IC contact ((SMH))

[spotskings]

"Yes? ... ...What was that? ...

...Sorry, I'm not actually available right now. But I'll get back to you if you leave a message!"


((call | text message | voicemail))

Comments

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[zackthepuppy]

Hey, just to let you know, I'm located at the Gardens under a dome of thorns. Shuichi is in charge of it. I'll keep you posted as things progress. We're still gathering people. So far, we have Duo, Shuichi, Kuwabara, Hiei, a really shy kid (Alex?) and myself. Pretty soon more will be on the way. We have a headcount of 5. There is one other that may show that will bring us up to 6.

The watch has not been established yet. Shuichi had taken the first. I have the second. That is as far as I know. We are conducting perimeter searches for any hostile activity. Primary communication has been through the PCD and through verbal signal.

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[spotskings]

Thanks for the headsup. I live at the Gardens anyway, so that works out really well for me, plus, Mikoto is here too. I don't think you've met him - he's my best friend from home. He's really powerful.

...so I think with everyone working together, we're pretty well-protected!

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[zackthepuppy]

That's great! My mentor lives in the Gardens too. So does Sephiroth and Genesis. Those three are the best that SOLDIER has to offer. I think you're right. We'll be just fine. They're on separate teams though. It's okay. If everyone is concentrated in one area, the risk would be too high.

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[spotskings]

Oh, your mentor? Is that Angeal? Sounds like you know a lot of really impressive people!

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[zackthepuppy]

Yeah! Well, they are impressive. I just have to catch up.

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[spotskings]

I'm sure you will. You're gonna be a hero after all, right?

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[zackthepuppy]

I sure am! I'll be a hero no matter how long it takes!

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[spotskings]

Go for it!

I've been wondering though, what made you want to become a hero?

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[zackthepuppy]

It's been a dream of mine. I met Terra there. I didn't know his face then, but the way he helped me out made me realize that I can do it too. Then...I joined SOLDIER.

I've got some growing to do, I know that, but man, hearing about Sephiroth and how he became a hero at 12 really made it clear to me that I know I can. Angeal...he's been helping me out a lot.

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[spotskings]

I don't think I've heard of Terra before! And what is SOLDIER exactly? It keeps popping up, but I'm never sure, because we don't have it where I'm from.

And, wow. Twelve is really impressive for a hero, but I bet it's also a lot of pressure, isn't it?

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION]

[zackthepuppy]

I'm sure it is. But you know, he's a tough guy and he's pretty good at what he does. So, I think he can handle the pressure.

SOLDIER is, well...how can I explain it. It's a program where candidates are selected and they undergo Mako infusion. The infusion gives the SOLDIER the enhancements they need to survive in any situation. It's not an easy process and some don't make it, but those that do, they're like a one man army. The best way to tell is the eyes. It's a SOLDIER trademark. Color of the sky.

Only the best are selected, and only the best of best become Firsts. I'm a Second right now. I'm half-way there.

[TEXT-- HEAVY ENCRYPTION] i'm sorry.

[spotskings]

... What happens to the ones that don't make it?

[Audio] After the Scavenger Hunt

[death_scythe]

H-Hey...Totsuka?

[Sorry, Totsuka, but there's a really anxious Duo on the phone. He really needs to say something and isn't all that sure he should be calling...]

Um...sorry, I'm not sure--Something happened Thursday and...[Sigh.] Dammit, maybe I should have called Mikoto. Look, I just need to know if this is normal and...Totsuka, I don't know what--

[There's a long moment of silence before Duo speaks up in a quiet, rushed tone.]

I burned someone.

[After a bit of hesitation, Duo hangs up the device.]

[Audio]

[spotskings]

[Oh. Well, anxious Duo makes for a concerned Totsuka- but then he gets to what he's trying to say and just. Oh.]

Oh.

[He calls back immediately.]

Duo?
...Are you okay?

[Audio]

[death_scythe]

Totsuka? Yeah, I'm...well, I'm better. Just--I have no idea.

[He doesn't really know what the say here. It's all a little confusing and he just needs some stability right now.]

I'm going to Alex's sometime soon, but I need...an explanation? Or something...I don't know.

[Audio]

[spotskings]

It's the aura. The... fire powers? They're like a package deal with the mark. You already saw mine, and, well, different people are at different levels. I'm no fighter, so I'm pretty weak.

It's not that way for most of the other clansmen. Uhm. But you can control it! I mean, we've all managed to.

[Not for the first time, Tatara wishes Kusanagi was here. Explaining things logically is something he's always been better at...]

[Audio]

[death_scythe]

[The mark...right. The HOMRA mark. From Mikoto. Okay, that...makes more sense.

Oh now he just feels silly.

Taking a deep breath, Duo's actually a little bit more calm now that he's for sure where this whole thing is coming from.]

...I can control it, right? I mean, no one's gone nuts or anything, right?

[Audio]

[spotskings]

[Oh, good. Calmer is good. Totsuka is glad for that.]

Definitely! I mean, even King manages, and his powers are way, way stronger.

...and, well, some people go a little power crazy after they get the mark, but I don't think that's what you're talking about. We set them all straight right away, anyway.

[Audio]

[death_scythe]

[He's silent suddenly. Should he tell Totsuka what happened? Maybe it'd help get a little more perspective? What if he told Mikoto? He's really not wanting to get any more involved because he seriously doesn't believe it'll be a problem any more...]

It was Rip.

[Well, he doesn't have to explain ALL of what happened...]

[Audio]

[spotskings]

[...he remembers that name, and it certainly gives him pause. He can't not ask, now.]

What happened?

[Audio]

[death_scythe]

I got too close to the mansion. We got into it and she pinned me down. I managed to grab her wrist and then...

[Fill in the blanks?]

We both split after that.

[Audio]

[spotskings]

[It takes the heaviest of the matters off his chest - he burned her. He didn't kill her with it. That would've been a whole nother matter, if he had.]

Aah...

[he lets out a breath like he was holding it.]

Well, you got out of it okay, right?

[Audio]

[death_scythe]

I'm in one piece.

[She broke his arm (again), but that's no big.]

IC (event Letters from home Kunsel spam courtesty of Zack's contact list)

[useless_trivia]

If you're getting this, it's probably because you know Zack somehow. Let me tell you something about Zack. He's strong, not very bright, has a short attention span, and if he's not able to read it, he won't remember it.

Big words and innuendo go right over his head. If you lecture him, keep it short. Angeal has this down to a science.

[LETTERS FROM HOME]

[redskaterboi]

[The letter is obviously written in Yata's handwriting, as sloppy as it is. It's hard to miss his chicken scratch.]

You're an asshole, you know that? You fucking up and die on us! And right before Anna's birthday! What kind of jackass does that?! Yeah, sure, you can't help it, whatever, but that's just

Totsuka-san, really, what were you thinking? You jackass! Fucking dying like that! Son of a

We miss you

I wish you hadn't died.