redjacketthief | 1st Turn: [Accidental Voice/Action]

Current Mood: annoyed

Entry tags:

1st Turn: [Accidental Voice/Action]

[There is a man in the woods. His hair is a mess, and his clothes are way too plain for his liking. Residents would recognize him as a new feather--he just thinks he had way, way too many drinks the night before.

Somehow he lost his jacket.

And his shoes.

And his composure.

His only clue was that book he found--that annoying book. It wasn't useful at all.

Arsene Lupin III throws that book to the ground, swearing. It lands open, with its pages in the dirt.]

Aagh...this isn't working. [There's a shuffle of pages--he's kicked the book.] Guess I gotta regroup. Eeegh. Woods, Lupin. Think!

Looks like walking north isn't enough. [He starts pacing] And without a map...aa, this is really annoying. [The pacing stops--he has an idea.]

HEY!! IS THERE ANYONE AROUND HERE!? WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!

[Because shouting is such a productive idea...at least he feels a little better.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sitting opposite Lupin and leveling a neutral gaze at him, he was reminded of when they first met in his private quarters with a prim and coy Fujiko at his side – the both of them wrapped around her pretty little finger - and this leering jester attempting to pass himself off as the executive producer of some bogus company...

He smiled in a passing moment of wry amusement.

That had been many years ago; a lifetime ago, he felt. He still had the capacity to be cold and imperious, but not in the same brutal, vicious way, indiscriminately ending lives with flashes of metal and gouts of blood- -

Goemon shook off the thought and raised his cup to his lips, his pinkie delicately extended out of habit. A thoughtful sip, an appreciative, appraising pause. He appeared to be in no hurry to answer the question.]

These journals are all of these things. One is capable of communicating by writing messages, calling, and by exchanging videos - and unless these messages are filtered, anyone who may happen to have his journal open will be able to see them, even if it was not intended for his viewing.

[He paused briefly, as if for effect.] However, there is an exception to this. If someone were to leave you voicemail, no one but you would be able to see or hear it.

[Closing his eyes, he then calmly indulged himself with a well-deserved sip of tea.]

And there is leftover mabo dofu in the refrigerator.

Wow...that's pretty cool, actually. All in this book?

[Lupin has to reign himself in, or else he'd unleash a torrent of words on a ronin who had probably become used to a quiet lifestyle. Mindfulness was not a tactic he often employed, but he decided to do so, if only because it would make the entire explanation process easier.

Besides, he didn't want to lose Goemon's words while in a tangent. The other man was settling in, and probably not likely to speak a lot.

He breathes, takes a sip of tea, and decides to get the mabo dofu later.]

Forget that, I already know the answer is 'yes'. [Another breath. He is trying to not ask everything at once.] Goemon...why do we have these wings and these journals? What is this place?

[These were loaded questions. He saw the keen hunger for knowledge, the anticipation on Lupin’s face, and slowly set down his cup with a hard, satisfying clack, reaching across the table for the man’s journal. After flipping to a particular section towards the back, he then turned the book over so that Lupin could read, pointedly sliding it towards him. It seemed appropriate to refer to his companion a superior source of information.]

This guide has been written by one of many people transported here; someone whom has been here far longer than myself. It explains our situation with greater detail and clarity than I am capable of providing.

[There were maps too which Goemon suspected would be of great interest. He straightened in his chair.]

There is much to absorb - and I am sure there are things you will wish to discuss after you read it.

[Lupin took one glance at the book, and pushed himself out of his seat.] I think I'll take that mabo dofu now...

[He retrieved it, and momentarily debated on whether to eat it with a fork or chopsticks. He chose the fork, knowing that he was likely to resort to stabbing his food childishly otherwise. Once prepared, he took a bite...and knew that his chill wouldn't be a problem for much longer.

Leave it to Goemon to make something absurdly spicy, even to adventurous palates.

He read through the pages quickly as he ate, mostly to get an idea of the situation. He could always read later--it looked like he was going to have a lot more time on his hands than he bargained for.

Although, Lupin wasn't sure if he believed what he was reading. The information about the Malnosso, the scenario, the kidnappings...

He frowned.]

Goemon. Why?

[Answers only lead to more questions, he thought while waiting patiently, eyes closed, his features soft, and his breathing slow and deep and even, as if he were at rest.

