nysalogs | [open!] Lest the only one betrayed / Will be standing center stage

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[open!] Lest the only one betrayed / Will be standing center stage

Who: Randel (

toten_sie) & you
What: getting settled into a new world proper, some time at work, etc.
When: Octoberish catch all
Where: Shades Darker, the clinic, around town, an opportune alley or two
Warning(s)/Notes: nothing specific, and if you want anything, feel free to ping yarnzipan @ plurk

Randel has spent his time since waking up doing his best to make his new life feel like his old.

He'd gone down to the clinic, as he'd been told he could, and he'd started volunteering there when he could. That felt like the best of Section III's relief work, simple and good and thankfully, there was always the kind of work that he could do and plenty of it, especially given the situation.

Unfortunately, while he liked everyone there and it paid for his food well enough, it wasn't enough for what he'd expect he'd need, especially if he was going to have a proper nest egg for when everyone else woke up. If it was just for his siblings who'd once lived in Distric Zero, he could have stuck to that. But, funnily enough, it was the thought of the lieutenant, the warrant officers, the rest of his Section that pushed him right into more familiar territory.

It's how he'd ended up going to Shades Darker and while there'd been a bit of a misconception at first about what he was going to do, it had turned out well enough: he would be a bouncer, which, given his size, hardly required much more than a particular cant to his head or a bit of looming. There'd been a couple of times where he'd had to actual take action, but mostly that involved lifting and or throwing and well, that wasn't anything he couldn't do. Otherwise, he does whatever the rest of the staff need from him, smiling and cheerful and happy, more comfortable than most would expect in such a place. After all, he'd grown up in a place like this. It felt more like home that way.

As for his home, he'd been assigned a place to stay, but he hardly used it. If there was an opportune alley or a spot under a bridge, in a tunnel... well, it was a likely as not that Randel would end up sleeping there for the night, making sure to keep his pack well-stocked with rations. He didn't need a home, after all, didn't need a house with or without strangers in it. He just needed someplace to sleep, and he was served just as well on the street as anywhere else. Better that the space be filled by people who really needed it, better people, people who deserved warmth and comfort.

Aside from that, in the few spare moments that he has, he spends it walking the streets, getting a feel for this new city, with all the strange new things and new people. The things that are the same make his heart hurt and the things that are different make it hurt for another reason, because he wants to tell the Lieutenant about it and he can't, not really.

He wonders at the lack of nightmares, but he won't question that gift horse. He knows he doesn't deserve it, but he tries to make it drive him to save more for the others instead of focusing on how he ought to be punished. Sometimes it helps.

He tries to keep his spirits up, even given everything that's happened of late, because when it comes right down to it, it's one of the familiar things: food shortages, rising tensions, violence and the sort of harm that civilians don't deserve even if they almost always got it. But his hand stays nearer his lantern some nights. Not for him, but because he's got work to do here for those who'd come later. He's past the time when he'd wanted to die. For now, there's work to do.

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For the most part Mai seems like a pokerfaced and somewhat sullen individual who rarely speaks much during her own security shifts. She's typically works her security shift with another person - or even two at times - and today is no different. She's seen Randel now and then but has never had a shift with him or spoken to him.

Now that the pair are actually working together the woman takes a moment to appraise him, arms crossed as she leans against the nearest wall. Eventually her brows raise up some.

"You're way too cheerful."

Edited 2017-10-18 22:10 (UTC)

He'd been waving to one of the other employees who was just coming on shift, but upon hearing the comment, turned his head and offered a rather nonplussed sort of expression. Cheerful? Well, he supposed he tried to stay positive and he always made sure to greet all the other workers there with a smile, but-

Maybe he was trying too hard to be cheerful, considering.

"Sorry," is all that he can think to say as he turns back to her. After all, she sort of had a point. Being too cheerful could make him less effective at his job. He'd just thought it was all right, considering how early it was.

For a moment Mai just looks at him, then she waves a hand with a sigh.

"Don't apologize. I'm teasing you."

One would think by now with as much as she likes to sarcastically tease, she'd actually look or sound like she's teasing to at least give a hint.

"Oh."

He'd already been rubbing at the back of his neck but he ducks a little then, feeling somewhat dull for not having picked that up. He really should be used to it by now, but maybe it's because he was used to Oreldo always having a smirk on when he said things like that.

"I'm Randel, by the way. Nice to meet you."

