futurology | VIDEO. UN: LOKI

VIDEO. UN: LOKI

[ the sound of the wind storm hollows dully against the cave walls. Loki's squidge, Bacon, can half be seen crawling in the confines of his tacky green jacket and over his knee from where he sits, sometimes ducking and squeaking when a particularly large gust hits. to keep it from screaming, Loki offers his fingers absently, which the little squidge pulls on with its pudgy arms before ducking low again. ]

Hello there, it seems like we'll be waiting this out for some time considering the weather-type circumstances. While we're all rotting away, etcetera etcetera, I thought we could amuse ourselves with a game. A little bit of team bonding funtimes, so to say. [ he twists a dark nailed hand in the air, gesturing. ]

Soo—oo ... it's called Two Truths and a Lie. How do you play? Glad you asked, it's simple! Give two true statements about yourself and add a lie to the mix, shake it up then toss it out there and see if your team members know you well enough to spot the lie.

Usually this is done with copious amounts of alcohol, but we're lacking at the moment. [ pause. ] But—ah—you could always enjoy the satisfaction of being right. It's not like we're doing much else.

NOTE | Feel free to threadjack if that's your thing!! :****

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I'm relieved to hear that.

[ More than a little relieved actually. A shopkeeper shouldn't have to worry too much, right? At least there are others around to make sure that he's safe, too. ]

Is it all right to ask you more about your shop?

Only if I can ask why the curiosity. [there's no pretense- he's genuinely curious as to why Genji's interested in the most mundane aspect of his life- sure, he's never given him a more interesting topic, but he can't say most would have been so fascinated, and that makes all the difference.]

Is there's a tragic lack of old family shops where you come from?

No, there are quite a few.

But that is something that is important to you, is that not right? It is something that is part of your life, and so it's something that is interesting to me.

[if anything, the shouten is probably the one aspect of his life that doesn't have to have details smudged to near nonsense or met with nothing short of utter deflection. it's a piece of him that's truly his and not subject to the machinations of his meticulous planning. it was a home he tried to make to stabilize the people who risked everything to help him.]

It's very hard to think of a time without it. [the sentiment is genuine, even if his tone is irreverent.] It seems silly, especially since we don't really get that much business, but we make enough to get by, and it's a big draw for passing tourists. An old-fashioned general store in the middle of the city is something of an oddity.

[and so is it's mysterious and strangely-dressed shopkeeper. if it weren't for his shinigami customers, he could probably stay afloat just on people stopping in to eyeball every now and then.]

I don't think that's particularly silly to think that way. [ It must be nice to live such a simple and normal life. It makes him worry that much more for Urahara. ] Ah, is it all right to speak with you in private? I suppose that's difficult with how we're all huddled about in these caves, but maybe there is a place that is more secure?

[ Seems better to do that than outright ask on the network how he's doing. Wouldn't Urahara just put on a front? Who wouldn't in this sort of case? ]

Edited 2016-07-31 04:39 (UTC)

[well that's interesting.]

We can always take a walk, if you're not too worn out.

Not at all.

I have recharged some so a walk would be fine... so long as I can find a makeshift umbrella.

Ah yes. We wouldn't want you to rust. I think I can figure something out.

I have complete faith in you, Urahara.

[ Water and partial-omnics do not mix. ]

[ He sighs at the storm. It would do too good to have a metal body out in it -- like asking to have his circuits fried. One of the other things that he misses in being human but he walks through the cave and stops when he sees the familiar hat. ]

Urahara. [ He calls out to him first before heading over. ] You are looking not too drowned. [ A small joke to help break the ice in what he wants to ask. ]

[Urahara's in the process of wringing out the bottom of his haori when he hears Genji, beaming as if the rain were as inconsequential as anything.] Oh this? Compared to the rainy season back in Japan, this is nothing.

[he's only seen Genji over the network before, so it's no wonder he looks fascinated at seeing him in all his cyborg glory up close and personal.] That's an impressive set of tech, Genji-san. The network doesn't do it justice.

It is a second chance of life. [ His tone is appreciative, though, but he realizes that's an odd response back and ducks his head. ] I suppose that it can only show so much.

