[theegocentricjester]

Update

This is well overdue.

But I forgot to mention that I have moved to a multi canon/OC blog for RPing specifically. This includes Adachi. This is to try and make logging on/not having a LOT of blogs for individual characters. I’m just not willing to take this one apart due to how much time and effort I put into it.

However if for some reason you would like to converse with me on here, please let me know. As I’m not logged into it very often. Be best to send me a message on the rp or my personal blog. Thanks!

RP blog: renegadeguardians.tumblr.com

Personal blog: flipmander.tumblr.com

[broadswordandpistol]

Because even multiples of 100 are for people who like rules. <_<

In all seriousness, you guys, I’m floored. I never thought I’d end up with even fifty followers, let alone all you amazing people. If I tried to make lists I’d forget someone, though I must give a shoutout to the wonderful voikxkka, sventmanifest, and the-king-of-the-wind, the incredible people who brought me here and helped me feel at home when I was but a wee noob. (Also additional massive kudos to Iri for my awesome banner for this contest. THANK YOU, sweetie! )

Everyone, thank you for being my friend, for the good times both IC and OOC, for putting up with the big fat liar that is my muse, for the angst, the fluff, the AUs that consume my brain, the late nights on Skype, and everything.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

On to the good stuff! THE GIVEAWAY ….

So let me be frank here. I do make art but I’m not brilliant at it, and anyone who knows the size of my drafts folder will understand why I’m hesitant to promise drabbles. BUT. There’s one thing I’m really, really good at, and I don’t get to do much any more, and that’s bake.

This giveaway, ladies and gentlemen, is for five of my lucky followers, who will be chosen at random to receive a box of cookies made in my own kitchen, by my own hands.

The cookies will be selected from stuff I love to make, but most likely will include my famous oatmeal chocolate-chip pumpkin-spiced cookies, amongst any other things that strike my fancy.

You must be willing to give me your mailing address if you win! Otherwise there will be no way to get your box of deliciousness to you. I am willing to ship internationally with the warning that I am in the US and international cookie delivery may take some time depending on where you live. I will select cookies for international peeps that should travel well (biscotti, most likely, and maybe mustasole, traditional Italian hard honey cookies).

If you win, please inform me of any food allergies you may have. You would be surprised what I can and often do cook with. I also can work around special diets. Just talk it out with me so that I know what’s safe for you and what isn’t.

And on to THE RULES!

Yeah, yeah, I know, Alvins don’t have rules. But this giveaway does. Just a few.

This giveaway is for my followers, as a special thank-you. We don’t have to be mutuals for you to win, but please don’t abuse this by following me and unfollowing me afterwards. Thanks!

This giveaway is for RP blogs only, not giveaway blogs and not personal blogs. I know a couple of my dear friends have RP blogs that you don’t use all that often ( jaune-valjeen and flipmander, I’m looking at you ) and those still count. (; 

There will be five winners in all, and each winner will get a box of cookies. Cookies will be determined based on my mood, the contents of my kitchen, and any food restrictions / allergies you may have. (In the case of you being a celiac, we will discuss sending you fudge instead. I do not keep kosher and cannot set up my kitchen that way for you if that is a restriction, sorry.)

Liking this post will earn you an entry! Reblogging this post will earn you an entry as well.

The giveaway starts now, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 at 3PM Pacific Time, and ends on Sunday, September 13, 2015 at noon Pacific Time. I will randomly select and announce the winners, and contact them via fanmail/asks after that point. If I don’t hear back from you within 48 hours of sending out the winners’ announcements, I will redraw for another winner.

Good luck, everyone!

[theegocentricjester]

I’m not entirely sure how I’m so behind on this considering my ace detective skills, but either way, it’s exciting. I need to have the disco edition or whatever.

And why is my only thought: Adachi’s got moooooves like Jagger.

Adachi: *shoots mun*

But I also feel he’d be all arrogant.

[theegocentricjester]

Well....

It seems I’ve been away from tumblr for far too long. Doing what you may ask, lots of things. And it’s only going to get busier from here on out.