Pff. For a big guy, he's awfully sweet. Appearances are always deceiving though and in some way she finds herself thinking of Zuko's awkwardness. It's enough to make her smile a bit.

"Mai. Sorry I haven't introduced myself before now."

He offers a firm, friendly nod at her introduction before shaking his head just a little at the apology.

"We haven't really had a shift together. And I'm pretty new."

He glances around the room they're in for a moment before deciding on the tack he wants to take.

"Have you been here long?"

"Working here? Since Koralle first started hiring us newcomers. Altogether? Since the first wave started dropping into town here."

Mai's fairly bold in how she talks about her true origins, though she always seems to keep it nicely couched in terms that could be interpreted any number of ways.

"Do you like it?" and he doesn't specify what he means, leaving it open ended. The job or the new world; he's curious about what this place might feel like eventually, how she might have adjusted, but people don't always want to talk about that. Or about their job. Anything'll be useful, though.

Mai pauses at that. That is a loaded questions, at least when it comes to her. She had struggled those first few weeks with being the only one awake and the very real distaste she had for the idea of trying to find a new way for herself. Why should she be allowed to have a life if none of the others couldn't?

She looks off into the general lull of the room. Business is at a quite hum for the moment, the more raucous evening hours looming close.

"... I haven't hated it." And maybe that was what had disturbed her the most in the beginning. "It's strange and new maybe but besides recent events? It's calm. It's honestly pretty peaceful too, besides what you'd usually find in a town like this anyhow."

Pickpockets, petty thieves, that sort of thing. Mai didn't really have the fear of small criminals that most citizens might though. She makes an amused noise.

"Even working here has been... kind of fun, in a way."

"This place is really nice," and he really does have so little bad to say about it. It seems a lot better run than where he'd grown up and some of the locations his sisters worked at. "And everyone's very friendly."

Sometimes more friendly than he needed. Not being related to anyone here was a new experience.

"There's not a lot here that feels like home, but this does."

Her brows rise a little at that. "A brothel seems like home to you?"

... Maybe it was the architecture? Or the people.

He nods easily enough. After all, he's from District Zero. There's nothing uncommon about brothels and definitely nothing to be awkward about. It was just another place, and for the people who worked there, just another way of making a living. Honestly, his life might have been very different if he'd had the temperament for it; he didn't, much to his frustration. The only thing he was any good at-

Well, he was working on that.

"I grew up in a place just like this. My father was a doctor who took care of the girls and my mother was one of them. Though" he scratches his ear for a moment, smiling softly at the memory, "in a lot of ways, all of the girls were 'mom'."

He glances around for a moment before continuing.

"My sister worked at a brothel too, though not one as nice as this. When she wakes up, I'll have to see if I can get her work here. She'll like it."

... Oh. That wasn't really the reply she figured he would give. Coming to a brothel is one thing and then growing up there, with family and all that is... surprising. Even as she works at one herself now, she'd never thought too much on the lives of the other workers here. Her home life has never been perfect but it had obviously been a far cry from Randel's own.

Once the surprise dies off though, she doesn't look scandalized or shocked. Everyone had their circumstances after all and it'd be more than a little hypocritical to be shocked over someone's family working in a place like this when she worked in the place herself.

... Maybe it was nice though, having that many moms. Mai didn't hate her own mother, though she may dislike some of the ways she was raised. Instead Mai turns to the one topic that's been gnawing at her own mind a bit. "You seem pretty confident that she will."

"If I woke up, she has to. Her, and the others."

Because otherwise, there was no justice in the world.

All of them were wonderful, talented, good. Abel was so smart and Ursula had so much fire, Idaten was so kind, CJ so clever, the twins were so young, Akasia so resourceful, Snipes was so skilled... and that was just his family. He couldn't even list all the reasons for the Lieutenant and the others.

"Even if it takes a long time, I'll just make sure it's ready for them when they do."

He seems so confident in that. It somehow makes Mai feel more guilty for her own thoughts.

"That's... a good way to look at it."

She's being honest there. She wished she could have that same level of faith.

Reinhardt happens to be heading through the alleys on his way back home when he spots the large man under the bridge. He's no stranger to sleeping out in the open himself, but he doesn't like to see it. Not when there are places and people that could help. Mainly himself.

He recognizes the large man, just as big as himself. And he veers away to pick something up before heading towards were his fellow giant sleeps. He makes no attempt to be quiet about his approach. Large men like him don't do stealth well anyway. And the next moment has him lightly draping a blanket over the man. It's very small and threadbare but it's all he could have afforded.

