[ Opening Mingle ]

[randomly_modding]

[Everyone will wake up suddenly, as if having drifted off -- while sitting upright in an uncomfortable office chair. In one hand they're holding the communicator, and in their lap is propped a clipboard with a job application (standard, looking something like this; it requests up to ten years of job history, ) and a pen. The waiting room is also fairly standard, except for being empty.]

[The communicator's lock screen reads, Complete the job application. Time limit, twenty-four hours.]

[There are magazines, fake plants, and computers. There's a staff lounge with food -- tupperware that might have belonged to some of these nonexistent workers, popcorn and cocoa packets, vending machines -- and restrooms. There are exits, but characters will be unable to use them... or make their own, or escape in any way.]

[So the characters are stuck here, until tomorrow morning. Set up a comment telling everyone what your character is doing, and thinking, whether they're obeying the task or not, at any time during the day. Then tag other people! Be sure to check back later in the week, when people are encouraged make threads for the evening as well as the day! Characters that have been claimed are also welcome at this point to join the community, and will be able to make their own posts, which can be tagged by anyone taking part in the event.]

Comments

[neverforgets]

Last I knew, you were off to Jordan. An' didn't need a barber.

[ Allen's behavior is unsettling; not at all what he would have expected. Some of that... shine is gone. Either the somebody's acting job is shit, or something's really wrong. ]

[everwalking]

[even though that hardly proves anything -- of course Lavi would say Jordan, that was the last time things were okay, when they all divided up to handle the Noah attack, grim but determined; it has emotional impact, it doesn't require explanation of what happened after that, the thespian in Allen applauds it -- his heart still clenches in response]

...That was months ago, Lavi. [soft] You don't remember -- anything after you left for China?

[and then he tells himself, maybe it is Lavi, maybe something's been done to him, maybe he doesn't remember, and then just like that he starts to feel the paralysis melt away]

[neverforgets]

[ Deep frown, now. ]

That was three hours ago. [ There's a faint sort of panic in his voice as his own suspicions start to crumble. No one is that good of an actor to fake Allen's concern, right? Allen and Lenalee -- nobody feels that much.

But if it is Allen, then what is going on? ]

Man, I've still got sand in my boots.

[everwalking]

[.........it might be inappropriate, but he snickers]

[neverforgets]

[ ... not exactly what he was expecting! Eyeeeebrow. ]

What's so funny about that?

[everwalking]

That's just -- such a -- stupid, Lavi thing to say! [he's only laughing more now]

[neverforgets]

I am Lavi. [ HEY! ]

What, you thought I was a trick or something? [ You don't get to suspect him! For that he's going to hop off the desk and noogie you. ]

[everwalking]

[dodges nimbly to the side. no sir!]

What can I say? It's been a while since you popped up in a place where you shouldn't have been out of some trash can or window.

[neverforgets]

[ Pfff, foiled. ]

Y'know, I only started doing that stuff when I started hanging out with you. [ He was so much cooler, back then. ]

[everwalking]

Right. Sell me a bridge next.

[he has absolutely no reason not to be equally as suspicious now as he was twelve seconds ago, but he isn't! he feels much better now, and the smile he directs at Lavi is genuine, and maybe a bit relieved]

How do you -- feel? All right?

[neverforgets]

[ More sure this person is really Allen, as well. But that doesn't fully erase the uneasiness. The way the other looked before... he's never seen him like that. ]

I'm fine, man. Just kinda confused why we're not on the same page.

In addition to "where the hell are we", "did Road do this", and all that, of course.

[everwalking]

It's -- possible that something happened to you in China. That kept you from remembering. [he hesitates a beat, and then says gamely] Let's sit down. I'll tell you what I remember.

[neverforgets]

[ That makes a shiver pass down his back. Losing memories/time has only ever happened once, and the Noah were responsible for that, too. China had been bad enough without being made to forget other things, thanks.

But he moves to one of the chairs; better than the top of the desk for having a conversation. ]

Nice change, getting a story from you for once. [ Grins. Talk too much? Him? ]

[everwalking]

[giving Lavi a somewhat rueful smile. yeah, he wouldn't if he didn't feel he had to] Try not to expect too much from me. We can't all be storytellers.

