soul_logs | [OPEN] Earthquake Event

Entry tags:

[OPEN] Earthquake Event

Characters: OPEN
Location: Death City
Rating: Varied
Time: Jan 22
Description: OOC post here.

It's early in the morning -- just after morning training -- when the ground beneath Death City shakes violently in what most of you might recognize as an earthquake. It's not a particularly huge one for the more experienced of the guests, but it sends cracks shooting through the cobblestoned ground of Death City and up the sides of some buildings. A small handful of structures, mostly those that have been abandoned in the course of this war or the very old ones, take the most damage and topple over or crumble at their foundations.

The earthquake lasts no more than half a minute, but the vibrations and aftershocks last through the day. Death City's streets become full of holes, from those the size of apples to what could be described as deep ditches. The greatest damage, however, is the commercial sector, which becomes flooded as the waterways take damage and spill water into the streets. Shibusen's alarms blare out and quick, urgent orders to fix the waterways and search for the injured or anyone trapped in rubble filter in through all networks.

ooc: Like always, please feel free to start your own threads. Follow the subject line format:
[Character(s)] [Location/Time] [Close/Open]
This in-game day will last a week irl.

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[Shit, he's let too much out already and he's not going to burden Rei with something that doesn't even concern her. Quickly Kotetsu attempts to backtrack as much as possible, putting up that carefree and idiotic front he always loves to fall back on.]

--no no, it's okay! Don't worry about it, it's fine! I'm fine! It's just... that's just really harsh isn't it?! I was just thinking about it and I guess I got a little too caught up in my thoughts and-- aah, that'd be a really big mess! I mean, if you think about it, having to re-meet someone like that, or especially having to explain stuff that happened to a person before it even happened to them... and then if you had to keep stuff a secret because they weren't ready for it...

[How much does Barnaby not know of? How much is he going to have to lie to him about? How much is he going to have to hide again and for how long?]

...n-nothing, it's nothing. I was just-- aha, I'm really bad at this stuff. Don't worry about it, really! I'm just too sensitive I guess!

[The look on her face suggests she doesn't believe him] I know I might be a lot younger then you, but if you need someone to confide in, I'll be more than happy to help you in anyway I can.

[There's a brief moment of hesitation and she loosely crosses her arms over her chest] It's... worse if the person is dead by your time. And even harder when they go home. At least if it's just a difference in relationship levels you can get it back to that level, and be content in knowing that when you go home that everything will be back to normal.

I can't really not worry; I've made it my job. [but she looks faintly amused]

[But he tried so hard with his fake plastic smiles... slowly noticing that she's not only not falling for his false front but he's actually getting a rather good talking to, which doesn't happen to him often. Talk about awkward. That forced grin slowly fades away to a hesitant quirk of his lips, something more melancholic and thoughtful than anything else though he manages to keep up a light-hearted tone.]

That's an awful big burden, letting yourself listen to an old man's trouble's just like that.

[It could be worse, but it's not. That's just how it is and he should be thankful for at least that much. Even if he's not sure what he's going to do at this point, it's not the end of the world.]

You realize at this point it's just gonna be you and me worrying up a storm. That's not gonna get us anywhere! ...but, thanks.

[She's tried the fake smiles and the carefully controlled emtions too long to not recognize it, even a little, in others.]

I've taken on worse burdens. This isn't awful at all compared to those. [it's said easily enough, giving a little shrug] If you don't have even one person to trust and unload your worries on, it'll all just end up building up, won't it?

[...Then again, she's probably not one to talk. The stern, almost motherly expression disappears and she shakes her head, a small, amused smile lifting the corners of her mouth]

...You're welcome. I didn't mean to come off like that; I'm used to dealing with people younger then me, so I suppose it just comes out... [You will be mothered regardless of your age, though. Maybe a little less then the kids.]

[Kotetsu watches her intently for a while in slight awe and amusement. He's never quite dealt with anyone like this before, someone more than ready to put him in his place with a few words that hit close to home. ...actually, "never" isn't the right word. He only knows of two people that have ever had this effect on him and one of them he'd rather not think about at the moment. Like a child being scolded, he feels just a little ridiculous now and he almost wants to protest but he knows he can't.

