[closed] one day i'll stand with a crown on my head

[overgrowth]

Who: overgrowth & hoasen
When: March 10 IC, September 21 OOC
Where: Thistle Do Nicely
What: Vietnam disappeared for a while. Kanda worried, a little.
Rating/Warning: Possibly mentions of torture and past trauma!

---

[ he's been coming to work even though vietnam wasn't there for a while, because... it's his job. he isn't going to drop it just because his theoretical boss isn't here. and anyway, he sort of likes being in the flower shop with the smell of damp dirt and growing things.

when she returns, he waits a while before even bringing it up. and when he does, it's by putting down what he's carrying and going to stand slightly off to her side and waiting for her to acknowledge him. ]

Comments

[hoasen]

[Despite her overall exhaustion, Vietnam tried her best to resume a normal day-to-day life. Sure, there is some construction to be done, but when she doesn't help with clean up, she goes back to work. And one of the things she does is try to act normal around everywhere.

It really doesn't help when you're tired though.

She was glad to see that Kanda helped with holding down the fort, because she wasn't even around, and really she owed everyone an explanation. That being said, the nature of the explanation meant that she wasn't going to bring it up at all unless someone asks.

Why is Kanda standing there, though? She turns and looks at him, closing her books--]

Kanda? Do you need something?

[overgrowth]

[ oh good, he didn't have to initiate conversation. ]

Yeah. [ kanda stares at vietnam for a moment, eyes narrowed. ] Where did you go?

[hoasen]

[Isn't it amazing?!

She waits for his question, staring up at him, but pales slightly at what he asked. Considering how information is now floating around, she might as well just tell him.

However, she can't actually just answer him right here. Stepping in closer, she keeps her voice low and quiet.]

...I can't tell you out in the open. Let's move into the office.

[overgrowth]

[ kanda really doesn't know how to use the network that well... oops. but he follows her into the office without protest. once they're inside, he shuts the door and stands by it, arms crossed and silently waiting for the promised elaboration. ]

[hoasen]

[Kanda you're like an old man with a computer. But that doesn't matter, since it's easier to relay this verbally than a network controlled by the big bosses themselves.

As soon as they were safely out of hearing range, and Kanda gives his patented Look, she starts.]

A group of friends and allies took on a secret task that was...in CERES' eyes, illegal. We were then captured and punished for it. I'm...I'm fine though. But that was why I was missing for longer than expected.

[overgrowth]

What task?

[ kanda doesn't relax at all, and in fact, his scrutiny intensifies as he looks her over. what kind of punishment..? ]

They think everything's illegal.

[hoasen]

[She's in trouble now. She has to be careful with her words though, as Kanda has a habit of barreling into trouble head on. This kind of information could encourage him.]

It involved...data mining. A friend tried to locate more information, they found an android, and another tried hacking it.

I'm not surprised we were caught up to and punished. [She pales at this though, only because while she was able to withstand it, and many days have past now, it was still just over a week since then.]

[overgrowth]

[ a search for information. that makes sense. ]

It wasn't that long ago, was it. What kind of punishment?

[ was it that serious, if she was able to come back? ]

[hoasen]

[Phew, data mining worked.]

No, it wasn't. I managed to get a little rest, and having everything around us happen like this was an unfortunate, but welcome distraction.

[She clears her throat.] We were made to endure our worst nightmares for 72 hours. [She starts to falter, but holding her hands behind her, she clenches her fists to keep herself going. They may not have known each other for long, but he was also in those dreams.] We knew it wasn't real. But it didn't make it feel any better at the time.

[overgrowth]

[ as clear as it is that she's uncomfortable and bothered by the memory, the possibility of it happening again, to either of them (or anyone else, though kanda doesn't care that much) means he has to know about it. ]

How did they know? [ more specifically, ] What kind of a nightmare was it?

