sirenspull | Entries tagged with !: replica riku

Munny, Munny, Munny....

[Ooh. Someone sounds like he's in a foul temper, grumbling into the NV. A jangling of silver bells grows distant, and wind whips over the NV speaker. Joe's breathing heavily into it too, huffing as he heads home at a brisk walk.]

They say it makes this whole world go around. [And then he growls flatly, in self-pitying irritation] Well guess who's going absolutely nowhere.

They cut my worktime in half at the stadium, because some Hockey star's spoiled rotten kid on the Sector Six Saints wants to have his own job. So I'm training somebody to be my own replacement, and making half as much now! They said I could go back to hawking sodas in the stands, but they couldn't pay me tech wages for concessions. Well! What a thank-you!

[An acrid laugh turns into another bitter mumble.]

...I shouldn't have gotten fresh with my manager, but... I guess I'll ...just call him in the morning and say sorry. Sorry, I really can't afford to quit. Does anybody have any advice for that? Like should I have Xion bake a cake, or just come crawling back like a kicked dog?

(...at least I won't have so many presents to buy this year.)

Does anyone know any place that are hiring newcomers for decent pay? Someplace that's not on AGI or SERO's lists. Or...I don't know, some... holiday party coming up, they need a DJ for? I'm really running kinda low on my luck here.

[Another low, disgusted snort] Pretty soon we'll be taking food boxes from those creepy people at the Jenova church basement again.

madeinoblivion

So. [Joe sounds particularly cranky and irritated] Me and Roxas we were wondering...

Is it okay for a landlord to just like.... come in your apartment and show somebody else around- while you're still living there?

Who just does that? Let strangers walk around and say nasty things about all our stuff, and how it smells like cats. What if we weren't home, and they took stuff? Or if somebody was sleeping, or naked in the bedroom?

...who do we even go to and complain to about it?

We really need to get serious about moving someplace else. Between this and the rent going way way up for next month, and the heat not coming on till it freezes outside... it's getting crazy.

[Roxas chimes in, sounding nearly as perturbed as his friend.]

They said it was an inspection, but we've been here a couple of years now and I don't think we've ever had one of those. Except when we moved in, maybe.

We've never had a problem here, but they were acting like we're bad renters. But we're fine, we always have been.

...and it does not smell like cats. Xact and Blue are really good and we clean up after them!

madeinoblivion

Along with everything else that's been happening weirdly, I think my bosses finally admit I had nothing to do with the whole kiss cam mess at the stadium, earlier this week.

[a pause, and then the boy laughs-]

(...It was still really funny, though.) If the traffic accidents weren't happening, then the whole thing would be hilarious. I should be focusing on stuff that's more serious, I guess, but there's only so much preparing for the worst a guy can do in one go.

So, do you think it's some new SERO worker who finally lost i and snapped? That's what I've heard people saying. Or that some student got pulled off scholarship from SPU's computer department, and decided to take it out on everything. Zipz Arcade, and I hear AGI's clubs all got nailed last night. Whoever's doing it must really hate everything about this city.

How's crew and tech doing at the Felton, Riku, do you need an extra hand?

I'm just glad this network's still not completely bonkers.

Hah. Watch me speak too soon.

madeinoblivion

[The camera adjusts, and Ciel Phantomhive looks...distinctively disheveled. Bedheaded, shirt untucked, and ... is he sitting backwards on that tea table chair, legs straddled, straining his poncy boyshorts? No stockings today? No shoes, either?

Despite this, he's found the most outlandishly feathered top hat to perch on his head, and addresses the network with a farcical, overly-affected accent]

Hallo, Siren's Port! And my, what a lovely day it 'tis!

Of course, it's probably lovelier for me than you, because I get to live in a huuuuge house and have servants take care of ALL of it for me, since dust makes me sneeze, and cats make me sneeze, and I get sick if I do any work at all, and I'm probably too weak to lift up a broom, even if I wanted to.

[And he takes an overly delicate sip of lemonade, from a teacup, pinky out. Mid-way through the sip, he sputters with laugher, and quickly shoves the china cup and saucer aside.]

So I know what you're all thinking- Who IS this dreadful body-pirate, and what has he done with the Ciel we all know and laugh at behind his back?

Well I'm here to tell you that's all a pack of lies!

I'm Little Lord Fancy-Pants, and I'm here to tell you all that I sleep in a frilly light purple nightgown, and all the little shorts in my closet are so tight I'll probably sound like a pinched little girl for the rest of my life!

(By the way, if you stop by Funtom Toys today, and buy anything from the bakery or the twee selection of dainty nursery amusements, Gilbert will throw in a free breakfast scone. Which I'm sure you can use for a doorstop or a paperweight, or something sort-of useful?)

