I Was Looking for a Breath of Life

[redlightgreenlight]

Who: Valdis and Open!
What: New Arrival tries to cope with being dropped into a new place after a massive bloodbath
When: November
Where: All over
Warnings: Headaches, grumpiness, will warn if it gets worse than that.




1) Arrival: Her head screamed at her, sharp pain cutting into her vision with every breath. Eyes closed tightly, Valdis does her best to breathe. The heavy death in the air, filled with lingering desperation and trauma tightened her chest. Of all the times to fall into a new world, it would be just after a massacre. With her head in her hands, her black hair hiding her face, she leaned against the railing of the walkway, trying to drown out the pain. This was definitely where it all happened. The pain was worse here.
"Haven't felt this bad since the last war," she muttered. "How many people died?"


2) Revelations: Valdis worked her way through the ship, avoiding her cabin as much as possible, seeking to memorize the layout of the ship and maximize her ability to move quickly should it be necessary. The Void is silent, a fact she should be grateful for, and in some ways, very much is. But now the silence is simply silence, and the feeling that the dead are around every corner sits in her gut. She can’t see them, except maybe flitting out of the corner of her eyes from time to time, but she can sense that they aren’t alone. Footsteps sounded from behind her, she’d been so focused on the dead that she hadn’t paid attention to the living. She turns around, hand on the hilt of the rather impressive sword hanging on her hip.

"Hello?"

3)Buffet: Without the ability to draw on the dead, Valdis must find something to soothe the very human feeling of hunger. She’d known the feeling from home, before her memories had begun to return, but now she found it highly annoying.

“What’s the best thing here?”

Second Week of November and Onwards

4) Library: Valdis has finally taken Erin's advice and found the black binder in the library. She is not thrilled with what she's reading and the tension is visible in her usually elegant jawline and the glowing red in her eyes. Fear isn't found anywhere in her demeanor or soul, but rather a thoughtful, yet tense, aura radiates from where she sits. She's so focused that almost anyone not touched by death could approach without her noticing. If they are touched by death, she may react poorly, so tread carefully.

5) Hurikane: She can't get drunk, but she sure is trying her best with pure vodka and whatever else she can find that's strong. She's not even really trying to taste it, just downing it as fast as the invisible bartender can deliver, and exhausting her healing abilities as she goes. It's still not enough to even give her a buzz though. Disappointing.

6)Wildcard round: Your turn!

Comments

[redlightgreenlight]

There have been many people throughout history with strange personalities that inspire people and are good leaders. If he's anything like the one from her world, she has no reason to doubt his ability; his quirks at least make him bearable. Those self-righteous leaders that take themselves too seriously are boring and not worth her time aside from plotting their downfall. But she doesn't do that anymore.

She arches a brow, adding her own teasing smile, "There are some games I like to play, I'm not going to tell you which ones though." It's far more amusing to have people try to figure it out. "As for treats, well...none I can think of."

[konpeito_aji]

"So not sushi," he taps a finger to his chin. "Have you ever played Go?" He also has about a million bad jokes about bones, but even HE has enough class not to stoop that low. For now. Belly rubs though, beware.

Honestly he's more amused trying to figure it too. This too, is a game, after all.

[redlightgreenlight]

She quickly searches her extensive memory for an idea of the game Nobunaga mentions. Yes, she recalls it, not that she spent much time there, but enough to remember the rules.

"No, I haven't heard of it." There's no trace of her lie anywhere in her demeanor, so unless he can read minds, she's rather convinced he won't catch it. "Are you a master at that too?"

[konpeito_aji]

"Yes," a plain nod. Not a boast, just a warning. "I have never lost a game." He hasn't played experts -- other than Mitsunari Ishida, and Mitsunari is more his chief strategist (other than himself) so they rarely sat around playing go. Especially since the airhead was happier in the library reading, and Nobunaga himself was more likely working or hunting or doing something physical.

"If you prefer to stand a chance of winning," SO ARROGANT. Demon King of 6th Heaven means being the most arrogant, stubborn, proud bastard of all time, after all. "I am unfamiliar with European card games, things at the casino, and most sports after the 16th century."

[redlightgreenlight]

"I used to play chess, but card games and gambling aren't really my style. I generally don't play games I can't win."

It's a simple truth, softer than his outright arrogance. It might be interesting to humiliate someone so proud, she's done it before. It's always fun to use people against themselves. And yet, it serves her no purpose here, and with all the abilities on display, she doesn't know if she can win. So it's better to not play.

