[He listens to the problems Leon's classmates had to suffer through, nodding as he talks. Not being able to breathe? That was new...what the hell does CERES think they're doing? They can't do shit for them if they end up dead.
There's no interruption, even as the other man stalks away. His eyes just stay trained on him, sympathetic to his frustration though probably not showing that very well.
At the joke though, he has to chuckle a little. Thanks to Kuzuryuu and Hinata, he's getting a little more used to jokes like that. It's nothing hostile, nor is it 100% literal or serious. Just a friendly joke between chums.]
You say this in the assumption that I am never relaxed.
[He's never relaxed, don't listen to him. But okay, moving to sit down on the couch. Leaning back, crossing his arms, comfortable.]
On the one hand, it is simply more of CERES' "hospitality", so it isn't worth allowing your blood to boil over it. [Not that Tanaka hadn't been seething.]
On the other, however, it's worrisome all the same that they would go to these extents to achieve whatever goal they have. Our lives do not seem to matter to them in the slightest. You can take solace, though, in that if something seems wrong or off to you, the rest of us are most likely suffering the same treatment.
[Meaning there's little chance you'll ever actually be losing your mind.]
[Leon flops down next to Gundam on the couch--not too close, but a comfortable distance. Normally this is when he'd offer someone something to drink, or anything else they might need, but being a good host isn't exactly on his mind right now. He's still adjusting to the feeling of maybe not losing his mind. He's real; he's sane; he's out of that fucked up ViViD shit from earlier; people's problems are going away. No one's disappearing or freezing to death or suffocating. It's fine. Everything's just perfect.
He crosses his own arms, more sullen, even though he's at least relaxed a little from when he opened the door.]
Dammit, that ain't somethin' to feel happy about . . .
[Even though, admittedly, he kind of does. There's nothing like loneliness on top of crazy misery to get Leon down. The relief of it evaporating in someone's presence makes even this bullshit tolerable to deal with.]
If it's always like this, why don't we friggin' do somethin'? They're gonna kill us! I, shit, I was all worried about Togami! I'm worried about Kirigiri! I thought I might die! I thought Pekoyama was crazy when she started talkin' about goin' to kick CERES's asses, but maybe I'm on board with that!
[There was a little initial tensing when Leon joined him, but it dissipated quickly. He's not sitting too close, not trying to throw an arm over his shoulder, he's fine. As for being a good host, it isn't as if Gundam's being that great of a guest.]
I agree, allowing them to remain in power with the way they so carelessly play with us is infuriating and dangerous. To march in without information or strategy is likely to get us just as easily killed however. There's more we need to know before we can attempt any rebellion.
[Unfolding his arms, he places the bandaged hand on his thigh and uses the other to gesture as he talks.]
As indicated by Hinata during the meeting about the "tours", there may be devices planted within our bodies. We don't know how many could be there, nor what they are capable of doing to us. There's the possibility that CERES could render us comatose with a command from their computers. If we bound together to overthrow them, it would be all too easy to be rid of us like that.
[And that's only one problem of rushing in too soon.]
I don't believe many wish to sit quietly and live under them as they wish for us to. An uprising will come with patience.
[That got a little long, sorry. These things happen when you plan out pretendy Netherworld politics in your spare time.]
[Whoa, man. Dude's actually thought about this beyond just "fuck CERES," which is the extent of what Leon's planned out himself. He's not at all equipped to come up with a game plan here, and hadn't even thought of half the things Tanaka says. In retrospect, though, some of them are obvious, especially--]
--Wait, you think the devices inside us are how they make all this stuff happen to us? Like, screwing with our bodies?
[Leon does flop his arms over the back of the couch, but he's far enough away that it's not throwing an arm around Gundam or anything. Luckily. It's a much more relaxed posture than he actually feels right now talking about this. But something has relaxed a little; now he has someone to be angry at and things to think about that aren't just freaking out over himself like he has been for like three days now.
But damn is he pissed. His voice is tight and clipped, volume rising the more he talks.]
That's--fuck, I never thought o' that! All this time I just figured it was some kinda messin' with our code thing, if we're even made of code for real, which is like, who friggin' knows? Maybe the devices mess with the code--ahhh, who knows, who cares?! The point is they can just do whatever they want to us! They could just flip a switch or whatever the hell they've got and make us all go blind!
[None of that's new information. But it's starting to really sink in for the first time, and it hurts. Leon brings a hand up to rub at the side of his face, digging his fingers up into his hair to pull on it.]
. . . I don't fuckin' know what to do. They're gonna start killin' us.
