TDM #4

[apocalypsehowmods]

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➥ Arrival

(cw: potential for severe disorientation/vertigo, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, body horror)

It happens in the blink of an eye. You may have been asleep. You may not have. You may have stepped through a door or turned a corner. You may have seen a flicker of something at the corner of your vision and turned to look. Or maybe you didn't.

It doesn't matter. What matters is that you find yourself somewhere entirely new and entirely unfamiliar. The arrival point is not always the same. (If you're lucky, it might be a canteen or an open office. If you're not, well... you aren't claustrophobic, are you? Or arachnophobic. These ducts do seem to be a bit cobwebby.) There is no one waiting for you but you don’t seem to be alone, either. Even in a janitor’s closet or the bathroom, you’ll find at least one person who seems to be just as out of place as you are.

If characters have arrived in a location devoid of NPCs, they may want to work together to figure out what is going on... or to avoid their 'kidnappers.' If you’ve arrived in the middle of the entry foyer or the gym, there may well be a few people who startle a bit at your arrival and try to approach (or discreetly leave the room... where are they going?). Will you cooperate or fight? Do you even understand what they're saying? You might need to find a translator, if you’re not immediately willing to follow a stranger.

After characters follow their new hosts (or are forcibly taken in) there will be a limited tour and the chance to settle in at the ADI-provided housing. (Do you enjoy living with strangers? Well. It's a new situation to navigate, anyway.)

➥ Toying With You

(cw: creepy toys, possible violence, supernaturally induced emotions)

Weird things happen in Dogtown, everyone knows it. The Apocalypse Disruption Initiative (ADI) is not above taking advantage of that to test out the waters for its newest arrivals. They're not looking to send anyone to their death, though. That's far too much paperwork, you'd been assured with a wink from the employee who'd directed you to the park trailhead. You've been left with another person. Maybe they're a new arrival, as well, or a more seasoned 'veteran.' Either way, you're together for the next while and you've been asked to find and record any paranormal activity in the park. You have your phones and any other equipment you might have brought with you. Those who succeed in documenting anything peculiar will receive a $100 reward to be used as they see fit.

This month...characters who enter the area will eventually stumble upon...a very interesting sight. Take enough confusing, branching paths, and they’ll find a variety of toys abandoned in...a variety of ways.

Some, reminiscent of the happenings of the past month, can be found dangling from branches, or from contraptions of sticks and string staked into the ground. Others might be found arranged in patterns...or simply discarded. Some appear to be tied up. Perhaps surprisingly, there is no evidence of the destruction of these toys. Some may appear to be disintegrating but that’s age, not malice. There are old toys and new toys to be found. Maybe it’s just a prank, or an art installation?

Nothing seems to happen to anyone who ventures to touch the toys. At least...not right away. However, any character who does decide to touch a toy will start to feel like they just don’t have...enough. It might manifest as being particularly possessive over things or people they feel are theirs...or in coveting what they don’t already have (be it material or immaterial). These urges will fade away on their own in time, but who knows what might happen before they do?

➥ Pick a Pocket

(cw: mention of vehicular collisions, supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue)

There is an ethereal music spreading throughout town. It started in the graveyards last month, but now it's spreading, even as collisions and other accidents continue to pile up. Tourists and locals, alike, will find keeping awake incredibly difficult as October rolls in with a rumble of thunder and a splash of rain. Even caffeine doesn't seem to help much with the problem. The music is only just there, just at the edge of awareness, and it's a song that you know. You can't entirely place it, but it's maddeningly familiar.

The local gangs seem to have taken note of the situation, and have taken to sending out their seemingly more resilient members for some mischief. Specifically, pickpocketing those they might find sleeping or less alert than usual. You might be half-falling asleep on a bus when a hand reaches into your pocket or your bag. You might witness the thief in action, stealing from someone else. Or maybe you're someone keen to take advantage of the situation, yourself. There's money to be made for someone with even moderately light fingers when the target is snoring on a park bench or zoning out while sitting at a cafe.

There doesn't seem to be an even effect to the music. It impacts some people in the same vicinity more than others with seemingly no rhyme or reason. The one constant that does appear for those digging deeply, is that ADI HQ and the ADI housing complex seem to be less affected by the music. It can still sometimes be heard, but it's not nearly as prominent as it is throughout the rest of the city.

