Futuristic Eradication

[CommodoreOlaf]

"No, I don't have a picture of you! Don't get the wrong idea." Takeshi said, his shirt beginning to feel like a sauna.


"If by chance you didn't want to see them, you could've given me..."


Takeshi drove to the end of the street and looked both ways before admitting,


"Oh, what am I saying.. My point is, it's ultimately up to you. You could go with me, or without me, I don't want you to feel pressured or anything." The car sputtered along and began to pick up speed.


I'm going to have to look at that. he thought, staring at the dashboard.


Turning on to Rosebud Ave, he adjusted his posture and finally glanced at Novi. She seemed to have a silly smile plastered on her face, one that he found was infectious, tugging at the corners of his mouth.


"Formal clothes? I have a suit, I think. From 8th grade formal.. I'm not sure if it still fits though. I'll have to see." He turned onto another road a little sharply before asking with a stupid grin,


"Should I be concerned about your appearance? You're not seriously going in pajamas, are you?"


@Agent Nine

 

[Sen Pai]

Taking a seat on one of the alice blue couches of the foyer, Emilia released a breath of air that she had been holding in and leaned back, automatically crossing her legs. As she brushed her blonde locks out of her face, Emilia’s cool hand contrasted against the burning temperature of her head. Using the moments of isolation to her advantage, Emilia glanced over at the door, that she had left open, and quickly began fixing her composure and appearance.


Running her fingers through her hair to rid of any tangles that had formed, Emilia straightened her skirt and the rest of her clothing as well. Placing her palms on her cheeks, Emilia nodded with approval when she felt a lesser contrast of temperature between her face and her hands. Staring down at the white carpet that her boots rested on, Emilia felt as if a rock had suck in her stomach. She didn’t know whether or not the deep breathing she was taught as a child was working at the moment.


The beeping of the public announcement system that was built into the house and could be found in the streets went off throughout the house. “Attention, citizens of the Community.” Emilia suddenly stopped moving when the female computerized voice rang through the halls, something she was taught to do at a young age.


“With another successful year of Love Harvest, we would like to host a celebration pertaining to three generations of continuity. The first Community Ball will be held tonight at Concord Center.” Emilia almost groaned but kept the unladylike behaviour to herself. It was not proper for her to do such a thing nor was it polite and respectful to the government.


“Participation is mandatory. Dress is formal and, if possible, bring your Love Harvest partner. May the order provide you unity. Long live the Community.” With another binary set of sounds, the public announcement was over and Laura rushed into the room, carrying the iPAD, which stood for Public Announcement Device. The screen was lit up with white and blue and the text repeated the exact same words as the speaker on the PA.


At the very bottom, there was a light blue button that said “CONFIRM”. There were no other buttons, not even an exit button at the top of the screen. The iPAD was letting off a high beeping noise to notify the user that there was a notification.


With no other choice than to press the large blue text, Emilia wondered how Vincent would react to such an event. Glancing over at the open door as Laura nodded and hurried away, Emilia felt sick to her stomach as she took a few steps towards the grand double doors.


‘I hope he’s not mad.’ Emilia thought to herself as she gathered her hair off to one side. Peeking out behind the door, Emilia stared at the young man who was supposedly her husband due to legal documents.


“Vincent?” She called out, keeping her voice steady.


@Lucem Tenebris

 

[Agent Nine]

"No, I don't have a picture of you! Don't get the wrong idea."


Too late, Shakespeare. Inwardly, Novi chuckled at her musings, all the while choosing to keep her expression limited to the faintest of sly smirks. She continued to listen to him speak, mulling over how dopey and somewhat annoying his awkwardness was. Was the guy like this around everyone, or just women? Maybe it was just her? It was a welcome change from the discomfort that she was used to that tended to emanate in loads from people she met. They were always bad at hiding it, too. Watching someone trip over their own words was a lot more entertaining than having tense staring contests, anyway.


And Takeshi's awkwardness was, admittedly, kind of...cute.


Only a little, though. Nothing that'd make her pinch cheeks.


"As comfortable as they'd be, no, I'm not going in pajamas," Novi said when he was done, still smiling. "Though I am going. And I'm going with you. C'mon...even I know how bad it would look if we went separately. The government wants to show their undeniable success to the rest of the Community, don't they? That means happy little couples in happy little outfits. If you remove the 'couple' part, everything else pretty much crumbles."


Slumped in her seat, Novi crossed her arms over her chest and continued to speak, her tone shifting from snarky to mildly serious in a matter of seconds.


"And maybe it'd be some sort of statement not to go, I don't know. I bet tons of other people thought the same thing about the Harvest; and look how that turned out. In all honesty, it's probably safer that we went together. That way, no one has to start talking sh** about you behind your back. Or me, for that matter." Then she sighed. "I can rustle up something fancy, I guess...good thing I grabbed as much as I could out of my drawers..."


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[Syrenrei]

Skye Yoona Park


She listened to Hans's words as he moved in through the door, glancing around the stark rooms of endless bare walls. One of her friends had jokingly remarked that Skye's apartment could be used as a 'model home' to rent out the other apartments; the floor plan was similar to the rest and there was little personalization to her space. Staring into the empty air, she realized how incredibly stagnant it was. There was so much effort involved in continuing her life post-James and it was easier to let certain things slide so she could slowly shoulder what must be done. Law school was a necessity so that she would eventually stop living off the accumulated wealth of her parents and ancestors. Maintaining friendships was likewise of great importance so that she could slowly work her way back into society at her own pace. Perhaps she wasn't ready for love or a close relationship, but she still yearned for companionship in increments. This another 'minor detail' that slipped to the back burner.


