estoria | (open) and eye meets no eye

Entry tags:

(open) and eye meets no eye

Who:

specialization & open.
When: IC 7/1-7, OOC 5/2-14
Where: Different places around the colony.
What: Post robots, going back to normal life. Even if it involves attempted murder and shady business deals half the time.
Rating/Warning: Slim chance of violence.

[a - an occupied mind - library]

[realistically, he spends a good portion of time here when he doesn't have other things to be doing. and it's convenient to be able to come over and spend hours in the mandated peace. he's definitely a regular here, which is why he should be fully aware of the unspoken rule that you shouldn't sit down in the aisle as you become a tripping hazard in the fiction section. the question is, does he entirely care about that? no. he will remain a tripping hazard, thank you very much.

alternately, there will be times that someone at least wants to look at whatever book you're aiming for, where your hands might touch as you're reaching for the same one. in that case, he's at least apologetic, pulling back with a small smile.]

Were you looking for that one?

[b - watch your step - various]

[so, Chrollo's going about his usual day, doing usual human things. maybe leaving after locking up at work, maybe going to get food, maybe taking an idle stroll. the possibilities are endless, truly. and all the while, he has his guard up, something that hasn't been let down in weeks.

here's the thing, though. where you are, whether it's just standing close by or perhaps you entered into some kind of conversation with him over something mundane, he's going to pause, turn to you, and ask something.]

Would you mind moving to the side a little bit? A few steps is enough.

[there is no reason given for this...yet. only a polite tone and expression. because it wouldn't do to cause alarm by openly saying that there is a sniper around, and that they'll get shot if they don't move. as much as it isn't his problem if people get injured, if someone dies, that won't end well for his sort-of friend.]

[c - sundown - pleasure district]

[there are tasks he's going to have to spend days working at to get the sort of connections he wants, and he doesn't mind. it's easier than the sort of work he's accustomed to - transport, being a liaison, sending a few messages...it's simple work for these groups. all he needs is patience to gain trust and then it'll all be at his fingertips. and Chrollo's used to waiting to gain the right tool for success, letting it come closer until he can grasp it and not let go. this is, in a sense, exactly the same thing.

but he doesn't end up hanging around this place for fun. despite his new responsibilities, he hasn't shirked from his second type of employment, and to those that find themselves in need of a thief, there are ways to contact him privately. arrangements are be made to discuss matters before he agrees to a job. and he's the one that sets the meeting place while keeping a sharp eye out for a client.

oh, and be on time. he doesn't like being stood up.]

[d - wildcard]

[have an idea that doesn't fit with these prompts? let's go anyway.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ shortly after chrollo nudges someone to move aside: ]

:/

[oh, you. when he's free again he'll send off a reply.]

I take it you're not pleased.

I don't miss, you know.

I do. That's why they had to move. You don't mind if you shoot them?

[why shoot them, if they weren't the target? it's idle curiosity.]

Wouldn't have even clipped them.
I'm better than that.

So my concern was unnecessary. Noted.

How can I say I'm sorry for the inconvenience and doubting you?

[somehow even through text it's clear he's not entirely serious.]

You can just owe me.

Fair enough. I don't forget who I owe.

[ He needs to take a long break after his and Merlin's descent into the Labyrinth. So the library seemed like the safest bet. He's not really paying attention when he accidentally goes for the same book Chrollo is reaching for. He'll flinch and pull his hand away quickly with a sheepish smile.

He'll take out his cerevice to type up something. ]

Oh! It's okay! You can take it if you want.

[shaking his head a little, Chrollo takes it from the row and holds it out to the stranger, meeting his eyes.]

No, it's better if you do. Someone needs to stop me from attempting to check out enough to fill a shelf. I'll take this as the cue to review and pick out the must-haves.

[his tone is joking, but he's really not. with the free time he has and the sheer variety of books to be found here, it makes for very poor impulse control when he's left alone without something he needs to be aware of. he's only human, after all.]

[ Aughaje Chrollo no. Shigeru might wince a little as he takes that book with a strained smile. Ah, well, he can just disinfect it when he gets back to his seat. ]

I don't see what's wrong with enjoying books that much. You should take out as many as you like!

[ Though he himself can understand the awkwardness of it. ]

You must really like reading then! What's your favorite genre?

Fiction, as obvious an answer as that is.

[he'll not comment on the wince. wasn't really that polite, though his curiosity was never quite satisfied.]