➥ Sleeper's Paradox

(cw: supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue, mild memory loss)

For as much as everyone seems to be sleeping lately, it does not seem to be restful sleep. In fact, people dozing off regularly will find themselves even more exhausted and irritable than usual. Again, this seems to be far more pronounced for anyone straying too far from ADI's properties for extended periods.

Another feature of this latest round of supernatural irritation is that even those who tend to remember their dreams may have trouble with that. You might remember that the dreams weren't pleasant, but that's about it. The specifics are as elusive as the source of the singing.

Festive planning for the end-of-the-month Halloween Party is in full swing at ADI, and characters may find themselves strong-armed by Pam and other HR personnel, in spite of any grumpiness and exhaustion, into helping with some part of it. Will you be assisting with making decorations? Buying supplies for the kitchens? Helping those who might not understand Halloween to find the perfect costume? Everyone is feeling a little out of sorts, and having trouble focusing, so there's some particular pushing to spread tasks out to everyone possible so it doesn't fall on a single individual. Anyone who helps will be compensated for their time, and they might even get some extra cash to buy their own fancy costume or preferred food for the party.

➥ Mod Notes

• ARRIVAL (Oct 1 - 31): Two people will always arrive in the same general location together. Arrivals occur throughout the early month, not all on the same day or in the same place. Arrivals are not naturally fluent in English/other languages immediately upon arrival. Characters may attempt to evade capture, but they will eventually be snagged before they can leave the building. PC's already in-game are more than welcome to interact with and try to guide new PC's to get them oriented. Please refer to the Arrival page for details regarding the arrival and onboarding process.
  
  
• Toying With You (Oct 1 - 31): Characters who physically interact with abandoned toys will find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of jealousy and/or possessiveness. Depending on how much interaction they have with the toys, these feelings might be stronger or last longer. (Anyone who, for example, removes a toy from Dogtown will probably find themselves helpless NOT to act on the feelings.) Strength of feeling and duration of time is up to player discretion. The source of these feelings could be anything, including the toys themselves. The toys can be destroyed but are not clumped all in one spot. It may take some searching to find them all.
  
  
• Pick a Pocket (Oct 1- 25): Characters are welcome to experience, enact, or stop a crime. You may find yourself victim, hero, or perpetrator. The number of people asleep or having trouble staying awake will increase the closer you get to graveyards and seem to decrease the closer you get to ADI-owned buildings. The decrease in sleepiness around ADI buildings does not extend to anyone living at Bonnie's. Characters may find themselves falling asleep in the middle of trivial or important tasks, perhaps even in the middle of conversation. This is a supernatural sleep, but for the moment, it seems easy enough to wake someone up with a loud noise or a shake. Or, if you're feeling particularly vindictive, a splash of water to the face.
  
  
• Sleeper's Paradox (Oct 1-25): Characters are welcome to take part in whatever party planning they wish to for ADI's Halloween party. Everyone affected by the drowsiness that's taken over the city will find that they cannot remember the specific nature of their dreams; although, they will have the sense that they did have them, and they were unpleasant. The effects of the fatigue may affect other memories or result in increased irritability, and decreased focus and reaction times. Characters may find themselves more prone to error than usual, even those who are typically known for being on-point at all times.
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Comments

[inutilis]

--please don't hurt him...! He's just confused, I'm afraid this is-- this is, ah...

[ a mix-up? a mistake?? the two of them ended up in that closet somehow and neither of them have answers, it seems. are these men going to take the excuse of ignorance? Abel has a feeling this will end in arrests if they're lucky.

...but the officers are not looking to hurt Gen, it seems-- dragging the boy up now cuffed (and maybe a little bruised where they had to scuffle to pin him in order to get them on). one of the Security guards is quietly affirming to Abel that they don't mean them any harm -- again -- and that if the two come with them, their questions will be answered.

so he makes an approach to the... unruly... dark-haired boy, something apologetic in his smile. ]

I know you're quite angry with me right now, but-- could you please come peacefully? You're going to get hurt if you keep straining against these cuffs, ah-- hurt. [ Abel lifts his hands in front of him, wrists together as if cuffed and shakes his head. ] Please humor me, sir, alright? ...If you understand any of what I'm saying right now, I won't let them throw you in prison or make you a cubicle jockey for the rest of time, okay...? I swear, we're in this together...!