[hoasen]

[She's willing to share as much now, because she knows she can handle it. While she didn't want others to be involved, telling them about what they would be forced to go through should they be punished for something, at least this will help.]

It depends on each person. I suppose they were able to dig deep into our minds. Mine was to witness the slow suffering of others. It wasn't pleasant.

[overgrowth]

With the "code" bullshit?

[ considering the fact that they'd been pulled here in the first place, it's not that crazy that they'd be able to see into their minds. kanda's expression darkens marginally. ]

And did you get anything out of it? The... data mining.

[hoasen]

Yes. It probably makes it easier for them. They were able to download us into their system, after all.

[He probably understands it, even if not technically. She knows it could get worse, should they choose to do so.]

I am unsure what of it is useful so far. It kept giving us information like our ViViD titles. But we already know those.

[overgrowth]

...who did the data mining? You?

[ he still doesn't know what it means, exactly, but if they didn't get enough information, then he wants it to happen again. somehow. and if other people don't want to be in danger again, fine, but he'll put himself out there for the possibility of success.

it's what he's done for years. it's just a different battlefield. ]

[hoasen]

[She shakes her head.] It was not me. I am unsure if he wants to make himself known yet.

[Since it's Tieria Erde...HMM. They really didn't get enough information, but she won't let Kanda go off on his own.]

[overgrowth]

[ kanda pauses, holding her gaze for once before he just grunts and looks away. it makes sense, sure, but that doesn't mean he isn't annoyed by it. ]

Fine. If you go again— [ he breaks off again, trying to think of a way to phrase it. ] —I don't like this place either. And I can come with you. Or whoever's going.

[hoasen]

[Ah, he wants to go. She's not entirely sure if this will happen again, well, not like this anyway. But she actually doesn't mind Kanda being with her. He's strong, and his body is able to regenerate quickly. He might actually be the one to survive the longest amongst them.

Just that he's aggressive enough to dive into trouble first.]

I am unsure if we will be able to progress, but it may give the others some ideas. [She rubs the back of her head.] I'll tell them your name, whenever it happens again. But I will come with you.

[overgrowth]

You already had to spend time recovering. Why would you try again?

[hoasen]

[She sighs. Why would she? Even she would instruct someone else to not do it again.]

Because I know if I was able to withstand that, I can do it again. Better myself than others.

[overgrowth]

And if they make the punishment worse?

[ kanda's voice and expression are hard, challenging. he doesn't know exactly who vietnam is, and even if she says she can handle it, he doesn't take it at face value.

mistrust has been his life for so long that he doesn't know how else to think about it. ]

[hoasen]

[She blinks at him, it was a good question. They knew she was able to withstand that level of mental pain. Could they break her next time?]

Physically, nothing will faze me. Mentally, I will tire. But it is never real, and if it is something that has been? What's done has been done.

[Everything they feed into their minds is all an illusion.]

And then I will recover. Kanda, do you rather me stay back?

[overgrowth]

[ "it's never real." kanda has suspected that, but hearing someone else say it makes it worse. ]

If you can't handle the consequences, then don't get in the way.

[ that's all. kanda pulls back, crossing his arms tightly. ]

[hoasen]

[Don't worry Kanda, it's not that kind of evil illusion. Not that she knows.]

I can handle it. But thank you for your concern, either way.

[He was pretty adamant. Whether it is because she could become a weak link, or he really was concerned, it didn't matter. Because him trying to question her capabilities to take on the system again still helps her.]

[overgrowth]

I wasn't worried.

[ yeah. definitely not worried. having made that clear, kanda looks at her for just another moment before going back to his work. ]

[hoasen]

[She'll take that too! It's not like she knew he was asking around for her either.

She looks at him back, and then--] Ah, I'm sorry for taking up your time too. That possibly took longer than it should've.

[overgrowth]

Whatever. It's fine.

[ SKULKS OFF TO HIDE IN THE FLOWERS. goodbye vietnam!! ]