[Open] Temporary Measures

[blue_eyed_obsession]

Who: Seto Kaiba & Open
What: Not having discovered the way to get out of here yet, Kaiba takes up residence in the sure to be overcrowded apartments.
Where: Merlaut Apartments
When: Early August
Content Warnings: None at the moment


The new structure hadn't evaded Kaiba's notice and the architecture was admittedly closer to his aesthetic. He had half-expected the interior to be a total wash given the treatment of most the structures available however he was pleasantly surprised. Was it perfect? Not by any stretch of the imagination but it was at least sound. Having decided to claim one of the apartments for himself, he'd hit the stairs keen on selecting a higher vantage point. Those ambitions had to be curtailed upon discovering the lack of floors beyond the 3rd.

The 3rd floor already seemed to have attracted other interested parties, so Kaiba went for one of the rooms on the less inhabited side.

Further inspection of the room itself led to plenty of harsh scrutiny directed at the dingy carpeting, the papers strewn about, the out-dated computer, and naturally the deplorable condition of the sink. Recalling the items available in the lobby it was a no brainer that he decided to swap machines. No one should mind really- with the lack of electricity one dead computer was as good as another. If that were true he wouldn't have taken one from the lobby.

While he was at it, he took the liberty of borrowing an office chair as well.

The more tedious tasks required him to do the unthinkable. After removing his coat and a few accessories he didn't wish to risk getting ruined, he begrudgingly tended to the sink and the fridge.

The result of his efforts and calling in a few favors to the local fauna (which was a difficulty in itself) resulted in this. Donning his coat and other items he left the apartment and looked towards the door, not having much faith in the lock. Not that he had anything to speak of worth protecting that wasn't on his person. With a shake of his head. "... This will have to do. For now." Not sounding a bit impressed.

[OOC: Feel free to run into him swiping items from the lobby, or grimacing at the abrupt ending of the stairs, having to be friendly with the smeagles... er well at least not overly rude to them.... or anything you come up with!]

Comments

[bridge_princess]

Plastic box with glass in it envy, anyone?

[Right about the time he was swiping one computer for another, there was someone in the lobby. It was kind of an obvious opportunity to get a dig in about jealousy, and she was taking the low hanging fruit.

Was she a new neighbor? Nah. She intended to fully embrace the "I live in van down by the river" lifestyle. But she had finally begun to explore some, so lucky Kaiba. She was hassling him.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Not abandoning his cause, his eyes darted over to her briefly]

Says the girl that claimed an entire bridge for herself and then admitted that she wasn't even sure if it was the same bridge...

[Kaiba hadn't taken the time to socialize all that much at the void party, but he had in fact been eavesdropping listening to what the others had to say]

Besides- this isn't just some box, it's a computer and when and if we get any electricity in this backwater it's going to be a lot more useful than the aforementioned bridge to nowhere...

[Oh- he hoped that she wasn't planning on moving in, but he had his doubts that she would want a regular residence like a normal person]

[bridge_princess]

Sure now. My bridge. [Or memory of it. Didn't matter to her.] I heard from a girl once that computer envy is definitely a thing among you humans. Something about getting the best processor or memory or whatever.

People always find excuses to compare. [Grunt] What good is a glorified typewriter going to do you right now?

[Because, funny story, that little device was brand new and people were talking about them back home when she went underground. Didn't have erase tape, though.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[To that he had to expel a deep sigh] How old are you supposed to be? Every word out of your mouth sounds childish and immature. [Pot calling kettle to some degree. Cough.] Please. I'm not at all envious of this machine. Were I able to access my own terminals... they are far more advanced than anything I've seen in here.

If you'd bothered to listen, you would already know the answer to that question. [Ie. The computer was useless at this time. It needed that aforementioned electricity]

[After coiling up the wire, he shut the laptop and tucked it under his arm]

Why are you here, anyway? Just to be a permanent thorn in my side?

[bridge_princess]

[She tapped her fingers against each other, like she was counting something. Hmm, give or take... A shrug.]

When I was born, Tokyo was a fishing village. Does that answer your question? If you need numbers, I think I'm somewhere around twelve centuries. Went underground about a century ago. So most of your pretty little toys don't mean much to me.

[She considered that last question, tapping her chin. Hmmm...]

I don't think you're good enough a target to be a permanent thorn? I was over here to see who'd be staying in this place. You're just an easy target.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Naturally, when it looked like she was struggling to remember he had to offer up some encouragement]

Don't tell me you're not even old enough to know basic arithmetic... [In hindsight, maybe he shouldn't be picking on a child but it was really too late to alter that course] My brother looks younger than you and he's already way ahead of his peers... you might consider a tutor. [Then when she did deliver her answer he was unimpressed as ever]

Not in the slightest, since I was seeking facts not fiction. [That age was not possible.]

If that means you'll soon turn your attention elsewhere then I'm all for it. [With that said, he moved away from the desk he'd been standing by and aimed for the stairs]

[bridge_princess]

[She smacked her forehead.]

This... this shit is why that witch sealed the boundary. Kami, but you are frustrating in your non-belief. Even when it's wiggling in front of your faith. I'm almost envious of how dense you actually are.

