[Oh well, that's how things go over here in the Prism. He'll do what he can]
[Who'd have thought these bubbles can sneak even in their shared dormitory? All of a sudden, there's a bubble, and perhaps fortunately, it seems November's memory is the one that shows up here]
------------
If you wanted to talk to someone, you'd go and get in touch with them, like a decent everyday person. Apparently November doesn't play by those basic rules, because what he did was stand near a building's entrance for the woman he wanted to talk with to come out.
Misaki Kirihara certainly was surprised to see him! Taking him aside, they began their conversation. "How are your injuries?" she asked. From looking at November you couldn't have known he had been injured recently. He looked as well put together as usual, standing there with his arms behind his back and sunglasses on.
"I feel as great as I look"
"Good to hear. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"I received information that the attacks would continue."
"You were hurt in the line of duty so I understand why you can't ignore the situation. Leave the rest to us"
"I just wanted to get a good view of the explosion"
Kirihara's reaction was, of course, a horrified gasp, followed by glaring at him with frustration. This was far from the first time November had dropped one of his jokes on her.
"I'm kidding. Actually, I received some additional embassy-related information. I wanted to let you in on a secret as a token of my appreciation for the other day."
What followed was a lot of information about some man who apparently used to be kept in the basement of some organization's headquarters, doing research about some gate, and another organization that was going after him. Judging by how November went out of his way to come spill these beans, it's all important and sensitive information. It also included a warning that there could be enemy elements among those working in the embassy they were referring to.
"I'm sure you already know, but February, the leader of the EPR, used to work by my side as a fellow agent"
"Isn't that still true?"
"What do you think?" he replied, staring at her with his usual smile.
Apparently everything November had told her was a lot of very worrying information, because Kirihara went silent, frowning. For several seconds they stood there in silence until November, nonchalantly, poked her right between the eyebrows, the contact snapping her out of whatever thoughts she was dealing with, she stepping back and covering right where he had poked her.
"Oh, sorry. I couldn't restrain myself at the sight of that wrinkle" he said as if he hadn't just poked her, not caring she was glaring at him now. "Misaki"
"What is it?"
Taking off the sunglasses, November said, actually going out of his way to give advice. Despite how much of a pain November can be, and although he tends to be pretty focused on his job, he still took the time to address someone as an ally. "From here on out, the line that separates enemies and allies doesn't exist" he said, surprising Misaki. "You must act on your own intuition"
Not bad advice at all!
Having dropped that, November turns around. "I'll see you later" he says, walking away.
-------
[Once the memory ended, there was November, looking like he had been caught offguard by the memory after all]
Not the most professional moment, but I suppose as far as memories go it's not the worst one that could be shown here.
[It doesn't have him showing his powers, for example]
Waking up at all during Thursday nights must feel like having your own death announced.
[November sure knows a thing or two about being told you'll die, that's for sure]
I suppose that, if you're reliving it right now, you wouldn't mind giving more details about how everything got to this point, would you?
[Tactfulness? No, apparently there's none of that here. He did come here with a purpose. True, he did come because he respects Percy and wanted to visit him, but also because he had questions to ask, yup]
[ eh. tact. who needs it. percy glances over at a small paper bag that was left for him and will pull it close to reach into it and take out the bottle of water. he takes a quiet sip. he blinks once. twice. closes his eyes and then his shoulders slowly go slack.
Were you influenced by anything? Did you suddenly have any unexplained feelings, or felt any suggestions coming to your head?
[November shrugs]
Of course, if you did this because you wanted to and with sound mind then that's alright too. I'm probably one of the few who aren't going to judge you for that.
[What with him routinely killing people without nary a thought of regret]
[ percy looks at him for a long, long time before he finally speaks. ]
Chang Geng and I awoke... and we knew that we couldn't stay. I wasn't sure if it was me... or if it was him at first. Earlier in the evening, we tried to stay awake and stave it off. Tea, a game. But gradually, I could feel it eating away at me, intensifying with every minute. At that point...
[ he shakes his head ]
I wasn't in control. In my mind, everything I had done was right.
