towerofanimus | [open] cautionary tales

Entry tags:

[open] cautionary tales

Characters: Adalind and OPEN
Setting: Room 1-19 on her first day, Cafeteria on the second in the morning, the elevator later that day.
Format: Either.
Summary: Adalind gets settled in and explores.
Warnings: None yet. Will update if needed.

➝ 1-19

[ The sleep paralysis was new but if Adalind knew anything, it was don't freak out just because you can't move. If she was captured or kidnapped, her best shot at getting out of it was definitely not bolting up and alerting everyone to the fact that she was awake. Instead, she focused on moving just her finger. When she finally could she very slowly turned her head to glance at the rest of the room.

Once it was obvious that she wasn't in immediate danger, she sat up and guided her feet to the floor, then slowly ran her hands down her body, feeling the new suit before they darted up to her neck to feel the collar. She slides her fingers beneath it and her skin and tries to pry it open, but it isn't as though that would work without her powers. (Or at all, but she doesn't know that just yet.) Her eyes move to the letter next and she reads through it quickly, a slight panic running through her mind that doesn't necessarily show except for the slight tightness of her fingers pressing against the papers before she finishes. She wasn't entirely sure she believed the bit about her world being dead, but that was something she could work out of someone later.

Right now, there was something more important. Adalind moved over to the trunk at the end of her bed and opened it up, carefully pulling each item up to examine what it is. Well, at least if anyone had gone through her things it was unlikely that they could read the proper names on the labels to know what some of these things were. The leeches might've seemed a bit weird if someone had gone through her things, but everything else just looked like a mystery. Adalind removed the dress from her affects to set on the bedspread, then took out the last vial hidden beneath it, a bright smile pulling to her lips as she realized what it was.

If the world had gone to hell this was the one and only thing that she wanted from it.

If she wasn't well aware that this potion needed to be at least relatively fresh, Adalind probably would've erred on the side of caution and made moves to figure out if there was anything here that would effect the potion or just how long it had been since this zaubertrank had been concocted, but since the recipe had originally required a still-beating heart, she had a feeling that the shelf-life wasn't particularly extensive. Adalind moved over to the bed after placing the dress back in the trunk, in case she had some kind of negative or unexpected reaction to this and downed the contents of the vial she held in her hand, then crawled back into bed to try to sleep or at least look like she was sleeping. She had no idea if this would be painful or not and from the looks of things, this room would be shared so she needed people to not notice. Adalind would stay in her bed for the rest of the day, just to make sure that this worked properly without outing herself as what she truly was.

If you're one of her roommates, feel free to check on her or ask if she's okay since she's going to fake being 'sick' for the rest of the day just to excuse herself. Not that she'd normally have to.. she's actually feeling pretty fine compared to how she had been recently. ]

➝ Cafeteria
[ Finally, that dress was going to get some use because Adalind was not going out wearing that white thing if she could help it. Once she changed clothes, it was off to get something to eat. Oatmeal wasn't her food of choice, but it wasn't the worst thing it could've been and skipping breakfast made for misery in more than one way. Adalind did lament the lack of fruit involved in it since that was where most of the vitamins came from, but if that was all they were going to give her, she wasn't going to knock it too much. She was hungry. From the looks of this place, she wasn't exactly going to be getting five-star meals anymore either, so oatmeal was at least a good place to start adjusting.

Adalind doesn't finish the whole bowl, but she gets enough of it that she's full, then goes to dispose of it. Shortly after? She's looking around for someone to ask a few questions. After all, as much as those letters provided with information, it was a little more difficult to get the answers to some questions. (And a little harder then to get the answers to the one she wanted, so getting closer to people was going to be the first step in that unless she got really, really lucky.) ]

Excuse me, do you think I could bother you for just a minute? [ Adalind is going straight for the nearest person who looks like they might have their stuff together, a winning smile gracing her lips both welcoming and confident. ]

➝ Elevator
[ After Adalind's gone and got a few questions of hers answered, she's decided that the best way to start exploring is to figure out exactly which floors she can access using the elevator. It might take her a while, but once she's left the cafeteria she'll be making her way to each floor that the elevator can access and spending quite a bit of time on said elevator. Knowing which places are easiest to get to and safest is going to be a lot easier than just going and trying to walk up the staircase alone to figure out just what's on each floor. It's a good first step, though, since she definitely wants to know more about this place. If you use the elevator more than once, it's likely that you'll see her more than once that day. ]

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[Giorno's eyes glaze over to the sight of Adalind. A newperson, by the looks of it. He hasn't seen the woman walking around in the tower- so he figures she might actually have some questions regarding the tower and some other things. Either way, he's been done with eating his slop of oatmeal, instead eating a tomato.

