Voice Testing | Setting: Trench

[semaphoring]

In The City-- a general prompt for anyone at the beach

He didn't know what 'home' was any longer.

Tenya Iida had resided in Trench long enough for the seasons to change-- the heat and coastal humidity of summer had slowed into a brisk fall that had Tenya instinctively looking towards starting a new semester at UA, a continuation of his life, his duties, and his ongoing education to become the Hero that his brother was. Yet, in Trench, Tenya found himself in a rare situation where he could exist by his own terms... as Tenya, not the man who was to become Turbo Hero: Ingenium when he attained his licensure.

It was strange. He wasn't sure how he felt. The only matter he was certain of was that Trench needed more help than was available within the city itself.

... Oh, how his classmates at UA would hardly be surprised if they could see him now.

The little cat that had appeared by his side when he arrived, a calico he had taken to calling Tama after an old Shinto deity of the subways, was curled in the hood of his jacket while he jogged over the shoreline that brisk morning and mused over what had become of his life.

Although his world still needed 'Ingenium'... Trench needed anyone with the will and heart to be a Hero.

Needing A Hero-- A fighting prompt

The Moon Presence was the only sign of hope amid the desolation of the Beast attack that had befallen Trenchwood. Corruption ran rampant through trench, and at times it felt as if the surges rose and fell with the ebb of the tide. Having grown up on an island nation, Tenya was no stranger to the power of the tides-- and it was chilling how chaos rose and fell within that pattern. Speed may have been his gift, but not even he was fast enough to help the architects and agriculture workers from saving their fields.

Fires ate through the crops, and Tenya was taking one last lap around in search of any stragglers. Food was important-- but survival was moreso. Spotting a figure at the far end of the field, he skid to a stop, heels kicking up dust and ash, and frantically sought to get the individual's attention.

"Hey, let's keep moving! It's not worth it to stay any longer!"

He'd carry them out if he had to. No one was going to get left behind


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in the city

[glitchinthesystem]

He'd been on this beach for awhile now himself. Coming and going every so often since he got here. He had chosen to come back to Deerington...Trench...whatever this place was. Why? He's not even sure he could pin down the reason to be honest. Still, this whole place had a whole other gloomy vibe to it with there being no sun.

There's not much to do other than think about if the right choices were made, if even he made the right choices. He supposes at least he knows his choices have all been pretty crap for a long while now. Either way, he's taking the time and the quiet for what it's worth. At least right now there were no monsters.

He had found a large boulder by the water and sat up on it, skipping smaller stones he had collected on the water front. He might've done this for awhile until he heard someone's footsteps approaching. He raised a brow, turning towards the noise before he see's a boy running his way. For a moment, he's quiet as he looks at them confused. He's pretty sure he's not seen this kid before not in Deerington anyways. Was he a citizen?

No. That didn't track either; the guy's clothes didn't look old fashioned like the rest of the people's here. Even he knows he stands out like a sore thumb with how his own clothes didn't match the time period this place seemed to be stuck in. So, he lowers his hands and places them behind himself as he leans back on the boulder to look the other guy over.

"So. Newbie? Veteran? Or am I just hallucinating you?" Great way to start a convo.

[semaphoring]

Everything about Tenya was impossible to overlook-- from the square cut of his glasses and the still pristine lines of his hair to the solid build that was suited for a lifelong athlete... or a comic book hero. Hearing the question rise over the lull of the surf, he stopped and looked upward at the stranger with a brief look of bemusement on his face.

Newbie? Veteran? He had heard stories, but...

Wiping sweat from his brow, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Hallucination?"

Tama stirred in his hood. With a brief look back to check on her and reassure himself that she was secure, he moved closer to the rock.

"Trust me, I am certainly no hallucination!" Grinning, he couldn't help but hold his hands up-- palms out, fingers a tad too rigid to be normal "It would be a little hard to talk to one, wouldn't it?"

Educated as he was... he had no idea how psychological issues that were independent of the effects of villainy even worked.

[glitchinthesystem]

He can't help but stare a bit in bewilderment at the pure fact he was seeing someone who looked like the weight of the world had not crushed his spirit. Glitch still kept his own stony, neutral expression not really offering much of a grin their way. It doesn't bother him with the other guy's friendly demeanor but it's telling. He hasn't experienced what this place could be like and that would hit hard quickly.

He does take another look at hos the other guy gestures and...well...robotic would be a good word to use. As for their question, Glitch shrugs slightly. "You would be surprised what this place can do to you. I have had a few conversations with hallucinations but usually it's about how I'm a bad person or how they're miserable or whatever.