"I don't really know what I'd want to change it to. I wouldn't say I'm attached to the way it is now, but... I suppose I didn't have an impetus to make a decision. I am already comfortable. I chose this location, this floor, this apartment, but you are being thrust into it. It's only fair that you be able to customize it to a way that pleases you. Ah, let me show you to the rooms so you can put your things away." She stepped to the side into the mud room to remove her heels, carefully pushing them together and to the wall to take up as little space as possible. Shrugging off her jacket and placing it on one of the numerous hooks, she led him through the spacious living room to a hallway just beyond the study they passed on the left. All the doors had been left open and provided clear views into each room. "These are the three guest rooms," she said with a gesture. "One has its own adjoining bathroom and the two share theirs. At the end of the hall is an enclosed patio with a hot tub and some exercise equipment. On the right is the master suite." She paused for a long moment, before adding casually, "The bed is considerably bigger in the master if you wanted to stay with me. Take your pick. We can replace any linens or furniture you dislike."


It was no doubt jarring to the newly remarried man to be offered a shared bed with his wife of not even a few hours, but she was nonplussed about the matter. Skye had already evaluated Hans to be a gentleman that would not force any physical situations without her consent. What seemed like a risky proposition was instead a carefully measured, analyzed, and rational one that took in all the facts available. Of course she expected the soldier to want his own room with its own bathroom for the time being, but sooner or later the government would start pressing them together. Their first marriages were at a slow, measured pace as there were many years for scientists to deem them ready for parenthood. With limited couples and Skye running out of child-bearing years, it would be more rushed.


Without waiting to see what Hans's choice was, Skye moved back towards the front door as she heard a steady knock indicating the arrival of the aforementioned pizza. The delicious scent of freshly baked dough, homemade marinara, and bubbling mozzarella cheese crept through the still apartment. If she had mastered anything in these years of solitary seclusion and apathy towards life, it was mastering take out so she didn't have to cook for herself. Skye knew the absolute best places to order from, when and where to eat at restaurants, and what chefs would get frustrated halfway through a day and not cook as well.


@Hanzax

 

[CommodoreOlaf]

"That's good to hear."


He answered. His expression remained collected on the surface but inside he felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if a weight had disappeared off his back.


They would be going. Together at that. Still, it was slightly difficult for him to wrap his mind around the idea of going to the ball with someone as different as Novi. She didn't exactly seem like the type to go to parties. Granted the choice wasn't theirs, but if indeed they possessed that freedom, Takeshi figured Novi would've turned down the invite even before the public announcement had finished on the radio.


From this, he felt almost surprised she decided to go, but it was no matter, Takeshi felt better that she did.


"And maybe it'd be some sort of statement not to go, I don't know. I bet tons of other people thought the same thing about the Harvest; and look how that turned out."


It was true. A year ago, he could remember what he had seen on the news; they had caught a man who had ran away from his own residence in protest of the upcoming Love Harvest. The man was immediately eradicated and never seen again. He could remember the scared look on the poor guy's face as he was ushered into the courtroom, gravi-cuffed and all.


"In all honesty, it's probably safer that we went together. That way, no one has to start talking sh** about you behind your back. Or me, for that matter."


Talking crap? Takeshi knew of the rumor system and how people had a way of spreading things, most of the time, untrue, around and about the area. Thankfully, he took part in none of that, even after his involvement with the Steel Biters. Takeshi preferred not to mess with anybody or even fight (it was the last thing he desired during those times of trouble) but Takeshi was sure in that he held the capacity to defend himself and Novi if it came down to it.


"You gotta point." He agreed, pulling into his driveway. Takeshi parked, got out, and went to the side door to carry her belongings to the house. There was more than he would normally carry, but it would be a cold day in hell before he made two trips back and forth. Balancing the box and another pile of clothes in both hands, he managed his way to the front door, barely tripping on the way.


"I can rustle up something fancy, I guess...good thing I grabbed as much as I could out of my drawers..." She had more clothes? Oh, dear.


"Hopefully, you didn't lose your sense of fashion." He said lightheartedly. "I wouldn't wanna go to a ball with a.."


Takeshi stopped, open-mouthed, and said instead, "Uh.. my bad. Brain. Mouth. Shakespeare meets Freud." Cheeks bright red, he arrived at the door, with the predicament of getting the key out of his pocket. He figured he would place the box on the ground but he risked her probably getting angry.


"Um, could you-if you don't mind, grab the keys out of my.. pocket? My hands are kinda.." He grinned sheepishly. "It's in the back left pocket." He said, pivoting around, hoping to God she'd only take the keys and not smack him hfor being so odd.


@Agent Nine


((Mwahaha awkward-man strikes again.))

 

[Agent Nine]

((He's just a ball of awkward.

xD ))
Novi nearly grabbed Takeshi's arm as he made his way out of the car, his arms full of all of the things she had grabbed from her room and packed away. Dammit, he didn't need to go carrying all of that stuff; sure, he was probably doing it to be polite, but...


Sighing in resignation, Novi gave up on trying a moment later and walked with him to the door.


"Hopefully, you didn't lose your sense of fashion. I wouldn't wanna go to a ball with a.."


Crossing her arms, she titled her head a little, narrowed her eyes, and stared at him, mentally urging him to go on. No, keep talking. Really. I want to hear it. He seemed to think better of it, however, leaving the words to die off on his tongue as he turned his attention back to the door. In the meantime, Novi's mind was going through her chosen assortment of clothes. A dress was probably what was to be expected, if her mind's image of a "ball" fit in with what they'd be dealing with within the next few hours. She didn't own many dresses, though, and doubted that she'd brought one along with her. Still, there was bound to be more than one article of clothing in that pile that qualified as "formal wear."


And even if there wasn't, she'd make it work. The last thing Novi intended on doing was heading all the way back to her house to find some more clothes.


What was this? Key problems? She blinked at him, quietly snickering at how he'd gotten himself into the predicament. Sure, it was weird, but what needed to be done needed to be done, and she wanted her things out of his klutzy arms before he ended up tripping over his own feet. None-too-gracefully, Novi dug around in his pocket, putting a free hand on one of his shoulders to hold him in place as she did so. It didn't take longer than a few seconds, and her fingers coiled around the smooth metal of the key bundle before withdrawing it. Then she bent down some and turned to the door, tapping and prodding at it until the doorknob and lock popped out.


Once the door was successfully unlocked, Novi nudged it open with her foot and stepped to the side to let him go in, first. "There. And oh, don't you worry about my fashion sense. Worst comes to worst and I can't find anything, I'll just go naked. Sound good?" She joked, giving Takeshi a pat on the back and a teasing smirk.


