eluvio | Project 1: [voice] un: hello

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Project 1: [voice] un: hello

[The Eluvio definitely made him nervous, bringing back memories of a different highly technological setting, but Emil had already made the decision to keep his weird skull-like head up and carry on. That was all there was to do, right? So even though he was scared, he was not only going to wear the strange clothes they gave him and try his best at his first ever real job, but he was going to... try to talk to new people.

It still felt like a real accomplishment, even if he did feel a lot safer not using the video feed. He just didn't want to scare anyone..]

Hello, everyone! My name is Emil.

[There. A perfectly normal thing to say! He could do this. He was going to ignore his anxieties and be brave like his friends.]

This is really confusing, but... as long as I'm here, I want to help! I can use magic, and I can fight with it, so if anyone needs a helping hand, like in a dangerous situation... I could do that.

[He can feel himself growing more and more self-conscious, so he hurries to wrap it up.]

Oh! And... does anyone know where I could get some gloves? Really small ones?

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[He'd take that mental 'polite' comment back once he gets to know Reaper more, that's for sure. A scoff is what's given in response, a click of too-many visible teeth as he tips his head back.]

Don't apologise for something like that. There's no cure for death. Learnt that fifteen years ago when this was done to me in the first place.

That aside.

If you're capable in battle and can use healing abilities... don't doubt your usefulness here. Been in enough situations to know I'd have died years earlier without that kind of backup.

[Emil can't help but feel pleased. He has a place here after all, maybe, and it sounds kind of exciting!]

Yeah! And my friends back home always said my magic was a blessing, so maybe you're right.

[A pause.]

What, um... what happened to you?

Magic doesn't exist where I come from. [Aside from what the Shimada brothers can do, and he's not even certain that shit can really be called 'magic.']

...As for what happened to me, it's a long story I don't want to get into.

Short version? I died in an explosion and someone stupid tried to bring me back to life.

[And fucking failed at it.]

Oh, I see.

[He understands, sort of.]

Well, for what it's worth... I'm glad they did! You've been really nice to talk to.

... [He almost wants to laugh.]

You'll be one of the very few.

And hold your opinion on how nice I am until you get to know me.

Others on this ship won't agree with you.

Hmm. I don't know what their experiences are, but you've been really encouraging, and interesting, and we both understand what it's like to look kind of scary but still be good people, so I'm going to disagree with them.

[SO THERE. Deal with it, Reaper, he likes you.]

[...What a troublesome brat. He shakes his head, and decides instead of encouraging the kid more into the image he's made for himself here, he'll change the subject.]

We both understand, huh.

Still have no idea how 'scary' you actually are, kid. [Not that he'd be bothered, even if Emil turned out to be a giant insect or something. He's too old for surprises, nowadays.]

Oh. Right.

[He wasn't putting it off or anything. Except yes he was.]

Well, fair's fair, I guess. Here goes...

[He taps on the screen, turning on the video feed and giving Reaper his first look at something that resembles, but isn't quite, a little skeleton kid. The "skull" is frozen in that rictus grin and as Emil speaks again, only the teeth move.]

Hi, Death. Meet a weapon.

A 'weapon.' [He repeats that word with idle curiosity, clawed fingers of his gloves tapping against his bottom lip as he examines Emil. Honestly, it's not what he's expecting to see at all--perhaps he'd imagined something like a shadowy monster with lots of teeth...

But instead. Well, perhaps if he were still a normal human himself, he'd find it unnerving.]

...Ha. No wonder you don't want to show your face.

You know. You could always get a mask.

Yeah, maybe if I could find one of those big all-over masks, like the people in Façade wear. I don't think that'd draw less attention, though. Or look less weird.

[But he's a bit more relaxed now. Reaper's seen his face, and he didn't have a bad reaction. Other people might be the same.]

Wrong.

If you design the mask to go with the rest of your outlook, it won't look weird.

Basic rules of design.

[He's quiet for just a moment, thinking about that. Design? Matching his outlook? He had no idea Reaper put so much thought into it.]

Is that why you picked the one you did? Like... some sort of... death aesthetic?

[He isn't judging, he just never thought of it that way before. What if he tried a mask too? Something a little cuter? Would it help?]

[Not something that Reaper often advertises--but putting thought into clothing and costume is pretty much his number one passion after you know. Guns and shooting guns.]

Yes. I designed it myself, along with the rest of my uniform.

It's easy to send a message to people just by having them look at you. Most people just don't put in the effort.

[Or... aren't a fucking designer on the side like certain shitty ghosts are.]

Wow... I guess I never really thought about it before! I wore nice clothes when I was human,, but after everything that happened I guess I was worrying about other stuff more.

Did you make the mask yourself?

Don't blame you for shit like that. Being a 'weapon', figuring you had shit on your mind relating to that. [This is in no way subtle prodding into business that probably wasn't his.]

I did. It's false enamel, not real bone.[As he adjusts it back over his face.]

[There's a moment of hesitation as Emil nearly asks if he'd make another one, but he changes his mind. He doesn't know him very well, and it feels like too much of an imposition.

Won't stop him from seeing if this place has a mask shop, though.]

You're right...

[Reaper's not-questions aren't a bother. His main concern would be saying something that scared the guy or made him worry about him. ]

Although, it turned out I've been a weapon almost as long as I can remember! It's just that... for so long I only had one power, and that was turning people to stone. With no way to reverse it.

[Well, that explains why he doesn't like to do it, at least. One mystery solved?]

[Give it a month or two and then ask--see where it gets you. Emil might be surprised.]

Turning people into stone. [He sounds less scared, and a little more impressed. Even letting out a low whistle from between his teeth, a plume of smoke following it.]

Sounds dangerous. Something that people would use. Is that why the name 'weapon'?

'With no way to reverse it'... true petrification, then. None of that magic shit like in games... [...Ahem.] Quite the defensive maneuver, at least.

[Emil nods at the question.]

Yeah, true petrification. I was just the failsafe for the real ultimate weapon, so I guess they decided that was all I needed.

...

A 'failsafe'. What a shitty existence. [He doesn't mince his word, but he waves his hand.]

Fuck all of that. Live for yourself, don't need to be used for anything like that, unless it's what you want.

You know, it's funny, but you sound a lot like a friend of mine.

[Right down to the language.]

She used to say the same thing. I just have to figure out what to do now.

[Because he definitely wasn't expecting to end up on a spaceship talking to a bunch of colorful strangers.]

She sounds half sensible, then. You should listen to her.

[Anyone who sounds like him is fine in his books apparently. He waves a hand at Emil.]

You're just a brat, aren't you? You'll figure it out.

Find out what you like and haul ass from there.

Yeah... I think you're right.

[He has a lot of new stuff to think about, and Reaper's definitely partially responsible. His face is still what it is, but he seems a bit brighter as he waves back.]

Thanks, Reaper!

[He waves a hand at the screen.]

Yeah.

See you around, kid.

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Project 1: [voice] un: hello

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