But what about you? Are you doing all right? There is also a lot that the network can hide, and it feels wrong to air out such ... laundry in front of everyone. [ Says the person who repeatedly gets into yelling matches with his brother. But hopefully those will be less now. ]

Hm? [his return smirk is lopsided and without being able to see his eyes- shadowed as they are underneath his hat- it can only look flippant. what you can't see is the perplexed expression and the tiny bit of strain. he knows what this is, and he's not accustomed to people being concerned for him, and the small part of him that dwells in self-loathing thinks he doesn't deserve it one bit, and that he should put a stop to it this second.

his voice drops an octave, now less casual and cheerful, and more serious- testing the waters a bit.]

Do you think I have much to air out, Genji-san? [maybe he's just more transparent than he thinks.]

[ It is the change in tone that surprises him. For a second, he thinks that he will be dismissed and be waved off as being unnaturally worried. ]

I do. [ A slight pause. ] It is presumptuous that you would wish to do so with a stranger like myself. But ... I would hate to think that I said nothing. [ How could he not have a lot to air out? Urahara is a shopkeep from Tokyo. Someone who owns a small shop and is thrust into this sort of situation. Yet he smiles and laughs so easily -- isn't it obvious that Urahara is hiding being insecure or scared? ]

[Urahara looks down at the cane he's holding- Benihime sleeping sounding in her sealed form, waiting for the cry to do battle after having been used the previous night as little more than a shield. He is so much more than mere shopkeeper, yet if he intends to keep himself ahead of the game, he needs to keep things as simple as possible.

Keeping things simple, however, has become something difficult, and he's dropped so many breadcrumbs here and there that he'd be remiss to keep this going any longer when too many have suspicions he's more than just what he suggests he is. Genji is far too kind to be allowed to keep believing his reflexive deception just because he hasn't had cause to show him otherwise just yet.]

You're concerned over a shopkeeper who has never seen battle and has no reason to be here. That's what all this is about, isn't it?

I do not mean to belittle you!

[ It probably sounds just like that coming from a cyborg. No, coming from someone who is a veteran in battle. But saying it so quickly like that, isn't it giving himself away? ]

But yes... I'm concerned about you. You are one of our teammates and you're doing your best. Your reason in being here is the same as ours. I won't look down on you for that. But you have not seen battle... if things get difficult, I would -- [ It's too much to ask someone that he just met, and there is the pride of a person, isn't there? But he looks up as he comes to his decision. ] -- you to please to humble yourself a little and hide behind me.

[ Yes. He lifts his hand to brush off some dust and the like from the front of his chestplate. Genji points to what has been etched there -- "God of War." ] That's ... that's what I am. [ If it seems like too much kindness, then view him as a thing to cower behind. Yes, that would be just as well, too, wouldn't it? ]

[the longer Genji goes on, the more the guilt grows, and as much as he can laugh it off as another "simple" person insinuating so little about him. he doesn't seem offended, even though emotion is difficult to parse from him.

he lifts his cane up, toying with the head of it.] "God of War?" That's a very frightening title. It wouldn't be humbling at all to have someone like that provide me with protection, but you see, Genji-san...

[he slides the bottom of the cane away from the head, revealing the slim blade.] It would be cruel of me to keep this ruse going when you seem so willing to show a mere shopkeeper such kindness. You should know precisely the person you wish to protect.

I may be a shopkeeper, but I have another title as well- one almost as lofty as yours. Shinigami. [he smiles, the expression lopsided and self-deprecating in the irony of the meaning of such a word.] "Death God."

[ He cannot help but look a little surprised. The face visor hides it well but it probably is read in his entire body language. Shinigami? ]

You're an assassin. [ How surprising. His shoulders drop just a little. Genji sees that he's been completely taken in. But his master would want him to continue to trust people, right? ] That's very surprising, Urahara-san. I suppose that is why you were called upon.

[ But still-- ] You felt bad for lying to me, right? For having me worry about you? [ Why else would he reveal himself? Wouldn't it have been easier to say nothing and let Genji protect him? ] Doesn't that mean that you're still a person that I should protect?

