Lavi Bookman (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
inksplashes) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
overjoyed_logs2016-12-06 10:28 pm
inksplashes) wrote in overjoyed_logs2016-12-06 10:28 pm
don't threaten me with a good time
Who: Lavi + Koon | Riza
Where: Qresh; Leith.
When: Nebulously within the last few weeks.
Summary: Catch-all for pre-game activities.
Restrictions/Warnings: None available, will edit accordingly.
Where: Qresh; Leith.
When: Nebulously within the last few weeks.
Summary: Catch-all for pre-game activities.
Restrictions/Warnings: None available, will edit accordingly.
koon | l3 warrant | qresh
His instincts warn him, but his mind, curious and trained to seek out that which is hidden, implores them to subside.
Whatever lurks beneath the ocean he'll soon delve--that's surely worth this temporary trouble.
Thus Lavi smiles and nods all the while, chattering away the silences with meaningless words. His temporary companion, a young Qreshi woman with a military precise expression, offers little by way of return conversation, speaking only to instruct him through the security measures as they travel deeper into the compound.
In no uncertain terms, she explains, his discretion is what this warrant requires, not daring heroics. ]
No problem. I've got a good track record. I could tell you about it over di--
[ Another hallway and the sound of her high heels suddenly makes a sharp clack against the ground, drawing to a stop. She raises a long, willowy arm, pointing to a set of white doors at the far end.
"The other agent is waiting for you. Your submersible will have enough fuel for precisely two trips. Do not waste them."
Sighing, Lavi nods, making another faint at getting her number before waving over his shoulder and advancing down the hall. She was probably a lost cause from the start, but now he has the other agent--Koon--to contend with, and the man's reputation breeds some measure of wariness in the redhead.
Capable, smart, arrogant, privileged, lazy. He's met the Level 4 in passing, but never long enough to get a proper read on the man.
His curiosity for the unknown seldom extends to humans.
Painting his best smile on, Lavi switches his holstered weapon from stun to kill and then pushes open the doors. ] Sorry to keep you waiting. I had this stone cold fox who wouldn't take no for an answer.
[ Technically that's true. She made Lavi prick his finger twice for security reasons, then threatened to have him removed from the warrant when he whined about the pain. ]
no subject
Arrogant, careless, though coupled with a score like that — the latter still has a question mark at the end of it. The beauty of being a scheming bastard is that you start assuming the worst in people ( is that a beauty? ), which means even careless people who are often late are watched carefully, too. The curiosity, despite their unwillingness to bring them to light, is definitely mutual in this regard.
But that doesn't mean that Lavi looks like he's an absolute joy to work with. Koon let's a sharp exhale leave his lips, eyes slowly turning to the sliding doors, and the RAC agent that comes out of it. He's careful to let his annoyance show, but just briefly, before eventually standing up. ]
Can't be helped. [ A shrug, then a slow, lazy smile of his own. ] I wasn't exactly planning to take the warrant on myself — [ Maybe he should have thought better. ] so that's my own undoing.
[ Regardless of Lavi's answer, Koon's much more keen on walking over to the submarine, hopping inside with ease. ] Well? [ Chop chop. ]
no subject
(Some day, at some point, this man might become his enemy.
-- no, that's not accurate.
He will definitely become an enemy, but rather or not Lavi is there and in the flesh to reap the rewards of that betrayal is another matter, so he watches, studies, observes. And he does it all from behind that jester's smile of his, unreachable and unfazed.) ]
Mice and men and all that.
[ An outdated reference, he's sure, but not one that he follows with any further explanation. The redhead flashes a good-natured grin, following the other killjoy's lead with a touch more caution. A quick survey of the submarine--particularly its lack of exit points and close quarters--dampens his smile, and there's a light hum of displeasure on his breath.
I guess that makes us the mice. How unfortunate, he thinks. ]
Oh well. I guess we'll be getting extra comfortable with each other, won't we? Should we sing songs? I know this one about a woman with..