He doesn't answer her at first, as he's taking his time studying the woman first to see what sort of person she might be. But after that short while, he finally speaks.]

And what is that you'll be needing of me, if I may ask?

[ Everything about Adalind was precise. Despite being in this tower, despite being new and obviously having just learned about her world being destroyed, she didn't seem especially shaken up. Her demeanor exuded a sort of relaxed confidence that seemed rather professional.

She was a former lawyer, after all. Keeping cool in stressful situations was part of the job. So was looking good and if that expensive looking dress she was wearing was any indication, she wasn't going to let this place stop her with that. ]

I've just got a few questions about this place, like where you can get certain things like herbs or clothing, where the most dangerous areas are. [ Not necessarily so she can avoid them. ]

[Simple enough questions for what looks like a sharp girl. It gets an amused chuckle out of the boy, as he motions for her to sit down right next to him. What he said did solidify what he was thinking, though- she was new, and she wanted information...]

Herbs I can provide to you if you want. Clothing, on the other hand, may require some hunting on your part in one of the floors here. I'm not sure where you would find actual fabric however, so I cannot help you there. But, I can give you a little tour of this tower, with how much it offers despite the price we paid.

[Despite all that he had just said, Giorno's expression was still the same line face as it always will be- he's not going to give up on it, either, it's just how he is.] ...Giorno Giovanna. It's a pleasure to meet you, by the way.

[ Despite his lack of change in expression, Adalind's smile grows a little larger, more genial though still highly practiced. ]

If you know the name of a seamstress it'd do just as well. [ She's not exactly an expert seamstress herself. Her expertise lie elsewhere. ] What sorts of herbs and spices do you have available? I'm willing to find a way to pay you as I need them if that's an issue.

[ She's not exactly sure how that goes but she's sure she'll figure it out. ]

My name is Adalind Schade. [ And she holds her hand out for a handshake. ] I'm glad to have met you as well, Giorno. If it's alright that I call you Giorno. With the situation we're in I can only imagine what the general atmosphere is here with personal and professional relationships, so please feel free to correct me.

[Professional isn't she? He's raising a brow just by everything that she had just said to him- he's never quite met someone who was so...well, formal as she had just presented herself to him right now. But to her first statement, he's already waving a hand at her in dismissal.]

No need, I require no repayment for any services that I may be able to help a person out with. [As for the spices...] Name a spice and I'll be able to provide you with one immediately. [Of course she'd probably have to ground them up once he does provide it, but details for later.

But as soon as the hand came out to him, Giorno quickly clasped it with his own, giving her a firm shake.] Giorno is fine, although if you ever felt the need to bestow upon me a nick name, Giogio would would fine. [It's nothing too bad, but...] I take it you're new to the tower, Adalind?

[ There's another girl getting on the elevator when the elevator stops on floor eighty-one. She doesn't really look like she's doing too great though. Her face is a little pale and her hands are shaking as she's holding onto a corkboard, the back of it - plain and not really saying anything about what it is on the other side - turned forward. In fact, she seems so lost in her own world and thoughts that she doesn't even notice Adalind standing there on the elevator, she downright bumps into the woman as she enters it. ]

[ding! When you next come to get back on the elevator, it transpires it is also being ridden by an axe-carrying midget.

S'up.]

Up or down?

Edited 2013-08-12 21:03 (UTC)

You're a real knight, aren't you? [ She smiles. Her tone sounds impressed, enthusiastic, and a little flirtacious. ] I've never met someone who's so willing to help someone out of the goodness of their heart. [ Not unless they were trying to sleep with her anyway. ]

[ Adalind's hand is easily smaller than his, but her handshake is still firm and professional but has a certain daintiness to it at the same time. She's clearly used to shaking hands. ]

Well, I'm not usually one for nicknames on the first day but I'll keep it in my head. [ She smiles again, moving to sit across from him for now. ] Is it that obvious or are there just not a lot of faces around here?

