Chapter 012 - [Action for Part 1]/[Voice for Part 2]

[consultmybooks]

[Unknown site tag]PART 1 - Night of the 7th

[It's dark.

...it's quiet.

...he can move.

...no more videos. No more glimpses. No more reminders.

Just...quiet.

Giles, laying where the droids left him in the deepest recesses of the library, breathes a sigh of relief. His back hurts...a physical ache among all the dull, dead mental and emotional ones. It's almost reassuring. Something tangible, a reminder that he still exists, that he's not just an abandoned, empty consciousness watching lives that he's no longer a part of.

Even if the rest of the world has forgotten as much...

When he finally opens his eyes, Giles realizes that he's in a library. The last red rays of sunset filtering through a nearby window shows him that much.

For a second, an instant, he feels an instant of familiaritiy, bordering on actual homesickness. It's not a feeling whose source or reasons he can really identify...especially not in this state...and the feelings are there and gone in a second. Just long enough to make him hurt a little more.

Funny, it reminds him of the library in the village...

...which is not a pleasant sort of thought at all.

They can't have sent him back here. They just can't. Not after so much has changed...

It's a while before Giles gets up the courage to actually unlock the front doors and look outside. And his heart stops when he does.

It is the village. The village they took him from...how long ago was it? Months. Years. But with the sun gone, the shadows left in its place makes everything seem...almost familiar. It's enough to make him ache for the days long past. For a while, Giles just...simply stands and stares out at the world around him, unable to rouse himself enough to move and see the changes for himself.

The only place he makes a point of stopping is the food store and the item shop, both of which he'll break into if they've closed already. Some food gets packed into a bag - food that will keep, food for a long trip, rations easily portable. He grabs some new clothes from the Item Shop that will fit him reasonably well.

Necessary tasks to keep himself alive done, Giles is left with trying to find a new way to avoid the problem at hand. The problem of being back, in a place that's moved on without him, in a place where he exists even less tangibly than he did back home. The last time he felt quite this dead was the first day he arrived, not knowing how long had passed or who would still be here to remember him or whether or not he'd already been buried.

He knows that there's no one here for him now.

Eventually, numb to the horrors, his steps fall unconsciously into the familiar attitude of patrol. Muscle memory briefly takes over mental memory, and he's glad of that. He's too tired to think, or accept, or cope. But walking the paths and watching for monsters?

That's something he can still do.

At the very least, he needs a new place to stay until he's well enough to make the walk to the beach and never, never come back.]

((ooc: Wishbone is chronologically first. I'm...pretty sure the easiest way to do this is to have Harth and Melaka be next to last, with Helios and Frederic being chronologically last, shortly after the attack with Giles going home.

Also, mallynap effect. Through clever use of sensory deprivation, mental torture, and video editing, Giles has been led to believe that he's actually been gone for months, bordering on years. For the week, he was left chained up to watch "video feeds" of what the scientists told him was the village. Obviously, it wasn't. Which is to say? He thinks you all gave up waiting for him and have entirely forgotten that he was ever here in the village. Expect a bit of defensiveness, disbelief, and disorientation. I'm playing it similar to how I play his memory loss - he might believe someone he trusts explaining to him otherwise, provided they have some proof or make a good case for themselves. But mental knowledge might not translate to rational behavior for a bit.

Physically? Well, he's still fighting off sedation and painkillers. Because yes, he's bleeding. The wound has largely clotted and scabbed over, but there is blood on the back of his shirt that will be pretty damn obvious. It's located between his wings, anyone giving him medical treatment will see scalpel injuries - once the blood is cleared off, it will be possible to see that the cuts form the word "Solus". It's not a big mark - think 9 or 10 point font.

Encounter him anywhere on patrol tonight.))

PART 2 - Morning of the 10th

[It's a couple of days later before the voice post goes out. Giles still sounds tired, and a little subdued, but some improvement has taken place, simply by virtue of time and a little support. His is the voice of a man who hasn't spoken up in a while and is a little uncertain about doing so.]

I hear new voices.

...are we really into a new cycle already? Good Lord, but the Malnosso are determined to make me as useless as possible, aren't they?

Anyway. [He clears his throat. The sound of a pencil absently tapping against paper can be heard.] Um. Hello, everyone. I'm back, for those of you who were, um, concerned. Doing quite well. [Which...isn't actually a lie. He is doing better. Almost well, even.]

A-And, um, to all the New Feathers...well, welcome to Luceti. You've probably had enough time to get settled in, at this point. But if you haven't, well, that is what the Welcome Center is for - answering any questions, helping people find places to live, just...making tea and letting you sort out your thoughts, if that's what you want.

