(no subject)

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Jin has been absent from CO for a few days. Not too noticeable, considering his usual behavior, but it is a little weird when you consider he hasn't been able to use his Gate Key for months.]

This place again... I didn't think I would ever see it again.

[For some reason, Jin seems to be have some slight difficulties with moving. Still, he's dealing with the immense amount of pain he's in a lot better than usual. He looks at his Gate Key, briefly trying to use it on the portal behind him. Unsurprisingly, there's no response.]

I must have arrived here by mere chance again... It seems this organization remains determined on getting in my way.

[Unable to return to his world, Jin starts walking through the complex. He's considering getting his Gate Key reactivated but, with his prior behavior, it seems unlikely, especially when you consider his recent absence.]

Comments

[smoothouroboros.livejournal.com]

[Hazama has been laying low lately... but as he runs into the familiar face in a hallway, he tips his hat.]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Okay. Yeah. You? You get a very angry Jin.]

Captain Hazama... So you're still here.

[His hand reaches for his sword.]

[smoothouroboros.livejournal.com]

Still here. Why the long face?

[he just sneers a bit.]

Having a bad day?

[Private]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

What did you do to Tsubaki?!

[Yeeeah. Attacking you now.]

Re: [Private]

[smoothouroboros.livejournal.com]

To the Yayoi girl? What do you mean? She's just fine. Wandering around this place as usual.

[dodging and parrying stuff. oh dear, seems Jin's wised up a bit.]

Re: [Private]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

Do you honestly believe you can keep playing the innocent? You ordered her to kill me, drove her insane...

[Not only that, he's got order on his side this time around, too. No more mindless attacking for him anymore. Realizing all his attacks will keep being dodged, Jin steps back, deciding to resume once Hazama show the smallest sign of vulnerability.]

[Private]

[smoothouroboros.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about. I fear this may be yet another case of mistaken identity?

[despite how nonchalant he seems, he gives no sign of any weakness or vulnerability... he's incredibly guarded, and gives no indication of attacking.]

Re: [Private]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Jin shows a small amount of doubt once Hazama implies he has the wrong person. He did see him back in his world yesterday, after all. He also saw him taunt them and almost try to kill them, which prompts him to ignore what Hazama said and throw an ice sword at him.]

[Private]

[smoothouroboros.livejournal.com]

[and he dodges out of the way courtesy of his gravity defying chain weapon.]

People arrive at this place from different times and dimensions, you realize. Your aggression is entirely unwarranted.

Re: [Private]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

Even if that were true, why, exactly, should I assume you're any more trustworthy than my world's version of you?

[Private]

[smoothouroboros.livejournal.com]

I've been a perfectly amicable and cooperative gentleman during my time here.

At least, I'd like to think I have.

[Private]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Normally, Jin would attack Hazama and hopes he finally decides to die, but hey, it actually sounds very plausible. Frustrated about this, he remains silent.]

[carnagescissor.livejournal.com]

Getting in your way for what?

[Hey. There's an annoyed Ragna by the wall you just passed.]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Jin does not respond right away. He looks at Ragna. Blinks.]

...Brother? You're here again?

[carnagescissor.livejournal.com]

...Here again? I've been here for a while already, Jin.

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

But... I-I just saw you, back in our world.

[carnagescissor.livejournal.com]

Time's a mess around here.

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Jin remains still for a moment, then nods. He had almost forgotten how it felt to talk to Ragna like this. It just makes his duty as the world's antibody more hard to contemplate now.]

...A lot of things happened since you sent me back there.

[Strangely enough, he's not angry at Ragna for knocking him out and throwing him through the portal. It was an enlightening experience.]

[carnagescissor.livejournal.com]

Well, looks like the 'vacation' turned out to be a good thing after all.

What happened back home?

[He has a nagging feeling that Jin just got his shit beaten out of him by well... Ragna. And gone through the same conclusions as he did.]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

I learned about everything. About the Power of Order, Captain Hazama, even... even about the Imperator.