That's a possibility. It's a possibility that we are code and that they are messing with that. At this point in time there is no way to know, until we can examine these devices for ourselves or get answers from those withholding them from us.
[It's frustrating, not knowing these things, but there wasn't anything they could do about it now. Keep their eyes and ears open, stay alert, pay attention for things...that's the best they could do. At least people like Hinata were there, surely working towards learning what's going on.]
For now, focus on surviving. They may attempt to kill us, and even succeed, but do not allow them to take you quietly and without a fight. That is how a true rebellion begins.
[After a silent moment turning that over in his head, Leon finally comes out with something:]
. . . You're so intense.
[And a little laugh. It's the first time he's laughed in a couple days, and it's awkward, but it feels good.]
I mean, no offense or nothin'. It's not even like you're wrong, just, you've got this way of sayin' stuff! It's like maximum serious. I guess that's a good thing when it's crap like this, 'cuz this is pretty serious.
[Then he holds out a fist to Gundam, aimed at his hand.]
But don't worry, man, no way am I gonna let anyone take me without a fight! Me or anyone else! I ain't the type to just lay down and die!
[Gundam stares at the offered hand, but doesn't move to do anything with it. Is he...what is he doing here? Is he asking him for a handshake or something? He has no idea. Leon isn't nearly high enough on the friend scale for "fist bump" to even be considered, though it's not something he'd readily consider in the first place.]
That is reassuring to know. Both that I am capable of carrying a serious air when it's required, and that you will not be so easily defeated. If we continue with this belief, and we stand fast at each others' sides, this CERES will have a hell of a time overcoming us when we choose to rise to power.
[Yup the fist is going completely ignored. Nothing against you, Leon.]
[You're not getting out of this, bro. Or at least that's what Leon thinks; if anything, the little speech there only motivates him more. Who doesn't get pumped about standing fast at each other's sides and rising to power? Get pumped!
It's hard to even imagine Tanaka "pumped," but details. Leon laughs--his mood, at least, has lightened considerably--and doesn't withdraw his hand.]
Heh, you got it! C'mon, you gonna leave me hangin'?
[Wait. It's Tanaka.]
. . . You totally don't even know what I'm goin' for, do you.
[Alright, the "leave me hanging" comment finally clues him in. There's a second of dawning realization on his face before he actually scoots a little away from the other man. It's nothing against you Leon. He just doesn't touch people.]
It is better that your unmet fist is left alone, lest the poison permeating through my skin brings you to an early demise.
[At least he is not so socially inept that he doesn't know what a "fist bump" even is?]
Oh, right. In all the fuss, Leon had almost forgotten about how friggin' weird Tanaka is. How could that happen?
He laughs--he can't help it--and scoots a little closer on the couch, though he's just messing with him, so he doesn't close all the distance. He only brings them about as close as they were before Gundam moved away.]
What? Is this some o' your evil demon stuff again? Look, I prooomise I'm not gonna fall over dead if you bump my fist!
[And he's moving a little away. He's used to this kind of stuff from the kids at school. You say "don't touch me" and the first thing they do is get in your space and try and touch you.]
It is so much simpler to claim you have the immunity to the poison in my veins, but testing this is not something that can be performed in such an open and vulnerable way. Humans cannot withstand this deadly venom. I do not wish to be the end of your life.
Maybe that's why Tanaka is crazy? Nah, probably not, but it's a thought. So he's probably never been with a girl? Okay, that's to be expected. Guys like this aren't exactly chick magnets, so there's no surprise there. But damn, it's still depressing! And even more than that, just casual stuff . . .
This is Leon, though, who only a few days ago was nearly brought to tears by how good it felt to be platonically hugged by a woman after months without friendly contact.]
Look, it ain't that I'm convinced of this at all, but that's still one o' the most depressing things I ever heard! You never kissed anyone? Got your hand up a girl's shirt? Or even, like, put an arm around a dude? Who's the two, your classmates?
[Maybe one day you will get to meet Sonia and see just how much of a chick magnet he is. Though he still hasn't touched her. Also he has no idea how he feels about her as far as that area is concerned.]
No. [Simple as that.]
Creatures like me have no need for such trivial actions and rituals. I do not yearn for the contact of others, nor plan to seek it out. It is enough to know that humans remain safe as long as there remains a barrier between them and myself.
[Not 100% true but not like he'd admit that.]
Hinata and Kuzuryuu. Hinata, though he is likely the most impotent mortal I have met yet, possesses the singularity. This allows him to immunity from my poison as well as my dark powers. Kuzuryuu is a different matter, owning powers of impressive levels I have not yet observed in other humans.
Whoa, whoa, I didn't really need to know about Hinata's "problems."
