First Beat - Text

[offthetrack]

I know that our first meeting didn't go quite as expected. I just want to make clear that I really do want to help you - and not just for my own sake.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry. I kind of know what it's like being in your position. It sucks. But I guess you know that already.

So why don't we start over again?

I already know your room number. It's only fair that you know mine. I'm in room 24B. Feel free to come by if you want.

Comments

[ruineaxt]

[ Wow this guy is apologizing to him. Wat. It takes Shinjiro some time to respond to this, if only because.... really what do you do when someone is being legitimately polite apologetic like this. Also text when not just BS-ing with a robot is.... awkward. ]

You didn't offend me. Your job is just stupid as hell.
I don't need help.

[A pause. Wait. That sounds.... horrifically dismissive.]

I don't care to come over if you want. Nothing else to do. You there now?

[offthetrack]

[Yeah, robots can be so rude]

If you say so.

And yeah, I'm in here now.

text -> Action?

[ruineaxt]

[so rood.]

Fine.

[And for lack of anything better to do he'll just.... head down there. He can always leave if the guy starts pissing him off, after all.]

away to action we gooo

[offthetrack]

[Otonashi's door is closed, but unlocked. When he hears Shinji approach, he opens it.]

So you came after all. [A small smile.]

[He opens the door a bit wider, and steps back to allow Shinji in. The room itself is set up similarly to the inmate's, just a bed, dresser, and desk with a chair. All standard and sturdy dorm furniture. It's less narrow in comparison, but not by much.]

Make yourself comfortable, I guess.

[He'll stand off to the side of the door, and let his assignment choose if he'll take the bed or the chair.]

Awwww yeahhhhhh~~

[ruineaxt]

[He nods as he steps in-- the room is less cramped than his own (It makes sense to him for the volunteers to get the luxuries), but he can't help but still feel a bit stifled-- and it shows in his posture. From the natural slouch of his back, the way his shoulders rise, hands stuffed neatly in the pockets of his worn coat... he's not particularly comfortable just showing up in his warden's room.]

[Which perhaps makes it a bit stranger that he came at all.]

Like I said, there ain't much else to do. [And rather than the bed or the chair, he settles at the end of the desk, half-sitting, half-leaning on the edge of it. As before, his eyes move over Otonashi, curiosity driving him more than anything. He knows the guy's motive-- his wish, and some thickheaded ideal to 'save' someone-- but now there's the question of his methods.]

So what's up?

[offthetrack]

[Otonashi notes his assignment's... non conventional seating choice and general unease and opts to keep the door open. Y u gotta be so difficult Shinji. He himself takes the bed, and rests his head in his hand.]

[What was he going to do now? He really wasn't expecting the guy to show up at all. He really didn't have a plan or a speech or anything.

Oh well, might as well wing it.]

Um...well...I thought maybe we could get to know each other a little better?

[ruineaxt]

[He watches Otonashi sit down as well, shoulders relaxing slightly. His hands lift from his pockets, instead folding loosely over his chest. At least his warden is getting to the point.]

[On a certain level he can acknowledge that this was to be difficult for him: Trying to do something 'right', to help some stranger and get to whoever his loved one was, thrown into it with little more than a name and an end result. But that that prickling, apprehensive aversion to anything personal sets in, bristling up his spine to his neck like the risen hackles of a dog. So it's hard to be fully empathetic and cooperative.]

[So his lips twist for a short moment, giving a short, half-amused scoffing noise and turning to look to the far wall, rather than continue examining the other man or making eye contact.]

You say that like this's a damn singles bar; and I don't see you buying me a drink. [Not that he would have taken it even if he did. Too many control issues already. But the critique of Otonashi's phrasing doesn't sit long before he follows it with something closer to an answer.]

You know all the interesting bits already. [A lie, and the way he continues watching the wall rather than the other man probably belays it.] I got shot, I'm dead, I'm on some trans-dimensional boat for shitty souls.

[offthetrack]

[...He knew that phrasing was going to come back to bite him. If Hinata were here with him, he'd probably crack a "Are you sure you're not gay" joke.

But Hinata wasn't here. It's just him and Shijiro.]

Ah...I actually did buy you a drink earlier. At the vending machine?

And that can't be all that happened...[He wanted to follow that with a "If you ended up here" but thought better of it. This was Hell Boat after all. Definitely a different Afterlife than Otonashi had come from]

[ruineaxt]

[The comment is just enough to take him off guard-- because hey, the guy was right. He did buy him a drink. After a moment he gives a short, rough laugh, shaking his head.]

Well damn. Guess I do owe you something. [A hand comes up to lift the scruffy mass of hair at the back of his neck, freeing it from the collar of his coat if only for a moment. the fingers can't quite get through a tangle, though, so he quickly gives up on that.]

Alright. What is it you're wanting to know? [Whatever regret was keeping him there was the obvious answer. But some things were too closely guarded even for someone who sprung the cash to get him a drink.]

Sign? Blood type?

[offthetrack]

Uh...let's start with blood type?

[ruineaxt]

[A pause.

...Seriously? His brows go up. Either the guy is playing along pretty well now, or... who knew what the other option even was. He lifts a hand to gesture towards Otonashi.]

A. Don't tell me you actually believe in that crap.

[...Sure, he was pretty stubborn and reserved and whatever the fuck else those stupid charts said he should be, but he had never really been into the belief.]

Haha I totally forgot blood type personalities were A Thing

[offthetrack]

What no! I-it's always good to know someone's blood type! What if there were some kind of accident and you needed a blood transfusion?

Bahaha, They are a thing that cracks me up.

[ruineaxt]

[....]

I'm already dead. It'll be alright.

[offthetrack]

But what if it's not? You can't say that for sure.

[ruineaxt]

You really think I'm gonna get deader?

[He shakes his head. If that were possible... No, it wouldn't be. Not worth considering.]

Fine. If it's not: can you even do a blood transfusion? Or make sure the stuff you'd be putting in me's not infected with something?

[offthetrack]

[He furrows his brow as he gathers his thoughts.]
Well...no I can't do a blood transfusion...but I could stabilize you until help came...

But. I guess you can't get any more dead now. So you'd probably come back to here. That's how it worked where I came from anyway

[ruineaxt]

[...That's an interesting bit of information, and it grabs his attention.]

...You mean your own bullshit-afterlife? People die there and-- what, wake right back up?

[offthetrack]

Well "dying"still hurt like hell and you'd black out. But you'd regain consciousness after a while. So maybe it works the same way here...I don't think he'd let people leave if they hasn't learned anything...

[ruineaxt]

He?

[Shinjiro's brows lift. Playing nice can certainly have it's advantages.]

But don't worry, I don't plan on hangin' myself with me sheets or anything like that.

[offthetrack]

[even though Shinjiro is probably being his sarcastic, Otonashi is relieved to knowhe's not suicidal.]
Ah...good. I'm glad you're not planning on....trying t-that...
[and...let's just steer clear from that topic.]
"He" is the Captain of the ship.

[ruineaxt]

Ain't like it'd do me a lot of good, anyway. [But yes-- Death is too close to the fact that they're there, and what they're there for. Shifting topics helps sidestep that.]

He's the one who contracted you for this, then. You met the guy?

[offthetrack]

I've only meet him once...back where I came from.

[ruineaxt]

Did he run that place too? Or just offer you this job?