mayfield_rpg

Entry tags:

10

[A - 2239 Stevens]

[Hajime goes out to get the mail this morning, and, to his surprise, there are two small packages addressed to him. He knows others have been getting things back from home, so he quickly takes them inside, parks himself at the kitchen table, and opens them up to take a look. At this point, he's not too worried about any potential disastrous effects from his packages--he's already gotten back the worst of what he could regain.

The first, slightly heavier envelope, contains an assortment of odd-looking playing cards. He's clearly pleased as he flips through them; he almost has all of his cards back now. Only the Royal Undead are missing, and as far as he can remember, he never had the King to begin with... The second envelope was roughly the same size, and he's assuming the remaining two cards are in there.

To his surprise, a photograph slides out. He kind of locks up when he sees it; this is really the first he's seen of his adoptive family since he came to Mayfield, and this picture in particular is rather important to him. He likely won't notice anyone coming into the room for a bit and is ripe to be surprised.

[B - John Doe Park]

[Hajime is spending a rather quiet afternoon out in the park. He'll be out through the early evening. You might find him out and about photographing things. He might also be seated on a park bench, changing the film in his camera or examining the cards and photograph he just regained.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Though he'd been aware of the lighting conditions getting progressively worse, Hajime didn't realize how late it had gotten until he heard the familiar voice call out.]

Hello, Natalie.

You seem well.

[Better than she'd been doing the last time he'd seen her, that much was for sure.]

[She is certainly on a limited schedule of availability...]

So do you.

[She comes a little closer, smiling a relaxed smile. Yes, this is much better than when he last left her.]

You made it out alright, then?

[At that question, he hesitates for a moment, then shakes his head.]

I don't remember anything past going into the basement of 501. I...do not think things ended well.

What of your return?

...oh.

[That... that was a flicker of sadness that she felt... she thought. Possibly. It was hard to be sure. She lets her gaze drift slowly away.]

I was on the way out, and I fell into the fog. And after that... nothing.

That's...unfortunate.

[He's looking off into the distance, himself.]

You're all right now?

Mmhmm. I am. I think I was droned for about a week. And it only wore off gradually. I couldn't... talk right.

[How to describe that, really? Where all the words that were coming out were drone-words? So she continued right along.]

And you? ...did you have side effects? There are side effects to dying and coming back, they've told me.

Not unlike being a prisoner in your own body, then...

[He seems a bit discomfited at that, and he gives a nod to her question.]

I...didn't remember much of anything when I awoke. My name, my species, nothing. It was odd...I didn't care, either. As though I couldn't muster the emotions needed to be concerned. Not even rage...

[He trails off, looking a bit troubled.]

I do not think they are lying when they say returning from death comes with its price.

Very much like that. I'm glad it's over.

[Her look is both concerned and confused as she takes in Hajime's explanation of what happened to him.]

They... blanked you out? It sounds like they... removed the you from you.

[She frowns, and frowns deeply.]

No. They're not. Now we know. And I don't intend on dying again, if that's the case.

I'm not sure what happened there, to be honest. No memory, no emotions. I'm just grateful I didn't come back in such a way that would cause my...other self...to become a problem.

[Not that spending a few days unconcerned about not knowing what species he was was exactly reassuring, but at least he didn't try to hurt anyone.]

It's not on my list of experiences I intend to repeat, either. Now that I know it's possible...

We can be thankful for the little blessings... I've managed to keep my temper in check, too. But I'll admit that I was ravenous when I finally came back to my senses....

[She sighs, and comes up alongside him. Enough of such grim things.]

...you're taking pictures? It's starting to get quite dark. Maybe you should call it a night?

That's understandable...you probably weren't properly aware of your dietary needs while droned...

[He's packing up the camera now.]

I was experimenting with a bit of low-light photography before getting back to the darkroom. It's probably time to head back and see if anything came out, yes.

I take it you're just getting started for the night?

Likely not. Ah well... my family will come back tomorrow...

[It's said so lightly, and punctuated with a shrug. What, did she eat everyone? Yes. And she's alright with Hajime knowing.]

