redjacketthief | 9th Turn [Semi-accidental Video/Action]

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9th Turn [Semi-accidental Video/Action]

[His head hurt.

It was the first problem that Lupin noticed when he awoke in the woods that afternoon, clad only in the pale New Feather garb that all Lucetian’s are granted upon arrival. The sun was too bright and his head hurt, but it was nothing like all of those jobs where he faced everything from bullets to nuclear materials in crystalline form. Simple pain like this was something to be dealt with at a later time, when there was a moment to think and breathe. He had something more important to check on.

Or a group of someones. The thief sat up with the limber energy of a gymnast—and regretted it. The world seemed to shift without his consent and refused to stabilize despite his willing it to do so. He gritted his teeth and pulled himself up; it was just vertigo, probably from being still for too long…

Dealing with a little light headedness was nothing like his stint Cagliostro, both the first and the second time. At least he didn’t need to worry about Fujiko laughing at him. He took one step, two, digging his fingers into the rough bark of the trees for support as he fought against his vision hazing in and out with the vertigo. It was just from being out for too long. A few more steps and he’d--

--collapse into the earth’s embrace.

Lupin stared dumbfounded at the canopy for a breath. He burst into laughter when everything clicked into place.]

That’s right. I died.

[In the facility, with the others. Pops and Fujiko and Adele all told him that this could happen. Hell, he knew it from the outset during that midnight meeting in what should have been the Alps. It was a risk he willingly took, along with the moral implications and responsibilities. No regrets.

It just made life a great deal more complicated.

Death was cheap, however. He didn’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a satin-lined hardwood casket with white lilies piled on top for posterity. A little dizziness was an excellent trade off. Still choking back childish giggles at the absurdity of the situation, Lupin forces himself to sit up again and fight the rolling haze long enough to locate his journal. He gratefully collapsed back into the dirt once he had it in hand, and was doubly grateful when the realization struck that he was fine if he just stayed still. Any little motion sent his mind spinning, but he could think straight if he just stayed and stared up at the canopy.]

[The feed was thrown on without a glance, suddenly treating the residents of the enclosure to a blindingly bright view of the forest from below. The thief himself was not aware if the feed was audio or video—nor did he care. No filters were added, lest he risk another wave of vertigo with just the act of sitting up. It was too much of a bother, especially when the sky was so blue.

Let other people worry about that for now.]

Hey, Lu-ce-ti~ [His tone was oddly humorous and light, with his suppressed laughter hiding just behind his words.] I’m back. [And alive.]

Can anyone around here spare a smoke? Not menthol and filtered, that’s all I want. Oh, and a light.

…who wants to go fishing?

((ooc: Nothing on this post is filtered and nothing will be filtered unless other characters put them up. Work under the assumption that everything said in this post via the journals is fully readable to everyone unless it is filtered, and threadjack away if you wish.

The actual act of picking Lupin up from the woods is locked to Luke Skywalker, though further action may take place around Community House 5 or the Battle Dome. For those with the lie-detect ability or something similar, you are thus warned that most things Lupin will say on non-filtered conversations is a complete lie.

With that noted, have at.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In the woods. [A beat.] Luke's coming to meet me, and Law wants to meet me for tea in his usual place...if you wanted to try to make everything quick and convenient.

Let me know when you're somewhere that I can visit without hiking for an hour-

[If Luke's fetching him, she has nothing to worry about. Law and his concerns were equally valid. They had more to discuss than she at the moment. She could, would, and will wait.]

And I shall visit.

I will when I know what I'm doing, babe. I'm --ah-- having issues standing, if you get my drift. This'll depend entirely on what Luke and Law have to say--

and whether I can sneak out.

...Just answer one thing for me, will you?

Edited 2012-07-02 23:52 (UTC)

Don't call me babe.

[Can't stand- why would he be unable to stand? What had the Malnosso done to him? There were penalties...