This woman sure is something, he can say that much.]

You sure got your work cut out for ya. No wonder you look so tough, carrying all that weight on your own. [His features are a tad too soft when he says that, so it's not quite meant as a joke. Still, there's a quiet chuckle afterward as he looks around the gallery for a moment, hands on his hips.]

Guess I'll be helping out with picking up more than just a few frames then. Only fair.

[She opens her mouth, pauses, then closes it, looking a little surprised. She liked to pretend, on good days that she moved as easily as anyone else, unburdened and unrestrained.

Maybe her front isn't as good as she'd like it to be. Rei glances down at her hand, thumb moving over her ring finger where the paler ring of skin announces where a ring should have sat.

After a moment she raises her head again, her smile not quite reaching her eyes] I do my best. That's all that can really be asked of me, isn't it?

[But she takes in a breath and places her hands on her hips to mirror him, looking around]

I won't go easy on you, you know. Can you handle that? [She tries to hide her smile, but there's a definite teasing tone in her voice]

[There's a curious blink, feeling as if he's been taken off-guard somehow but he's not exactly sure how or why. Something changed, especially in her eyes... or maybe he's just reflecting her own attitude and worrying too much. A part of him wonders just what exactly can result from two people whose priorities involve everyone except themselves. It sounds like a trainwreck to most but to Kotetsu he doesn't particularly mind it. Maybe that's what happens when you learn to worry about yourself for once.

All he offers is a small nod, hands falling from his sides.]

That's all most people can do really, some just do it better than others. But I got a feeling you won't be having any problems there.

[And then there it is again, another change but he follows this one a lot easier because he's just that good at knowing when he's being teased. Kotetsu stiffens up awkwardly, realizing what she's doing and so he decides to cross his arms over his chest and look off to the side in an exaggerated huff.]

Oi, you got a lot of nerve saying something like that to someone my age! I can handle a whole lot just so you know. In fact, I should be the one telling you to be ready! Got it?

[There's a smile, warm and small; she's pleased despite herself, recognizing a compliment when she heard one.

But she turns those thoughts away to cover her mouth, feigning surprise] Ah, how could I have forgotten? Your advanced age didn't even come to mind. I'll get the hospital on stand-by right away, in case you injure yourself.

On that note, perhaps you'd like to sign a release form so that neither my gallery nor I are responsible for any injuries you sustain helping me. I will, however, visit you in the hospital, with the flowers of your choosing.

[She barely gets through her spiel before she turns away a little, shoulders shaking as she laughs]

[All Kotetsu can really do is just stare speechlessly for a while, trying to sputter out an insulted retort but he can't manage it somehow.

In the back of his mind though, he's terribly amused and is just about laughing his ass off. She sure did lighten up quickly. However he enjoys this little act he's got going now so all he does is frown and point an accusing finger in her direction.]

That's all helpful and nice, really, but I'll have to decline. It takes a whole lot more than a little earthquake to catch me off-guard. ...and don't bring up the frame thing, that was just an accident!

I'll take the flowers though, maybe. Depends on the presentation. More stuff in the apartment helps to make it not that small-looking.

[She wraps her arms around her middle, laughing and shaking her head] I'm going to take the frame out of your paycheck! [Nevermind that he didn't work for her, shh. She was still planning on paying him for helping her out.

She leaned back, and would have commented (probably to tease him more) but the ground began to move. Another tremor had hit and Rei, completely off guard, fell backwards.

The area around her had been cleaned up by her previously, but as her hands came down to catch herself they slide against the little shards of glass still on the floor. There was a cry of pain and she curled in, fingers curling over her palms and brought to her chest as she grimaced with pain

The tremor was, however, a thankfully short one. Small blessings?]

[All he could really do was gape at the threat because, really? Really? What had he even done?! Kotetsu bristled visibly (and tried his best to not start laughing himself because he knew how ridiculous they were acting right now), about to find something to respond with until all of a sudden the ground started shaking and with a yelp he barely managed to keep his balance. He did however end up taking a few steps backward onto another frame.]