[She tried to use her powers again, not because it would work, but because her eyes would actually glow. It was basically a glorified nightlight but the glow was visible enough. Raising a hand, she extended her claws and she leaned in.]

I'm probably not even from your world. We have a talking robot and a red-skinned alien from another planet here, and you're having trouble with a spirit from before the shogunate? Did someone drop you on your head as a kid, or were you just born dense and stubborn?

[forwearemany]

(Legion has also chosen a third floor apartment, and they are pleased to have an ally as a neighbor.

Their headflaps lift, and they pause on their way through the lobby when they see him taking one of the chairs.)

Kaiba Seto. Do you desire assistance?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[The third floor was swiftly filling up to the point that Kaiba was questioning why he hadn't opted for the second. Sheer stubbornness prevented him from switching and at least with someone like Legion around it wasn't completely intolerable.

Yes- sharing a space with a robot was preferable to another human. Setting the chair back on it's rollers, he knew better than to overlook an opportunity.]

If you're offering. [Navigating this chair up the stairs wasn't the easiest task for a lone person]

[forwearemany]

Affirmative.

(This world limits them somewhat, in that their strength is no longer inhuman, but they're still more than strong enough to carry a chair.

They pick it up easily and carry it up the stairs only slightly less easily. At the second floor, they stop briefly, and set it down.)

This location has negatively influenced our capabilities.

(It now requires effort to carry around furniture as though it weighed nothing.)

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[With a nod of his head, Kaiba moved aside to make it easier for Legion to approach the chair. Unsurprisingly , Legion was able to lift the furniture with less effort..

.. or so it seemed as they started the ascent up the stairs. Perception does not always match reality, so when they pause for a break, he doesn't immediately ask what the hold up is]

Ah- so you were affected.

[That actually made sense. Kaiba had been questioning for a while how not just one, but two robots were still able to access their power reserves in order to function. There was still a catch. Always a catch]

Makes you wonder why you were brought here at all, if there's such a rampant aversion to technological advances. [A beat passes] ... Just what are they afraid of?

[Not everyone assumed there was a nefarious master criminal behind this, Kaiba might be in the minority but that was still where he stood]

[forwearemany]

Uncertain. Though we have experienced limitations previously, the effects in this universe are considerably greater.

(They curl and uncurl their fingers, then shake their hands, as though trying to get rid of an uncomfortable sensation.)

We have also begun to experience physical pain.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Making a mental note of Legion's prior experiences he took this as another opportunity to learn about this place's nuances]

That might not be limited to mechanical constructs. [Meaning robots] I personally haven't felt any differences in what I'm capable of, but that could be the exception not the rule. [Ie. some of the others could have found themselves restricted in more ways than one]

Pain...? [Not a foreign concept but.. Legion shouldn't be able to feel anything... should he?]

Better let me carry it the rest of the way. [He was so close to getting out of it...]

[starshower]

[Well, if there's one thing Kaiba's going to have to deal with as a bonus (consequence?) to being on the third floor, it's that he's now floor mates with three of the most friendly final fantasy girls this side of the void. Tifa is scoping out the rest of the floor after claiming rooms for herself, Cloud, and Aerith when she hears sounds coming from his room at the other end of the hall, and when he comes out of his room, she comes up, quiet as a mouse as he's talking to himself.

Or maybe the jacket again.]

It's better than nothing, yeah?

[Her voice echoes suddenly off the walls of the empty and dark hallway from beside him.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[In hindsight, Kaiba should have paid more attention to who was already occupying the floor as opposed to the potential strategic advantage the high ground could provide. Having met the trio of friendly females before he held no ill-will towards them but their positivity made him- somewhat ironically -uneasy. Being outnumbered was never a suitable position to be in either.

The joke was there, if she wanted to make it- but no, this time he was just talking to himself. Eh- that might actually be worse than talking to his attire. Her attempts at being stealthy were successful, so there was no easy escape for him when she decided to speak up. Shock flashed briefly over his features.]

[After an exasperated sigh, and a pause he delivered his response]

Barely.

[Turning in order to face her- what was her name again... the barmaid. That one....]

Exploring, or moving in? [That seemed the most pertinent question]

[starshower]

Little bit of both.

[Tifa points down to the rooms at the other end of the hall, where there's one door open, filtering what little light there is into the darkness. She hoped that it would be enough, but it hardly reached past Cloud's room next to hers.]

All finished moving in, and now exploring. Heard I might've been getting neighbours but didn't realize it'd be you! [The grumpy guy from the bridge, she means.] I guess that makes us floormates now, doesn't it?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

Of course.

[.. Because it would have been foolish to have expected much else. This was the only structure that either hadn't already been claimed, wasn't in a grievous state of disrepair, or had enough rooms to support multiple occupants. He did glance past her in the direction she indicated, spotting her room easily thanks to the pale bit of light.]

[Kaiba couldn't imagine why she should sound so enthusiastic to find him specifically here...] I likely won't be the only one- so don't let me keep you from going to introduce yourself. [So helpful. This one] Technically.