[November nods, listening. So that's how the compulsion feels...feeling like everything had been the right thing to do, and therefore taking action to fulfill it. That's really interesting, he thinks. Very intriguing]
I suppose that, by the time Chang Geng was found, the compulsion was gone?
In other words: if it had been your choice, you'd have never done it.
[November shakes his head. He can't decide if all this is the Prism trying to hurt them by proxy because it can't do it by itself. Perhaps that's it. Perhaps it takes control of someone because using someone else's body is the only option]
I wouldn't have. But still... I did it. So I have to own up for those actions. And pay for them suitably. It's... only right. Fair. What is it—balance?
It hardly is fair when what we're doing is playing along the rules set by the Prism.
[November shrugs]
I would suggest killing you here and now instead of letting you have to have to play by its rules, but I doubt Vax would approve -- and neither would you.
[Gotta have a cool fight! The pathos payback is going to be fantastic]
[ percy is slowly meandering back into the apartment. he has yet to really see or encounter anyone directly, having only gone to the medbay to get some healing in during the early hours. his face is still a little bruised and his arm is still in a sling.
he steps in just as november might be stepping out to greet the morning, and as they encounter one another, a wave of emotion sparks—anxiety like bright strips of electricity. percy's face however remains calm. ]
[Waking up on Monday always is such an experience. This time it's a little more unexpected -- Percy is there, alive, in the apartment. Having the room to himself lasted, like, a night or two. Not that he wanted Percy to die, of course.
Still, November sure emanates...some surprise, and what seems to be concern over Percy's state, looking at him up and down]
Welcome home, Percy. You look like you have had better times.
[That comment was definitely in response to Percy's brief anxiety, although November doesn't realize that was what led to him coming up with such a greeting]
[ he looks away. “welcome home” paints him with shame almost. he toys quietly with the raven skull pendant around his neck, holding it in his bandaged hand. he can feel… surprise and it makes his brows draw. he tells himself it’s his own, he didn’t expect november to be up yet. ]
But I… it’s good to be back. [ a pause, quiet hope. and then, something resolute. to the point, percy tries to be himself. ]
I’ll come right out and say it. Do you mind if I return to sleeping in our room? [ tentative. he misses the books under his pillow, and the nook for his glass and the stupid light fixtures. ]
[He would have told a terrible joke about how during Percy's absence he invited someone to take over Percy's bed and half of the room, but who would he mention for that? Bass? A menagerie of rainbow animals? He couldn't come with something appropriately dark for the situation. Next time you will, November, next time]
This time there won't be any memory bubbles threatening to reveal our pasts. You should be able to relax.
[No memory bubbles, no sudden urge to hold hands...it will aaaaaall be fine. Perhaps it's the lack of effect so far what has November radiating good mood right now]
[ there there november, maybe you can make the joke when the wound's a little less raw. he might actually laugh at it then. for now, he just sort of. vibrates in his own mood. he's thankful that there aren't any sort of iridescent bubbles around to trap them anymore at least, because he can't help but partially blame them for pushing him over the edge. ]
Finally.
[ there's relief here, floating in among the good mood that seems to sweep its way towards him. he furrows his brow a bit and rubs his head with his good hand (still bandaged, but usable). ]
Suppose only time will tell what's going to hit us next.
[ worry, niggling at the edges of his mood, chewing on it, then sinking its teeth in. anchoring. intensifying. ]
[November's expression breaks a little. What's up with the contradictory emotions he has been feeling? All of a sudden he keeps sensing anxiety and intensfying worry, but he feels pretty okay right now. Is there something wrong? Is the Prism trying to balance it with the opposite, somehow?
There's no way something isn't up, he thinks. He had been about to leave Percy to his own devices, but no, better consult with someone now]
Have you felt strange this morning? I think something's up.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
w0, friday (overflow)
Mr. Jack Simon.