Luke is fetching him. Law will examine him. He's in good hands. She takes a breath, pinches the bridge of her nose, and sighs.]

Ask away Lupin.

Fine, fine~ It's just play...

[But he seriouses up.]

How are you taking all of this? You were a mess the last time we spoke.

Edited 2012-07-02 23:58 (UTC)

Play with someone who enjoys that game, mm? [Spoken with good humor. Angel, Dellie, she'll give him those. The rest? Not as much.]

I'm fine. Truly. A little concerned for you and Helios and mildly irritated by the cleanup, but; I am doing well enough.

You play it just fine...

[But enough of that. She obviously didn't want to play.]

Are you really okay? Your lack of faith was a little disturbing last week...

All the faith in the world wasn't [and apparently hasn't], going to keep you alive Lupin. I know what it is you are capable of-

I also know the extent of the Malnosso's abilities as well. In this instance the favor laid with them.

And that's where Hope comes in Angel.

[He wasn't going to argue that point.]

Life and death are cheap here, so it's a solid thing to bank on if you have to. And, it's more than just me working on this.

...even if you had to lie about it, showing a little faith would have been very helpful.

I feel I must remind you of two things: One- I am very, very new to the optimism game.

Two: I'm a shit liar and you know it. It would have been worse had I attempted to do so.

[Even a shitty lie would have been better for his mentality at that point in time. It took every shred of self control and channeling the artificial experiences from the Commander to maintain his self control, but there was always that lingering echo of concern.]

...we learned a few things that might possibly help us even the odds in the future. I'm sure someone will make an announcement later.

Can you try to have a little more faith in your friends from here on out?

Edited 2012-07-03 01:40 (UTC)

Faith doesn't win wars, Lupin. Men do. Morale is only as efficient as they want it to be.

[Her voice is even. Calm. She's not repressing or restraining anything here, simply stating a quiet fact.]

You'll win or lose on your own merit. No matter what I think of you or how I say it.

And soldiers with low morale are less likely to win wars, Adele.

[Jokes were gone; that was the Commander slipping through.]

You'd be surprised about how much mentality can affect the tide of a battle.

Then do not ask for my opinion in a dire situation. You will most likely not care for the answer.

It wasn't asking for your opinion. It was a request to at least help the soldier's morale...even if you have to lie.

'Do no harm.' All doctors subscribe to that, right?

Sometimes we have to hurt to heal. Not often, and I have yet to find a bone that needs breaking before it's properly set here, but it does happen.

...I don't lie if I can help it, Lupin. You know this. Even for the sake of morale.

Even in a life or death situation?

Especially in a life or death situation.

...so you're not even going to try to have a little faith in your friends then? Even just to give yourself a scrap of hope?

I'm not saying that I do not have faith in you and those I know Lupin. I'm simply saying that I will not lie about it one way or the other. One can have faith in someone and still know the odds are stacked enough against them that lying about the possible outcome is foolhardy.

'Don't tell me the odds.'

[The quote from Han was unbidden--Lupin needed a reminder of that himself, when he was talking to Luke about this.]

...if you don't want to lie, then don't say anything. Just show your faith and be supportive. It's better, in the end. Especially when the odds are well known.

Is that not what I just said I intended to do?

[Perhaps she had been unclear. It's quite likely, really. She'd been either at the clinic or hauling branches for the past week.]

[Her meaning was unclear...but she was also under a lot of pressure. Lupin sobered, and wanted to pull her into a hug.]

...how long has it been? I don't even know what day this is.

It is the thirtieth of June. I've spent the past six days manning the clinic and clearing debris from the house. Or having odd discussions about our purpose here with that strange trench coat wearing man from two months ago.

Not Harry?

[He hadn't met any other man of that description...]

...

Tell ya what. Whenever I figure out where I'm at, lets meet for...tea, or something. Not sure that booze will help me right now.

If I'm in the Dome, you can sneak some in...right?

9th Turn [Semi-accidental Video/Action]

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