Anything that has a world with fascinating characters to get wrapped up in. The mark of a good author is if you can believe in the people they've created for you to observe - if you think they could possibly exist somewhere, out in some world. What's yours?

[ Shigeru can get behind that, actually. He nods thoughtfully looking around the library before typing something on his cerevice. ]

I like all sorts of things. But nonfiction and historical books are my favorite.

[ As boring as it may seem. Shigeru was locked away from the world for so long that he developed a thirst for knowledge to learn everything about his world and in a sense other worlds now that he's learned of others. ]

Really? What subjects do you like best? Or time periods?

[the question's honest - now that he has the time, why not dip into other topics? and it's always better to ask someone that likes the subjects to get an idea of where to start.]

From my own world it would be time periods before the war against the dark god. But not many things from back then remain without changes made to them.

But I also like to learn about dfferent civilizations that exist on my planet! I...never really got out much to see them, so reading was the only way to really learn about them.

[ But now that he's somewhat better he's able to traverse places like this easier. ] And this place...I kind of want to know more about the history of this world too. It seems...really complicated, from what I've seen being discussed. But I haven't been here very long to know much about whatever it going on. I just know that Ceres and the Flamines aren't to be trusted at all.

[ The person whose skin he's touching is cold, wet and kind of scaly, like a fish. ]

Yeah.

[ Sirena isn't looking to read it, mind you. ]

[strange people exist in this and his world. it won't get a comment, only a passing recognition in his mind that it happened.]

Then take it. I'll remember the title for when you're done with it, and busy myself with others in the meantime.

Oooh, shank you.

[ She takes the book, and floats a little ways down and puts it in a tower made of books on the nearest table.

Clearly not reading it.

Maybe you should ask for the book anyway. ]

[he sees it happen, but will make no comment and instead leave this aisle and the girl to gather the books he was planning to check out. another day, he'll get his hands on that one.]

[It's not like Bellamy didn't see the other person in the aisle, but it's library, he can't possibly expect to be totally alone here. But even Bellamy, king of rudeness, knows better than to sit down in inconvenient places especially when there are books involved.]

[He scowls a little and makes a huffy noise, louder than necessary because he wants the annoyance to be heard.] You could probably stand to take up a little less space, unless you're planning to sleep here. [A beat.] Though even then, I'd recommend a cushion instead of the floor.

[Bellamy may be king of rudeness, but it's not even about being rude. it's about Chrollo going so long being undisturbed it simply hadn't occurred to him to think about other people's feelings in terms of where it is and is not acceptable to sit in a library. after being a few hours alone and too absorbed in the story, sitting down had just...happened.

evidently, that was the end of that.

he rises up from his place, thumb holding his spot, and at least has the decency to look like he's not entirely unbothered by his own actions.]

I think they'd kick me out if I went to sleep and tell me to go back home.

[not that it really addresses the problem here...]

[He's not one to judge, considering how much time he's spent in the library himself, and in all honesty he doesn't even care in the end what this other man choose to do with his free time; it just so happens he came into Bellamy's path.]

Probably depends on what time you fell asleep.

[He may or may not have stumbled on people sleeping in the library before. Just generally, you know, not taking up walking space.]

Don't trip up anyone, that's the point.

It's a good thing I didn't trip you then.

[and he allows himself a tiny smile despite how much he's very aware that this stranger's intent wasn't to be amusing but to dispense fair warning.]

On your quest to find...what are you looking for?

[if there's one thing he's memorized by now, it's the layout of the library in general.]

Because I'm aware of my surroundings. You'd be surprised how many people aren't.

[Or maybe he wouldn't be. Honestly Bellamy does not know or care in the end.]

[The initial response to the question is just an eyebrow raise. And then some snark.] What, you work and sleep here? Maybe that's the real reason they'll kick you out.

Tried to work here. They weren't hiring.

[sarcasm for sarcasm. he's got enough self awareness not to work somewhere he's so liable to get distracted rather than actually do his job, as comforting as it'd be to be surrounded by the books.]

But I know where things are, if you're having difficulty.

Pity. [Said with no actual pity.]

[Then he just shrugs.] I'm not looking for anything in particular. I already know where most things I like are anyway. Besides, figuring it out is part of the adventure or some shit.

[Bellamy Blake: known stalker of the history section. But lbr, he will basically read anything, because books. Books were so rare back home.]

Tell me what sort of things you like, then. Maybe I know something that can surprise you.

