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Who: Duo Maxwell (

braidedwonder) & YOU
What: April Catch-All Log
When: After the Hostages are Recovered
Where: Wyver / Jungles surrounding
Warning(s): Language probably, some PTSD coming through

i. good luck & goodbye (thesa station)

A. There is no other event that Duo would prefer to be on Thesa station for than the requisition of his Gundam – more particularly after all the events of the past few weeks. The braided pilot is buzzing with excitement to see his formerly destroyed Gundam again, resisting the urge to hop up and down when he finally catches sight of the mostly black mobile suit , cloaked in its wings in the hangar. The last time he’d seen his old buddy he’d been mostly burnt out after going through its self-destruct sequence, a sad sight as he’d sent him (grudgingly) on his final mission to the sun to be once, and for all, destroyed. Now he’s back, in all his glory, and there’s a glint of glee in Duo’s eyes as he touches the smooth metal and paint before he clambers up a leg to reach the cock pit to ready for entrance in to space.

He wiggles in to his space suit easily enough, attaching the helmet with a practiced ease, his braid expertly coiled within his suit with room to move.

With a few more words to the navigators, both Duo and Deathscythe are launching in to space for their maiden voyage in a new stretch of space –
BR> B. As soon as Deathscythe is out of range of Thesa and extraneous small ships, Duo quickly begins to put Deathscythe through it’s paces, first stretching the suit’s wings to allow free range of movements, the green eyes springing to life as he engages all systems with a gleeful laugh that anyone linked in to his comms is free to hear. And, for old time’s sake, he’ll crow :

“The God of Death is back from Hell!”

C. Wildcard – anything out in Space / on Thesa you want to play with Duo?? Drop it here!

ii. rhythm emotion (nysa planetside – jungles / duo & heero’s new “base” treehouse

Re-entry is a no brainer by now, cloaked or not.

With a few button presses Deathscythe’s stealth jammers and cloaking kick in, rendering the entirety of the Gundam invisible both to system scanners and human eyes. Duo’s used this technique a thousand times to leave and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere between battles successfully, and though this time isn’t exactly smuggling a massive mobile suit on to the planet for a planned attack, he doesn’t necessarily want all of Wyver and the planet of El Nysa to see this massive, winged Gundam enter its atmosphere either. Kind of ruins the mystique of it, doesn’t it?

Anyone with a trained eye will note that the streak through the planet’s atmosphere probably isn’t a meteor or falling star, and those without a trained eye… well, they won’t know any different. Duo’s content either way, carefully positioning his Gundam to land it nearby the coordinates of his and Heero’s newly acquired tree house.

This landing isn’t without a clamor – it doesn’t take trained eyes or ears to hear trees crashing to the ground and limbs snapping as he lands the massive mobile suit and then, after careful positioning and folding of Deathscythe’s bat like ‘wings’ – settles the suit in a seated position close by their remote, suspended little ‘home’. Once it’s down and out of sight in the tree line, Duo disengages the jammers, uncloaking the massive suit before he hops out.

Anyone who comes to investigate is encouraged to exercise caution in approaching a gundam and two gundam pilots in their natural habitat!

iii. just communication – (closed to Heero Yuy)

Their new little ‘base’ didn’t take long to settle in to. They’re young boys without a whole lot to their name settling in to a new planet and a new place to live. In Heero’s case he’s recovering from a few broken ribs, in Duo’s… well, a few torture sessions and some rapidly healed burns, but mostly paranoia.

The new found ‘fame’ to do with being a ‘hero’ in Wyver isn’t helping with that, though it did provide a pile of things that they would generally need for their place, all of which Duo has unceremoniously dropped off in the middle of their mutual living area. A few blankets he’s tossed on the ladders to each of their bed spaces, surprisingly evenly, but after a few times of trying to just run in to town turns in to being piled on with meals and gifts… Duo leaves the damn ring at home and pulls his hat down over his face. Skulking and slinking through dark corners is what he’s good at, after all.

Having Deathscythe nearby has done a good bit for his anxieties about everything going on, even if parking it in the forest was even the slightest bit problematic. Duo’s content so long as he can see that familiar face out of the window above his bed space.

