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"Um. Kozukata Yuri."
"At the tone, please record your message. when you are finished recording, you may hang up, or press 1 for more options. To leave a call back number, press 9."
"Um. Kozukata Yuri."
"At the tone, please record your message. when you are finished recording, you may hang up, or press 1 for more options. To leave a call back number, press 9."
[She switches to voice too since he did and listens quietly.
It isn't that I'm afraid of the thing, I just don't see a need for it. SUREJAN.GIF]
I think some people just reach a point of, 'how much worse can it get?' and curiosity gets to be too much, so they test them anyhow. There's also no guarantee that waiting and not turning them on manually means you're safe. CERES has to know how little we trust them now, I'm sure they have things in place in case we're not cooperative.
[You know, like the implants in the eyes and brain thing. Fun stuff.]
I guess if there's any actual talks against it, it'd be in the Sanctuary. No CERES technology is allowed in there, so I guess that's where people would go to plan and talk about stuff they don't want CERES overhearing.
It isn't that I'm afraid of the thing, I just don't see a need for it. SUREJAN.GIF]
I think some people just reach a point of, 'how much worse can it get?' and curiosity gets to be too much, so they test them anyhow. There's also no guarantee that waiting and not turning them on manually means you're safe. CERES has to know how little we trust them now, I'm sure they have things in place in case we're not cooperative.
[You know, like the implants in the eyes and brain thing. Fun stuff.]
I guess if there's any actual talks against it, it'd be in the Sanctuary. No CERES technology is allowed in there, so I guess that's where people would go to plan and talk about stuff they don't want CERES overhearing.
[Gods, is Neji glad he didn't think to switch to video. It takes a(n) (un)healthy amount of effort to keep his mouth shut and swallow back an unfriendly scoff. Because yes, he's sure CERES has ways to coerce them too.
So shut up, Yuri. --is what he would say. Instead she gets to go on entirely uninterrupted (isn't he polite) and Neji even gets to learn something new. The Sanctuary. And anyway,] CERES will hear whatever is said aloud, in the Sanctuary or outside of it. Especially if its supposed secret purpose is continuously talked about over CERES' own technology.
[That's some bad humor leaking into his tone anyway. Neji shakes his head. That wasn't what he had come here to discuss. --or whatever. He should have to known to keep this short.]
If you're not thinking of utilizing that robot, would you mind simply keeping watch over another inactive scrap of metal?
So shut up, Yuri. --is what he would say. Instead she gets to go on entirely uninterrupted (isn't he polite) and Neji even gets to learn something new. The Sanctuary. And anyway,] CERES will hear whatever is said aloud, in the Sanctuary or outside of it. Especially if its supposed secret purpose is continuously talked about over CERES' own technology.
[That's some bad humor leaking into his tone anyway. Neji shakes his head. That wasn't what he had come here to discuss. --or whatever. He should have to known to keep this short.]
If you're not thinking of utilizing that robot, would you mind simply keeping watch over another inactive scrap of metal?
Yes. [She doesn't try to deny it--she's a realist, even if others might call it pessimism. CERES likely has eyes and ears everywhere, even their so-called 'safe spaces.'] But it makes other people feel better to have them. If there's nowhere really safe, I guess the illusion of safety helps some people.
[There's a short pause as she considers his words and what he's actually asking her]
You want me to take the one you were given too? I wouldn't mind. [Her apartment is pretty empty anyhow except in regards to the hologram things that make it look pretty. She owns very few actual things. So what's one pile of junk?
Amused she adds in a mildly joking tone:] Worried someone might accidentally activate it for you? [You know, someone like...Lee.....]
[There's a short pause as she considers his words and what he's actually asking her]
You want me to take the one you were given too? I wouldn't mind. [Her apartment is pretty empty anyhow except in regards to the hologram things that make it look pretty. She owns very few actual things. So what's one pile of junk?
Amused she adds in a mildly joking tone:] Worried someone might accidentally activate it for you? [You know, someone like...Lee.....]