Shinigami means something very different where I'm from, but it would take too long to explain. [he shoulders Benihime, a little bit of the same casualness returning to his form.] But I was once. It was a very long time ago. As it stands, I don't know if I can trust the people here yet, so I've kept the act up. It's no offense to anyone- I just have to plan ahead when I can.

[no hard feelings. there's never any hard feelings. he does what he does and he expects nothing and sometimes he's forgiven and sometimes he's considered a snake. either way, he will not have a man put himself at risk like this. he'll scheme a great deal, but this isn't a situation that is advantageous to anyone.] Guilty? I guess one might call it that... You seem like a good man, Genji-san. I would hate for you to focus on me when there might be others who need your protection.

This means I trust you [in the bare minimum he'll trust anyone, but that's neither here nor there], and I trust we can keep this between us.

Edited 2016-08-09 06:25 (UTC)

I would like to hear it one day. [ Now probably is not that time, right? ] The people here may surprise you. But I can understand your hesitation, too. [ No one should reveal parts of themselves without feeling like they are safe and comfortable. Isn't that what Zenyatta taught him, too? ] Because you feel you are alone, Urahara? Because you feel you are alone, you have to plan ahead?

[ Yes, there are others that he sees that could use him as a shield. ] I am not so weak that I cannot look after more than one person. And it seems like I would just be back-up for you, anyway, right? [ He doesn't like being tricked. But he came clean. So, he should forgive that. ]

I have no reason to spread other's secrets around. [ And for someone who hides himself well, it is surprising to be told that he is trusted. Still, while the story of the title will take a long time, he hopes this answer will not. ] ... was everything a lie? Your shop? The children that you looked after?

Oh no, none of it was a lie. I simply didn't tell anyone the full story, and let them make their own assumptions. And these days, I do tend to just run my shop. In fact, I think before I ended up here, I was due to make that my sole occupation.

[he breezes past it all with that same air of nonchalance that he's had since the day he first greeted him. the truth hasn't made him lighter, however. it just seems to have made him more eager to brush the whole thing aside.

he slides Benihime back in her sheath, the point made for now.] And as for planning ahead... That's just how I work. I need to have plans in place for any "what if" scenario, and, in this case, it means not letting everyone see what cards I have up my sleeve.

[ Genji muses over what he has been told. An ex-assassin who now owns a shop, right? Though, he doesn't quite have the picture right. In any case, he understands -- wasn't he also trained to be one, too?

Furthermore, to not allow others to see what he has yet say that he trusts Genji with this secret and to keep it between them, he cannot help but smile. Urahara isn't that bad a person. ]

I am happy to hear that it wasn't a lie. For someone who has seen so much battle... it is nice to find peace somewhere, isn't it? [ A nod. ] I suppose I should be madder at being deceived but you've made up for it quickly.

[his smile is genuine in that it seems unbearably tired and for a brief moment when he tilts his head up, his eyes are no longer hidden by shadow- light gray and lined and weary.] I have that effect on people.

[it's not meant to be self-aggrandizing- rather, it seems to be something he isn't proud of at all.] I'd like this to be a chance to wipe away debts I can never repay otherwise, you understand, but I think I'll always be accruing new ones, regardless. And I'll always be finding a new war to fight, but I think you understand that one well enough.

[ That isn't the kind of smile that he would like to see, but it is Urahara's real one, isn't it? ]

I see. You believe you cannot pay me back? Fair enough. [ There is a small bit of humor in his voice, but he accepts that answer all the same. He lets out a tired sigh before speaking. ] Yes... it seems as those that would like to cause trouble do not seem to learn from their mistakes. But it isn't finding it as it is allowing ourselves to be reenlisted, right?

[ A smile can be felt in his words. ] It seems as though you are a person who also cannot remain idle in those times.

[He notes a rock in the cave that would make a suitable seat and sets down, folding his hands over the top of his cane and placing his chin on his hands. the dreary little smile becoming more of a rakish smirk.]

You've got me pegged now. Maybe if I hadn't turned up here, I would have just made my own problems, just so I could find a way to solve them again. Boredom doesn't suit me.

VIDEO. UN: LOKI

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Action here or in inbox/log?

here is fine!

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Action. (Too tired to finish tagback last night and now ready!)

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