[ He slides into the submarine without further ado, pulling the hatch closed after him. The vessel reacts automatically, programmed to carry them to their destination without user input.
Lavi doesn't particularly like that, and it shows for a moment, but he keeps his calm, slipping into one of the two available seats with a long-suffering sigh. ]
..great navigational skills.
no subject
Like this warrant, for one.
Simple, and to the point. There's little hesitation in Koon's movement, and for someone who looks like he should be stabbing your back 20 times in one day ( not a wrong assumption ), he's rather carefree about his entrance. Hands slip into his pants pockets, eyes barely surveying the inside of the submarine before he plops down in the other seat. He manages to focus on Lavi's chatter, though just barely, blue eyes lazily following the other's movement.
His expression barely shifts, except for the quick twitch of his lip. ] Have you never been in one of these submarines before?
They're usually kind about it, setting the coordinates and all. [ His head turns back to the view in front; just the walls of the building they're in. ] For the people who don't have navigational skills.
It should be a 30 minute ride. [ A reach over to a particular button, and once the doors shut they begin their descent. ] I don't know about you, but I definitely can't sing for 30 minutes.
no subject
Kind of like him.
Sighing, Lavi runs a long hand down his face, considering his options. If Kanda was in the other seat, he'd use the opportunity to get a quick nap in, but with an unknown--well.
His trust issues just aren't that forgiving. ]
Nah. Not a local kind of guy.
[ And most of his warfare coverage has been on land. Occasionally across water, but never, he realizes, under it.
Furtively he feels his sidearm again, traces its safety idly, then folds his hands behind his head and lets his eye close. ]
But you are, right? Any intel you can provide that I might have missed? Think our guy went crazy or just wanted some extended alone time?
[ He doubts Koon will share anything particularly enlightening, but poses the question nonetheless. It's a test--just how well does his temporary ally play with others? If they're going to explore an underwater lab together, he'd rather figure out which grade of Qreshi prick he's dealing with early on.
Ever the optimist, this one. ]
no subject
Koon isn't wary in the least — the Qreshi can't touch him now, merely tolerate his presence. ]
The Qreshi are... [ He starts, eyes wandering away from Lavi to the rest of the submarine, the dark waters straight ahead. ] going to want to keep this on the down low. [ It's obvious enough information, but bears repeating. ] There's no reason they want failures to get out to the public.
[ A shrug, as he relaxes further into the seat. His hands knit together, moving behind his head as a makeshift pillow of sorts. The perfect picture of relaxation, despite being stuck in a submarine with someone he's barely met. ]
As for Valentine — [ His voice gets quieter, almost contemplative. It takes him a minute to gather his thoughts, as if to try and understand the man's motivations. Eventually, he shrugs. ] Who knows.
All we gotta do is find him and bring him back.
no subject
RAC agents are, by nature, discrete. But there's no real guarantee that what they find down there will stay down there and not being able to control his only route of escape wears on his paranoia that much more.
A lifetime spent at war really does break a person's ability to see the best in a situation, it seems, but that's often a life saving trait in their line of work.
Humming to quiet his own thoughts, he cracks an eye open to observe Koon for a moment, then sighs to himself.
Not the worst kind of Qreshi prick, then. And not trusting the guy enough to take a light nap when they're going to roam an underground water facility?
That could be a tactical mistake of grave proportions. Despite Lavi's misgivings, he's going to have to give Koon more benefit of the doubt. The guy is a respected agent, even if he's not particularly well-liked. ]
Yeah, I'm sure it'll be that nice and simple.
[ Said cheerfully, if sleepily, though he doesn't take much effort to hide the insincerity behind it--rather, he cracks a sardonic grin, then slouches further in his seat and tips his head back that much more. ]
Anyway, I'm gonna get some shut-eye. No cuddling me while I sleep, okay? I get jumpy. Occupational hazard.
no subject
Koon's specialty lies in confidence — with confidence comes pride, and with pride comes with excellent acting skills so that his pride always takes precedence. But really; he's accepted their complete lack of escape routes, the fact that one wrong move, and it's all over. He's not paranoid, though — there's no reason for him to be, when the only thing at stake is his life and some agent he's just met.
