IV.22nd Jan| video | post earthquake

[speaksdaggers]

[... if Nezumi were phased by the sudden earthquake, he's certainly not showing it. He's got the communicator loosely hanging from one hand at an odd angle and is stood on his balcony, giving the viewers a brief glance of his face before he flings his arms out. The swirling, zooming picture settles on an image of the post-earthquake Death City.

Bins, pots knocked over, a few lampposts that look like they're drunkenly swaying to one side, and cracks in the pavement.]

So, is this normal here too? Aside from constant surveillance, ongoing war and random kidnappings in the name of "war effort" they seem so fond of.

[The screen tilts again, and Nezumi gives the screen a very slight, lidded grin.]

Inquiring minds would like to know. If you'd all be so kind.

[... so sincere. :|]

Welcome to the new year, by the way. Late as it is. Seems as though we've been set up for such a fortuitous year.

Comments

[video]

[tauborn]

Er. [He has to pause a moment because he honestly didn't expect to get this kind of treatment. Still, he's going to stay perky, and he's going to give this guy an answer, even though it's probably just a rhetorical remark.]

Things that you don't often get to experience--unique things--they're often fun. So yeah, consider yourself informed.

permavid

[speaksdaggers]

[Nezumi gives the screen a long, flat stare.]

... I would beg to differ. Violently.

[permavideo for me too]

[tauborn]

[At this, he pauses and raises an eyebrow slowly. He did not mean to hit any nerves here, but apparently he has.]

Okaaaaaay. [He manages to refrain from wincing, at least, though it's pretty clear he feels like he's walking on eggshells in this conversation.] Everyone's entitled to their own opinion.

[speaksdaggers]

Opinion and fact are very different things.

[tauborn]

So... you're going to try to get in an argument with me because you associate unique experiences with terrible things, and I associate them with fun things?

[He is just... way confused about why this guy he doesn't even know is getting on his case. Not mad at all, just... very confused.]

[speaksdaggers]

More because you're being a naive idiot assuming such things, but whatever floats your rainbow-coloured boat of joy.

[He shrugs.]

Calling it an argument is a little ambitious.

[tauborn]

You're pretty quick to judge people.

[He prefers to be called an optimist, but he'd rather be called a naive idiot than a cynical jerk.]

What's your name, anyway? I'm Takuto.

[speaksdaggers]

... You're certainly quick to hand out your name to so-called judgemental strangers.

[tauborn]

[He looks surprised.]

I have nothing to hide.


.. But I'd appreciate it if I didn't have to refer to you as 'that guy.' [Because names exist partially to avoid that.]

[speaksdaggers]

Good for you.

[... Nope. Still no name.]

[tauborn]

[He waits for just moment longer and then sighs.]

... Are you going to tell me your name or not? Honestly, I don't care if you make one up, either.

[speaksdaggers]

I don't give out my real name anyway. If this place had the decency to have a theatre, I'd say 'Eve'.

[A shrug.]

But it doesn't.

[tauborn]

A... theater?

[Now you've really got his attention.] Are you... an actor?

[speaksdaggers]

That was what was implied when I gave you a stage name, yes.

[tauborn]

Well you didn't say it was a stage name. But, you're right--we don't have a stage here.

[He's completely ignoring how icy this 'Eve' is. In fact, his smile is steadily growing.]

We should make one!

[speaksdaggers]

Oh, so you run into a lot of men named Eve then, do you?

[There's a pause... on the one hand... a theatre. That would certainly be interesting. But on the other... a theatre with this guy.]

Because it's as easy as that, huh.

[tauborn]

Well, no, I don't. But I don't know what kind of name is normal in wherever you're from. [He shrugs, and then switches to problem-solving mode.]

It could be pretty easy, I bet. I'm sure you and I aren't the only one's who'd be interested in it--we could just have a simple stage by the training grounds or something. It doesn't have to be anything fancy.

[The more he talks about it, the more he thinks it would be a really good idea. And also very possible.]

[speaksdaggers]

Names are different everywhere. [He waves a hand.]

And how would you pay for it? Can't just conjure a stage out of no where, and we're certainly not capable of dark magic ala the witches of Macbeth.

[tauborn]

[He shrugs.]

I do have a job. [And it's not like he has any other expenses in Death City.] But we could probably raise money for it, or ask for volunteers to help us build it.

[speaksdaggers]

[Nezumi stares at him levelly.]

I doubt one of us alone could fund it, even with our wages. Not to the standard it deserves. Besides, why should we fund it? We owe this place nothing.

[tauborn]

It has nothing to do with owing the place anything. If we want a stage, we're going to have to make ourselves.

[He crosses his arms petulantly.] You'd rather give up before even starting.

[speaksdaggers]

[Nezumi waves a hand. If you're so gung ho about it don't let me and my terrible lack of ambition towards the project you thought of, you leapt on and got all excited over stop you.

[tauborn]

I'm just saying that if you want something, you have to work for it.

Do you want a stage?

[speaksdaggers]

I would like lighting, walls and a few chairs as well.

[tauborn]

[He nods. Eve has a good point.] So we should look at some of the vacant spaces available for rent and see if we can make one work.

[That would take care of basic lighting, and a wall wouldn't be so difficult. He's certain chairs are easy to find.]