[ he sets it in stone, for less nefarious purposes. perhaps. who knows. there's a path that eventually meanders towards an arch, but for now: ]
I'm curious—what do you suppose someone gains from taking away color from the world? Seems an odd form of torture, an even stranger form of punishment. You suppose it was meant for us? Or for those who might have been here before us?
no subject
[It simply means the purpose hasn't been found yet. The only thing November is sure of is that the purposes are devious and will be bad news]
Look at yourself. Did you have any color in your clothes before coming here?
[The lack of color kind of implies the monochrome style is something inherent of this place! Perhaps it just works far slower on organic beings]
no subject
[ there has to be some reason it's been drawn out like this. he does smooth a hand over his coat briefly and nods. ]
But yes, I did. I take it yours similarly did as well. It's a wonder where it all goes, or if perhaps it's been hidden from us. Nothing says they can't have spelled our vision, correct?
no subject
[It's not impossible some Contractor has the ability to make other people see black and white. It's a seemingly useless ability, but a good Contractor finds a clever use, that's for sure]
How does my hair look to you?
[Percy's sure is white, very white]
no subject
[ a pause ]
For the record, my hair is white. It hasn't been... de-colored by this place, so to speak.
no subject
[Heck, the blood on the inside of his clothes is his own yet it's gray too. The rules of this realm are a mystery!]
no subject
What sort of wretched Plane have we found ourselves in...
no subject
[Thought! Better figure out if someone has something to share with the class! Any information is good at this stage, he figures]
no subject
w0, sunday
percy's just sitting in central, once again on the bench he has christened with dark stains from before. he's taking apart his rifle to check it before putting it back together with all the speed and practice of a man who is not just familiar with it, but rather, intimately familiar. ]
Ah, Mr. Simon. How are you faring today?
[ if he's already looked at the contact cards on the phone, he isn't mentioning it. ]
no subject
[The sight of that rifle definitely gets November's attention. It's good to see a weapon around here. Rifles are not something November tends to use -- his power is far more versatile than any weaponry -- but it's good to know such a thing exists]
Although I do admit the sight of your weapon makes me wish I had one.
no subject
The wounds I came here with were utterly fatal when I arrived. I wonder if it's something about this place that makes them... less so. We're worth more alive, it seems.
no subject
[November is pretty sure once he finds a way out of this monochrome world he'll drop dead, really]
no subject
[ despite what he's been told, percy has very little faith in his own ability to return from the dead. but his time was up anyways. ]
What sort of weapon do you find yourself working best with?
no subject
[Says that yet he doesn't care anymore about keeping quiet about some job-related stuff anymore. Given everything that happened he can't say he holds any loyalty to those particular secrets anymore, hah.
The question about what sort of weapon he works best is a good one! Explaining his powers is out of the question right away, that much is for sure. Even now, revealing he's a Contractor is bound to attract too much attention on himself. Time to conceal the truth. Smiling, he answers:]
I'm capable of using a variety of weapons but I'm especially good with throwing knives. My aim is outstanding.
[Throwing icicles is close enough to throwing knives, isn't it?]
w2, monday
Seems at least we're back with our proper talents today.
[ good mornyan, november. ]
How is it out there?
no subject
Morning, Percy.
[Making a mental note to check himself for new colorful tattoos later, November shrugs]
There are a bunch of new places to go to. The Prism is getting larger, I suppose. Other than that there's... [...how to describe it...] Do you feel different this morning?
no subject
Must be our doing once again. I'll have to go take a walkabout to see what's been made... wonder if it's anything useful.
[ he pauses in what he's doing and the moment his hands are unoccupied, he realizes he really just
has to clasp them together in his lap! ]
But... I haven't felt anything too strange? No odd dreams at least. Granted, I've not left the apartments just yet. What about you?
no subject
[To November sleeping is little more than emptiness, really]
But leaving aside the new places, I have found myself invaded by a strange feeling. I suppose I have been targeted like Itsuki and others were.
no subject
[ percy hums slowly. ]
I don't know if that's lucky or not. I've only had terrible dreams... that last one was probably the best one I've had in years.
