I remember that. The rare disease without a cure... I had my reasons for looking into it back then. [The entire reason he knew Harumasa in his past life to begin with (16).]
People with it have incredible Ether Aptitude, but parts of their body become a lot weaker because of the mutations it causes. The more it progresses, the more the body just stops working.
[And if you were in a Hollow in that final stretch...
He glanced at Hugo, wondering how far he'd need to elaborate.]
[ If Hugo were going to be honest, his attention was split between Lycaon, his coffee, and Lighter’s presence. Lycaon wanted to talk to them both. Together. About Harumasa. Was Hugo going to have to kill someone for this brat cat? This wasn’t a ‘team put together for casual conversation’. This triad always came up for specific reasons.
Oh, they were getting into EARS.]
I’m aware of it.
[ Uncharacteristically short and too the point. It wasn’t the time to talk about donating his body and health to developing something against a cousin syndrome. He was aware it existed and was aware of looking into it at one point. He always kept himself abreast of the evils those in power enacted. The things done to people with that illness was one of the many. ]
[Lighter could not have summed it up more comprehensively. Air exits his lips between his fangs as he settles himself once again, his ears twitching.]
Correct. I had my own reasons for looking into it back in our past life. My employer at the time was interested in the information.
But that's beside the point. [Now the real fact that makes his stomach drop to think about even now.]
The disease...has followed us to this world. It's morphed from its original form, now affected by the spirit veins. Elemental Aptitude Regression Syndrome, they call it. Same acronym, more or less the same effects.
...
[He won't drag this out any longer.]
Harumasa...is in the final stage of the disease. He informed me the other day that he has within 1-2 years life expectancy left. Apollo is going to see to it that he makes it to that point.
[His blood runs cold as his voice leaves him, settling his shoulders back down once the information leaves his lips.]
The way Lighter's stomach dropped at that reveal forced an inaudible breath from him. All he could really manage because this honestly left him... speechless. He knew Harumasa had health issues and they got worse when around an abundance of magic. He knew how to help Harumasa in case of a health attack.
He just... knew Harumasa. As a friend in this life over an employer.
... The cruelest parts seem to follow everyone from New Eridu into their new lives. From Lighter's tragedy to this. It broke his heart. It didn't feel right to keep his dark glasses on right now. It felt best to be honest, show in his eyes the myriad of emotions welling through him. Worry, fear, denial, frustration, powerlessness.
I’m eager to know what you believe we can do in the face of mortality. There is no cure for that, and due to Apollo’s presence, I cannot gift him Eternity either.
[ Hugo was more than used to the long and short of lives. The news didn’t strike him like it did the others. It may have seemed insensitive to counteract Lycaon’s chilling revelation with a question of their presence, but he felt it more helpful to understand what could be done instead of focusing on mourning someone who was still here. It did remind him of a terrible comment Thanatos made once, Hugo hiding the smirk with his coffee cup. What a poor joke that was.
He did take the time to look from one to the other, noting the way the news changed their stance and the look on their faces. Hugo could imagine the dozens more mobilized to save this man’s life. He had family, friends, neighbors. . . Interfering with that would only mess up whatever progress they’ve made (surely they’ve started attempting something by now). It made it hard to imagine his input in this situation.]
[Lighter's reaction was the humane one. The man understood what it meant to lose comrades. To see yourself still standing while others fell around you. Removing his sunglasses and seeing those eyes filled with pain...it was expected. It was something Lycaon somewhat related to. Hugo's was the logical one. As insensitive as it seemed, ti was needed for this conversation. One can't scream at the heavens about the unfairness of the world. Death would come despite your cries.
And it was like Hugo said. There was no cure.
At least. In New Eridu.
Lycaon paces in front of them both, his hand going to his pocket watch as he fiddles with it out of nervous habit. Flipping it open and holding it close to his chest, despite not looking at the time itself.]
I called you both here for two reasons. First, we are the last to know. The Manager and Miss Anby are both aware, and I would not put it past Jane to have found out in some way. I did not want to leave you both in the dark on something so dire.
