[ And now, Mikazuki will be able to see the striking and definitive difference between someone familiar with this level of technology, like himself, and someone to whom it is an impossibility.
Case in point, there’s a whoop from Sorey that breaks into a lighthearted laugh as sheer thrust from the throttle out-and-out plasters him to the seat he’d previously thought he’d been relaxed back into. His stomach’s at the base of his throat, pulse thrumming soundly through him as the feathers from his ears float weightlessly out like skewed orangey antennae once he and his co-pilot completely leave gravity behind for good, adrift in a sea of stars.
By this point, some might be feeling sick. Others might be terrified. A scarce few might have lost consciousness, even. But Sorey has never felt quite so alive in his young life before, he’s sure of that. This sensation... it’s like armatization -- or at least, that’s the closest thing he has to liken it to at this point. Except, they’re weightless, wading in a sea of distant, sparkling lights.
He’s so overcome that, for a good long moment, he manages to forget that he and Mikazuki were conversing. What had he said before...? Oh, that’s right: ]
Me? You mean... [ a small pause ] ...you can feel me?
[ Huh. This really is like armatization, isn’t it? ]
[ He's missed it. Not in the way that someone might become nostalgic for their home, now dashed to pieces between the teeth of something too big to see, but in the sheer way it permeates his body with familiarity against an otherwise void. He has no particular love for the stars, the shimmering clusters in the distance — dust is dust. Rock is rock, heat is heat. Everything that recalls exhilaration and hope is in the machine.
But also Sorey. Mikazuki can't separate the two when it's like this, the roar of the throttle dulling to a pleasant hum as they level out. Piloting with him isn't like the others. Fear, panic, sickness. Mikazuki had to overwhelm them with his own sense of calm and confidence. There's newness in Sorey's reaction, but not fear.
Somewhere, a brief spark in his chest, he's glad for that. ]
[ Perhaps he has no particular love for the stars. And, perhaps that’s for good reason, rather than indifference. Here, however, Mikazuki’s found himself coupled with someone who holds history -- the past -- in higher regard than the present or future. Yet, given the chance to, he meets the latter most with open arms, good faith, and confidence.
Thus, there is an inherent calm between them, somehow. They’re somewhere uncharted, but not lost; adrift, but not drowning -- sailing, rather. Mikazuki’s self-assurance, (if that truly is what he’s feeling, sensing), serves as a metaphorical springboard from which Sorey can launch. A foundation to build his own self-confidence upon, even.
Long story short, it seems they’re going to have a great time of this, against all odds. Against all comprehension. Sorey might not understand the link between man and machine, and Mikazuki might not understand the concept of a link between two humans, but in compiling the two, they perfectly compensate for one another’s own shortcomings. ]
Then it’s just like armatization. [ ”This is our armatus.”...In a giant spaceship-robot-thing. Sure, why not? ]
You just lead the way, and I’ll follow. [ Just like Mikleo aiming the arrow, and Sorey firing the bow. ] We’ve got this, Mikazuki!
[ Mikazuki has never allowed himself to feel lost. There has always been a path for him to put one foot down in front of the other on. He might not greet it with the same enthusiasm Sorey does, that peripheral light blaring out from behind him to bring everything ahead into view, but that determination is there all the same. Maybe — waking up here alone had set those adrift feelings loose in ways he refused to accept, but for as fast and smooth as the ship speeds, he feels strangely anchored by it.
There's many things he could ask or say. About that word, armatization, or the way the emotion attached to it resonates in places he thought were long too dark and damaged to salvage. Whatever it is, the ship is thrumming with it. Vitals soaring, reactors burning heat as intimately as a body might.
Unpredictable, balanced as if alive.
He's always obeyed orders, but as a contradiction, wanted to lead. To be in front. The moment he let someone step in front of him, or beside him, was the day he'd stop fighting.
[ To that end, Sorey simply shrugs. ] I'm sure people have a variety of reasons for staying! I can only imagine what all they are.
[ And the people should have that choice, most definitely -- he's all in favor of that. However, his expression turns a bit worried then. ]
But, you're right. Given that Olympia and Wyver were bitter enemies up until this point, I worry for those who choose to stay here. To welcome refugees from an enemy faction with such open arms at the drop of a hat... something about it doesn't add up.
[ If he asks, Sorey will tell, no matter how hard it might be to explain the idea of fully fusing with a humanoid being to channel their power. Thinking of it that way, this feeling of sharing some kind of intangible connection with Mikazuki, (or possibly the ship, but Sorey’s inclined to believe that’s not it), is similar, but not same. They aren’t existing in the same body, after all. Yet, there’s a sort of undercurrent of confidence he knows isn’t his own; a surplus he can draw from and feed into in return, like a steady flowing stream.
Mikazuki wants to lead, and in this situation, Sorey isn’t one to contest that. Instead, he’ll act as support, and follow direction. ]
Ready whenever you are!