Yes. [SURPRISE, that was easy.]
He's already named his own.
[And by some cruel twist of fate, some day Neji will return from work and find that Sasuke fucking Uchiha thought it was a good idea to gift Lee an extra bot buddy. But that is not today so Yuri is spared the whining.]
I'll repay you somehow for the favor.
He's already named his own.
[And by some cruel twist of fate, some day Neji will return from work and find that Sasuke fucking Uchiha thought it was a good idea to gift Lee an extra bot buddy. But that is not today so Yuri is spared the whining.]
I'll repay you somehow for the favor.
[She makes a slightly pained expression even if he can't see it. Of course Lee named it...] I don't know if the robots will map to the one who woke it up. I like Lee, but I'm not sure the city can survive more than one of him....
[A mildly surprised pause and then an automatic] You don't have to-- Ah... [She trails off, cutting her protest off. Honestly she doesn't need repayment, but she's not sure if refusing would annoy him more. In the end she sighs in resignation] Alright. It's really not necessary, though. I don't mind helping you out. It's... what friends do, right?
...Mm, well, maybe it's too early to say 'friends'? I'm not sure on these things. But either way, it's fine.
[A mildly surprised pause and then an automatic] You don't have to-- Ah... [She trails off, cutting her protest off. Honestly she doesn't need repayment, but she's not sure if refusing would annoy him more. In the end she sighs in resignation] Alright. It's really not necessary, though. I don't mind helping you out. It's... what friends do, right?
...Mm, well, maybe it's too early to say 'friends'? I'm not sure on these things. But either way, it's fine.
[This was amusing, not annoying. At least it'd ended up that way apparently, because Neji's leaving the CereVice long enough to turn his gaze upwards towards nothing, not that Yuri can see, and his lips quirk into this
thing that kind of wants to be halfway exasperated, halfway amused
but of course not even in private is that loss of composure allowed, so.]
We can be friends.
[That lilt isn't imagined, no.]
When could I find you home?
thing that kind of wants to be halfway exasperated, halfway amused
but of course not even in private is that loss of composure allowed, so.]
We can be friends.
[That lilt isn't imagined, no.]
When could I find you home?
Ah-- [A surprised noise, less at the declaration and more that he said it out loud to begin with.]
I...would like that. [Her voice is softer, a little uncertain, but pleased nonetheless.]
I'm free and home now, if you'd like to bring it over now. I'm off tomorrow too.
I...would like that. [Her voice is softer, a little uncertain, but pleased nonetheless.]
I'm free and home now, if you'd like to bring it over now. I'm off tomorrow too.
[As if he'd be able to put up with Lee's nagging about the power of friendship or somesuch long enough to even survive until tomorrow.]
I'll be right over.
[And he hangs up. No, he doesn't even need to ask her address. No, he doesn't really think it matters. The problem at hand is now figuring out a way to tow the box housing the robot all the way to her apartment.
And an hour or more later (yes, it's taken a while; no, he won't expend more chakra than he must to speed up the process), there will a knock at her door.
And Neji will be holding a rope, and tied to the other end is a
dog, tail wagging and white furred and shaggy. It sits put, never leaving the space right behind Neji's ankles. Its lolling tongue never really drips drool onto the floor. So hey, at least one of the cretures waiting for Yuri is well trained.]
I'll be right over.
[And he hangs up. No, he doesn't even need to ask her address. No, he doesn't really think it matters. The problem at hand is now figuring out a way to tow the box housing the robot all the way to her apartment.
And an hour or more later (yes, it's taken a while; no, he won't expend more chakra than he must to speed up the process), there will a knock at her door.
And Neji will be holding a rope, and tied to the other end is a
dog, tail wagging and white furred and shaggy. It sits put, never leaving the space right behind Neji's ankles. Its lolling tongue never really drips drool onto the floor. So hey, at least one of the cretures waiting for Yuri is well trained.]