Sorry--!

[However right as the crack made it to his ears he heard a thump soon afterward followed by a cry of pain and Kotetsu didn't bother waiting for the shaking to stop before he hurriedly rushed over to Rei's side. Right as he dropped to his knees though everything steadied itself and he gave a sigh of relief, but there was still some obvious worry in his voice as he'd been about to set a hand on her shoulder but he hesitated seeing as he hadn't gotten a chance to see just where or how she'd gotten hurt.]

You okay?

[She squeezes her eyes shut as if trying to force the pain away using sheer wil and doesn't answer for a moment. But at length she opens her eyes and with a soft gasp unclenches her hands.

Bits of glass stick into her palms, blood beading and staining her hands; but she doesn't seem worried, glancing to Kotetsu with a smile that's trying not to seem paine, and failing] Yes, I'm okay; this isn't much. There's just a lot of blood...

Ah... I should have a first aid kit, in there. [She nods towards a room through an archway where the gallery extends] There's a chest against the wall; it should have a kit and some other things. I'll need tweezers, and probably some bandages...

[Yeah bandaids aren't going to be enough for this, but on the bright side it doesn't appear bad enough to need stitches.

Despite her best efforts to be calm and in control (she's always the Adult, trying to keep everyone from panicking; it was practically her job, if she seemed weak then that would cause others to lose hope), there's a trembling to her hands and voice]

[As he stares down at her hands Kotetsu gives a visible wince just at the thought of the pain she's in and already ideas go through his head on how to take care of the injuries on his own until she speaks up. He doesn't exactly believe for one second that she's not in as much pain as she says she is but he understands this act more than anyone and so he just nods, paying attention to the directions she gives.]

All right, don't move and just stay here a second. I'll be right back.

[Quickly standing, Kotetsu heads into the aforementioned room and begins his search for the first aid kit. Unfortunately it's very likely that whatever messy state the room is in now is just going to get worse because that's just what happens when Kotetsu is allowed access to a room he's never been in before, but adding a mess to a mess is never really an issue for him. It takes him a good minute or so and there's a lot of fumbling and occasional cursing but eventually he manages to rush back to Rei's side with the first aid kit and sets it down on the ground, opening it up and retrieving the pair of tweezers.

Carefully taking one of her hands in his own he gives her an intent, focused look, keeping his voice serious.]

I'm sorry but I'm gonna rush through this a little. Last thing we need is another one of those aftershocks hitting while I'm taking my time. [Offering her a small reassuring smile.] I'd say you could tell me to stop if it hurts too much but I've got a feeling you wouldn't say a single thing about it even if I made you.

[She laments for the state of her gallery, but tries to reassure herself with the reminder that she was planning on switching the majority of the pictures out for new ones anyway.]

It's okay; I understand. [There's a moment of slight surprise before she smiles back] You know me so well already. [But there's a nod] I promise if it gets too much I'll ask for a break. But it's not likely it'll get that badly. I've been injured a lot worse here.

[But it's said with some amusement and she chuckles] I wasn't a fighter in my world; there wasn't a need to know how to. So coming here, I've gotten used to dragging behind or being tossed around. It seems to happen frequently. [But her tone is only amused.] I've been trying to cut back, it seems to be poor for my health.

[Kotetsu decides to let her finish talking first before he starts off with anything, listening intently though keeping his focus on her hand to figure out the best way to do this... though, he does spare her a curious glance at one moment. Mostly at the 'dragging and tossed around' part.

It's concerning, to say the least. As much as he knows that those sorts of things are completely out of his power he can't help but make a mental note to keep an eye out on her from here on out. He recognizes when someone attempts to do more than they're capable of (from experience) and as headstrong as she is the last thing he'd want is for Rei to end up way in over her head one day. Which will most likely happen, or already has. Raising an eyebrow once she finishes he starts off plucking out the shards of glass as quickly yet carefully as possible, using a focused patience he reserves only for serious situations.]

