riverviewlogs | [mostly closed]

Entry tags:

[mostly closed]

who: Tieria Erde (

manmade) and Lockon Stratos (

lockonstratos)
what: Two comrades from two different times hash things out
when: Same day Lockon made this post
where: Near Community Housing by the river
warnings: Spoilers for Gundam 00

Note: Though this is a closed log, they're still somewhere that's visible; it's reasonable that someone could see them talking though not hear what they're talking about. If you want to use that information for any reason, go ahead bro.

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[There's a spot between two large buildings that's cast in shadow, closer to the river than it is to any foot traffic. Though it's visible from a number of vantage points, including the nearby Community Housing, it's seclude enough that a person could expect any conversation there to be private. It's why Tieria chose it, despite the location not being up to his standards when it came to security, but then, he hadn't really had the luxury of time to find someplace more suitable.

He stands there, his posture tense, clearly waiting for someone.]

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"What was wrong-" Is that some kind of joke?

[And if it is, to say Tieria doesn't appreciate it would be an understatement. He's torn between concern and anger because, well, Lockon is apparently alive and in front of him, yet Tieria couldn't believe he'd make light of that injury.]

[ Wow, he actually seems a little upset. Surprise flickers over his features, before a worried crease settles between his brows. He’s seen a few of Tieria’s moods in their time working together. Usually when he’s angry, it’s at himself and he lashes out at others. This doesn’t seem like that.

A subtle frown bows his lips and Lockon drops all pretence of geniality. Tieria needs to realize he’s serious. To answer the question, Lockon shakes his head to indicate the negative. ]

I’ve never had any problems with my eyes.

[ Emphasis on the I. ]

[It's not the words that give Tieria pause but the change in attitude behind them, and while he's relieved to hear that the cruelness behind Lockon's earlier statement had been unintentional, something here is clearly not right.]

Over four years ago, you lost your right eye protecting me.

[It stings to mention it, but only a little; Tieria's been strong enough to face it for a while now.]

You don't remember?

[ Four years ago… they’d only been working together about a year then. As if arriving here wasn’t strange enough, now it seems Tieria came from a different point in time. That certainly complicates matters.

The severity of his expression melts away and Lockon sighs quietly. ]

Four years ago was 2304. I think I stood a better chance of you shooting me in the back than letting me protect you back then.

[ He chuckles softly, lifting his brows in a helpless expression. ]

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. That sounds like something I’d do.

Edited 2017-06-09 23:22 (UTC)

No, it was 2308.

[Even as he corrects the date, a numb feeling of realization passes over him; it shouldn't be possible, yet it perfectly explains all the inconsistencies between them. The stare he gives Lockon is intense, like Tieria can see right through him.]

You're from the past.

[But is it really that strange for a portal that can cross dimensions to also cross time itself?]

What was the last thing you remember happening?

[ That look is unnerving. Tieria’s always been a little intense, but this is next level intensity. It’s enough to make even Lockon uncomfortable.

So they are from different points in time. It’s a surprising fact, but one that’s clearly the reality they’re in now. It isn’t hard to imagine, what with how they ended up here. ]

GN-Xs were attacking the Ptolemy and we just lost Veda. We were adrift and helpless.

[ Not really a place Lockon wants to revisit, even in memory. He can’t think of anything more terrifying than being adrift while the enemy approaches. ]

You obviously survived. What about Allelujah? Did Setsuna make it back?

Allelujah and Setsuna are both fine.

[The lack of full names and the almost fond way he mentions their comrades, as well as the reassuring tone of his voice, might stand out as uncharacteristic of the Tieria that Lockon remembers.]

So only a moment before you were injured...

[Should he be thankful that Lockon was spared that fate, even though it had been done through abduction? It's a conflicting thought, and he doesn't like the idea of being grateful to their alleged captors.]

[ This is definitely a softer, gentler Tieira. Maybe the four years Lockon has yet to experience finally brought him closer to their fellow Meisters. He seems a little more human. Lockon smiles and reaches out to clasp Tieria’s shoulder. ]

I guess I got lucky.

[ He’s not sure he wants to know what happens to him. If he ends up going back… He doesn’t want to know what’s in store. How will he be a Meister if he loses his dominant eye? What if knowing it happens makes him hesitate when the time comes? He doesn’t want to think about that. ]

I’m glad everyone’s alright. Are they here?

[The hand on his should visibly startles him, and he looks at Lockon like he's suddenly seen a ghost.]

As far as I know, we're the only ones here.

[He starts to stay something, only to stop himself. It takes a moment before he actually speaks.]

Lockon, after your injury, you-

[He hesitates, though he likely doesn't have to say it; it's all over his expression that Lockon hadn't been lucky at all.]