[ ...But forgive him his well-intended foolhardiness when the thrust of the ship pins him to the seat. Or, better yet, have a chuckle at it -- he’ll probably laugh right along with you, just as soon as he’s done whooping and wailing excitedly about it. Hey, he’s never been in anything this fast, okay!! ]
It could be as simple as them not wanting to see Olympia's numbers grow any higher than they already are.
[She shrugs lightly.]
We haven't grown up there our whole lives, after all. They might be hesitant to accept natural-born citizens of Olympia, but people like us, who have only been there a few months...? That's hardly enough time to build up the sort of enmity that seems to exist between them. Enticing us to stay with them bolsters their ranks while keeping our skills out of the hands of their enemies.
...or perhaps they really are just trying to be welcoming for the sake of it, but even to an outsider like me, that seems like a bit of a stretch.
[Admittedly, she's a little cynical because of all the blatant corruption she was dealing with before coming here, but hey.]
Right. I agree -- it could be a play to gain the loyalty of people whose trust was broken by the outbreak in Olympia. Since we weren't raised there, just kind of escorted there a matter of months ago, it seems like a perfect time to capitalize on the shaken faith of the people.
[ Green eyes narrow, and he cups his chin in thought. ] If you think about it, in a way, it's almost like... recruiting.
[She nods at that. Sorey is thinking along the same lines she has been - it's a little gratifying to hear, in all honesty.]
They made the arrangement to cooperate with Olympia after the Olympians were able to hand over many of the conspirators that were caught to them. And many of them were caught by refugees like us... [She hums.] Furthermore, many refugees assisted in the production of a cure. I can't quite blame the people of Wyver for wanting to woo strong fighters and intelligent scientists to their side, exactly, but the timing does seem a little suspect.
[ They do seem to be on the same wavelength about this. Much as the idea of this all being less than innocuous is a bit saddening to think about, it's sounding more and more like a real probability. ]
So they got an even better deal out of this than I thought... [ He scratches his cheek idly. ] You're right about the timing, but it all makes a little more sense now, at least.
That said, I believe there are a fair handful who intend to return to Olympia as well, I myself among them.
[Not really because she thinks Olympia is more trustworthy than Wyver, but...]
There are some things I'd like to look into there. And for the moment, travel between these two countries should be remaining open... I'd like to make use of that for as long as I can and then make a decision once I know more.
[ Olympia is the only 'home' he's known since arriving here. Also, he can't simply discard the home he's made of his prior residence, for a multitude of reasons. ]
Until I hear the situation from all sides, I'm staying put. [ A beat. ] Although...
If Wyver gains significant numbers, you don't think they'd try to launch an attack on Olympia, do you? Sure, things seem peaceful now, but once the gates close, who knows what might happen?
[And it's part of why she'd like to stay in Cree's good graces, since the man seems to have a knowledge of the goings-on in both Olympia and in Wyver. If she can get information out of him, she can use it to protect the people she cares about.]
Given the apparent enmity between Wyver and Olympia... I can't say that it would surprise me. However, they agreed to work with Olympia in an official - and public - capacity. It seems to me that they would have a difficult time justifying turning on them unless there was some sort of catalyst for it.
[ It shouldn't come as a surprise that the ship begins to rocket forward without Mikazuki expressly touching the controls, or even allowing that half-formed thought to completely coalesce. It's more sensitive than even Barbatos was, but then again, Barbatos had only ever had him behind it. Mikazuki has to share here.
But with the reactors roaring and speed leveling at a steady fast, it's not such a difficult thing to get used to. Sorey's excitement echoes through him as much as the accruing gravity does, a thing they're making possible in the vacuum of space. Guidance keeps them upright, when direction makes no sense, though Mikazuki likes to push the boundary. Giving the steering column a nudge and then raking back slowly, the craft tilts on its axis and begins to pull up, sweeping into a wide arc against the stars. Just that shift is enough to strain his whole body, but he enjoys the familiarity.
It's vast, and there's nothing out here to hit. With a brief tick in his brow, there's almost something confident that breaks through his expression. Like he's remembering what it was like to pilot before that was all he had left to wager. ]
[ She’s got some good placement, then. Sorey, conversely, lost many of his contacts when he fell back asleep -- some for good, from the sounds of it -- and has yet to reclaim them all. In short, he’s woefully behind. ]
True... but I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard for them to find an infraction serious enough to break the peace, if that’s what they really want. In fact, it’s possible they might already be looking for one.
[ One misstep would be all it takes. ]
Much as I don’t want to think that’s likely, it’s something we can’t rule out.
[It's an unfortunate truth, but it's one they certainly can't afford to blind themselves to. The day may very well come when they find themselves with no choice but to choose one side or the other for survival's sake.
Hopefully that day won't come. But if it does...]
