⇋ 001 - action

[avartwice]

[Well, this was definitely different. One minute Greed was on his way to Central, the next he found himself in a... classroom? What the hell. He didn't remember passing out, yet he just woke up here. And his clothes were different too, what even...

One thing was for sure, he didn't recognize where he was and he didn't like it one bit.

If you're that worried about where we are, why not let me take over? ...Of course the damn Prince wasn't going to keep his mouth shut. I could try reading the dragon's pulse. That should give us a better idea of where we are, at least.

If I wanted your help, I'd ask for it. Mind your own damn business.

This is my business.

Yeah, he was just going to ignore him. And try to shake the feeling that something was off.]

A

Hey, you.

[If you're walking through the halls of the school, you might be approached by this weird, sort of Chinese looking guy. Yeah, Greed decided that the gathering information alone thing wasn't working out, so he's trying the good old method of actually asking people.]

Mind telling me where this dump is and how I get the hell out of here? I'm kinda in the middle of something important and I'd like to get back to it.

B

[So after a while, Ling had actually managed to gain control and explore on his own. How did that work out for him, you ask?

Not so well, judging from the fact that there is now one Xingese prince keeled over in the middle of the hallway.]

...so... hungry...

[Help him out? Stare at the weirdo? Laugh at his misfortune? All of the above?]

Comments

[avartwice]

Not much of a talker, huh.

[Thanks for that brilliant observation, captain obvious. Anyway, as they reach where they're going, he raises an eyebrow.]

This it?

[replayed]

I only speak what's necessary.

[ Unnecessary talking isn't really her style. Especially when she's playing it cool. ]

Yes. I simply need to get an arrow from this room.

[avartwice]

[Oh. Is that all. Because that sounds legit, sure. He's just going to look at her with a face that screams "are you for fucking real?", but he's not saying anything.

It's not like he has to worry, since if she tries anything he'll use his shield or just regenerate afterwards.]

Uh-huh. [He shrugs.] Alright then. Just hurry up, I don't have all day.

[replayed]

[ The irony. She'll simply get an arrow from the room and then stab her hand with it. She doesn't hesitate, and simply takes the arrow out, merely showing the scar that is slowly healing. ]

Is that good enough, or is more proof needed?

1/2

[avartwice]

[...huh.

You know, when he suspected she was going to try something, he figured he'd be the victim. She sure showed him.

Well then. Just... give him a moment to stare.]

2/2

[avartwice]

[And then he laughs.]

Nice trick, kid! But that's not so special, I've seen it a thousand times already. That doesn't prove shit!

[Of course he is pretty weirded out that someone who's not a homunculus can heal like that, but hey, he's seen weirder. So yeah, not convinced yet.]

[replayed]

... I see. However, I did not have this ability when I was alive.

[avartwice]

Yeah, uh... Pardon me for not believing some random chick's crazy story just because she says it's true. Got to give you points for persistence, though.

[replayed]

I simply thought it would be easy to prove. However, if you do not wish to believe me, then go ahead.

[ A pause. ]

Someone did tell me this once, though. If you had powers in the world that you came from, you do not have them right away. Unless they were recuperative.

[avartwice]

That so? Huh, right, like this place could get rid of my powers. I'd like to see anyone try that.

[He smirks, goes to put his shield up on his hand... and nothing happens, of course.]

...huh?

[Technical... difficulties...]

...hey. Lend me that arrow for a moment.

[replayed]

Go right ahead.

[ She'll hand it over, of course. Homura has nothing to lose. ]

[avartwice]

[Repeating what she did earlier, he stabs himself with it, right in his hand. After pulling it out, it does indeed start to heal, like he expected.

Except it's slower. And there's no red light.]

...what the hell? This ain't... Why isn't it...

[Yeah, he's kinda confused now.]

What the hell is going on here?

[replayed]

The dead who arrive here don't immediately retain their powers right away.

[avartwice]

Will you knock that off already, I'm not dead! I just... gotta figure out why I'm not healing right... Damn it, did I use up my stone somehow?

[He's talking more to himself than Homura at this point, really. And getting dangerously close to freaking out.]

Nah, can't be, I'd feel that. Ngh... damn it, why can't I remember how I got here?!

[replayed]

Some people simply don't remember.

[ Homura then spins on her heel, readying herself to leave. ]

I suppose if you don't have further questions, I'll be leaving now.

[avartwice]

Fine, whatever, I don't care! I'll figure this out myself... Damn...

[Suddenly, he goes quiet for a moment. When he speaks up again, his voice has changed. Not only is he suddenly a lot more calm and serious, but the actual sound is different. Like it's someone else talking.]

...You are certain about this? This really is the afterlife and you are dead as well?

[replayed]

I am very certain. I may not recall my own death, but the object that keeps me alive is now gone.

[ Thankfully, Homura is unsurprised by this development, seeing as she became a different person herself, in time. ]

[avartwice]

I see. I think... that may be the case for myself as well. [Well, the stone wasn't keeping him alive exactly, but without it Greed shouldn't be there, so close enough.] Something like that, anyway.

Thank you for your assistance. [And because unlike Greed, Ling actually has, you know, manners, he briefly bows to her.]