discedo | [video]

Entry tags:

[video]

This has gotta be some kind of… screwed up dream…

[ There's lightly panicked breathing, albeit calm for one who has just woken up in a strange world. Adrenaline is high, but there's no one around for him to blame, nothing around for him to throw.

A blond man in bartending regalia lights a cigarette, unconcerned with the fact that the communications device is making a small documentary: Inside the Pocket, the untold story. There's a grunt of disproval, he obviously realizes something's amiss after a quiet beep alerts him to the piece of technology hidden from view. ]

What the hell is-… a phone…?

[ He's obviously stressed, his voice clipped, strained as though he's trying to keep his wits about him. The feed shakes, the image blurs from a violent motion, a rough hand locked around the camera. A thumb moves and you finally see the man's face.

… He looks quite angry, a tick at his brow, a twitch at his jaw where his teeth are clenched around the filter of his abused cigarette. Like an animal backed into a corner. ]

Spyin' on me now? Tch. I don't get it -- whaddaya want me to do?

[ The image takes on a new angle; Shizuo holds the camera up, pointing it down towards his face at a rather artistic angle and he stares up into it with a squint over his sunglasses as though trying to decipher an unintelligible code. ]

Well… fuck this. Fuck you. Like I'll make it that easy!

[ Expression darkening, the cigarette he can be seen holding snaps between his fingers. The device loses focus immediately, white noise flickering briefly when the uneven ground catches it, managing to land with its camera pointed up at grey sky.

Just in time to record the heel of a dress shoe dropping down on the lens. ]

Problem solved!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

'Every cloud has a silver lining,' right? [ He watches Shizuo, like he's trying to figure out if it's safe to crack a joke. Probably not. ] Heiwajima-san, is that good? And yeah, that's me. [ He's very accustomed to explaining, but you never know. Someday, someone won't find it weird at all. ]

I don't really believe all that. [ Shizuo's humour is unavailable at the moment, please try again later. ] That's fine though, Hong Kong-san... unless you go by somethin' different. Which I wouldn't be surprised at. [ Dead-pans. ]

Not a glass half full kinda guy? [ That's okay, he'll leave a message and try back in a week or so. ] Hong Kong works, you don't need to use an honorific for me. I mean, if you're gonna get technical, the full title's like, ridiculously long. [ Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, man! And what? You're deadpanning too? Hong Kong will challenge you to a deadpan battle. ]

Why're you talkin' about glasses now? I don't get it. [ An eyebrow twitches as he bumps up his shades with his middle finger. ] Hong Kong then. I'm not known to get technical. Whatever's fine. [ Challenge accepted! ]

Never mind, that's not important. [ He crosses his arms. ] Thanks. I appreciate it. [ Just beware if he goes to get his notebook out.............. ]

So, you probably need to find a place to stay, yeah?

[ PLEASE GOD, NOT THE NOTEBOOK. ] ... Whatever you say.

[ There's a moment of quiet contemplation, though, as he tries to sort out a couple thoughts. ] Looks that way. Guess I gotta hole up somewhere 'til I get my head on straight. [ Puffing his cigarette now, he sighs heavily. ]

This is a pain in my ass.

[ In Discedo, it's actually an entire wall of his apartment. ;; ]

[ Hong Kong doesn't mind waiting. He's a very patient guy. ] What kinda place do you prefer? There's apartments here in the city, but I guess you could get a house in some of the other cities nearby. Kinda depends.

Yeah, sorry about that.

[ One day he'll see those pictures. One. Day. ]

Don't apologize, 'less it's your fault and it's not. [ Smoke is huffed out of his lungs; he taps the cigarette off and continues, scratching his head, wary of the embers near his hair. ] I don't much care, so long as it's vacant. Used to have an apartment.

But what's the use of travelling farther than I gotta for temp housing? Somewhere around here is fine... I don't see any though.