But I’m here. Tohru Adachi, reporting for duty.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

A lifetime of reading body language left Alvin suspicious of that little smirk. Just what’s so funny? He didn’t like it; the more he saw of Adachi, the more he felt there was a cold undercurrent to the guy, darker than his own.

Just a hunch.

“Hm.” He folded his arms noncommittally. “Those conditions involve pocket watches, implanted boosters, or handling disputes between territorial chickens?” All of which would mean something to pretty much only the people he’d been traveling with for the past couple of years. “’cause if they do, I’ll pass. Especially on the chickens.”

He watched the persona fade away, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Guess we won’t know unless it happens.”

A low rumble sounded from the forward cars, and a jerk as the train got underway again. “Tch, and they didn’t even stop to see if the car was damaged. Good thing we’re not going into any tunnels.”

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi raised his eyebrow as Alvin spoke. He couldn’t even imagine something as strange as territorial chickens, let alone settling their so called disputes. Things just kept getting stranger and stranger here. 

He shook his head, “No, no. Nothing of that sort.” He had to bite his tongue to not laugh at the idea now that it had fully settled in. “It’s more a location and you being strong enough to handle it.” 

Adachi’s eyes went cold a moment, his personality was already so warped he didn’t have to face his shadow. He wondered if Alvin would be able to face his shadow, let alone what kind of deep dark secrets he tried to keep hidden. Alvin was very good at what part of his personality he showed to others, but Adachi knew there was more to him, you don’t become skilled in combat that easily.

As the car tugged forward, he had to let out a sigh, at least that part was over. Though what next, he didn’t know who to talk to or what to do to get home. “Do you think we should move back to our regular seats or would we get too many looks?” He asked dully.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Aw, shoot. Hadn’t quite covered that chuckle enough. Well, nothing he could do about it now.

“We’ve all got those.” Alvin waved it off, willing to let the gory details slide, at least. Sylph knew he had enough skeletons in his own closet that he wasn’t about to drag out.

He raised an eyebrow at the declaration, though. “That so?” Not totally unbelieving, but somewhat so. “News to me. Thought that sort of thing was genetic.” It was a careful invitation to say more, if Adachi wanted to. After all, Alvin had spent most of his life in a land where everyone else could do magic, save himself and the rest of the other stranded Elympians. This, he wanted to hear about, even if he did figure most of it was a load of chirpee manure. He had at least seen the “persona”, after all.

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi had a moment of relief as Alvin hadn’t pressed for further details of his past. Not that it was that interesting to begin with, but still. As Alvin continued talking, he nodded slightly; he hadn’t known magic was genetic obviously, but the less he showed on his face, the better. 

For a brief moment, Adachi had a visual of finding his way home. If his way home was some sort of special television as he suspected, he could envision himself shoving Alvin through it. He could feel the edges of his mouth curve upward in a slight smirk.

“Well. This is a different type of ability than you’re used to, so it’s not necessarily genetic.” He shrugged lightly, “If the right conditions are met, it’s possible.” Though those specific conditions meant his world and coming into contact with someone who could get them there. Izanami gave the ability to Narukami, Namatame, and him; from there, they were able to take others to that world as well. “If we travel together long enough, maybe you’ll find out.” He said in a teasing fashion, almost wanting to bait Alvin to be sure this happened. He waved his hand slightly and his persona faded away as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Alvin had promised to keep an open mind, but it was still clear that he had to take a moment to bite down on what was probably a chuckle. Not at the big secret, but at the grandeur with which Adachi had delivered it. Not that Adachi could probably tell the difference at the moment. It was worthy of Ivar, had Ivar been present.

He schooled his expression into something more serious. Fortunately he’d had plenty of practice with that. The back of his mind went to work on the idea that the … thing … persona … whatever … was a manifestation of Adachi’s personality. In that case, assuming it wasn’t a lie … Right. Play carefully.

“So you’re telling me it’s not a spirit at all?” he asked, one eyebrow cocked in curiosity. “How does that work?”

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi stared at Alvin, taking note of how he responded carefully. He couldn’t help but look away with a slight hint of disappointment. Not that he expected much out of people to begin with, but it was annoying. 

