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who: Lockon, Lyle, Lyle’s friends, roommates on the 14th floor, party crashers, anyone really, &c.
what: Catch-all (including Lyle’s birthday shindig)
when: March (mostly)
where: Various places
warnings: None as of yet.

i. Lyle’s birthday bash
(( open to Lyle, his friends, roommates on the 14th floor, party crashers, &c. ))

[ This whole birthday shindig was a last-minute deal, with store-bought snacks and little finger foods for grazing. It wasn’t anything to write home about it, but he was trying to do something nice for this brother. He wondered if it was too much, too soon. They didn’t really know each other as well as siblings should, but Lockon decided once fate threw them together in the communal housing that he was going to try to mend the rift that so many years estranged left.

So, yeah, he was spreading out food in the dining area of their floor: chips, dips, crudités, cheese and charcuterie, some warm foods like chicken wings, meatballs, and something that looked vaguely like sloppy joe mix (with buns just beside it). And a cake, of course. Nothing out of the ordinary, but he hoped Lyle would appreciate the effort.

And, Lockon was looking forward to meeting Lyle’s friends. ]

ii. Out and about
(( open to anyone ))

[ Even in a place like this, people do normal things. They have jobs to get to and friends to visit, things to shop for and lines to stand in (Lockon, by the by, is one of those people who’ll strike up conversation with a total stranger while waiting in the queue, sorry for your luck). It’s weird how normal it is. But then there’s that view in the sky that’s unlike anything he’s seen back home (so sorry if he bumps into you while he’s distracted).

Jogging, that his normal thing. At least it will be now. Early in the mornings and early in the evenings, he’ll run if only to keep his mind off what he left behind and how, even if he ever gets back, he’ll never be able to do or be what he was before losing his eye. Oh, hey, do you jog, too? Don’t mind the friendly Irishman trying to strike up a conversation as you go. ]

(( just sort of a “if you want to bump into (or be bumped into) by this guy while you’re out doing your dailies, here you go” generic prompt ))

iii. Meanwhile, back at communal housing
(( closed to Tieria and back-dated to shortly after Lockon arrived ))

[ Even on alien moons, people have to eat. What started out as a grocery run to pick up a few things he liked that weren’t on hand in the… dormitory – it was more like that than an apartment, really – turned into a much larger excursion. Snacks, yes. A shampoo with a smell he liked. Clothes, shoes, all the things a person newly relocated could need.

By the time he got back to the communal housing, his arms were laden with bags. Out is his good eye he could see the elevator door closing, the arrow pointing up glowing beside it. It would be a while before another one came and the stairs were out of the question with so much stuff. ]

Hey, hold the elevator!

iv. Wildcard
(( something you’re just dying to do with Lockon? Feel free to start it here, or hmu

sakurazukamori for plotting ))

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I have known him for a few years, actually.

[Yup... it had been that long for Tieria.]

How much has he told you?

[Tieria didn't really want to step on any toes. He knew things weren't exactly at their best between the brothers, and he didn't want to cause any undue strife between them. He cared too much for Neil to do that. So, he would tread carefully, letting Lyle come out with certain information on his own if he hadn't already shared it.]

[ Lockon hummed softly. He gave a lot to thought to what Lyle told him. It wasn't much, but it was enough (and Lockon really didn't want to pry -- the last thing he wanted was to make their relationship about Celestial Being).

Finally, a frown pulled his lips down and displeasure painted itself clearly over his features. ]

I know Setsuna recruited him to be Lockon Stratos version 2.0.

[ Not happy about that. Words will be had if he ever sees Setsuna again. There was something more, a gravity in his tone implying he understood why he'd been replaced. Lyle hadn't told him, but it was an easy enough conclusion to draw... If he'd still been around, Lyle would've been given a different codename to prevent confusion. ]

[Tieria picked up on it a bit, and then nodded. At least he didn't have to actually say it. It was hard enough already.]

Yes. That was four years after the point in time you are currently from. I have known Lyle for three years now.

[So, Tieria was from 2314.]

[ Lockon nodded in turn, digesting the information and another subtle confirmation of what he already thought was his fate. He hadn't mentioned anything to reveal the last things he remembered before showing up in the quarantine. That Tieria could pinpoint a time frame with such precision... Well, maybe ending up here was a good thing. ]

You should have given him a different codename. He hates being compared to me.

[ There, easy enough to keep the conversation light. Lockon chuckled at the thought of his how his brother must have bristled at first. ]

He's good for the team, yeah?

[It helped that things hit the fan so soon after the incident in which Neil had lost his eye that it wasn't hard for Tieria to pinpoint it like that.]

That was Sestuna's idea.

[And Tieria hadn't liked it. No one had, really, and it didn't help that Lyle and Neil were close enough to identical that pretty much everyone but a few crew members could tell them apart on first meeting.

He sighed slightly at the next comment.]

It turned out that way, yes. [His statement indicated that it had taken some time for Tieria to deal with the situation and come to terms with it.] It was not easy, but I supposed it worked out in the end.

[ If his hands hadn't been full, he would have reached over to clap Tieria's shoulder. Of all of them, Tieria seemed the most adverse to changes. For him to accept Lyle, well wasn't that something? ]

I'm glad it all worked out. I always worried about him being alone in the world.

[It was a big something, Neil. Especially considering how Tieria felt about Neil in the first place. To replace him with someone else, and Neil's twin brother on top of that, had been a huge deal for the Innovade Meister. But, then, to accept him? And willingly call him Lockon Stratos? It was definitely a something.]