[Yuri ansers the door only a few seconds after Neji knocks, dipping her head lightly in a greeting she's about to follow up verbally but--
Well.
Her eyes follow the rope to the dog and she does a small double-take, brow furrowing in surprised confusion.]
Is that a CYBuddy? [She assumes only because she's not sure she's seen any live pets around here before. That and, you know, the lack of drool]
Well.
Her eyes follow the rope to the dog and she does a small double-take, brow furrowing in surprised confusion.]
Is that a CYBuddy? [She assumes only because she's not sure she's seen any live pets around here before. That and, you know, the lack of drool]
[He sighs. Of course. Because it's like she's gone and asked a very dumb question. But Neji catches himself and remembers he shouldn't be so-- difficult? was he a difficult person? Anyway, maybe the sigh can pass as just him expression relief at having gotten the right door. Or something.
He's not even trying.
So Yuri gets that formal-enough, polite and shallow bow of greeting in return.] It isn't.
[He shouldn't be so curt either.] Lee's got enough of those back at the apartment, too. We certainly don't need another one.
[He steps to one side of the- dog. And it still doesn't move, save for its doggy little head following Neji's movements. Because that's what dogs do, right? Hell if Neji had any idea. He does the hand signs. It's nothing intricate. And
poof!
the dog's no longer there, disappearing in a puff of white smoke and in its stead is that distinct box from CERES, rope tied to a little... wagon? where the heck had Neji gotten a wagon? Before Yuri asks:] It's a basic transformation jutsu. School children could do it.
[No animals were harmed in the making of this idiocy.]
I didn't want to be seen lugging the thing halfway across the residential district. It's cumbersome.
He's not even trying.
So Yuri gets that formal-enough, polite and shallow bow of greeting in return.] It isn't.
[He shouldn't be so curt either.] Lee's got enough of those back at the apartment, too. We certainly don't need another one.
[He steps to one side of the- dog. And it still doesn't move, save for its doggy little head following Neji's movements. Because that's what dogs do, right? Hell if Neji had any idea. He does the hand signs. It's nothing intricate. And
poof!
the dog's no longer there, disappearing in a puff of white smoke and in its stead is that distinct box from CERES, rope tied to a little... wagon? where the heck had Neji gotten a wagon? Before Yuri asks:] It's a basic transformation jutsu. School children could do it.
[No animals were harmed in the making of this idiocy.]
I didn't want to be seen lugging the thing halfway across the residential district. It's cumbersome.
[Her brow furrows somewhat, both in exasperation at his attitude and at his poor explanation. Because if it's not a CYbuddy then...?
But she doesn't ask, pursing her lips and frowning at him with the expectation that an explanation was coming soon. And there it was, though it certainly didn't help her confusion too much. Magic?? No-- More of that chakra bullshit. It was close enough to magic though, and it was enough to make Yuri start in surprise, her eyes going wide.
Yuri wants to know if she could do something like that, if even school children could (and she's not particularly impressed with the impression he's giving with that sentence, like it should somehow be obvious or not a big deal when HELLO her world doesn't have these things!! It's a big deal to her!!!) but she knows she can't so she won't ask. Even if she really wants to.]
It's still impressive, even if it's a common sort of trick. It was smart too. [Though she doesn't get what the difference is between pulling a wagon and pulling a dog at this point. Maybe appearances just mean a lot to him, who knows...
But she steps aside and gestures for Neji to come in. Her apartment is simple--the holograms activate once they pass the threshold to make the interior look like some mix of traditional Japanese homes with a modern flair. It was similar to what she'd had back home, so Yuri was rather pleased with it.
But her furniture was simple, nothing more or less than what she'd need for herself and maybe a couple guests. There were few frivolous decorations and everything was kept neat (you know, so long as you don't go back to her bedroom which was certainly more of a disaster. Who needs to make the bed come on she's just going to get back into it at the end of the day--)]
You can put it wherever. [There's another box set against the wall in the living room area where Yuri's robot is clearly still waiting to be activated.] Ah... Do you want some tea, or coffee or something...?