[ There's a brief moment when Adalind is giving her a look that's the expression equivalent of RUUUUDE. But she doesn't say it flat out. She knows much better than to go straight for the verbal arguments than that.

Plus, if she makes a good impression it means she's more likely to get people to like her and that is important. ]

Excuse me, that was totally my fault. [ No it wasn't. ] I'm Adalind, are you-- [ A carefully placed look of concern. ] Are you alright? You don't look so good.

[ There's the brief moment in which Adalind considers the possibility of it being a very much overcompensating female Hässlich (she's not even sure she's seen a female one of them before, maybe the girls are cuter than the guys) but since she's supposedly the only one here from her world, she dismisses the possibility. ]

Up. Do you care that everywhere?

Edited 2013-08-13 01:51 (UTC)

I wouldn't exactly classify myself as a knight, actually. No, I think I'm far from the title. [The fact that he's a Mafia Boss is already sinking into his head at this moment, but he's not going to reveal that tidbit of info yet.] Have you not, though? Hm, you must have been surrounded by some awful people if they weren't willing to show you kindness.

[But his brows are still raised from talking with this girl. She gives off an impressive aura, but he can't help and feel a bit...tense. Something about her was already giving him some weird vibes (that or you probably never get flirted with, Giorno), but either way, he still keeps his line face strong.]

No, there are faces around here, I've just never seen yours come across my attention in the slightest. Also, you had questions- something no one else in this place would ask unless they were either new, or brain damaged. I can safely say you're new.

[Mayu nods, staying inside. Same direction as her.]

Of course.

[ It's a good thing that Asahi is so sunken in her own thoughts now, it means she isn't trying to look up and see whether Adalind has a lying tail or not. Instead she's just staring straight ahead of her at the wall when she properly steps into it, moving away from her. ]

I'm fine.

[ Then again, she herself is lying too now. She can't really blame anyone else for doing it, even though she doesn't know.

A moment after it though her arms shake so much that she drops the board on the ground. Because it landed like that it's easy to see what's on it - various dead insects are pinned on it and below them names are written. "Toru, Koyuki, Hijiri, Nanase, Harumi"--

Before she can read any more though Asahi is already scrambling to pick the thing up again, holding it back so it's not visible again.. although Adalind obviously would have the time to see it. ]

Far from it? Well I hope you're not too far. [ No she hopes you are that'd be great she likes powerful people who aren't exactly against bad things. ] Let's just say that I'm not entirely put out that some parts of my world are gone.

[ The weird vibes are totally natural. Even for being a pretty woman, most people don't ever venture to appreciate people like her. It's just a sort of underlying knowledge that tends to creep into the subconscious. ]

Glad to know I don't seem brain damaged.

Well that doesn't seem completely right.

[ After all, she's carrying around dead bugs. They don't bother Adalind in the slightest of course. Bugs? Not a problem. Let's just say she's got a lot of experience with leeches even if they hurt like a bitch but it's the price you pay. ]

Did you get those here or are they yours from back home?

Do you need it a lot here?

[ Hey, best to gauge the level of danger from someone carrying a weapon. ]

[ She almost flinches when she's asked about that. Lying about the way she feels is one thing, she's done it a few times before, but making a more elaborate lie is pretty much beyond her capabilities. She can't not tell the truth, only avoid it at best and even that's already too bad.

But talking about this of all things when the wound is still so raw.. ]

.. I want to get rid of them. [ It doesn't answer the question, probably. But it's the truth at least, otherwise she wouldn't even have touched it. Even as she says it though, she's not looking at the woman directly. ]

[hoh....

yet another one asking for the help of this kind gentleman? how cute. either way, battler smiles right back at her, but even though his smile was wide there was something else behind it, something sinister.]

Yes....? Just what is it?

Since you don't seem to be screaming about them being bugs, I'm guessing they're something important.

[ There's a clear exception in her tone, though. ]

It's none of my business, but if you wanted to get rid of it Floor 41 seems like the best place to lose a few bugs.