[ That expression doesn’t bode well. Combined with the way Tieria looked at him before – like he hasn’t seen Lockon in a long time – he has a clear idea of what must happen. A cold knot forms in his stomach and squeezes Tieria’s shoulder before letting go. ]

Don’t say it. Don’t tell me… unless it helps you.

[Tieria's more than happy to comply with Lockon's request, and he gives him a brief nod.]

Alright, but first, listen to me.

[That intense stare is back, and Tieria's voice is almost commanding, leaving no room for argument.]

Don't tell Setsuna to go to Earth.

[There's no point in trying to prevent Lockon's injury; as much as he wants to, it's not a sound tactical decision. If Lockon hadn't taken that hit for him, Tieria can't say for certain if he'd have survived the attack, and to risk trading a predictably injured Meister for a potentially dead one is absolutely foolish. This, however, is something he thinks he can safely change without putting Celestial Being's necessary survival in danger.]

He can find his answer after the battle. Just make sure he stays to provide backup.

Edited 2017-06-10 19:35 (UTC)

[ He blinks once, then nods. Tieria seems adamant about this, so it must be important. Lockon’s always been encouraging of Setsuna trying to find his own way in the world. Especially after finding out about his past… If anyone needs something other than war in their life, it’s him.

His lips press into a thin line and Lockon nods again, completely serious. This means a lot to Tieria. And if he’s reading the situation correctly, it could spare Lockon himself a very grim (and short) future. ]

You have my word.

[ The severe expression only remains a beat, melting away to his usual, carefree look. ]

Now that all that’s out of the way, how long have you been here?

[With that promise, Tieria breathes a sign of relief and the tension in his shoulders abate just a little. He's not sure if it will work, or even if Lockon will listen to him when the time comes, but he chooses to have faith; after all, wasn't it Lockon that showed Tieria how to believe in his comrades?

At Lockon's question, Tieria's intense expression becomes contemplative.]

I'm not entirely sure; I was injured before I came here so I spent an unknown amount of time in their care.

[A fact he isn't happy with in the least.]

I was released a few days ago.

[ Concern creeps across his face and Lockon spares him a quick once over. He looks alright, so they must’ve done good work when they brought him here. Maybe Tieria was in the midst of battle when he was drawn here, too. ]

Are you alright?

[The concern throws him for a moment, though in hindsight he realizes he should've expected it. Since the encounter with Ribbons Almark had resolved itself, he hadn't paid much mind to the injuries his body had sustained, and the medical attention he'd received here had been good enough that he hadn't had to deal with them for very long.]

Yes, I'm fine, for the most part.

[His tone is dismissive, his past injuries deemed unimportant.]

Based on that video, I'm assuming you just got here, as well.

[ Lockon sighs in relief. He can’t help worrying about his comrades. Sorry, Tieria. It makes him thankful that he arrived in one piece, as it were.

The change of topic doesn’t surprise him. Tieria’s pragmatic and, unlike Lockon, doesn’t dwell on the past. He nods once, a more serious tone creeping into his voice when he speaks again. ]

Yeah. I’m meeting up with someone to check in with the Perimeter Guard when we’re done here. We should sort out our cover story.

[ Since, obviously, their involvement with Celestial Being remains confidential. There’s no way of knowing if anyone else from their world might show up. Best to keep their secrets here as well as they would at home. ]

I didn't have much time to think of something, so I told them I worked for a private mobile suit contractor as a test pilot.

[It bothers him that he'd been put on the spot like that; while he's perfectly capable of maintaining a cover story, they've always been assigned to him, and this was the first time he'd had to design one of his own.]

What are you seeing the Perimeter Guard about?

[ Lockon said something similar at the time. Test pilot seemed the best way to describe his specific talents and closer to the truth than lying about a military background. When he had to lie, he always found it easier to stay as close to the truth as possible.

He nods once, silently agree that this would be their cover while they were here. ]

A job. If I’m going to be stuck here, I may as well be useful. You know me, I don’t like sitting around doing nothing.

They offered you a position, as well?

[He isn't surprised; since the two of them share a similar skillset, it only made sense. But he is relieved that it's not because Lockon is under suspicion or going in for questioning.]

And you're going to accept it. [Or that's what it sounds like.]

[ He shrugs, looking off. He's obviously decided to do it, but he doesn't really have a better reason than to keep from worry about what's going on in their world and trying to get back. Better to keep busy and do something useful than dwell. ]

I heard it's dangerous out there. If I can help give the people who go exploring a better chance of survival... I don't see the harm in it.

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(yeah, I know some of my icons are Lyle, woops)

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Just ignore the eyepatch, okay?

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