[His voice flattens somewhat, with a roll of his eyes, as he drops into a more comfortable slouch with his arms folded over the back of the chair.]

And seriously. This whole lousy business has already happened to four of my friends now, and it's not funny anymore, so we need to get our hands on whatever's been doing this and stop it before anyone else is forced to be stuck as a sissy-boy without any kind of warning.

[Privated, to his own NV. Weird.]

...and hey, Teabags. I know you're probably listening, all totally horrified. Don't wet my pants or my bed. Do yourself a huge favor and don't kill yourself being me, okay? Or I'll ruin your life.

Go bug Riku, if you really need a protip figuring out how to function with two eyes, darkness, and actual muscles. Don't make any of the girls upset, or I'll come right over there and sock you in my own face.

There's probably a stone in your pocket. It could be still full of my soul somehow. Don't you dare lose it, and take it away from my body, or something horrible will happen to both of us.

madeinoblivion

Man. Just when I swore I'd never ever get involved with anything SERO ever puts out there that's gimmicky, and then...

"Thermographic Night Vision Contacts". What are those, they help you see better in the dark, but without goggles or anything? Do they really work? For stuff like...monster tracking, like Darwin-work, you think that'd really help a lot? Be useful?

I'm not even allowed in the arcade, but maybe I could borrow Riku's ID and get in on a late-entry team, if they're still takin' em. Is anybody here any good at laser-tag?

madeinoblivion

Just checking- [A grinning teenager, wearing a headset around his neck, in the almost-empty Grant Stadium. Clean up crews are sweeping the seats and bleachers, the baseball field is being carefully groomed for the next practice. But Joe ignores the sweep-up, even kicks over a few stray crackerjack boxes, and he's glad to no longer be working in concessions! He's has the NV at arm's length, ] You guys all actually caught that on the news this morning, right?

Mr. Herms, the only neutral-supporter around with big munny to go throw around on his own idea of fun, is scouting newcomers for our own Away teams? Do you know what that means? We'd get to be the rival team of Portside! And then AGI and SERO's tired fans can keep selling off their season tickets and stay home, for all I care!

[In high spirits, he walks underneath a tower of speakers, pulls the headset back up lopsided onto one ear, unlocks a panel, and flicks a couple of switches. ]

Gee, I wonder who whispered in that guy's ear? [ A quick smirk at the NV, a flick of another switch- Joe clears his throat. "Testing Zone 3. Zone 3?" his voice booms over the speaker tower. Satisfied he flicks the headset back off.]

So somebody help me get some people together, and lets do this! Has anyone here ever played Soccer seriously before? That's the team they're looking to fill. I know there were a couple guys who said they played- but I haven't heard from them in awhile. Anybody else that could brush a bunch of us up on it fast?

It's just kicking a ball around, basically, right? And even if we're not pro-athletes, we can still play with other amateurs for the test-out games, right? We just need to play hard, and...put some interesting powers on the field, right? So, who's all in for kickin' boot camp!

madeinoblivion

[Here's a teenaged boy sitting up cross-legged on the lower bunk in his sweatpants, bare-chested, silvery hair still all bedraggled, rubbing at his eyes in hopes of getting his act together and finally getting started on the day. Nevermind that it's already past noon, and he's only just now hauling himself awake.

Last night's monster footage is all fuzzy and no good, considerably less awesome once looking it over without the adrenaline high to boost his ego, so he's feeling a little bit discouraged.]

Has anybody got a decent night vision camera I could maybe borrow? I'm working on a project. People have been saying Darwin's gone, and so it's either up to us or SERO to keep track of what's out there in the darkness. I'd rather it be us.

I mean....Darwin's like a hero to this city, so... what better time to follow in his footsteps, right? Also if you've got any tips on where to look for monsters that aren't in the guide yet- Or where I can get better gear for this kind of thing. [There's a magazine open across the rumpled sheets beside him- a catalog of equipment for 'the intrepid darkness explorer.' It's fancy stuff for the 'pro' deadly adrenaline junkie, some of it hi-tech devices, some bits of well-designed body armor, traps and light-sticks and survival gear, and all of it way out of his price range. But a boy can dream, right?]

The darkness has been acting weird- that's easy enough to see for anybody who's stepped outside lately, but I'm talking about the trouble at 24 last week, and that other AGI club that had a pool monster show up the other night. It's almost like they're getting what's been coming to them. [He yawns, snatches up his NV, and pads out towards the livingroom, where his friends have already headed out for the day- but two cats wend around his ankles, yowling hopefully for lunch.]

