(open) A little sincerity is a dangerous thing

[ex_adept136]

CHARACTERS: Haise Sasaki pursuit and anybody.
DATE: Shortly after returning to Oska after staying behind in Nalawi.
WARNINGS: None, but will update if needed.
SUMMARY: Taking in the scenery.


Library
[Books had been a large part of Haise's life in all his brief recollection. It had begun with Arima bringing him books back when he was known only as the number 240. The literature he brought him somehow all struck his interest, and he absorbed both stories and reference information like a sponge, having nothing but blank walls and a stiff cot in his tiny world.

While this had changed when he became Haise Sasaki, and the world had become broader, his interest in books had never died. When he was in doubt, when he needed to know something - he referred to printed word, anytime he could.

And this doesn't appear to have changed at all, as Haise finds his way to Oska's library. He takes in the towering shelves with wide, curious grey eyes, a look one might expect from a child first setting eyes on a theme park. It doesn't take him long to veer right toward those shelves and pick out several titles...and then several more...

Eventually he's stationed at a table and ringed by small piles of books. All these magical matters are completely foreign to him, and Haise is quite invested in studying up and changing that]

Training Room
[Anyone passing by the training room might hear a sharp thump or thud in passing. It's loud enough that something of reasonable size must've hit one of the walls. And that something, upon inspection, would happen to be Haise Sasaki.

After some dabbling he's figured out that he can get customized opponents and terrain, and the scenery looks like a half-wrecked industrial building interior at this stage, broken concrete and shattered windows to suit. His opponent is naturally the same sort of purple figure those more familiar with the training room are liable to recognize, with the difference of a few bonus appendages, and the ability to move along walls at an alarming speed.

Something it demonstrates as it closes distance, seizes Haise by a leg, and slings him across the room again. It begs the question of whether he got an opponent tailored to his own abilities or something that's gone a little bit over his head]

Hot Springs
[After a long day of studying and getting thrown around by what are presumably holograms, Haise thinks to relax. Since returning from Nalawi he's heard about the hot springs, and being just a touch sore he makes the trek up there to loosen up his muscles some. It seems like a good way to conclude the day, especially since he's intent on keeping up a consistent training regimen.

Maybe one a little more carefully structured, he thinks, as the hike is fairly draining on his already low reserves. But he makes it to the artificially created springs soon enough, puffing out a sigh of quiet relief once it's within sight.

He keeps moving until he gets there, a towel slung over his shoulder for propriety's sake...although he's not sure where to change. That thought's set aside when he gets a better look at the water, sparing a moment simply to take in the scenery]

Such a nice view...

[The world seems so small and broken, but places like this certainly are lovely]

Comments

Library

[grunehexe]

[Even though she was largely bedridden, would be so for weeks, it didn't mean that Sieglinde never left her room now that she's returned from Nalawi. The first week, yes, she hadn't really left her bed, spending most of her days sleeping and treating the inflammation and swelling in her newly rebroken feet, checking to make sure the bones were positioned as best as she could place them, (using others' hands, lacking the strength and stomach for such herself), that if she did things correctly she might be able to walk better than if her feet remained bound.

So she could be less of a burden. Able to help more people. Walk on her own.

It wasn't like she could keep what she'd did from those she knew, either, though she didn't exactly feel comfortable sharing the full reasons, the emotional roller coaster ride she had and still battled with regarding what she'd done. But some people were mercifully respectful of her privacy, and some were helpful, and Haise had agreed to take her to the library. It required far more careful handling than ever- even a jostle of her feet, bandaged and splint tightly, smelling of balms and sharp-scented numbing agents, was painful, but the chairs in the library were big enough that she didn't touch the floor, sinking back into the cushions with Potionmaking Traditions of the Farjyn Witches open in her lap, her own notes scribbled in shorthand German on the arm of the chair, occasionally looking up to see what her company was doing.]

What do you hope to glean from that one?

[He seemed quite intent on it, and she couldn't see the cover or title from where she sat.]

[ex_adept136]

[It was far too easy for Haise to get lost in whatever he was reading. The world around him seemed to fade away, muffled somewhere beyond the pages in front of him. He took in new information rather well in that way, and he was a quick enough learner... But so often reading had been a solitary activity, making it a little too easy to forget he had company.

Of course, peripherally, he was quite aware of Sieglinde. He could smell her, just as he could any human, and the finer details varied from one individual to the next. She often smelled of medicines, or the ingredients she worked with. For the time being, the ointments on her feet overpowered much else, an acrid medicinal odor that honestly burned his nose and made his eyes sting - not that he'd admit it.

