[ Yzak's plans had changed in the end, before the final orb recovery. Rather than allowing his power to be stripped from him and sent home to lose his memories, he'd decided to keep his Charter Magic, remain on the station with Sabriel and study those old world-hopping notes that magician left behind. After all, if he could jump universe to universe and be just fine, it was worth pursuing themselves as an alternative considering most of the team was adamant about keeping their memories of this place. Yzak especially, the control freak that he could be. But really, who would just willingly let a piece of themself be torn from them with no fuss? Yzak just made sure to make the biggest fuss possible about it. (and nobody was surprised)
Good thing he and Sabriel weren't the only ones with magical knowledge, though the two of them led the "project." So it didn't take long at all to turn this possibility into a reality. With these varied magics and those notes, they could all come to and from the station as they pleased, zero memory fuckery included. And originally, Yzak wasn't keen on coming and going anywhere; planning to simply leave behind the fruits of their study, return home himself and perhaps check in every once in a while. Unlike many others, he didn't really feel the wanderlust others did to explore other places or leave their home world often. He had duties to return to back home and wished to focus on those. That, and after all he'd lost on the Ximilia, he simply didn't want the extra reminders of that.
It was Ryunosuke who changed his mind a bit there. When they were preparing to depart, they'd talked, and Ryunosuke floated the idea of perhaps one day returning to Ankata to see how their Cubits were doing. (and the idea reminded Yzak that he wanted to check in on a certain little girl as well as a certain general-turned-friend back on Giva, now that he could) Unable to hide the fact that he did in fact miss those little partners of his, he agreed to it. So a (vague psl compliant) date was set to meet up on the station after they'd taken care of what they had to do in their native worlds, and take a trip to that planet again. ]
Got everything you need?
[ Early just like he is to everything, Yzak is waiting for Ryu to arrive. He himself is packed lightly; only the essentials for a trip that, while clearly anticipated, he still intends to not overstay because he is a busy man. Still, there's a softness in his expression that makes it clear that he's glad to see Ryunosuke again. (i-it's not like he missed him and everyone else too or anything) ]
Yzak feels his head throbbing, his vision hazy and darkened at the edges. Red flashing lights and emergency beeps surround him, but ... nothing more than that. There's no smoke, no sparks, no threatening sounds in the cockpit that signal an immediate danger.
Still, he wants to get out. Whatever just happened knocked him around enough to fuck him up well and good, so his own bodily safety is priority. One of the straps securing him to his seat sapped from the harsh turbulence; that explains the being tossed around so violently. The glass of his helmet is cracked - thank god just cracked. He doesn't need that happening again.
He undoes the remaining strap over his shoulder, leans over and reaches down to grab the emergency firstaid kit from beneath his seat - and when he sits back up his vision spins and swims. His eyes flit to the screen in front of him. Oxygen levels are still intact, so he quickly undoes the snaps of his helmet and rips it off of his head, the open air around him making him aware of some wet injury on the back of his head. One screen that would usually tell him where in space or planetside he was was blinking with a large text that simply said UNKNOWN.
Where am I...?
Focus. I've got to focus.
Some of his outer scanners were still in working shape, informing him that the outside air was breathable. Was he on Earth, then? Tossing his helmet to the floor, he reaches a hand out to tap urgently at the control panel, calling out, trying to contact any nearby forces. But he hears nothing - only static.
Then he hears a faint crack, feels himself shift... ]
Shit!
[ And before he can react in any way, he's thrown - no longer secured, helmetless and already banged up, it's enough to slam him hard enough against the screens in front of him and knock him unconscious. How was he supposed to know his machine landed onto a bunch of trees that could only hold the weight for so long before snapping beneath it? ]
[Ryunosuke is also a very busy man. True to his word about not demanding anything of the orbs, nothing changed back in his own world... Which means he simply returned to where he left from, finished up his journey back to Japan, and, months later, is now spending pretty much every single day of his life neck deep in legal reform.
Which, hey. Did you know that overhauling a justice system is really fucking hard? It's frustrating and stressful work, and he's pretty sure he's going to start going gray before he even turns 30... But it's also incredibly rewarding. And also necessary. So all in all, he can't really complain.
Boy howdy is he excited to get away for a bit though! That, and he's clearly thrilled to see Yzak as well. He beams at his friend with so little reservation, it's like... If this were an animal crossing emote, there'd be little flowers floating in the air around his head. Let's just say that.]