It would be best to keep our eyes and ears open for any hint of change coming, I'd say.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Mikleo
Date: 2017-12-12 02:38 am (UTC)[ He'll lead the way then, gently tugging Mikleo's still-held hand. ]
Here, c'mon!
Alisaie
Date: 2017-12-12 03:24 am (UTC)[ There’s an uncommon bit of frustration from Sorey, at that remark. ]
Sure doesn’t feel like it. [ His head shakes slightly. ] I would have rather been here, where I could help.
[ He is, of course, presuming that he could have, simply because he’s unrealistically optimistic like that. ]
Mikazuki
Date: 2017-12-12 04:56 am (UTC)[ And now, Mikazuki will be able to see the striking and definitive difference between someone familiar with this level of technology, like himself, and someone to whom it is an impossibility.
Case in point, there’s a whoop from Sorey that breaks into a lighthearted laugh as sheer thrust from the throttle out-and-out plasters him to the seat he’d previously thought he’d been relaxed back into. His stomach’s at the base of his throat, pulse thrumming soundly through him as the feathers from his ears float weightlessly out like skewed orangey antennae once he and his co-pilot completely leave gravity behind for good, adrift in a sea of stars.
By this point, some might be feeling sick. Others might be terrified. A scarce few might have lost consciousness, even. But Sorey has never felt quite so alive in his young life before, he’s sure of that. This sensation... it’s like armatization -- or at least, that’s the closest thing he has to liken it to at this point. Except, they’re weightless, wading in a sea of distant, sparkling lights.
He’s so overcome that, for a good long moment, he manages to forget that he and Mikazuki were conversing. What had he said before...? Oh, that’s right: ]
Me? You mean... [ a small pause ] ...you can feel me?
[ Huh. This really is like armatization, isn’t it? ]
im dying squirtle
Date: 2017-12-12 06:09 am (UTC)But also Sorey. Mikazuki can't separate the two when it's like this, the roar of the throttle dulling to a pleasant hum as they level out. Piloting with him isn't like the others. Fear, panic, sickness. Mikazuki had to overwhelm them with his own sense of calm and confidence. There's newness in Sorey's reaction, but not fear.
Somewhere, a brief spark in his chest, he's glad for that. ]
I don't know how it works yet.
[ Maybe he never will, but that's fine. ]
But I think so.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-13 03:30 pm (UTC)Please, you need not worry yourself over it. Unless you are a healer of extraordinary power, I doubt there is anything you could have done for us.
[ and, gently grasping his arm - ]
And it has passed, we are none the worse for wear.
/cues the ibo ed1 theme
Date: 2017-12-20 05:02 am (UTC)Thus, there is an inherent calm between them, somehow. They’re somewhere uncharted, but not lost; adrift, but not drowning -- sailing, rather. Mikazuki’s self-assurance, (if that truly is what he’s feeling, sensing), serves as a metaphorical springboard from which Sorey can launch. A foundation to build his own self-confidence upon, even.
Long story short, it seems they’re going to have a great time of this, against all odds. Against all comprehension. Sorey might not understand the link between man and machine, and Mikazuki might not understand the concept of a link between two humans, but in compiling the two, they perfectly compensate for one another’s own shortcomings. ]
Then it’s just like armatization. [ ”This is our armatus.”
...In a giant spaceship-robot-thing. Sure, why not?]You just lead the way, and I’ll follow. [ Just like Mikleo aiming the arrow, and Sorey firing the bow. ] We’ve got this, Mikazuki!
orphaaaaans namida...
Date: 2017-12-22 06:42 am (UTC)There's many things he could ask or say. About that word, armatization, or the way the emotion attached to it resonates in places he thought were long too dark and damaged to salvage. Whatever it is, the ship is thrumming with it. Vitals soaring, reactors burning heat as intimately as a body might.
Unpredictable, balanced as if alive.
He's always obeyed orders, but as a contradiction, wanted to lead. To be in front. The moment he let someone step in front of him, or beside him, was the day he'd stop fighting.
So, he leads. ]
Okay. We're going to gather speed.
[ Just to see what this thing is capable of. ]
Haru
Date: 2017-12-30 06:06 pm (UTC)[ To that end, Sorey simply shrugs. ] I'm sure people have a variety of reasons for staying! I can only imagine what all they are.
[ And the people should have that choice, most definitely -- he's all in favor of that. However, his expression turns a bit worried then. ]
But, you're right. Given that Olympia and Wyver were bitter enemies up until this point, I worry for those who choose to stay here. To welcome refugees from an enemy faction with such open arms at the drop of a hat... something about it doesn't add up.
gdit you got it stuck in my head again. :|
Date: 2017-12-30 09:05 pm (UTC)Mikazuki wants to lead, and in this situation, Sorey isn’t one to contest that. Instead, he’ll act as support, and follow direction. ]
Ready whenever you are!