It was something Haise was determined to get used to, and it had almost faded from his awareness when Sieglinde addressed him. He straightened then, blinking himself out of his cloud of focused poring over text, and glanced in her direction]

I wanted to look into how magic works...but I have the growing impression it's not exactly uniform.

[And here he really wanted a grasp of what he ought to expect, going forward]

[grunehexe]

[That was the thing about learning, wasn't it? Sieglinde understood. How many days had she lost, pouring over the tomes in the Green Manor's library? When she was on to something it was almost manic, how she'd tear through pages, scribbling madly, ink scattered over the floor... She'd scared Masamune more than once that way.

But she couldn't help it. Maybe neither could Haise. At the answer, though, the small witch gave a dramatic sigh, slumping back into her chair.]

It is possibly the most un-uniform thing I have ever encountered!

[Not even an exaggeration, that. Ever since ALASTAIR had gifted her the ability to learn magic despite the differences in worlds she has been struggling to decipher exactly how things were done, but with each world differing as it did... Rin's magic couldn't be cast like Laedo's, or Magnus' like Aqua's...]

Some people draw from an innate source, but some from the blood and some from a more intrinsic energy, and others draw from around themselves, and some channel it through objects and others by verbal command triggers-

[She threw up her hands a bit helplessly, but for all that it sounded like she was complaining... It was fascinating.]

[ex_adept136]

[At least it seemed his impression of magic wasn't wrong...although it certainly nailed in the reality that it would be quite difficult to actually learn much about it as a concept. Haise had been hoping that he could get a better grasp, and thus adapt more easily to whatever circumstances would come their way next, but once matters began to span worlds, it appeared this wasn't going to be so straightforward.

He puffed out a sigh, glancing down at the text for a moment. Though there seemed to be some common threads, so much was different he doubted there was any hope for universal application...

A shame, since it meant with each new world he couldn't readily meet the circumstances where such things were concerned. After their first mission, and after that presentation on ALASTAIR's history, it seemed to him such esoteric concepts were going to be a prevailing factor]

The more I read, the more complicated it seems to get...

[Which was, admittedly, new for him. His attention lingered on a collection of words for a few moments longer before he turned to regard Sieglinde again]

Have you found anything to be particularly common between different types?

[grunehexe]

Hmmm...

[That was a difficult question to answer with someone who wasn't a magic user themselves, or someone like her, who may not have had true magic most of her life, but had been raised to think she had, studying since she could walk.]

There are similarities between some... perhaps you could describe it as "disciplined" and "undisciplined" magics?

[She waved a hand as she thought of how to phrase it, gesturing in the air.]

Those spells that rely on ritual to cast, runes, or verbal triggers... and those who cast their spells using only willpower or emotional fuel?

[Did that make sense?]

[evantuality]

It's quite a sight, isn't it? Even stranger, when it wasn't here before we left.

[Evan has been making a habit of a nightly swim since he got back to Oska and discovered the spring -- well, 'nightly' being so far two nights, but it was a habit he had full intention to properly pursue. Haise had stopped to gaze at the scenery just as Evan had been hiking back up from the lake to the springs proper, a much shorter trek than that from the castle to the springs. The swim always left him feeling loose and expansive, once the strain of exertion and the short breath from the cold lakewater wore off.

However, he had taken to leaving his towel and eyepatch near the hotsprings, lit as they are compared to the dark lakeside. Rather than linger by Haise he goes to retrieve the eyepatch in particular, pulling it on. It makes a hell of a crease in his wet hair, but he's self-conscious enough about the scarred-up scenery underneath that it's a priority.]

You should see it out by the lake. We get a little bit of sky here, but if you're out in the water you can really see the patchwork they've made of the stars here.

[ex_adept136]

It wasn't here before?

[Now that was a truly curious notion, one that gave Haise pause. He tried to keep his eyes on the water rather than on Evan when he went to retrieve his eye-patch, far from wanting to make him uncomfortable. After all, he could understand not wanting some things to be seen, or at least not wanting to chance finding out what sort of reaction it would prompt.

Haise considered himself fortunate that he'd been able to conceal his kakugan without difficulty, after that drag-out fight with massive hulking stone beasts. It'd be tough to explain the spontaneous change in the color of one eye. Black and red were rather stark]

What do you mean by patchwork of stars though?

[It was a curious, even poetic sort of image, when he thought on it]

[evantuality]

It wasn't. [Evan confirmed that with a shrug, as he settled his patch into place. Feeling entirely less naked for having it on, he came back to stand beside Haise. The second question was rather the more interesting one, as far as the redhead was concerned.]