“Hey, Yuy – diagnostics look good when you looked? I just wanna be sure they didn’t shaft me for nothin’ after all this.”

A pause, and then – “Now we just gotta get Wing. If you want it back.”

iv.cry for the dream – (wyver general)

Duo keeps a generally low profile around town. Only a few misadventures with wearing the ring given to the former hostages led him to stuff it in the pocket of his dark jeans for an emergency, a trusty pistol as always stored in the back of his pants. Not drawing that much attention was better, easier on his nerves, and generally led to less trips back to their semi-remote little spot to put things down and come back.

The Former-and-again Deathscythe Pilot is more easily spotted moving through the darker corners of Wyver for now, hanging out in side alleys and smaller spots where it’s harder to spot him out and make a ruckus. If he’s looking to be more out and about in the sunlight? He’ll tuck his braid up in to his hat, making him less recognizable without that long snake of hair hanging down his back. His demeanor is a bit tenser in the shoulders, wary in the way he looks around a place before stepping out to buy what they need to store food in their new place, blankets, all the things that made a little home a bit homelier.

He is most easily found by his old haunt the fruit stand, though some may be lucky enough to bump in to him just out on the streets.

- Don’t mind if he reaches for a gun in the first few moments, he’ll settle quickly and offer a bright, smiling hello.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's the more experienced navigators that establish the communication link with Duo while he's getting his Gundam ready for the run - she takes her place just as Duo's laughter echoes through the comm systems.

God of Death? Hell?

She doesn't really get it, but...]

Um— God of Death, can you hear me? This is Yona, from Thesa Station!

Yo, Yona. [ Duo sounds as relaxed and in his element as he feels at the moment, taking a few seconds to double check that all of Deathscythe's systems are in working order and calibrated as they should be. It's a little hard to gauge if everything is back as it should be completely while he's itching to get the suit back down on to the surface, but there's no sense in going too far if the Gundam is experiencing technical difficulties, either.

Thankfully most things are checking out okay, though Yona will still be able to hear Duo typing and checking away even as he talks to her. ]

The name's actually Duo - just had to do that one for old time's sake. [ It wouldn't feel right without it. ]

Got any specific information for me or are you in eyes in the skies so to speak?

[ Alphinaud spots that streak through the atmosphere, and watches it as it descends, interest peaked. He's not entirely sure what is causing it, but he's already highly interested in what it could be, and it helps that he's relatively nearby when it lands.

The loudness with which it lands, and the trees crashing, is definitely a bit of an alarm bell for him. Whatever it is, it's best to check it out before it causes trouble for the people around here. Even if it's a small look. He just can't help his natural curiosity.

And he happens to arrive just as Duo is hopping out, but the first thing he sees is the sheer size of the thing and its ... foreign-ness. It's kind of a shock to the system. ]

By the Twelve ...!

[ He'd been prepared for their to be a bit of curiosity surrounding the unavoidable crashing caused by a stories tall mobile suit touching down on the planet and cutting its own swath of a landing pad in to the jungle where he'd landed it. For that response to be so automatic, though? Not quite.

So excuse him if he's a bit spooked in the moment by that exclamation, Alphinaud - particularly that it's enough for him to reach back for his now ever-present pistol that hasn't left his side since he'd gotten back to his place and had gotten changed back in to his normal clothes. Naturally his and Heero's chosen place had been a bit out of the way, but the commotion of a Gundam landing made it an easy land mark to find.

He recognizes Alphinaud easy enough, though, tucking the gun back in his belt with a little sigh. ]

Are you just always lookin' for trouble, kid?

[ Wow, maybe he is!! He does tend to get wrapped up in a lot of trouble almost all the time. But it's not like he's actively looking for it ... maybe.

He's glad to see that gun go back, though. ]

I should like to know why you believe this counts as "trouble".

[ SUSPICIOUS WORDING. Is he planning on something strange with this machine thing? And the gun?? ]

Wouldn't you like to know, uh? [ There's a little smirk at that, no doubt emboldened a little by the presence of his mobile suit. Duo knows he's a relatively non-threatening looking kid when it comes down to it, small in frame, barely five feet tall and with hair almost as long as he is, but, well...