Yzak! [Still smiling, he nods his head towards the messenger bag slung over one shoulder.] I should say so, yes. Gosh, it is good to see you though... How have you been? How's PLANT?
[In the course of all this greeting, he holds out a hand for a little Manly Hand-clasping. He's still too reserved in his behavior to initiate a hug, alas...]
[ Oh god the smile is too flowery and bright he's blinded.
And yet, it has the right effect on him, because it further erodes what little silly little bluster he always puts up and he offers a small, brief smile in greeting in return. ]
It's good to see you, too.
[ He takes the offered hand, unsurprisingly not the hug initiator here so it remains a manly no homo hand clasp. (jk it's still homo its them) And although his posture is always straight and professional, somehow it manages to become moreso when Ryunosuke asks him about home. ]
PLANT is doing well.
Same as always. [ For he's spoken of how even in the unsteady post-war world, things were still busy and tough. But they were a trying. He was trying. To ensure things didn't degrade and backslide back into what it was. ] Better, obviously, than it was before my time here. [ Because there are six more of the colonies to account for within that declaration that the homeland is fine. ] But overall, my work hasn't changed.
[An honest to god smile back. Wow. He's blessed :')
He won't say it aloud, because it feels like taking credit in some way for something that isn't really his doing, but. Ryunosuke considers PLANT one of the biggest success stories to come out of all the changes the orbs made. Even if there are still problems, it makes him very happy to know that things are at least better.
And as for his own situation...]
Ah, I can't really complain... [A beat.] Well. Actually I can, but I won't bore you with the details here. Corruption in the prosecutorial offices remains an issue... But I'm hopeful that Kazuma will whip them into shape, whenever he returns from England. I just have to try and hold out until then.
[He'll start making his way to the transporter while they talk, since he knows he already kept Yzak waiting a bit.]
[Is it weird that he kind of missed the complaining though?]
Right, well, that's sort of the problem... I've hit my limit on what I can do, at least for the time being. It's not as if Susato-san and I are resting on our laurels, mind, it's just... There are some things that prosecutors will only accept hearing from another prosecutor. Because in the view of the current guard, advocates for defense are just enemies to be beaten down.
[Ryunosuke sighs, adjusting his bag a little while Yzak double checks everything.]
That's one of the many things that we still need to change. I need to figure out how to show them that prosecutors and attorneys aren't meant to be enemies... We're both ultimately working towards the same goal.
[He's getting this troubled, distant look on his face now... Mind falling back into the trap of Thinking About Work Too Much.]
Hmph. Having the same goal yet acting like colossal idiots about it to the very people who want the same thing, that's just like what I have to deal with!
How do people with such empty heads get into these kinds of positions!? Even with such a huge time gap between your world and mine...
[ Yzak lets out a low, grumbling sigh. But it's sympathetic, because it truly is what he was dealing with back home himself. And when he glances to Ryunosuke, he pegs that expression immediately, as the king of Thinks About Work Too Much - something Yzak hardly ever falls out of in the first place. ]
Well, stay on their asses until they have no choice but to really look at what you show them. And don't be afraid to call a dipshit a dipshit if they're acting like one! [ Sage advice from someone who has for sure gotten into more verbal arguments with his more hard-headed peers than one can count. ]
Anyway, let's go. They're going to be leaving us around the same area where we originally set down.
But from there ... we're going to have to find our old partners ourselves.
[Things are only going to get worse for Yzak, I'm delighted and not at all sorry to report. Something the size of a mobile suit crashing to the earth is going to draw attention no matter how remote a part of the British countryside it lands in.
That's how he's discovered by a group of very confused and alarmed sheep farmers, who find him unconscious beneath the trees and amidst the wreckage of a machine the likes of which they've never seen before.
Sadly, that's not all they find...
It's truly a bizarre twist of fate that Yzak lands where he does. Because very nearby, slumped lifelessly against one of the trees, is the body of one mister Eugene Shepard, Aged 65, dead of a blast from some unknown manner of weapon. With Yzak being the only other person nearby, it doesn't take much for the local village police to leap to the wrong conclusion.
Yzak is brought back to town to have his wounds treated, at least. When he wakes, he'll find himself in an unfamiliar hospital room... And he better not expect to be gong anywhere any time soon. He's got one wrist handcuffed to the iron headboard of the hospital bed, making certain he doesn't wake up and wander off... Or attack anyone who comes to check on him.
