Noire (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bloodandblunder) wrote2013-06-18 07:49 pm
bloodandblunder) wrote2013-06-18 07:49 pm
↯IC Contact
[ BEEP. ]
voicemail; action ; video[ BEEP. ]
We can't talk in person because it'd be too much of a pain to go and find you, so just deal with it.
[Now with that out of the way—]
You did good. Looks like you're made of tougher stuff than I thought, huh? But you're probably still just soft-hearted enough that you're depressed over what happened, which is completely stupid 'cause you did the right thing. Anyway, I'm just here to tell you that you did well, okay? You hear me? And I don't do this for just anyone, so be thankful! Consider this thanks for the cooking lesson. My part in this whole friendship thing, right?
... Gah, this is seriously annoying. Why am I doing this kind of thing anyway? Geez...
But remember what I said, all right? I'll be seriously pissed off if you don't keep it in mind! You can't just ignore the words of the great Zohra Rom, especially when I go out of my way to leave a message like this. I won't forgive you if you don't, understand?
See ya.
[Click!]
[Now with that out of the way—]
You did good. Looks like you're made of tougher stuff than I thought, huh? But you're probably still just soft-hearted enough that you're depressed over what happened, which is completely stupid 'cause you did the right thing. Anyway, I'm just here to tell you that you did well, okay? You hear me? And I don't do this for just anyone, so be thankful! Consider this thanks for the cooking lesson. My part in this whole friendship thing, right?
... Gah, this is seriously annoying. Why am I doing this kind of thing anyway? Geez...
But remember what I said, all right? I'll be seriously pissed off if you don't keep it in mind! You can't just ignore the words of the great Zohra Rom, especially when I go out of my way to leave a message like this. I won't forgive you if you don't, understand?
See ya.
[Click!]
Edited 2013-06-19 06:02 (UTC)
( this didn't actually happen. but imagine if it did. )
The wonderfully realistic logic of «UnderWorld» dictates that, should a native resident of that world — that is, an artificial soul — spend a long enough time with another during their lifetime, then upon their death, there is a chance that they may leave an «imprint» of themselves on that other. Such is the nature of a «partial fluctlight». Furthermore, what if the aforementioned phenomenon were combined with some ( equally ambiguous ) «Sacred Art of Recording»...?
Now Eugeo, whether intentionally or not, left his steel sword lying at the feet of his killer, Noire, as she erased his existence from the place known as «Haven». Seeing as he was no longer present to witness her next move, he couldn't possibly know whether or not she chose to take the sword; however, given her personality, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that she may have spent a number of sleepless nights cradling that battered weapon. Should that be true... on one of those nights, a faint yet familiar voice may have called out to her.
It's not your fault, Noire.
... I don't know exactly what happened, but there are only a few situations where you'd have my sword without me being there. You're not a thief, so -- I'm probably dead. And in such a case, you'd definitely blame yourself.
I can't tell you not to; I've figured out that much, at least. But I can tell you that I don't blame you. Whatever it was you did or didn't do... if you stood by and watched me die, if you weren't there at all... even if you were the one to kill me, none of that's your fault. I still don't think I ever deserved your kindness, but I know for sure that you wouldn't intentionally hurt one of your... friends.
— Being friends with you made me really happy. You often said that you wished you could do something to help me, but really... you were always helping. You see... when you first told me about your world, and the Risen... I was horrified. To think that a life like that could exist... honestly, part of me wanted to forget everything you'd just said back then. 'Those «Risen» aren't here, so there's no need to worry' -- I actually thought such shameful things. Then when the fog came and suddenly people were slaughtering other people, even their close comrades, based on powers of all things... I wanted to run away then, too. I thought I couldn't handle how ugly human nature really was.
But that world of illusive bliss was the very world I rejected — though I had to remind myself of that many times. And you reminded me most of all. I'm a really selfish person, but even after everything you witnessed back home, you never gave up fighting.
I'm truly grateful to you, Noire.
So please don't cry. Not over someone like me.
Erm... [ System Call, end message... ]
The wonderfully realistic logic of «UnderWorld» dictates that, should a native resident of that world — that is, an artificial soul — spend a long enough time with another during their lifetime, then upon their death, there is a chance that they may leave an «imprint» of themselves on that other. Such is the nature of a «partial fluctlight». Furthermore, what if the aforementioned phenomenon were combined with some ( equally ambiguous ) «Sacred Art of Recording»...?
Now Eugeo, whether intentionally or not, left his steel sword lying at the feet of his killer, Noire, as she erased his existence from the place known as «Haven». Seeing as he was no longer present to witness her next move, he couldn't possibly know whether or not she chose to take the sword; however, given her personality, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that she may have spent a number of sleepless nights cradling that battered weapon. Should that be true... on one of those nights, a faint yet familiar voice may have called out to her.
It's not your fault, Noire.
... I don't know exactly what happened, but there are only a few situations where you'd have my sword without me being there. You're not a thief, so -- I'm probably dead. And in such a case, you'd definitely blame yourself.
I can't tell you not to; I've figured out that much, at least. But I can tell you that I don't blame you. Whatever it was you did or didn't do... if you stood by and watched me die, if you weren't there at all... even if you were the one to kill me, none of that's your fault. I still don't think I ever deserved your kindness, but I know for sure that you wouldn't intentionally hurt one of your... friends.
— Being friends with you made me really happy. You often said that you wished you could do something to help me, but really... you were always helping. You see... when you first told me about your world, and the Risen... I was horrified. To think that a life like that could exist... honestly, part of me wanted to forget everything you'd just said back then. 'Those «Risen» aren't here, so there's no need to worry' -- I actually thought such shameful things. Then when the fog came and suddenly people were slaughtering other people, even their close comrades, based on powers of all things... I wanted to run away then, too. I thought I couldn't handle how ugly human nature really was.
But that world of illusive bliss was the very world I rejected — though I had to remind myself of that many times. And you reminded me most of all. I'm a really selfish person, but even after everything you witnessed back home, you never gave up fighting.
I'm truly grateful to you, Noire.
So please don't cry. Not over someone like me.
Erm... [ System Call, end message... ]
Edited 2013-06-30 06:01 (UTC)
[ it's true that no one would follow him intentionally this time because Noire is just doing her part to scavenge for cans. She's hidden in one of the darker corners of the other buildings, trying to make sense of tomato paste, when something (perhaps those tingling senses that are similar to CURSE CURSE CURSE but are more like DANGER DANGER DANGER) prompts her to look up. Maybe the flash of color that shouldn't be up that high.
But whatever it is, she does look.
Just in time to see Eugeo plunge off a building. ]
But whatever it is, she does look.
Just in time to see Eugeo plunge off a building. ]
Er--
[Hinata feels stupid the moment he finishes pressing the button to call Noire. What am I doing... Is it boredom? Worry? Probably worries, because he can't get his head to focus on one issue at a time...
So of course the best thing is to talk to someone else and try to force his own issues aside. Thankfully he's calling at a decent hour of the day!]
Hello, Noire?
[Hinata feels stupid the moment he finishes pressing the button to call Noire. What am I doing... Is it boredom? Worry? Probably worries, because he can't get his head to focus on one issue at a time...
So of course the best thing is to talk to someone else and try to force his own issues aside. Thankfully he's calling at a decent hour of the day!]
Hello, Noire?
[ you know what, she could do with a distraction. And he's not as insensitive as she is, calling at some wacky hour-- ]
Hinata? What's wrong?
[ THAT'S WHY YOU'RE CALLING RIGHT ]
Hinata? What's wrong?
[ THAT'S WHY YOU'RE CALLING RIGHT ]
[ This morning, there will be two things outside Noire's door.
One is a batch of twenty or so aluminum arrows — just in case she needs a quick supply. It's been almost a month since the hospital rescue, after all; and they've never yet gone more than four or five weeks without some «strange event» occurring.
The second... is a silver rose around three cen in diameter, made from the metal of «highest density» available — quite possibly surpassing that of her old «class 38» steel sword. It's cold to the touch; as cold as ice, you could say. How it got so shiny is a mystery that remains to be solved...
Not that it matters. That kind of «decorative object» is useless, anyway.
Feel free to throw it out. ]
One is a batch of twenty or so aluminum arrows — just in case she needs a quick supply. It's been almost a month since the hospital rescue, after all; and they've never yet gone more than four or five weeks without some «strange event» occurring.
The second... is a silver rose around three cen in diameter, made from the metal of «highest density» available — quite possibly surpassing that of her old «class 38» steel sword. It's cold to the touch; as cold as ice, you could say. How it got so shiny is a mystery that remains to be solved...
Not that it matters. That kind of «decorative object» is useless, anyway.
Feel free to throw it out. ]
[ Thinking of entering the apartments this afternoon/evening/night, Noire?
Too bad.
There'll be a strong hand yanking hers as she reaches the door, pulling her back around a corner, at which point a pair of arms will wrap her waist from behind. Surprise? ]
Too bad.
There'll be a strong hand yanking hers as she reaches the door, pulling her back around a corner, at which point a pair of arms will wrap her waist from behind. Surprise? ]
[ oh, surprise!
So much surprise that she's choking on a scream and trying to elbow her "attacker" instinctively. It's pretty easy to subdue her, though; she hadn't seen that coming at all.
GIVE A GIRL SOME WARNING. ]
So much surprise that she's choking on a scream and trying to elbow her "attacker" instinctively. It's pretty easy to subdue her, though; she hadn't seen that coming at all.
GIVE A GIRL SOME WARNING. ]
Edited 2013-10-17 01:29 (UTC)
[ he's greeted by a whimper.
... Followed by Noire's voice, which isn't any louder. ]
E-Eugeo...? Is that you? What's that laugh--
... Followed by Noire's voice, which isn't any louder. ]
E-Eugeo...? Is that you? What's that laugh--
[ if it's a little while after this voicemail, forgive her. ]
T-Totori?? That was you, wasn't it?
T-Totori?? That was you, wasn't it?
[ If Noire could see Eugeo right now, she'd probably laugh. Despite him telling himself (and maybe her, he doesn't remember) that he wouldn't waste time anymore, he's been pacing the ruins for about two hours, frequently scrolling down the contacts list and flicking between a certain three pictures, one of them being Noire's. And more than once, he's been this close to calling her.
"Noire, I'm sorry."
"Noire, you were right."
"Noire, I'm about to do something stupid."
He doesn't call. In the end, he just ends up slipping back into the school containing «those metals», transforming the remainder of «aluminum» into arrows and dropping them outside her apartment door. He doesn't go in.
"Noire, stay alive."
That done, he'll return to the ruins. It's time.
"Noire... help me." ]
"Noire, I'm sorry."
"Noire, you were right."
"Noire, I'm about to do something stupid."
He doesn't call. In the end, he just ends up slipping back into the school containing «those metals», transforming the remainder of «aluminum» into arrows and dropping them outside her apartment door. He doesn't go in.
"Noire, stay alive."
That done, he'll return to the ruins. It's time.
"Noire... help me." ]
[ Since their last tunnel venture together, Eugeo has been behaving... not too unlike his dorky, sealed self! He hasn't even gone to fight monsters, opting to quietly do chores and other (relatively) non-dangerous things instead.
... During the day, that is. Nighttime is a different story, but even then, he's not actually fighting monsters so much as freezing a path to the Haven East opening and spending what should be sleeping hours jumping off buildings at 10% power — while opting to leave his phone under his pillow back at the apartments. It's fine, nobody would even contact him at those times, anyway — and if they did, he could just apologize the next day for being a deep sleeper.
Unfortunately, the power restrictions in East mean that both flying and healing don't work too well over there, meaning he's had to clean himself up in the tunnels before emerging back into West lest Certain People notice Certain Things.
However... today, the exhaustion may have gotten to him just a little, which is why he's casually passed out against a wall next to the opening leading to East, barely out of sight of the tunnel monsters. His left sleeve (as well as the back of his shirt) happens to be dampened with blood, but since he doesn't have a light up, nobody would even find him, let alone notice such a small detail, right? ]
... During the day, that is. Nighttime is a different story, but even then, he's not actually fighting monsters so much as freezing a path to the Haven East opening and spending what should be sleeping hours jumping off buildings at 10% power — while opting to leave his phone under his pillow back at the apartments. It's fine, nobody would even contact him at those times, anyway — and if they did, he could just apologize the next day for being a deep sleeper.
Unfortunately, the power restrictions in East mean that both flying and healing don't work too well over there, meaning he's had to clean himself up in the tunnels before emerging back into West lest Certain People notice Certain Things.
However... today, the exhaustion may have gotten to him just a little, which is why he's casually passed out against a wall next to the opening leading to East, barely out of sight of the tunnel monsters. His left sleeve (as well as the back of his shirt) happens to be dampened with blood, but since he doesn't have a light up, nobody would even find him, let alone notice such a small detail, right? ]
Edited (date... discrepancies...) 2013-11-19 21:28 (UTC)
[ There are several reasons why Noire is out near the East at this time, none of which we will be going into, because any reason is temporarily abandoned when she sees someone... sleeping? Unconscious? Someone familiar not moving against a wall, and once she's closer and reaching out...
... Is his sleeve wet? ]
Eugeo-- [ and she sounds urgent now, shaking the non-damp shoulder. ] Eugeo, wake up!
... Is his sleeve wet? ]
Eugeo-- [ and she sounds urgent now, shaking the non-damp shoulder. ] Eugeo, wake up!
Soooo...sticking together definitely doesn't mean going missing for a few hours! I promise I only looked away for a few moments! I--
[...okay so she realizes that she's being unfair, and she really is rather scared, because even if her challenge wasn't bad, she's heard of worse, and who knows what Noire is being subjected to right now, and--]
I'm...working under the assumption that you've been kidnapped, Noire! So. Make sure to tell me quickly if you haven't been.
Like...now sort of quickly!
[and a (rather hopeful) pause.]
I'm...working under the assumption that you've been kidnapped, Noire! So. Make sure to tell me quickly if you haven't been.
Like...now sort of quickly!
[and a (rather hopeful) pause.]
[ Maybe Noire's just attuned to unexpected presences nearby. Maybe she suspected someone was out there. Most likely, the actual reason was that she'd wanted to see how she could do moving about after she'd spent the day feverish and resting. The fever is more or less gone when she peeks out, venturing down the hallway.
... And pauses. ]
Eugeo...?
... And pauses. ]
Eugeo...?
[so it's an excited Morgan that is calling you now, Noire, but that's probably...par for the course for them.]
Hey, Noire, guess what I found? It's really really great, it's--
Hey, Noire, guess what I found? It's really really great, it's--
W-whoaaaa--
[and she...disappears from the screen as she trips over something and her phone goes flying and--]
[and she...disappears from the screen as she trips over something and her phone goes flying and--]
Hey, Noire-- [So much for sounding casual. Hinata's voice hitches in a peculiar way and he has to stop and take a deep breath before he continues.]
Are you okay? Safe?
Are you okay? Safe?
[ Noire's quick to answer, although she pauses right after-- ] Hinata!
[ but she can't miss the change in his voice, and she's shaky - of course she is, she'll probably stay like that for the days to come. ] I-I'm all right. You're... not hurt, are you?
[ but she can't miss the change in his voice, and she's shaky - of course she is, she'll probably stay like that for the days to come. ] I-I'm all right. You're... not hurt, are you?
[ Four missed calls... Well, he did hang up on her out of the blue. Would it have been better or worse if he'd kept the phone on...? In any case, he calls Noire without really wanting to. Explanations and worry and sympathy are some things he could go without right now. But she deserves to know what happened after he ended his call to her. ]
Noire? [ His voice is rather lacking. ]
Noire? [ His voice is rather lacking. ]
M-- [ wow, she sure sounds startled in just a single letter, but where his voice is lacking, her voice is far too emotional-- relief, concern, the whole thing. ] Morgan!! Are you all right?!
[What an interesting message...Minato stays silent for a while after the beep, wondering if he should just find Noire instead before deciding that 1) Noire is stronger than to panic at one message and 2) He's not strong enough to deal with March and Ciel if they find out that he's been wandering outside.]
Good morning, Noire-san. This is Minato- how have you been doing?
Good morning, Noire-san. This is Minato- how have you been doing?
Minato? [ ... well, there's a call she didn't expect. But at least she's quick to answer him. ] I'm all right... is something wrong?
[Noire is another person she's had to look up in the directory since coming back. At least the second call is a little easier and she's had a few minutes to calm down. (Calling Colette will be much harder and she's dreading that already.)]
Hello, I'm sorry to bother you, but... My name is Nadia. We were, ahm, in that awful room together. I just -- I wanted to make sure that you're okay. Th-that's all.
Hello, I'm sorry to bother you, but... My name is Nadia. We were, ahm, in that awful room together. I just -- I wanted to make sure that you're okay. Th-that's all.
You're... ah.
[ Noire's voice is soft, tired-- but there's recognition there. ]
Um, more importantly-- are you all right?
[ Noire's voice is soft, tired-- but there's recognition there. ]
Um, more importantly-- are you all right?
[ ring ring ring ring ring ring--
Truthfully, she still feels like crap, but she's got to at least apologize for ditching archery practice for five days. ]
Truthfully, she still feels like crap, but she's got to at least apologize for ditching archery practice for five days. ]
Edited 2014-05-15 04:20 (UTC)
[ the guilt is still there. the guilt is still there, deep, endless, and when she wakes up clueless and shaky and lost, it takes a few long moments for her to reach for her phone. there's a long pause and lingering on noire's image. she was okay, so... that meant this girl had to be too?
the image is still embedded deep in her mind, and it squeezes her chest. but she steels herself, thinks apologies to herself, and calls.
though when there's an answer, she wavers. ]
H... hello?
the image is still embedded deep in her mind, and it squeezes her chest. but she steels herself, thinks apologies to herself, and calls.
though when there's an answer, she wavers. ]
H... hello?
[ There's a face that's more familiar than a name, and Noire feels strangely guilty about never having gotten to know that much before she'd died. Her reply is just as hesitant. ]
H-hello...
H-hello...
Hello, Noire.
I do not think we have ever spoken. But I have heard a lot about you.
Would you meet me somewhere? To talk.
[ This guy is nnnnot shifty at all right. ]
I do not think we have ever spoken. But I have heard a lot about you.
Would you meet me somewhere? To talk.
[ This guy is nnnnot shifty at all right. ]
[ ... there's a veeeery long pause. ]
W-who are you?
[ because that voice sounds vaguely familiar, but she doesn't remember ever speaking to it. ]
W-who are you?
[ because that voice sounds vaguely familiar, but she doesn't remember ever speaking to it. ]
[ In the morning, when he thinks Noire might still be in her room, Morgan peeks in through 6.2's window. Which ends up being a formality, because either way he starts to quietly slide the window open.
morgan some people would consider this extremely sketchy ]
morgan some people would consider this extremely sketchy ]
[ It would be. Noire is, of course, somewhat awake, even if she'd finally tried to sleep in a bit. But the window moving alerts her, and she shuffles out from under her blanket, blinking sleepily in Morgan's general direction. ]
Who...?
Who...?
[This comes significantly after male Morgan's extremely sketch breaking into of Noire's room. In fact, it comes in the evening, because female Morgan has some understanding of relationships and doesn't want to stop male Morgan and Noire from having their Moment.
But now she's lurking outside Noire's door.
Yep.]
Noiiiiiiiire?
But now she's lurking outside Noire's door.
Yep.]
Noiiiiiiiire?
[ She'll answer, and if she's still a little... frazzled, from earlier activities, well. ]
... Morgan? Is something the-- no, you're smiling...
... Morgan? Is something the-- no, you're smiling...
[HI NOIRE you definitely wanted a spazzy call from Morgan today right...
because that's what you're getting.
... yep.]
Noiiiiiire! Noire, are you there? Noire!
[But she's happy, at least, even if she's practically vibrating with energy.]
because that's what you're getting.
... yep.]
Noiiiiiire! Noire, are you there? Noire!
[But she's happy, at least, even if she's practically vibrating with energy.]
Morgan?
[ ... well, yes. ] Did... something happen?
[ ... well, yes. ] Did... something happen?
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