With a giant robot on hand he's a bit taller these days. ]

Mainly you probably shouldn't come running toward a kid like me for a bit. Makes a guy squirrelly.

A kid like you?

[ Duo just keeps on keepin' on with that suspicious wording. Alphinaud may have given him his trust back in the icy cave, but he certainly hasn't forgotten about that whole terrorist thing. And the way he's acting now is not reassuring. ]

A reference to your terrorism, I assume? [ A pause. ] I shall take my chances.

[ Telling him not to run toward you is not going to stop him from doing it, okay. Alphinaud isn't letting threatening words affect him! He's said plenty of stupid things in front of physical threats as well! ]

Yeah, like me. [ Which is much more than just the fact that he used to be a terrorist in the end, but digging in to it too far seems a bit too much like having a therapy session with Alphinaud. And like.. sure, they were tortured together but he isn't about to spill his guts to this kid either.

Hell, he hadn't even done that with Heero yet and he's been through a war with him. ]

Guess so. Could also be I'm from a rough chunk a town back in my world, but, sure, the war.

[ That's your peril, Alphinaud, but Duo for his part taps his good ol' gundam on its foot, too happy about having Deathscythe back to be too much more of a little shit about it. ]

[ Look, Alphinaud's been around a lot of "rough chunks" of towns by now. It'd take a lot to keep him from someone from one. He's not afraid of you, Duo!! What he's concerned about is what this machine is capable of, though, so he crosses his arms, opting to not even reply to Duo's previous comment, as it doesn't deter him at all. ]

And what, pray tell, would a "kid like you" be planning on doing with this thing?

[ The ... giant robot. ]

Right now? Lots of diagnostics on systems to make sure he's back and running like he should be. [ Just because the Natha had brought his precious Gundam back didn't mean that they'd brought him back as calibrated as he should be, and Duo intended to sink his dirty little claws n to each and every analytic until he was sure everything was as he'd had it before. Granted, that's a time consuming process, and on a steady diet of cat naps because actual sleep has alluded him since the sheer exhaustion of his injuries had finally ebbed away?

It's not something he's conquering right now. ]

In time? Who knows. We'll see how Wyver and Olympia like to behave a little more, but I'm not swearing my Gundam or me to either side.

[ It's a "he"?

He's ... at least somewhat glad to hear it's not being sworn to either side, especially considering the imbalance of power that might occur with such a thing at their disposal. And he's sure they would jump at the chance to use him if they had him. ]

I only ask that you think before you do something drastic.

[ Look, he's not sure of what this thing is capable of, but it definitely looks like it'd be capable of a lot. It could easily turn the tides of any battle in Hydaelyn, at least. ]

What are you, my mom? [ Thankfully he has the forethought not to make any off color comments about never having one of those and not needing one now or something. Either way - the Gundams had never been sworn to a side other than their own individually, and Duo has zero intention to change anything about that now. Between the Natha, Wyver and Olympia he doesn't trust any of them more than himself and Deathscythe as a team.

Oh, and Heero Yuy too, but that's not really the point of this conversation. ]

I've made it through two wars with this mobile suit, I think I know how to navigate avoiding people who want my alliance.

[ Wow, he knows he's not his mom!! Alphinaud is just sometimes very ... mom-like. Accidentally. And also he doesn't want to see his terrorist friend do something that hurts everyone, okay. ]

And how to navigate any spontaneous poor decisions, I should hope.

[ LOOK. Knowing he's a terrorist and has a giant machine means he could be prone to bad decisions. ]

Yeah, sure. [ It's a flippant response on purpose - a bit of a calculating move on Duo's part. Playing the part of the fool and then surprising people made things a lot easier than showing all the cards up front, anyways.

Since Alphinaud's decided to show up, though, he might as well take stock a little, pulling a pin out of his hair and prodding a certain point on the giant mech's leg. Gundanium springs open easily enough, revealing a bit of a stowaway for repair kits and the like. Thankfully they're all still in place, though Duo does make a little sound of surprise. ]

Well, the Natha are thorough, I'll give 'em that much. Was worried I was gonna have to make due with whatever stick based crap Wyver has around.