[epiprocta]

[ Gen's very lucky that these guards are accustomed to dealing with harried and/or panicked otherworlders, and that he still obviously looks like a (stupid) teenager, and that Abel is actually there to kindly vouch for him despite that underhanded kick to the back -- because if not, the guard wrangling him couldn't be blamed for wanting to give him a little concussion just to get him to quiet down.

As it is, he struggles and fights for a while longer even after he's been cuffed, managing to whack his head into the underside of a guard's chin and earning himself a hard shake from the highly-annoyed guard. It's only once he's tired himself out somewhat that he starts to calm down, sagging in the guard's grip, breathing in ragged huffs.

Lucky(?) for Abel, the vicious glare he earns has lost none of its fire. ]

... you really don't shut up, do you.

[ Gen's briefly tempted to try and kick Abel again, evident in the way he shifts his stance, but even a slight rattle at his handcuffs earns a 'harrumph' in warning from the guard holding his cuffed arms. So he reluctantly drops his gaze, seething quietly but letting the guards lead him around.

At least Abel will have earned some goodwill from the guards as thanks for his hard work calming down the unruly individual. The least he deserves after enduring all this rude treatment, tbh. ]

[inutilis]

[ it is a small miracle, perhaps, that Abel isn't the one causing the most trouble between him and his company!! amazing. he is rather astounded by the boy's brazenness (and perhaps more than slightly concerned at how much of a fight he's put up), but... well. they have bigger fish to fry, don't they? considering they're being led along with little choice in the matter than to cooperate...

...Abel is left to trot alongside his cuffed closet companion, still trying to placate the teenager's bruised ego (among other bruised parts of him). ]

Oh, no... I am quite the chatterbox, actually~! It's one of my greatest assets, the Gift Of Gab! Surely you'll come to appreciate it later, sir, when I talk us right out of this predicament. These men don't seem like terribly unreasonable fellows, after all... I'm sure we can all come to some kind of peaceable, mutual understanding? Ah, sir?

[ Abel gently pat-pats the shoulder of the guard to his left

who is still rubbing his head where Gen had given him a good crack,

...you can imagine how unenthusiastic a look the priest is getting in return, ]

[epiprocta]

[ Unfortunately for Abel, his closet-mate is just as dour (or frankly, even worse) than the guards, answering that chipper blathering with a death-glare before looking away once more. Now that he's been restrained, Gen seems to have resigned himself to his fate, but that doesn't mean his demeanor is any cheerier than before -- if anything, he just seems quietly antsy now that he's surrendered control of his immediate future.

That sullen silence persists as they're shepherded onto an elevator, Gen staring resolutely at the control panel (while silently wishing he hadn't lost his half-done cigarette in the scuffle) and giving a small flinch when it judders to a halt at the one floor below ground level.

The guards talk amongst themselves while leading their charges a short length down the hallway -- 'D'you think this one also need to go in there? He already knows English.' 'Might as well, just to be safe.' -- before opening the door to a room that, ominously, only contains a piece of paper with some text printed on it.

Unable to comprehend what those men were saying, Gen starts resisting as soon as the guards start urging him forth, bearing his weight down and fighting against the gentle(-ish) pushes trying to get him to enter the room. And just for a moment, he shoots Abel a look that's ... pleading? No, not quite. Nothing that vulnerable. But harried. Demanding an explanation. Or at the very least, some sort of indication as to what exactly this room might entail. ]

[inutilis]

[ this... all of this, is rather irregular and strange to say the least.

the pit of quiet unease he has been working to ignore is getting a bit more difficult to suffocate between being ushered into the elevator and a disconcerting trip down to the lower levels. basement...? well, nothing good ever happens in the basement. maybe his hopes that this wasn't going to lead to something unfortunate was... misguided. has he just gotten him and the teenager both shipped off to the DEATH DUNGEONS beneath cubicle hell??? great. just great.