Alvin’s response forced him to turn his gaze back toward the conversation. Just how would he continue this without getting in a worse situation than he already was. A few memories came flooding back and he had to shake his head to get rid of them. “It’s a very long, complicated story that I’d rather not go into detail about.” He replied blankly, which was true. While he knew how empty his heart was, he didn’t like being reminded of it. While the events of the past had made him who he is today, admitting to how childish and consumed with power he was back then always leaves a bitter taste in his mouth now. Not that he regretted playing his game, but still.

“Though I will say this, everyone has the potential to have a persona. Whether or not you can handle it is the difference.” Which was true, not everyone could face and accept their shadows, their true selves; their dark secrets and ugly personalities they tried so hard to ignore or pretend didn’t exist. Rejecting them meant certain death, besides the exception of the ‘investigation team’ brats. 

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Alvin, in turn, folded his arms, studying his companion intently. “I don’t know, I’ve been through some pretty unbelievable stuff myself. You could try me.” There was enough of a ring of truth to Adachi’s words that while Alvin remained suspicious, he wasn’t about to take immediate action. He’d play for more information.

“I gotta admit, I don’t think anyone would name a spyrite something that complicated to say, even if they were from the Long Dau clan. So let’s say I believe you for now that it isn’t. So what exactly is it?” He shot him a wink and a smile, softening the next sentence into a teasing one, rather than an accusing one. “Or is that none of my business either?”

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi gave Alvin a blatant stare. He wasn’t sure if he was surprised at the fact he was willing to listen to him. Though he could appreciate the thought of not being instantly guilty to something. He raised his eyebrow at the idea that Magatsu-Izanagi was difficult to pronounce after hearing some of the names he’d heard here already. He couldn’t hide the smile that tugged on his lips; it was ironic and he enjoyed how the atmosphere was softening up again if only a hair.

“Why yes, it is none of your business.” He said with a chuckle, spreading his arms out with a minor shrug. “While I’m usually a bit more witty, I guess I can tell you just a little bit." He thought about it a moment, “Well, since you’re giving me the benefit of the doubt and all....” He quickly added to the end. Adachi scratched the back of his head and his eyebrows knit together in an almost confused look.

“Well uh....Magatsu-Izanagi is my persona.” He said very matter of factly. “Think of it as a manifestation of me.” He said as he placed his hand over his chest.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Alvin finished dragging the last of the exo-skeletons out of the passenger car, his expression tightly-shuttered. “The school of hard knocks, Rieze Maxia campus,” he informed Adachi. “They offer crash courses for kids who have to learn things whether they want to or not. As for any other trouble, guess we’ll have to wait and see. “

He looked up at the presumed spyrite, then back at Adachi. There was no amusement in his eyes now, rather there was sharp interest and wariness. “I’m pretty curious where you met your friend, there. My cousin and my best friend are the two leading researchers in the field, and they haven’t been able to turn out anything like that.”

When Jude had discovered that the first versions of spyrites enslaved spirits, he’d almost abandoned his research. It had taken all of them to convince him to keep going, to continue looking for a way to replace the spirit-killing spyrixes with something else. If Adachi had enslaved another of the major spirits via a first-generation spyrite, or was in contact with someone else who was doing that, Alvin had no qualms about doing whatever needed to be done to prevent that.

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi raised his eyebrow at how Alvin worded it. It brought about more questions, but he decided it wouldn’t be the time to ask. He was already backed into a corner and knew it could only get worse from here. Though quick-witted and resourceful, he most likely wouldn’t have been able to contribute much without the use of Magatsu-Izanagi in the fight. Which in itself would make him seem weak. However, by using his persona, it opened many more questions that would make him have to decide just how much to trust Alvin.

Adachi watched as Alvin’s eyes changed from lighthearted to serious. And then of course he asked in a roundabout way as to how he obtained this ‘spyrite’. Adachi couldn’t contain the loud sigh that escaped his mouth as he turned and found a place to sit. He avoided eye contact, protruding a very bored yet annoyed look.