[konpeito_aji]

"A wise strategy," a somber nod. And sometimes it's no fun to fight someone too much like himself. "Sports then? I do not mind being bested there, though usually I do not get to participate myself." Rulership stuff.

[redlightgreenlight]

"Hmm, you mean like you summon a champion, and then I summon a champion and they fight on our behalf? Or perhaps riding? jousting? foot races?"

Old sports, not like football, or baseball or wrestling. Like the Kings and Queens of old. Still, it doesn't really suit her to have others spill their blood on her behalf anymore. And the others?

"No. Matches of any kind without purpose aren't really interesting either." She continues to smile, "Any other ideas to amuse me, Demon King?"

[konpeito_aji]

"No that's pokemon," the first part, "And I don't have any of the cards or whatever yet. You'd have to ask Pratt more about that." And then he just whines about riding and jousting. "I wish. I never knew I'd miss horses? I miss horses." A HUFF. "I've been riding since I was studying swords and knives. I was probably on horse before I could walk. And it's not that I'm some pampered prince who's never marched anywhere. You can't know the speed of your infantry without marching it yourself, but since this whole cruise ship farce is fake anyway, it's not truly sailing. At first I was excited because finally A METAL SHIP!" Deep breath. "I told Akechi, we could absolutely do ships this size, and he kept being like, 'My lord, could is not the same as should. The amount of metal needed--' and he's right, so we went with smaller ones for a fleet, but still! What's the fun if you never do any of the sailing process?!"

He's okay. "I misses horses."

He's okay. "Oh, but there's cars sometimes on the expeditions? So I'm told. I've never seen a car yet. Maybe next time."

Nobunaga loves wrestling the most after guns, swords, trivia, and sugar. Wrestling is his favorite sport. It is ancient actually. And he promoted it as a sport in the 16th century. But he's not sure about challenging women to beat the shit out of him in wrestling. Not because he wouldn't enjoy that, just ask Pollux -- but because he'd enjoy it, maybe too much.

"Do you prefer productivity or high stakes?"

Funny...I KNOW wrestling is an old sport, and so does she, I just...forgot lol

[redlightgreenlight]

She definitely wasn't thinking of pokemon, or any kind of modern game, but it's funny he made that connection, so she just continues to smile. The horse thing she can't really relate to, many prey animals dislike her out of instinct and she can't really blame them. She's sure they know, just like the wolves do, that she is not human. Nobunaga is continuing on however, infantry, ships, cars. Oh, he finally takes a breath. Certainly long winded.

"I'm beginning to think there aren't any games I enjoy." She hums, "I do enjoy wordplay, battles involving wit. It's amazing how many kingdoms fall due to the misuse of words." Would that be both? "So I suppose both wouldn't be out of the question."

XDDD No worries

[konpeito_aji]

"I love wordplay." After all they both did poetry! But yeah, that's probably obvious from his amount of talking.

"Perhaps we need to make a game or contest out of poetry. I'm most familiar with haiku," of course, "But I'm a pretty quick study on other forms. The Portuguese Cantigas de Amigos I'm familiar with, and though I've never written one, I could probably do it. Got a preference on styles?"

Re: XDDD No worries

[redlightgreenlight]

"Seems like a very low risk and enjoyable endeavor."

Poetry is also in the eye of the beholder, like many forms of art. It's not exactly what she means by wordplay, but it's definitely a mild and worthwhile hobby.

"I suppose you probably aren't familiar with iambic pentameter, we may also not have the time to dedicate to it too closely," she replies,"I can do a haiku."

Besides, a haiku is an excellent challenge.

"Even a warrior can appreciate art."

She does love to dance too.

[konpeito_aji]

If it comes to dancing and music, that almost exhausts the end of his versatility. He's a big fan of both, singing as well.

Normally he can haiku without even thinking about it. When he's flustered or even the slightest bit unbalanced, he starts doing haiku. Even in the middle of sex if he feels like it. But his brain hasn't fully transitioned, so he just goes where his focus still lies.

"Katana cut through
Most ev'rything they desire
But still not gunfire

A young maiden's heart
Cannot be won by most things
But serenades might."

Two for the price of one.

[redlightgreenlight]

If he's going to offer two, she might as well match it. Though a haiku battle in the middle of the buffet isn't exactly the most appropriate place.

"Bright Holy Blade strikes true
Once undying breath falls silent
God only dies once

The last light fades
A soul swiftly torn from life
Consumed by death’s Void."