But she doesn't ask, pursing her lips and frowning at him with the expectation that an explanation was coming soon. And there it was, though it certainly didn't help her confusion too much. Magic?? No-- More of that chakra bullshit. It was close enough to magic though, and it was enough to make Yuri start in surprise, her eyes going wide.
Yuri wants to know if she could do something like that, if even school children could (and she's not particularly impressed with the impression he's giving with that sentence, like it should somehow be obvious or not a big deal when HELLO her world doesn't have these things!! It's a big deal to her!!!) but she knows she can't so she won't ask. Even if she really wants to.]
It's still impressive, even if it's a common sort of trick. It was smart too. [Though she doesn't get what the difference is between pulling a wagon and pulling a dog at this point. Maybe appearances just mean a lot to him, who knows...
But she steps aside and gestures for Neji to come in. Her apartment is simple--the holograms activate once they pass the threshold to make the interior look like some mix of traditional Japanese homes with a modern flair. It was similar to what she'd had back home, so Yuri was rather pleased with it.
But her furniture was simple, nothing more or less than what she'd need for herself and maybe a couple guests. There were few frivolous decorations and everything was kept neat (you know, so long as you don't go back to her bedroom which was certainly more of a disaster. Who needs to make the bed come on she's just going to get back into it at the end of the day--)]
You can put it wherever. [There's another box set against the wall in the living room area where Yuri's robot is clearly still waiting to be activated.] Ah... Do you want some tea, or coffee or something...?
[Give him a moment to decide if he should enter at all.
Neji lingers by the door, his head slightly tilted to one side after Yuri had invited him in. Yes, he'd entered private residencies before. No, he doesn't care that she's female and he's male and that, if there were senile old persons around, they might loudly whisper stupid things as he left but. He glances around the hall first and seeing that there are in fact no spectators, he bows (again) and steps in.
And doesn't really care about decor or lack of. He'll put the robot next to where he knows hers is and.
That's it that's literally all he came here for. Ah-] You shouldn't bother yourself. Thank you, but I'm fine. [Probably rude to refuse. But. Eh.]
Neji lingers by the door, his head slightly tilted to one side after Yuri had invited him in. Yes, he'd entered private residencies before. No, he doesn't care that she's female and he's male and that, if there were senile old persons around, they might loudly whisper stupid things as he left but. He glances around the hall first and seeing that there are in fact no spectators, he bows (again) and steps in.
And doesn't really care about decor or lack of. He'll put the robot next to where he knows hers is and.
That's it that's literally all he came here for. Ah-] You shouldn't bother yourself. Thank you, but I'm fine. [Probably rude to refuse. But. Eh.]
[Honestly there probably are enough tongues wagging about the fact Yuri would frequently visit her former male next-door neighbor at like 2am with food, or that people might've seen Lee carrying Yuri in through her window at one point or another (don't ask okay). Neji would just be another drop in the rumor mill of Yuri's supposed love life.
Not that she took notice of any of those rumors or things. Honestly she probably didn't even know they existed in the first place.
She shrugs lightly.] If you're sure. The offer still stands. [And then, because it seems appropriate to offer and she feels kinda bad for him:] If Lee's robot gets to be too much, you can come here for some quiet. The door's open to you.
Not that she took notice of any of those rumors or things. Honestly she probably didn't even know they existed in the first place.
She shrugs lightly.] If you're sure. The offer still stands. [And then, because it seems appropriate to offer and she feels kinda bad for him:] If Lee's robot gets to be too much, you can come here for some quiet. The door's open to you.
[ It's the first time Souji's visited the hospital at Cerealia, and he's keen to make it the last. It's too big, too crowded, and crawling with robots. The non-murderous kind, which made them boring. He can't really explain why he's going out of his way to check up on people, so he shoves it under "curiosity" and "I have nothing better to do because there's nothing to murder". But now that he's done checking up on Lili, Souji heads off towards the exit, already intent on leaving. ]
[ His gaze casually flicks to the side as he strides across the room, then it stops straight on a figure he most definitely recognizes. ]
[ Now that he thinks about it, he can't say he's surprised to see Yuri either. He only dithers for the smallest moment, glancing at the exit and back at Yuri, before making his decision to approach. ]
Kozukata.