[Damn, aren't guys supposed to not have to worry about impotence until they're totally old? It sucks for Tanaka, he guesses, that one of the two dudes who can touch him has issues like that . . .
Wait.]
Hold on a sec, so those're the only two people you ever touched, right?
It is not a matter of convenience. [Well. Not...in Hinata's case.]
All mortals I interact with are carefully watched and judged, their Magic Essence weighed and contemplated. I would never extend a hand to a human I had not fully gauged yet. Before extending my hand to Hinata, I had made sure I was absolutely positive that he would be one that could withstand my touch. It was a similar instance with Kuzuryuu.
[Sort of.]
It is unclear yet whether or not you would be able to survive this poison of mine. I have not yet had an adequate amount of time to observe you, nor have I been able to answer fundamental questions deeply tied with your essence levels. Until that day come, and it is clear you are in no danger, I will not risk your life in such a way.
[It's...a good thing. It may not sound like it, but that's all just chuuni for "we should hang out more and become better friends and then maybe I can hold your hand like Hinata or play chicken with you like Kuzuryuu."]
[It sounds like a mess, is what it sounds like, but at least not an insulting mess. The kind of mess he's come to expect from Tanaka's mouth, where he has to sort through it carefully to figure out what it means. But it's at least obvious that he's not being blown off or dissed in any way. The implication does seem to be "maybe later." And also "I'm super, super repressed."
Now that that's out of the way, though--and now that this conversation has relaxed Leon enough that he's no longer rigid with rage at CERES or choked with fear that he might be fading out into a string of code--Leon can't resist the urge to poke at a subject that involves himself. He sits back on the couch, giving Tanaka his space, his manner having eased off a lot from earlier.]
Heh . . . sounds like a lot o' work. Just give people some kinda "How Much Magical Essence Do You Have" quiz like you get in magazines, right? Ha ha! Heeeey, so mine's gotta be pretty good, right?
[Leon giving him space has Tanaka relaxing again as well. Or as much as Gundam Tanaka can be relaxed, at least.]
As it stands, with what little I know, your level is not so impressive. Higher, perhaps, than Hinata's but no more than any other mortal. However there is crucial information missing before I am able to fully discern where you sit on that spectrum.
[And now to get serious!!]
Tell me, Kuwata, with what tribe do you align yourself with?!
[Looks like he really is getting a magazine quiz. Whatever happened to questions like "How do you like to spend a Friday evening"? Leon blinks dumbly for a moment; he has no idea how to even begin to answer that, and he's not sure why he would have expected a question he could answer out of Tanaka's mouth.]
Dude, I'm Japanese . . . that ain't what you mean, is it? Don't I get multiple choice or somethin'?
[He's about to word the same question in a different but still difficult to understand way when he realizes something. This is Leon. He is kind of starting to understand that Leon has a harder time than most parsing what he says sometimes.]
Have you ever made a pact with a child of Cerberus? The offspring of the Phoenix or the Sphinx? What of the Midgard Serpent or the Zaratan?
[This is in fact pretty much what he expected. He wonders something, and then decides to just ask it, because he's curious and what's the point of keeping it to himself?]
Has anyone ever actually said yes to any o' those?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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There's no interruption, even as the other man stalks away. His eyes just stay trained on him, sympathetic to his frustration though probably not showing that very well.
At the joke though, he has to chuckle a little. Thanks to Kuzuryuu and Hinata, he's getting a little more used to jokes like that. It's nothing hostile, nor is it 100% literal or serious. Just a friendly joke between chums.]
You say this in the assumption that I am never relaxed.
[He's never relaxed, don't listen to him. But okay, moving to sit down on the couch. Leaning back, crossing his arms, comfortable.]
On the one hand, it is simply more of CERES' "hospitality", so it isn't worth allowing your blood to boil over it. [Not that Tanaka hadn't been seething.]
On the other, however, it's worrisome all the same that they would go to these extents to achieve whatever goal they have. Our lives do not seem to matter to them in the slightest. You can take solace, though, in that if something seems wrong or off to you, the rest of us are most likely suffering the same treatment.
[Meaning there's little chance you'll ever actually be losing your mind.]
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He crosses his own arms, more sullen, even though he's at least relaxed a little from when he opened the door.]
Dammit, that ain't somethin' to feel happy about . . .
[Even though, admittedly, he kind of does. There's nothing like loneliness on top of crazy misery to get Leon down. The relief of it evaporating in someone's presence makes even this bullshit tolerable to deal with.]
