Infighting Week Three

[animusmods]

Characters: any character participating in the Infighting event
Setting: pods, week three of the event
Format: any
Summary: All week three Infighting event threads should go in here, to keep things organized.
Warnings: horror, trauma, experiment results, impossible geometry, cabin fever

[Week Three Information]
[Week Two]
[Week One]
Dax's Pod
Riki's Pod
Jason's Pod
End of Week Three

Comments

[hachitaro]

[... He actually manages to laugh a little bit at that.]

I don't remember seeing one of you at home when the time came. Oh well. It's kind of nice to know that there's someone in one world who's got that kind of job.

[hardknoxlife]

[ Have a light fur ruffle between the ears for that. ]

S'not like most people notice when we're around. Course, can't really say anything for the others. Haven't met anyone outside the London branch, y'see.

[ This small talk's actually good for helping him focus on something that isn't wall or floor. ]

Though... you died before, did you?

[hachitaro]

Yeah, I did. Stuck my nose into something for too long - hell, I had the right, I helped found that branch of the Underground. If something was going wrong it was my job to fix it. Maybe not officially, but out of a sense of pride, y'know?

[He doesn't seem to be too bothered about the whole dead thing - visibly, at least.]

Dying wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. And at least I recorded what he was saying before he killed me. You would've thought he'd seen enough bad movies to not give away info like that.

[hardknoxlife]

[ No homo and all bro but have a hand around you to steady you because he knows he's starting to feel a little off-kilter in the balance department himself. ]

S'not really as bad as most people paint. Course, I suppose it all depends on how you die to begin with.

[ A pause though. ]

The Underground? What's that about?

[hachitaro]

[It's okay, he doesn't mind.]

Mine was torn apart by an assassin. I'd rather not get into the graphic details, you understand.

The Underground... it's basically... well, I like to think of it as a safe haven. But essentially it's a network of safehouses for those who can't live among humans and a support network for those who can but need documentation. A lot of us are good at either stealing things or forging things, just out of need.

[hardknoxlife]

[ There's a breath for that though and he nods. Totes understand man. He won't pry. One appreciative smirk though as there will be pettings between the ears.]

And you helped build all that then? Pretty impressive for a guy like you.

[hachitaro]

I had a lot of time. And I basically stole the model off of the European Underground, so all I had to do was gather people. ... I say 'all' but it was a pain in the ass.

[hardknoxlife]

Must be pretty proud of yourself, all things considered. S'not a mean feat doing all that.

[ And slumping back down. ]

No wonder they brought you here!

[hachitaro]

Yeah... though they've kind of strayed from the original purpose. We're supposed to protect our own, not make deals with gods for power. It's... a problem.

[He noses Ron's hand a little.]

But I'll take that compliment, thanks.

[hardknoxlife]

[ The nosing lifts his spirits some. So have another head ruffle for that. However, there's a sigh. ]

You had me at the deals, mate. Wouldn't suppose you lot are the sort to go bartering away your soul away, are you? Humans seem to be bloody keen on doing that sort of trick.

[hachitaro]

It'd be more valuable if a human did it, I think. We've got power, so there's less... potential power to be tapped by anything. Humans have more stored power than we do, especially humans from the ages of about seven or eight until sixteen. There's... well.

[He makes a disgusted face.]

There's a black market for those kinds of souls. Not usually with the humans themselves, but 'opportunities' - information about where those kinds can easily be found... I've tried to shut it down before but it just keeps moving.

[hardknoxlife]

[ Oh man. Now that's just hitting way too close to home right there. There's a frown there at the mention of a black market. ]

...guess it's a sort of problem the world 'round, then. We've run into a bit of a mess with demons stealing souls. Doesn't make the old 9-to-5 any easier.

Wouldn't say they use it for power or anything. Just another meal for them. And another apology letter to be filed in triplicate for us.

[hachitaro]

Our powers work by tapping into our own endurance. It's like turning potential energy into kinetic energy. Human souls are all potential energy - that's why consuming them gives you a boost. It's not stealing so much as just killing and eating them - it's not like the human's alive after to worry about it.

I've never done it... my roommate's done it once or twice but it didn't help her much. Half-bloods have it easier in the 'blending in' part but they're kind of limited in the power department.

[... He sighs.]

This is depressing, sorry.

[hardknoxlife]

[ He'd gone and scrunched himself up, knees to his chest as he listened to Taro's little explanation. At the little admonition though, he reaches over and ruffles him between the ears with the smallest smile. ]

No worries, mate. It did some good to get my mind off this whole... mess.

[ Offhand gesture with his head before sinking back down on his arms. ]

How're you dealing by the way?

[hachitaro]

I'm... well. I'd say I'm okay but this whole place is really messing with me. I'm not used to being the one under the effects of illusions I'm not making. It's... wrong. Really wrong.

[hardknoxlife]

Don't think anyone here's used to it, really. It's like they know where to hit so it hurts the most.

[ Long suffering sigh. ]

Damn right it's wrong.

[hachitaro]

I wouldn't be surprised if they did, honestly.

[He's just going to faceplant into Ron's leg. This is bullshit.]

[hardknoxlife]

Now come on... it'll be alright you'll see. Who knows? Might be over this week already and they'll send us back to the tower in one piece, eh?

[ Well, being back at the tower had to be much better than here. At least they weren't segregated and helpless seeing people they cared about being tortured. ]

[hachitaro]

Hopefully. I would like that. I would also like a nap. Can I sleep here?

[He doesn't really want to be alone right now.]

[hardknoxlife]

Got to hand it to you being able to sleep in a place like this but.. why not.

[ Another hair ruffle. ]

Go on then. Best you get it when you can.