Whereas his were lighthearted, hers decidedly are not. She laughs at the end though, eyes bright with amusement.

[konpeito_aji]

Holy fucking shit.

Nobuanga now knows why he was a little caught up on his words more than usual. Right now, it's the same time as when he completely lost his mind with Klaus, and there was just one steady note in his head/heart.

SHE JUST HAIKU'D ABOUT SWORDS AND DEATH AND THE VOID!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

Is this nirvana?!

HE CANNOT MAKE WORDS!!!!

And if anything, he's reluctant to make any sound or it will just come out as one long steady screaming note of EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE of unbridled enthusiasm.

Valdis now has a fanboy forever, congratulations.

He will just hand over his club leader's title. Holy fucking shit!!!!!

He keeps trying, for what it's worth, but the more he tries, the more he tumbles it in his head with fanboy enthusiasm.

There is a mental note that it should be The gods only die once, or The God to get the syllables right, but his brain translates to Kami anyway, so it's all MOOT.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"I need this painted on a wall scroll!"

Can eyes sparkle?! HIS MIGHT BE.

He doesn't even know about blue screen of death, but that's approximately what he's embarrassing.

He just does the unthinkable. Valdis has no idea Nobuanga usually only dances for special occasions, but that's fine, this is now one. He then echoes her own haiku transforming it into song, via singing it.

Over the top? HE HAS NOT BEGUN TO FLY LOW ENOUGH TO EVER LAND BWAHAHAHAHAHAH! or something.

Mind you.

All this, the fan dance, the singing--

Yeah, they're still in Windjammer.

GOD ONLY DIES ONCE. *Consumed by death's void!* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis watches his reaction with amusement, and she's probably not the only one staring, but at least she has context. She assumes by his reaction that she's won this round. But he's going way over the top, in the way that those anime people react to things they like.

Oh, he's singing and dancing now. How embarrassing.

[konpeito_aji]

He'll calm the fuck down eventually, and notice her cringing expression, sort of like how he felt when Crichton was doing disco dancing. Crichton is his best friend, but god, it was embarrassing. Yeah.

"I can't compete with that right away. We might have to pick a word game that requires me to sit still," he just admits blandly. HONESTLY, at least.

[redlightgreenlight]

"No need to admit defeat, I know I've won," she says teasingly, setting her gaze back to the food. "Perhaps after some food we can sit down and find another game. Aside from sushi and ice cream, I've heard the curry is decent. Have you tried that?"

[konpeito_aji]

"They have curry?" Nobunaga perked up. "Not yet. I didn't know. Pratt's been teaching me modern snack foods, so I've been trying things I don't recognize, but it's nice to know curry is still a future staple."

[redlightgreenlight]

"And what is your favorite 'modern' snack food?"

She's now moving along the buffet, trying to find said curry, or anything else that looks appetizing.

[konpeito_aji]

Ice cream sandwiches don't count. Waffles and ice cream neither.

"Pop rocks. Like eating fireworks."

He is a five year old with the body and experience of a dirty old man. Somehow.

"How about you?"

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis isn't sure she'd count pop rocks as a 'snack', to her it's more of a candy. But based on his previous recommendation and what was on his plate earlier, she's not surprised that's his choice.

"I enjoy a good charcuterie board. Meats, cheeses, bread, perhaps some fig spread."

Not exactly a 'snack food' but a snack, and she's not big on snack food in general. She sighs, perhaps she can find some of that around somewhere.

[konpeito_aji]

"Charcuterie." NEW WORD. "What kind of cheese? There is so much of it here. I tried some from the Portuguese once, but I didn't get all the passion about it. Candy is obviously better." He would say that.

[redlightgreenlight]

Ah. There's some cheese. It looks to be cheddar, which can still be found on those lovely boards, now if she can find crackers at the very least.

"Any kind really," she replies, finally putting things on her plate. A little cheddar, a bit of what looks to be swiss. "Soft, fragrant cheeses, hard tart cheeses, crumbly blue cheeses..."

Ugh, she's really making herself hungry now.

[konpeito_aji]

Just a head tilt. "Do they really taste that different? Like ice cream flavors?"

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis smiles softly, an amused glint in her eyes, "Yes, like ice cream, but more savory than sweet. There are sweet cheeses though. There's a soft lemon cheese that a friend brought me once. It's a favorite."

Reminiscing about past friends, she really shouldn't feel this at ease, but then again he did just dance around like a fool singing the haiku she had come up with.