If it's always like this, why don't we friggin' do somethin'? They're gonna kill us! I, shit, I was all worried about Togami! I'm worried about Kirigiri! I thought I might die! I thought Pekoyama was crazy when she started talkin' about goin' to kick CERES's asses, but maybe I'm on board with that!
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[There was a little initial tensing when Leon joined him, but it dissipated quickly. He's not sitting too close, not trying to throw an arm over his shoulder, he's fine. As for being a good host, it isn't as if Gundam's being that great of a guest.]
I agree, allowing them to remain in power with the way they so carelessly play with us is infuriating and dangerous. To march in without information or strategy is likely to get us just as easily killed however. There's more we need to know before we can attempt any rebellion.
[Unfolding his arms, he places the bandaged hand on his thigh and uses the other to gesture as he talks.]
As indicated by Hinata during the meeting about the "tours", there may be devices planted within our bodies. We don't know how many could be there, nor what they are capable of doing to us. There's the possibility that CERES could render us comatose with a command from their computers. If we bound together to overthrow them, it would be all too easy to be rid of us like that.
[And that's only one problem of rushing in too soon.]
I don't believe many wish to sit quietly and live under them as they wish for us to. An uprising will come with patience.
[That got a little long, sorry. These things happen when you plan out pretendy Netherworld politics in your spare time.]
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--Wait, you think the devices inside us are how they make all this stuff happen to us? Like, screwing with our bodies?
[Leon does flop his arms over the back of the couch, but he's far enough away that it's not throwing an arm around Gundam or anything. Luckily. It's a much more relaxed posture than he actually feels right now talking about this. But something has relaxed a little; now he has someone to be angry at and things to think about that aren't just freaking out over himself like he has been for like three days now.
But damn is he pissed. His voice is tight and clipped, volume rising the more he talks.]
That's--fuck, I never thought o' that! All this time I just figured it was some kinda messin' with our code thing, if we're even made of code for real, which is like, who friggin' knows? Maybe the devices mess with the code--ahhh, who knows, who cares?! The point is they can just do whatever they want to us! They could just flip a switch or whatever the hell they've got and make us all go blind!
[None of that's new information. But it's starting to really sink in for the first time, and it hurts. Leon brings a hand up to rub at the side of his face, digging his fingers up into his hair to pull on it.]
. . . I don't fuckin' know what to do. They're gonna start killin' us.
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[It's frustrating, not knowing these things, but there wasn't anything they could do about it now. Keep their eyes and ears open, stay alert, pay attention for things...that's the best they could do. At least people like Hinata were there, surely working towards learning what's going on.]
For now, focus on surviving. They may attempt to kill us, and even succeed, but do not allow them to take you quietly and without a fight. That is how a true rebellion begins.
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. . . You're so intense.
[And a little laugh. It's the first time he's laughed in a couple days, and it's awkward, but it feels good.]
I mean, no offense or nothin'. It's not even like you're wrong, just, you've got this way of sayin' stuff! It's like maximum serious. I guess that's a good thing when it's crap like this, 'cuz this is pretty serious.
[Then he holds out a fist to Gundam, aimed at his hand.]
But don't worry, man, no way am I gonna let anyone take me without a fight! Me or anyone else! I ain't the type to just lay down and die!
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That is reassuring to know. Both that I am capable of carrying a serious air when it's required, and that you will not be so easily defeated. If we continue with this belief, and we stand fast at each others' sides, this CERES will have a hell of a time overcoming us when we choose to rise to power.
[Yup the fist is going completely ignored. Nothing against you, Leon.]
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It's hard to even imagine Tanaka "pumped," but details. Leon laughs--his mood, at least, has lightened considerably--and doesn't withdraw his hand.]
Heh, you got it! C'mon, you gonna leave me hangin'?
[Wait. It's Tanaka.]
. . . You totally don't even know what I'm goin' for, do you.
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It is better that your unmet fist is left alone, lest the poison permeating through my skin brings you to an early demise.
[At least he is not so socially inept that he doesn't know what a "fist bump" even is?]
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Oh, right. In all the fuss, Leon had almost forgotten about how friggin' weird Tanaka is. How could that happen?
He laughs--he can't help it--and scoots a little closer on the couch, though he's just messing with him, so he doesn't close all the distance. He only brings them about as close as they were before Gundam moved away.]
What? Is this some o' your evil demon stuff again? Look, I prooomise I'm not gonna fall over dead if you bump my fist!
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It is so much simpler to claim you have the immunity to the poison in my veins, but testing this is not something that can be performed in such an open and vulnerable way. Humans cannot withstand this deadly venom. I do not wish to be the end of your life.
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[Shouldn't he have it tattooed on his forehead or something?! Damn!
