semaphoring | Voice Testing

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voice testing: trench

Voice Testing | Setting: Trench

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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Tenya had been about to comment that their lifestyle wasn't about the celebrity, but about living as glorified civil servants that people trusted would be around for a crisis, when Glitch's question caught him off guard. Setting the phone on the table, Tenya self consciously tugged at his sleeve...

"Just being a student doesn't make us immune to bad decisions... Or keep us safe from trouble."

With a sigh, he pulled up to sleeve to show Glitch.

"My brother was attacked and nearly killed by a villain. He survived, but with injuries that mean he'll won't run again without a lot of time, effort, and hard work. He was forced to retire at only age thirty... And I was so trapped in my own anger over this that I went after his attacker while out on some field training."

Edited 2021-08-13 09:37 (UTC)

Glitch remains silent as he sits back in his seat when Iida gets into that tidbit of his life. He feels a little awkward about it only because this seemed pretty personal. Maybe Iida was just open to sharing these kinds of personal things with people but Glitch sure wasn't. Still, Glitch frowns just a bit at that the brash actions.

"I get wanting to take down the guy who fucked your brother over, but that was probably a stupid fucking idea," Glitch says bluntly. He figures the other might've been told that before but hey; Glitch was not someone to mince words. "If anything might've been better to take back up with you if this guy was serious on the whole murder thing," Glitch says with a small frown.

"Trust me, on that. I might not have ever gone after insane murder hobos before but if they get you alone they don't hold back," Glitch says, not able to help but to look at his own mechanical arm; The memory of what Maul did to him still burned in his mind.

It wasn't a subject he was open about, but he wasn't going to hide in shame over his own mistakes either. The scars he had earned that day were a reminder to him to plan his strategies more thoroughly... and to never forget the key point which he had forgotten that day:

He wasn't alone.

Eyeing the robotic arm once more, Tenya momentarily pondered on how both another classmate and himself were dangerously close to having similar sort of assistive device. The Support Class had kitted all of them out with upgrades, but replacing an entire limb was beyond even their expertise.

"...I know that, now." he said at length. "It was a mistake to think that there weren't people willing to team up. Even my brother had the whole of Team Idaten backing him at normal times."

The whole of the city had been glued to the televised bouts during the Sports Festival, they way they did during other athletic events on a large scale. Tensei had been attacked during one of the rare times he was alone and unable to quickly call for an assist.

Taking his glasses off, Tenya heaved a wearied sigh.

"You may not have gone after villains like that on your own, but you sound like you've certainly met them. Is that how your injury happened?

Edited 2021-08-14 18:15 (UTC)

Maybe he should've expected that question to come after what he just said. He opened the door for it after all. While the arm did feel like it was still the same one he lost it was hard not to see it and know he lost his real arm and had to adapt. He turns it over, looking at the palm of the mechanical part with a deep frown. He thinks to get up and leave and excuse himself, not really wanting to answer.

But, honestly? That would probably be pretty irresponsible, wouldn't it? At the very least he could give this guy some warning about one of the more dangerous residents among the Sleepers. "Pretty much. There's a guy named Maul here-" Glitch says, (the irony of the alien man's name not escaping him)

"And he's more than a little fucking psychotic. He attacked me about a year ago when the town we were in made him crazy and when I fought back to at least keep him from murdering me? He's had it in for me. Says that what I am is an abomination and all that shit with what I can do.

Several people had to get him to 'promise' not to come after me but soon as that was gone? He decided to do what he wanted," Glitch says with a low voice. But, finally he looks back to Iida with a furrowed brow. "I'm not telling you this because I want a pity party, but, to let you know how dangerous this fucking guy is. His temper is hair trigger and he's willing to do anything if he's slighted. He's got horns on his head and red and black skin with gold bloodshot eyes. He's not hard to miss."

....Glitch was talking to a guy whose full name was Iida Tenya, from a country where the world 'idaten' referred to track and field runners, and who had jogging as a hobby. The irony of such a name was noted with a nod-- such things were reasonable, after all.