... Admittedly, his life is important ( sorry, Lavi ), but that's just all the more reason to not fail. ]
Of course it will be. [ Failure isn't an option, which means success is guaranteed. Or something. Almost everything Koon says sounds insincere anyway, who knows what he actually means anymore. ] I'm not much of a cuddler.
Don't sleep too soundly, if the submarine drowns I'm leaving you down here. [ He's smiling, so it's probably a joke. ]
timeskip
Which is to say ..almost exactly the same scenery he'd seen last time he closed his eye, but that's to be expected. ]
No cuddles after all? What a cold guy.
[ Stretching his shoulders out as he moves, he's closest to the door, so he's the first one to it when the locks disengage (and subsequently, the first to get water on him for being too impatient to let it open all the way). The docking platform itself is almost identical to where they'd met, but there's a key difference here--with the exception of the submarine, there's virtually no light outside of the guide globes implanted in the floor.
Flash light drawn out of his coat, Lavi flashes a nervous grin, turning the spotlight onto his temporary ally. ]
You can take lead. You're the ranking agent here, after all.
[ And creepy underwater Qreshi labs seem more up Koon's alley. Or just anyone but Lavi's alley. ]
no subject
As always, Koon takes his time — a quick check in the reflection to see how he looks, and then he makes his way to the door. His lips let out a quiet chuckle as he catches the water on Lavi, though he gets a couple of drops ( and a scowl, as a result ) as he walks through the door. ]
Oh boy. [ There's no enthusiasm in his voice. He'd much rather not be first, in the slightest, but ... he's also keen on getting out of here as fast as possible. He doesn't bother with a torch, though — hard light is clearly a better way to go, allowing two blue cubes to appear in the air, floating a few feet in front of him.
That's better. ] Don't get lost, now. [ Here they go — he strolls up to the first door he sees; good to know the automatic doors still work.
In front of them is a long, straight hallway with ground lights; someone's turned the overheads off, making this particular duo the most well-lit area within his line of sight. ] Spooky.
no subject
why are you checking your reflection koon did you want those cuddles after allMaking a not terribly mature face at the other's clearly superior tech, Lavi mutters something about his flashlight being just fine and stows it away in his jacket. The warrant calls for a live apprehension, so he doesn't draw his side arm in its place, but he's keen to check its settings one last time before following after Koon.
Still set on kill. Looking at Koon's silhouette, he switches the safety back to stun. The other man seems trustworthy enough to get a body shot rather than aiming for the head. (Look, they're bonding.) ]
I guess being royalty has its perks, huh? I bet you pick up tons of chicks with that.
[ Because clearly the impressive technology is not used for strategy or defense, it's used for obtaining the affections of attractive women. Right?
The jovial tone dies on his lips, however, as they enter the darkened hallway, Lavi's brow knitting together while he mentally reviews the details of the warrant. There are no sirens going off, so that's a good sign, but if Valentine has been down here for weeks without contact from the outside world and potentially power loss..
Then he might be dead, or he might have well and truly snapped in the isolation.
Lavi would prefer the former, he thinks. ]
Very. You a stealth or frontal assault kinda guy?
[ In other words--alert Valentine of their presence as they move or cover their tracks and keep quiet? If Valentine is alive, he'd know they docked, but whether or not they make a friendly entrance is up to the other agent. ]
no subject
No he just cares too much about how he looksHe hears that muttering — and promptly the grin's back on his face again, smug and lording superiority ( though really, when does he not do that ). Extravagance tends to fit rather well with Koon, anyway; no need to mention that his light houses have more combat-ready uses, when he's already got one reaction.