[mmm] ...During the assault, we lost contact with all the remote teams. It turned out that... the same cells that allowed the Thirds to fight akuma were also vulnerable to the Earl's manipulation. They went berserk, and started attacking the Exorcists in their parties. [he glances at Lavi. is this part familiar, or is it new horrible information? he's acutely aware that they have no idea of what happened in China after the field units lost contact; there were no Thirds with Bookman's group, so it's entirely possible that Lavi never knew that was happening]

[neverforgets]

[ So that's what happened. He nods, folding his hands behind his head. ]

We could hear from some of the other groups. Marie said something about them turning on us. [ Shakes his head. ] Makes sense they could be, though, when you think about it. [ How your arm freaked out over them. ]

[everwalking]

[he nods, and then looks down] Half of them were killed. [this part murmured] The survivors are... with the Earl, now. [so who knows what kind of survival it is]

But because we lost contact, and there was such chaos at the North America branch, we didn't know what happened to your team. By the time we could get there...

[another beat. this is hearsay, but it's hearsay he's internalized, because it's the only idea he has of what happened to Lavi after he was locked away, and then... broke loose]

Chaozii was the only one there. He was suffering some sort of sickness, barely conscious. You and Bookman were missing.

[neverforgets]

[ The thought of the Thirds with the Earl is... really bad news. Though, somehow awfully predictable; the Earl doesn't seem to ever run out of weapons. ]

Heh... so Chao-chao got left behind, huh? [ It's the nickname he picked, see? Like those big fluffy dogs with the black tongues. All that personality the ex-sailor didn't have... but similar hair, though. ]

Wasn't sure what was going to happen. [ Swallows, seemingly with a bit of difficulty. He's keeping his expression unusually blank. ] And that was months ago, for you?

[everwalking]

[he just nods agreement] ...You don't remember anything? What about the Noah who were there-- Do you remember them? Who were they? [trying to be helpful, but he's dimly aware that Lavi is the one with the perfect memory. if he can't remember, then... can just a few helpful questions really spark anything?]

[neverforgets]

[ Grudgingly. ]

I remember that much, man. There was a Noah I hadn't seen before. Wasn't Tyki Mikk or Road or Lulubell. Ugly, stupid hair, beady eyes. [ Lowers his arms and starts drumming his fingers against the arm of the chair. ]

We didn't have much of a chance. [ Humorless, short laugh. ] Don't know where he's been hiding all this time, but even Gramps couldn't do much against him. [ Shifts in his seat. ]

Anyway, the guy can infect people with parasites. That's what made Chao sick.

[everwalking]

God. [quiet, involuntary. just what they need; even more extremely dangerous Noah. that sounds -- wholly unpleasant, and maybe a little dangerous. poor Chaozii. he glances away for a beat, but then]

So you remember fighting him, but -- what happened? Did you lose consciousness?

[neverforgets]

[ Watching Allen absorb that information, and takes a few moments of his own to decide how to answer that. He didn't really see what happened to Chaozhii after that, but apparently Allen knows more about the aftermath. It's a question of weighing personal pride against providing -- and getting -- possibly useful information.

Quiet, and kind of flat. ] I got 'em after Chao. [ Clears his throat, and moves on quickly. ] Heard the Noah say something about Gramps needing to "cooperate", then I passed out. [ Shrugs, spreads his hands. ] That's all I know.

[everwalking]

[what!! you can't fool him, you said something alarming! he shifts to the edge of his seat, concerned] Lavi! Are you all right? You feel okay? [he's already asked this but he's forgotten in light of new knowledge why maybe you shouldn't feel all right]

[neverforgets]

[ sldkjfslk no fussing over hiiiiiiim Rubs the back of his neck. ]

I'm all right. [ Aside from some unpleasant memories. ] Probably better than I should be, really. Maybe you're right, man. [ Though... glances down at his boot. ]

Except, I've still got sand in my boots. An' I don't really smell like I've been stuck someplace for months...

[everwalking]

[frowning at him a little bit, but he lowers his gaze] Maybe it'll be all right. [but he's the least certain. things haven't just... been all right in a long time]