We have a guest book, if you'd like to look it over. You might have friends here that you didn't expect. We even have a calendar, apparently, if you need help keeping track of anything. Lord knows, some of us still do. Luceti can be...unpredictable, at the best of times.

...it can be nice, here. Scenery, weather, people...we've even picked up some new venues of entertainment, recently enough. It can also be very unpleasant. You'll find that out with your first experiment soon enough. But we help one another, here. You'll make friends, and...whatever can be done to help you get by will be done.

[It's far more hopeful than his annoucements used to be.]

...th-thank you for listening.

((ooc: Aaaaaannnnd because the mallynap return might be both hard to reply to and too angsty for some, have a part two! Just title your comment with "Part 2" if you're taking this one, to save me some puzzlement. Flatmates can feel free to assume that their replies to the message are handwaved. Friends checking in from Part 1 can also assume that's handwaved if they don't want to thread it out. If they do? Tag away.

LJ IS BEING A BITCH WITH LENGTH, SO CUT TAG WILL EVENTUALLY COME ONCE IT STOPS EATING MY TEXT BY DOING SO.))

Comments

[Action, day 1]

[shadedsunlight]

[Patrolling has become a regular part of her nights. With the nightclub in a state of confusion with Kay's disappearance, Ginia's taken to filling her nights with keeping an eye out for any New Feathers that may arrive. She'd be lying if she didn't also admit she was keeping an eye out for Giles.

It's another quiet, slightly chilly night as she makes her way back to her apartment after her shift with the Welcome Center. She slows down slightly as she sees someone headed toward community house 7. Not wanting to startle them with her sudden approach, she whistles quietly as she walks nearer.]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles hears the whistle, is still conscious enough to realize that it isn't ordinary birdsong. But after the attack, he's far too tired to consider the idea of a friend and far too paranoid to suspect anything but bad things.

He stumbles in shock at the sound, throws out an arm to catch himself against the nearest tree and simply takes a few seconds to catch his breath.]

[Action]

[readingwishbone.livejournal.com]

[The library is not the place where you wanted to catch the sudden scent of blood. Well, Wishbone actually preferred not to catch the scent of blood anywhere. Worried, the little dog sauntered out from his sleeping spot near the back of the library. He pauses and his ears prick as he catches the faint labored sounds of breathing and the slight movements of someone laying on the hard floor.

He finds Giles laying on the floor, the smell of blood as strong as ever. Wishbone whimpers and walks over to him, nuzzling the man under the chin and giving him a few reassuring licks on the face. He looks terrible! Wishbone wonders what could have happened to him.]

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[...this, very fortunately, is the sort of instance that Giles will always recognize. And that is why Wishbone is getting a reassuring pat on the head before Giles even opens his eyes.

He stares up at the dog when he does, curious and dazed.]

...h-hello. [He pushes himself up carefully into position.] W-What on earth are you doing in here?

Part 2 [Voice]

[mistlegacy]

Don't worry about the Welcome Center, Giles. Take what time you need to rest. It sounds as thought you could use a little more.

[Voice]

[consultmybooks]

[A few seconds pass before his reply.]

I probably could, yes. I generally can.

But I quite like helping with the Center as it is.

[Written, 10th]

[shadedsunlight]

A pity I missed out on that announcement when I first arrived.

Re: [Written]

[consultmybooks]

You probably would have been one of the ones who laughed at my use the phrase "civic responsibility."

Part 2 - Video

[pugilistinpink.livejournal.com]

Hi, sir. [There would have been a goofy, easygoing grin on his face at the prospect of finding some recognizable names while skimming the guestbook... but talk of the Malnosso's experiments make him a little uneasy. At least he isn't alone in this place, even if he has yet to make friends.]

I heard y'message an' I was wonderin' if that guest book you were talkin' about's also at that 'Welcome Center' place.

Video

[consultmybooks]

Yes, it is.

Villagers write notes in there for friends who have been sent back, in case they return and can't remember that they were here. Quite a nice idea, I've always thought.

Did you want to take a look through it?

[Action, Day 1] 1/3

[lostinmyway]

[It's almost time for her to go home and to bed, but it's such a nice evening that Grune is staying out just a little bit longer. The stars are so pretty, after all, and the fresh night air smells so good. Luceti really is a beautiful place.

Off in the distance, she notices someone walking. Is that one of her friends?]

[Action, Day 1] 2/3

[lostinmyway]

[She comes a little closer, and….]

Oh, my!

[Action, Day 1] 3/3

[lostinmyway]

[An expression of pure delight appears on her face.] Giles! You're home!