A few minutes passed before he turned his grey eyes back to the man in front of him. “Ahhhh, I doubt you’d allow me to say it’s none of your business.” He said at last. “But to be completely honest, I don’t know how to explain any of this to you without you even believing me.” He eyed Magatsu-Izanagi a moment, it was just his bad luck to end up meeting someone like Alvin, who could easily see through him. But that also meant they may have more in common than he initially thought. Birds of a feather... 

“I would really like to avoid any conflict with any...individual. So let me say this,” He paused, hunching his shoulders forwards, “Magatsu-Izanagi isn’t a spyrite that you’re thinking of and I didn’t get it from anybody.” Unless he counted how he got his power to begin with, but that was a bit more complicated. And Adachi knew that that wasn’t what Alvin was asking anyway.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Alvin, for his own part, seemed satisfied that the remains of the creatures weren’t going anywhere. He was instead studying Adachi with a thoughtful expression. 

That evaluating look faded into a half-smile, and he nodded at the strange spirit. “Mhm. Definitely something. Gotta admit I didn’t see that one coming. How’d you get your hands on an experimental spyrite anyway?” 

They certainly didn’t kick Adachi off the force due to a lack of combat prowess. That spyrite’s something else. Alvin would be having words with Balan and Jude the next time he saw them — if this wasn’t their research, they needed to know about it.

“Might as well clean this mess up. Hopefully they’ve finished with whatever else had us stopped.” He heaved a small sigh, and shoved the remains of one of the spider-beasts out of the train car. The motion didn’t seem to strain him in the slightest, despite the creature’s size.

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi couldn’t help but smirk, he knew Alvin’s next question would be towards Magatsu-Izanagi. While he wasn’t exactly sure what a spyrite was, he assumed it must be something similar to a persona, a manifestation. Though the differences between the two would be something he’d have to figure out some other time. 

“What can I say? We had a type of connection.” Which was completely true. He looked up at Magatsu-Izanagi as it floated above him. “And since we work so well in battle, it’s good experience.” He sighed a moment before Magatsu-Izanagi moved and helped Alvin move the dead spiders off of the train.

“I hope so too. Last thing I want is any other unwanted trouble.” Adachi shook his head, while fighting those spiders didn’t take a lot out of him, he just wasn’t in the mood for more of them. He still had to find a way home after all. Adachi blinked a few times, as he stared at the ground. “You’re pretty skilled on the battlefield. Just where did you learn to fight?” He said as he turned his attention back toward Alvin.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

“Ugh. I hate fighting in cramped quarters like this,” the ex-mercenary growled. It made it difficult to maneuver, and worse, his partner looked like he’d been hurt. “Let’s shut ‘em down.”

Alvin slammed his broadsword into the floor of the train car. A glowing blue circle sprang up around him, large enough to catch both Adachi and the spiders in it as well. “Guardian Field!” A wash of healing energy surged through him, and his partner would feel it too. The spiders, on the other hand, didn’t seem at all pleased by this — pinned by the coruscating glow, they writhed as if they were in pain and unable to retreat.

“Finish ‘em off!” he yelled at his companion, holding the circle in place.

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi panted lightly, poisoned was not something he needed right now. He side glanced at Alvin, he could almost feel they were in unison at the annoyance of this battle. Neither of them should have had a problem fighting them. 

Before he could say anything, Alvin had created some type of barrier. He eyed the glowing blue circle, a smile slinking on his face as he could feel the poison receding. “Well that’s handy...” He laughed with an approving nod, healing wasn't something he could do after all. Alvin was letting him have the finishing blow, maybe they could get along after all; not that Alvin was the one being difficult.

“You know, you’re starting to irritate me.” He said to the spiders as he outstretched his arms with a shrug. “I think you need to be punished properly.” He growled menacingly as he placed his left hand to his head again. Magatsu-Izanagi flew towards the spiders, grabbing its discarded sword in the process. “Heat Riser!” He yelled as a spew of flames erupted from below the first spider. A screeching noise was heard as the combination of the barrier holding it in place and fire finished it off. Magatsu-Izanagi continued moving forward, it lifted its sword and hammered it into the remaining one three times, making sure it was dead.

