(no subject)

[xanthous]

Who| The Psiioniic and YOU
What| The Psiioniic has noticed an influx of new faces. He wants to know why.
Where| Tribute tower common area and the training center
When| Before the crowning.
Warnings/Notes| There's nothing too extreme atm, will add warnings if anything crops up!



Common Area

There are new people. He's seen them, just a handful, not enough to be really noticeable, but they've all just appeared around the same time, and...some familiar faces seem to have left. Maybe it came from sweeps of catering to the whims of highbloods, or sweeps spent evading capture, or the thousands of sweeps spent overseeing the day-to-day functions of Battleship Condescension, but the Psiioniic was observant. He might not be the friendliest, most open troll, but he watched and observed and he knew that there were people who were gone, and people who were new.

And he wasn't sure why. Did the people who left die for good, or had they been sent home? Was it because they weren't entertaining anymore? He imagined that the new people were simply replacements, and while a part of him wondered what they had done to deserve being brought here, he didn't care much for the reasoning of the Capitol, if there was any. Highbloods were highbloods no matter the species, and they couldn't be expected to be logical or reasonable.

Still, he wanted to know why people were chose to be brought here, and he figured now was as good a time as any to find out. He feels better than he has in a while, which might explain why he's approaching people, lisping at them and asking what they did to deserve coming here.

Training Center

He's determined not to die so quickly this time, and he takes a break from his interrogations to make his way down, down, down to the training center. He's still weak - he'll never not be weak - but he's slowly regaining muscle mass. He's determined to live. There's someone he care for, and he's going to do his best to stay with him. To not leave him alone while he wastes away in the Capitol feeling sorry for himself.

So he picks up some throwing knives, and he approaches the target. His aim is...well, it's pretty impeccable, but there's not much force to his throws, and the knife end up clattering to the ground right in front of the target. He sighs, bending down to grab another knife. He's going to try again, and again, because he needs some form of offense with his psionics gone. He'll stay there for hours, and if he doesn't get interrupted soon he's going to work himself to death.

Comments

Training Center

[disciplewhomsignlessloves]

The training center had become a tiny second home, with weapons and things to learn. Even if she had no intention of killing anyone, there was a little thrill in learning how to handle a knife or a bow. Well the bow was going badly. Tucked in the back corner, she had merely ended up with arrows anywhere but the target. As one flew rogue across the center, she sighed and gave up, following it through the maze of weaponry. The knife clattering to the floor in front of her sent her skittering back, dropped to her knees in a crouch.

"Hey, watch it--" Shit. Shit shit she had promised the Highblood she wouldn't seek him out. Signless had warned her to be careful of him, that things weren't the same. But of course, she ran into him anyways. Of course.

"...Shit Psii--" She stopped the familiar name and stood, hands out in the familiar gesture to show no weapon held.

[xanthous]

He freezes at the sound of her voice. For a moment, he thinks he's just imagining her - there have been too many trolls, too many people, why wouldn't he imagine up someone he really didn't want to see? It wouldn't be the first time he conjured up a worst case scenario.

His fist tightens around the grip of the knife he holds, and he turns to her, and there's no denying that it's her, the Disciple, the one who ran away, the only one who didn't have to face the punishment for their crimes. It's her.

"What are you doing here?" he spits out, eyes narrowed and teeth bared. He's impossibly thin, even after months out of the arena, and scars from the helm's wire circle his eyes and run down his cheeks, twisting his expression even more.

[disciplewhomsignlessloves]

God...what did she do? What did she leave him to? What happened in the sweeps between them. She could cry if she wasn't so confused. Did the Highblood not tell him. Did no one tell him of her arrival.

"I'm Signless' punishment. Did the Initiate not tell you--he swore he would. He promised me he'd tell you I arrived. I didn't seek you out, I promise."

[xanthous]

He stares at her for a long moment. The Initiate talked to her? He shakes his head, but he's still as tense as ever.

"I haven't theen him yet. I've been buthy with my ethcort - why doeth he need to tell me that you're here?" There's something he's missing, and all it does is set him on edge.

[disciplewhomsignlessloves]

She squeezes her eyes shut. It's harder to talk to him directly. To say all she needs to say. God why hadn't the idiot just found him and told him what she said. She brushes hair back anxiously.