( Thanks for being a bro and not shooting at his head, sorta ). ]
Yep, this is exactly what women want to see. [ Sarcasm practically dripping from his voice. Bright, glowing cubes that float in the air, super popular with the ladies Koon cares very, very much about. ]
Former. [ Frontal assault is ... messy, with too many ways things can go wrong and not enough advantages he can press. Underestimation from the enemy is one, sure, but — that can only work on so many people so many times. ] Don't tell me you're the latter, otherwise we're going to have a tough time trying to do this. [ As if it wasn't difficult enough already, or something. ]
no subject
[ Plainly said, if a bit stoically, Lavi takes the cue to keep his voice down, his steps a little quieter. This, above all else, is what earned him those remarkable scores on the psychological evaluation upon RAC entrance--not because he's particularly at peace or exceptionally emotionally healthy, but because he can slip into the persona of someone who is with pathological ease.
If the schematics forwarded by Kendry follow, the next area should open to a lobby and split into several smaller labs interconnected with short, detachable hallways between them in the event of a flood. Clearing each lab would take more time with the quiet approach, but caution had its merits, chief among them the propensity to keep both agents alive.
Lavi is rather fond of those merits.
Nearing the middle of the hallway, Lavi stops short, an image flickering at the far end. A silhouette--too far and too quickly gone to determine size let alone gender--flashing by the exit in a violent burst of light. The image disappears almost as quickly as it materializes, a ghostly apparition gone in the blink of an eye.
But Lavi's certain it was moving towards them.
Drawing his side arm, the redhead frowns, shooting Koon a sidelong look. It's probably just a malfunctioning holoprojector, but--
Right now the situation calls for more alarm than ease, so that's what he is. ]
Because this place just had to get creepier, right?
no subject
He doesn't have too long to pursue the line of thought, though. Most of him is still looking forward, which means he definitely catches whatever ghostly hologram... thing decides to join them in the empty hallways. He's not spooked, not exactly, but... ]
Perfect. [ He groans out, annoyance and exasperation slowly coloring his voice more than he wants it to. ] A ghost and a missing scientist. What's next, the power turns on?
[ A hand raises to rub his face, shoulders sagging. And as if on cue — the next corner they turn has a room with light coming out beneath the door. ] ...
[ Just in case, his eyes flicker to his lighthouses. They're still all here. ]
no subject
[ Lavi offers lightly, tone full of resignation and embittered acceptance that whatever situation they're entering has every intent to get stranger and stranger at every turn. Like scenes from a movie where one character asks, "can it get any worse?" and then things immediately do, they seem to be on the fast-track to dangerous foreshadowing.
So all things considered, Koon could be asking for something nicer and less sarcastic if the powers that be are intent to screw with them.
(Not that Lavi holds any such convictions himself -- it's just his nature to balance out tension, to catch that wandering and wary gaze directed towards the strange cubes and respond with humor in some foolhardy attempt to lighten the moment.
Even so, he thumbs over the safety of his gun again, mind clicking, turning, racing over the possibilities of what might wait inside that room.)
Moving to one side of the door, he almost motions for Koon to do the same before he remembers that this taciturn man is not his usual partner--not likely to work in the same synchronized movements that Kanda and he so easily fall into.
Is that..music?
Head tilting slightly, he brings his hand off the heel of his gun to point to his ear and indicate the still closed door, straining to pick up on the near inaudible whisper of sound from the other side. Sing-song and irritatingly cheerful, the cadence reminds him of a nursery's background, and were it not for the social sciences designation of the lab, he'd be certain its only function is to make this place even more unnerving.
As is, it's probably just a developmental room. But whether or not it's occupied?
Lavi smiles blandly, waving his hand lightly to say "you go on ahead, I insist, Mr. Lead Agent". ]
no subject
[ A airy wave of his hand, complete with a voice that positively drips in sarcasm. Sure, they're in a serious situation, sure, there's spooky shit happening all over the place... But the least he can do is have the last word on whatever this stupid conversation is turning out to be.
Not to say he's not working, either — while he's no regular partner he can at least pick out what Lavi's trying to do, and easily follows. Both agents, on either side of the door, backs to the wall... it's the perfect picture of a thriller movie, only around here one of the agents die a terrible, gruesome death to their new antagonistic monster.