Look, between the... oh, we don't have a good view here, do we. [He huffed a mild kind of disappointment] Well, the view out by the lake is much clearer, you get a good view of the sky there, it's very open.

[He waffled a moment, and then gave Haise a thoughtful look.] Do you want to come take a look? It's five minutes walk, give or take a few tree roots.

[ex_adept136]

[Well, with imagery like that, Haise was certainly intrigued. For as small as their home-base was, it seemed to him there was quite a lot to take in, though perhaps that was owed to his own limited experiences. Most of his brief recollection was centered around a very limited sort of world]

I have to admit, I'm curious.

[Something he could admit casually and with a smile]

Besides, I've got some time on my hands.

[They all did, of course, but Haise had handled the more productive end of his day already]

[evantuality]

[Evan smiled brightly.] Good. Come on, there's an easy way through here.

[Turning, the damp redhead went to re-trace his steps. He walked barefoot, picking his way carefully through underbrush, but the forest here was not thick and the twigs only poked at his feet a bit. On Nalawi, h'd regained all the callus he hadn't had for years, and he still relished being able to wander through woods without worry of broken glass.]

Have you been down to the lake yet?

training room

[winces]

[ they had arranged to meet there at the turn of the hour, and so olivia arrives a few minutes before. ever since ramir's "call to action" (of a sorts), olivia had felt encouraged to continue the training she had briefly touched upon back in chantes... though sadly many of her former teachers are no longer among them. upon hearing haise was also interested, it wasn't long before olivia approached him separately, wondering if he would, perhaps, be interested in training with her (though she most certainly meant he'd be training her himself, but perhaps she hadn't said so in so many words). she figures it would be a good idea to learn many different types of fighting styles, and considering he has experience fighting creatures she can barely imagine, he would offer a pretty unique perspective!

though perhaps she should have known he would have taken the opportunity to do a bit of individual training. of the three months she'd gotten to know him in nalawi, she's come to expect quite a lot of drive from him...

though it's still pretty startling to see him get flung around like that. ]

H-Haise! Haise!!

[ she has not entered the room yet, uncertain how it might react to a new competitor, and so she just bangs on the door, peering into it through its glass window. ]

[ex_adept136]

[Despite the distance and a thick door standing between them, Olivia's voice still drifts into Haise's awareness, and he casts a bleary gaze in that direction. Had his training session run late then...? Here he'd thought that he had kept track of the time, but he's got his doubts now, since he's got Olivia waiting...

And apparently quite concerned. Well, he ought to hurry up then.

He picks himself up as the purple figure advances in his direction, collecting his quinque with a dull scrape of the blade against the floor. The figure stalks closer before it lunges forward and Haise pivots to the side a little too swiftly for a normal human being, turning sharply to drive his blade through the figure's head, right where an eye ought to be.

Despite himself, he winces, lips pressed to a thin line as he uses this leverage to haul his training opponent off the floor and slam it against the wall behind him. It slumps over and he's quick to trot over to the control panel before it gets back up, ending the simulation.

The surroundings fade back into the sterile metal of the training room's true appearance, and he puffs out a sigh. When he turns to head toward the door, he offers Olivia a lopsided smile]

Sorry about that... I guess I lost track of the time.

[Ignore the bit of blood by his left temple it's not so bad. Considering how he was getting knocked around it's a wonder that, aside from this, the only visible wear is on his clothing]

[winces]

[ as soon as the simulation fades, olivia is bursting through the space with far more energy and swiftness than might be expected of someone who'd been frozen to her spot in shock and fear just a few moments ago. of course, most of that fear had been abated upon seeing how effortlessly he disposes of the fake opponent, but it does not immediately go away upon seeing the blood on his face. ]

Haise... that was amazing! But also really dangerous! You shouldn't do something that serious when you don't have a medic around!

[ex_adept136]

[Ah, that... Maybe he should just tell people over the network that they needn't worry so much after his health. He offers an apologetic smile for that, posture relaxing now that the simulated enemy is gone]

I'm sorry to have worried you, but I heal quicker than most - you don't need to worry.

[Indeed, aside from looking quite ruffled, there's not much damage for all that getting tossed around. Not nearly as much as there ought to be]

[winces]

[ this is probably something that might have been addressed in nalawi? except maybe not??? nothing was really life-threatening then so let's just say not. ]

Oh... Are you sure?