...but the doors ding, and they're soon ferried to awkwardly stand in front of an already-open door that leads to what appears to be little else than a single sheet of paper for their perusal. ah. ...is this some kind of manifesto?? a cult?? are they in a CULT death dungeon?? Abel is giving a nervous chuckle, haha, my stomach hurts so I really ought to be going now-- only to be shoved in the direction of the door, instead. (the kindly security guards have had Enough, thanks.

Abel is shooting a glance over his shoulder... and finding himself strangely compelled to approach the innocuous (if suspicious) document. yet... half-way to his destination, he cannot help but hesitate-- looking first to his teenage friend (the Look Gen is giving him... ah; that is quite compelling, stirring incessantly at his do-gooding instincts). thus... he is quickly asking something of the guards beyond Gen's shoulder. Gen wouldn't be able to hear the exchange, but...

the priest is looking at him after getting his response, then nodding toward the paper. ]

Ah... please-- please look. They want you to read this? Both of us, actually.

[epiprocta]

[ Was that a low, scornful click of the tongue when Abel tried to weasel out of this only to get shoved into the room? Maybe. But the majority of Gen's ire at the moment is reserved for the guards -- if looks could kill, the entire security squad would have been reduced to giblets by now. But alas, they can't, so Gen can do little more glower and steel himself for whatever awaits them in this room. His gaze fixes on that sheet of paper, and the guards take the chance to swiftly uncuff his hands, recuff them before him, then shove him forth and close the door behind them.

Ever the dignified and composed individual, Gen deals the door a vicious kick as it locks shut, but accomplishes little more than making it rattle in its frame. ]

What is this, some sort of cult?

[ Great(???) minds apparently think alike, even with a language barrier at play, and Gen glances at Abel before following that nod to glare at the piece of paper. Just a piece of paper, as far as he can tell, but the fact that they've been brought to this room means it's probably special in some way.

A part of him wants to kick Abel forth, to get him to look at it first, just so he knows what to expect. But ... somehow, that doesn't feel right? Maybe because that piece of paper feels weirdly compelling. And maybe because he can't bring himself to be such a coward, even in a situation like this.

In the end, he shoots Abel a truly contemptuous glare -- like, just for the hell of it, to steel himself for whatever may come -- before stalking forth and snatching the paper up. Abel might be able to spot the way he's tense at first, his shoulders squared as if he's preparing himself for some sort of booby trap, but ... there's nothing? It's just paper. And after Gen squints at it for a moment, he huffs and holds it out to Abel. ]

-- it's just paper. Dunno what it all means though.

[ wow where did all that struggling with English go? ]

1/3

[inutilis]

[ why is he getting GLARED AT?? the feeling of that disdainful gaze sure does have the priest looking a bit put-out, as if he is contemplating the wisdom of snapping something incredibly childish and surly that, to his chagrin, wouldn't be understood anyway (not that it's stopped him from blabbering until now). he folds his arms over his chest all the same, grumbling something under his breath ('this is ALL that's wrong with today's youth. no respect at all. honestly! I blame the socio-economical failings of our modern-day education system.'), and then grudgingly keeping his eyes trained on the teen as Gen makes his approach to the paper.

he picks it up, and both of them have gone a bit stiff in anticipation--

...but when there is no Indiana Jones style booby trap being activated (great(???) minds truly DO think alike), the priest is exhaling an almost disappointed sigh, reaching out to take the extended document in his own hands. ]

Well, that was anti-climactic. What does it... say, um.

[ .........wait a second. ]

[inutilis]

[ ........wait.

wait, hold the phone. HOLD IT, everyone shut up.

haha. wait. ]

[inutilis]

[ the paper is flung aside as Abel is pointing at Gen in incredulity-- ]

You-- you just-- you--!!

[ EnglishALBIONESE just came out of his mouth?!?! HAS HE BEEN PLAYING DUMB ALL THIS TIME??? oh my god, ]

[epiprocta]

[ The words had come so naturally that Gen's actually startled when Abel's suddenly pointing at him, his shoulders jumping in a small flinch. Given how tense he's been in the leadup to this moment, maybe it's understandable, but it's still a little embarrassing and Gen swats aside that hand pointing his way. ]

Would you stop your yapping for a few goddamn minutes?!

[ That said, he scowls as he looks aside because ... he'd never admit it out loud, but Abel does have a point. What he just said was English, right? A clear of the throat before he mutters quietly to himself, ] What was that just now ... [ His Japanese is still intact, thankfully. So it's just that he's leveled up in English. ] How ... I shouldn't be this good.

