[TEXT] UN: STOPMESSAGES

[eyeforaneye]

A number of things.

First, I want to know how many people are familiar with ninja and the shinobi world.

Second, I’m interested in increasing my knowledge when it comes to the technology on the ship.

Third, in connection with the second point, is there a way to stop others from being able to send messages to your communicator? Stopping all of them temporarily would also be acceptable.

[ That's it, Sasuke's first message, no name attached and no hint of an introduction in sight. Still, it's downright personable for him. ]

Comments

[finethanks]

There are some nice hamburgers, but if those are too western, then there was one small location that had simple bento-like meals. Rice, seaweed, vegetables and fish. The tea was nice there.

[eyeforaneye]

Your west and my west are not the same. I don't know what you're talking about.

Are you going to tell me where the other restaurant is?

[finethanks]

That's right, isn't it? Fufu, a hamburger is made of beef. There are different ways to prepare it.

But you want to know where the restaurant that has bento meals is? I could show you and it would be much easier. ♪ Or do you really want to know in advance?

[eyeforaneye]

That's vague. [ But fair. He won't demand a recipe for hamburgers. Yet. ]

You're really insistent about this.

[finethanks]

I've been stuck alone in my room for a few days now. It's beginning to remind me of the hospital, with how stiff it feels. Is it wrong to want to get out?

[eyeforaneye]

[ I... hate you... What is this level of guilt-tripping. ]

You can show me where the restaurant is. No more than that.

[finethanks]

[He's used to getting what he wants...]

Yay! ☆ Where should we meet?

[eyeforaneye]

[ Sasuke's used to his life being absolute shit, where does that leave us. ]

Be less excited and I'll meet you in the atrium in an hour.

[finethanks]

I'll be cold and aloof like you. I visit the atrium frequently, so I'll see you there in an hour.

[eyeforaneye]

[ He so badly wants to type up a grouchy response that would do nothing but prove Eichi's point, so he refrains. In fact there's radio silence on his end for the next hour, instead taking the time to get in a few last minute exercises in his room before cleaning up and heading to the atrium for the promised meeting.

And there he is, in all his pale glory, a relatively unimposing and even slight figure waiting beside the area's most prominent feature: the large tree at its center. The long white shirt he wears sports a few visible stains that he's clearly attempted to wash out, flecks of rusted red dotting the collar in particular and even more so along the uneven line of his left sleeve.

A left sleeve that hugs nothing where an arm should definitely be, but just isn't. He drags his right hand through his messy crop of dark hair while he waits instead, scanning the surroundings. ]

[finethanks]

[Eichi doesn't bother him beyond that, going back to his own business until it's time to get ready and leave. He takes his time getting to the atrium and still manages to get there just on time. There are a few other people this way and that, but it's easy to spot Sasuke.

The lack of one arm is of note, certainly, but what seals it as Sasuke is the dark hair and the questionable clothing, along with how he's waiting and scanning things. Eichi's own clothing is far more... put together, and even if it's a nice temperature on the planet, he's dressed a little warm just in case. Pale himself from skin to hair color, and definitely frail, Eichi is surprised to find that he's three inches taller when he steps in front of Sasuke with a calm smile.]

Hello! You must be Sasuke.

[eyeforaneye]

[ Don't tell him you identified him by his bad clothing.

When he turns, however, it shows off sharp eyes, a strong jawline, and clear skin, an altogether overly handsome face that doesn't at all match his terrible and charmless personality. Not to mention the rest of his unkempt appearance. ]

Tenshouin Eichi. [ His gaze drags over him slowly, sizing him up in terms of both height and any visible muscle mass. He isn't given much to work with. ]

Somehow... this is exactly what I expected from you.

[finethanks]

Is it? I wonder what that means.

[Are you calling him sick looking or?? Well, he'll just give Sasuke another once over before glancing over his shoulder to the entrance to the atrium.] Though I can't say that I'm very surprised by you, either. [Except the arm, but he does have manners, especially about this sort of thing.]

You probably don't want to waste any time, right? Fufu, you can follow me and I'll walk us there.

[eyeforaneye]

[ Ah. He actually "fufu"s in real life. Sasuke doesn't know what to do with this information. ]

I could go into detail about what it means but I can't imagine it'll go over well. [ It never does. Sasuke thumbs the hilt of a knife tucked at his side just in case as he turns, jerking his head towards the exit. ]

Come on, then. Lead the way.

[finethanks]

Mm, are you thinking that I might retaliate if you say something mean? Even despite seeing my frail body, it flatters me that you'd think of my feelings or reactions in a situation like this.

[Mostly he's just teasing and having fun, yet again. But with another chuckle, he moves on his way and looks to make sure Sasuke is following. As expected, he walks like a spoiled rich boy and it's clear from his movements that his body is in fact frail and weak. He's got no tricks up his sleeve, even if his eyes might give away his real feelings from time to time. Even if he always keeps this calm and proper smile, sometimes his eyes light up like a child's, excited and mischievous.]

I assume you've already brought your tokens with you?

