explosivecombat | 004. [Text/Action for Goldenrod City]

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[Three days gone, with no explanation.

Kimblee had awakened strangely on Tuesday, feeling as though he hadn't slept much at all, and throughout the day he'd been unable to shake it - it's the same sort of feeling he gets when when he's been overstimulated, maybe, or spent time on a particularly difficult assignment. He would have chalked that up to a simple failure at restful sleep - he's not immune, and it happens - but then he'd checked the Gear for the time and date.

Three days gone. No memories from those three days whatsoever.

That. Doesn't. Happen.

He'd spent most of the day more wary than usual; he doesn't like this any, nor does he like the fact that there's nothing he can do about it. Even the normal solace he finds in sound isn't coming to him; he usually finds the music in Johto to be a nice constant, but now it's just grating on him - hell, he can't even be sure that anyone else is hearing it at all, and that's no use to him whatsoever.

Bluntly put, he's been feeling disoriented, Johto makes next to no damn sense as it is, and this entire thing is leaving him just a bit irritable and not wanting to stay in one place for very long. So! Today he's out wandering around Goldenrod; he doesn't seem too terribly bothered by the snow, though the heavy coat he has on over his suit and the long, pale scarf he has wrapped around his neck and shoved into his collar is definitely helping, as are the gloves he usually wears. He's determined to find something to clear his head; after a while, he finds himself in front of a building that's both stupidly loud and gaudily done-up. He kind of tilts his head at it for a moment; the place is pretty much an exercise in sensory overstimulation, isn't it.

It's perfect.

He pauses for a moment before entering; the music playing softly through the streets is the same as it always was. He doesn't want to ask if anyone else is hearing it; that's just asking for trouble. However, there are ways to get some sort of response without asking directly. He pulls out his Gear briefly, sending out a quick message via Text before entering that...casino. Game Corner. Thing.]

[TEXT]

Has anyone been able to locate the source of the incessant stream of music, or is that another of those mysteries that we're encouraged to not think too much about?

[OOC: Action-wise, you're more than welcome to catch him outside the building itself...otherwise, he fully intends to spend the next good while wanting to kill a slot machine in the face, so he won't exactly be hard to meet up with if he's seen.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Actually, no, randomly breaching a topic that had nothing to do with anything in a vaguely cryptic yet ultimately transparent way, in order to get someone to ask what the hell you're talking about...that's passive-aggressive, honey. But nice try.]

Well, you might want to start by not comparing them to any sort of demonic force. At least, not to their faces.

[His tone is light, however; just teasing, really, nothing more. Honestly, this is one of the rare instances where he actually wants to talk about someone else's problems - it keeps him from focusing on his own right now.]

In all seriousness, now - surely you can't expect me to give you insight when I don't know what it is you're trying to do. When it comes to women, there's a difference between wanting a relationship with one and just wanting to...ah, enjoy one's company for a while, if you get my drift.

How about neither of those things?

I believe I have laid eyes on the finest creature I have ever seen. However and in spite of her above-average maturity level, her age, in both absolute terms and compared to mine, makes it impossible for me to be anything more than, at most, her friend. And that is what I wish to be.

There are two risks - make that three: that my illness might complicate things to a level I am honestly neither prepared nor willing to deal with, that I might scare her away, or both things. Out of the three, that she will be afraid of me and of my true nature is the most likely scenario. And that is what I want to try and avoid as much as possible. Surely you must have found yourself in comparable situations.

I can't say that I have, actually.

Really, Gorthan, I've never been one for friendships with members of either gender, and even if I were, I wouldn't even attempt with anyone who would be so easily intimidated. I don't tell lies about who or what I am in relation to most people, nor do I go to great lengths to conceal my true nature; if a woman is going to be afraid of me based on things she might learn, then she isn't one that I would like to keep the company of to begin with.

[...well, that's mostly true, anyway. Winry is a bit of a different case in some ways, but that's both a situation that's composed entirely of complications and pure unadulterated stupid, and completely irrelevant for now.]

Well, to be truthful, I don't know that she will be intimidated. It might not be the case.

[After all, he did have that dream where she was dressed as a warrioress... Never mind.]

Are you saying I should take that risk?

To be perfectly blunt, I don't care either way, because your personal life matters very little to me. At the same time, I would be interested in hearing what you think your options are, if you want to keep up your friendship with this girl.

I didn't expect you to care.

Since I can't tell her of my present, I will eventually tell her of my past. She's intelligent enough to deserve the truth.

I am sorry to have disturbed you, Red Lotus. You're free to return to your pastime. Remember to gamble with moderation.

I wouldn't say that you're disturbing me; I just haven't any idea why you would approach me about something like this, or even what you're asking in the first place.

You claim to want to be friends with her, nothing more. I don't see what about that requires seeking advice.

She's an amazing creature, unlike any of her sex I have ever had to deal with before.

I have never wanted to be close to a woman before, in a profoundly sincere way and for a reason that wasn't related with my profession. I think I am entitled to feel a little disoriented.

And also, I may or may not be thinking of designing an occasion to collect her DNA.

[mind → gutter, 0.6 seconds.]

...I'm sorry?

I could simply retrieve it from an object that she has used, but, aside from the fact that that would equal taking a few risks in terms of success rate, I'd feel better about myself if I could have her consent-

... Is there a problem?

...don't ever speak of collecting DNA from women in polite company. Believe me. Don't.

What is the problem with-

Oh. I see. Well, that kind of humor is absolutely infantile.

And your wording is absolutely abysmal, so we can call it even.

[This kind of situation normally results in one of Gorthan's famed "Why I Hate You Earthlings" speeches. ... Don't spoil his good mood.]

Changing subject. Tell me of your recent reads.

[Why? Because we ask that you not make double-entendres in our presence, and then you get annoyed because we call you on them? Really, your pride is worse than Kimblee's is.]

I've been a bit distracted lately, Gorthan; my attention has been given to more pressing matters.

Edited 2011-12-16 23:03 (UTC)

[You just have a dirty mind. ._. ... Anyway, he'll drop the reading subject. He's sincerely interested in what Kimblee has to say. ]

Such as...?

Do you recall any bizarre incidents over the last few days?

No, I don't.

[Well, except for that dream, of course.]

... That is precisely the point, isn't it.

Very good. I think you can understand where I would be a bit preoccupied, then.

004. [Text/Action for Goldenrod City]

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