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[CommodoreOlaf]

"There. And oh, don't you worry about my fashion sense. Worst comes to worst and I can't find anything, I'll just go naked. Sound good?"


Takeshi froze for a second, but forced himself to continue on.


"Remind me to use an eye dropper with gasoline, set my eyes on fire, and then lastly, gouge them out with a fork." He said, trying to ease himself with humor, but without looking at her. She probably would have seen the embarrassment on his face evident from the thoughts beginning to form.


Naked? As the bronze-skinned woman walked past him into the living room, different and honest thoughts began squeezing their way into the tightly guarded region in his skull that was his brain. It was only a joke, but a single suggestion was enough to produce forth from the fertile soil of his imaginative mind, daydreams and mental pictures a healthy human male would never admit to thinking.


Stop, stop, respect her. He said in his mind, silently chastising himself.


Murmuring to himself, Takeshi saw the large blue symbol floating above the kitchen island, coming from the holo-answer phone. It was the government seal. Placing her belongings on the table for a moment, Takeshi went up to the hologram and raised his hand to it. The message was a repeat of the announcement they had heard at her house. Instead, there was a blue word floating at the bottom of the message that said [CONFIRM]. He waved his hand through the light and it blip-bleeped for a second before disappearing back into the holo-answer phone. That was that.


They were officially invited to the Community Ball.


"I guess I'll go get ready." Takeshi announced, turning towards the hall, but he found himself bumping into.. A person?


Takeshi jumped backwards, eyes wide, but they relaxed a little as he realized who it was.


Kyoko.


Standing in the hall was Takeshi's sister, about 5"6, brown hair, brown eyes, with the build of a fit teenage girl. She had on a backpack and she wore the same confused look on Takeshi's face.


Looking behind Takeshi and seeing Novi, she said, "Who's the broad? And why were you staring at her ass?" She came further into view, a metal bat attached to her backpack, dragging on the floor.


@Agent Nine

 

[Agent Nine]

"Remind me to use an eye dropper with gasoline, set my eyes on fire, and then lastly, gouge them out with a fork."


"Better idea; after the mandatory meet-and-greet, I'll do it myself with a spoon," Novi smoothly replied, curtailing around his startled, flustered form to make her way into the house. Errr, their house. ...Man that sounded weird. She looked over when Takeshi moved, her eyes following him—her stuff, more specifically—into the kitchen. There were some beeps and some boops, and Novi assumed that he was off tinkering with one of his homemade gadgets. Then he came back out and turned on his heels, headed to grab the 8th grade suit that Novi seriously doubted would even fit him, anymore. Unless the guy was always as moderately-ripped as he was.


Hey, if she could stay the same shoe size for four years, then Takeshi could probably still fit into a suit that had a few years to it.


All of a sudden there was another person in the room with them. Having been distracted, Novi nearly jumped when he jumped, whipping her head around to look at him and the new stranger. Things seemed to click after that, however; obviously, this was his kid sister that he'd told her a bit about.


At the girl's words—she got points for a good entrance, that was for sure—Novi only blinked, looking at the girl for a moment before shifting her gaze over to Takeshi. Narrowing her eyes at him and nodding, as though she'd figured out some game he was trying to play, she turned back to the girl and said "I'm your new, unannounced housemate. And the next time you catch him staring, whack him over the head with that titanium club of yours. Kyoko, right...?"


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[Auren]

Sammy stood at Flynn's side after she finished exploring, nodding as he spoke. "Why have a room if you leave it empty?"she asked. She blinked at his mention of his loss of friends after their Love Harvest. She had a few friends of her own that had been distracted by their new relationship. She never took it personally when they stopped their weekly lunches, and she was too busy with her school work to pay it much mind.


She gave Flynn's arm a friendly nudge before they walked down the stairs. She looked at the window and then around the room. It was large, empty, and a little chilly. She stepped a bit closer to Flynn and grinned widely. "It's perfect!"she said with a smile, her loud voice echoing. She grinned and looked towards Flynn.


"You have such a nice home!"she said as she grabbed Flynn's hands and did a small dance in her excitement. "What are your parents like?"she asked as she let his hands go. "I bet they are the best, since you're so kind,"she smiled.


@Flabbysaurus

 

[CommodoreOlaf]

"I'm your new, unannounced housemate. And the next time you catch him staring, whack him over the head with that titanium club of yours. Kyoko, right...?"


Kyoko was silent. So, this was Takeshi's Love Harvest partner. She had good height, was pretty, and looked healthy for her size. But she was still a stranger; the fact that they were supposed to live together in such close proximity made it even weirder. Staring at her up and down, Kyoko walked towards Novi carefully, like the cautious adventurer sneaking up on the tiger. Except Novi and Kyoko were both tigers.


"Is she from the Upper Class?" Kyoko asked suspiciously. The question was for Takeshi but her eyes stuck to Novi.


"No, Kyoko. Don't be rude. You can stop doing that too, whenever you like." Takeshi replied. She ignored him and instead walked around Novi, in the same fashion an army commander would measure up new meat, a recruit soldier. After she was done, Kyoko backed up, as if observing a finalized piece of artwork, admiring and critiquing all at once.


"Yeah. And I would smack him over the head except... he's so hard-headed, he probably wouldn't even notice." She returned with ease. "What's your name, unaddressed housemate?" Kyoko said the last part uncomfortably.


As they began communicating, he saw this as an opportunity to slip away from further embarrassment by going into his room and finding his suit. Before leaving, he signaled in the air towards Novi with motions and gestures towards the kitchen that meant, Make sure she gets some food.


Hopefully, she had noticed and took a mental note. Who knew when Kyoko would be back again?


Closing the door behind him, he went to his closet and opened it. He didn't have many clothes or outfits he could wear but he had many fabrics that had lasted him through the years. He had shirts he wore almost every week, shirts he only wore on special occasions, and shirts that were brand new, either gifts from his mom or relative. The same applied to pants.