Not that Leon buys it for a second--but he at least stops moving closer. Even if it's kind of tempting to just launch himself at him.]
You've gotta touch people sometimes!
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[Just go ahead and ask him about how he went through childhood. Nobody touched him.]
You have not heard of the dangers from first hand experience because I have only shared physical contact with two mortals in existence.
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[Leon's eyes widen. Whoa. He'd go crazy . . .
Maybe that's why Tanaka is crazy? Nah, probably not, but it's a thought. So he's probably never been with a girl? Okay, that's to be expected. Guys like this aren't exactly chick magnets, so there's no surprise there. But damn, it's still depressing! And even more than that, just casual stuff . . .
This is Leon, though, who only a few days ago was nearly brought to tears by how good it felt to be platonically hugged by a woman after months without friendly contact.]
Look, it ain't that I'm convinced of this at all, but that's still one o' the most depressing things I ever heard! You never kissed anyone? Got your hand up a girl's shirt? Or even, like, put an arm around a dude? Who's the two, your classmates?
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No. [Simple as that.]
Creatures like me have no need for such trivial actions and rituals. I do not yearn for the contact of others, nor plan to seek it out. It is enough to know that humans remain safe as long as there remains a barrier between them and myself.
[Not 100% true but not like he'd admit that.]
Hinata and Kuzuryuu. Hinata, though he is likely the most impotent mortal I have met yet, possesses the singularity. This allows him to immunity from my poison as well as my dark powers. Kuzuryuu is a different matter, owning powers of impressive levels I have not yet observed in other humans.
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[Damn, aren't guys supposed to not have to worry about impotence until they're totally old? It sucks for Tanaka, he guesses, that one of the two dudes who can touch him has issues like that . . .
Wait.]
Hold on a sec, so those're the only two people you ever touched, right?
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Correct.
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But that's in the past now, filed away to definitely not think about later.]
Dude, you don't think it's like, kinda convenient that you only touched two people in your life and both of 'em just happened to not die?
Hey, what if I've got the "singularity"? What's that even mean? Maybe I got it!
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All mortals I interact with are carefully watched and judged, their Magic Essence weighed and contemplated. I would never extend a hand to a human I had not fully gauged yet. Before extending my hand to Hinata, I had made sure I was absolutely positive that he would be one that could withstand my touch. It was a similar instance with Kuzuryuu.
[Sort of.]
It is unclear yet whether or not you would be able to survive this poison of mine. I have not yet had an adequate amount of time to observe you, nor have I been able to answer fundamental questions deeply tied with your essence levels. Until that day come, and it is clear you are in no danger, I will not risk your life in such a way.
[It's...a good thing. It may not sound like it, but that's all just chuuni for "we should hang out more and become better friends and then maybe I can hold your hand like Hinata or play chicken with you like Kuzuryuu."]
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Now that that's out of the way, though--and now that this conversation has relaxed Leon enough that he's no longer rigid with rage at CERES or choked with fear that he might be fading out into a string of code--Leon can't resist the urge to poke at a subject that involves himself. He sits back on the couch, giving Tanaka his space, his manner having eased off a lot from earlier.]
Heh . . . sounds like a lot o' work. Just give people some kinda "How Much Magical Essence Do You Have" quiz like you get in magazines, right? Ha ha! Heeeey, so mine's gotta be pretty good, right?
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[Leon giving him space has Tanaka relaxing again as well. Or as much as Gundam Tanaka can be relaxed, at least.]
As it stands, with what little I know, your level is not so impressive. Higher, perhaps, than Hinata's but no more than any other mortal. However there is crucial information missing before I am able to fully discern where you sit on that spectrum.
[And now to get serious!!]
Tell me, Kuwata, with what tribe do you align yourself with?!
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[Looks like he really is getting a magazine quiz. Whatever happened to questions like "How do you like to spend a Friday evening"? Leon blinks dumbly for a moment; he has no idea how to even begin to answer that, and he's not sure why he would have expected a question he could answer out of Tanaka's mouth.]
Dude, I'm Japanese . . . that ain't what you mean, is it? Don't I get multiple choice or somethin'?
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Have you ever made a pact with a child of Cerberus? The offspring of the Phoenix or the Sphinx? What of the Midgard Serpent or the Zaratan?
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[This is in fact pretty much what he expected. He wonders something, and then decides to just ask it, because he's curious and what's the point of keeping it to himself?]
Has anyone ever actually said yes to any o' those?
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In their own ways. Hinata watched over simple hermit crabs. Naegi was apparently endeared to a hound. Kuzuryuu kept a noble Chin as a companion.
[He's asking about pets, if that wasn't clear before.]
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