[He pauses, eye looking from Hugo to Lighter.]
The second reason is that this is not New Eridu. There are dozens of differing factors from our previous life. Harumasa's loved ones have caught on to this, and are attempting life-saving measures on their own.
Their most recent attempt was a recipe stated to be a cure, but they were short one ingredient. I am not entirely sure of the specifics, but that does not matter. There will be future attempts.
[He snaps that pocketwatch closed.]
We have a teamwork that can rival elite soldiers. If an ingredient is needed, we can be their insurance.
[He's not looking to volunteer to be their gofer, but there are not an abundance of life-saving gimmicks. Failure is not an option.]
[Lighter wasn't so naive as to think death wouldn't come for all of them eventually. Nor to think having a fit about it in front of two colleagues would solve anything, even if he was still clearly emotional.
Whey Lycaon got to the point of why he and Hugo were here, so too did Lighter get down to business.]
Is the recipe legit as far as you know? Not to be that guy, but it seems a little too good to be true.
[Speaking from experience, Lighter did not want to pull these two into a foolish endeavor. He didn't want more lives lost due to his own cockiness. At the same time...]
This place's got resources that New Eridu didn't. Most of this world isn't neck deep in Hollows like New Eridu, there's more to find but just as much danger. You want us all to work together either way if they find something. It's the only lead they've got so far and if it's for Harumasa it's gonna be followed to its end.
It's been a whole lifetime -- literally -- since we've gotten to work together. If you need th- ["the Red Scarf" he almost said, but stopped himself.] -me on the team again you've got me.
Edited (when you notice a typo fucking 8 hours later) 2025-09-07 02:14 (UTC)
[ The first stare Hugo gave was for Lycaon. He expected to be the last to know. In their pat lives, they were more quietly antagonistic toward one another. They both had a way of holding others at arm's length. Together it was a terrible thing. In this life, he had only arrived in the city a few months ago. It was hardly enough time to foster something that would bring up such a topic. Not for him, anyway.
But Lycaon was told, and truthfully, that made perfect sense to him.
The true reason, what Hugo was waiting for, made the vampire think. It was true in their old lives, but could they really replicate that sort of teamwork in this one? It would take training, reconnecting with one another in ways they haven't thought of.
The proposal wasn't impossible. The more he thought about it, the more he failed to see real flaws. Lycaon wasn't asking for anything specific.
The second stare was for Lighter, born mostly out of being impressed he asked what had popped up into Hugo's mind. With Lighter's choice made, Hugo looked between the two, giving a bit more time to his own answer. ]
I'm not against helping out. I think doing what we can and keeping up our teamwork could do more than benefit The Kitten, though. If they come to require our aid, we shall give it to them, but he is probably not the only person quietly suffering in this city who requires the retrieval of dangerous or rare ingredients.
[They were a trio who knew how to suppress the emotional side of things in favour of the logical one. In some ways, it was a boon. It put them on the same wavelength.
Lighter's question is a sound one. Simply stating your magical recipe is a cure-all is one thing, but having the proof to back it up is another.]
The recipe came from Sung Jinwoo. From my understanding, the ingredients were most likely obtainable in the dungeon gates that surfaced over the course of the past month, and are a product of his previous life. They seemingly were taken care of, but the final ingredient was never recovered. [Though to be honest, it felt catching lightning.] As for its validity, Jinwoo stated he had used it before to cure his ailing mother. I do not think he would use something so personal to form a lie.
[Lycaon puts his pocket watch back, the now free hand going to his chin. Lighter had come to the same conclusion he had. This world was different. Kaisou's unique position of pulling things from the supernatural, from other worlds...it made it a breeding ground for doing the impossible.]
Precisely. We should take advantage of the Spirit Gates, and be on the lookout for what the others say on this app. Members of the Black Order are involved in this endeavor, and I cannot imagine they will follow false hopes.