Or something. Luckily, this place ( hopefully ) doesn't have any horrifying monster.
Koon tries hard not to roll his eyes at Lavi's actions ( read: not very hard, he rolls his eyes anyway ), staring at the door knob a moment before reaching over, turning it... ] It's locked.
[ ... Well then. One more glance at Lavi, and if it looks like the guy has no idea what to do next, he crouches down. A hair pin sacrificed for the greater good of trying to get in the room ( does this even work in the sci fi future, please yell at me if it doesn't ), and he gets to work. ]
I got you boo
That takes a certain kind of specialist, someone hands on and in the flesh.
Someone he doesn't expect Koon to be.
Curiously, he watches the man rake the tumblers inside the lock, lips pulled into the usual inscrutable smile as he waits, listening to the sound of metal scraping metal until he hears that faint click of access granted.
Nothing stirs behind the door through this; no scurrying or skittering to set him on edge. Just that quiet music, droning on and on.
Breath swallowed and muscles tensed, he bring his weapon up as soon as the door opens, gaze sweeping down each corner, aim moved from side to side. ]
Clear.
[ Inside, there's an odd mix of childhood nostalgia and clinical cleanliness. Toys are wrapped in sterile plastic, lab instruments strewn across a table workbench. The area seems to be focused on music therapy in children, and the song itself is playing from somewhere deeper in the lab, carried through the westernmost wall.
There's a terminal in the corner, holo screen frozen on the last lab report. Lavi advances towards it, gun held down to the ground, scrutinizing glare turned on an assortment of brightly colored boxes beside it.
He's not much of a tech-head, much of his work centered on getting people to willingly tell him passwords, but he has enough technical understanding to guess the computer is on its own private network and should, in theory, be able to cut down their search time if he can get access to the history logs and find out who last made changes to the report.
Still, curious to see just how specialized Koon is, he offers that direction to his temporary partner instead. ]
You know how to crack one of these too?
my hero!!!
When the soft click occurs, he pauses; luckily Lavi has the same idea, and aside from the quiet chimes the lab remains silent. Not exactly keen to take the first step, he's more than happy to let Lavi sweep the area, giving a small incline of his head when the clear is given.
His eyes take in the room quickly — the only noteworthy item is, of course, the terminal. No out of place item, obvious or otherwise; though maybe that speaks to how strictly they run this lab, too. Koon takes his time approaching the terminal, raising an eyebrow. He could keep himself from showing off, or... ]
The latest and greatest. [ He comments, running a hand over it for a keyboard. ] I'll see what I can do. [ What's the worst that could happen from him showing off? Lavi realizes that he's not an easy guy to kill? ]
no subject
They just add such flair to things.
Once the projected keyboard is summoned under Koon’s digits, Lavi leans away from the terminal, looking over the room again. Why are toys that were once so bright and interesting to a child made inherently unnerving to the adult?
Perhaps it’s the recognition of the naivete that once was, its curses and gifts respectively, but this is hardly the place to consider the philosophies of adulthood and innocence lost.
Shaking his head to dispel that train of thought, he investigates the wall as if trying to divine through its plating what precisely might be making that sound, thumb idly tracing a circle around the safety of his sidearm. ]
Anything useful in there?
riza | leith
[ Like a wisp of wind, he shifts through the crowds thoughtlessly, easily. When others in his profession move, they do so with command, with presence, but for this young man, everything about his body language is designed to say "I am not here, pay me no mind."
Sometimes a gaze meets his, pauses, but then it moves on, disarmed with a smile, a laugh, the slightest nod of his head.
They look at him, but they never see him.
Lavi returns the treatment.
Because today is not a day of business or urgency--it's leisure, study. He navigates the sea of faces with calculated indifference, sparing his attention on nothing without due cause. At one stall, he finds an old astrolabe, mislabeled and overpriced, but charming nonetheless to inspect. At another, he speaks with a suspected black market medicine seller about the cultural significance of burial herbs.