[ Souji calls out, then slows down as he looks Yuri up and down, trying to determine if she's been as badly wounded or if she's here to visit someone else who's been badly wounded, or if she's just the sort who likes to hang out at hospitals. ]
[ His gaze casually flicks to the side as he strides across the room, then it stops straight on a figure he most definitely recognizes. ]
[ Now that he thinks about it, he can't say he's surprised to see Yuri either. He only dithers for the smallest moment, glancing at the exit and back at Yuri, before making his decision to approach. ]
Kozukata.
[ Souji calls out, then slows down as he looks Yuri up and down, trying to determine if she's been as badly wounded or if she's here to visit someone else who's been badly wounded, or if she's just the sort who likes to hang out at hospitals. ]
[It had taken a lot of convincing to get Lee to leave, and just as much to convince the hospital to let her go. She could have stayed until her sight was back, but that might take a day or two and she hadn't been looking forward to spending it cooped up in the hospital when she could've done the same thing at home.
The problem came with how to get home. She hadn't wuite figured that part out yet, which is why she was still hanging around.
Luckily, a night in shining armor appeared. For a given value of "knight in shining armor."
Yuri turns towards the familiar voice before she can think to stop herself. There are bandages around her head--around her eyes-- that are rather telling, and in the same instance she faces him her hand comes up to touch self-consciously at them.] Okita-san. [She defaults to being more polite than she might normally have been with him, but she can't see to gauge his emotions or if he's alone or not (and they ARE in public).
Her brow furrows slightly in concern.] What are you doing here? Are you alright? [...Asks the one clearly here for a reason.
As if considering that, she hurried to assure him before he can ask:] This is temporary.
The problem came with how to get home. She hadn't wuite figured that part out yet, which is why she was still hanging around.
Luckily, a night in shining armor appeared. For a given value of "knight in shining armor."
Yuri turns towards the familiar voice before she can think to stop herself. There are bandages around her head--around her eyes-- that are rather telling, and in the same instance she faces him her hand comes up to touch self-consciously at them.] Okita-san. [She defaults to being more polite than she might normally have been with him, but she can't see to gauge his emotions or if he's alone or not (and they ARE in public).
Her brow furrows slightly in concern.] What are you doing here? Are you alright? [...Asks the one clearly here for a reason.
As if considering that, she hurried to assure him before he can ask:] This is temporary.
[Is anyone really that surprised, though? Apparently Jinga was actually worried enough to put a post up - even if it was done with the purpose of purposefully pissing him off as well as to draw him out.
He's still a bit creeped out by it.]
i go home and finish what i started and all that happens. glad you're okay, at least. there any more rogue robots that you know of?
He's still a bit creeped out by it.]
i go home and finish what i started and all that happens. glad you're okay, at least. there any more rogue robots that you know of?
I'm not sure. I [Jesus how does she explain this.] was attacked by one. Afterwards, I couldn't really leave the house for a while, so I'm not sure what's happened in the aftermath.
[And because that probably will lead to more questions she decides to explain a little:] I was blind for a bit.
What do you mean you went home?
[And because that probably will lead to more questions she decides to explain a little:] I was blind for a bit.
What do you mean you went home?
[ Souji notes the bandages, the corners of his mouth pressing down into a frown that he's suddenly glad Yuri can't see. ]
I'm fine. [ he says, his tone heavy with an implied "but you aren't". He pauses again. It's a good thing Yuri mentioned it first, he'd have probably asked it in a rude-ass way. ] How long is 'temporary' supposed to be?