You sound a little more proud of that than most people really should be. Or, just about most people. I get that it comes in handy to just take pain like that without much of a sweat but there's a difference between being tough and enduring things because you just can or you're used to it.

Just because you can take a few cuts and hits doesn't automatically make you a strong person. Just means you're durable. [He suddenly pauses, because he can't help but think that he's heard that somewhere before. More specifically someone telling him that. ...must be his imagination.]

I'm not a strong person. [It's said softly and her smile is almost self-mocking before she winces as he plucks out the shards of glass] Like I said, I simply try my best. But I've been training a lot; it's rare I get injured badly on missions.

[Another wince and a soft hiss; a couple of them have dug in snugly and seem reluctant to leave. She says nothing for a while, watching him work and thinking. About halfway through she bows her head, shoulders shaking] Ah-- Stop, just a moment-- [Rei's eyes are squeezed shut, to hold back the prickle of tears as the pain gets a little too much. After a few seconds she laughs, soft and embarrassed]

Sorry, just a moment; I need to breath and then we can continue. [To get her mind off it, she changed the conversation] Are you a meister, or a weapon? I never asked.

[Kotetsu frowns at her statement but decides now isn't the time to be giving lectures, keeping his attention on his task. He doesn't outwardly show how upset he feels at her having to be put through this much pain but inside he's echoing every wince and flinch she gives. He's actually somewhat relieved when she tells him to stop and when he looks up his frown deepens for just a moment, though eventually it turns into another weak smile.]

No, it's okay. You managed to hang in there for a long time though, good job. [Setting the back end of the tweezers in his mouth for a moment, Kotetsu reaches over to the first aid kit and pulls out some gauze to try and clean up the areas he's gotten to, tossing them aside when he's done. After he retrieves the tweezers again and waits for the go to continue he perks up a little at the question.]

Hm? Oh, weapon! I haven't really gotten the hang of it yet but I'm working on it. What about you?

[She takes a few slow, deep breaths to calm herself and edge the pain away, returning her full attention to him at the question]

I'm a meister. My ability is called Soul Sixth Sense. [She looks amused; the irony of having such an ability when she'd been dogged by spirits in her world was not lost on her] I have a weapon partner named Nepeta. You can't miss her, she's the troll with catlike features.

[Rei gives a little laugh, as if embarrassed.. which is cleared up a little as she goes on] When we resonate, I always end up with those features too, though.

[Meaning cat ears and a tail to match. She nods for Kotetsu to continue] Do you know what weapon you turn into?

[All he does is give a low attentive hum, which obviously means he doesn't get what that ability indicates at all. He'd ask about it but now she's talking about cats and... wait, hold on a second there.]

--what? Really? Like... catlike features, so that's... Oho, really?! That's cute!

[Kotetsu suddenly pauses as he looks up at the ceiling, lips pursed slightly in thought as he mumbles to himself.]

Bunny should've had something like that.

[Of course with that little comment out of the way he quickly looks back at her and acts as if he hadn't said it at all.] Ah, my partner's a meister too actually. I don't think he knows what his ability is yet since he hasn't really told me about it. But, we got one of those missions a while ago and I found out I'm claws!

[Looking oh so proud of himself when he says this. His weapon form is awesome okay, no doubts about that.]

[She turns a little red, looking away as if to hide it; her laughter is soft again] Ah, it was a little embarrassing at first, but I've gotten used to it.

[She shoots him a curious look because yeah she totally caught that. She'd ask but--]

Oh! Nepeta's a pair of claws too! [This is kind of exciting, she hasn't met another claw weapon before, her smile is quick and her laughter is bright] Maybe all four of us should do a mission sometime!

[Distractedly going back to thinking about Barnaby with bunny ears.......]

Edited 2012-02-11 18:42 (UTC)

--ah, eh? Oh! Y-you don't say! Oh... [But he thought he was the only one..... oh well, being able to meet a catgirl makes up for that.]

But-- yeah, why not? Sounds like a great idea! Though we should probably wait for Bunny and I to get some more training under our belts. It'd be pretty embarrassing if we ended up letting you two do most of the work, haha...

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[OPEN] Earthquake Event

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