[ If she's right and that was important, that should at least prod the girl into objecting to it. After all, that'd be a pretty crappy grave. If they weren't important the girl could've just tossed them in the trash. ]

[ Adalind picked up on the less than pristine nature of that smile pretty quickly. She didn't know exactly what it was, what would cause that sort of tone in something just as simple as a response to question, but she had a tendency to be attracted to darker business. After a brief moment of consideration, in which her smile faltered out of surprise, said smile seemed to pull across her face with a slightly different tone than before, almost reacting to the tone of his own. ]

Adalind Schade. [ She reached her hand out for a handshake, always one to be polite with business. ] You wouldn't happen to know the best way to get to know whoever brought us here would you? [ Easier questions first. ]

[ She doesn't need an explanation to know what that floor is. She hates that floor, it gives her the jitters so bad that she always closes her eyes whenever the elevator stops on it. She shudders at the very thought, and she clutches onto the board a little tighter subconsciously. ]

I hate bugs. [ She's being sincere, judging by the sheer fear that seems to come from her voice as she says it. Yet she's still clinging onto the board, despite the bugs on it.. she just has to somehow make sure they aren't really somehow her friends before she destroys it. She couldn't handle doing that to them.. ] I hate them.. [ She repeats it as if the first time wasn't already clear enough. ]

Tell me, have you ever heard of the Italian mafia? If so, you should see how far from a knight that is. [He doesn't really seem to mind if people know in this place- after all, it's not like he has anything to lose.] ...ah, you don't believe your universe has been destroyed? I try not to think too much about it myself. After all, for something of that scale to happen? It's a little hard to believe.

[But he doesn't seem to be phased by it in the slightest- then again, nothing ever really gets to him. Even the weird vibes are going away by this point, only to be replaced with amusement from this conversation.]

Well, if I were to say you were, then that would have been very rude. I'm not one to insult a woman like that.

[a handshake? no, that's not for him. battler reached out to her, his hand holding hers, but instead he turned it over slightly, her palm facing down, and he kissed the top of her hand.

...charmer? who knows.]

Mmm- in a rush to leave, are we?

Most knights I've found are a lot less honorable than those who are at least honest about their intentions. I used to be a lawyer so I've had some dealings with the mafia before and people much less savory than them and yet I'd still prefer them to most of the "good guys" I've met any day. [ That said.. ] I believe it's gone, I'm just not necessarily going to miss it a lot of it.

[ Or rather, she's perfectly okay with it. ]

Well you may not be a knight, but you're definitely a gentleman.

Then why haven't you thrown that away yet?

[ Her tone isn't exactly comforting or understanding like most peoples' might if they were really trying to help her. It's not gentle like she's lending out a hand, nor is it making fun of her. There's an honest curiosity coupled with a difficult-to-discern undertone of judgment. ]

[ She really wanted to roll her eyes at that. If he wasn't someone with power she wasn't interested, not unless she could use him. That was the one problem with not having her world around anymore: She didn't know the stakes, she didn't know just who was important to form relationships with. So for now she had to play nice in general and foster some good PR.

So she drew a smile to her lips. Well trained and professional, if a little flirtatious. Just enough that it seems like she's appreciative instead of thinking he's easy to engage if she needs to use him, but not necessarily worth her time if she can't. ]

Why would I want to leave? If I'm going to be staying here from now on, I'd much rather help out. I've got many skills, I thought I'd offer them to someone who could use them instead of sitting around waiting to see how long it takes me to get sick of oatmeal.

Edited 2013-08-16 09:53 (UTC)

[ It's something she can't say as easily. Since she fears it might be her friends turned into those things.. like hell anyone would believe that, right? And it just sounds weird on top of it too, borderline pathetic, she can't show herself that weak.

That's right, she has to be strong. Strong Asahi. Even now. Maybe she should just ask Giorno what to do if she can't do it herself, but..

.. For now, there's no Giorno. There's only her in the elevator with this woman and a question hanging in the air. Her stomach drops to what feels like all the way to her feet. ]

The tower's messing with us. [ It's half-mumbled, her expression obscured by her hair hanging down more wildly than usually. ] If I do, something bad's going to happen, I just know it..

Think so. Would have helped last time this happened.

Is there a really extensive no-littering policy here?

[ It's a good way to find out information at least. ]

What happened this "last time"?

[he did not let go of her hand, even as they talked now. it was just who he was, how he acted, playing the part of so many people only to crush them, it was just.... fun.

even though he was told to be his own person, he knows this is what he loves to do the most.]