[he needs some sort of task to keep his mind off collecting yet more pieces to add to the list of things he wanted to take away. giving other people recommendations? it did enough.]

[It's a pretty innocuous question, but Bellamy still just shoots back a skeptical look first anyway. People?? Being helpful?????]

Considering the whole multiverse thing, I'm not sure saying history flat out is enough to go on.

[ Huh. Togami notices Chrollo walking down the street with some interest; after their previous conversations, he finds himself curious about what he's up to, even though it appears to be something perfectly normal for now. Since they met alone before, in secret, perhaps it's a bad idea to approach him as an acquaintance? How do you even approach people as an acquaintance? It's not like he has anything to say. But before he can contemplate that too much, it's Chrollo who breaks the silence.

Togami has had to deal with snipers and concealed attackers... way depressingly more often than he's ever had to deal with navigating casual personal relationships, so the implication seems obvious to him, and he doesn't actually question the request. As he sidesteps, he turns around to face behind him, scanning from the alleyways up towards the open windows of the buildings and then up to the roofs.

Well, this is why Chrollo felt easier to get along with, anyway. He seems to deal in the familiar. Supposing that is what this situation is about... ]

Am I interrupting?

Not at all.

[he says this, and yet he lets a moment pass. with the silence, he assumes Zero's noticed the change and decided against firing the shot. pity. seeing Togami's reaction might have been interesting, but Zero won't waste bullets.

instead of remarking on that, he glances in a location that's definitely not where Zero's going to be - he won't give him up, that would spoil the challenge - and then looks back to Togami. it's normal, isn't it, to be coming back with library books and then vaguely imply something's wrong? if it's not, oh well. (he knows it's not.)]

It's been some time.

[unlike Togami, Chrollo doesn't have a problem approaching him as an acquaintance.]

[ He follows Chrollo's gaze to the random location, and then flicks his gaze back to make eye contact with Chrollo. He hasn't seen anything, but since the threat doesn't seem to have followed through, he won't waste all of his time looking. ]

...Yes, I suppose so. The influx of robots kept everything hectic enough.

Did one come for you as well? That's the first and probably the last time I ever try to give CERES a little faith.

[not entirely serious about that - it had been an interesting enough experiment, even if it went wrong. he had taken care of it. what was the problem then with it? that there were flaws in the design?]

Indeed. Even if I was capable of handling the situation, it was far more trouble than it was worth. [ He huffs, a spike of annoyance shooting through him just thinking about it. Ugh. ]

More trouble? Don't tell me yours tried anything funny.

[and by funny he means things like trying to smother him in his sleep. that had just been annoying.]

[ His tried to kill him too, of course. A little extra violently given the stellar example he set for it. But he doesn't actually want to talk about that... ]

Everything that piece of scrap metal did was a joke.

[ Also, there was that period where it asked a bunch of annoying questions constantly, which was at least as bad. ]

[he nods his head sympathetically. joke was one way to phrase it. but he was smarter than the robot had been, if only in how he knew how to fight better than it did.]

I'd suggest we change locations before going on any further, if that's not a problem with you. This isn't the...most ideal place.

[sorry sniper bro. not now.]

[ He shrugs, smiling faintly in amusement. ] That's fine. Where did you have in mind? [ He doesn't actually know where this particular threat is coming from and what it can access, so he's not really the one to pick a new locale. ]

( A library is a place of information - grand information. Even though finding what Leliana wanted would take some time it didn't keep her from being there. There had been so much opened to her in this world - languages, places, new knowledge. Leliana knew much of her world but this place was something else, and she knew too little.

It had lead her reaching for the same book as another, unaware that their hand was also reaching for the book until they'd both gone to take it. Was it one she was really after? There was so much to read that she didn't know if it was useful, or important )

I can find another.

( The one next to it looks equally appealing - and foreign )

[before she can move away, he takes the book off the shelf and then extends it towards her.]

Please. Don't worry about it - I can wait until you're finished with it.

[mainly by submerging himself in a different book, but the point remains.]

I may not need it.

( She doesn't move to take it - not yet. Not unless he's insistent again )

I haven't decided what I'm looking for.

[he doesn't insist, but neither does he keep it for himself - he'll put it back. in case she ends up changing her mind.]

Why not take a chance, then? Pick something and let it surprise you.

Most books here are that.

( Since there's a lot that doesn't exist in Thedas - technology, hobbies, many of the subjects or fictions in the library - there's a lot that is new, and surprising, for her )

But there's also a lot of time to get through them. For however long we're here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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