[Moving at what's quite possibly the fastest Giles would have ever seen from her, she closes the remaining distance between them with the intent of giving him the biggest welcome-back hug possible.]

action; part 1

[outdoing.livejournal.com]

[ he's seen this man before.

yes, he has. in his dreams, with those people, with her. perhaps the greatest watcher to ever live, the one who trained the Slayer to end all Slayers, the Many, the one who took the forsaken one under his wing and coached her on living. he knows this man better than his own father (not that it was any sort of accomplishment, given how long the rutting bastard was in his life) and it's enough to put him at ease.

the smell of blood, however, is the reason he decides that this is the one. it's night and he's starving and this man is wandering off on his own. it's all too tempting to ignore.

but harth has restraint. he's above the others - he is The One Who Will Lead. he looks skinny and fifteen, skinny, gangly and awkward - but he's so much more than that. he knows, oh he knows, he's the half of the slayer that held all of the knowledge and wisdom. ]

Rupert Giles?

action

[consultmybooks]

[A voice. An unfamiliar voice. Well, that's nothing unexpected. It's the familiar voices addressing him so far that have been the unexpected ones.

And he knows he's bleeding - the painkillers are starting to fade, their effects on his body weakening, but with the slightly heightened awareness comes greatly heightened pain.

He's tired, and was only just approaching a Community Building to hide out in one of the empty apartments for the night. But Giles looks back over his shoulder at the sound of Harth's voice, giving the boy a searching once over. He looks skinny and fifteen, skinny and gangly and awkward...then he sees Harth's eyes.

There's something odd there...]

...hello?

[voice] - Part 2

[presumablyalone]

[Seto unfortunately is still stuck in his apartment either on the bed or on the couch sleeping but he's doing much better! When he hears Giles voice he wonders what he means by 'I'm back' so he asks in a sleepy voice]

Where did you go...?

Re: [voice]

[consultmybooks]

[...oh, Seto...]

Just...out of the village. F-For a while.

...I'm all right. What about you?

[Action, part one]

[blessedbyfarore]

[Link doesn't do the patrols. Not officially, anyway. But when a friend has been captured, he tends to make it a habit to do a few cycles around the village every morning and evening - just in case.]

[It's late, this evening, and he's about to head back home when he catches sight of someone up ahead. Frowning, he approaches quietly, still not quite able to make out their form.]

[And then he can.]

Giles! [It's out of his mouth before he can think, sprinting to join his friend.]

Re: [Action, part one]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles yelps in shock at the sound of the voice, looking defensively every which way as he tries to identify the newcomer.

And then he turns. And he sees.]

...Link?

[...yet another villager who looks different. Far too young. Much too young. Different.

He takes a reflexive step back as the boy hurries over.]

[Voice] - Part 2

[magiconcehad.livejournal.com]

[Lindsay just... listens to what's being said. She's heard a fair bit by now, so it isn't as much of a shock as it would've been, say, when she'd first arrived. All the same, the situation is not a very settling one. Maybe she'll check that guestbook at some point, though she doubts there's anything about her friends or Cass or anybody.

She does have a question though. And... given way Giles addressed the community like that, she's just going to assume he can help her.]

Uh... excuse me... [This... is kind of an awkward question but she really needs to get it answered, so...] Um... What if we're looking for someplace to live but... we don't want to be there by ourselves? Would the Welcome Center be able to help with that...?

Re: [Voice]

[consultmybooks]

[Hm...Giles has to think on this one. It's definitely a pertinent sort of question. One he would very much like to be able to answer.]

I'm afraid finding someone willing to share an apartment or a house with you is probably something you'll have to manage yourself. Asking directly would be your best bet, if you don't have anyone here from your own world to take you in. Don't worry - it's a common enough sort of question.

But if you aren't up for that, I can at least give you a look at the housing registration for the community buildings. You could find a building and a floor with a fair number of people living on it, at least. Kitchens are communal, in the buildings. You'd probably see a great deal of your neighbors.

Does that help?

[ voice ] - part 2

[lunas]

You're back..? [ There's a brief flash of.. worry, perhaps, on her face. ] What do you mean? Did something happen?

[ After that she seems to brighten up though. ]

Ah, but you told the new people everything exactly right.. It's not that bad at all here with friends!

Re: [ voice ]

[consultmybooks]

I'm very glad it meets with your approval, Usagi. You have no idea how much difficulty these messages have given me in the past.

[Maybe there's something to be said for not fighting the droids, if it means so few people know to worry about him.]

[ part 1 ] sometime before the attack.

[herotypical]

[ when buffy walks into the shop on this september night -- a mid-patrol habit -- she doesn't expect to see giles. it catches her entirely by surprise.

a heavy swallow, a frown. she stumbles a bit and knocks a little display of potted plants over. ]

Y-you're back.