[ He is not a huge fan of that flippant response, but he'll have to just hope he behaves. And maybe watch him from afar.

And because he's curious, he takes some steps toward Duo and the Gundam. No more need to be shocked or anything by its presence. ]

What is in there?

Tools, mostly. [ He offers a wrench as if it's something interesting, not once thinking that maybe Alphinaud had never seen one. As many large parts as Deathscythe had, it was all the tiny ones that made things not work as well so far as Duo could tell. So he intends to make sure that all the little things stay on the up and up as well, since he'll never be sure when he might need the massive mobile suit.

If all goes well Deathscythe will remain with them as a way to get to the Natha if they need to, and just.. as a comfort for Duo, at the very base of it all. Sue him, he'd gotten attached to his mobile suit over time. ]

Looks like someone either pilfered my snacks or the Natha didn't bring them along though. Bummer.

[ Nah, Alphinaud definitely has not used a wrench himself, at least. He's not inclined to do that sort of stuff, even if he had ready access to it. ]

'Tis likely a blessing.

[ Because he super does not know how any snacks left in that compartment would still be good after ... however long they've been in there. Does food even survive inter-dimensional travel?? ]

Wait, that my snacks didn't come through? [ That looks says it's definitely not a blessing, by the looks of it. Duo wants a good little treat from home, if he's honest, but it seems as though they haven't made it. Unless, of course.. Deathscythe when it blew up took the snacks with it and the Natha had only regenerated the mechanical parts of the suit.

Which is fair enough, just kind of disappointing. ]

I mean they were vacuum sealed and dried for space and stuff so it wouldn't have gone bad. [ One shouldered shrug - ]

Ah well. Not the end of the world considering I got the rest of it.

[ He doesn't have any experience with "vacuum sealed" things, though he knows what dried things are like. Still, he's not sure he'd trust food that came here in such a dubious way. But he supposes that's Duo's choice and not his. ]

Aye. All things considered, I believe this to be a win for you.

[ He got his giant robot, and all. ]

[ Listen Alphinaud - literally eat from a trash can once or twice and your standards will rapidly decrease in a big way. So long as there's no mold or obvious rotting Duo is pretty likely to eat it, even if the thing offered to him is a goblet of blood.

Trust him, that's from experience. ]

Yeah, in a big way too. [ Not that there's other mobile suits out here to battle with other than Mika's - just in his over all feeling of security. ]

Can get to the Natha even when their transport things aren't working, presumably. Which could be a big deal depending on how things keep going planetside.

[ Being a rich kid, Alphinaud is not keen on eating garbage ... ever. Nor has he had to turn to it. They are truly from different worlds.

Putting a hand to his chin. ]

That would certainly prove useful. Could you carry others with it?

[ Or would he be the only one who could get to the Natha. ]

Not very many, and we'd have to find a way to strap them in. [ Not that it would be hard. Duo's carried the other pilots in the cockpit of his gundam from time to time, though it was usually simple transport not taking off and exiting atmosphere. Breaking atmo tended to be pretty stressful for a body that wasn't strapped in and supported and he probably wouldn't attempt it with anyone other than Heero.

.. Because if he can fall straight on to his noggin from his gundam cockpit then he can stand a few g's.

Though, since Alphinaud's mentioned it. ]

You wanna see the cockpit?

[ At least that's better than nothing? But for such a large machine, only being able to carry a few ... hmm. It's better to have a way to reach space than not, though, he supposes. It opens possibilities that were not previously there.

But with that question, he shows interest. ]

Aye, if you would show me.

[ He's not exactly familiar with the term "cockpit" but he'll find out soon enough! He's just interested in seeing anything with this thing. ]

Well I offered, didn't I? [ The braided boy walks beneath the towering, tented knee of Deathscythe to get to the torso of the giant mech, Duo smiling rather personably up at the Gundam as if it's a person who might recognize him. Duo easily taps a code in to a keypad by Deathscythe's hatch and the massive black chest of the gundam swings open to reveal the cockpit.