[Hugo had also come to the conclusion Lycaon thought he would--why stop at Harumasa? The man would certainly be the reason they came together, but their teamwork, if perfected, could serve more than just one man. It would give Lighter a direction, Lycaon a purpose, and Hugo a place.
He smiles. If only every team effort could be this easy to assemble.]
I agree. While Harumasa is a noble goal to start, it should not be our only one. We have freedoms that certain factions do not, and our small group number makes it easy to mobilize.
[They'd be forming a strike force, essentially. Three is a good amount of people to get in and get out quick. Even so it would be a lie to say Lighter didn't have reservations. Mostly about his luck staying high where the others met death or worse. He and Hugo were possessed, they didn't need to add someone else to that roster.
And that was provided Lycaon got "lucky" enough.
He's still involved more "formally" in Ghost City and the Aides, factions that pay him to be there. This felt like more risk than reward, more numbers added to what he owed.
But he knew his heart, he would never ever turn down the chance to help someone. There wasn't a shred of honor in that. Anything he could do for Harumasa, he would. And beyond Harumasa.]
I've got "friends" in low places. Places the sun doesn't reach and the mundane doesn't bother to see. They're one of a lot of groups that could use more help in town and will keep us as lowkey as we need.
[Lycaon wasn't a damn cop and Hugo was Hugo so it would track if neither had a problem going down there.]
[ Hugo takes a long, slow drink of his coffee. This was going to be a lot more work, but wasn't really outside his usual to begin with. Hugo was always one bad gamble away from making a huge mess. Still, the stare to the middle distance didn't end. ]
That will be useful. We'll leave the deliveries to you, along with bringing information from those sectors to us. Lycaon's job as a bartender means he hears a lot while others are deep in their cups. And I ... have my ways.
[ All of this aside, it didn't mean he wasn't going to do something for Harumasa in his own way. He'll probably have to switch how he approaches some things, but that should be fine. Hugo will just have to put in effort to find out more ...casual things Haru could do with his health like this.
He missed Vivian at times like this. ]
Either way, it seems we are all on the same page. Help Harumasa. Help the city at large. Schedule training days to learn how our fighting styles have changed.
[Not a day goes by without Lycaon knowing his life is most at risk here. And how it must look to people like Lighter and Hugo, who've toed the line of life and death. He doesn't know that feeling, but at the same time, his confidence is in spades. He won't let it get to that point.
Lycaon's tail swishes back and forth idly, dusting his knuckles against his shirt before pocketing the watch in his back pocket. He nods in agreement with Hugo's summary. Lighter could get the more underground info, Lycaon could handle the upper crust, and Hugo with everything in between.]
Mm. This provides us to perform a wide sweep for information across the city. [His thoughts drift to a possible candidate that could log that information for them. But he'll have to ask later.]
As it stands, I have full faith in both your fighting capabilities--we will just have to find our new normal.
If I recall, Hugo's elemental alignment is different in this world.
[Said while putting his sunglasses back on, tipping them further up his nose to his comfort. That was enough of noticeable vulnerability for the day. He already almost slipped up one time too many.]
Fire's still all mine to play with. So what're you aligned with now then, Hugo?
[ Hugo looked between the two and nodded slowly. That was true. Although he had ice like Lycaon before, that isn't what happened in this life. Instead of saying it like a layman, Hugo held his cup forward, his gaze lowering to concentrate on the object.
The white coffee cup becomes engulfed in shadows that seemed to roll off of it like smoke. ]
All vampires are aligned with the darkness, and I am no exception.
[ Now that he's made the coffee to go cup a lethal weapon... he is going to continue sipping the rest of his drink out of it as if he didn't drench the white styrofoam in shadow made manifest. ]
Besides this, my senses are all sharper than human senses and I can turn invisible.
[Lycaon watches as Hugo extends his hand forward with the coffee cup, ear flicking as the cup begins to drip with smoke. A bit flashy for his tastes, but it got the message across. It made his hair stand on end--that was the nature of the element, after all--but his expression remains as stoic as ever.
None of this is much a surprise to him.]