"You know, mein freund, that I have a room that's empty in the house I stay. I am sure my housemate wouldn't mind another person." He at least has to offer.

He's had less nightmares since he came here, his dreams pale and soft where they'd been stinking of copper, a sensation on his skin that lingered after he'd woken. This time, when he wakes up, it's quiet and careful... and with one hand on his shears until he feels the blanket through his thick wool coat, hears the voice. It has him shuffling until he's sitting up, looking at Reinhardt thoughtfully as he makes his offer.

But he shakes his head.

"There'll be more refugees," he points out gently, "more people who need a home. Good people.

"Better that there's one more place for them to stay."

But he offers a bow of his head.

"Thank you, but you don't have to worry about me." He's always lived like this, and his comfort with sitting on the ground, camping under bridges, well, it might speak to that well enough as it is.

He watches the other man sit up. He remains where he is. The hand on those strange sheers doesn't scare him. He comes in peace and he hopes that Randel would realize that. He stays right where he is, giving a gentle and warm smile.

"That's true. There will be more. But I found you first." He might not know this large man well but Reinhardt believes in the goodness of people. He can't judge a man simply because of how many scars he wears, since Reinhardt himself has so many himself. "And you are a good person for turning it down." He shifts to find a space next to Randel on the wall to sit.

"I won't make you come with me, but I just want you to know that my place is always open to you." Because Reinhardt too has lived rather closely to this. Sleeping in the driver's seat of his transport van while Brigitte slept in the sleeping hold. "I understand that this place gets cold at night. If it gets too cold, I'd like you to at least consider sheltering with me for a little."

Randel considers the offer seriously, as he does in most cases where someone offers him kindness, and after that moment, he finally nods. After all, as long as the man is just fine with the idea of letting someone else take his place, there's no reason not to take the room. He can help them around the house, after all.

"All right."

"Sehr gut!" Reinhardt grins hugely. It makes him happy that he can help this man out. Even if it's just for a little bit, knowing that Randel can have a roof over his head is more than enough for him. Besides, Reinhardt likes company. He likes having people around. He's been far too lonely with just himself and Brigitte for all these years.

"Then let me help you get your things and I'll bring you there. It's a bit of a walk, but I think we can do it in no time." No short people to make them shuffle instead of taking their full strides. "I will have to warn you though, the living room is sort of crowded right now. My armor is in the process of being mended." It's also his way of letting this man know that there will be some sort of armor in that house. Less of a shock to see the J08 if they know something is there.

He can't help a bit of a smile at the offer as he turns around and slings his pack over one shoulder. Once he's on his feet, he looks expectantly at... well, his new roommate.

"This is all I have. And I don't mind walking."

He realizes after a moment that he hasn't really asked any questions about this. He's not the suspicious sort unless his hackles get raised by something, but still.

"Armor?"

Reinhardt doesn't mind questions. He'll happily answer any of them. But it's easy enough to explain his J08 along the way. "Yes. Armor. Back where I came from, I was a knight. I wore heavy armor and I went from place to place to help people. Even this long after our war is over, there are people who hurt others and take advantage of them. I am there to make sure that justice is done and those people no longer hurt others."

He knows he certainly looks like someone who threw himself into battles.

"I hope to do the same thing here once it's fully repaired and ready to go again. There are many people in this world in need of a knight."

It's not that he was looking for someone to look to, exactly; his loyalty is forever to Alice Malvin, and that's not to be sneezed at. But when he mentions being a knight, mentions helping people after a war and stopping people from taking advantage of them, it makes him straighten up a little and his hand almost shakes with... something.

"War relief," is what comes out of him, like it's a revelation. "Yes, that's... that's so important."

War relief? He had never really thought of it like that. After the Crisis, there had been so much for Overwatch to do. It had been a struggle to return their world to a state of peace, where everyone could mostly live together. The Uprising had been a reminder that there were still dark forces at work, just under the surface.

Then things had ended for him, for them all, and Reinhardt had discovered in his retirement that there were still so many people who suffered. Places where law and order held no say. Where the police and justice would not go. He had to do something. Overwatch's goal had been to help the people. He could do that with or without the UN's blessing!

"It is. Very important. I have come to too many villages where criminals take advantage. The police do nothing. Their suffering is ignored. But I will not let their pleas fall on deaf ears. If the police will not help them, I will. And I will do that here as well. I may be but one man, but one man with justice and right on his side can perform miracles!"