"There's no reason for a pity party," Tenya replied, replacing his glasses and giving Glitch a serious look. "Sometimes, there's no easy way of avoiding those who wish to hurt you."

Beyond rivalries which may or may not be friendly, evidence was starting to show that the more powerful villains in their small region of Japan had foul intentions for multiple of his classmates. No matter what precautions they took, and no matter how many pros were around, it was impossible to stop everyone. With brows furrowed, Tenya took mental note of the man Glitch was speaking about. A man like that would be hard to miss.

"A man with a temper like that, aiming to murder a young man like you for no reason?" He clicked his tongue, dissatisfied. "He must be more of an 'abomination' than you are. What is it that you do that would make him say that to you?"

He's already in this deep, might as well keep going. He takes a moment to think on what to say as he sinks into his chair a bit. "You wouldn't be wrong with that," Glitch replies quietly. Of all the people he met, Maul was probably the worst person he's met. But, that doesn't really answer Iida does it. So he lifts his hand as blue electricity sparks off of it. "He doesn't like me because of my powers," Glitch answers simply.

Though he feels at the very least he should give Iida some more context on this. "Apparently, he's had a bad experience with it that it causes him a lot of distress. But you know, using your fucking trauma as an excuse to be a shitty person and fucking murderer doesn't hold much water with me. Can't just do awful things to people and play the "I'm a sad victim of abuse" card and expect to get away with things," Glitch says flatly.

But, the words Maul said to him has stuck with him even moreso, clinging and dripping off him like a heavy weight. It was hard not to think that he was right when his whole world revolved around the idea people like him with powers were in fact, not good.

"He doesn't like electricity generation?"

Tenya didn't bother to hide his surprise. Electricity control was such an ordinary power in his world that, again, it barely warranted any attention. One of his classmates had a similar ability-- and he was what some would call a Class Clown!

"That's appalling. Everything you're describing about this man is appalling." He shook his head, having heard such slippery slope arguments by people as an excuse far too many times. It was easy to feel pain and distress in these kinds of circumstances, but being better and stronger meant rising above such matters.

"But... you're absolutely right. Sometimes, the people who cause the most trouble need to work the hardest at healing themselves. It's no one else's responsibility to bind them with promises-- and you shouldn't have been put through that."

"Apparently he had a bad time with it as a kid. Not that that gives him the right now to do what he does," Glitch says bitterly. There were plenty of other things Maul did that didn't involve electricity that was just as bad. He remains quiet though when Iida offers his consolation. He's not really sure what to really say to that, other than brush some of his own blue hair behind his ear. "Trust me. He's pretty a pretty gross guy to know."

"Thanks. You're sweet," Glitch says simply. The word feels like it comes a little unnaturally to him since it's not something he'd usually say. Either way, he shifts a little uncomfortably as he gets up from his seat. "We should probably call it here. You've probably got stuff you need to do," Glitch says somewhat awkwardly.

There he went with the compliments again. Tenya, tongue-tied once more, struggled to find the words as Glitch started to get up.

"That-- thank you."

He sucked in a breath and awkwardly dipped his head in a bow. "I never would have known who to be careful around without your warning. But, Glitch-kun-- no, maybe you prefer just Glitch? At least let me thank you appropriately..."

Tenya stood, feeling not unlike an awkward puppy that was too big for such tight quarters and perhaps it's own feet, and regarded Glitch in earnest.

"We came for food. At least let me buy you a meal. And tell you about my powers. Fair is fair, isn't it?"

Glitch hadn't seemed terribly comfortable with all of the personal admissions he had made, and Tenya didn't blame him. But, with that depressed look on the guy's face, he didn't feel right just leaving their first meeting on that beat.

It's hard to notice how much Iida does tower over him in this setting. He was about to turn to leave but he's sort of stopped when he looks at the figure standing in front of him. He remains quiet for a moment watching them bow to him and well he can't help but chuckle a little bit. "You're an earnest kind of guy, aren't you?" He says it easily because well, it's hard not to notice.