Adachi sighed, “Well that was something...” He said as he turned his attention back to Alvin.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Heh, he’s showier than I am. Not something Alvin had expected from mild-mannered detective boy, nor the attitude. He’d process that later, but right now there were spiders to deal with. The one he’d been fighting lunged at him with its stinger, and he darted out of the way, blocking the attack with an upward parry. It neatly sheared the tail off and he finished the job with a sharp report from his pistol to the spider’s head.

Turning, he took in the remainder of the battlefield, the strange creature? spirit? Adachi had summoned and the other two spiders, one weaving backward with the pain from the cut.

It wouldn’t take much to finish that one off. Alvin waded in, sword swinging in a wide, sweeping arc and got a claw to the shoulder for his trouble. Damn! He grunted with the pain. Slamming the butt-end of the hilt down on the claw, he was rewarded with a screech and a satisfying crack of the creature’s exo-skeleton.

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi’s eyes shifted to see Alvin finish off the first spider. One down he supposed. He smirked, while this connection between them was new to him, he could almost sense some confusion from him. 

His eyes widened slightly as Alvin went to attack the weakened spider, only to get hit in the shoulder instead. He lifted up his pistol to aim at the weakened one, pulling back the hammer. But before he could pull the trigger, the third one leaped towards him. He tried firing at it instead as Magatsu-Izanagi flew over to try and brace the attack. 

“That wasn't very nice...” While Magatsu-Izanagi had stopped most of the attack, the point of the stinger had pierced its chest. “Well, that’s no good.” He said as he held his hand to his chest. Seems we’re both making mistakes. 

“Get away from me.” Adachi growled at the spider as Magatsu-Izanagi pulled the stinger out of its chest and threw the spider backwards. It landed on its back a few meters away.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

It was always an experience linking with someone new, and Adachi’s link was far different from what Alvin had been expecting — a sensation of yellow and black and electric and — almost — emptiness? Bizarre. But he didn’t have time to think about it as the ex-detective whipped out a spirit arte unlike any he’d ever seen before, except maybe out of Milla. That thing could have given Efreet a run for his money.

"Spirits above," he barely breathed, but at that moment, the other two spiders he’d predicted crashed the party. There was no time to waste being in shock.

His pistol spat a sweeping blaze of fire as he circled behind the first spider. It stabbed at him on the way by and he slashed back at its claws in turn, cleaving one off as more flames blossomed along the edge of his blade. The other two giant insects waded into the fight, stingers upraised and their mandibles chittering.

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi allowed himself to look away for a moment to see the look of surprise on Alvin's face. Though it wasn't the exact reaction he had expected, it was enough to give him just a little satisfaction. Adachi's attention was brought back towards the enemies at hand as the two others made their way into the railcar. He raised his eyebrow, wondering just how much this train car would just be able to hold. He felt a strange sensation once again from the link he had created with Alvin. Although he didn't really understand how he knew, he stepped back as a flash of fire appeared from Alvin's blade. That was something strange to him, he was used to Personas giving off elemental attacks, not individual weapons.

The spider turned its attention to Alvin, which was expected. Adachi watched as the claws of the spider were sliced off into the air, he wondered if fire was one of their weaknesses. No matter, he thought as he eyed the two that were edging their way toward them. 

"Now, Now. No need to get hasty. There's plenty of me to go around." Adachi taunted as he placed his left hand to his head. "Rend them, Magatsu-Izanagi!" He yelled as the red-figure floating above flew towards them before lifting its blade in the air and swinging downward, creating tens of strikes that made a clanging noise as they hit the monsters, pushing them back and slicing in half one of the tails of their stingers. "Tch. Too shallow...." Adachi muttered.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Even as focused as Alvin was on the upcoming fight, that small evasion didn’t escape him. He filed it away for later. There were more important things to focus on now. His hand came out of his coat, a sparkling globe pinched between two fingers and his pistol taking up the rest of his palm.

