apocalypsehowcomm | (open) Remember your virtue;

Entry tags:

(open) Remember your virtue;

Who: Kurapika & You
When: Through the month of November
Where: Most of the locations! ADI Housing & Headquarters, a thrift store, Hammond Castle;
Summary: Kurapika trying to get acquainted with the recent events as a new employee of ADI's Investigation department, as well as getting a little lost inside ADI's Housing. Soon, he decides he no longer can wear a suit and tie everywhere and attempts to get some clothes going (with difficulty) and investigate the Castle! Also, he might see a spider, which means he'll McLose it.
Warnings: Violence, trauma, spiders, mentions of dismemberment, genocide, human organ trafficking and sale, self-destructive tendencies and actions.

𝟏. 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭&𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞
cw traffic of human eyes, conflicting morals, genocide, dismemberment

(When he learned about the living options, this was without doubt not what he had envisioned. It’s pleasanter, much bigger than he had yearned for, and while he doesn’t intend to ever take advantage of the pool, it’s where he finds himself tonight. He, in all likelihood, catches the eye in his suit and tie, and it’s a shame he doesn’t have his traditional clothing at hand because that’s definitely what he would rather wear instead - or even pajamas at this point. He should get to it as soon as possible, but taking into account how he's been absorbed in learning everything he can, it's on the back of his mind while all his concerns bubble to the surface.

At least it’s quiet, and Kurapika’s ears are tuned to the water smoothly running along with the wind as he takes a seat at the edge, careful not to stain the only outfit he’s got. It’s a good, silent place to collect his thoughts.

Being dropped into a whole new world wouldn’t exactly be the end of the world, should Kurapika have finished what he set out to do. Yet, he doesn’t know when he’ll be able to return, and how things will be once he does. He was so, so close this time, all his brethren’s eyes nearly all collected to be returned, everything he’s worked so hard for, compromising his resolute morals to the point of extortion, bribery, threatening… And now? Now, he’s here.

It’s been dreadfully tempestuous here as well. Not even a week in, and he’s already sought to mutilate a priest and had a fit of terror while trying to inspect an episode. It shouldn’t matter. He’ll work on a way to get them home, no matter the cos—

Someone’s here. Kurapika can distinctly pick up the steps of an arrival, and without delay, he’ll get to his feet. Whoever it is, they’d probably like to be alone in a place like this, at a time like this.)

𝟐. 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

(At least for ADI, he feels dressed appropriately. Right now, he sits in the library, files upon files upon files piled up in front of him, concealing the blonde’s thin build behind it. Before him, a notebook written in strange letters, where he’s been documenting his thoughts and experiences as the time goes by. If he’s going to figure out this place and find a way back to his mission, he’s going to need the entire picture.

One thing he realizes, however, is that there are things that won’t be in books and reports, lamentably so. As someone walks by, Kurapika peeks from the mountain he’s created and beckons them over. No smiles, however, the politeness never leaves his voice. All said in a quiet tone, this’s a library, after all!)

Excuse me. I’m new here and I’m reading up on what’s been happening as of late. I’d like to hear about your experience if it’s not a bother.

𝟑. 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬

(Enough is enough with the suit.

The only problem is -- what is "normal" in this place? Back home, Kurapika pridefully wore the patterns of his people, Hisoka wore his magician stance in his sleeve (literally), and let's not talk about the Zodiacs, each physically resembling the animals they symbolize without anyone batting an eye. Except... Kurapika would like nothing more than to blend in, evade the attention of non-ADI individuals and he can't do it without knowing what's too much and whose sense of fashion might be wacky.

So, here he is, diving into a pile of clothes at the first thrift shop (cheap!) he's found, each time the feeling around him being more and more of gloom and doom with each passing moment. He's absolutely lost. He hates it.)

𝟒. 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝
cw spiders, trauma, violence depending on how it goes!

(Finally, in an oversized black hoodie, jeans, and boots, Kurapika leaves for a mission. He doesn’t know who came around with him this time around, but after the latest fiascos, Kurapika hopes they’re useful and able to handle their own. Kurapika himself has already had some poor experiences in this new reality, and he knows that certain skills are better than others. A cool head, check for him. Analytical skills, check. Above-average intelligence, check. Being completely out of his mind when the situation pulls his trauma or triggers to the surface? Unfortunately, check as well. Even so, Kurapika promises himself he’ll do his best to not do anything harsh, and simply do what he sets out to do: report back on ghost sightings at the Castle.