In front of them is, of course, the pilot's chair - with a space suit discarded on it currently. Duo sweeps it aside to settle in, gesturing for Alphinaud to come in. ]

Can't give you the full show standing out there. Watch your head though.

[ Whoa ... Okay, he's certainly never seen that before. He's seem some few technological things from the Garlean Empire, but something like this is definitely new. It's ... kind of amazing. A wonder, even. Alphinaud's natural curiosity is peaked, and he's quick to move toward it, going into the cockpit and ... watching his head, of course.

He looks pretty overwhelmed by it, though, considering this is the first time he's seen this. He can't figure out what to focus on first.

Which is why he's ... speechless. For once in his life. Treasure it. ]

[ Duo's smirking at the wonder on Alphinaud's face. Of course for him this is usual - he's sat in this cockpit and piloted this gundam for far more times than he was willing to count on fingers and toes. Of course, after that he'd only begrudgingly self destructed the Gundam and then sent it to the sun, but there's no use in lingering on bitter memories.

Instead he fires up the screens, giving my views of the Gundam's field of vision and weapons tracking systems pinging to life. ]

Think you could manage this all by your lonesome, Alphinaud?

[ Which sort of shocks Alphinaud and he can't help but stare at some of the systems coming to life before his eyes. ]

Erm — not likely, I'd imagine. [ Look, he knows when to admit his short comings and technology is definitely one of them. His world had limited technology in the first place, and he's certainly never tried to use something like this. ]

I would not know where to begin ...

[ He says, just ... looking on at the various things in front of him. It's kind of overwhelming. ]

It gets easier once you've gone through a couple training modules and know where to look for what.. [ It's also a matter of sheer talent, as his instructor had told him more than once, the scientist a bit proud despite the rebellious nature of the kid who'd snuck on to his ship. Sure he could've just done away with him, but being a stowaway amidst Howard's systems and his own security had been a talent all its own. So they'd taken advantage.

A flicker of his wrist and the Gundam's head swivels to the right, surveying the tree tops and general area around. ]

I'd stand him up and show you but I'm not necessarily looking to announce that Deathscythe is planet side to the entire planet just yet...

Ace in the pocket and all, you know.

[ Wow ... Alphinaud looks on in amazement, trying to take in everything he's seeing. Maybe he could pilot the thing given ample time and practice, but he doesn't quite have that ability right now nor does he own one of these things. It's just a cool thing to learn about, right now. ]

I would prefer you not frighten any local civilians, as well.

[ Standing this thing up wouldn't just alert people to its presence, but it'd probably scare a ton of people nearby. Most people aren't prepared to see something like this out of no where. ]

I feel there is already plenty to focus on without him standing, anyway.

Eh.. pretty sure the Natha did their usual and made it so they don't think to even react to this thing.. [ He laughs lightly, a but dubious, still, about the Natha and how the hell they have these abilities, and yet he's happy as pie to use and abuse that where it fits. Where it helps him, at least, there's a big bonus in it for him in the end. In it for everyone, really, if they end up needing something like a gundam for defense. ]

Now, refugees like us? Yeah, I might scare the pants off a few of 'em, but depending on how things go that might not be all bad. [ Because, really, they couldn't all be good people with good intentions. That's just not possible. ]

Yeah. Now in particular with their big meeting coming and all.. .that's why I brought it down cloaked.

Don't need anyone else trying to stir up shit, honestly.

I see.

[ Sounds like fine logic to Alphinaud, so he'll let it go. Putting his hand to his chin in thought. ]

All things considered, I find it to be a ... relief, having this on our side. [ Even if it's in the hands of a terrorist he begrudgingly trusts.

After the kidnappings and all, it's ... good to have something so blatant to fight back with. They have many skilled people on their side as well, but something like this is a good deterrent. ]

And what's "our" side, exactly? [ Curiosity may have killed the cat, but Duo wants to know what he's being associated with. When it came to Operation Meteor and the lot, Duo's associations had been to himself and, eventually, to most of the other Pilots. But even those had been carefully chosen alliances, some of which chosen after he's shot the other person

(Looking at you, Heero Yuy.) ]

I'm not promising an alliance to anything just yet.

