white fang

"Adam—!" He called out, managing to locate him fairly quickly thanks to their connection, but his attempts at trying to grab his partner’s attention only wound up with the both of them bumping into each other quite painfully.

Shaking it off, he grabbed Adam by the arm. Normally he’d have handled this much more… gently, but with the anger seeping into him as well it was hard to stay calm.

"Screw off," the tall male added rather irritably after a moment, just barely holding himself back from cussing his partner out. He had to respect his partner to some degree, really, or it ended up just like him disrespecting himself.

"Ah.. well… " he shifted around, a tiny bit embarrassed. "It— seems that the headache’s gone, at least."

Almost as if to drive the point home, he scratched the back of his head. The headache, the stinging eyes— they both had to experience that simultaneously, huh? It would take some getting use to, but if he had to be completely honest it piqued quite a bit of his curiosity.

That wasn’t any of their concerns at the moment, however.

"I'd prefer that, yes."

What would he even do? Well, he was sure there was something better than making a fool of himself (and Simon appearing to do the same).

"So.." He began, trying to grasp for something— anything— to say. Should he try to get to know Adam more, or just leave it at that and call it a day? He didn’t want to invade his partner’s privacy too early on. Especially when they both just met literally moments earlier.

"Well… I guess we really are stuck like this for the time being, huh?"

Nice.

"I mean, I’ve never really had to… share feelings with another person before. In the literal sense— so. I do hope that it wouldn’t be too much of a burden on you? Since— I get really fidgety sometimes. When I get caught off guard, especially…"

Great job. He ought to give himself a pat on the back for that fantastic performance.

If he'd chosen anyone with whom to share thoughts, feelings, everything - it probably wouldn't have been someone like this, seemingly awkward and jittery. But he supposed it couldn't be helped - and it'd serve him better to try to be amiable, yes? Hm. What to ask?

"At home..." he tried, ready to ask a question but stopped himself. Making chatter was not his strong suit, and he'd lost the train of his sentence.

"Never mind."

Did he say something wrong?

"Mm… well." He crossed his arms. "They’re… how do I describe them. Sorta like manifestations of negative energy? Kind of— it’s sorta hard to explain."

He let out some awkward laughter, scratching at the back of his neck. That wasn’t the best explanation, surely, but the best he could muster with all this confusion going on.

He nodded at the last words, straightening up his composure as he did so. It had made plenty of sense to him; although he was sure the mental connection he shared with the still-unfamiliar man helped in that regard. The feeling of awkwardness he felt certainly wasn't entirely his own, he could say that much.

Another beat, a pause, of awkward silence filled the air.

⊰Your smile brightens and you incline your head in greeting.⊱

                       ”Minako Arisato, at your service!”

⊰Truthfully, you’re quite hungry already and wish he’d make his mind up sooner rather than later— but you’ve never been fond of rushing other people and their decisions. You rock back onto your heels and up onto the balls of your feet.⊱

                        “I don’t know your name either, friend.”

A momentary silence, then -

"I'll come with you." He might as well, he reasons. There's nothing better to do, after all; and he supposes making more connections can't hurt.

                        “Any time!”

⊰You clap your hands together and throw him a lively wink, breezing past and smiling.⊱

                         ”If you’re hungry, I’m not too bad at breakfast! I thought it would be a nice treat for my roommates, but you’re welcome to join!”

He wants to turn her down - really, avoiding humans is always better - but the idea of food is promising. 

"Breakfast? I don't even know your name."

                              “Good morning!”

⊰As good as one can get under such circumstances, at least. You flash a smile anyway.⊱

                              “I like your colour scheme!”

"Morning."

It's easier to grumble out a reply than actually think of something to say. Why him?

"I like your colour scheme!"

Well, that's a new one. At least it's not an insult?

"Thanks?"

Those words weighed heavily on Simon’s mind. It might have been due to some misplaced guilt— after all he’s never had to deal with revolutionaries himself. They were living in a time of relative peace back at home, but he was still a government servant. A soldier.

He’d never really liked the idea of confronting fellow people; he’s only ever had to fight creatures during his time in the military. The thoughts of injuring someone— of killing them, even— makes his skin crawl.

And he did not want Adam to see him as an enemy. Not when they were going to be stuck with each other. Perhaps he was being much too paranoid, but…

Better safe than sorry, right? 