[ ...But forgive him his well-intended foolhardiness when the thrust of the ship pins him to the seat. Or, better yet, have a chuckle at it -- he’ll probably laugh right along with you, just as soon as he’s done whooping and wailing excitedly about it. Hey, he’s never been in anything this fast, okay!! ]
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-30 09:47 pm (UTC)[She shrugs lightly.]
We haven't grown up there our whole lives, after all. They might be hesitant to accept natural-born citizens of Olympia, but people like us, who have only been there a few months...? That's hardly enough time to build up the sort of enmity that seems to exist between them. Enticing us to stay with them bolsters their ranks while keeping our skills out of the hands of their enemies.
...or perhaps they really are just trying to be welcoming for the sake of it, but even to an outsider like me, that seems like a bit of a stretch.
[Admittedly, she's a little cynical because of all the blatant corruption she was dealing with before coming here, but hey.]
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-30 09:58 pm (UTC)[ Green eyes narrow, and he cups his chin in thought. ] If you think about it, in a way, it's almost like... recruiting.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-30 10:04 pm (UTC)[She nods at that. Sorey is thinking along the same lines she has been - it's a little gratifying to hear, in all honesty.]
They made the arrangement to cooperate with Olympia after the Olympians were able to hand over many of the conspirators that were caught to them. And many of them were caught by refugees like us... [She hums.] Furthermore, many refugees assisted in the production of a cure. I can't quite blame the people of Wyver for wanting to woo strong fighters and intelligent scientists to their side, exactly, but the timing does seem a little suspect.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-30 10:33 pm (UTC)So they got an even better deal out of this than I thought... [ He scratches his cheek idly. ] You're right about the timing, but it all makes a little more sense now, at least.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-30 10:36 pm (UTC)[Not really because she thinks Olympia is more trustworthy than Wyver, but...]
There are some things I'd like to look into there. And for the moment, travel between these two countries should be remaining open... I'd like to make use of that for as long as I can and then make a decision once I know more.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-30 11:07 pm (UTC)[ Olympia is the only 'home' he's known since arriving here. Also, he can't simply discard the home he's made of his prior residence, for a multitude of reasons. ]
Until I hear the situation from all sides, I'm staying put. [ A beat. ] Although...
If Wyver gains significant numbers, you don't think they'd try to launch an attack on Olympia, do you? Sure, things seem peaceful now, but once the gates close, who knows what might happen?
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-31 04:13 am (UTC)[And it's part of why she'd like to stay in Cree's good graces, since the man seems to have a knowledge of the goings-on in both Olympia and in Wyver. If she can get information out of him, she can use it to protect the people she cares about.]
Given the apparent enmity between Wyver and Olympia... I can't say that it would surprise me. However, they agreed to work with Olympia in an official - and public - capacity. It seems to me that they would have a difficult time justifying turning on them unless there was some sort of catalyst for it.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-31 06:15 pm (UTC)[ And they can come back later!! No need to rush their explorations. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-31 06:39 pm (UTC)Looking back at Mikleo then: ]
...Mikleo? You sure you're feeling okay?
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-31 06:48 pm (UTC)?? I'm fine.
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-31 07:02 pm (UTC)Sorey squeezes that hand. ]
You sure?
(no subject)
Date: 2017-12-31 07:10 pm (UTC)Let's keep going.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-01-03 06:59 am (UTC)But with the reactors roaring and speed leveling at a steady fast, it's not such a difficult thing to get used to. Sorey's excitement echoes through him as much as the accruing gravity does, a thing they're making possible in the vacuum of space. Guidance keeps them upright, when direction makes no sense, though Mikazuki likes to push the boundary. Giving the steering column a nudge and then raking back slowly, the craft tilts on its axis and begins to pull up, sweeping into a wide arc against the stars. Just that shift is enough to strain his whole body, but he enjoys the familiarity.
It's vast, and there's nothing out here to hit. With a brief tick in his brow, there's almost something confident that breaks through his expression. Like he's remembering what it was like to pilot before that was all he had left to wager. ]
Not bad.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-01-05 09:23 pm (UTC)True... but I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard for them to find an infraction serious enough to break the peace, if that’s what they really want. In fact, it’s possible they might already be looking for one.
[ One misstep would be all it takes. ]
Much as I don’t want to think that’s likely, it’s something we can’t rule out.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-01-07 08:51 am (UTC)[It's an unfortunate truth, but it's one they certainly can't afford to blind themselves to. The day may very well come when they find themselves with no choice but to choose one side or the other for survival's sake.
Hopefully that day won't come. But if it does...]
It would be best to keep our eyes and ears open for any hint of change coming, I'd say.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-01-09 09:11 pm (UTC)[ Said with a resolute nod. ]
No matter what the agreement is between the two sides, something tells me this peace won't last long...