"Go between. Your moirail told me I couldn't come to see you, to ask for forgiveness, until he spoke to you. I didn't mean to break my word. Please tell him that. God I'm sorry I was such a coward. I'm sorry I ran. I'm sorry I left you and the Dolorosa...I'm so fucking sorry."

Training Center

[tis_allgood]

He watches Psii throw a few knives in silence before shaking his head. This wouldn't do, and even if it wasn't one of his better skills he was still able to get the knife to sick in a target.

"You may wish to start with something a bit less taxing."

[xanthous]

He tries to ignore Cuthbert. He does. But he's never been that great at ignoring irritations - what irritates him the most is that he finds Cuthbert isn't as horrible as he thought - and he shoots the boy a look.

"And what do think ith leth tackthing than throwing kniveth?"

[tis_allgood]

"I was thinking you should start by building some strength. Your aim is not bad, but you won't fell a foe with aim alone."

He rocks back on his heels, appraising Psii and what he could do in his current state. But the troll is so straggly and noodley it's hard to get a good idea.

[xanthous]

Well, this noodle is giving him a wary look. He's not really sure what Cuthbert plans, but he knows he's not ready for it.

"How exactly do you plan on achieving that?"

[tis_allgood]

"Are you genuinely asking to train with me? I will not be an easy master, but I can give you what you seek. I know how to make you stronger."

He steps to the side and grabs a staff with a sickle on the end. There's a bit of a nasty gleam in his eye but he's entirely serious about helping.

training center

[shellfishlovver]

[Dualscar spends a great deal of his time in the training center, even if he is prone to getting into scrapples there. He's been in a particularly foul mood since he had his fin removed and reattached, so he's really just looking for someone to take it out on.

When he catches sight of Psii, it's like his prayers have been answered. He takes up his own knife and approaches with the kind of silence he'd take up around potential prey, launching the knife past Psii's head and hitting the target with trained precision. The force in the throw is enough to both sweep past Psii with ease and make a considerable dent in the target.

What a show off.]

There isn't much to those skinny arms, is there?

[xanthous]

[Fuck.

He nearly jumps out of his skin at the knife whizzing by him, and he whips around to face Dualscar. He's not surprised it's the seadweller showing off - but the Psiioniic takes it more as him just showing that he's perfectly capable of taking down anyone who acted in a way he didn't approve.]

I'm afraid it'th a thide-effect of the helm, but I've never been ath thtrong ath a troll like you.

[Maybe if he strokes his ego enough, he'll get off easy.]

[shellfishlovver]

[It's a little of both, really. Dualscar is always looking to both show off and warn others of his incredible talent!!!

He lets out a low chuckle at the reaction, folding his arms over his broad chest and turning his gaze to Psii.]

I should think not. [U are no Adonis.] Then you're right to practice your fightin' skills, lest you become any more of a liability. [He's going to just snatch another one of his knives and fling it again.] You'll never hit the mark if you don't put any force into it. Surely you can muster up some sort of pathetic power.

[xanthous]

[Stop being so incredible, Dualscar. Your chest already gives Psii enough envy.]

Thorry. [Rude.] I'm trying my betht to prevent mythelf from dying too horribly, but I don't have much muthle at all. I'm only good with my pthionicth.

[Internal screaming.]

[shellfishlovver]

You've nothin' to gain from knife throwin', then. If you're wantin' to gain strength it's hardly a suitable occupation. You'd just as well be puttin' yourself to good use makin' white flags to flutter.

[But he's not going to suggest anything better.] Have you continued to fast upon arrival or do you simply not retain nutrition?

[He gives him a curious once over, but there's no concern in his voice. Psii's run as a battery may be over, but he's not entirely useless, not if Dualscar can help it.]

[carnagecarnival]

He doesn't usually expect Mituna to not be in his room. He himself will wander from time to time, but he always, foolishly, thinks Mituna will be there still when he gets back. He has a moment where his gut drops, but immediately he forces that back and away, and then goes to find the next best thing until he can go to check again; he goes down to the training centre to paint and fight.

Especially now when he's made furious by his run in with the newest heretical addition to the tribute pool, he's particularly looking forward to tearing off a few dummy heads. Maybe with his bare hands this time. He almost walks right past him, but even in his fury those extra horns stand out. And, it is worth a double take to find Mituna bothering with anything in the training centre. He doesn't recall him to have done so too much before. So for a moment, he watches. And winces.