Finally, he found the suit in a plastic covering suctioned to the wall, after years of the weight of other clothes on top of it. Takeshi carefully took it out and took of the plastic covering.


"Alright, let's see how you fit." He began.


@Agent Nine

 

[Hanzax]

Hans Grøngaard @Syrenrei


Listening to Skyes words of indifference to her apartments aesthetic, assuring that no harm could be done changing a few things. The blank walls gave off an earie sterile vibe, one would expect out of a hospital but at the same time filling the place up would ruin the feeling of space. If anything the best bet would be to hang up some paintings to bring in some inconsistencies. Art wasn't exactly Hans' forte but he knew one thing, pictures and drawings of open landscapes nearly always work. The sole goal of them were to just look good in natures full glory, no twisting of the brain was needed to enjoy them. That and they'd match the darkers colors he had seen spread lightly around the apartment.


Having placed the two suitcases in the livingroom for later he was shown the guest rooms. One of the more important and finicky questions came up, where would he sleep? Knowing that guest bedrooms were available was nice, although he had been willing to sleep on a coach if the situation called for it.


Before he managed to respond he was given more time to think the question through for there was a knocking on the front door. Following suit with Skye he followed the scent originating from the pizzas. Carrying the pizza out into the kitchen-livingroom combo Skye opened the lid of the pizzabox and placed it down on a dining table.


"As far as decor goes, the only thing I'd want to do is put up some paintings of landscapes, you know, mountains and the kinda stuff. Would kinda keep things from getting to stale and they're not something you'd have to think about." He said as he began ripping off the lid and tore it in two as a makeshift plate. Hans had yet to figure out where plates were and such things weren't necessary if you have two hands. "White and brown earthy tones kinda work fairly well together I reckon. As far a sleeping arrangements goes, it's up to you. I'll sleep on the floor if that's what makes you feel safe. Even so I think it'd be best that we try our utmost to begin trusting eachother so I suggest we sleep in the same bed to see how it goes." His ending wasn't the smoothest he could hope for but what's done is done. Although improable and high unrealistic being in the same room as Skye during the night would make protecting her any unwanted intruders many times easier.

 

[kitsunemage]

Spoiler

"Attention, citizens of the Community. With another successful year of Love Harvest, we would like to host a celebration pertaining to three generations of continuity.


The first Community Ball will be held tonight at Concord Center. Participation is mandatory. Dress is formal and, if possible, bring your Love Harvest partner.


May the order provide you unity. Long live the Community."


'and, if possible.' The words ran through Aislyn's mind like medicine running through her veins. Slowly dragging her out of the haze she had been in since her partners untimely demise that very morning. That morning. It was so strange to think about it, how only hours ago she had been married- to someone genetically chosen to be her soul mate. Genetically chosen and genetically faulty. How had she gotten paired with someone who could die that very day? Was there something wrong with her? Perhaps they couldn't actually find a pair for her- maybe she was too strange, maybe there was something wrong with her genetic code- Maybe they'd simply paired her with someone on deaths door to give the appearance of the love harvest never failing.


But hadn't it failed her?


"Aislyn dear, this isn't like you. Why don't you come see the dress your father had commissioned for the party." Aislyn turned to her mother, blue eyes so similar to her own, blonde hair that fell in short wisps around her face- lines that bordered her mouth and eyes like the fine detailing of a sculpture. Perfect, yet somehow cold like stone.


"Why does it even matter if I go? I don't have a partner. He was my soul mate- and now he's dead." Something in her mothers eyes hardened, turning her eyes to glass and her face to granite. Ever since she had been brought home from her brief stint in 'quarantine' any mention of Levi Rose was taboo to her esteemed mother.


"That man happened to be lower class garbage. He was not your match, no matter how long you moon over it. Now, it is a mandatory event- and a Whitman never backs down from her problems. You need to face this with a strong heart darling." Her voice softened, perhaps seeing the glossed over look of Aislyn's eyes. It was hard, to see your own flesh and blood hurt without being able to do a thing about it. Carpet crunched under her delicately heeled feet as she walked over to her daughter and tucked herself into the bay window beside her.


"You know, when me and your father were first matched, we hated each other." Aislyn lifted on hand- rubbing the heel of her palm in one teary eye. Her mother was right in that much at least- Whitmans should never cry.


"Really?" Her mother hummed under her breath, stretching out one arm to tuck her daughters blonde head against her chest, rocking back and forth as she often had when the girl was a child.


"Yes... We couldn't stand each other. We had set ourselves up in opposite ends of the house- barely spoke to each other save for formal occasions like this ball. He stepped on my toes you know- a dancer your father never was. You must have gotten that from me." That drew a watery chuckle from the girl.


"Well, it must have been two years after our love harvest that we finally started to see eye to eye. We were walking in one of the middle class sectors, and someone mistook your father for someone else. They'd grabbed his arm- spouting some nonsense about owing money- and you know what I did?


Well, I smacked him over the head with my parasol." Aislyn pulled back from her mother with a disbelieving look. Her mother was perfect, never a hair out of place, always polite and gracious. It was hard to see her using an umbrella as a weapon.


"You didn't!"


"Yes I did. After that we started spending more time together and well, then you were born. We've never been happier. It just goes to show you that the love harvest will always work out in the end. Fate may have taken one from you, but next time you'll get lucky. It may always look bad in the beginning, but years from now you'll look back on this and know that this was how things were supposed to be." Ms. Alicia Whitman ran her fingers through her daughters blonde hair one more time before standing and brushing off her stern pencil skirt- she had probably just come home from a meeting.


"That doesn't make it any easier." Aislyn rubbed the remainder of tears away, sniffing to try and compose herself. She wondered if she would ever be as graceful as her mother- but her mother could be so stubborn about some things as well. Perhaps it would be better to have a mixture of both her parents.


"No, it doesn't make it any easier. Now come dear, let's go see that dress. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the design."