If he had met Iida a year ago he might've kept most of this to himself, maybe even called the other boy a fool for being so open to tell him things. But, he shakes his head a bit at the offer. "All right. Sure, I'll take you up on that," Glitch says, his face lightening just a bit. Weird how things could turn like this.

Instantly, Tenya beamed.

"Really?" He gushed, heartened by just this simple little gesture of acceptance. Regardless of their circumstances, he recognized a certain something about Glitch that he recognized and couldn't quite let go of. The harsh truths he uttered were countered by an odd shyness and a shadow that resembled depression. But, going beyond...

With Glitch's own surprise about Tenya's life, and the allegations of Maul both regarding and treating him as an abomination, Tenya couldn't help but wonder what Glitch's home must have looked like. Even if he couldn't fix any of these problems, earning a smile was enough.

"That. I-- well." He stammered, tongue-tied once more. "What kind of food do you like? The menu looked like it had a decent variety for what we usually find in this town..."

Trailing, he sat back down at their little table and regarded Glitch once more.

"No matter what you say, or what other people say about you... you're a pretty good guy. Don't listen to words like that."

It's hard not to laugh a little at this display. He'd always been so distrusting of people and assumed the worst before he really knew them. He would have to blame Ruby for him finally trying to think the best of people.

He gives something of a shrug though when asked on food and the like. "I'll eat pretty much anything. I'm not super picky, so long as it's you know; not human bones or something," Glitch says waving a hand dismissively in the air. Was that a joke or was he being serious? Who knows. Either way, he sits down again but is stopped again when Iida goes and says that.

He's talked to this guy for only a couple hours and he's saying things like that? It gets another little laugh from him. "Uh...thanks. I don't hear that a lot so...yeah," is he flustered laughing?

He's flustered laughing.

The flustered laughter was impossible not to notice, and for a second Tenya panicked. Had he said something out of line and embarrassed the guy? Clearly they were separated by culture and likely the more complex aspects of their worlds-- but, surely even a social faux pas could be forgiven, with time?

"Human bones? I don't think that--" He began, questioning the obvious, before quickly shaking his head and waving down a server. Swiftly and politely, he ordered a bowl of beef stew and some hearty brown bread for the two of them. Despite the sea faring nature of Trench, the locals seemed well versed in how to use the local resources to their maximum advantage.

Sitting down, he continued. "Sorry for taking liberties like that. It's doubtful that there's human bones in our meals when we're such a valuable resource to the local community. Whether they make a fuss over it or not... they need our help."

It was their blood that had the potential to alter the world, after all.

"And... Glitch." He said the name once more without honorific, practicing that custom for himself-- because it was rude to expect the whole of the city to adjust to his own sense of propriety when there were a host of other issues. They all had to adapt.

"I understand that accepting kind words can be hard after difficult things have happened. They probably sound like a lie, yes? But the people you choose to surround yourself with, who see you for the kind of person that you are, have no reason to lie.:

He pushed his glasses up as he spoke-- and then, unexpectedly, leaned forward to get a better look at his mealtime companion. The darkened cheeks and the flustered expression still worried him...

"Are you feeling okay?"

"You would be surprised how many times freaky shit ended up in food in the last place," Glitch answers with something of a bored tone. Either way, it doesn't stop him from pulling up one of the bowls of stew that Iida order for the both of them and begin to eat. Partway through eating he does look up at Iida. He pauses at their words only realizing a kind of gentleness coming from them.

It leaves him at a loss of words to say the least, as he brought a hand to brush some of his blue hair behind his ear nervously. Was he feeling okay? Honestly? He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm...as fine as anyone can be in this place. I mean, I chose to come back here since it was that or go home which...isn't great," Glitch says, bringing up a hand to wipes his tired eyes as he leans back in his seat.

But, he wasn't answering the question was he? Another exhale as he shifts his eyes to look off towards the ocean. "Honestly. I wish things were better."

Brows lifted with curiosity at Glitch's words. The 'last place', as Glitch called it, was a fairly common source of conversation among the world hopping veterans within Trench-- and not for the first time Tenya felt a quiet respect for anyone who survived that literal nightmare.