Similar to my previous life, I am aligned with water, with my main proficiency in ice. Though I have recently been able to manipulate fog.
[As if to demonstrate, he extends his hand and lets the smokey water vapor trail from his claws through the air for a second, only to wipe it away.]
Our elements all differ now, but that should not be a problem. The Spirit Veins favour one element a month, and with three of us covering a separate element, that is half of the year we will have its blessing.
[... what? It was! He'll give the Drama Queen his flowers. But that was interesting to note as well.
Lighter will say the quiet part out loud.]
We're just gonna have to cover for each other during the times one element wanes. With a little practice we'll figure out the rotation all over again, just like riding a bike.
[And while this was a large reason for much of Lighter's internal strife lately, it was useful here. He wasn't gonna deny that just because the blurring line of past and present send a chill down his spine.]
Imagine the drama of fire and ice erupting out of the veil of darkness.
[ Sometimes when you're putting together a performance in your head, you have to share the imagery. It wasn't his aim to make them look 'cool', but he'd be lying if aura farming wasn't an active part of why he made certain choices for appearances and unveilings. Catching the audience in shock made things worthwhile. ]
I'll keep workshopping those ideas. It's convenient that at least two of the three of us remain the same.
The work's gonna stay high quality, no shame in looking good while doing it.
[There are Layers to that comment than a Thousand Dollar VTuber's Latest Model. And Lighter is not aware of a single one, he's just smiling at looking super cool.
And only that and the being able to help the downtrodden out is why he can still smile. Most mentions of their past lives were a bit... awkward for him. But they didn't know that. He'd work through that on his own.]
If we've got the chance to be bigger and better, why not shoot for the moon?
[He sees your tail waggin' Lycaon. He knows how it is as a recent tail haver.]
Could you do me a solid and send me their info? I've got that Combustion Gauntlet again, but I can only tune it so much myself.
[ Hugo could throw in Final Notice to have it tuned up and maybe look into ammunition for the firearm part of the shaft. He fired it so infrequently that he wasn't worried about it, though. No, in his thinking of the spectacle of it all, his mind landed on one thing.
Dressing Lighter.
He didn't have to, but if Lighter was going to work with them again officially, then would it not fit the bill for him to look the part? Maybe that was too much. Maybe it was too fast. Maybe he shouldn't overwhelm the man that barely remembered who he was a few months ago.
No. No. He should resist. It wasn't like he was pulling Lighter into Mockingbird business. He can wear what he likes. ]
I will have to buy a hand blade and some ammunition. When should we plan for these training sessions?
Ah yes, I can put in a word with them for you two, as well. My main engineers are Percival de Rolo III and Viktor. They are employed with Zodiac, naturally, but their affinity lies with us app users first over the corporation.
[Quite literally how Lycaon is able to keep up with so many modifications and maintenance for his legs.]
They're brilliant in terms of modifications. And they love unique technology, so your weapons will likely pique their interest.
[He knows those science types. His gaze does drift to Hugo, who seems lost in his own thoughts regarding this. Lycaon was having similar thoughts run through his mind--Lighter did not need to be saddled with so much responsibility to a group. He knew vaguely what the man had gone through, and what the man didn't have in terms of his memories. Such things would only exacerbate it.
For now, best to leave this as a mutual agreement.]
As for training sessions, I would suggest frequently as time is of the essence. And one of the stable gates might be an option for where.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I remember that. The rare disease without a cure... I had my reasons for looking into it back then. [The entire reason he knew Harumasa in his past life to begin with (16).]
People with it have incredible Ether Aptitude, but parts of their body become a lot weaker because of the mutations it causes. The more it progresses, the more the body just stops working.
[And if you were in a Hollow in that final stretch...
He glanced at Hugo, wondering how far he'd need to elaborate.]
no subject
Oh, they were getting into EARS.]
I’m aware of it.