[ he tips his head, his finger tapping carefully on his own knuckles. there's something a little impulsive building up in his hands, but he at least has the mental fortitude to. put it away at the moment. just. put it away. ]
What sort of feeling, if I might ask?
no subject
[Cause he doesn't elaborate about, apparently]
To put it simply, I have the need for physical contact all of a sudden. It's not even directed towards a specific person.
[Culminating in him going to touch people's faces with his wide open hand, apparently. Yay]
stares at my late hands
Really?
[ as if he isn't feeling himself in the way his fingertips twitch ever so slightly. if only he witnessed the hands u put on people's faces, he would probably be just a little amused. ]
And how's that going for you? The... physical contact requirements of the day? Think you can cope?
no subject
[November extends a hand]
Would you like to cooperate? You may think of it as a long handshake.
no subject
I don't see why not.
[ he lifts a hand. fine. this is cooperation. this is what they're meant to do and november? well. there are worse people. people who will make a huge deal of it. so he'll remove himself from his seat and close the gap between their hands.
when he holds it, it comes to him almost too easily. ]
no subject
Looks like there's going to be a lot of handholding for the next few days.
[Oh well, that's how things go over here in the Prism. He'll do what he can]
Week 3 -- Tuesday Morning Memory Share
------------
If you wanted to talk to someone, you'd go and get in touch with them, like a decent everyday person. Apparently November doesn't play by those basic rules, because what he did was stand near a building's entrance for the woman he wanted to talk with to come out.
Misaki Kirihara certainly was surprised to see him! Taking him aside, they began their conversation. "How are your injuries?" she asked. From looking at November you couldn't have known he had been injured recently. He looked as well put together as usual, standing there with his arms behind his back and sunglasses on.
"I feel as great as I look"
"Good to hear. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"I received information that the attacks would continue."
"You were hurt in the line of duty so I understand why you can't ignore the situation. Leave the rest to us"
"I just wanted to get a good view of the explosion"
Kirihara's reaction was, of course, a horrified gasp, followed by glaring at him with frustration. This was far from the first time November had dropped one of his jokes on her.
"I'm kidding. Actually, I received some additional embassy-related information. I wanted to let you in on a secret as a token of my appreciation for the other day."
What followed was a lot of information about some man who apparently used to be kept in the basement of some organization's headquarters, doing research about some gate, and another organization that was going after him. Judging by how November went out of his way to come spill these beans, it's all important and sensitive information. It also included a warning that there could be enemy elements among those working in the embassy they were referring to.
"I'm sure you already know, but February, the leader of the EPR, used to work by my side as a fellow agent"
"Isn't that still true?"
"What do you think?" he replied, staring at her with his usual smile.
Apparently everything November had told her was a lot of very worrying information, because Kirihara went silent, frowning. For several seconds they stood there in silence until November, nonchalantly, poked her right between the eyebrows, the contact snapping her out of whatever thoughts she was dealing with, she stepping back and covering right where he had poked her.
"Oh, sorry. I couldn't restrain myself at the sight of that wrinkle" he said as if he hadn't just poked her, not caring she was glaring at him now. "Misaki"
"What is it?"
Taking off the sunglasses, November said, actually going out of his way to give advice. Despite how much of a pain November can be, and although he tends to be pretty focused on his job, he still took the time to address someone as an ally. "From here on out, the line that separates enemies and allies doesn't exist" he said, surprising Misaki. "You must act on your own intuition"
Not bad advice at all!
Having dropped that, November turns around. "I'll see you later" he says, walking away.
-------
[Once the memory ended, there was November, looking like he had been caught offguard by the memory after all]
Not the most professional moment, but I suppose as far as memories go it's not the worst one that could be shown here.
[It doesn't have him showing his powers, for example]
Week 3 -- After Trial
There comes November, looking at calm as usual]
That night in the apartment seems so distant now.
[It really does. Still, what kind of greeting is this, November?]
no subject
No.
I'm reliving it. Waking up. All of you asleep.
It was just me... and Chang Geng...
no subject
[November sure knows a thing or two about being told you'll die, that's for sure]
I suppose that, if you're reliving it right now, you wouldn't mind giving more details about how everything got to this point, would you?