...Also, if anybody's got some parties coming up, or anything they need a DJ for? I could really use the cash and shot to get my name out there. I can even make custom ice cream flavors for your gig in a party bucket, for extra. [Oh. So that is an industrial ice cream machine in the corner of their otherwise-crammed apartment kitchen.] Or you could just drop in at S.S. Kahve coffeeshop, where we've got the daily special there too.

I know the weather hasn't exactly started feeling like summer around here yet, but maybe we've gotta give it a little push to work with us. Go see a ballgame. Or do something fun. Maybe the only way to beat these shadows is to prove we can still live with them, instead of holing up inside.

pullsheavendown

[It's a beautiful day and both Roxas and Xion look much improved from the last time they appeared on the network. Perhaps they're a little skinnier from suffering through their illnesses, but there's color in their cheeks and smiles upon their faces.]

Hey everyone. I bet most of you have been down to the block party by now, but if not, you really should—it's a lot of fun, and tomorrow's the last day.

And if you're coming down you should definitely come and see us!

[Roxas lifts a foam bat and nods.]

We've got a really fun game—it's called Struggle, and anyone can play using this.

It's really easy too! All you have to do is take your opponent's balls!

[Roxas gives her a somewhat hesitant sidelong glance before forging on.]

Well, kinda. Instead of taking them, you knock them off in a Struggle for victory! You can also play Grandstander by yourself and win a prize if you can hit a single ball in the air and keep it going for a while. But it's most fun when it's one-on-one.

[Xion grins, and if you know her at all well- or even if you don't know her that well- it's clearly mischievous. She picks up the other bat and beckons someone off camera. A moment later, Joe Fieldman appears, wielding a Struggle bat of his own and decked out in some ridiculous gear. He is covered in balls.]

Our lovely assistant is here to demonstrate. [smirk]

"Lovely" yourself, Roxas! [Joe taps the foam bat against the palm of his hand, impatient, before readying himself into a defensive stance, bat raised and legs bent, readying to spring into action.] C'mon, are we going to demo this thing, or are you guys gonna stand around all day?

[Xion has snatched up the bat from Roxas and is all over this one; she's clearly in high spirits as she gets ready to swing for him.] Ha! Your balls are mine, Joe.

[Roxas stares open-mouthed before snatching another bat from somewhere off-camera. And then they lunge at Joe, intent on taking his balls.]

And this is how you Struggle!

[ooc: Roxas is blue, Xion is purple, Joe is red.]

madeinoblivion

[Joe is wearing a Portside Aces baseball cap, NV propped up on another greasy table in the Underground Mall's food court. There's the crinkle of fast food paper, the slurping noise of an oversized fountain drink, and milling-about sounds of a busy afternoon. The boy sighs glumly, unsure where to start. There's a lot of restless anger brewing in the piercing cyan of his eyes, but it's tempered down since his raging fits of last week. He seems tired, like he hasn't been getting the best sleep.]

One week we have a newcomer business convention, the next week newcomer businesses are burning down, and it feels like more and more people keep disappearing.

I really hate it, when it feel like everything's changing for the worst. Maybe they think they can keep us all down and playing by their rules when there's less of us. [A lower sigh of resolve, then-]

But I won't stop fighting.

It's really not fair these mall businesses always seem to be safe. (I mean, besides the big darkness breach that happened around this time last year, but-) Why are only some places left alone when they're not taking sides between AGI or SERO? Can somebody tell me that? The Underground Mall Clubs Association... how do you get in on something like that? Do you have to be a native with lots of munny?

[Joe reaches and tilts his NV so that it shows newest addition to the foodcourt behind him, a bustling counter service with a long line, thick hand-cut fries, and a round serving station filled with several dozen condiment pumps and bowls of relish. Sitting on his tray in front of him are five plastic cups of very different dipping sauces, ]

...and can somebody tell me why 'pomme frites' are so much more special than french fries that they're charging nine bucks for a paper cone?

[He sticks a fingertip in one of the cups in front of him, sampling a dollop with a casual shrug] The sauces are pretty delicious to try, at least.

Poutine.... [he points at the gravy on his far right, then goes right down the line of red hot, yellow, green, speckled white-] "War Sauce", Sweet Mango Chutney, Wasabi-Lime Mayo, Parmesan Peppercorn. So much for plain ketchup! (And this is just 5 of 42 they've got. It reminds me of ice cream flavors.)

[He shakes his head, giving a dry smile and a roll of his eyes.]

Everything's gotta be a good gimmick to be original, huh.

madeinoblivion

In three more days, it'll be two whole years since I've been pulled here.