You know? Whole guilt trip kinda thing. That or they just try and scare the shit out of you," Glitch answers bluntly. However, he does move off his boulder and steps towards the taller figure. He stops only a foot in front of them and well, gives a good firm poke to Ida's chest.

"Yup. Solid. Okay, you're real," he says though it's more to himself than a direct comment towards Ida himself. Though he does look over to look at the cat popping in and out of the other boy's hood. "You normally drag your pets in your clothes on runs with you?"

[semaphoring]

His spine unintentionally stiffened when the other teen pressed forward and poked at his chest-- as if in disbelief. Tenya watched quietly and listened, his lips forming a line while his brows lifted in his attentive surprise.

"I'm afraid I'm not going to do anything like that, if that's what you're looking for." He pushed his glasses up and shook his head briefly. "Although... I can--" A quick flash of a toothy smirk graced his face at the thought of playing the villain-- "There's frankly no reason to. I don't know you, or anything about you."

If there was a call for it, however, he would not shirk his duties. Let him be your villain, Glitch...

"Tama-kun here was someone I met not long after I arrived. She.. likes to stay close. I figured that a sweatshirt like this would be safer for her to come along in, rather than just let her sit on my shoulders or try to keep up."

...He could go fast if he wanted, and he wasn't going to leave the cat behind.

[Needing a Hero]

[subject_013]

He might have come upon a tall figure clad in a black cloak over a long leather robe,
stooped down, pulling a bone-like sword from the body of a Beast. The figure straightens up, wiping the blade clean on a bit of cloth produced from inside its garments. The figure lifts its head, turning toward Tenya, revealing a face like that of a large corvid, though closer inspection reveals it as a mask with eyepieces of tinted glass.

"Still too many Beasts," the figure says in a gruff voice. It turns its face briefly back to the dead Beast before kicking the corpse. "One less to contend with."

[semaphoring]

It was an imposing sight amid the destruction-- but Iida knew what mattered. Even in the most dire of straits, it was still the people that were the most important.

This man in a bird-like garment was no exception.

"There's still people we need to defend, more than the fields." He said, all seriousness. "We need people like you."

[subject_013]

The corvid-clad stranger emits a soft grunt of agreement. "Let the fire take the damned Beasts," he grumbles and sheaths the sword in a back sheath, leaving it loose for a quick draw. "And you are the one rallying the Hunters to shield the common-folk?"

[semaphoring]

"I'm just following the others' lead." Iida stated, quickly casting a look over their path-- which stood currently free of flames. "They have more experience, and they know what's at stake better. I'm merely gathering the stragglers."

beach!

[punchesyu]

If it wasn't one freaky world he was finding himself in, it's another. He finds himself wandering the beach of this new landscape, missing the amenities of normal life. This was new and exciting and all, but there's something about air conditioning that just can't be replaced.

He can see a figure further down the shore, jogging along its edge. Yosuke can't fathom exercising at a time like this, but some people are just real go getters like that. He waves as they approach, grinning at the man.

"Hey! Slow down for a sec would ya?"

[semaphoring]

He needed to run.

Having grown up with literal engines sprouting from his legs as a part of his biology, Tenya Iida quickly learned the importance of staying in proper-- if athletic-- shape. Quirks were not necessarily all encompassing, and there was no guarantee that a person's body could even keep up with the superhuman capabilities they were granted. In the case of the Iida family, they learned quickly and passed down over the generations that the Engines came with a price:

Their bodies were otherwise human.

To keep up with the immense speeds that allowed them to cross the battlefield in a heartbeat, they needed to train. This meant that, despite the uncomfortable climate of Trench, Tenya kept up with his morning jogs around town.

...Besides the obvious, it was also a comforting routine.

Hearing the call of another, he did slow down and cast a pleasantly confused look to the other person on the beach. It was rare that someone stopped him. Smiling, he waved.

"Good morning!" He called, and trotted closer. There was no reason to shout across the beach!

"There's not normally others out here right now," Tenya began, in an effort to explain himself. To someone from this apparent timeline, seeing someone jogging must have been unusual! "Am I bothering you?"

[punchesyu]

"No way! I just wanted to see who had the pick me up to get them out here jogging on the beach," he admitted. "I figured whoever it was, it was probably someone who landed here just like I did."

Yosuke gives Tenya a quick look over, but doesn't really take the time to look at the other's legs. So, he continues on like normal, as lighthearted as ever.

"And I'm kinda surprised. You look like someone I'd go to school with. Hey, you're not from Inaba, are you?"