Brother... Are you okay? Last time I saw you...

[carnagescissor.livejournal.com]

Eh, the arms are a bit weird at first, training ought to fix that shit.

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[For obvious reasons, mention of Ragna's arms makes Jin flinch. However, he still nods, relieved. He's still not sure if it's a good or bad thing that Ragna's alive, but he certainly doesn't want to see him dead. Not anymore.]

[wingedspectrum.livejournal.com]

[Guess who missed you?]

J-Jin..? I was wondering when you'd return.

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

...Tsubaki?

[Jin isn't sure if he should be glad, surprised or concerned. Last time he talked to you, you were kinda trying to kill him.]

[wingedspectrum.livejournal.com]

Y-Yes?

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

How are you...?

[This is like Ragna said, isn't it? She's from a different point in time. Before all of that happened. He should probably tell her about that soon, but...]

It's... good to see you again.

[wingedspectrum.livejournal.com]

It really is a pleasure.

[There's something she's been wanting to ask but she's not sure if she should pry it out of him. She hesitates at first but gets it out eventually]

U-Umm...Jin? How was it like back home..?

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

...The same as it was when I left it.

Tsubaki, what's the last thing you remember before coming here?

[wingedspectrum.livejournal.com]

Is that so?

W-Well...Captain Hazama ordered me to k-kill you and Lieutenant Noel Vermilion. I was doing my job but I didn't want to fight you...so I let you get away. Jin, please tell me you went back..

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

And you actually believe him? No good will come out of you following the Captain's orders, or using the Izayoi to do so.

[Tsubaki may notice he didn't address her question. And yes, he may be getting awfully close to breaking CO's 'don't interfere' rule, but Jin is not going to let things turn out the way they did.]

[wingedspectrum.livejournal.com]

[That's not exactly what she asked but she'll respond to his statement.]

Y-Yes, I do. Captain Hazama is a kind man. I don't want to overlook his good will.

I have a mission to accomplish. Using Izayoi simply helps me achieve it. I want to finish this before it's too late...Jin, please understand.

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Jin flinches when Tsubaki calls Hazama that. After all he did to her...]

There are other ways to accomplish your goals. You don't have to use something as dangerous as that to do so.

[sacred-thunder.livejournal.com]

[Ky just so happened to be in the Gate Complex when Jin returned. He hadn't seen his fellow Enforcer in a few days, but he hadn't expected him to be coming from a gate.]

...You went back home?

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Jin's feeling way too much pain to be snarky right now. You can thank Valkenhayn for that.]

I did.

[sacred-thunder.livejournal.com]

...Something happened, then.

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

I don't think that's any of your concern.

[sacred-thunder.livejournal.com]

...True. Unless there's been evidence of another world leaking into yours.

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

Then you needn't worry about it.

[He starts walking away but, after a few steps, halts. For a moment, he does not say anything, as if he's having trouble even getting the words out.]

Kiske. Do you know how to reactivate a Gate Key?

[sacred-thunder.livejournal.com]

...You need to fill out a Gate Key Reactivation Form. You'll have to go to the help desk to acquire one.

[Either Jin is finally going to take his job as an Enforcer seriously, or he really wants to return home for some reason. Either way, Ky sees no reason to withhold that information from him.]

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

I see.

[Looks like he may have to actually get some work in, after all...]

[handsonthepanda.livejournal.com]

M... Major!

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[Oh god, not you again.]

Lieutenant Vermillion.

[Jin already hated Noel long before his little trip, but after seeing what she did to Ragna...]

[handsonthepanda.livejournal.com]

S-sir... Why are you looking at me like that?!

[ridetheicecars.livejournal.com]

[While he may no longer feel the need to kill her just for existing, Jin looks like he is about to start yelling again. Then he remembers that, according to the information she has given him, she hasn't even met Ragna yet.]

[Or has she?]

Lieutenant, have you identified any arrivals from our world?

[handsonthepanda.livejournal.com]

N... No one new, sir. Only Enforcer Hazama and Agent Ragna.