[ she calms down considerably, but she still looks him over quite worriedly. ]

I didn't know you were a healer, too...

training room

[mayora13]

[Hearing a loud 'thud' didn't bring much confidence to Hijikata about his first visit to the training room. He'd figured that if he had to be here, he might as well keep up with practice. That included some solitary exercises in his quarters, but the experience of a real fight couldn't be replaced. Word of mouth was that the training facility was made with advanced immersive technology, so the vice-chief had opted to seize the opportunity for some good practice.

Or maybe he just wanted to hit something.

Hijikata peered into the room, eyes narrow and scanning for the source of the sound. Looked like some kid was getting thrashed by some Amanto. Getting thrown from one end of the room to the other was only good for getting a concussion.

A sigh, and Hijikata replaced the cigarette in his mouth. He didn't know how this machine worked, but even if there was an 'off' switch, there was no way this guy was going to be able to access it. So the vice-chief just considered the kid having done him a favor, programming an opponent, and charged in with his sword drawn.

He'd repay the favor by getting you out of here.

The creature was fast, but it's goal was obvious. Hijikata sprinted towards the boy, far less distance to cover on the officer's part allowing him to tie the monster. Fingers wrapped around the other's ankle again, but it wouldn't get any further - a quick down stroke of his blade slicing the limb clean off.]

Can you stand?

[Hijikata wasted no time - after all - the damn thing had like five more limbs.]

[ex_adept136]

[Haise was admittedly new to such technology himself. It was a fumbling affair, learning to use something that was far beyond what his own world was capable of producing. They own simulations were little more than digital renderings meant to imitate the prospective power of an opponent or likely outcomes, but there wasn't much else to it.

But he didn't consider himself especially over his head, accustomed to knock-down drag-out battles that left him a bloody exhausted mess. That was, essentially, what he'd been for back home. When an enemy was too powerful for the average investigator to take on, Haise was sent to deal with it alone...regardless of the mortal risk that involved.

So it came as a surprise to him when one of his ALASTAIR associates came running to assist him and attacked the simulation. Were it a real ghoul, the steel of a normal blade wouldn't have been sufficient to injure it unless very specific areas were targeted. The simulation hadn't enough information to render such details, he thought blearily, sparing a moment for a stiff nod as he got up]

Yes- I'm fine, thank you...

[It was probably for the best that this simulation while brutal didn't emulate the attributes of a ghoul too precisely, he thought, collecting his quinque and swiping at the opponent's head in order to make it spring away - to give them space]

I'm more durable than I look.

[mayora13]

[Wasn't there a manual? There had to be some sort of manual, right? Or did your pride as a man keep you from reading it? Hijikata probably would have fallen into the same trap.

The vice-cheif wasn't unfamiliar with such tactics, with sacrificing one's body beyond the point to accomplish a mission or take out a particularly dangerous foe. He'd done it himself, though on no one's orders but his own.

But that didn't mean he wanted to see someone else do it in a damn simulation. Know when to recklessly throw your life away, brat!

Ah - did he break a rule? Hijikata should know more about T&kyo Gh$ul since it's so popular. Thanks for clearing that up he'll do better next time (maybe).

The boy stood and Hijikata gave a curt nod, his guard not let down. He didn't know what the kid programmed in here, so he didn't want to take any chances.]

Any way to turn this thing off? [That'd be the easiest way out of this, even if Hijikata doubted the possibility was available to them.]

[ex_adept136]

[The simulated enemy was already circling around in an unmasked effort to size them up. If Haise could say one thing for it, it was certainly a rather persistent opponent... Though he was quite concerned with the safety of the fellow who'd just joined him. Unless he could recover quickly, there was potential for serious injury, and he'd do whatever he could to prevent that.

Perhaps turning off the simulation would be best, for now...]

It's- [He paused, hesitant to look away from the purple figure strafing around them, only doing so very briefly so he could point out the controls] That panel over there, I think.

[He was in far better shape than most would be after getting knocked around so much, but that didn't mean Haise wasn't a little dazed at this juncture]

[mayora13]

[Hijikata's head turned with the enemy, it's surveillance was obvious and so it's attack would probably come with seconds of warning. Though, for something with so much brute power, seconds meant little.

The vice-chief would be offended that his cool entrance formidably was being doubted by a guy who was just getting chucked around the room, but really, thank you for worrying about him. He's pretty dedicated to his cool entrance helping, so anything other than turning the simulation off would probably just result in a concussion party for everyone.