 

[Agent Nine]

Novi stood her ground as Takeshi's cautious sister came closer. "Middle Class," she muttered in response as the girl started to circle her, sizing her up like some wolf confronting an opponent that had wandered onto its territory. It felt weird, but Novi let herself be inspected. This was her new partner's kid sister, after all; if they didn't get along, they'd at least need to develop an acceptance of the other's existence. After a while she seemed to be done, backing up and looking as though she'd found everything to be in reasonable order. Oh boy, I passed the first test.


Novi couldn't help but smirk a little at Kyoko's words. "Novi. And the hardheadedness can't be that much of a problem. You could just get a bigger bat, couldn't you...?"


Takeshi started to make his way out of the living room. This Novi wouldn't have noticed unless she happened to look over, her gaze shifting just in time to catch the guy flailing about and making weird hand gestures. "Are we playing charades, now?" She commented, watching him leave before turning back to his sister. "So are you, uhhh...are you hungry or something? I'm guessing that's what he wanted to tell me, just now. I'm also guessing that he trusts me to go through your kitchen without it bursting into flames."


The last part was no more than a joke; Novi considered herself a decent-enough cook, with all of the food-preparation that she'd done both with her mother and directly after her mother's disease-caused absence. Cooking was a good skill to have when you were taking care of yourself.


Staring at the girl, now, she crossed her arms. "Just for the record, do you actually ever get to use that bat when you're out?"


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[Syrenrei]

Skye Yoona Park


She watched quietly as Hans pulled some pizza from one of the two boxes. She hadn't been entirely sure what he would want (and hoped he wasn't a vegetarian) so she ordered a pepperoni pie with extra cheese and a sprinkling of Parmesan as well as a supreme that had a smattering of everything a man or woman could want. Briefly she had considered that the tall man might be a finicky eater- but then she was reminded he was in the military. While she lacked personal experience with the military, she expected that they didn't cater to picky eaters and what you got was what you got with no criticism allowed. A soft, satisfied sigh escaped her lips when she watched him begin to eat. Had he not jarred her idle thoughts once more with his words, she might have stayed in the reverie for a while longer.


Landscape paintings. White and brown for paint. The upper class favored blue and she did like the tone, so it was one of many choices that she had delivered. Those three would create a soothing palette for their communal home. As he spoke she wandered to the boxes filled with decor materials and lifted the paint box to bring it to where they were commencing lunch. From the depths of the container she retrieved a booklet of matte swatches for them to review before calibrating their spray machines and setting to work. She carefully unfolded the slick pages, pressing down on the folds to make pages lay flat for their mutual perusal, when the second suggestion he made struck her.


Skye had offered her bed without much expectation. It was what married couples did, certainly (and occasionally lovers or lusty strangers), but his response was not what she anticipated. Mentally she took a deep breath and calmed herself, repeating that proximity would necessitate destroying her icy barriers of emotional fortitude. Hans hadn't asked her for her love and affection- he just wanted her to begin to trust him. Trust? The security of the building was impeccable and in the unlikely scenario of violence she was confident he could be a wonderful savior. It was the viruses and less predictably deadly things that made her heart and breath seize with fear. Could she trust him to not fall victim to the virus, not ever? Of course not. Even the government with its power, size, control, and intellect had failed to make a cure or vaccine.


"I'm not afraid of a break-in, nor am I afraid you'll turn into a savage, if that's what you're asking. I can see that you're a gentleman," she stated simply with a flat voice that was devoid of the more affable lilt it typically sported. Skye chastised herself. It was a natural reaction to be distant and cold when a topic was broached that she had no desire to dwell on, but this wasn't a friend or relative she could so easily push away. With or without her consent he'd be living here unless she wanted to be eradicated. Her usual defense mechanisms would only exasperate the situation rather than alleviate her troubles. Her shoulders sagged in resignation as she reached for a slice of the pepperoni pizza, eating without a plate or napkin. "I mean to say the only thing that makes me feel 'unsafe' is the virus and the knowledge who it can claim at any time. It could take me tomorrow and we would both be powerless to stop it. You will just be more affected for knowing me than if we had remained strangers."


The typical response to this was a reminder that life went on and you could not simply press forward expecting everyone to die. Rationally, Skye knew that she should enjoy life before death called for her itself. It was why she indulged in friendships to break up the solitude, pursued a law degree, and entertained visits from her family as often as she could tolerate. She just did it all cautiously, steeling herself with the knowledge it could all fall apart in her hands, with only her tears for consolation. "If you're feeling devious, there will be all sorts of raised brows if you splashed some green or red paint on the walls since they are indicative of lower classes. I've been to the other districts myself- food is quite good and the people are more... sincere I suppose. Mother and father always disapproved of us selecting those colors for clothing and the like. I can't imagine how they'd react if an entire wall was red!" Skye ran a digit over a crimson hue, considering that once it had been associated with love instead of poor filth. Purple was a regal color and now used to denote the military- did he enjoy his service or was it just something he did? They could honor it with brushes if he so requested.


Skye bit into her slice, trying to distract herself from the bed situation momentarily. By the gods Hans didn't know what a disaster he had been matched with.


@Hanzax

 

[Hanzax]

Hans Grøngaard @Syrenrei


"I have a proposal and this is speaking on behalf, although I would think it fits your bill aswell. Losing someone you've grown to love, respect and appreciate certainly isn't pleasent, maybe the worst feeling one could imagine. The question you would have to ask yourself is would you have given up all your memories that you had made together to avoid such pain? The grief that we learn to live through is not only a grim reminder of our lose but it's also a reminder of the times we had spent together with them." Hans said after letting her finish with her compliment to the lower-class. He took a bite of the pizza and continued. The topic that he had managed to bring forth was most likely not be seen again in a long time. "I for one would be glad to handle the grief again if it meant another 5 years with a beautiful, charming and intelluctual woman. Also, yellow is a good color that goes well with blue, red and blue also go pretty fine together." He finished with a smile, with out a doubt his words were going to bring down the mood but it had to be said.


Being in the military surely would not help the fear of losing someone once more. His persona wasn't exactly the most ideal either, he would gladly set himself in harms way if it meant protecting those he cared for. He knew all to well that people could die in an instant, leaving everyone behind. Although that may be true it did not give him just reason to skimp out on living out of fear. There wasn't really as many things that could threaten ones life compared to a century ago, medicin, surgery and crime fighting techniques have come along way.