That is how he finds himself holding a sprig of heather, idly twirling it under his chin, when a voice reaches through the cacophony of cicada like voices.
"Young man, don't you think this shirt would be absolutely breathtaking on her?" ]
Mm?
[ He tilts his chin, more intrigued by the prospect of being spotted than the topic at hand. Turning on his heel, the killjoy smiles graciously, looking the old woman over with a slight bow of his head, then the other--
Company.
Tension winds at the base of his spine. His fingers, still gently toying with the heather, stiffen for a moment, but that's the extent of his outward reaction.
(Decent enough sort, for what she is--their interactions have been limited, but enough that he recognizes the posture, the line of her silhouette, the reserved way she holds herself. There's not any real affection in it, but he gives her a smile and wink nonetheless by way of acknowledgment.) ]
I do, but--
[ He laughs warmly, heather stashed behind his ear. ]
I think she would look beautiful in anything. She's a stunning woman.
[ The merchant woman offers half a smile, the sort that says "thanks, that's very helpful", opening her mouth to begin a counter argument, though the killjoy doesn't allow it. Leaning over the stall, he regards the blouse closely, humming lightly. ]
Wow! Look at that price. You'd think you were selling Kalosian silk.
"But I am, young man! Look at the craftsmanship here--"
[ Another bark of laughter, but his tone gets a little cooler, a little more ruthless. ]
It's excellent, but it's been treated chemically to produce that sheen. Kalosian silk is shinier. The Kalosian silkworm produces an exceptionally long cocoon. I'd say this came from somewhere closer--Telen, maybe.
[ Sorry, lady. You picked the guy out of the crowd who makes a habit of studying cultural habits and practices. Silk happens to be one of the more historically significant fabrics. ]
no subject
This time, his words are sharper, more cunning. Enough for her mouth to close carefully and for her to revise her initial judgement of him.
If he's right - and she suspects he is, from the way the shopkeeper's eyes dart reflexively to her wares - then her sales'll be dipping that day. Despite the even tones of his voice, noise passes easy through the close quarters of the bazaar. Nearby patrons turn, mouths creasing into thin lines of suspicion at the accusations. Perhaps they'd never had plans to shop for silk today but if they had, they're certainly revising those plans now.
For her own part, Riza feels any particular remorse. She offers the shopkeep a smile, slightly wider than might be considered polite.]
I'm afraid I'm not looking for Telen silk today. [Or any silk, but the point remains.] But thank you for the offer.
[The offer to rip her off, that is.
The merchant huffs, yanking the shirt back in order to stuff it in a box underneath the table. Her good graces lost, she proceeds to give both of them the cold shoulder and ambles off to one side to rearrange the scarf display. As the shopkeep turns to her scarves, Riza turns towards Lavi, one brow raised.]
You're very well versed in the manufacture of various silks. Not knowledge most Leithians possess.
[Or most other citizens of the Quad. Which begs the question: just who is he?]
no subject
--but alas, it seems his momentary drop of the charade did not go unnoticed.
Hands slid into pockets, he hums lightly, looking over the woman with more tactical analysis than personal interest in her looks, though he goes out of his way to exaggerate it precisely so she gets the wrong idea. ]
Not a Leithian, as it were.
[ Pleasantly said, he pulls a hand free to reach into his jacket, movements slowed and calculated so she can see each nuanced muscle turn as he reaches for his digital ID, holding it between two fingers to flash her way. On it, his eternally smiling face and profile, along with his first name and rank--level 3--as a killjoy. ]
Off duty reclamation agent. I like to walk the markets here, you find so many interesting things. And you, officer? Undercover or just enjoying the sights too?
[ Lavi laughs lightly to spare her the necessity of an answer, stowing his ID away and scanning the area around them for points of interest (threat or otherwise) before turning his attention back to her. ]
If you're looking for clothes, I know a shop owner here who will only rip you off half as much as our friend here.