[ Uncharacteristically short and too the point. It wasn’t the time to talk about donating his body and health to developing something against a cousin syndrome. He was aware it existed and was aware of looking into it at one point. He always kept himself abreast of the evils those in power enacted. The things done to people with that illness was one of the many. ]
no subject
Correct. I had my own reasons for looking into it back in our past life. My employer at the time was interested in the information.
But that's beside the point. [Now the real fact that makes his stomach drop to think about even now.]
The disease...has followed us to this world. It's morphed from its original form, now affected by the spirit veins. Elemental Aptitude Regression Syndrome, they call it. Same acronym, more or less the same effects.
...
[He won't drag this out any longer.]
Harumasa...is in the final stage of the disease. He informed me the other day that he has within 1-2 years life expectancy left. Apollo is going to see to it that he makes it to that point.
[His blood runs cold as his voice leaves him, settling his shoulders back down once the information leaves his lips.]
no subject
The way Lighter's stomach dropped at that reveal forced an inaudible breath from him. All he could really manage because this honestly left him... speechless. He knew Harumasa had health issues and they got worse when around an abundance of magic. He knew how to help Harumasa in case of a health attack.
He just... knew Harumasa. As a friend in this life over an employer.
... The cruelest parts seem to follow everyone from New Eridu into their new lives. From Lighter's tragedy to this. It broke his heart. It didn't feel right to keep his dark glasses on right now. It felt best to be honest, show in his eyes the myriad of emotions welling through him. Worry, fear, denial, frustration, powerlessness.
Ever so familiar, wasn't it?]
Shit...
no subject
[ Hugo was more than used to the long and short of lives. The news didn’t strike him like it did the others. It may have seemed insensitive to counteract Lycaon’s chilling revelation with a question of their presence, but he felt it more helpful to understand what could be done instead of focusing on mourning someone who was still here. It did remind him of a terrible comment Thanatos made once, Hugo hiding the smirk with his coffee cup. What a poor joke that was.
He did take the time to look from one to the other, noting the way the news changed their stance and the look on their faces. Hugo could imagine the dozens more mobilized to save this man’s life. He had family, friends, neighbors. . . Interfering with that would only mess up whatever progress they’ve made (surely they’ve started attempting something by now). It made it hard to imagine his input in this situation.]
no subject
And it was like Hugo said. There was no cure.
At least. In New Eridu.
Lycaon paces in front of them both, his hand going to his pocket watch as he fiddles with it out of nervous habit. Flipping it open and holding it close to his chest, despite not looking at the time itself.]
I called you both here for two reasons. First, we are the last to know. The Manager and Miss Anby are both aware, and I would not put it past Jane to have found out in some way. I did not want to leave you both in the dark on something so dire.
[He pauses, eye looking from Hugo to Lighter.]
The second reason is that this is not New Eridu. There are dozens of differing factors from our previous life. Harumasa's loved ones have caught on to this, and are attempting life-saving measures on their own.
Their most recent attempt was a recipe stated to be a cure, but they were short one ingredient. I am not entirely sure of the specifics, but that does not matter. There will be future attempts.
[He snaps that pocketwatch closed.]
We have a teamwork that can rival elite soldiers. If an ingredient is needed, we can be their insurance.
[He's not looking to volunteer to be their gofer, but there are not an abundance of life-saving gimmicks. Failure is not an option.]
no subject
Whey Lycaon got to the point of why he and Hugo were here, so too did Lighter get down to business.]
Is the recipe legit as far as you know? Not to be that guy, but it seems a little too good to be true.
[Speaking from experience, Lighter did not want to pull these two into a foolish endeavor. He didn't want more lives lost due to his own cockiness. At the same time...]
This place's got resources that New Eridu didn't. Most of this world isn't neck deep in Hollows like New Eridu, there's more to find but just as much danger. You want us all to work together either way if they find something. It's the only lead they've got so far and if it's for Harumasa it's gonna be followed to its end.
It's been a whole lifetime -- literally -- since we've gotten to work together. If you need th- ["the Red Scarf" he almost said, but stopped himself.] -me on the team again you've got me.
no subject
But Lycaon was told, and truthfully, that made perfect sense to him.