[ Visit his apartment and you'll see all kinds of things! He draws and writes all over the walls. ]

It's definitely not. Yeah. [ He watches this, sort of intrigued, but his expression remains blank. He hasn't seen any smokers here before, but now that he thinks about it, getting cigarettes might be a problem. ] You've gotta point, yeah. There's a few buildings here that aren't bad. I live in Latimir, which is kinda nice.

So let's figure out where you are.

[ So many shipping pictures... he'll probably get all awkward. But talent is talent!! ]

Aren't bad, huh. [ Looking around, he finds that hard to believe. Especially when he catches sight of a charred building up ahead. ] Latimir. Apartments? [ He's approaching now, turning the device so there's a beautiful view of a few shop windows with creepy mannequins and a burnt down gas station.

His mouth flattens into a thin line. Not impressed. ] Yeah, real nice. This place looks messed up... the hell happened here?

[ There's some other stuff too! Most of the shipping pictures were posted to the communicator and there's a list of names on the wall. But there's also a really nice mural of the Hong Kong skyline!! ]

Yeah, aren't bad. [ He looks away for a second, then back. ] A whole lotta bad things happened. I wasn't here for most of them, but a lot of what I've seen hasn't been good. The fact that anything's still standing is something though. And the apartments really aren't that run-down, considering.

[ Ohhh, Shizuo will appreciate it. Remind everyone of home a little! ]

Yeah, sounds bad. So long as the apartments are still standing, this is fine. [ He'll have trouble with quitting smoking though... he nods along briefly, looking anywhere but the screen. It seems he's noticed something... is that a street sign? ] Ah, here we go. Corner of... Brebo... and Ingles.

[ Staring at the sign, his nose wrinkles and he scowls around his cigarette. ] Something stinks.

[ Yes, that's the intention! Also he gets really bored when he's stuck in the apartment for long periods of time.... ]

Yeah, they're standing. And they're all pretty much furnished too, which is good. [ Maybe he'll be able to find a stash of cigarettes, who knows! Hong Kong sits up a bit straighter when he mentions the street sign. ] Yeah, I know where you are.

[ A beat. ] What kinda bad smell? [ Like... "dog made a mess here" bad or "something died here" bad? ]

Edited 2012-05-20 21:14 (UTC)

[ Shizuo will keep him company, Hong Kong kind of reminds him of Kasuka... it's the calmness. ]

Ah. [ He nods in agreement, that is good news. He wouldn't want to pillage shops and drag sofas around. He'd love some cigarettes though... Shizuo's lip twitches a little. Only for a moment. ] Good. Lead me outta here, would ya?

It's like... [ Something rotting, something pungent. He covers his sensitive nose with his sleeve. ] Definitely somethin' dead. Like old, old, old, old meat.

[ Hong Kong is nothing if not very, very calm. He would appreciate the company too, you know. ]

Yeah, sure thing. Lemme send you a map program too, in a sec. [ The image of Shizuo dragging furniture around Discedo would certainly be an interesting one, but we can pass on that for now. ]

Okay, I'd get outta there if I were you. Go west on Ingles 'til you hit Lander, then north. I can meet you at the park. [ He frowns for a split second. ] If you see anything moving around, just ignore it.

[ Well good! I smell... friendship... ewjkncd sob. He is on his way Hong Kong! ]

Gotcha... West is... [ Good thing he has a fine sense of direction; he turns down the street, trying to ignore the smell.

Insert walking montage here. He supposes he has to be wary, but he's really just meandering down the middle of the street with his hands in his pockets. And there's only one thing he sees moving around. A crow. It caws loudly and he tosses the butt of his cigarette to scare it away.

Luckily he finds the place without too much trouble. Looking around the park, he finds a picnic table untouched. It looks worn, but it supports him. And there he waits, quietly.

Rubbing a palm against his eye, he sighs. ] I'm here. God, does this place look like shit...