Why.

The Buddhist in him was inclined to believe that every event that occurred, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, had some purpose, some reason, some meaning, even if it was not readily apparent. Perhaps he would never come to learn why the Malnosso studied and experimented on those they imprisoned, but he could at least offer Lupin his own theory.]

Because they can.

[The words hung heavily in the are before he spoke again, approaching the question differently.]

There are them - the Malnosso, and the Third Party – and then there are us, numerous and exploitable, caught in the midst of a war that may have been waged for as long as centuries.

[Narrowing his eyes, he pressed on, fiercely grim, a thread of indignation running through his voice.]

We are forced to fight the Malnosso’s battles, encouraged to serve their interests by participating in missions in exchange for superficial goods, and are subjected to endless experiments. Every week, it seems someone is abducted or another is returned suffering grave injuries or some unusual affliction. …It is unforgivable.

[The line of his jaw hardened as he lapsed into silence. He didn’t wish to say that this was the way it had to be, that they had to accept this as their fate for as long as they found themselves within this invisible bubble... but a successful rebellion against a force of great power seemed unlikely. At least, at present.

When the moon had shattered through the barrier, he had thought himself ready and capable, as he felt he should have been after years of rigorous self-discipline and striving to live by the sword; it had been a situation where lives were at stake and only through swift, decisive, fearless action could he have been of service and protected the defenseless. And he had not only failed, but had witnessed the efforts of others failing – some of whom seemed to possess a strength greater than his own.

He lacked discipline. He lacked many things.

Overthrowing the Malnosso was ideal to many, but the fact of the matter was that some of Luceti’s inhabitants had spent entire years confined to this place, no doubt struggling (so he felt) with feelings of helpless resignation and impotent, frustrated anger; he could not imagine someone lingering if given the freedom to leave.

Alas, even if the Malnosso were in some way subdued, their troubles surely would not end given the presence of the Third Party...]

It is my belief that the Malnosso will not be satisfied even if the Third Party is vanquished.

Edited 2011-11-17 04:06 (UTC)

...You're right. That is unforgivable.

[Lupin didn't like the words he heard. His grip tightened on the fork to the point wher he had to put it down. Hungry as he was, food could wait a little longer.]

Just because they can do something doesn't give them the right. That's the same reasoning used by the Nazi's in World War II, and, I don't know how well you know Western history, but that...it was horrible!

[He let those words hang, collecting his thoughts and making a coherent thread. There wasn't more he could say on the topic matter...nothing that hadn't already been said.

He had to ask.]

Has anyone tried to do something about this?

I know enough. [He answered quietly over the rim of his cup before draining what remained of his tea, his eyes solemnly shut; he left the subject of wars back home at that. It was a while before he continued, Lupin's indignant words lingering in his mind.]

Some have been here for years; there is no doubt in my mind that they have at least considered rebellion or escape at some point. Do not think we are alone in our thoughts, and that most others are standing by and doing nothing because they lack the will to act.

[It certainly didn't appear to be the case, if the occasional journal entry was any indication.]

...If given the choice whether to stay or to leave this place, I doubt most people would remain. [But some would, he imagined, due to feelings of attachment to those whom they had befriended and/or if their situations back home were bleaker still.]

They've 'considered' it, you say. That means that we really can't do anything then, right?

[Lupin noticed the firm set of the ronin's jaw, felt the weight of his words. Although he asked it, he already had an idea of the answer. He didn't like it.

The conversation had gotten too heavy. Lupin took a sip of his tea, and continued eating the mabo dofu. He would have killed to have one of his Gitanes cigarattes in that moment.

The pause drew for longer than Lupin was comfortable before he spoke up again.] Is there anything we can do?

[A muscle rippled in his jaw.]

Not long before you arrived, the moon hurtled towards the village, crashed through this barrier, and killed every man, woman, and child in this place, despite the efforts of many to stop the Malnosso’s doing.

[Despite my own best efforts was implied, but left unsaid. He let his words sink in; and for a long moment, he gazed into his empty cup as if it held all the answers, his frown grave and troubled.]

