catch-all open log!

[rebells]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
Where: On the beach, and various other places throughout the hub island
When: Day 80, and the next couple days after
Open/Closed: open log for hub shenanigans!

[This evening, someone has placed an old, rusted-over camp stove on the beach near the coven's row of huts--anyone examining it in detail will see that it's not operational at the moment, but that could potentially be changed, couldn't it? If someone was handy with mechanical things . . . .

Next to it is a crate (which, from the weight of it is empty) and pinned to that crate is a sheet of paper with a map on it, something like a much cruder, black-and-white version of this:



with the following key:

1 - crags. Contain snakes which may be poisonous. Watch out.
2 - ocean, going about one mile out from the coast.
3 - lagoon. Contains thick reeds (could be woven or shaped into tools) and frogs (edibility uncertain).
4 - abandoned campsite.
5 - orchard. Currently, trees are diseased and bare. Plant healer needed.
6 - abandoned house. A family used to live here, from the looks of it. Still contains some useful supplies.

And there should be a 7 north of base camp with the notation "graveyard. Graves unused." but the player forgot and is too lazy to go back and fix it right now. Observant individuals will note that the map looks like a more detailed version of one hanging on the door to a certain coven member's cabin, one that has a note on the bottom: "Have information? Ask for Jay."

Other than that, it's a quiet night on the hub island. We've been here for a couple days; maybe you're getting restless? Want to check out that ocean, or lagoon, or even those crags? Maybe just go door-to-door in the beach huts? Maybe you're sick of shrimp and looking for other things to eat . . . hopefully someone's got a fire going tonight, and thought to kill a boar . . . .

What are you doing tonight?]


((here or here for place descriptions))

Comments

[deem]

[The change in Jude's grip is something that 9S chalks up to settling in for a long trek, and not wanting to fall. He doesn't think too much of having his face buried against his neck, save for the awareness of warm breath on his skin, the awareness of which doesn't seem to fade as minutes pass them by]

And here there's so many...too bad.

[Not that he sounds especially disappointed by that. Sure it would be convenient, but chances are only ranged fighters or those impervious to bites could safely hunt those snakes anyway. They'd seen enough marine life in tide pools along the shore to suggest they could catch fish on the coast, at least]

In that case, sounds like blasting them's not really a problem, although I'm sure my legs'll be fine.

[Good thing Jude doesn't know how common it is for him to lose limbs]

[talim]

[ definitely, definitely a good thing. jude might have an actual heart attack if he knew 9s blowing himself up was a rather common occurrence. more common than it should be, anyway. ]

... You're really strong, you know. Stronger than I am. Stronger than you think.

[ he doesn't just mean physically. ]

It's like you can handle anything that's thrown at you. No matter what it is, you come out of it with your head held high.

[ if only jude knew. ]

[deem]

[They're kind words. Too kind, 9S believes, and it's not the first time he's found himself undeserving of Jude's image of him. It would be nice to live up to that, but he knows precisely what does break him down. Rather, what did cause that very thing.

He wishes he were stronger, at least in the ways he could be. Practically speaking, he was never intended to be powerful, and he's still more capable than other Scanner units by virtue of his modifications]

There's a strength in being kind...so maybe you shouldn't sell yourself short.

[Redirection, but it is something 9S believes. He'd become ruthless in his pursuit of vengeance, and so he thinks he's in a position to know something like this.

Jude is steadfastly kind, and he wouldn't say the same for himself. In his eyes, that's admirable]

[talim]

[ jude isn't quite sure what to say. 9s is always calling him kind, and 2b, too... he doesn't see what's so special about it. he does his best. that's all it is. kindness is just... it just comes to him. he doesn't have to put effort into a trait he's always had. ]

You always act as if you aren't kind, too. Here you are, carrying me through a forest just because I wasn't paying attention. You don't think that's kindness?

[deem]

No, not really. Androids exist for mankind, I think I told you.

[That sort of thing isn't at all the same. Androids are obliged to serve the race that created them, though that isn't his reason for carrying Jude to some building a distance beyond their base camp]

But in this case...you're my friend. Why wouldn't I want to help, if I could?

[talim]

Yes. You've told me. More than once.

And yes, really. I'd like to think I know kindness when I see it.