"Catch." He flipped the allium orb to Adachi, and a massive broadsword materialized in his other hand. "You’re lucky my cousin and a friend of mine work on these things. That one’s still in testing, so let me know if something goes weird. Link up!" He focused quickly to open the link on his end, a sparkle of light flickering under his coat. Adachi might feel a mental nudge, warm and strong like the rumble of earth and the crackle of flames.

"The rest of you, get out of here," he barked at the civilians, moving to position himself between the towering scorpion-like creature and the rest of the car. It hissed at him and lumbered forward. "Get to the next car or the car behind it. They usually hunt in threes."

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi eyed the small glowing orb a moment, but was more amazed at the fact a broadsword just appeared out of thin air. He stood a moment, analyzing Alvin's weapons. It wasn't hard to come to a conclusion that he was a fighter of some sort. In terms of what or why would be something he would focus on when they weren't about to fight some spider-scorpion monster. 

He couldn't help but snicker at the comment that this allium orb was in testing. It meant he was basically a guinea pig. As Alvin told him to link up, Adachi raised an eyebrow, but before he could think of anything else, he felt a strange sensation pulling at him. It wasn't something he wasn't completely unfamiliar with, he placed a hand to his head and memories of the fight with Hi-No-Kagutsuchi resurfaced. "Interesting..." He muttered as a smile slid across his face. He slowly let his guard down, allowing the link to connect between the two.

He blinked a few times, allowing himself to momentarily adjust to the new sensation before striding up alongside Alvin. He cocked his head slightly and eyed the monster before them again. "Three of them...What a pain." He rolled his eyes and pulled out his pistol from the small of his back. He wasn't completely sure how these creatures were in battle, but he assumed they were no pushover. Then again, he had faced something a hell of a lot scarier than this. 

He made a slight tsk noise with his teeth, "Why don't we end this as quickly as possible?" Adachi said to Alvin with a smile. He focused his energy for a moment, a slight red glow began to emit from him. He lifted his left hand palm up in front of him as a spinning arcana card appeared and floated down and rested above his hand. "Persona!" He said as he gripped the card, it made a clashing noise as it shattered to pieces. 

A large human-looking creature appeared above him, it was black and red and held a large sword in its left hand. "Don't bore me now...." He taunted to the creature, a smirk adorning his face.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Curiouser and curiouser. Alvin decided that this was a good point to back off just a touch. He’d pressed the other guy enough that the holes were starting to show. Too much with someone like that, and who knows what they’d do? Better to give him some breathing room and let him feel more at ease. He’d tease out more of his story later. “Hey, at least you’re getting practice where it doesn’t really matter, right? It’s not like you’ve gotta impress me.”

He flashed him an easy smile, and seemed about to answer Adachi’s question when a crunching sound and a high-pitched scream came from the car immediately ahead of them. Alvin was up in a flash and striding down the aisle at a fast clip, his left hand reaching into his coat for something.

"Guess you’re about to find out," he called back over his shoulder. "C’mon, ex-detective, we’ve got people to save. Those damn spiders never do leave stopped trains alone. Unless you’re gonna tell me they took your allium orb when they stripped your rank."

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi raised an eyebrow as Alvin said about impressing him. This was true. But even so, it didn't mean he could just be found out. Alvin was a stranger to him, what he would do with someone who claimed to be from a different world and a criminal. Then again, Adachi didn't really need or want to impress anyone. It wasn't like he really enjoyed the world the way it was to begin with. He decided to give a little chuckle, "Well. That's very true. But with someone I just met, I don't want to give off the wrong impression." He shrugged lightly.

As he waited a moment, but before anything else, a loud yell was heard a distance away, he assumed the next train car. He jumped, his eyes widening slightly as he turned to look down the aisle, but Alvin was already on his feet and heading right towards the direction of the scream. As Alvin urged him to get on his feet and help, Adachi swore lightly under his breath. Just what he didn't want to get into. Trouble. But he was law enforcement of some degree and he reluctantly got on his feet, quickly trailing after Alvin.