Then you do not have to worry.

[Tieria managed the tiniest of smiles.]

He is part of Celestial Being. We are home.

[ He's grateful. He never wanted Lyle involved in anything like that, but if he was going to be... Well, Celestial Being were the people he'd want to have his brother's back. He's genuinely, incredibly grateful. ]

Thank you. You have no idea what that means to me.

[ Considering all he ever wanted to do was make a better world for Lyle... That was one of his main reasons for joining Celestial Being to begin with.

~~Lockon's not crying, you're crying!~~ ]

Are you settling in here okay?

[The elevator reached the 14^th Floor... Tieria not having disembarked on his own level. He held the door open so Neil could step out.]

[ Lockon blinked at the question... and at the sudden change in mood it brought. The smile faltered a little, thankfully he was able to nod in thanks as he stepped out of the elevator. Hopefully that his uncertainty. ]

Yeah, well enough. I've got a roof over my head, good company, and a job where I'm useful. And... it's nice to be somewhere the people aren't fighting.

Edited (html fail, sorry!) 2018-04-25 00:51 (UTC)

Mm. I have noticed that. It is nice.

[He accompanied Neil into the common area of the floor they were on.]

Did you need help with that?

It is.

[ He smiled faintly, then nodded at the request. He was barely holding all those bags on his own. ]

If you don't mind. That's why you you didn't get off on your own floor, right?

[ He saw right through you, Tieria. ]

Part of the reason, yes.

[Tieria managed a tiny smile in response, taking some of the bags on his own.]

You looked like you had too many.

[He headed for the kitchen area.]

[ Lockon’s grateful for the help. Maybe he overdid it just a little. Mostly, it’s things he needs: clothes and toiletries. But he also picked up food for himself and Lyle. That’s what a decent roommate does, right? He may have done a little snooping through the fridge to see what his brother likes.

A pleasant look remained on his face, but something serious threatened to close in from the edges. ]

Does the other part include an apology for locking me out?

[That got Tieria to freeze in place for a second. In that tiny moment, he looked like someone had just kicked his puppy.]

[But it didn't last long, and suddenly the Innovade Meister was angry... really angry.]

I did that to protect you! You broke out against your own best interests, and look what happened! If you had just stayed there, you would have been fine!

[Because that was how Tieria dealt with being hurt... he hurt people back.]

[ The sudden change from sadness to anger was a sight. He's used to Tieria lashing out. That's the Tieria he knows. It's the first emotion that took him by surprise, and then, of course the revelation. Lyle told him enough that he'd put two and two together. The how and whens and wheres still remained a mystery, one Lockon hoped never to solve.

Lockon's face went cold for a fleeting second, the temptation to bite back flickering through his mind. But it was gone quickly. That's not his style. It takes a short moment for him to look down and rearrange his expression to something more affable. ]

You've changed a lot.

[That was borderline infuriating. Whenever Neil just nonchalantly took Tieria's ire and shrugged it off like it was nothing, it made everything flare so much worse. His fists tensed around the handles of the grocery bags in his hands for just a moment until the words finally sunk in through the almost light-hearted tone.

And, for a moment, Tieria looked confused, but that settled into something of an annoyed pout.]

I suppose I have.

[It was a curt reply, almost a formality and just to have something to say more than anything else.

He moved further in now, working on steeling his nerves a bit and recovering from his outburst by focusing on the task of putting the groceries he was carrying in the kitchen area of the floor they were on.]

[ That was more like the Tieria he knew. Well, until very recently. The other meister seemed to be having something of an existential crisis shortly before Lockon found himself in this place. In the space of a few minutes, it was clear to see time had changed his companion, but not in any way that made him unfamiliar.

Familiar was reassuring.

Lockon set his bags down, barely waiting for Tieria to do the same before he pulled the other into a friendly hug. Yes, Lyle was here, but Lockon barely knew his brother (much to his shame). Tieria was... -- Not a friend, but probably the closest thing Lockon had to one. ]

I'm glad.

[It really was no time at all. He didn't even register that he had put the bags down before he found himself engulfed in Lockon's arms. His eyes widened, and he tensed up in response, not quite sure how to take that. It wasn't often that he hugged or was hugged by others. He had known Neil was close, but he had no idea that it had meant this was coming. It took a second for him to react.

When he did, he gradually brought his hands up and carefully patted Neil on the back. Awkwardly.]

Thank... you...?

[ Don’t worry, Tieria. It won’t last long.

Just as quickly as he swooped in for the hug, he’s back to putting things away. He pondered trying to explain himself, to remind his colleague that the Tieria he knew didn’t take kindly to unexpected changes and that he’s happy that he’s decided (or accepted) that it’s okay to be an actual human person. Or that Lockon’s relieved that there’s at least one person here he can say he knows. ]

I should be thanking you.

[ See? It’s like nothing happened. ]

Which floor do you live on?

[Tieria blinked, watching Neil move about for a moment.]

Thanking me? For what?

[He was so confused.]

I am on the first residential floor.

[Tieria wasn't sure if they had any sort of storage rules, so to speak, on this floor, so he just removed the items from the bags and placed them on the counter for Neil to put away.]

[ Oh, you know, for taking care of his little brother. For being someone familiar in a strange place. The usual.

Lockon grinned. ]

For helping me out with all this stuff.

Oh.

[Tieria smiled a little.]

Okay.

[And he'd finish helping put things away.]

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1/2

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GASP! how dare!

welp

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tieria.exe has stopped working. Abort Retry Fail

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

pffft

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