 

[CommodoreOlaf]

"So are you, uhhh...are you hungry or something? I'm guessing that's what he wanted to tell me, just now. I'm also guessing that he trusts me to go through your kitchen without it bursting into flames."


Kyoko crossed her arms and waited for a second. She was gonna cook for her? Usually it was her than used the stove and she only cooked for herself. Takeshi would use the kitchen occasionally but he was more or less uneducated on the usage of the many kitchen appliances they owned. It would be interesting to see what this Novi could do with them.


After taking off her backpack and sitting down at the table, Kyoko passed her hand in front of the Kitchen HUD, making it whizz to life. Everywhere in the kitchen, the appliances lit up, a cool blue flowing into the various objects and giving them a soft glow. The interface was mostly touchscreen but it was easy enough to understand.


Just for the record, do you actually ever get to use that bat when you're out?"


Kyoko stared blankly at her for a second before she realized what had been said. The bronze woman had chosen a touchy subject and immediately Kyoko felt defensive. Instead she replied, a serious look on her face,


"When I need to... So what are you gonna make? That makes two of us if you're as culinarily skilled as Takeshi believes." Kyoko folded her hands on top of the table, proper-like and waited. Novi still seemed like a stranger, even more so with the uncommon (in her neighborhood anyway) skin color, but she didn't seem as skeptical as Kyoko had initially perceived. Although, she had to admit she had adopted a likeness to the way she talked, silver-tongued and perfect with timing. That was about it for now though.


Kyoko checked her watch, she had to be somewhere soon.


@Agent Nine

 

[Agent Nine]

Novi frowned a little. "When I need to" wasn't the best answer, nor did it put a damper on her curiosity. If anything, it only made the young woman more curious, piquing her interests like feeding pieces of kindling to a flame. Peeking over the girl's shoulder at the metal bat protruding from her backpack, Novi squinted at it. The tip wasn't coated in blood or grey matter, so it wasn't likely that she'd just been out bashing people's brains in. But a bat was a weapon, and the only reason the girl would lug such a thing around was because she intended on using it. Whether that was for instigating break-ins, fending off muggers, or destroying things, Novi didn't know. She did know, however, that whatever the reason was couldn't be good.


Well..."good" in the universal sense of the term.


She followed Kyoko into the kitchen and watched the appliances all light up at once, activated by the room's central command HUD. Novi scanned each and every touchscreen, wandering over to the stove to toy with a few of the controls. What to make, what to make...


Novi walked over to the fridge and started sifting through the food inside, picking up a carton of shitake mushrooms and some bell peppers. "I dunno...how do you feel about spaghetti?" She asked over her shoulder, sounding a bit distracted as she continued through the cooled shelves. Catching the girl check her watch, Novi let her mind wander as opposed to openly asking about it.


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[CommodoreOlaf]

Kyoko pondered her suggestion. Spaghetti. It wasn't something that was terribly bland tasting or insipid to her pallet nor was it a fancy five-star restaurant competitor dish. Perhaps that was the only dish she knew how to make. Watching Novi take some ingredients out of the fridge, she considered the possibility spaghetti was the only food she knew how to make.


Then again, perhaps she was as able as she appeared to be around the kitchen, but she would have to see for herself. Kyoko let herself say,


"Go ahead. There's pasta in the pantry."


Sighing quietly, she went over what she had been doing for the past seven days. Reliving in her head when it had been announced to be prepared for the Love Harvest. Of course, she was still young and wasn't going to be entered herself but that meant a new woman was going to be in their house, whether she liked it or not. Slowly but surely, the Oshiro family dwindled to smaller and smaller numbers.


And then the government would intervene with their oh so mighty super soulmate supercomputer; it was wrong in her eyes. Kyoko had been lucky to have parents that loved each other, or at least appeared to. For her, it was saddening to know that two people, two possibly incomplete strangers, could commit the most intimate of acts and bring life to the world without loving each other. This was all sponsored by the government.


Then again, a small streak of hope shined in the inner recesses of her darkened soul, when she reminded herself that those two people could also have a chance of real love, similar in the case of her parents.


Her dad. Oh, how amazing he was. He always brought her gifts from work. Little souvenirs of his day's work. The way he bent down and picked her up when he got home, squeezing the life outta her, ambushing her with kisses.


Her mom. The beautiful queen she had admired of her childhood days. She worked around the house, doing queen duties: baking peppermint chocolate chip dove cookies, painting the walls a soft-to-the-eye yellow, and putting up random aromatic flowers around the house.


Now as Novi began to prepare the food, Kyoko couldn't have seen it right away but the more she observed, the more she saw her mom in Novi. The way she would stand in the kitchen, most of the time quiet, like an artist painting flavors on a plate. Her mom and dad.. They loved each other.


Love. What was love anymore? For Kyoko, the closet thing she could think of at the moment was.. Him.


That brave man of the rebellion. He was tall, muscular, tanned, and handsome and he fought for what was right. She had no idea who he was, but that wasn't as important. Kyoko turned away as she began to blush just thinking about him but she restrained herself. Novi was cooking now and Kyoko had to focus on her cooking.


"I hope you didn't poison the spaghetti. With Takeshi, I know how tempting it may be, but I wanna taste, too." She said with a shrug.


@Agent Nine

 

[Agent Nine]

"He hasn't said enough dumb crap to merit poisoning," Novi commented, her back to Kyoko as she went digging through the pantry for a box of spaghetti. It took a moment, but she eventually found it tucked between some linguini and a tall box of ziti shells. Ooh, and they had the thin kind, too. Slapping the box onto a counter next to the stove, Novi shifted over to some cabinets and began to go through the pots and pans.


Neither a famed five-star chef nor a pathetic amateur, Novi liked to think of herself as a good cook. The so-called "art" of mashing and mixing ingredients together to make food had always come quite easily to her; mother and daughter had spent many days of the week pouring through recipe books and internet guides as they prepared meals. After a while, though, her mother had learned that it was better to cook by "feeling" than by the limits and suggestions of a handful of strangers. Hell, all you needed was a working brain and functional taste buds. So the cookbooks were shelved and left to gather dust as a young Novi and her mother plowed through groceries and the occasional kitchen fire.