I would like to tell you that what one can do is watch and wait for the right opportunity to strike swiftly and decisively as part of a collective effort. But it is not so simple, so to speak. Beyond this barrier is the Third Party – and from what you have read, it would seem that they have no interest in keeping us alive. [Who knew how many of them there were, or if they could be reasoned with?]

[There was a deep seated thread of anger in Goemon. Lupin saw it then, and understood the implication on his explanation about the moon fall. He wanted to reassure him that it wasn't his fault, but he had a feeling that the words would be useless.]

So they have wars and throw moons, huh? I don't like that. And, it looks like we have three choices--Fight these Malnosso, then fight the people their fighting and either escape or die, make the Malnosso's lives harder, or just sit back and take it.

[He was having a fragment of an idea creep its way into his mind. It wasn't fully formed yet, but...]

How about I choose option 'D'?

[He didn't say that he didn't yet know what option D was. He needed to explore more, to learn more. Lupin gave Goemon a confident smile and drove forward.]

I hope you haven't forgotten that I've stolen the Statue of Liberty, Goemon. And that you haven't forgotten about Christ the Redeemer. heh.

[Those were such fun jobs too!]

It might not be today, and I won't be able to do it alone, but I'll work on figuring out a way to get out of here. I won't be able to sit still anyway...

Goemon. I'll steal back our freedom.

[ While it was a bold promise – a statement that might have compelled him to trade considering, meaningful looks with Jigen, had Jigen been there - it was far from unexpected. He pressed his lips into a thin line, his analytical gaze pinned on the face of the man sitting across from him.

This was not a matter the likes of how to bypass security, how to get their hands on the latest object of interest, or how to make a daring escape from some bank alive and well and laughing in the face of their opposition. They were dealing with a force beyond full comprehension, a force that had yet to be toppled - and he was reassured that Lupin grasped this; he was reassured that, behind the smirk, and the sparkle of cocky ambition in his eyes, there was a righteous determination, the understanding that their present situation was far more than a mere challenge to overcome, a puzzle to solve.

If there was any man capable of finding a way to freedom – or coming close, at least – it was Lupin. On numerous occasions, Goemon had found himself skeptical of the success of Lupin’s plans, and almost always, it had been banished by some flash of half-mad genius at which he could only shake his head and grin. When the man put his mind to it – that is to say, when he wasn’t horribly distracted by the fairer sex - Lupin had a cunning resourcefulness, a genius the ronin knew he could not match. When his mind was fixed on something, Lupin was not a man who could be easily derailed.

…And given that he would not be working alone against the Malnosso, all those with the desire to leave had more of a chance than ever of returning home and finding peace.

Goemon had to believe it.

What was more important, more inspiring in these circumstances than hope?

The ronin closed his eyes, and for the first time in a long time, he felt every year of his age as he sat there in silence, his mind turning. What could have been half a minute or five minutes later, he opened them again and met Lupin's gaze, seeming relaxed albeit focused.]

I understand. [You must try. We must try.]

Edited 2011-11-18 17:36 (UTC)

[Lupin felt the weeks and months of waiting and watching that Goemon must have endured in those two words. He heard the quiet desperation running deeply beneath those words--and heard the faith the Ronin had in him.

He wanted to say more...and knew it would be pointless to Goemon. Just a waste of breath, a waste of words. He smiled in acknowledgement instead, and returned to his meal.]

I don't know when Goemon, and I don't know how. We'll figure it out though. Hopefully soon.

[He spoke mostly for himself this time. He needed to hear a voice, even if it was his own. As used to Goemon's silences as he was, too much silence still unnerved him. He continued chattering, seriousness put down momentarily but not forgotten.] ....Hey. do you have a tub around here? I think I want to take a bath tonight.

[Goemon was still slowly digesting the conversation – his eyes having wandered from Lupin’s face to gazing unfocusedly into empty space – when the question was asked. He didn’t lift his head in acknowledgement.]

Upstairs. [He answered half-absently, knitting his brows as he brought his cup to his lips and remembering too late that it was already empty. He would have to prepare more.

With this new little seed of hope planted deep in his mind, he wondered if sleep would come easily when he would rest his head over his pillow tonight, heavy with thought. Acquiring an understanding of how to escape the Malnosso would take time and greater patience still, among many things; but as far as he was aware, all goals worth pursuing were difficult to see through.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only