Lurkers Are The Worst

[tiger_ken]

[1]

...

[There's been a lot of new arrivals to the Unity Group as of late, so one imagines it mustn't be so surprising to see a new face that one doesn't recognise. But this one doesn't seem all that much older than a highschool student - heck, he might even be - and unlike some of the younger associates of the organisation, he hasn't exactly ditched his uniform either.

And thus, there he stands in the corridors of the Sakihama Base, hidden beneath the Earth, as he seems to be taking less than conventional means of getting a snack from a vending machine. Well, one assumes shoving your hand right in there is unconventional.]

[2]

[This time he's managed to hop along through the TSEN all the way to Fort Alhambra, and already is trying to make himself familiar with all its nooks and crannies.

Starting with its air ducts.]

Ngh... These could use some replacements...

[Grumbling to himself, the lad nevertheless soldiers on in his strange quest, and yet...]

Cher-THUNK

[All this gets him is the metal buckling under him, and he falls out into god knows where. Or onto god knows who.]

Comments

2

[way_of_vengeance]

[And where should he fall in front of but a graceful, pink-haired woman-and a much older lady.]

Oh? It seems we have an infestation in the vents, Sayo.


So it seems, Mistress. Do you think we should call an exterminator?


[She levels a rifle at Ken's head.]
No, I think I'll handle it myself. No need to bother everyone about a single rat.

Re: 2

[tiger_ken]

W-What rat exactly looks and talks like a human being, eh?

[He says, seeming a bit small as he tries to sit himself upright.]

Re: 2

[way_of_vengeance]

Oh, it'd have to be a very clever rat to do that.

[She does keep the gun trained on his face as Ken stands up.]

So, Mr. Rat...Do you have a reason to be crawling around in our vents? Did you just want a bit of moldy cheese? Or was it something else?

Re: 2

[tiger_ken]

Who doesn't make themselves familiar with the ins and outs of a new place?

Re: 2

[way_of_vengeance]

...Most would not do so by crawling around in vents like vermin.

And your uniform...this is hardly the place for a child, Mr. Rat.

1

[star_of_sad]

Umm.

[Hey, it's a stranger and... not an intruder, actually. But he still acts suspicious.]

Hello?

Re: 1

[tiger_ken]

One second. Trying to get myself some food.

[Now he seems to be... trying to tip the machine slightly? As if that'll actually help.]

[star_of_sad]

You're supposed to put money in first.

[tiger_ken]

Well obviously. But I don't have any, so I gotta get it like this.

[And by 'this', he means slowly clutching at the end of a packet at the bottom.]

[2]

[fire_dancer]

Raquel was in her quarters just getting settled in she's just stepped out of the shower a moment ago and was in the process of changing. That's when the vent started to give way above her. She'd just pulled on her undergarments and was going to dry off her green hair when some of the ceiling gives out with a tortured screen and even with her own reflexes she doesn't have much if any time to respond as the falling form of Kentaro would land right on her sending Raquel sprawling to the ground.

She lets out a cry from the force of the impact but is dazed, one could swear she's got swirly eyes right now from how dazed she is. Kentaro would find himself having landed with little harm thanks to Raquel whom he's now on top of.

"ugg....."

Raquel's still not quite aware of what happened but there's something heavy on her she knows that much as her thoughts start to get back in order.

Re: [2]

[tiger_ken]

Ngh... What'd I fall on...?

[Ken's a little surprised. He could've sworn that, even from that height, his fall should have hurt a great deal more than it did. Instead it was... kinda soft. And he was pretty sure he could some kind of fa-]



...

[Speechless. Absolutely. Out of shock, fear, and... slight amazeme-
No, no, no! This is bad! Both for falling on her but because of this position...]

Towel... Towel... Towel...

[Frantically, he turns his head about, trying to find... aha! The boy reaches for the towel, trying to throw it unto the knocked over maiden, before he backs up against a nearby wall, stiff as a board.]

Re: [2]

[fire_dancer]

Ken has got a bit of an look to put it mildly. As Raquel starts to get up she hears someone talking. Then he feels a towel on her and she now pushes up off the floor.

"What just..."

She takes the towel and is about to set it own, before it dawns on her there's a man here in the room /with her/. With almost blurring motion the towel is about her and she's shooting Ken a hell of a look as she stalks up to him.

"What in the name of God are you doing in here?! Were you spying on me showering like some kind of pervert?!"

Re: [2]

[tiger_ken]

Nononono! Not at all! I just fell out of the ceiling!

[...]

...Wait! I wasn't there to peep! I mean, its the worst position, getting past the door wouldn't have been hard, and-

And...

Sorry!

[Realising he's dug his hole somewhat deeper, he makes a hasty bow.]

2

[keep_your_dignity]

[...and the thing you fall on is the large, plated, sharp-edged form of Major Kagura. Which honestly rates around a field of rocks in the painful landing-o-meter.

The robotic frame doesn't so much as wince, though]

Re: 2

[tiger_ken]

[There is just... pain, in the boy's eyes, before slowly, like a drop of rain on the window, he falls off.]

...Aaaaaaah...

[He gives a painful sigh.]

[keep_your_dignity]

[No pity to be found here]

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN THE VENTS

[tiger_ken]

I was... checking out the whole base... stupid robot.

[The boy struggles to his feet.]

Never know when I'll have to use them.

[empress_without_a_throne]

[Yes, that's for sure Ken. There you are, minding your own business when suddenly...]



Ken? Ken Torao?!?

[Nevermind mind you're trying to steal food from a vending machine, Sara's going to all but glomp you from behind!]

Oh I have seen you in years!

[tiger_ken]

Hm?

[Almost Sara, almost - if not for a last second slip away by the lad.]

You are...?

[He does seem... slightly curious. This is the first time on the base someone has actually addressed HIM first.]

[empress_without_a_throne]

It must've been... oh... nearly seventeen years now since we've met, but I've still seen plenty of pictures of you when you were younger!

Did grandpa mention me when he sent you over here? Or is this all just coincidence and fate and you're here with some other group?

[tiger_ken]

All I got told was that you guys were working with this 'Unity Group', and that it'd make more sense to hang around here. Still waiting for this 'prototype' or whatever to show up.

Though, hadn't thought the director would have his own granddaughter out and about...

2

[abugslife]

[While Ken is crawling in the vents, he sees a one-meter long beetle-like creature crawling from the other side. It notices him and waves a leg.]

Krrtt?

Re: 2

[tiger_ken]

...either this place has a truly horrendous infestation, or you're something else entirely...

[Ken makes no sudde movements, instead studying it... and hoping the whole vent doesn't buckle under him. Had that enough already.]

[abugslife]

[Well, the weight of two people in one segment is enough for the vent to creak dangerously! The insect swings its front legs, telling him to get out of the way!]

[tiger_ken]

[Having more warning than usual, Ken does indeed try to shimmy backwards, oddly compliant with orders from a giant insect.]