[ Yeah, it doesn't make any sense. Gen gives a hoarse exhale, frustratedly scuffing a hand through his hair (extra ungraceful, now that his hands are cuffed) before looking back to Abel. ]

I dunno what's going on. I looked at that paper, and I could just read it all of a sudden. -- can you speak Japanese properly now?

[ Like, maybe that paper was some sort of weird language-equalizing tool??? Even as he says it, he knows it sounds like some grade-A Hollywood bullshit, but it's the first thing that comes to mind. ]

[inutilis]

[ ...wait, what?

that the boy is equally at a loss throws Abel for an even greater loop, though it does eat away at some of the melodrama behind his response. this makes so little sense-- all of this, and their confusion is only further exacerbated when Gen continues to speak in flawless EnglishAlbionese. ]

I-- [ his mouth works, but... he eventually ends up shaking his head. ] No, it... it isn't coming to me any easier than before. You mean it really just... came to you? Just now?

[ is that even possible...? he has never heard of such a thing, but neither has he woken up in a closet with someone who was fluent in Japanese, either, so you know. today is a day of firsts, apparently. ]

[epiprocta]

[ Huh. So it only goes one way? Or maybe it's only meant to teach(?) English? Setting aside the lurking question of how the hell a single scrap of paper can make something like this happen, it makes sense on a pragmatic level -- no wonder those guards brought them here first, if the main purpose is to make sure they can all communicate.

Gen is silent for a moment longer as he mulls over that line of thought, gaze fixed on the piece of paper where it lies on the floor, before looking back up to Abel. Answering him is clearly just an afterthought, his voice a careless deadpan. ]

Yeah. What would I get out of lying about this.

[ He's well aware that it probably sounds ridiculous, though. Gen strides past Abel to pick the abandoned piece of paper back up, squinting at the text, lips moving as he quietly reads it once more to himself. ]

... in the eyes of the beholder.

[ Hey Abel are you curious about what this paper says? Well too bad, you're the one who threw it aside, so not his problem if you didn't get a good look at it. ]

[inutilis]

[ ...w-wait, now he wants to see it too!!

the fact that Gen looks so ~secretive~ while re-reading its contents has the priest craning his neck as though to peer beyond the boy's shoulder, but... he can't see it from this vantage point. so! what is a priest to do...? ]

What, ah... what does it say? Are we part of some kind of freaky experiment or something...? Brain chips?!

[ Abel has no respect in regards to personal space, so... don't mind him as he abruptly leans over Gen's shoulder, trying to get a gander at what it says. hold it STILL, would you?? GOSH, ]

[epiprocta]

[ He can't help wondering if this is maybe something he would have recognized had he paid more attention in class. Would Chako know what this text is about? Lips pressed together thinly, Gen repeats that last line to himself again before looking over to ask something to Abel --

only to find the man looming over his shoulder, face barely an inch away from his head.

Gen promptly jerks back a step. ]

What is wrong with you?

[ something no doubt plenty of Abel's acquaintances have wondered, though maybe not all out loud???

A frown as he straightens back up, holding the paper out for Abel to take. Again. ]

Not really anything about languages, so no idea it got me speaking English. But it does read like something about of a horror movie, so maybe you've got a point about experiments or whatever.

[inutilis]

Wrong with me...?! Please, out of all the things wrong with this scenario, you're choosing to complain about me...?!

[ Abel is taking the paper with an indignant exhale through his nostrils, shooting Gen an irritable glance before turning his attentions back down to the paper. ...he turns it over, and then over again-- nothing particularly noteworthy about the paper itself. the message upon it -- while slightly unnerving -- doesn't immediately illuminate just what had happened, either.

but...

...no, no. there is some kind of trickery at hand here for certain. ]

How are you fluent in Japanese, anyway, sir? What is your first language? You realize that you made all of this extremely confusing, right? Japanese, for goodness sake.

[epiprocta]

[ wOW two can play this game in being irritable (and frankly immature). Gen surrenders the paper with a roll of the eyes, turning his attention to the locked door now that his hands are empty. Are those security guards going to let them out, now that they've both read the paper? Or -- ]

Huh?