"I worked to eradicate monsters— creatures, if you will.” He tried to smile.

The word burned into his ears, calling up memories of pasts not-quite-faded and wounds not-quite-healed. He was quite sure that the other wasn't using the word monsters in the way it had always been used to him, and yet it still wasn't a friendly word. He's been called that all too many times.

Without even realizing it, his hand had dropped from his sword at the usage of the word, his uncaring expression cracking for the slightest moment. However, he righted himself quickly. What was he getting to, reacting so easily? Honestly, he would've expected better of himself.

"What kind of...monsters?"

It’s a pity Simon wasn’t all that great at socializing, himself, or he’d have tried to steer this conversation into something much more productive. Should they try to discuss a way out? That voice from the speaker did say that… that would’ve been a fruitless effort, though. Oh, what to do.

He took a step backwards, hands together behind his back as he tried to grasp for anything that would cut this weird tension in the air. Maybe he should try to get to know his partner a little better, somewhat? Especially seeing as they were going to be stuck together for who knows how long.

"Erm.." The words caught up in his throat. Fantastic.

How to word it?

"I -"

A pause. 

"I was a revolutionary."

That was a good word. Better than the other things he'd been called - monster - and easier for him to say.

"And you?"

He withdrew his hand, dusting it off on his shirt as if he’d dirtied it somehow. This was going just great.

The small bout of laughter caught him off guard, however, and the words that followed after made his cheeks grow a little red. It might have been silly of him to be on guard like that himself, considering the circumstances and the… apparent connection they had now, but it was a tough habit to break.

At least, his partner’s reassurance that he wouldn’t harm him would help him rest easy. Even just for a little while.

"So you noticed." Simon smiled, rubbing the side of his arm. "I suppose I couldn’t help it, seeing as I’ve no idea how I got here in the first place." a soft chuckle soon followed.

"I'm fine," he added gruffly after a moment. Feeling steadier now that the pain had faded to nothing more than a dull throb, he stepped away from the wall, narrowing his eyes behind the mask. Someone used to politeness, if the handshake and reaction to lack of was any indication.

He was sure there was something he should say. Someone he was going to be stuck with, connected with for god knows how long, and on top of it, someone he knew nothing about par his observations (and the name that had been offered). This was the first time he'd ever wished he was the slightest bit better at socializing.

He tried to pay no mind to that hand that remained on the hilt of a blade.

"Simon Darius," he began, trying to suppress any awkward laughter that may have wanted to seep out. "I guess you’ve figured it out by now, but it looks like we’re gonna have to be partners throughout this experience."

He never really was one for introductions; Adam’s intimidating height didn’t really help, either. He could already tell that this wasn’t going to be the most pleasant of first meetings, but at the very least his companion appeared to be… compliant.

The soldier let out a bit of awkward laughter before stretching his hand out for a handshake.

"Simon Darius," he muttered, as if testing the way that name sounded on his tongue. Partners, hm. The kid - man, he supposed - in front of him didn't look like much, but appearances could be deceiving. He'd learned that much over the years.

His eyes look in the other's eyes glancing towards the hilt of his own sword subconsciously, and the smallest laugh passed his lips.

His memories would shudder back to that eerie voice from his awakening; the dulling sensation of the burn that came with the brand on his wrist serving as a constant reminder that he was no longer home.

The mild headache began to plague him as he went on his search for his apparent “partner” wasn’t doing him much help, either. This was… strange, to say the least. For some reason he just knew where to go— where to find them, like some sort of sixth sense that lead him forward. In the midst of this, his eyes began to sting for no apparent reason, too.

… Was this… partner of his alright?

His suspicions were confirmed as he finally found them, leaning against the wall for support. A tall redheaded man— he was hard to miss, especially with that strange mask of his, and somehow Simon knew that this was the person he had been looking for. His… eh. Partner.

Man, was this weird.

"Wonderful," he replied to the question, followed moments after by a small grunt as he pushed himself off the wall. As if he'd say anything was wrong. Although, had his thoughts been clearer, he would've recognized the uselessness of that word.

After a few moments, he took to observing the other's appearance a little better. He didn't look especially fragile, but he didn't look like someone who had had a rough and rugged childhood. So this was the person...?

"Adam Taurus."

He took another second to observe the other male before speaking again.