[eyeforaneye]

I'm thinking about a possible headache before it arises. [ Which is the truth even if it's said quietly; there aren't many situations wherein he could be convinced to avoid being "mean" for its own sake. Self-censorship is a social grace that has flown right over his head for many, many years. Help him. ]

I have, all six. [ Yes. Six. Not seven.

Sasuke keeps a close eye on him as they walk, blessed with an incredibly sharp gaze that he uses to analyze every nuance in his movement. Which foot he steps with just a little bit more firmly, evidence of whether he's right- or left-handed. How confident his gait is. How rigid his posture is. Most of the time he gains a better understanding of people through physicality than through words; it's why he and Naruto fought instead of debated in order to communicate. ]

[finethanks]

[He's left-handed, prim and proper and wears false confidence like a mask. As relaxed as he might seem, it's largely in part to him trying not to overexert himself, because even a simple task like walking can get to be too much if he does too much of it.

Despite all of that, there's clear determination in everything he does, and that certainly includes putting up with Sasuke's cruel words. They're nothing, really, compared to other things he's heard or seen. In a way, he thinks he can understand them, too, so they don't bother him very much at all. He has other things to focus on.]

Fufu, but did you know there are actually seven? I suppose that means there's one district we're limited from visiting, but it's not one I intended to take you to, anyway.

You're not very talkative, are you? Well, that's fine. There are others that I've met who speak even less than you, and I admire them a great amount. If you'd prefer to be silent, then I can do all of the talking. Leave it to me~.

[eyeforaneye]

[ It's entirely tempting to say nothing. Really, it is. It's practically been welcomed.

But to be silent would be to forfeit his right to judge, and potentially to complain about something he finds unnecessary and idiotic. He will never give that up. ]

I know about it already. Luxuria, was it? The sex district. I have no interest... regardless of needlessly imposed age restrictions. [ Romance. His greatest skill. ]

I've been talking too much today as it is already, anyway.

[finethanks]

It's true that there's nothing so interesting there but trouble, but I had thought you might be the type who would want something out of reach. How curious.

[Eichi is very used to quiet people his age indeed, though, and he has no trouble carrying conversation all the way down to the planet. He's not overly obnoxious, thankfully— just talkative in a way that seems like he's simply saying thoughts aloud. As it turns out, that's pretty much what he's doing.

He reaches into his pocket at the center of all of the districts and flashes a blue token at Sasuke.] We'll need this one. Some might have thought the orange token to be more suited for this journey, but that's a dangerous district indeed. Rather than focusing on quality and flavor, that district is full of foods of all types that you won't be able to stop eating. It's dangerous for me to consume certain foods in great quantities, so I have to limit myself there.

The district of Acedia is relaxing, so it's much easier to find small shops with food that makes you comfortable. That's where the specific one I mentioned is located.

[eyeforaneye]

Sex can be found anywhere. I wouldn't call that "out of reach". [ Well. That was blunt. And luckily a topic they don't have to dwell on while they journey to the surface; just try to ignore Sasuke's slight pauses every time he has to interact with any piece of technology whatsoever. For the sake of his pride.

He's hidden away the dagger on his person by the time they're ready to choose their district, thankfully, trading it out for the blue token that's been indicated... but... ]

Relaxing? And like the others, that influences a person's will also? That sounds even more dangerous.

[finethanks]

[...Well, that's not wrong. But how scandalous. Eichi decides not to comment on that, silently waiting until Sasuke shows his own blue coin and speaks about it to chuckle. His laugh is trailed by a small cough.]

To someone who's afraid to let his guard down, I suppose you're right. Don't worry, your senses won't dull at all. If you only stay in the district for a short time, and avoid the tea that's created with flowers to lull you to sleep, then you can enjoy your food and leave without a problem. It took an hour for me to feel noticeably different in this particular district.

[eyeforaneye]

I take issue with the word "afraid", but fine. [ Of course he does. ]

... should I notice any effects, this excursion will be over. I don't need to deal with that. Do you understand? [ Right. Maybe he does need to "deal with that" if he's this tightly wound, but this has been the case for years. And years. And years. ]

It's already enough that I'm out here with you in the first place.

[finethanks]

Of course. Would it help to purchase a cloak of some sort to hide you? Or, since I'm taller than you, you can stand behind me at the right angle as we pass crowds. A perfect plan.

[Use him as a shield. ✰ Haha, but Sasuke is so serious it's very entertaining. Eichi loves it. He gestures for him to follow as they head towards the gate.]

Let me know the moment you feel uncomfortable, and I'll do my best to help. I wouldn't want to trouble you, after all. [He says, after nagging him until he went out to eat with him...]

1/2

[eyeforaneye]

[ urgggh ]

2/2

[eyeforaneye]

Patronizing me does not make me more likely to escort you off the ship again in the future. We aren't here for my health. [ No, even if something as simple as fresh fish sounds extremely appealing right now. There'd been no time to eat in the days of non-stop fighting he'd been subjected to prior to coming here and what has been available on the ship has been... lacking. ]

Were you here alone during your first exploration? [ He keeps close out of habit, guard up, and they appear laughably different. Sasuke's posture is rigid and uncompromising but his clothing is so shabby and damaged that it almost takes away from that impression altogether. ]