[ At Abel's grumbling, Gen looks over and gives him a look like he's said something tremendously stupid. Which, like, he has??? ]

My first [ and only, originally ] language is Japanese.

[ Because he's Japanese??? He was so right to ask what's wrong with Abel. ]

What's your problem with that, you racist or something?

[inutilis]

Racist?! [ growing flustered, he jabs his hand out accusingly again for the fortieth time, ] How rude, I never...! N-no, I am not racist!! It's just hard to be from somewhere that hasn't existed for God knows how many centuries, now! Isn't Japan in the dead lands...?! Please.

[ yeah, GOD, everyone knows this?? hello?????

but Abel isn't going to dwell on this any further-- he is already moving toward the door and rattling the handle impatiently. ]

Hello? Mr. Cult Security guards? Sirs? Can you please let me out? This man is delusional and I fear for my safety after he read the mind-control paper... Sirs?

[epiprocta]

[ what ]

Who're you calling delusional, you nutjob?

[ Abel might be quick to scurry to the door to rattle at the doorknob, but Gen is just as quick to go stomping up, grabbing at the back of Abel's clothes and yanking to get him to turn around. And despite the anger in his voice, his expression suggests he's really more just confused and incredulous. ]

'Hasn't existed for centuries'? Are you out of your mind? I grew up there. If anything, I should be the one fearing for my safety here.

[inutilis]

[ --no!! see, this is precisely why he needs this door opened; this punchy man is now going to start getting PUNCHY again, and everything will absolutely go downhill from there--

Abel is already flinching and cowing, lifting his arm to hide his face and head behind as he grapples blindly with the other hand to try and free himself from Gen's grip. sir... SIR... ]

--Sir, has reading that paper done some serious damage to your psyche...? I realize that this situation is stressful, but h... have you considered perhaps not hitting me and requesting some medical treatment instead...? I'm beginning to seriously worry for you, you know--?

[epiprocta]

[ The irony here is that Gen honestly hadn't even been planning on punching Abel this time, not really. But hearing all that whining has him automatically clenching his other fist as he shakes Abel by that grip on his clothes. Just something about that overdramatic tone of voice Abel employs, you know? ]

You better watch your mouth before spouting that bullshit, you moron. 'Worried for me,' my ass! If Japan's that much of a 'dead land' like you're saying, then why do I know Japanese, huh? You wanna explain that, if you think you're so smart and know what's going on here?

[ Of course, he doesn't necessarily stop jostling Abel around like a maraca to let him explain.

So it's probably very lucky for Abel that the PA system overhead starts crackling to life, earning a brief pause in that vicious manhandling. ]

[inutilis]

[ wow!!!!! it's almost like Gen can hear the rattling of Abel's singular brain cell from his vantage point!!! quite like a maraca indeed!!! cool,

the only noise the priest can make in retort is a pitiful wobbly sound akin to a yelp or a whimper lest he bite his own tongue off, but-- thank the Lord, he's saved in a most unexpected of manners!! the loudspeaker crackles; the rattling of one (1) brain cell ceases. both Abel and Gen go quiet in unison, instinctually tilting heads toward the sound.

and then the voice clicks on overhead, filling the room with an explanation for their circumstances that neither of them could have seen coming. it effectively -- and for the first time since their arrival -- renders the priest lost in a completely bewildered silence as he tries to make sense of the incredible (and unbelievable) information.

because that was... kind of a lot?? his eyes are absently trailing to Gen in a sort of muddled concern as the priest slowly shakes off his stupor; Abel has the feeling that his teenage friend here is not going to be fine taking all of this at face value, either... just a sneaking suspicion.... ]

[epiprocta]

[ Gen looks up towards the speakers overhead while he listens to that long, droning lecture, his grip remaining tight around Abel's clothes at first, but slowly loosening as that ridiciulous explanation goes on. ... 'Apocalypse Disruption Initiative'? People from other worlds? Supernatural forces and superhuman abilities?

The speakers turn off with the signature clicking noise once the explanation is done, the personnel at the mic no doubt waiting a moment for that information to all sink in. And there's a pause for a moment, then another, before Gen looks back at Abel. Stares at him for a moment without really seeing him -- his head full to bursting from trying to process all that information that was just dumped on him -- before letting go of his clothes.