...Hoh.... how peculiar, is that so? I haven't met someone that would want to do that, everyone seems to keen to... well, get out, since they never believe their world has been destroyed.

[ Adalind didn't make a move to pull away. She was an expert at making sure people thought that they had her where they wanted her, after all. ]

I wouldn't have anyone I'd really miss.

[ Adalind had been busy trying to get revenge on everyone's ass and ruin their lives or kill them after all.. and destroyed world is certainly ruined, plus she got a present from the people who run this place that meant she really had nothing to worry about from here on out. Fresh start, without everyone she hates. Of course that statement doesn't really make her seem like someone who cares. ]

I was a lawyer, so I had a lot of enemies and a very unfortunate situation involving murder of and betrayal by my friends. Not much to go back to, unfortunately, so I'd rather focus on moving forward here.

[ Even as she's saying that, her tone seems a little distant outside of the glaring bitterness. ]

...hm. [That gets a small scoff out of him, actually. He's always seen people scorn him for actually announcing his position, but seeing her actually say it's better than most people she's met? Well, safe to say, he seems to actually be enjoying that quite nicely.] I suppose I'll take that as a compliment. But my heart does lie within in the mafia, after all, and I'm not afraid to announce my intentions with it. Most say I'm quite crazy, but I like to attest otherwise. [Moving on...] ...hm. So you're a believer? Surprising, you don't seem like the type to believe in something like that.

[At least he thinks so- then again, this is a first encounter with her, so...]

And that is a compliment as well. Thank you once more, you seem to be making an impression on me, so far.

No, it's--

[ Out of sheer emotion Asahi finally looks directly at the woman, her eyes wide - if anything, she almost looks a little like a panicked animal driven into a corner or something like that. Mostly just because of the whole situation though and the fact that she's still so caught up with the "present" she got from the tower.

She stops and manages to catch herself just in time, although she still doesn't really look super calm. ]

.. Are you really that new?!

What intentions would those be with the mafia? [ Best to figure it out after all. If he's some weird idealist like trying to make them better people from within it's not going to be as fun. ] I try to be practical and if I don't accept the situation, adapting to it would be pretty difficult.

You're very welcome.

I actually just left my new bedroom today.

[ It's true enough at least. She might've woken up the previous day, but she definitely didn't leave the room until this morning just in case. ]

Edited 2013-08-18 23:28 (UTC)

[ At least now Asahi is looking at her she can see it's the truth, there's no tail at all as the woman says it. ]

So you really don't know anything.. [ She sighs. She's so not in the mood for explanations, but not saying anything is practically the same as maybe letting this woman die somehow, and she can't feel good knowing she might have caused that, so.. ]

.. Practically.. almost everything here can kill you. Or hurt you, at least. That's the main idea behind this place.

[ Her usual energy is nowhere to be found. ]

So they saved us to murder us?

[ That doesn't sound good. Adalind's a little bit skeptical. ]

And that has to do with a bunch of bugs, so I'm assuming you're expecting them to seek revenge if you don't take care of them.

[ That sounds more like something Adalind would deal with.. ]

[She is going to be in for a treat for what he has to say next, then...] To keep the innocent out of harms way, and to keep drug trafficking to a minimum as best as I can. Of course, with the power of Passione, that dream was coming a fruition until... [Until his universe got destroyed. He doesn't seem bummed about it at all, though...] But you're right, if you don't adapt, you'll find it hard to actually function.

But of course, I can't say that you don't seem to be a lovely person yourself.

...Hehh... so you have some darkness in your heart? I see...

[that was even more interesting, he was grinning at the very thought.]

What do you want to do with your time here then? Take out all that anger on someone...? Aah, wouldn't that be great.

[ Revenge bugs sounds sort of lame though, Adalind.. ]

They didn't save us at all. Their intent wasn't to save us, either way, there's no way they would save us and then hurt us again and again.. they just wanted some easy guinea pigs! [ Her hold on the board tightens, and at least her spirit is flaring up a little bit.. she's never been good at holding back her temper. ]

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[open] cautionary tales

cafeteria you tay butt

wow

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elevator;

elevator~

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Re: elevator~

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carry is not spelled car-e. that's why i should not tag at night sometimes sob

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v late!! cafeteria

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fashionably*

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thats what i said

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Re: thats what i said

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/PATS

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