capeandcowllogs | Chance encounters

WHO: Geddoe and Blue-chan
WHERE: some alley near some bar, midtown
WHEN: Saturday latenight
WARNINGS: psh the violence won't even be that violent
SUMMARY: anti-Import sentiment, Blue to the rescue, and maybe some chatting
FORMAT: ELLE

Sometimes, Geddoe just wanted a quiet drink, and sometimes the best bars in which to do so had the idea to have drink specials, bands, and massive crowds on just the wrong night. The one he frequented most, where the owner was cool with his sword, was unexpectedly busy this particular weekend, so he gave it a miss and kept walking, looking for somewhere else more to his liking. The seedier neighborhoods were more likely to have seedy joints where no one looked up and wouldn't notice a big guy in leather armor, but those locations naturally featured an increased number of drunks wobbling around the sidewalk looking for fights. To those also harboring a burning anti-Import feeling, Geddoe was a walking target.

"Hey, you!" Geddoe heard the accusatory snarl behind him, and knew exactly who was being hailed. He didn't acknowledge it or turn around until someone shoved him in the back. "Yeah, you! Tough guy! Think you're hot shit and all. C'mon, let's see you use that sword! C'mon!"

The mercenary turned slightly, but did not draw Wild Geese. He didn't want to give these sorts the satisfaction. His glare darkened at the situation; there were four of them, all reeking of alcohol. One pointed at him. "Haha! Look, he's a pirate! C'mon, Captain Jack! ARR!"

Disgusted, Geddoe turned to continue on his way. But one of them went too far, grabbing his arm. He swung around so fast that the fist was in the guy's face before he even saw it coming. But alcohol fueled courage, so instead of fleeing, they swarmed on him. The flash of orange light in the midst of the melee was the reflection of the street lamp on the blade of a sword.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"What it means?"

Geddoe's own thoughts on the Rune were still in the realm of personal. His expression tightened subtly. "It is a part of me," he said simply. "If I were to lose it, I would die." And that was all he would say, though it didn't take a mind-reader to see that there was a lot more going on, there. He had only come to trust maybe two people in this world enough to tell them about its visions and nightmares, and no one knew the weight of its burden. The weight was lighter, here. Geddoe's reasons for keeping it safe were more along the lines of not allowing an enormous and uncontrollable Incarnation loose on this world a second time.

The fascinated smile had begun to wash out. The statement said a lot, yet very little. Soldier Blue couldn't possibly conclude anything for certain – not without prying further. Yet Geddoe's countenance was clue enough, without sensing what was beneath, that Blue was not invited to learn more. It was hardly a crushing revelation; they were still more strangers than anything their talk could lead to assume, weren't they?

His release of the topic was not instantaneous – nor whole – but Blue did nod his head once to accept the answer and proceed along their way. It gave him plenty to wonder about.

Geddoe was at least good enough at reading body language to know he had disappointed his savior. As they continued on, he added a little more for his benefit, in a low murmur. "I am not used to openly sharing about it. I was hunted for it, in my world, and spent a number of years in hiding to keep it out of Harmonian hands. There is no threat of such here, but the habit is hard to break."

"You've no obligation to tell at all," Blue assured, giving Geddoe a mild, understanding look. "It's something I've simply never...considered before. Something that...when I detected it, I couldn't ignore it, as much as I couldn't understand what it was without your explaining."

"Hm. I see." Geddoe had really not even realized that it was possible, but that explained a lot. He did not begrudge Blue's curiosity, in that case. "As long as it remains stable, as it is, it is no threat to anyone." A snort. "Save for those like the ones earlier who need a jolt of lightning to stop their rampage."

“It protects you, then?” Blue asked, encouraged anew to even ask. “Or...it gives you the mans to protect yourself?”

"It is the source of my lightning magic." Geddoe said so confidently, for that much was more than public. Of course, he did not know, at all, that the Porter had changed that, but the Rune itself still lived in his body and could not be separated from him so easily. So, he still believed fully that the spells he cast came off his runes, and the flicker of the second will inside him had no way of contradicting it.

Blue considered it. Magic was still...very much a mystery. Difficult to discern, even when detected. Obviously moreso given the subtle company Geddoe carried with him.

"It's an incredible gift," he said at length. "Even among all the abilities I've encountered here, it can still be surprising. Such things are just fiction in my world."

Geddoe cast him a sagacious look out of the corner of his good eye. "One small upside to being in this world. We have the opportunity to brush into contact with things we never dreamed existed before."

For Blue, that might have meant elemental magic. For Geddoe, that meant...microwave ovens.

"And lose even the dream," he murmured, his countenance straining to remain placid. He shook his head, increasing his pace the last few steps to the corner. Ahead, the MAC towered, glowing here and there with rooms still lit by night owls and careless housekeepers alike.

"It will still be there. When we return home and forget everything about this place." Geddoe's remark was plain, devoid of any emotional attachment or even a hint of an impression, positive or negative. He noted the building ahead, and then nodded toward his walking companion. "Well. This is where I get off. Thanks."

By then, Blue had stopped, turning to face Geddoe and responding with a nod and a slight bow. He smiled small.

"Thank you for your company," he said. "Perhaps this will not be the last time we speak, but I would hope we meet in less danger." The last remark drew out more of a smile. The blue glow returned, lifting him away from the ground. He drifted backward for a length before rising up quickly and away.

Chance encounters

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