I am well aware of that. But I do not believe you would ignore it should us refugees require your assistance.

[ Look, he already knows you like helping others as per how you acted in their interrogation. At least that's how it seems. ]

Depending on who that person is or hey they brought things on themselves I might. [ Yes, Duo would absolutely defend innocent people. It's why he hoped in to the war in the first place - to make sure that the little people weren't chafed and stepped on even more than they already were on his poor little home colony.

Also, he knows a few people he wouldn't save if they were on fire, so. ]

[ Oh, Duo ...

He just crosses his arms. ]

Then I suppose time will have to tell.

[ He can't do anything about Duo not liking certain people enough to help them ..... At least not right now. ]

I guess so. Time and situation are good things to factor in. [ But some people.. well. Duo is definitely the type that will leave someone behind and not even flinch about it if it comes down to it. Working as a lone wolf for most of his career didn't help all that much on the coin of working with others and not being an absolute brat about his time and effort.

But in the end... Alphinaud is right. The vast majority of people Duo will fight for without a single thought toward the opposite. ]

Let's hope it doesn't come down to anything like that here.

[ He did so much to seemingly protect Alphinaud during their captivity, and that isn't going to leave his mind any time soon.

Giving a nod. ]

Given how unpredictable this setting is, we will have to hope quite a bit.

What the hell else is there to do, really, once you know your world as you know it is just.. gone.. ? [ Duo flips his hands up as if he isn't asking something horribly existential, here, face screwed up in to a half scowl, nose wrinkled. Duo would not have survived this long on his own without a little faith and some jumps h maybe shouldn't have made, but...

Well, it doesn't mean he's going to be Mr. Hope Springs Eternal all the time. He'd leave that to Quatre and Relena. ]

[ Wow, what a flippant way to bring that subject up. Alphinaud becomes a little more solemn at the mention of it. ]

... Would that we could return. I have not fully accepted it myself.

[ Alphinaud has a bit of trouble when it comes to dark subjects like the loss of important things or people. He's been going to war all this time but he's never really been good at losing anyone. And losing his whole world ... that's a very different scale that he has to accept. ]

There is more to do than merely hope, however.

What's the point in sitting and stewing over it though? The Natha aren't gonna sit around and let you piece it together if they can help it. We're practically free labor or some kinda weird ass social experiment down here.. [ Duo would probably be more torn up about it had he had any family to think about on these terms. His friends are here that he can rely on and that's about as much as he needs.

Everyone else he would care to see is in the ground and he hasn't seen them in the stasis units, so..

Might as well make this a new home. ]

Until someone shows their hand it's best to just make it seem like you're making a home here. Lull them a little, whatever..

We have no option but to make our homes here anyway. So I would say we are doing fine on that front.

[ It's not like they can just leave and make their homes elsewhere. This is ... their one planet ... ]

I believe there are quite a few of us who are not merely "sitting and stewing", though. There are far more who would prefer to act than not. You have my word that I am one of them.

[ Alphinaud is very not good at sitting around and doing nothing. ]

[Riku's worn his ring for exactly one outing before the reverence of the locals had become to much for him – despite having returned to work at the Altar, he's still feeling some weakness remaining. It feels as though every single task has become much more exhausting… even more so since Sora went back to sleep.

The only way to properly combat that exhaustion is to build up his strength again… and part of that is to eat, so Riku spends every other evening on a grocery run and today his final stop just happens to be Duo's fruit stand. He is just browsing the fruits, attention firmly on his plans for the next few days when he happens to bump into someone else… literally.

He startles, tense as he "looks" at the other, one hand around his grocery bag, while the other is curling, ready to call for his sword at the first notice of a threat. Then he tilts his head though, relaxing again… isn't the the guy he got. well. tortured with?]

…Hey.

[…Well, wasn't that eloquent.]

[ Duo had been engaged in a little small talk with the shop's owner, laughing about some small thing he'd noticed about his offerings for the week, whatever. Thankfully he hadn't stopped by with that damn ring on and risked being heaped upon with fresh fruit to trail back to his place with. Not the worst fate in the world, sure, but for a kid who used to steal to get what he wanted and hadn't since he'd been able to call himself a somewhat functioning young adult who instead funneled money from stupidly rich military organizations?