[ it's said with humor, but deep down jude isn't all that amused by it. he still doesn't like the idea. he's fairly confident that he never will. 9s is so, so much more than an object to serve mankind. jude has thought so even before they were truly more than just acquaintances, before they were friends. he's a person. a person just like jude.

now isn't the time to start that conversation again, though. instead, he leans even closer, sagging against him. his fingers brush against the back of 9s' neck. ]

A kind person should have the ability to recognize kindness in others, right?

[deem]

You've seen how I fight, so you know...

[He's not a sparing or merciful opponent. There was a time when he had been, and he recalls it distinctly enough to know the difference. And he knows during that Uvi attack that he startled 2B, because in the absence of her he'd become colder. He'd become more ruthless. And he had to, in the pursuit of his final objectives.

Though it was brief, he has seen Jude fight. He knows that difference between them is something he can see even in those moments. But he is a weapon, and he's aware of that. It isn't something he minds, not like Jude seems to, and perhaps that's a matter of what they are.

But he'll forever hold that he knows exactly which of them is kinder]

My point was that you don't give yourself enough credit, saying I'm stronger so easily.

[Pot, meet kettle. Again]

[talim]

9S.

[ jude just... he wraps his arms around him a little tighter in what can only be described as a hug. sure, he's the one being held, and sure, he doesn't have much choice when it comes to holding on, but he doesn't have to hold him so tightly, so closely.

he does, though. jude's face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in and trembling just the slightest bit. jude's hand reaching up to thread through his hair, cradling the back of his head. ]

Okay. I understand.

[ he'll leave it at that. actions speak louder than words, and he thinks he sees the house in the near distance. ]

[deem]

Sorry.

[9S didn't think he could be held quite so tightly, though with a metal structure beneath his skin, it's not as though one could really hold him too close. Well, a human couldn't, anyhow. In that gesture, he still recognizes that he's frustrated Jude again, and he wishes he hadn't, far from knowing how to remedy those moments.

He had taken to avoiding them, but it seems he can't maintain that under all circumstances. How strange, that it's a human he'd met such a short time ago who sees him in these moments. Maybe it was a misstep he'd made in the beginning that prompted such close attention, or maybe it's something else entirely.

But he wishes he didn't disappoint him, in moments like these]

...That's the house, up ahead.

[The fortunate thing about being a YoRHa unit, or one of them at least, is being able to cover ground quickly without fatigue being an issue]

[talim]

Don't be.

[ jude wishes he could comfort him. maybe he's even more selfish than he thought; maybe he's just trying to comfort himself.

jude relaxes his grip and looks up to see it. sure enough, it's definitely abandoned. he pulls back to give 9s a nod. ]

I see it. Once we stop, I should be able to sit down and use a healing arte. I should still be careful, but as long as I focus, it'll help significantly.

[deem]

It's a bit of a mess in there, but it should be free of snakes.

[The irony is that 9S is more troubled by the prospect of affecting others than with his own troubles. But then, he counts himself strangely, miraculously fortunate. Much of what he'd wanted to protect exists here, where he was once bereft.

It's impossible to lose sight of that, even months after waking to such a reality]

How much can you heal, anyway?

[He has wondered since that day they searched for wounded Palai, but this is the first time he's gotten around to asking. The things Jude can do are impossible for androids to imitate, at least in the treatment of organic life]

[talim]

I knew you wouldn't throw me into a snake den.

[ upturned lips. have a smile. ]

Hy healing artes are pretty effective. Leia's are strong, too, and Elize's are stronger, but... anyway, they help quite a bit with... hm.

[ jude puzzles over how to describe it. ]

Imagine having a wound being enveloped in a warm glow. Warmer, warmer... And then, suddenly, the pain is gone and you're ready to get back on your feet.

[deem]

[Maintenance is different from the process Jude describes, to be sure. 9S understands it from an internal, systemic end of course. There's patching up a body as one can too, replacing parts and so forth, but what Jude does is more akin to Devola and Popola's ability, he thinks.

But that's not really the part that stands out to him as they approach the building. Rather, it's something else that prompts a faintly pleased smile]

Warm, huh? That sounds very you.

[It's something he associates rather strongly with Jude at this point. Not just in a literal manner, though that's certainly true, but something about his very nature. He can't say what exactly makes that so, or what produces such a person, but it always stands out to him]

[talim]

Does it?