Like her mother, Novi was a multitasking demigod. And that went double for food preparation. Finding a deep stew pot, Novi filled it with water from the sink and plopped it onto the stovetop, fiddling with the touchscreen to set it to boil. Then she went over to the fridge and fished out some things—mushrooms, peppers, and a package of ground turkey.


Sure, there was ground beef, too, but...wasn't turkey supposed to be healthier or something? It'd taste no different in the sauce. She sure as hell had never noticed the difference as a kid.


Pulling out a big ol' saucepan, Novi un-packaged the meat and dropped it in, chopping it up into tinier chunks with a spatula she found, stabbing at the block as though she were using a knife. Moving with machine-like precision, she diced up the mushrooms and such and unceremoniously dumped them into the pot. Then came the actual pasta sauce, plus some diced tomatoes, yadda yadda yadda.


The actual spaghetti seemed to be the last thing on Novi's mental to-do-when-cooking-spaghetti list. She stood by the pot as it boiled, holding the strainer at the ready. "You're not allergic to tomatoes or anything, right?" Novi ventured, turning her head to look at the girl for the first time in the last five or so minutes.


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[CommodoreOlaf]

"You're not allergic to tomatoes or anything, right?"


Kyoko rolled her eyes and responded,


"No. I'm not. Never have been." Kyoko turned away from her face once more, but not from dislike or even boredom. She saw a beautiful woman cooking food for her and she began to feel emotions deep down that seemed to echo a familiar hollowness in her bones.


As Novi prepared the food and Kyoko observed with the eyes of hawk, Takeshi found himself looking at a confused face. His own confused face. In the mirror.


He wore the purple-and-green pinstripe suit as gracefully as a Great Dane would fit into a chihuahua costume. Everything was short and tight on him, not to mention the intense, ever-becoming unbearable pressure on every crook and bend his body possessed. The suit was not. In the sense, that it suited him. He admitted he would've had more luck drowning a goldfish than fitting into the damned thing.


This was back then, before he had hit puberty, and before he believed suits to be just another outfit. He had grown since then, significantly enough exactly, for shirt hover over his abs, his sleeves to reach his elbows, his pant cuffs to hug his shins, and his tie to become a tiny arrow protruding from underneath a collar that hindered the air of his windpipe with every breath.


Takeshi decided to walk into the kitchen, to show them the fashion disaster that was his 8th grade attire.


If tension hadn't been relieved by then, this, he was sure, would've relieved a little. Seeing Novi cook somewhat surprised him and brought vivid memories of his mother, but he pinched his arm, reminding himself that it was just Novi in the kitchen.


"Not to shabby, eh?" He commented, pointing at the various features of his tiny suit.


@Agent Nine

 

[Agent Nine]

No allergies. That's good.


It had been a stupid question to begin with, but Novi wasn't a fan of awkward and/or tense silences, and had nearly forgotten about the girl's presence in her focused task of cooking. Aren't I just the perfect, stereotypical housewife...now all I need is a frilly apron.


Caught up with pouring the spaghetti into the strainer after setting it into the sink, Novi didn't notice Takeshi's presence until a moment later. When she did, and when he spoke, she lifted her head and turned to look at him. Right away her eyes went as wide as saucers, and she stood there staring at him, the steaming spaghetti noodles slowly trickling into the strainer as she continued to hold the pot in midair.


The scene took a while to process. Seconds later, she began to bite down on her lower lip, her mouth quivering. Then she slapped a hand over her mouth and held it there, trying in vain to keep at bay the bout of hyena-laughter that was threatening to surge forward. It was just...oh God, he looked terrible. The same visual effect was probably created when you tried to put baby clothes on a sumo wrestler...only Takeshi was a pretty well-toned guy as opposed to being morbidly obese. Every piece of his suit was too short and too tight.


Novi couldn't keep herself quiet forever. The laugh came out as a deflating balloon sound at first before she simply couldn't hold it in any more. Grabbing the counter for support, Novi laughed and laughed and laughed some more, though the sounds weren't harsh. No, it was genuine, tickled-pink laughter. "Did a clown raid your freakin' wardrobe?" Novi managed to say after some time, her voice hitching with amusement. "Or were you really just that tiny in the 8th grade? Good God..."


She calmed a moment later, wiping some tears out of her eyes, a smirk still playing on her face. "Remember how I said that I was going to that ball-thing with you? Yeah, well, protip; if you go wearing that mess, you're going on your own. You need...you need to fix this."


And then the laughter started up again.


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[CommodoreOlaf]

Kyoko doubled over, roaring with laughter as Takeshi entered the kitchen area, wearing that... that thing. Alas, she had remembered his pre-pubescent days when he had actually worn the suit fine, but that only made it funnier. Even if it wasn't a vivid memory.


Takeshi said, smiling from ear to ear. He would never admit it up front or say it out loud even, but Novi's laugh, he thought, was adorable. The girls both cracking up put him at ease, finally knowing that they weren't both having an intense stare-down or some other negative encounter. This was actually peaceful even if they were laughing at him, at least they were laughing, and to Takeshi that's all that really mattered.


"Hey, hey cut it out. If it looks that bad, I guess I'm gonna have to go rent a tux or something." He said, grinning from ear to ear.


"When's the flood coming?" Kyoko said, pointing at his high-water pants. She managed to say, her eyes a little watery from laughing so hard. Takeshi rolled his own and turned abruptly to go to his room, when the fabric of his bottoms squeaked for mercy before completely tearing in two, revealing his underwear underneath.


"God dammit." He muttered and walked away from the crime scene. In his room, he took the thing off, with difficulty of course, but that would be the last time he would be wearing that suit, or anyone, for that matter.


He changed out into casual clothes and re-entered the kitchen.