[ I smell it too. They will get along splendidly. I wonder, will it help if Hong Kong feeds him? He does like to do that. And give people tea. Tea and food, that's his Way. So just come on over and accept his and Macau's fantastic hospitality!! ]

Yeah, that way. [ He points unhelpfully. Well, he points according to what direction he thinks it ought to be, if Shizuo is facing the burnt-out gas station, which he caught sight of a second ago. That should be right. Either way, if he gets lost, Hong Kong can always find him.

Which shouldn't be necessary, really. Anyway, Hong Kong starts walking too, leaving his apartment and making his way toward the park shortly after Shizuo starts moving. A crow? Hm. Well, that's probably fine. If its eyes start glowing and it grows fangs, Shizuo will no doubt be wise enough to book it. If it stays innocuous, that's just one more thing we can mark down and say went right today.

Hong Kong walks up to the picnic table, waving when he arrives. ] Yo.

That's a pretty good description. [ He doesn't notice as much anymore, probably because he's been here awhile. And it does kind of remind him of the way certain parts of Hong Kong used to look. Of course, those places have since been gutted and replaced with attractive parks and other aesthetically pleasing things, but the memory's still there. He rests against the table, hands in his pockets now. ] So how long've you been here exactly?

[ Oh god. Food. If the tea is full of sugar and milk and the food is sweet, he will love Hong Kong and Macau forever! Shizuo can be their bodyguard, sob. ]

... Hey. [ He hops from the picnic table to greet him. For some reason, even with the video, he doesn't expect the shortness. Well, everyone is short compared to Shizuo. It doesn't bother him any. ]

You got here fast. [ It's a little weird, meeting someone... for some reason he thought he'd never see a person again.

The anxiety he feels ebbs when Hong Kong starts speaking. He really was like Kasuka. Calm, straightforward. ] ... Not too long. Woke up a couple hours ago maybe. Hell if I know. Then I found this phone. Whatever it is.

You seem to know the ropes well enough. Take it you been here awhile.

[ Hong Kong and Macau can both do sweet food, and milk tea is kind of a Hong Kong specialty, so he's definitely on the right track there! Be their bodyguard (and Panda's!) and Hong Kong will teach him English and feed him, how's that? ]

It's not as far from my place. [ And he's not that short, really! ;; 5'7" isn't nearly as tall as Shizuo, but it's still... not super short.... ] It's like, basically right down that road. [ He points to the north, at a road that's barely in sight around the corner. ]

[ He looks over his shoulder at Shizuo, shrugging a little as if to emphasize that it really wasn't a big deal. He might've ran too, but he doesn't seem winded, and he doesn't say so. ]

We call it a communicator. [ Meaning the 'phone.' ] But it has other programs on, like a map and stuff. It's pretty useful.

[ He pauses a second, like he's thinking. ] I guess I've been here close to ten months now.

[ Oh lord, that sounds like the best deal ever. He accepts. His English is broken, thank god for high school classes. And whoops, not short... he just looks so cute iusdjbv. ]

[ Following Hong Kong's finger, he nods curtly and gives a grunt of agreement. That wasn't far at all. But he aims his eyes down to the 'communicator' and stares at it a moment. ] Callin' it a phone's easier. I saw the map though, looks useful. [ He shoves it into his pocket for now. ]

... [ And wow, ten months... that's even longer than the kid he yelled at earlier. ] YOU'RE AT TEN? Shitshitshitshit... [ He runs his hand through his hair and takes a seat back on the picnic table. He's trying to grasp it all, he really is... it hasn't fully hit him yet. ]

That's... too long... you haven't found those science bastards in that amount of time?!

[ Then it's on. You can learn with Sasuke! Ahh, Hong Kong has the best pupils. The very best. As for his height and all, he's still pretty cute, lineface aside, so it's easy to understand why anyone would think that. ]

You're right about that. [ Meaning calling it a phone. ] My brother made the map. It's the best way to find your way around.

[ Nowhere near as long as some people, too. ] Yeah, seems like it. [ He's unfazed by all this yelling and cursing. Or seems to be, anyway. ]

I know it sounds crazy. I can't tell you it's not. But we know that while we're here, things stop at home. When you go back, it'll be the exact instant you left.