Re: [ part 1 ]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles yelps in shock at the sound of her voice, whirling around and instictively bringing his arms up defensively. The sound of the crashing potted plants does not help matters at all. It's several seconds after the noise has died down before he actually risks looking properly at her.

When he does, the shock on his face is evident.]

...Buffy?

[His first thought is that she looks younger. Younger than she did on the videos, at least. A memory, made hazy by the perceived passage of time, sounds in his ears - "you're younger than I ever thought you were."]

[Voice - part 2/morning of 10th]

[no-use-running.livejournal.com]

You're very considerate of the people arriving. [She says it kindly; she appreciates his sense of duty.]

Re: [Voice] Some bday present, huh?

[consultmybooks]

...well, I try to be. Everyone was, um, very considerate of me when I first arrived.

[It's important to him. Helios talking with him on his walk to the village, Okita waiting up for him, even Rachel giving him someone to vent his frustrations agains. The people of this village have been good to him.]

...hello, Ami.

[action]

[folklorist]

[ Being up at night has its perks sometimes. Helios always stays up when he knows someone he cares about has gone missing. Of course it's never a sure sign if he'll run into them on their first night back, or until a few days later. Helios is actually down by the boat that night making sure everything is alright in Giles' absence. He might do a few touch ups here or there but nothing substantial; he doesn't quite trust himself mainly because he can't read about how to go about it. Going off of visuals alone isn't enough to make him confident. Still Giles might hear movement out behind CH7 when he gets closer by. It's the steady scrapping of sandpaper upon wood, because that's one thing Helios feels comfortable enough doing. ]

Re: [action]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles does hear it. It's a quiet night, quiet and still, and it's a sound he knows well from the endless afternoons and evenings spent patiently, carefully, working on...

...god, they ever even named it. He never named it. Giles wonders what they named it without him...

But it sounds like the boat is still there. Maybe brought in for repairs. And it won't have been the first night he slept there after hard times. He'll just wait for whoever is working on it to go, and...

...and then what?

Helios, if he's paying any attention, will eventually hear the sounds of something slowly approaching the site of the boat, someone trying to be quiet and failing very, very badly.]

[ action, part one ]

[refinedmaestro.livejournal.com]

[Frederic thought it best to go out for the evening with Poland to discuss things about their relationship. After their time together on the couch though, the composer isn't certain how to bring things up again. Instead, he decides to bring up another topic.]

The night is beautiful, isn't it?

[ action ]

[polishrule.livejournal.com]

[Poland was feeling a little awkward around Frederic after finding out everything and being walked in on. The walk seemed like a good thing to clear his mind and he looked up at the sky.]

Mm, yeah.

[Action]

[ufo-fanboy.livejournal.com]

[Late night patrolling? Mulder is doing much the same tonight... it's pretty much all there is to do around here for an insomniac like him. Besides, he's always hoping to see something. Those ingrained habits of looking for UFOs never entirely left. But around here, it's just as likely to run across a New Feather...]

[...or someone returned from Mallynapping.]

...Giles?

Re: [Action]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles, for his part, is probably rather easy to spot. He's sitting on the fountain, staring in dazed absent mindedness up at the sky.

Until Mulder speaks. Then it takes some very quick thinking from a very exhausted Watcher not to fall backwards into the water. A yelp splits the night.]

[Action] | Part one... because there was no way I was ignoring this

[semper_cogitans]

[If it hadn't been for Leo, Robert wouldn't be outside right now. Why would he be? It was dangerous outside at night, even if it was a good night for a run, apparently. Hopefully, assuming weather cooperates. Or, well, at Robert's pace it's something more like a slow jog. But Leo had insisted on some exercise.

It feels safer with Leo there, though. In the past two weeks or so of living with the Hamatos, Robert has come to trust the other two Hamatos, enough to the point where he's quite literally putting his life in Leo's capable hands. After all, if the Shredder decided to show up in the middle of the night, they wouldn't have much recourse...

... And yet tonight has been relatively devoid of other people this far to the south of the village.

Until now.

Perhaps Leo will notice Giles' presence first; Robert's not the highly-trained ninja of the two.]

[Action] | Part one]

[honorthecode.livejournal.com]

[It is a good night for a run, or well a jog. Leo's paced himself at Robert's speed, since the man's not anywhere near his level yet. He does have his swords with him just in case they do run into any problems. But so far it's been uneventful.

He's alert to his surroundings though, and he does pick up on the presence, as he slows to a walk.]

I sense somebody nearby. [He'll look around, trying to spot Giles.]