The true reason, what Hugo was waiting for, made the vampire think. It was true in their old lives, but could they really replicate that sort of teamwork in this one? It would take training, reconnecting with one another in ways they haven't thought of.
The proposal wasn't impossible. The more he thought about it, the more he failed to see real flaws. Lycaon wasn't asking for anything specific.
The second stare was for Lighter, born mostly out of being impressed he asked what had popped up into Hugo's mind. With Lighter's choice made, Hugo looked between the two, giving a bit more time to his own answer. ]
I'm not against helping out. I think doing what we can and keeping up our teamwork could do more than benefit The Kitten, though. If they come to require our aid, we shall give it to them, but he is probably not the only person quietly suffering in this city who requires the retrieval of dangerous or rare ingredients.
no subject
Lighter's question is a sound one. Simply stating your magical recipe is a cure-all is one thing, but having the proof to back it up is another.]
The recipe came from Sung Jinwoo. From my understanding, the ingredients were most likely obtainable in the dungeon gates that surfaced over the course of the past month, and are a product of his previous life. They seemingly were taken care of, but the final ingredient was never recovered. [Though to be honest, it felt catching lightning.] As for its validity, Jinwoo stated he had used it before to cure his ailing mother. I do not think he would use something so personal to form a lie.
[Lycaon puts his pocket watch back, the now free hand going to his chin. Lighter had come to the same conclusion he had. This world was different. Kaisou's unique position of pulling things from the supernatural, from other worlds...it made it a breeding ground for doing the impossible.]
Precisely. We should take advantage of the Spirit Gates, and be on the lookout for what the others say on this app. Members of the Black Order are involved in this endeavor, and I cannot imagine they will follow false hopes.
[Hugo had also come to the conclusion Lycaon thought he would--why stop at Harumasa? The man would certainly be the reason they came together, but their teamwork, if perfected, could serve more than just one man. It would give Lighter a direction, Lycaon a purpose, and Hugo a place.
He smiles. If only every team effort could be this easy to assemble.]
I agree. While Harumasa is a noble goal to start, it should not be our only one. We have freedoms that certain factions do not, and our small group number makes it easy to mobilize.
[And to stay out of the spotlight.]
Kaisou would only benefit from such teamwork.
no subject
And that was provided Lycaon got "lucky" enough.
He's still involved more "formally" in Ghost City and the Aides, factions that pay him to be there. This felt like more risk than reward, more numbers added to what he owed.
But he knew his heart, he would never ever turn down the chance to help someone. There wasn't a shred of honor in that. Anything he could do for Harumasa, he would. And beyond Harumasa.]
I've got "friends" in low places. Places the sun doesn't reach and the mundane doesn't bother to see. They're one of a lot of groups that could use more help in town and will keep us as lowkey as we need.
[Lycaon wasn't a damn cop and Hugo was Hugo so it would track if neither had a problem going down there.]
no subject
That will be useful. We'll leave the deliveries to you, along with bringing information from those sectors to us. Lycaon's job as a bartender means he hears a lot while others are deep in their cups. And I ... have my ways.
[ All of this aside, it didn't mean he wasn't going to do something for Harumasa in his own way. He'll probably have to switch how he approaches some things, but that should be fine. Hugo will just have to put in effort to find out more ...casual things Haru could do with his health like this.
He missed Vivian at times like this. ]
Either way, it seems we are all on the same page. Help Harumasa. Help the city at large. Schedule training days to learn how our fighting styles have changed.
no subject
Lycaon's tail swishes back and forth idly, dusting his knuckles against his shirt before pocketing the watch in his back pocket. He nods in agreement with Hugo's summary. Lighter could get the more underground info, Lycaon could handle the upper crust, and Hugo with everything in between.]
Mm. This provides us to perform a wide sweep for information across the city. [His thoughts drift to a possible candidate that could log that information for them. But he'll have to ask later.]
As it stands, I have full faith in both your fighting capabilities--we will just have to find our new normal.