[ that prompts a light laugh out of him. ]

It's not like I'm the only one who can do it.

[deem]

Maybe not, but I still think it suits you.

[Once he reaches the door, he pauses. With his arms full, he can't exactly turn the doorknob]

Think you can give me a hand?

[He taps the door with the toe of his boot]

[talim]

Oh! Y-Yeah. Sorry.

[ sheepish, jude turns the doorknob himself, revealing an old room coated with dust. he's seen nicer places, but this will get the job done. ]

You can put me down anywhere. Preferably leaning against something?

[deem]

Let's see...

[9S nudges the door open further before they venture inside, surveying the building. He hadn't done more than give it a glance earlier, so he doesn't know the layout of the structure.

That just means inspecting rooms and ducking through doorways until he locates what looks like a bedroom. It's as dusty as the rest of the building, but there's furniture]

Wonder who used to be here, anyway.

[talim]

Good question.

[ were they just like them? did they just up and vanish one day, too? either way, no one has used this house for a long time. ]

The bed is good.

[ jude unwraps his hands from around 9s' neck. ]

[deem]

[9S marches over to the bed and halts there. He spends a good, long moment scrutinizing its condition. The dust accumulation's bound to mess up Jude's coat even more than his earlier fall had...]

That sure could use cleaning.

[So after debating how to approach this problem, he turns away from the bed only to sit down himself, Jude still in tow. They're greeted with a cloud of dust]

Ugh...serious cleaning.

[Better that he end up a dusty mess than Jude]

[talim]

9S?

[ jude coughs when a cloud of dust gathers up, but he tilts his head to look up at 9s with wide eyes. it's a little late for both of them, but 9s hates getting dirty. jude knows that. ]

You don't have to— you really can put me down. Don't get all dusty on my account.

[ again, it's... a little late. ]

I'll try to make sure this doesn't take long.

[deem]

I'm dusty already, right?

[And so 9S doesn't see a point in wasting the gesture. He'd rather Jude didn't have to get all this dust on him, especially since it's not really good for respiration either. That's something he's sure of]

Don't worry about it, I'll just wash up later.

[No big deal. He does hate being dirty, sure, but just another reason to take a bath]

[talim]

If you're sure...

[ well, might as well get to it. jude props his foot up with a wince, thighs sitting on 9s', and slowly starts to cast healer. a white light sparks to life and glows from his fingertips, aimed at his swollen ankle.

he lets out a sigh of relief as the pain gradually fades to a dull throb, and then, nothing. the healing having sapped his mana, though, he allows his head to gently collide with 9s' chest, just... resting against him for a moment. ]

Just... give me a minute?

[ he's a pretty useless blob when his magic is drained. ]

[deem]

Not like I've got somewhere else to be.

[If anything, 9S is just relieved that Jude is capable of repairing the damage. Although he knows the practical mechanics of human physiology, his expertise falls firmly within the realm of fixing up other androids. Were Jude unable to heal himself, and if he weren't a doctor, 9S would be far less confident of his ability to help.

Not that he wouldn't try, but he'd sooner not risk hurting him by mistake. Of course then there's all that talk of worlds and frequencies that Mikleo had once explained, so maybe he ought to pick Jude's brain about these things just in case, one of these days.

For now, he just settles a bit more comfortably where he sits]

...You know, this sure is roomier than those shacks at camp.

[And way easier on the eyes]

[talim]

[ jude nods, head lulling against him. his eyes, having fluttered closed, crack open and he gives the room a once over. ]

It sure is.

[ he hums. ]

What, thinking about settling down?

[ jude's only half-teasing. he'd already picked one of the shacks for himself, alvin and elle. a home would indeed be much nicer, though. ]

[deem]

Well, I couldn't really get much work done in one of those things.

[And so the thought is tempting, if the space isn't being used anyway. Resources shouldn't be wasted, and the building's condition suggests that no one has any intention of making use of it. So maybe it wouldn't be a problem if he did...

He'll have to investigate further and run that by 2B]

There're always projects, and if Alphonse is helping me with supplies, it'd get pretty crowded in one of those housing units.

[This place could be pretty handy, not to mention being positioned further into the island would be convenient for mapping more of their surroundings]