[Tactfulness? No, apparently there's none of that here. He did come here with a purpose. True, he did come because he respects Percy and wanted to visit him, but also because he had questions to ask, yup]
no subject
he turns to look him in the eye. ]
What details would you like in particular?
no subject
[November shrugs]
Of course, if you did this because you wanted to and with sound mind then that's alright too. I'm probably one of the few who aren't going to judge you for that.
[What with him routinely killing people without nary a thought of regret]
no subject
Chang Geng and I awoke... and we knew that we couldn't stay. I wasn't sure if it was me... or if it was him at first. Earlier in the evening, we tried to stay awake and stave it off. Tea, a game. But gradually, I could feel it eating away at me, intensifying with every minute. At that point...
[ he shakes his head ]
I wasn't in control. In my mind, everything I had done was right.
no subject
I suppose that, by the time Chang Geng was found, the compulsion was gone?
no subject
[ he flexes his fingers quietly. ] Chang Geng’s death felt like a dream, I couldn’t fathom it to be real, that I’d done it…
It’s like being there in your body. But you’re a passenger, even if the actions are all your own.
no subject
[November shakes his head. He can't decide if all this is the Prism trying to hurt them by proxy because it can't do it by itself. Perhaps that's it. Perhaps it takes control of someone because using someone else's body is the only option]
no subject
I wouldn't have. But still... I did it. So I have to own up for those actions. And pay for them suitably. It's... only right. Fair. What is it—balance?
no subject
[November shrugs]
I would suggest killing you here and now instead of letting you have to have to play by its rules, but I doubt Vax would approve -- and neither would you.
[Gotta have a cool fight! The pathos payback is going to be fantastic]
w4, monday
he steps in just as november might be stepping out to greet the morning, and as they encounter one another, a wave of emotion sparks—anxiety like bright strips of electricity. percy's face however remains calm. ]
Ah, good morning... November...
no subject
Still, November sure emanates...some surprise, and what seems to be concern over Percy's state, looking at him up and down]
Welcome home, Percy. You look like you have had better times.
[That comment was definitely in response to Percy's brief anxiety, although November doesn't realize that was what led to him coming up with such a greeting]
no subject
[ he looks away. “welcome home” paints him with shame almost. he toys quietly with the raven skull pendant around his neck, holding it in his bandaged hand. he can feel… surprise and it makes his brows draw. he tells himself it’s his own, he didn’t expect november to be up yet. ]
But I… it’s good to be back. [ a pause, quiet hope. and then, something resolute. to the point, percy tries to be himself. ]
I’ll come right out and say it. Do you mind if I return to sleeping in our room? [ tentative. he misses the books under his pillow, and the nook for his glass and the stupid light fixtures. ]
no subject
[He would have told a terrible joke about how during Percy's absence he invited someone to take over Percy's bed and half of the room, but who would he mention for that? Bass? A menagerie of rainbow animals? He couldn't come with something appropriately dark for the situation. Next time you will, November, next time]
This time there won't be any memory bubbles threatening to reveal our pasts. You should be able to relax.
[No memory bubbles, no sudden urge to hold hands...it will aaaaaall be fine. Perhaps it's the lack of effect so far what has November radiating good mood right now]
no subject
Finally.
[ there's relief here, floating in among the good mood that seems to sweep its way towards him. he furrows his brow a bit and rubs his head with his good hand (still bandaged, but usable). ]
Suppose only time will tell what's going to hit us next.
[ worry, niggling at the edges of his mood, chewing on it, then sinking its teeth in. anchoring. intensifying. ]
no subject
[November's expression breaks a little. What's up with the contradictory emotions he has been feeling? All of a sudden he keeps sensing anxiety and intensfying worry, but he feels pretty okay right now. Is there something wrong? Is the Prism trying to balance it with the opposite, somehow?
There's no way something isn't up, he thinks. He had been about to leave Percy to his own devices, but no, better consult with someone now]
Have you felt strange this morning? I think something's up.