If I recall, Hugo's elemental alignment is different in this world.
no subject
[Said while putting his sunglasses back on, tipping them further up his nose to his comfort. That was enough of noticeable vulnerability for the day. He already almost slipped up one time too many.]
Fire's still all mine to play with. So what're you aligned with now then, Hugo?
no subject
The white coffee cup becomes engulfed in shadows that seemed to roll off of it like smoke. ]
All vampires are aligned with the darkness, and I am no exception.
[ Now that he's made the coffee to go cup a lethal weapon... he is going to continue sipping the rest of his drink out of it as if he didn't drench the white styrofoam in shadow made manifest. ]
Besides this, my senses are all sharper than human senses and I can turn invisible.
no subject
None of this is much a surprise to him.]
Similar to my previous life, I am aligned with water, with my main proficiency in ice. Though I have recently been able to manipulate fog.
[As if to demonstrate, he extends his hand and lets the smokey water vapor trail from his claws through the air for a second, only to wipe it away.]
Our elements all differ now, but that should not be a problem. The Spirit Veins favour one element a month, and with three of us covering a separate element, that is half of the year we will have its blessing.
[Unspoken: that also meant the opposite.]
no subject
[... what? It was! He'll give the Drama Queen his flowers. But that was interesting to note as well.
Lighter will say the quiet part out loud.]
We're just gonna have to cover for each other during the times one element wanes. With a little practice we'll figure out the rotation all over again, just like riding a bike.
[And while this was a large reason for much of Lighter's internal strife lately, it was useful here. He wasn't gonna deny that just because the blurring line of past and present send a chill down his spine.]
no subject
[ Sometimes when you're putting together a performance in your head, you have to share the imagery. It wasn't his aim to make them look 'cool', but he'd be lying if aura farming wasn't an active part of why he made certain choices for appearances and unveilings. Catching the audience in shock made things worthwhile. ]
I'll keep workshopping those ideas. It's convenient that at least two of the three of us remain the same.
no subject
[While Lycaon's trying to be mature(tm) about this, his tail swishing back and forth is a dead giveaway that he likes that mental image.]
It may not be what we had in our past life, but I think that should only be a blueprint to start from. Our potential is limitless.
[He stops pacing, looking down at his legs a moment.]
I am going to consult my engineers about getting thrusters put into my legs, as well.
no subject
[There are Layers to that comment than a Thousand Dollar VTuber's Latest Model. And Lighter is not aware of a single one, he's just smiling at looking super cool.
And only that and the being able to help the downtrodden out is why he can still smile. Most mentions of their past lives were a bit... awkward for him. But they didn't know that. He'd work through that on his own.]
If we've got the chance to be bigger and better, why not shoot for the moon?
[He sees your tail waggin' Lycaon. He knows how it is as a recent tail haver.]
Could you do me a solid and send me their info? I've got that Combustion Gauntlet again, but I can only tune it so much myself.
no subject
Dressing Lighter.
He didn't have to, but if Lighter was going to work with them again officially, then would it not fit the bill for him to look the part? Maybe that was too much. Maybe it was too fast. Maybe he shouldn't overwhelm the man that barely remembered who he was a few months ago.
No. No. He should resist. It wasn't like he was pulling Lighter into Mockingbird business. He can wear what he likes. ]
I will have to buy a hand blade and some ammunition. When should we plan for these training sessions?
no subject
[Quite literally how Lycaon is able to keep up with so many modifications and maintenance for his legs.]
They're brilliant in terms of modifications. And they love unique technology, so your weapons will likely pique their interest.
[He knows those science types. His gaze does drift to Hugo, who seems lost in his own thoughts regarding this. Lycaon was having similar thoughts run through his mind--Lighter did not need to be saddled with so much responsibility to a group. He knew vaguely what the man had gone through, and what the man didn't have in terms of his memories. Such things would only exacerbate it.
For now, best to leave this as a mutual agreement.]
As for training sessions, I would suggest frequently as time is of the essence. And one of the stable gates might be an option for where.