○ 001 Tran- Data Error.

[helljumper]

[Someone's journal would hit the ground with a very heavy thump, followed by a clatter of nails as they bounced off both the cobblestone street and the open pages of the book below. This, in return, made the man currently balancing precariously on a ladder stop what he was doing and look down, muttering a swear between the nails that were still held loosely in his mouth as he looked over the chaotic mess.]

Stufid bewk. [The Rookie swiped a hand up to grab the nails held between his teeth, before pocketing them and making his way down the ladder. Every footstep causing the wood to creak underneath him until he was finally standing on solid ground, and moving to clean up his mess with a loud sigh.] Won't get this finished until sundown, at this rate.

( ooc: Open in town, particularly the art district, or over the journal! :3 )

Comments

[encryptedlock]

[York can't quite place it, but that voice sounded familiar. And, well, with Eva returning again....]

What seems to be the problem?

[helljumper]

Just dropped some--

[He blinked, glancing around for the one speaking. When seeing no one from where he was currently crouching down on the floor, he'll make a move to stand up.

Only to pause and eye the roof suspiciously, though he's almost certain the voice didn't come from up there.]

-- nails. [...] Where are you?

[encryptedlock]

In my room. You?

[...Yeah, he's forgotten everything just like Eva, hasn't he?]

[helljumper]

[Yeaaaaah, pretty much. Sorry, freelancer.]

In town. Where else? [He's taking a second to do one more quick look around, which included peeking around the corner of the house he was standing besides, before finally gazing at wherever the voice was loudest.] That's a pretty impressive trick, though.

[encryptedlock]

It's not a trick. You do at least know what a radio is, don't you?

[Like a helmet radio? Come, this has got to be Rookie.]

[helljumper]

I may have heard the word mentioned somewhere before. [Not sure why this is important, but whatever. The voice seemed friendly enough.]

Don't think you'll have much luck finding it in the shops, though, if that's why you're asking.

[encryptedlock]

Nah, I already have one, but thanks.

--Say, which shop did you say you were at, anyway?

[helljumper]

The closest one to me is a costume shop. [Which he'll give the name to, before regarding the intangible voice with a frown as he leaned against the building he was previously trying to patch the roof of.]

But I don't see how that's relevant, unless you're looking for a certain shop in particular?

[encryptedlock]

Thought I'd drop by and say hi. People in town don't usually hear things over the journal, you know?

[And he wants to confirm you are who he thinks you are.]

[helljumper]

Over the journal? [His attention moves down towards the book at his feet, once he realized that it did sound like the voice was coming from there. Although Rookie didn't make a point to do much besides give it a small, experimental nudge with his foot, before flopping back against the wall with a grunt.] Is it really that unusual?

[Because obviously he's got nothing to do with the castle or it's current residents. Nope.]

[encryptedlock]

Sure. Ever seen anyone else with one?

[But he'll be gathering some money and heading out when he has a chance. Because hey, why not? He could go shopping anyway. Get a nice present for Carolina or something.

Still....

After a bit of hesitation, in lieu of a regular firearm he grabs the pirate pistol that Kallen had given him for his birthday. It was the Rookie's once. Maybe it'll spark a memory.]

[helljumper]

No. Not unless they were from the castle. [Long pause, before he's quickly adding in.] So I'm sure it'll disappear and go back to whoever owns it soon.

[Or, so he's guessing, considering the way he's eying the book and waiting to see if it'd do just that. Something he'll continue to do, up until York finally comes into his line of sight and causes his attention to redirect towards him instead.

Though he doesn't seem inclined to say anything just yet, as the armor proves to distract him.]

[encryptedlock]

[York waves at him cheerfully as he walks over, watching carefully from behind his helmet for a reaction.]

How's it going?

[Just acting like this kind of armor is perfectly normal...which it is for him, of course. Which it should be for the Rookie, too.]

[helljumper]

[Oh, it is! Which was very odd, but he'll go ahead and respond with a silent roll of his shoulders.]

Been better. [Or he could talk. That works too.] You usually wander around in full armor like that?

[encryptedlock]

Mmm-hmm. It's pretty normal where I come from.

I'm Freelancer York, by the way.

[helljumper]

Really? [Eyebrow quirk, though to be honest he was mostly feigning interest. Partly because he had a feeling this wasn't the first time he'd seen armor like that.

Which is why he'll finally move away from the wall to take a closer look, but also keep some personal space between the two of them and make it seem like he was just simply greeting the other properly.]

Rookie. [Glancing behind that visor now, because he knows there's a face behind it.] What's the freelancer part for?

[encryptedlock]

Yep. Well, there's a lot of different styles, but it's pretty much standard issue.

[You know, like ODST style with the narrow helmet....]

We got to go on a lot of different missions with different groups, rather than really being one defined squad of teammates. Or maybe the Director just really liked the word. Not sure, really.

Action

[fuckinghateadrenaline]

[Stuart was wandering the city, trying to get his bearings, trying to believe all of this was... well...

Real...

Until the clatter of nails distracts him. He spots the culprit, smirking and walking over.]

Need a hand, mate?

Action! :3

[helljumper]

If you're offering.

[Rookie leans back at the voice, turning to look up at the stranger from his spot on the ground with a slight headtilt.]

[fuckinghateadrenaline]

Wouldn't have said so otherwise.

[Charming, isn't he? Still, he's bending down and helping clear up.]

[helljumper]

[Surprisingly so! Which is why Rookie's taking a minute to watch him carefully, before he's nudging a box closer in the other man's direction.]

Nails go in there. [A beat, tossing a couple in said container with a flick of his hand.] But I appreciate the help.

[fuckinghateadrenaline]

I figured.

[He starts putting the nails away. It was pretty obvious.]

What're you working on?

[helljumper]

Usually? A lot of things. [There's a shrug, tossing in a few more nails.] But right now, just trying to patch this roof up.

[fuckinghateadrenaline]

[Well, the dude had the build for a carpenter... And a little more besides.

It's a diagnosis, he's allowed.]

Books and roofing don't normally go together. Why didn't you leave it on the ground?

[helljumper]

If I knew it was up there with me, I would have.

[Dumb magic book shenanigans.]

[fuckinghateadrenaline]

...So you're saying you just got trolled by a book?

[helljumper]

I'm saying it randomly appeared. [So... yes. Yes he did.]