[ Not that he can't still be rude, but he just naturally sounds rude when he's a little worried okay. ]
I'm fine. [ he says, his tone heavy with an implied "but you aren't". He pauses again. It's a good thing Yuri mentioned it first, he'd have probably asked it in a rude-ass way. ] How long is 'temporary' supposed to be?
[ Not that he can't still be rude, but he just naturally sounds rude when he's a little worried okay. ]
[There are bruises too, unfortunately, and Yuri makes a semi-annoyed mental note to invest in long sleeves. Her shoulders ache, but her wrists are an ugly mess of greens and blue that stand out starkly against how normally pale she is. They ache and, unfortunately enough, have the distinct look of hands that had been wrapped too tightly around them.
She's not fine, she knows it. It's a little embarrassing and she clasps her hands behind her back as if somehow that will hide them.]
...I don't know. A couple of days, at the most. My vision should start coming back tomorrow, the day after I should be more or less back to normal. [The corners of her mouth turns down and she takes an unsteady, concerned half-step towards the direction of his voice.]
You can't be that fine if you're at the hospital. What happened?
She's not fine, she knows it. It's a little embarrassing and she clasps her hands behind her back as if somehow that will hide them.]
...I don't know. A couple of days, at the most. My vision should start coming back tomorrow, the day after I should be more or less back to normal. [The corners of her mouth turns down and she takes an unsteady, concerned half-step towards the direction of his voice.]
You can't be that fine if you're at the hospital. What happened?
[ Souji's hand twitches when she moves forward, raising it to.... he doesn't know, grab her shoulder? Grab her wrist? Make it so that she doesn't have to move any closer, since he's right in front of her? ]
[ Then he remembers the bruises and lowers his hand. ]
I came to see if any robots were around. [ If touch won't do, then speaking would, wouldn't it? ] I figured I'd kill the ones looking to finish the job.
[ He tucks his hand inside his sleeve instead. ]
Did yours die?
[ Souji doesn't know if Yuri activated hers, or if she's just been an unfortunate victim of someone else's, but clearly the most important thing is if it's still alive, and if Souji can kill it. ]
[ Then he remembers the bruises and lowers his hand. ]
I came to see if any robots were around. [ If touch won't do, then speaking would, wouldn't it? ] I figured I'd kill the ones looking to finish the job.
[ He tucks his hand inside his sleeve instead. ]
Did yours die?
[ Souji doesn't know if Yuri activated hers, or if she's just been an unfortunate victim of someone else's, but clearly the most important thing is if it's still alive, and if Souji can kill it. ]
[Yuri stops moving, hand dropping to her side, fingers clenching awkwardly. She feels strangely vulnerable now that she's actually talking to someone and can't see them. When she was just carefully making her way down the hall or standing around, the lack of sight wasn't so bad. She could just pretend she was closing her eyes and listening, but trying to hold an actual conversation...
She didn't appreciate not being able to see. At all. Ugh.
Somehow, though, that answer is just so... Souji, that she ends up relaxing a little despite herself.] No, I never turned it on. This was... [She 'looks' down at the bruised hands and shakes her head because what good did trying to look do??] This was someone else's. But he came and killed the robot when he rescued me, so...
[Well not before the robot did some damage, obviously. The corner of her mouth turns up, a little smile] Sorry. [Sorry he doesn't get the chance to kill it himself, or kill her own robot, maybe? And then, a bit softer, she adds:] I'm glad you're alright. Are you heading home soon?
She didn't appreciate not being able to see. At all. Ugh.
Somehow, though, that answer is just so... Souji, that she ends up relaxing a little despite herself.] No, I never turned it on. This was... [She 'looks' down at the bruised hands and shakes her head because what good did trying to look do??] This was someone else's. But he came and killed the robot when he rescued me, so...
[Well not before the robot did some damage, obviously. The corner of her mouth turns up, a little smile] Sorry. [Sorry he doesn't get the chance to kill it himself, or kill her own robot, maybe? And then, a bit softer, she adds:] I'm glad you're alright. Are you heading home soon?
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