"I need to buy some things. Do you guys.. need anything?" He asked openly, looking at Kyoko and then at Novi. Kyoko just scoffed. She figured he was only being nice because Novi was in the room. Crossing her arms, she turned away once more, succumbing to cynical thoughts. Takeshi shrugged his shoulders and faced the chef.


"Ok, how about you?" He said. "I brought my wallet this time."


@Agent Nine

 

[Syrenrei]

Would she do it all over again? It had been posed to her before as if she had control over the Love Harvest and her romantic life. It was a silly hypothetical situation, but she had indulged it all the same. Was it worth the sacrifice and pain, the silence that permeated the apartment for endless nights, the ghosts that whisked around in tormenting illusions of happiness slipped away? "I loved James with every fiber of my being and admittedly, it was blissful being together. I am sure other widows would tell you it was worth it but you want my honesty. I don't know if it was. I have mourned him longer than I knew him and I may not stop grieving until the day I die myself. I am better for having known him but also worse. We did not have five years together- not even one. I've been here by myself for three years. And if either you or I die here there may be no other chance. The Love Harvest only reaps until twenty-eight and I am twenty-three. After that turning point in our lives they care not whom we are attached to because we are not as strong for child-bearing and thus we will be forbidden from having children accordingly... and with age will come compromised immune systems. Perhaps great happiness lays at my feet and perhaps I will be blessed with great health like my parents who still live. My deceased husband wanted only the best for me, I know, but you must forgive me for not taking risks at every opportunity. I put full faith into a dream that has dealt me triple the anguish as joy."


It was not the response he wanted, but it was the full disclosure he deserved. Oh, how Skye believed in that supercomputer and the tales spun by the government! She had trusted it to find Prince Charming and once it had she glossed over all his faults, seeing only the brilliance and splendor of a man who was her own. She was reckless and careless. Had she not bought into the vision so completely then it would have been less crushing when it all was destroyed as she watched helplessly. No wealth or power could bring back James or rewind time. Now she was haunted by the "what if's" of futures that never came to fruition. What if James was still alive, and this was all but a wretched dream, and he waited with their lovely daughter just around that corner? What if he had been spirited away instead of being actually cremated as they asserted? What if he had lived and they had finished decorating this apartment- would what it look like? The possibilities were infinite and overwhelming to her delicate psyche.


Skye closed her eyes and the train of thought on this topic. It was over and no lovely assurances would appease her. Hans was a kind stranger, but a stranger nonethless despite their 'wedding.' It would take more time before she would let any of the frigid barriers of her mind melt carelessly. A sliver of hope for love persevered, unaffected by her self-defense mechanisms. It was inevitable she'd grow attached to Hans in some way. It was possible that she'd have a burning passion for him despite her better judgment. Right now, however, she was fighting for a sense of calm and serenity before the incessant changes resulted in an emotional meltdown.


Taking a deep breath, she tapped on the pamphlet with her index finger thoughtfully. "Let's just see how it goes. We don't have much other choice, do we? I expect that soon the government will expect me to bear a child so I'm not a total loss as far as matching." There was a worn smile here; the matter weighed heavily on her as no doubt it did on Hans. "And before that, there is the matter of paint. There is a white kitchen, a white living room, a white study, four white bathrooms, four white bedrooms, and a white relaxation room. That is a dozen selections to do." A small half bath was off the open living room that was spacious enough to function as a dining room and family room as well.


Skye polished off her slice of pizza, licking a couple fingers of dribbling marinara and grease, before rising and wandering to a supply box. She withdrew a chrome contraption with straps for wearing on the torso and a canister of white paint that needed to have pigments added to their specifications. A thin tube connected to a nozzle that had in her opinion far too many settings- but the science boasted it would distribute evenly and efficiently such that they need only do one coat.


@Hanzax

 

[Agent Nine]

Before long, the tortured material of his pants seemed to give into the pressure, un-seaming themselves and leaving his undies for all the world to see. Novi had finally managed to calm herself down and return her breathing to normal, but the fleeting sight of the split-pants threw her into another laughing fit. Takeshi made a bee-line to his room.


When he returned to the kitchen, the young woman had gone looking for plates in some cupboards. She turned when he walked in, relieved to see him in decent, fitting clothes. He asked about going to the store, and Novi caught the slight scowl that made its way onto Kyoko's face at his words. What's that about?


Come to think of it, hadn't Takeshi mentioned something about their relationship being complicated? He hadn't...used those exact words, maybe, but still. For the moment being, it wasn't her business and she wouldn't be annoying by nagging the girl about it. Maybe she could drag some information out of Takeshi later.


"That depends on what store you're thinking of going to. But...no, I can't think of anything," Novi replied, holding a plate in her hands. "You might wanna get a new wallet before that one of yours falls apart, though."


@CommodoreOlaf

​

 

[Hanzax]

Hans Grøngaard @Syrenrei


Pushing the subject left a bad taste in his mouth, it was now clear as day that she was still writhing in pain from her lose. It was not a problem she had managed to hide away she had most likely taken the blow and chose to focus on James' death. Easily a more respectful choice than how he honored both his father and wife. He had been graced with an escape from his loses, choosing to remove himself from the situation, taking each day one at a time.


The governments pressure surrounding their issue was not something he had put thought into. He knew all to well how much power the government possessed but he had always considered himself less in the limelight. Having served directly to the government through the military and having shown his prowess surely gave him a bit of leeway as losing him wouldn't be favorable. Being paired up with another widower didn't help their situation either, if they just the two of them were to keep the loses to a zero they would have to raise three children together.


Finishing off his third slice of pizza that he had hastly eaten as Skye finished hers and went to retrieve something from the boxes. "I'd agree that moving on and taking one day at a time would be for the best." He said as he rose from his chair to meet Skye with the what looked to a airbrush of sorts in hand. "If you agree I say we should use tops three colors and keep it logical. How about we do something along the lines of this; Kitchen and Livingroom stay white and neutral for visiters, the bathrooms be in marine blue or something of a similar tone and lasty the bedrooms be in yellow to make it easy to wake up in the mornin's. Shall we procede with that? Also, the relaxation room can be whichever color you think is best"