He heard spider and he tried to recall the monsters he'd previously seen, though he doesn't remember anything taking the appearance of a spider. Something he was probably not going to be looking forward to. As Alvin mentioned allium, he raised his eyebrow, "Well. I'd be lying if I said I had one..." He reached behind to the small of his back under his jacket and gripped the familiar cold metal of his pistol to reassure himself. 

As they got to the train car where the scream originated from. Adachi eyed the creature. Yep. He definitely was not looking forward to this. "What the...." He muttered lightly. He frowned, this might be a fight he couldn't win without his persona. Which would be possibly another secret out of the bag.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

None of this guy’s story added up, as far as Alvin could determine. He waved the half-apology off. 

"Heh, don’t worry about it. You gotta admit, though, telling someone you’re with the cops and then asking questions about their cargo usually means you’re insinuating something, whether or not you’re still a detective."

He eyed the other man again, sizing him up for what must have been the third or fourth time. Just what was Adachi fishing for? There were things he obviously didn’t know, and they were normal things. He could put that down to him being one of the members of the more elite noble houses, but there was no way this guy was one of them, not with that lousy suit, and not if he didn’t know about Xian Du.

"Believe me, customers aren’t the issue. The market’s gone crazy since the schism broke. Suppliers are the issue. There’s only so much to go around, and the Rieze Maxian supply hasn’t caught up to the demand. It’ll be years before we run out of potential buyers, unless they make a breakthrough in spyrite research in the next couple of months somehow.”

He leaned back in his seat, eyes half-lidded, with just a hint of a smile. From I-don’t-know-where-I’m-going to I’m-bettering-myself-in-Marksburg … and in under five minutes, no less. Shoot, Alvin was a better liar than this guy was. It wasn’t a question of if he was covering something up, it was a question of what — and what seemed pretty big, given how evasive Adachi was being. "So why Marksburg? Trigleph’s bigger, and we just left there."

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi's eyebrow twitched. He always knew he wasn't a master liar, but he could tell his way of trying to avoid or side-step the full truth wasn't working this time. Though in his world, people normally didn't suspect him before knowing his story or what he was capable of. Alvin was making him think a lot quicker and it made him just a little nervous. But it was too late to consider his previous choices.

"Ah. Well, you did ask what my profession was first." He said, raising his eyebrows. While he could understand what Alvin was saying, but it made him more curious as to why he got defensive so quick. But he was already in a bad position due to his teasing earlier, so he decided to step back if just for the moment. "But I can see what you're saying. The way I said it did sound just a little strange." He had to remind himself that he was a stranger and while playing games made it less dull, this wasn't his home where he could play it off.

As Alvin explained more about the actual suppliers being the issue, Adachi tried to recollect his thoughts as he eyed the man sitting across from him. Alvin was not someone he could easily talk his way around. It made for a challenge, which was something he both enjoyed and disliked at the same time. The last time he made a mistake in what he said cost him his game. His attnetion did catch yet another word he was unaccustomed to, 'Spyrite'. He didn't like having to figure out information from Alvin this way, it made him to perceptible to be caught in a lie. Yes, Adachi was very off his game and he did not like how caught off guard Alvin was making him. While he played a fool, it didn't mean he liked being made the fool. In fact, it almost pissed him off. Almost.

Though Alvin's next question confirmed that his normal tactics would not work. While he didn't exactly know where he was going, he just chose the town at the end of the train line. This ensured he could sleep as long as he wanted, it wasn't like he was very rich in this world. And to add to it, there were creatures crawling everywhere, he couldn't exactly tell the difference between friendly and foe. "Well. Let's be honest. I slept through the last stop." Which was true, Alvin should have noticed that much. "While I am lost in terms of my assignment, both Marksburg and Trigleph are large cities, correct?" He said leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "With either city, I'm sure I could find my way back." This all made sense, he assumed both cities had some type of local law enforcement, so he should in theory have contacts. "And as you've noticed, I don't have the greatest social skills, so I thought I'd use this opportunity as a learning experience. Though so far, I'm not doing very well." He said with an awkward smile.

This all seemed plausible. It just depended if Alvin believed him. But why he put so much effort into paying attention to a complete stranger was something that poked at the back of his mind. To see through all of Adachi's lies meant that Alvin was very familiar with lies. This was one conclusion he felt was sound. "So tell me, what other work did you do before your importing business?" Adachi hated to lose, but he wasn't about to dig a deeper hole either.