He walks to Mituna's side and reaches for one of the knives. He turns it over in his hands, one scraped and bruised from punching an elevator wall. He weighs it, getting a sense of the shape, then repositions himself and says, "You want at to do it like so." He throws the dagger and in the target it sticks. "YOU AIN'T NEED TO BE STRONG THEN. Weapon up and carries itself. WORKS FOR YOU, NOT YOU FOR IT."

He doesn't meet the red and blue of his eyes just yet.

[xanthous]

He flushes as soon as Kurloz approaches him - he won't deny it. He's embarrassed. He's not sure why, but he is. Maybe it's because he's doing so poorly, or maybe because it's embarrassed because Kurloz is so...strong. He's everything the he isn't, and sometimes he wonders what he can even do for the indigo.

He frowns - pouts, really - and looks at the dagger sticking out of the target, before turning to Kurloz and huffing. "I wath trying to do that."

He looks down, down, and he notices his hand. He reaches forward, hesistant to touch. "What...what did you do?"

[carnagecarnival]

"Meulin," He says. The name is a numb buzz on his tongue. "THE DISCIPLE, SHE SAID AT HER TITLE TO BE. Said she knew you." It's the ache in his knuckles. "I DIDN'T CULL HER. Didn't motherfucking touch a hair, all let her be as the fuck she is." He takes a deep breath, focuses on Mituna's touch on his hand. "SHE SAID AT SHE WISHES TO GIVE WHAT WAS OWED. To you. MAKE ALL THE FUCK UP OF WHAT SHE CAN... For what was done." He keeps his eyes closed and tries to pretend he isn't as angry as he is, that his eyes haven't gone that extra bit more orange as they tend to do.

"I BROKE THE ELEVATOR WALL."

[xanthous]

He tenses, mouth pursed and brows furrowed. He debates not telling him - but he can't keep a secret from Kurloz. He has to share with him. "Thhe came here. I...already thpoke with her."

He swallows, lifting his hand and frowning on the cuts. Then he splutters, staring up at Kurloz. "Broke? What- why? Why would you hurt yourthelf like that?"

[carnagecarnival]

"Figured at if she was an ally to thee as all was said, a brother wouldn't want for her culling. SO MOTHERFUCKING UNCULLED SHE WAS LEFT AT TO BE," He says, as if that's an entirely logical explanation, especially leaving out the 'I was too angry not to break something and I couldn't break her'. He looks at him now, even with his eyes blazing as they are. "It will heal. AIN'T BROKE, JUST BRUISING. Done worse." He opens and closes the hand to prove it still could.

He doesn't think about it. He never has. He did what he had to do, for whatever reason he had to do it, whether he needed color to paint, to honor messiahs, to pay for sins commited. To do something with the rage he had when there was no other thing that could be done. It just made sense, there wasn't anything to be thought on it.

"DID SHE SAY WHAT ALL SHE PROMISED? Without harm to he?"

Common Room - Post-crowning

[pythianjudgment]

The Helmsman isn't the only one with a knack for observance. Terezi notices the older troll when passing through to head out into the city. She's not sure initially what he's doing, but it becomes more readily apparent as she stands there. Her expression is fairly neutral, her head cocked a little to one side in curiosity.

"Why are you so keen on finding out what people did before they came here?" she asks finally, approaching the other with slow casual steps.

[xanthous]

It takes the Psiioniic a while to answer, because he's deadset on ignoring other trolls. Especially after Terezi's interrogation about his relationship with the Initiate. Just. No. No more questions from nosy wigglers.

"Becauthe I have an undying need to know everything about everyone."

[pythianjudgment]

"What a coincidence, me too!" If he's going to tease her like that, he can't expect her not to play along. Still, it's not getting the answer to her question to let him deflect with what she assumes is some sort of jab.

"But seriously. What does it matter?"

[xanthous]

Sighs. He waves dismissively, turning his attention to the rest of the lounge.

"It matterth becauthe it doeth. I don't need to eckthplain thethe thingth to wigglerth."

[pythianjudgment]

Terezi frowns at that, her brows knotting together. "You know, I'm more than just a wiggler. Believe it or not, but I'm capable of understanding your obviously high-level logical reasonings! So you can stop using that as an excuse to brush me off."