In the city

[chickenchoicejudy]

Ryan wasn't much of a morning person even before Trench. Now though? This is basically late in the evening for him. Being paleblooded has really allowed him to just let go of old societal norms and be somewhat nocturnal.

That didn't mean he didn't still get the occasional bit of insomnia though. It just...happened at weirder times of day, that's all. Totally fine.

So, early in the morning, as what little sun they get starts to rise for the day, Ryan sits on the edge of the boardwalk facing the shore, dangling his legs back and forth. His outfit is practical but striking, but the thing that really stands out is the electric guitar in his hands. Iida might be able to hear a soft song drifting over the beach, carrying a strange nostalgia with it. Ryan didn't feel like bringing his equipment, so instead of being a loud disturbance first thing in the morning it's a soothing, unplugged sound.

[semaphoring]

Finding others out on the beach in time for the sun was rare, no matter what world Tenya found himself in. Back in his home, no one was surprised to find any of the Iida siblings out for a jog in the mornings or evenings. Even his older brother Tensei was well known in certain circles for scouting out jogging partners from anyone he encountered-- and, should he recover from his injuries enough to jog again, Tenya had no doubt that the tradition would continue.

Tenya strode toward the same ideal... even if he had to admit that it was somewhat freeing to no longer be bound by the social laws and norms that he had grown up with.

In a way, he had no idea what to do.

He usually was content to listen to the birds and the waves while he jogged, but the subtle sounds of a melody on strings drew his attention. Like how he sometimes heard Jiro playing an unplugged guitar in the dorms during the quiet hours when they were supposed to be sleeping, he couldn't help but be enthralled.

The running slowed to a jog, which then further slowed to a brisk walk. Keeping quiet, Iida circled around the stretch of boardwalk and relaxed into the tune-- eventually the jogging itself ceased, and he removed his jacket for a round of cool-down stretches.

...It was a haunting melody, not too unlike the sea. As much as he wanted to approach the musician, he didn't want to risk breaking the spell.

[chickenchoicejudy]

Oh, it's far too late. The spell was broken the second someone entered Ryan's field of vision. He doesn't stop playing though - he just repeats a couple of chords and watches the guy go about his exercise, thinking for a moment.

(From afar, he was actually reminded of Min-Gi for just a second - but one, this guy is a brick and two, he's pretty sure Min-Gi would never be caught dead jogging for fun. Buuuut that doesn't mean Ryan can't appreciate the view, especially once the jacket comes off.)

The song changes pretty abruptly while he does his stretches - to something fairly distinctive and perhaps more appropriate for what Iida's doing. Without all of his gear it's still a much quieter cover, but it gets the job done. This time, Ryan sings along - grinning the whole time.

"Rising up, back on the street. Did my time, took my chaaances. Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet. Just a man and his will to surviiive!"

If Iida catches him glancing his way, Ryan will wink at him. Yes, handsome ripped fellow on the beach, this is absolutely for you.

beach!!

[greatestfall]

Tenya's quiet morning would be interrupted very a brusque, loud, booming voice. The seagulls scatter in fear.

"YOU!"

Should he look, he will find a well-dressed teenager in a dark coat and blue necktie pointing in Tenya's direction. His expression is sharp and piercing, accusatory. In his other hand he holds something bundled close to his chest, and on his hip rest a black-hilted sword. It looks like he means business.

"I've got a bone to pick with you!"

[semaphoring]

There was Tenya, in his athletic pants and tightly fitted shirt, skidding to a stop in the sand just in time for a frigid wave to crash up against his back. The shock of the temperature change had him reflexively stiffening his posture-- a reflex that was not helped by the sudden chaos on the beach.

"Me? What did I do?!" His hands and shoulders tensed up as the stranger marched over-- and, spotting the more immediate issue, there was no stopping the flood of words.

"I'm out here for a run, like an ordinary person! You, however...

Do you have proper registration for that sword?!"

[greatestfall]

"Do you-"

Oh, it is not every day someone can match him in volume. Elliot flummoxes his response, not used to being interrupted with such assertion.

"Registration!?" He says it with such indignation. Is this guy insulting him?? "This blade is the symbol of the Nightray family! It's proof of my name, it needs no such thing!"

hero hero hero

[velvet_teen]

Welcome to the apple orchard, it has trees standing. Two of these trees are being used as anchor points for a very long chain. The middle of the chain is wrapped around the neck of a horrible hairy reptile shape, and on top of the Beast, yanking on the slack of the chain, is a snarling girl.

"You can go! I'm gonna break this bastard's neck!!"

o m g

[semaphoring]

Immediately Iida felt his Rule Abiding Instincts kick on.