The idea of free or five finger discounted stuff isn't quite so attractive. Particularly not from a villager he'd come to see as his friend.

Shoulder's tense for a moment as he's bumped in to, head snapping the other boy's direction with a bit more suspicion than he probably means to. It's his unfortunate new state in Wyver since everything had happened.

A moment's recognition spreads on his face before he settles in to a slightly uncomfortable familiarity - after all, he hadn't exactly had the time to check on people since. ]

Hey. How's everything?

[ Well, it's an attempt to keep things easy, at least, right? ]

[Well, Riku hasn't exactly been tracking down all their fellow prisoners for awkward reunion times either, so yea… Best to keep things simple by answering the question… and then continuing this attempt at small talk.]

Well enough. [Aside of you know. His BFF taking another extended nap, apparently.] I've gone back to work at least.

[Yep, at the Altar, where the people that tortured them used to work.]

Have you been doing okay, too?

You seriously went back to that joint? [ Honestly, Duo would rather blow it sky high right now, but that's a bit of revenge just as much as personal preference. If he didn't think it might cause trouble that evan he wouldn't want to deal with he's also got a not-so-little ally hidden away in Wyver's jungle, probably currently playing basking rock to a dragon or two. ]

I'm alive. Got a place with my friend from my world that's the hell out of here, so that's a big bonus.

[ Meaning out in the jungle, not in Olympia, but it doesn't quite strike Duo to elaborate. ]

Goin' back to mercenary work soon.

[Riku shrugs; he is well aware that it's not ideal, but…]

I want to get better at magic… that place is the best way to learn anything here.

[He just nods and doesn't ask about the details of Duo's "place"; he wouldn't fault the other for wanting to be vague about his home base after what happened. If he needs to know more, he'll be told, he's sure.]

Oh? At Highwind Hires?

Have you tried the Natha? [ Sure they were just as mysterious or whatever, but at least they hadn't (well, as far as they know) kidnapped them and then tried to torture them unlike the Shamans at the Altar. Duo's not exactly the magic type - particularly now that he's gotten his Gundam - but with all the different people and all the different options so far as magic and who it's learned from goes, it's maybe worth the consideration.

At least from where Duo's looking at it. ]

Yeah. I've been working with Aranea since I showed up to make some silver. Odd jobs, that kinda thing. Keeps things interesting when you're not doing the same thing all day every day at least. And it pays, so.. [ Duo shrugs, taking a bundle of berries for himself because the longer he stares at it the more appealing it looks, dropping some extra silver in the merchant's hand. ]

Mostly been trying to keep a low profile. Not too easy with your name kinda plastered all over the place but I guess that's just how it is.

…No. I always got more of a technology vibe of them, but I guess asking won't hurt.

[Though, given how things seem to work with them there's a good chance that they know some magic too, Riku will admit that much. Still, he isn't planning on stopping working at the Altar in the near future… he's already gotten this far, he doesn't plan on letting some rogue idiots get in the way.

That being said, he studies some peach-like fruits himself… he won't buy them yet, but they are definitely worth considering for dessert.]

I used to work for her too, before I started at the Altar. The income now isn't quite as high, but it's steadier.

[Being a mercenary is very hard work, Riku has discovered.]

Yea… I could do without the attention as well.

Worst they can say is no or they can't help. [ Duo shrugs darkly clad shoulders, not thinking too much about asking questions. But then again he's the nosey little child that tended to maybe ask too much from time to time. Knowledge as the cliche saying said, was power.

So, might as well, right? Duo pops another berry in to his mouth, casually snacking like always despite his disguise and minor paranoia about being in public for the moment. ]

I'm used to mercenary work and how it goes. I prefer that kinda schedule and pay off. [ Plus... he's a master at making not too much food last longer. An unfortunate byproduct of how he grew up. ]

I've never left a gift in a corner somewhere so fast.. [ The braided boy laughs, lightly. ] ... though i guess it might be good to keep in a pocket just in case.

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