Hijikata's eyes darted to the panel, processing the distance. He swallowed, smoke wafting slowly from his cigarette. One of them would have to cover the other. The man was fairly certain he stood a better chance against the enemy, but could this guy run? And did they even have time to make a plan-]

If I cover you, will you be able to make it? [Implied 'quickly enough', because Hijikata doesn't doubt that the thing circling them could throw him across the room too.]

( library. )

[arcane]

( as haise was keen on garnering knowledge out of habit and perhaps out of interest, arjuna found it... almost a necessity. normally, servants arrived with working knowledge and detail of the world around them, but... the terms here was starkly different. somehow, his own mental make-up of this land and what it inevitably held... felt stunted. or at least, it did in respect to all the unforeseen cultures and detailing spread generously across the universe.

arjuna didn't like feeling as if he were lacking, in any regard, really. not only would that mar his own reputation, but his usability as a servant would also significantly decrease, or so he's mentally decreed for himself.

he's always been regarded as a hero of the highest caliber; one of healthy mind, bearing, and spirit, and he... wasn't about to soil that pristine image. so, he sought information in whatever means was available to him. books was one. physically scanning their immediate surroundings... another (archer clairvoyance and all). word of mouth— ) You seem well-versed. Do you have any recommendations to offer? ( a work in progress...

as always he carries himself proudly, but at least.... he does seem genuinely intrigued? )

( library. )

[ex_adept136]

[Haise had for his part smelled someone else in close proximity, though that scent is one he finds curiously difficult to define. He briefly wonders about it, as one might struggle to describe the smell of ozone on the air after a thunderstorm, but his readiest conclusion is that his present company is...unusual.

In what way, he lacks the experience to pin down, just yet.

He's hunched over a particularly hefty-looking tome when he's spoken to, taking a brief moment to rub at his eyes with his thumb and forefinger before he glances in the other man's direction. A shame he hadn't had his glasses on him, when he was brought to this place, but there's nothing for that. The discomfort is short-lived, at least]

Well-versed? [Genuine surprise flickers across his features, blinking owlishly at the man for a beat] ...You mean about magic?

[Does he really look well-informed? That might be a positive in some respects, though he's certainly no expert on this matter in particular]

( library. )

[arcane]

( by the surprise, he ... concludes that his initial thought process was flawed. or at least, he was clearly missing parts in the all inclusive picture. there are a few moments he stands there, unsure of how to progress. that is, until, haise delivers that final hint. he repeats almost robotically— ) Magic?

( though, there's a question mark littered in there somewhere, it's hard to pick up on just tone alone. as always arjuna carries himself without any real hint of hesitation or uncertainty. there's an absolute sense of ... confidence in his poise, even if it's about... thinking haise was well-versed in whatever this is!?! ) ... ( though his eyes do seem to drift on all the books, however briefly. )

Are you curious about the conventions of magic here? Or, in general? ( it's almost like correcting his previous statement, without actually having to go over the fact that he may have had some of the details askew here. but, really. haise did seem well-versed, if just for his passion in seeking veracity. )

( library. )

[ex_adept136]

[He doesn't hesitate to nod in confirmation when he's asked those questions - technically, both would be accurate. It had concerned him that his company thought he knew much about the subject, since in truth he's far from well-versed by any stretch, but that doesn't seem the case.

What had he been asking about before? Perhaps he can get back to it, but first he addresses this most recent pair of questions. Or rather, two in one]

Yes, you see, where I come from, magic is only present in fiction. Since it seems to be a factor in numerous worlds, I thought it best to learn whatever I can.

[And thus make himself more adaptable to their circumstances. While Haise can't be well-prepared for everything, he's endeavoring to be as ready for whatever comes as possible. Otherwise, he can't support his fellow associates effectively]

If you hadn't meant magic before, what were you asking about?

( library. )

[arcane]

( present in fiction. he was aware not every world contained the same principles, but it's still a bit surprising to hear. maybe simply because of his own constitution. believing a claim like that would almost be the same as saying he was non-existent on another plane; never to potentially exist, even. it's a strange sentiment.

still— ) Was it truly not present, or were you simply unaware of it? ( he doesn't mean for that question to be nearly as loaded or potentially condescending as it may have sounded on the surface, but arjuna... did tend to have a certain tone to his voice. a certain quality of shifting through intonation. he closes his eyes briefly, as if physically showing indication for some vague form of contemplation. that is, before he refocuses on the topic at hand. )

I suppose, I thought you seemed familiar with this library and its contents. ( here, he gives a brief shake of his head. ) I'm by no means regarded as a magician or even a hero that could be classed a Caster, however... If you have any questions, perhaps I could be of assistance.

Helping others is the sole joy of a hero, after all.