With barely a thought he activated the engines in his calves and sprinted over at speeds greater than the average person-- with his booming voice preceeding him.

"Miss! This is not the time to act alone!"

[velvet_teen]

Rules are for people who aren't pissy about their favorite orchard getting ruined. And, in general, for people who aren't Alice.

"Oh yeah? This isn't the time to make your stupid big mouth look like a square!"

It is actually pretty hard to make the chain light enough to yank on full power but heavy enough to hold this thing but light enough to not break the anchor points but- arrrgh!!! There's this monster, she's mad, and it's not dying, and there's this bossypants schoolboy prancing in and-

It's not a good day.

in the city

[borntolove]

The Doctor is wearing his long brown trench coat with his blue pinstripe suit. Everything came back - finally. Between finding Jack and beating those pirates. He figured out who he was. Now, the question is more about this place. The Doctor remembers that cube Peter showed them some time ago.

The real question is - did they make the right choice as a whole. The Doctor doesn't doubt his own choices. However, the choices of the rest with the faith of the eggs - he does worry about. From a simple process of elimination, The Doctor can figure out which side of that cube they are in.

"Pthumerians... Who are the Pthumerians?"

Ten eyes into the starry and Moon-lite sky. His own eyes reflecting, belonging with that. Almost like he is one with the universe.

[semaphoring]

'Pthumerians', as they were called, were an intriguing line of questioning regardless of circumstances. For once, Tenya was as in the dark as everyone else-- which, as a top student in an elite academy, was a source of embarrassment to him. As much as he tried to absorb all relevant information about Trench as soon as he arrived... he still had the mental limitations of a human.

He needed to adjust to this world before he could truly learn anything.

Slowing, he wiped sweat from his brow with a small towel he had brought along for his exercise and cast the stranger a curious look.

"Who are any of us right now?"

He countered-- not wanting to be mean, but as a show that there were a great many unknowns. They were all lost children, and not even Tenya's speed could help any of them with this problem.

In the city

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul still didn't know what to make of the Omen that had appeared. It was a red Maalraas, a rather intimidating species from the galaxy he came from. While being terrifying just by virtue of being a creature that was all teeth at first glance, it actually was far calmer than Maul in temperament and more naturally protective of the people around them. Vengeful Snuzzle was their name, though it went by Venge most of the time.

Venge was currently perched on a large boulder and watching Maul as he went through his katas, the series of stylistic movements that made up the various styles of how to wield a lightsaber. Except in cases where he was completely incapacitated by sickness or something just as bad, he did this every morning. It helped to center himself and start the day off right.

When Venge caught sight of Iida, they were intrigued. They loped easily alongside the jogging man, but despite looking like the stuff human nightmares were made of, they didn't seem prone to attack. They were just curious, sniffing and chuffing to see who this new person was.

[semaphoring]

The jogging that Tenya undertook every morning was for roughly the same purpose: to stay agile and fit, to ground himself and plan out his day, and to build routine so he could start everyday as the Best Version of Himself that he could be. That day was no different, even as the chill of the sea breeze bit at his cheeks while he moved. He cast a passing glance at the man practicing his katas-- though he didn't recognize the style, he had seen similar routines along the parkways and beaches where he lived.

The creature, on the other hand, did earn a curious look. Tenya was at first somewhat nervous about such an intimidating creature keeping pace with him. Stories of joggers encountering predators while on trails in parks during odd hours lingered in the back of his mind every day he set out on this routine, and he always made certain to have a means of protection just in cast. Tenya quickly noticed the snuffling and playful behavior-- much to his relief-- and jogged a while further with the creature at his side.

He scanned the beach for objects that would be intriguing for animals. A discarded branch, perhaps? A forgotten bottle, or a hat that had been left behind? All of these could be interesting to give to the creature-- if they were interested.

[survivalthroughhate]

Venge continued at an easy lope, well keeping up with Tenya's pace. They waited to see what he'd do next. Watching him pick up a large driftwood branch, Venge's long whippy tail lashed back and forth. They bounced back a few feet on their clawed paws and then forward, eager to see what he was going to do with it. He snapped his large teeth once or twice, showing he was eager to be given the branch.

Maul was finishing up with his usual katas when he finally noticed Venge was no longer lying there on the rock. He'd become so focused on the movements that he'd tuned out everything else around him. Now where had that Maalraas gotten off to? He started scanning the beach and noticed they had gotten all the way down the beach. They were with someone new too. Well, nothing to do but retrieve his wayward Omen. Maul started walking towards the pair, his feet sinking deeply into the sand.