The first thing he does afterwards is retrieve another cigarette from his pocket. Puts it between his lips and fishes out his lighter to get it going -- trying to ignore the way his hands feel awfully stiff. Takes a long drag, though he doesn't manage to hold the smoke in his lungs for long, not with the way his chest feels weirdly tight. As much as he wants to laugh off that entire speech as some sort of ridiculous joke, there's no ignoring the fact that he's been transported to some unfamiliar place, and has been granted English fluency merely by touching a piece of paper. ]

... so. [ He raises an eyebrow as he looks back to Abel; though he tries to keep his voice low, level, sardonic, there's no masking the slightly hoarse edge to it. ] What. You gonna tell me you have superpowers or something?

[ Because he sure doesn't. ]

[inutilis]

[ ...Abel has to admit-- his punchy closet-mate? is taking this a lot better than he had anticipated.

it isn't like he believes it himself, really-- it's just that, like Gen, he cannot discredit the fact that something has clearly gone awry, wires have gotten crossed, and this boy has literally learned how to speak another language with eerie fluency in a matter of seconds from the mere act of entering this room. Abel finds himself at a loss to explain any of it; the fact that Gen were speaking Japanese at all to begin with, that he claims he is from Japan itself, that the year is supposedly 2021, that this is America--

it is all absolutely madness, of course. but sometimes the world is mad.

he finds himself half-starting to speak before Abel seems to think better of it, clicking his mouth shut again and gently nudging at his glasses in some slightly nervous, disquieted tic. the smile that tugs at his lips may be just vaguely awkward, but Abel is keeping his voice purposefully low and quieter as well. it's possible they're being watched, observed; maybe it is futile, trying for any kind of privacy, but... ]

If bad luck were to count as a superpower? Absolutely.

[ yes, that smile is certainly wry as he dusts himself off and sends another glance to the door, though he isn't making any moves to approach it. ]

...So, I take it you aren't any more keen than I am to swallow this pill at face value? You don't seem the type, sir. --And I mean that politely, of course! Of course.

[epiprocta]

[ That quip about Abel's 'superpower' just earns a dead-eyed stare before Gen looks away, taking another long drag at his cigarette. It's not like he can really believe all that blathering about supernatural forces and strange abilities, but he can't bring himself to blindly accept what Abel is saying, either.

He's not sure who, or what, he can believe. Probably nothing. ]

Yeah, I'm not buying it.

[ Gen's answer also comes low. He's not the smartest when it comes to studies, but he's always been surprisingly observant and astute, and has picked up on Abel's cue to keep his voice quiet in case it'll do anything against the cameras and mics no doubt directed their way. He leans against a nearby wall before exhaling slowly. Closes his eyes in thought for a moment before continuing. ]

But it's not like I know what else to believe. Can't deny the fact I learned an entire language in a second, and I dunno what kind of crazy nonsense you believe, but I really am from Japan. Never been outside of it. [ So they're both way out of their comfort zones. ] ... might have to just play along with them for now.

[ Because, at the very least, it seems plausible that he's in America right now, given the landscape he'd seen out the window. And he sure as hell doesn't have the money for a plane ticket, even if he were to somehow get himself to an airport.

Still, he can't help sounding a little hesitant as he comes to that dour conclusion, and he automatically find himself looking to Abel afterwards, looking to see what the other might be planning.

[inutilis]

[ play long, hm? the fact that the teen is level-headed and rational enough to come to that conclusion despite their circumstances impresses him, and Abel cannot help it if perhaps something more earnest trickles its way into his smile in response. ]

...Well, I have to say-- watching you become fluent in an entirely different language in the span of, say, five seconds total was a first for me. If nothing else, perhaps I'm a little intrigued to find out more.

[ 'Apocalypse.' that word is, to say the least, worrisome and not to be used lightly. though Abel can't say he has bought into everything happening here, he isn't insincere in his curiosity. the year 2021... to speak with someone from Japan, standing in America... is any of this truly possible?

he offers his hand toward Gen, cautiously. ]

Then, how about you and I call it a truce for now? Or at least a ceasefire...? It looks like we'll be in this together, sir, for better or worse. I'd like to get out of here without any more bruises today if I can help it...!