He seems to truly and honestly believe this.

And when they finally reach his home, Randel will see for himself the cost of that belief. Not just on Reinhardt's body, but in the state of his amazing armor. Like the old man, the heavy plate has seen much better days.

He's not sure if the man is talking about the way things are here, with all the refugees, or if he's just talking about back where he came from, the world that was destroyed just like his. But regardless, he has to ask. If there's anything that's good at, where he might be able to work his penance, it's that. Which is why, as he takes in his new home, he looks to the old man.

He has a job, and that'll be good for paying his way when it comes to rent or food and for saving up to give his siblings and friends a head start once they wake up. But there are other needs he has to fulfill. For all that his nightmares are significantly less prevalent, he still needs to make amends. He still needs to wipe clean some of the blood from his hands.

"Do you need any help, sir?"

He is talking about where he came from, but he could see a lot of similarities here as well. It seems no matter where he goes, the suffering of the people never changes. It just takes on a different form.

Reinhardt bustles around House 33 as soon as they are in. It takes a lot of doing to get that armor moved further into the corner where it'll be out of the way of two massive men and a tiny little English girl. He'll just lead the way to the extra room not being used.

"This is yours for as long as you need it. It's not much, but it's better than under a bridge or in a van down by the river." He then smiles and heads back to the living area.

"Help? I would love help. I don't quite know yet where I'll go, but once I have the means, I want to travel. Do as I did before. I would belong to no country so that I can help all countries. And if you wished, I would be happy to have you along. Even if you don't have armor or don't fight, there are other ways to help. We can sit together and brainstorm. Find out where our strengths lie and from there, we can help." He pauses and makes a gesture to the outside.

"For example, right now, there are a lot of sick people. I can't do much about that since I am not a medic of any sort. But what I can do is I can help protect the people looking for a cure. I can aide the sick and feed the hungry." He can house one man, at least until they're all made to leave to another country.

Mikleo had decided to help out at the clinic. By doing so, he could continue to help those here who needed it. He did have healing abilities - so why not put them to use with what was going on? There were people who were suffering due to the bomb. Though, on another hand... he wasn't exactly sure how much he could help with the side effects of it all.

While treating someone, he looks up to Randall before he leaves, offering a polite nod his way in a quick greeting.

"There's more people who need help. Do you think you could help assist some who are waiting?"

He's seen Mikleo working around the clinic often enough, though this is the first time that they've ever actually shared words. At the request, he nods, but then he realizes-

"What do you need me to do?"

He's no medical professional, after all.

"They have a few wounds that are in need of being bandaged." He stops. "... Is that something that you'll be alright with doing?"

He doesn't want to push anything onto him that he can't do, after all.

He nods again, because that's simple. He knows first aid, mostly from having to take care of his own wounds, and while he has his issues with blood, it's something he'll stuff deep down to do what needs doing.

"Should I take the bandages from here or are there some outside?"

"From here would be best. That way, we can treat the patient more quickly."

He pauses for a moment before looking back to Randel. "Thank you. I'll move onto healing up the next patient, then."

"Thank you, sir, I mean, doctor. Doctor sir."

And it's surprising how quickly he scampers out, given his size. But if the good healer happens to come round to check, he'll see that Randel takes care of the minor injuries he can treat with a great deal of care and a very sweet (if occasionally less knowledgeable) bedside manner.

Eventually, though, he'll bring some water over.

"Don't forget to take care of yourself too."

Mikleo pauses when he hears what he calls him - and he can't help but feel a little flustered. He's... definitely no doctor, though he does want to help the people who have been injured...

It doesn't take him long to treat the injured person with his healing abilities. In fact, once he's finished, it's when he's offered water. He can't help but pause at the irony of it. He is someone with water-based artes -- or what other people might call magic - after all.

He takes the water, offering a polite nod. "... Thank you, but I can still do much more than this. Though, maybe you should take this as an opportunity for yourself to rest instead."

He shakes his head. He'll be fine. Of course, that might mean he'll pass out later, but until he actually feels that the quality of his work is decreasing, he's going to keep going.

"There's still work to do."

He adds a smile.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"..."

There's a pause on Mikleo's end at that. That sort of stubbornness remind him of his best friend. Though, that isn't why he makes the next offer that he makes.

"Please, just... don't overwork yourself too much. I'll help out. We can help those who need it together."

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[open!] Lest the only one betrayed / Will be standing center stage

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