On the bus, Kurapika reads — fiction about monster hunters, and Kurapika even has a childish grin on the edges of his lips. What a sight for someone who’s been solely distant.)

𝟓. 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝

(y'all know the drill! catch me at jade#2897 or newmeatjb if you'd like to discuss anything, otherwise, i'm just game!)

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Oh. Of course. [Obviously, why would he?? It's fine.

She glances at him, just once, mostly by accident, and it's--curious. He looks thinner under the clothes, but it's sot of... nice, she supposes, to know looks can be deceiving.

She turns back around to start undressing herself, throwing her clothes in the wash and crossing her arms over her chest to hug herself for warmth.]

Can you... Tell me a little more about being a Hunter? [Trying to find something to fill some silence]

(He's keeping the slacks, at least. That way, when the upper part of his outfit dries, he will be considerably less naked when he puts the trousers in. Machine activated, now all there is to do is wait. Kurapika finds a spot on the floor to sit on, still not daring to look back in respect.

Good question she has. That one could definitely fill the room for a while.)

Sure. There are all sorts of Hunters. From people who study and protect fauna and flora all the way Gourmet Hunters, which are Hunters who search for rare and specific ingredients. There's an association that overviews all the Hunter's activities, called the Hunter's Association. Twelve people compose the council, called the Zodiacs, and there's a president. I currently am holding the position of the Rat in the Zodiacs, but I don't intend to stay.

[Yuri has not bothered to think practically like that--she's in her underwear, not allowing herself to think too much about it, sitting on the floor as well.

The Hunting thing sounds fascinating. Maybe she could've been a Hunter, though she can't really imagine what she'd hunt.

...Ghosts?

It'd be nice if, even in her fantasies, she could get away from that connection to death. Ah well.

She half-turns despite herself to look at him in surprise] You're on that council? That's-- That's really amazing! You must be an incredible Hunter.

... More or less. I myself have been working with the Mafia since I finished the test, for the connection with the underground. I don't dabble so much in Hunters' business, but I have been recommended and in return for my services, they gave me information about the last monster who has the eyes of my brethren. We were currently going to an unknown world.

(The Dark Continent. The place that surrounds his map, where most people don't make it back, as it was recently announced to the public. Terrors, horrors, all things that await him when he finally leaves the ship -- hopefully with his mission with protecting the baby Prince Wobble from the succession war complete.)

The Mafia... [Kurapika sure was into some dangerous shit, huh. While it made Yuri worried, she wasn't fearful of Kurapika so much as she was fearful for him.

She's not about to tell him not to do it though or anything like that; this is his business and his revenge to get.] It sounds dangerous... I hope you'll be safe.

[She runs her fingers through her hair, trying to encourage it to dry out quicker, falling quiet as she thinks on things for a bit.]

Your people... Is there any way to rebuild it? If it's hereditary, you could always have a lot of children...

I run security for them. I'm fine.

(Except the part in which he hates what he does. At this point, that's a given.

She's lucky she can't see the look in his face when she offers her solution, a mix of disgust and surprise altogether, sprinkled with disbelief.)

... That's less of the point. I don't have much time in me, regardless. I wouldn't want to be an absent father.

[Yuri shrugs lightly] I wasn't really suggesting that. [After all, maybe he could have some women cool with sharing or someone who really wants a lot of them. Hell, did it really need to be that many either? Even a couple would, presumably, go on to have their own children and grow. It wouldn't have to be rebuilding it entirely within his lifetime.]

I just know... A lot of people want to leave something of themselves behind before they die. [She thinks of Miu and her mother, and shakes her head] A lot of times, in their last moments, people wish they'd had children or family.

I suppose I'm just...a little worried about how you'll die.

At the rate I'm going, most likely, sooner than later. It doesn't matter to me. I don't fear death... I only fear that my hatred diminishes over time and I lose sight of what's important.

(Kurapika's eyes move to the clothes turning in a loop inside the machine. Strangely, he feels connected, attached with such a short interaction, and she's so easy to talk to. Perhaps because she, too, has her share of pain to bear.)