[Joe Fieldman is sitting at the top of his apartment building's fire escape, facing the sunset. Ten minute siren warning has just ended, but there's still light left, and the blinking light of the radio tower is not too far off, backed by the skyline of downtown: the shining walls of SERO's ultra-modern skyscrapers glimmering sleek, and the top of AGI's corporate tower standing tallest as a dark spire against the sky beyond that, in the far distance.]

...That's really weird, how fast it's been. It feels like it wasn't so long ago, that I walked into my apartment in the Towers (All the way up on the top floor!) and found out the landlord had already put Riku there, figuring I was the same exact person who'd already lost the room key. 'Stupid newcomers', right?

Two years, and I should take time and look back on everything I've done with it. But that's not really so much as I'd like it to be.

I've made plenty of friends. And had good times with them. I found a name. I got stronger, and fought lots of monsters in the darkness- I've still got to run into about half of them that Darwin's got listed in the guide. Learned bike tricks from the guys at the skate park. Won a film contest, first place (okay, so Mr. Cohen did do most of it, but I was a good 'disciple'). Survived some earthquakes and riots and craziness. I learned a lot about wiring and sound tech and how to put on good music for a club. I joined and then quit a company. Got a tattoo. Got permanently kicked out of SERO's crummy arcade. Fought some witches- which I heard saves the universe, but it doesn't make so much around here any better. Helped run that metal concert, which was a smash hit.

Still, that's hardly everything. And that's what's been bugging me the most. It's been a long time since I've really done anything important. Anything to change this place around, for the better. I mean, I protect my friends, but-

But some of my other friends have gotten killed, or gone away- or other bad stuff's happened to them. And there's not much I've figured out how to do, about changing that.

Does everyone who wants a better life to live in this city ever feel stuck this way? Like you have no clue what you could do next, to really make a difference?

Back in other worlds, some people who get pulled here are heroes...

I've been thinking- maybe it's really time I get serious and do something. But I don't know where to start, in a place like Siren's Port. How to do it. There are still days I feel like I don't even know who to be.

madeinoblivion

[There's a shift and crinkle of a soft taco wrapper, loosely covering an NV to hide it's sneaky planting. Through the low murmur of background noise, and something which sounds distinctly like Underground Mall muzak, two adolescent male voices are prominent. One sounds particularly bright with bravado and a little bit of playful goading.]

Okay, so! That is a pretty girl. Good, Roxas! You're finally getting somewhere with this.... Now. [Onward to step two and the ten thousand munny jackpot question:] What makes her pretty?

Sheesh, you don't need to talk like I'm a little kid. [But Roxas sounds more amused than annoyed.] Uh...she has nice hair. With the curls.

So curly, [Joe clarifies keenly, his voice leading] but not....frizzy-curly. Neat.

Yeah. The smooth curls. See that other girl over there? It looks like she has a bush on her head. [The boys dissolve into a brief round of shared sniggers.]

No bushes, right- and... light-colored, right? Red or Blonde? Okay, now what's better, skinner like her or curvier- not big, but...like that one-

What's it matter what color someone's hair is? Red and blonde are both nice. ...uh. That one, over there.

Does it matter what kind of clothes she likes to wear? Or what stuff she does- what kind of stuff do you think is cute? That's really important for finding your 'type' - (You know, for girls this part is so easy? It's not fair- they have magazines with these quizzes and they just circle answers and then you count up what letters you've got most of, and that tells them straight off what your 'type' is.) So anyway. If you had to use just five words for what you like in girls....Go!

[Roxas is starting to get a little annoyed with all the questions here, himself.] That stuff's not important. (And that sounds like a stupid magazine.)

Uh...nice...funny...active...pretty smile? I can't think of anything else, are we done?

Yep! That should give us some options. [Plucking up the NV, he swaps it to video and uprights the camera, revealing an brief upside-down view of an ideal girl-watching overlook on the second level of the food court turning the image on the spiky blonde haired victim of this attractiveness-scouting duo.] So! You heard it all right here, ladies! My friend Roxas needs a Valentine, and has just a few more days to find one-

[Roxas's jaw drops and his eyes go wide as comprehension dawns.] Did you...

Aaaaany takers? (Bonus, if you like coffee.)

Are we on the network?!

...Or Ice Cream! [A 'hah' of a laugh, our cameraman leaps up from his seat and swerves it quickly in front of him to block his aghast and embarassed friend's path] Or maybe skateboarding. Or you just want to come over and play with his cat-

[And then Roxas lunges directly at the camera. There's the fumbling beginnings of a wrestling match, a peal of Joe's laughter, and then the recording shuts off.]