[ Oh god, what have we created. This will make history. Abububu HK, look at your kawaii face. ]

Brother? [ He seems to straighten on the picnic table, interested. So he had a brother too, huh? And a smart one, to make a map. ] Feh. Most useful thing in this place. Least someone knows what they're doin'.

[ He hooks a finger in his bowtie and tugs it loose, eyeing Hong Kong through his shades. The resemblance to his own brother was enough... so unperturbed, even when he lost himself to his anger.

Sighing heavily, Shizuo pinches the bridge of his nose. ] Stop? Like put on pause? Why... what happens to the people, though... what if I don't ever get back... [ Stopping that thought in its tracks, he punches his palm and scoffs at himself, a smirk lighting his previously troubled expression. ]

What am I sayin'. I'll get outta here eventually. C'mon, show me these apartments.

[ A monster? An awesome one?! Hong Kong is totally down for historic awesomeness, always. Also, just for that, I'm gonna use a totally unrelated icon. ]

Yeah, Japan. [ He has quite a few smart brothers, if you're going to be technical. ] Everyone does their best. Some people don't have a skill set for this kinda situation. I mean, mostly I just teach English. Some people'd say that's not too useful.

[ He doesn't really believe that, about the usefulness of learning English. But it's a far cry from slaying monsters (which he could do a lot better if he had his chip out, but never mind that). As for his nature, well. He's lived with a lot of crazy, violent people. He's used to being the coolest head in the room. ]

Yeah, like it's on pause. And no one stays, really. I mean, there's no one who's been here since the beginning. I heard there was a guy who was here for four years, but he went home. Some people come back multiple times. You might've been here before and just don't remember it. I didn't. [ He takes a breath. He's talking a lot, but it's hard to explain this situation succinctly, it always is. ]

You're right though, we oughta get going. Who knows what's out here right now.

[ THE BEST MONSTER. AND RANDOM ICONS ARE PERFECT. So pretty. ;m; ]

Jap-... [ Okay now this was getting a bit ridiculous. ] ... You guys got some gang or somethin' with country names? Ah, just... nevermind. Don't mind me. [ He waves dismissively and once more plants his feet on solid ground, rolling his shoulders back. ]

English. [ Now that he thought about it, he's been trying to speak garbled English at most of his repliers. He's managed so far... but maybe he could shape up... he no doubt had a strong accent. If he couldn't understand have the shit someone was saying, he'd be pretty out of luck, wouldn't he? ] Helpful?

... That's... [ What could he really call it? There were no words to describe it. He did the best he could. ] Screwed up... [ Nodding along with the suggestion of leaving, though, it reminds him of something. ] I met a girl. Says she can take the chip out. Do I trust someone like that? Seems ok...

[ Why was he asking Hong Kong? Shaking his head, he crosses his arms, taking up stride beside him. ] After your tour, maybe. I can get there myself. I just heard shit 'bout side effects...

[ The very best!! Also, I totally forgot I said that and picked my icon at the end to fit. I love that one, but this one is the one I meant to use. He is irresistibly cute.... ]

I guess you can go with that, if you wanna. [ Meaning a gang. Though it's a pretty weird "gang." ] It's totally cool, like, whatever you wanna think.

I think so. A lotta people seem to speak it here. That or Japanese, but not usually both. [ He shrugs. ] I speak both. And Cantonese, Mandarin, a few others. [ He's not trying to brag, he's just pointing out how useful it can be. Still. It's not monster-slaying. He can't claim that. ]

A girl? Did you see her on video? [ He's trying to think. Is it Sakura? ] I think most people who offer to take chips out are cool. They're usually doctors or something. I think you can get it out yourself, if you know where it is, but that's dangerous. It's better to let someone help.

[ He nods along. ] I'm sure you can handle it later. But they're right about the side effect thing. That all kinda depends on what the chip's keeping you from doing though.

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[video; Japanese]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]