[Yuri's been too close to death to fear it much herself. But she goes quiet for a moment and moves. He's facing the wall, but she doesn't try to come around to see him-- especially sine he's made it clear he doesn't want to look at her.

Instead she just sits down closer to lean her back against his, a solid and warm presence at his back.]

Mm... I understand. I'm not afraid of dying either. I just... Don't want to be alone for it. [She considers a moment. To others, what she's about to offer might just sound morbid or strange, but she feels like maybe he won't judge her too much for it.]

Even though we're in different worlds and all, maybe there's still some connection in the after life. So, when I die, I'll try to wait for you. [A pause and she hums thoughtfully] Though, I suppose you'll have plenty of people to help you crossover anyhow... Maybe one more won't make much of a difference.

(Once more, Kurapika fears not to have his secrets exposed when he's exposing them himself, but just the warmth of someone else's skin against his own is something he hasn't felt in so long that it prompts him to grab his knees, pulling them against his chest. She's too kind to someone who's undeserving.)

Do you really believe that's possible? For us to meet in another life?

I used to think it'd be impossible to go to an entirely different universe. [Yuri shrugs]

So now...Yes, I think it could be possible. I don't see the harm in believing in it.

(One of his hands drop to the floor. If she wants to take it, he won't bite. It's close enough that she might be able to.)

It's certainly a nice thought. I hope we do meet elsewhere, if we both finish our missions alive.

(A moment after, he speaks again.)

Can you fight, Yuri?

[She sees his hand out of the corner of her eyes and considers it, wondering if it's him quietly wanting the contact but not being able to bring himself to ask.

She rests her hand over his.] That means you have to try to live past your mission. [She points out gently, giving his hand a squeeze. So no dying during it or heroic sacrificing bullshit or anything like that! Denied!!

As for if she can fight... With a camera, sure, but that was...very different. She shifts uncomfortably, embarrassed] ...No, not really. Fighting spirits is a bit different than fighting people.

(Who knew Kurapika missed touch this much? His own hand doesn't dare to move, to take hers into his, but it doesn't pull away either.)

I'm not sure that's possible, but I'll tell you about that when the time comes.

(He'd rather keep his abilities as secret as possible as of now. It's important to be underestimated, unseen.)

I'm teaching you. This place is dangerous... You need to know how to defend yourself.

[Yuri blinks, surprised--there wasn't a question in there and it almost makes her laugh. She makes a soft 'ha' noise on an exhale, but nods]

Alright. You're right, it's probably for the best. I'll do my best to learn what you want to teach.

(Kurapika wants her opinion on certain things, but not in ADI-based places. It's a private conversation, after all... Except it's past curfew, so he stores it in his brain to ask her before hand.)

That way, you won't have ever to say you're a burden.

Ah-- [She squeezes his hand a little, embarrassed and surprised.]

Yes...That's true. It'll be nice to be useful. [She nods to herself as if coming to a conclusion on something]

Mm... I'm not sure what I could give you in return though...

(How?? To do?? This holding hand thing? He turns his palm, so that he can squeeze hers in return.)

Secrecy. It's all I ask.

I don't have anyone to tell. [She laces their fingers together, since it seems the logical next step]

But I won't say anything. Like I've said, your secrets aren't mind to tell.

(???????????????????????????????????????????????????)

Likewise. I won't disclose what you've told me, either.

(And thank God, the washing machine beeps. Good. He was running out of things to say. A squeeze of her hand, Kurapika stands up, taking the wet jacket and shirt to the dryer... And still not looking at her.)

[She waits a moment before going to help move her things too, pleased to know they'll be dry soon and she can go to sleep. Her hair feels like it's drying nicely enough too.

She's comfortable enough in silence, though, sighing a little. Thinking about her bed has her feeling sleepy and she yawns as she sits back down.]

Do you have anyone that might follow after you into this world?

(Unlike Yuri, Kurapika might have to stay here for a while. He's still got to get his pants cleaned, and while having fresh clothes to put on would certainly be nice, it's still going to take quite a bit till he's done... Since he's doing it in batches.)

I'd hope not. I wish this on nobody.

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(open) Remember your virtue;

LMLDSVK RIP

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