"...You're talking about the outcome from what happened in that dream, Deerington, aren't you?"

He had paid attention to the local history, but everything Tenya heard was so convoluted in places that even he couldn't make full sense of it. It was even doubtful if the people who had stayed long-term within the dream understood everything about what they had lived through.

He's really not sure what to feel about with the old town. Glad they got out? Upset they were stuck there at all? He's not really sure. He just knows he could've done without the life scarring horror, the only good thing he could really think of is all the sleepers he became close with. He purses his lips in thought of that, because honestly? He's not sure his sanity would've survived without them.

So, he nods in response to Tenya's question, lowering the spoon he was holding back into the bowl. "It...wasn't a nice place that's for sure and I can't honestly be sure how this place may be. So far? It's not great, but it's more managable right now. Key words being now. Things could get really bad come October and then we'll know what we're dealing with," Glitch says morosely. His first and only October in Deerington was awful and a thing he wish never to repeat...but with how creepy this place was?

He's sure it would happen. He looks back up to Tenya for a moment, biting his lip before leaning over a little. "Look. I know you might be training to be a hero or whatever in your world but don't underestimate things here or get full of yourself and try and take things by yourself. That kind of heroics is gonna get you killed quick. Get back up, don't go alone. That's really what you gotta keep in mind here, got that?" Glitch says now pointing finger towards the other.

Because honestly? He really didn't want to see someone who seemed genuinely nice get messed up again in a place like this. He failed Ruby on that front but the damage probably was done a long time ago. At least with this guy he might stand a chance to make sure the worst didn't happen.

In some ways, Tenya had already faced the worst-- but, he knew that the 'worst' for him was hardly a comparison to the trials some of his friends and classmates were destined to face. Likewise, what he understood from his world didn't apply to this one. All that was certain was that nothing could be certain in a realm where they were all essentially squid and given a unique opportunity.

Thoughtful, he took a spoon of his stew and stewed on Glitch's. He had already risked life and limb for his friends... and he knew that he would do so again.

"I can't make any promises besides waiting for back up," Tenya said plainly, setting his spoon back into the stew to regard Glitch with the same whole-hearted manner he approached every aspect of his training and education with. "There's value in teamwork. And, even though the people I'm familiar with aren't yet here.. there's further value in working with and becoming familiar with the people who have lived like this for a while already."

Team Idaten was founded on the premise of taking people with specialized skills and placing them in places and with people who had complimentary abilities so they could maximize their total impact upon a situation. Teamwork was the only way to survive... even in a strange world that had given them new options with which to live their lives.

There's a pause as he hears that and well, there's not much he can say to it. All that comes back to him is the one time that he went in alone, never called anyone and well...things had gone poorly for himself and Ruby. He's quiet before he looks back up towards Tenya with a deep frown "So, long as you actually call for back up. Trust me. I know what happens when you don't and things go poorly," Glitch's tone becoming more grave.

He wouldn't elaborate on it further since Tenya didn't need to know the grisly details of an immortal witch and the bag of worms that would open up because of that. It feels though a awkward kind of silence fell over them which Glitch takes to grab his own soup bowl and just down it in one gulp. He goes to get up but pauses for a moment before looking at Tenya. "I'll wait for you to finish and walk with you back to your place. You know, considering this place is crawling with monsters from hell."

Tenya clenched his left hand into a fist at those words, recalling his own experiences with taking on a terrible task alone. It had not gone well-- and there were times in his own uncertainty when he still imagined that blade of sharpened, blood soaked steel biting into his shoulders and braced above his neck. Some would say it was a miracle that he had survived at all.

Truth was, it was only because of his quick witted friends that he even had a chance to meet Glitch like this.

"I know what happens when things go poorly as well," he confessed. It wasn't an episode that he planned to repeat.

"And... I appreciate it. Both your company for a meal and your offer to escort. As long as we stay within the bounds of the city, we should be safe... right?"

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Voice Testing | Setting: Trench

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