I hope your pictures turn out well. Will you let me see when they're developed? [Then a pause.] Yes. I've barely begun to do anything tonight. It's a pity there's no night life to speak of in this town. I miss clubs. I miss city lights.

[He'd be a bit more concerned if he didn't know her family was made up of drones. Better them than a "real" person getting eaten.]

If you'd like to see them, I'd be happy to share.

I can't really say I was ever much for the nightlife back home...too many people for my tastes.

I'd like to see them. I very much would. And there's still those pictures you took at the prom, hmm?

[She gives her head a little tilt. Really, the one picture she cared about was the one he took of her, all done up nicely and purposely focusing so she'd be clear on the image.]

When there are more people, it makes things easier for creatures like me. It's easier to blend in, when the crowds are so much bigger.

...it's not like there's much use to spending an evening in, there's nothing to do. They haven't even sent me back my books...

I've never actually been that comfortable in crowds...I'm just unused to being around that many people.

[The prom pictures...he'd had those done, but then AUfield had happened and then the carnival had come to town. Kind of put a cramp in his hobbies.]

I've actually got the prom photos developed, if you'd like to come see them. I would have brought them by sooner but...things sort of went crazy.

[He offers her a smile.]

It would be something to do.

I didn't care for them much, either... but crowds, they're like an animal. They're a creature with a thought process all of its own. After... Father embraced me, he taught me how to move with them. There's a certain safety there...

[Her expression is soft, and it seems likely to stay that way. At further talk of photos, she steps a bit closer.]

I'd love to come see them. You're right. It would be something to do.

I've always seen them as being in the way more often than not...just one more obstacle to take into consideration.

[He shoulders the camera bag and seems pleased to have the company.]

Shall we go, then?

It's a matter of perspective, I think. Even when I'm not fighting my Beast, I am still a hunter...

Yes, let's.

[She nods, and moves alongside him. And there she plans to stay for the rest of the walk back to their neighborhood.]

In my case, I've...really found I hate people getting in my line of fire when I'm after another Undead. Crowds make that difficult.

[He seems quite content to have her there alongside him as they walk.]

Aaah. Crowds do make that sort of thing difficult. Especially if you're trying to keep a low profile. Things get terribly messy and unpleasant once people start getting out the cameras and calling the police...

[She rolls her eyes and sighs, as if it's a silly sort of nuisance.]

I usually managed to be gone before the police arrived, at least. It's probably for the best that they just didn't seem to be all that competent. Things might have gotten messier for them.

[He smiles a rather dry smile.]

Photographers can be difficult, I know.

Being able to leave before the police arrive is an important skill. Oh, I am so thankful for those moments when the police are utterly clueless...

[A genuine laugh escapes her, at the photographer quip.]

They're so persistent! And they have a habit of sharing pictures of all kinds of things.

At least on my world, the police are particularly poorly prepared for issues concerning nonhumans. They seem to have no idea what they're doing.

[He smiles when she laughs; it's not often he actually tries making a joke with someone.]

I know, they're absolutely terrible about that. It's even worse when they think they've gotten some good shots. Then they're insufferable.

[The street's getting very close now.]

That's lucky. I think the police in my world are starting to catch on to what we're up to... But not quite how to deal with us. Not yet.

[It's a joke that's right up her alley, too! Which is why she's still laughing as they get close to home.]

So how good are those shots that you've taken? Are we going to have to worry about your head getting all swollen?

[Then a slightly more serious question occurs to her.]

...is anyone else home? Kreutzer won't be any trouble, will she?

It'll likely take them awhile. I think they get bogged down in too much red tape to actually be of much use to anyone when they're dealing with something new.

I'd like to think they're pretty good, but it's been a while since I've actually shared my pictures with anyone...

[There's a slight grimace at the mention of anyone else being home.]

You could say Kreutzer and I have reached an understanding. She shouldn't be a problem.

[His other housemates, on the other hand...]

There are, ah, kids in the house now, not just drones...they might get a bit nosy at the worst, but they're ultimately harmless. Shouldn't be a problem.

Re: B - John Doe Park

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject