trainingwings | Now for something completely different

[Action]

[There you are, in the Battle Dome. Trying to mind your own business and do a good day's worth of training. But this guy's too bored to let you do so in peace. As you train, he will sneer and smirk through the observation deck, as if aware of some fatal flaw in your training regimen that is invisible to you. Every time you look up to him, he's answering your latest move with a scoff or a small laugh. Sometimes even an indifferent shrug. And after your big show stopper? A yawn.

Whether you try to approach him or not, Jade Curtiss casually saunters over towards you when you're finally throwing in the towel. He prods his glasses up his nose before assessing you in person, showing every possible visible sign in his face that he is disappointed with your performance.

But he speaks in a casual, almost sing-song manner.]

My, my. Done already? And here I thought this facility was supposed to be used for challenges!

[Voice]

[Jade sits up in bed, impatiently poking at his journal while wearing just his signature bathrobe. It's been a week already since he came here - and since his peers from his world had to endure his tests to prove they were not replicas. Or in some cases, prove they were the same replicas he knew.]

This is Colonel Jade, Third Division, Malkuth Imperial Forces. I've been here a week now, but some matters are still pressing on my mind.

So! Tell me, Luceti. How would you rate the quality of the local hot springs?

Player Name: Gore
Are you new? Nnnope
Character Name: Colonel Jade Curtiss
Character Fandom: Tales of the Abyss

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Having Jade in the house was disruptive enough.

When he spent two and a half days convinced they all were replicas? Even the ones who were not replicas to begin with? That was a little much. It has led to some very frosty dinners.

So when he comes into the kitchen in the bathrobe while she's sitting there having tea? He shouldn't expect more than:]

Hello, Jade.

[It's all quite unusual for Jade, and not the kind of unsusal he's grown used to. To be in this world where those dead have been able to run around free of charge. And finding his sister had been here for quite some time - once he knew for sure that she was not a replica, of course. As estranged as they'd become, the familiarity of living with her seemed feasible enough. And then lazing around the house in a bathrobe felt like a creative method of defying the gravity of the situation.

He just had to get through the icy reception. As he entered the kitchen, he gave a stretch and a brief yawn.]

Good day, Nephry. [He makes his way towards the table.] Time for tea already?

You take time where you find it. [She's almost as old as he is, now. Or, as he was, the day he walked into her office as though nothing was different.

There is more water in the kettle on the stove. Nephry chooses not to offer it, despite knowing she is acting like a child and that will only fuel his entertainment fire.]

[There were several courses of actions Jade could choose from. At the moment, pretending nothing was wrong seemed the best for testing the waters.]

You certainly have. I wouldn't underestimate your ability to seize an opportunity - particularly when the rest of this oddly bustling house isn't around. [He takes his seat at the table and leans forward with his hands folded together on the tabletop, his eyes darting towards said kettle briefly.] Myself excluded, of course.

[Just the two of them. Just like old times - for better and for worse.]

Speaking of which... am I expected to ask for my own tea, or to prepare it myself?

You are welcome to tea if you would like some. [As he is not a guest, Nephry feels no obligation to serve him. She almost lets out something sharper, along the lines of not wanting to fail to meet his tea expectations, but she stops herself. Didn't they end this petty arguing as adults?

Didn't she have enough evidence that he would never stop being a troublemaker, even though she knew some fraction of his actual feelings?

Instead of sniping at him, she wraps her hands around her mug and forcefully relaxes her posture.]

Thank you. I'd be remiss to pass up such an opportunity for myself as well.

[With a calculating look at her, he unfolded his hands and rose to attend to the tea kettle.

This could not continue. After all, he's the only one allowed to hide his feelings.

So as he pours his tea, he speaks with his back turned to her. In a tone that had a bit more gravity.]

Nephry. I must say, you are performing a most commendable impersonation of an iceberg.

Edited 2013-01-24 23:27 (UTC)

Thank you, I thought so too.

[A soft, quick sigh.] I suppose it wouldn't bother you at all if I started treating you as though you weren't real. You might even think my caution was warranted.

[And that, as far as she's concerned, is the end of that.]

And yet, it would make more sense if I did, considering your presence here for the fourth time.

[He grits his teeth upon hearing the number. That could be what disturbs him the most about being here: the fact that he couldn't remember this place at all.

His brain was always his most valued weapon, his most trusted friend. And the Malnosso or whatever odd force that commanded this world had already violated it so many times. The very thought of it sickened him and gave him that rare, crushing feeling of defeat.

Jade turns with his cup of tea in hand and strolls back towards the table, free hand in his robe's pocket.]

Is that how you're choosing to process this? If you wish to treat me as a ghost, by all means, be my guest. It could unfair of me to request anything more of you.

[He settles into his seat and takes a thoughtful sip.]

I see how that can upset you. I myself wish I had control over this situation. Over anything in this world. My patience is very much tried already, you see.

Not a ghost. [It isn't her practice as a politician that takes all the fire out of her words.] But never mind. It's silly of me to treat you like you've done something under these circumstances. I'm sorry.

[He allows himself to un-tense somewhat.]

You don't need to apologize. After all, even with this situation aside, you could always pick a number of past offenses to hold against me, instead.

Edited 2013-01-29 09:27 (UTC)

That would be quite childish of me and disrespectful of any attempts you might have made to change. [The past is in the past. Dredging it up again, in Jade's case, will bring up more painful memories than good ones - so why start?]

I'd say that's a very admirable call on your part, Nephry. After all, such issues would be especially relevant here, where time seems to hold very little water.

[A compliment? From Jade Curtiss? Even a practiced politician is unable to hide her surprise. Then, when he doesn't add a 'but' and something otherwise disparaging...well. She has to take a sip of tea first.]

I disagree. Time here is inescapably fluid when you least expect it.

[~~blerp that should say irrelevant~~]

I speak regarding the past. After all, we are now in a place that is devoid of even the Score. As I understand it, people who once were enemies co-exist in something resembling a relative piece. It's easy to say that we are cut off from our pasts here. Or do you have something else in mind?

Now for something completely different

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