At least a guided tour won't be necessary since all the rooms are identical. [Hoping to dissuade any attempt she could make to try and get invited in. Sure- he had changed things a bit but it was the same floor plan as all the others]

[starshower]

[She feigns disappointment at that.]

Aww, are you sure? Here I was, looking forward to giving you a grand tour of the place!

[Arms up, she gestures at the empty hallway around them, but then lets them drop down to her sides. She's kidding, but that won't stop her from trying.]

Cloud and I found some stuff on the beach to decorate, so not all rooms are the same. You should try looking there, too.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Kaiba picks up on the sarcasm, and he's not amused by it. Still, he answers it straight.]

I'm sure.

[If he hadn't been so uptight he could have seen the humor in it. Alas, additional time had not done much to curb his prickly nature.]

Believe me, I fully intend to and not just for some decorative nick nacks. [Which one is Cloud again? Does it matter? Also, hypocritical on his part since he had actually dedicated a little time towards spiffing up his own apartment.] So there's .... you [What is her name......?] Cloud... and who else have you seen moving onto this floor?

[gardenerofavalon]

For his part, Merlin feels no particular need to claim an apartment for himself. He has no belongings to store, no need to sleep, and if he wants to be alone there's plenty of places to wander off to.

Still, this is where people are largely congregating, so he can't help but drop by to check on things. Purely for information-gathering, of course, with perhaps a side of trolling. Definitely not at all because certain things about this place set him on edge, and absolutely not due to a twinge of loneliness now that he can't use his Clairvoyance.

Anyway.

As it would happen, he's taking a look through each of the floors to see what's there for himself as he happens upon the young man outside one of the apartments.

"You have somewhere else in mind for later, then?"

[blue_eyed_obsession]

That sort of thinking seemed short-sighted to Kaiba, but he also fully understood that he could be wasting his time in these preparations. There was no indication that the concepts they had been free of for a while now would reactivate. Either way, he liked the idea of having a door he could place between himself and the others when he needed it.

Between all the people moving in, and the visitors this building was already resembling grand central station, and that wasn't a positive attribute to have. He hadn't been approached by too many, but that didn't mean he was trying to invite more interactions.

"Maybe I do.." And maybe he didn't, either way should he choose to move he wasn't going to leave a forwarding address. Turning to face the self-proclaimed mage he somehow didn't feel all that surprised to see him.

"Guess you never found anything of value, to share." Drawing a brief correlation between now and the last time they had spoken. "Neither did I..." Which was mostly true. The party had likely been informative enough for them both, and he wasn't about to share what he learned about Parsee. It wasn't relevant to getting out of here nor his secret to share.

[gardenerofavalon]

On the contrary, it's quite pragmatic! True, Merlin enjoys indulging in creature comforts when the opportunity presents, but he's quite capable of making do without, and not getting too entrenched in or attached to one place or another in this rapidly-changing world is likely a good approach.

Besides, without any of his powers he can't properly set up and ward a workshop, anyway.

"Not really," Merlin admits, though with more of a shrug than the cheerful tone he might have affected before. "More of the same story and same idle speculation."

He's sure there's still people clinging to the theory that this is all a dream, no matter how many he may have insisted otherwise to.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

Looking at it from that perspective it was actually quite logical- however, Kaiba was not so entrenched in the apartments that he simply couldn't just up and move later. Sentimentality would not be a factor in his decision either. When something better came along, he would immediately claim it for his own.

It doesn't hurt that he also doesn't really have anything that needs storing aside from a pilfered laptop and office chair. The laptop was still completely useless at this point.

"Let me feign surprise," Or so he said, since he did not make the effort to follow through with the suggestion. "So either no one here knows anything or one or more of them are exceptional liars."

You have a funny way of spelling simulation. Yes, Kaiba was one of those bullheaded persons that hadn't completely moved away from his initial theory.

[gardenerofavalon]

Well, perhaps he doesn't think he is. Or not yet. But really, Merlin just sees no reason why any one place is better than another in this world as it is so far, so why bother?

"Oh, doubtless with the assortment of people here, there's sure to be a silver tongue or two," more like there definitely is, since he's one himself when he needs to be, "but that would require there being a good reason to lie. Given everyone's behavior, it's more likely that no one has a reason to be untruthful on that point."

Well, at least he's not saying it's a dream. Merlin can't claim to be an expert in simulations, but he'd know if dreams were involved, okay?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

"Undoubtedly," Giving the mage a pointed look, indicating that he still wasn't giving the other a pass on that score either. Kaiba might not be aware of anyone's motivations currently but that didn't mean that no one had any. "Not unless it's pathological." Still playing devil's advocate as always. ".. I don't even begin to understand how you can make such a blanket suggestion without having any prior experiences with these people. You're assuming an awful lot." Not everything had to be black and white, yes or no, there were always grey areas.

Dreams and flowers. Are unicorns and kittens next?

Deciding that he had remained standing in the darkened hallway for too long, Kaiba started moving down the hall to draw nearer to a window, he made no indication that the mage should follow. Ugh, he really needed something else to call this freak. Once he was close enough to get the full benefit of the otherworldy light, he turned back to look down the way he came, and to see if he still had a random companion.