[broadswordandpistol]

Train Trouble

[broadswordandpistol]

Was a detective. There were a couple of ways you could end up being not-a-detective and not being fired. Neither of them were pretty. They obviously still found him useful. … local? That was an odd choice of word. It wasn’t like there were that many cities in Elympios. Alvin could spot an evasion like that a mile away. Wherever he’s from, he doesn’t want me to know.

Well, he’d dealt with that before too — in fact, he used to be that guy. Wait, is he in Exodus? If he were, shouldn’t Alvin have known? But he had been trying to cut ties with them, and their cell structure made it hard to know everyone. He’d play the waiting game here, see what else slipped out.

"More interesting than being a detective? Heh. You must have worked some pretty dull cases. Where were you, Leronde? I guess it can be lively enough, between keeping the caravans and trains safe from monsters, and dealing with the difference in business tactics." He folded his arms, studying the other man.

"Actually, it wasn’t my idea. Met a guy last year while I was doing other work — knew his then-fiancée-now-wife from when she took care of my mom. He suggested starting it up as a joint Rieze Maxian-Elympian venture not too long after the schism broke. Made sense. I had the expertise he lacked for dealing with the business practices here, and he’s got the contacts for a lot of the product."

He narrowed his eyes slightly at the suggestion. Just what was Adachi implying? “We’ve been dealing primarily in fruit — napples and poranges from Hamil. The deal I’m working should let us expand into beef from Xian Du. The beastmasters in Auj Oule raise some really good animals.” 

Alvin leaned his chin on his hand, with a deceptively easy smile. “If you’re thinking about checking out my crates, mister ex-detective, I can promise you it’s all Rare Noir brandy going to Xian Du, and the export papers are all signed.” And you’d better have a warrant.

[theegocentricjester]

Adachi smirked, yep, this was getting interesting. He shifted and leaned back into his chair, at least this was comfortable. He thought about it a moment, he had seen some monsters. These monsters were strange looking to him, but he thought shadows in the TV world were much more terrifying. He chose to stay out of most conflicts here, he didn't need people noticing him after all. "When I said they have me do their bidding, it's pretty much anywhere now." He said with a light shrug, which was somewhat true since the TV world had no set boundaries.

Adachi nodded as Alvin explained how he got into the trade. It did make a lot of sense, working with a partner made transitions easier and if each of them had their own strengths to contribute to the business, it was very easy to get established. It just a little bit made him think of Dojima-san, he supposed the only 'bond' he could try and appreciate. "Wow. It seems like you two have it all planned out, great business partners if you ask me." He said with a smile. 

As Alvin became just a little suspicious of him, Adachi couldn't help but internally chuckle. It was to be expected after all, but he was just teasing since he didn't know just what type of products they imported. He hadn't expected Alvin to become guarded. But then again, Adachi was a complete stranger.

"Ah. I was just curious." He said, his eyebrows raising, giving a slightly apologetic-innocent look. "Though fresh fruits are a nice thing to get your hands on, especially if you have a lot of people interested in purchasing." He said, trying to insinuate people he was working with might be interested in doing business. It made sense, but at the same time, it could put him in a bad position. Though at the mention of beef, that sounded much better, he hadn't had the time to enjoy this world's cuisine. 'Beastmasters' was a strange word to him. And it again brought his thoughts to the strange creatures and monsters he had seen in this world. He definitely had a lot to learn.

Though at the thought of some type of rare brandy, it sparked his interest. He did enjoy a good drink now and then. But he also heard 'ex-detective' which made him smile. This meant Alvin was just even a little bit more curious about his profession, but it still wasn't something he wanted to explain. Let alone how Alvin might react to him being a criminal. But he shook off that thought, "I'm sorry if I seemed rude. I don't always have good people skills." Which was true. "I'm hoping to better myself, especially by going to Marksburg and interacting with more people in a larger scale." Seemed plausible, it could be a good learning experience.