we beta-tested this dad

[bloodyashes]

[Airlocked may be over and its producer behind bars... But that doesn't mean that the technology for taking people from their worlds is gone, or that all of IG7's sponsors have given up on replicating its popularity. The fact that the intergalactic police now have to have a taskforce specifically to prevent copycats speaks well enough to that. Some are looking for fame, some are the filthy rich and immoral looking for their own entertainment, but either way, it's happened a good handful of times.

At least this one they caught before it could get into full swing. And, naturally, when it comes to extraction from such situations, the taskforce calls in the experts.

(The added potential firepower doesn't hurt, either.)

There's only a few of the stasis pods filled yet - not enough even for a full 'season' - and the police have gotten most of them, if not squared away, calmed down to the point that they'll accept aid.

Except for one young man - a boy, really, in his late teens with long red hair spilling over his shoulders - with a set to his brows that says he's going to fight anything that tries to get close, and a shimmering light, sometimes gold, sometimes violet, that clings to him like a second skin. None of the police he glares at suspiciously are quite willing to get close to him, not when they don't know what he can do, not when there's only two walls between where they are and the vacuum of space.

Good thing the captain's smart enough to call for more magically-oriented backup, right?]

Comments

[burninglight]

...Hell of a place to stay, if you mean here specifically.

[bloodyashes]

What - Hell no, don't be stupid.

[Congrats, Ardyn, you made him emote back around to being Grumpy.]

[burninglight]

Just kidding.

[bloodyashes]

[Teenager ugh and aggressive elbowing. He's surprisingly, almost supernaturally, strong under all those clothes.]

[burninglight]

Well, it'll be a lot to explain, but I think we've the room to bear one more.

[bloodyashes]

More than a lot. I know.

[And no promises that he'll be especially good at people, either, because as Ardyn can probably guess, he's not the most socially adjusted teen around.]

But I'm not going to be a burden.

[It's not quite 'thank you,' but it's not not thank you, too.]

[burninglight]

The others are used to me adopting strays; it's rather how we all came together in the first place. I don't think it'll be a difficult concept to accept.

[bloodyashes]

Somehow that doesn't surprise me. You seem to attract a certain kind of person.

[burninglight]

Troublesome and lacking in other options?

[bloodyashes]

Also 'reckless' and 'well-meaning but arguably lacking in good sense.'

[burninglight]

...my, you really do know me.

[bloodyashes]

If I was describing you, I'd have to include "deeply enamored of large flightless birds."

[He's teasing. Mostly.]

[burninglight]

Oh, good, then you'll be prepared for the chocobo ranch.

[bloodyashes]

[... He just tilts his head back to stare at the ceiling.]

Of course. Why should I be surprised.

[burninglight]

Oh, come on. It's a nice place, you might just like it.

[bloodyashes]

Well, as long as it's not boring.

[burninglight]

Never. Stars forbid I should ever let things get boring.

[bloodyashes]

Good. I don't know what to do with too much downtime.

[There's a faint lack-of-frown there that almost passes for a smile.]

Except maybe take over a kitchen for a couple hours.

[burninglight]

I think you'll fit right in, in that case.

[bloodyashes]

Well, it's that or swordfighting.

[And while he knows Ardyn is perfectly capable in that regard, who knows about anyone else.]

...Do they have our stuff? I don't care about most of it, but there's one or two things that have sentimental value and I probably shouldn't just leave the replica swords lying around.

[burninglight]

It should be around somewhere. Do you want to go find it?

[bloodyashes]

Probably should, before it disappears.

[He might not have a concept of modern evidence lockers or anything but he does get that shit left unattended tends to grow legs.]

[burninglight]

Come on--we'll get what you need and clear out of here.

[bloodyashes]

[And so they do! Which leads to a room with a bunch of police, and a stash of two swords - one sheathed, one not, otherwise identical - and a backpack full of...

Well, half of it is survival gear and related travelling supplies in a strange mismatch of what would ping someone from Junpei or Yuuri's eras as "modern" and half in the sort of archaic style that someone like Arianna would be more at home with.

There's also quite a bit of tropical fruit, and... grilled cactus?

Asch immediately dumps the latter in the trash on the way out, shouldering the bag with the rest after strapping the sheathed sword around his waist.]

Never touching that again.

[burninglight]

[While Asch was getting his things together, Ardyn made a quick aside to the turian space cop; waving a hand vaguely and assuring him the situation was under control. When they finally started to leave, he raised an eyebrow slightly at the tossed cactus.]

...Didn't think cactuar was even edible.