There's no one in the room at the moment. WHAT DOES HE DO?]
[ Yzak doesn't often wake up in a hospital bed, but it has happened to the point where it only takes him a few moments after his eyes flutter open that he realizes where he is. This is also in part due to the fact that when he wakes, he still immediately feels the aches in his body where he's been hurt; the back of his head, his ribs feel bruised.
But Yzak is also a Coordinator, and thus it's not bad enough to deter him from moving, so he sits up with the goal to find someone and learn just what the fuck happened.
Unfortunately when he sits up, he feels the yank of his cuffed wrist, then stares at it with an absolutely incredulous look (because excuse him?). Automatically, he tugs at it hard a few times in hopes of breaking free - his strength does rattle the headboard, and if he tried hard enough he may be able to ... he may very well try harder in a couple of moments. But for now, he just looks angry.
Angry, confused, and hidden behind that, a growing dread. If he's in cuffs ... has he been captured by the enemy? (is it his turn now, after dearka) ]
Hey! [ He yells out, loud and demanding to anyone who may be close enough to hear him. ] What the hell is this!? Where am I!?
[All excellent questions, Yzak. And all excellent points! They can chat some more about it all while they travel, but for now Ryunosuke just smiles gratefully and tries to imagine calling Prosecutor Auchi a 'dipshit' to his face. He's... Not exactly sure that would go very well. It is funny to think about, though.
He nods then and fiddles with his earpiece (which I assume they both have gotten back temporarily for this occasion), pulling up the cubidex.]
Most of my cubits I left with various gym leaders... And I would like to see them as well, if we can spare the time. Jugemu was an exception... But if I remember correctly, I think there are really only a few places that Luxtini are known to gather in naturally. Do you think they may have gone back to one of those spots?
[It isn't long before someone shows up: a woman in a nurse's uniform comes running to the doorway to verify that this is indeed the room where the shouting is coming from. When she sees that Yzak is indeed awake, she hurries in all worried, gesturing for him to keep his voice down.
She quickly explains (in a very crisp British accent) that he isn't in any danger, he was simply brought to this hospital to have his wounds treated. She does not explain the handcuffs yet.]
[ Earpieces and baggage in tow, off they go back to Cubit land - the sensation of transport just as familiar as those tiny pieces of communicative technology.
While Ryunosuke checks the cubidex, Yzak takes a look around to see if he can get their bearings - they've been deposited just outside of a familiar town. Now, which town was this again...? He definitely recalls coming here for a gym battle, so Ryu might be luck. ]
Of course we can spare the time. We'll make it ourselves, somehow, if we can't.
And if I'm recalling correctly, this area ... Luxtini tend to stick to the wooded area nearby.
[ Yzak's reactions here probably aren't going to do him any favors. But to the very nice and patient nurse, he persists with no change in the volume of his voice, not only repeating the question of why the fuck he's in handcuffs, but asking where he is. Is this an Earth Forces base? Where on the planet did he land?
All questions that, to him, aren't as absolutely insane as they're going to sound to this poor woman. ]
[The poor nurse is QUITE flustered: by his behavior, by his language, AND by the various outlandish things he's saying. She gives him a look that hints that she's probably extra concerned now that he may have suffered some sort of brain damage in the crash, but informs him that he's currently in Loughton, due North of London. Is that... Not what he's expecting?
This is also the point at which a Bobby comes in all huffing and puffing, pushing past the nurse so he can bluster at Yzak to shut up and watch his mouth. He also says the only reason he's here and not in a jail cell at the sheriff's office, is because they thought he might die before he could answer any of their questions if they didn't bring him here first.
Make no mistake though: in the name of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, he is now under arrest, on suspicion of murder.]
[Ryunosuke closes the cubidex and nods slowly, one hand going to his chin.]
Right... I'd say that's probably as good a place as any to start with. If we're lucky enough to find them early on, maybe they'll be interested in traveling around with us to see everyone else as well.
[Still, Yzak might note that he looks a bit worried.]
It's silly, I'm just... A bit nervous, I suppose. Like... What if we can't find them? Or they don't want to see us? [He smiles awkwardly.] I suppose we won't know until we try, though.
[ Yzak out here making women uncomfortable. Peak #womanhater behavior. ]
North of London...?
[ Territory of the Earth Force's Atlantic Federation. And not the most ideal place to land. Still, if this is all one big mistake perhaps it can be smoothed over easily enough. Because Yzak definitely didn't intend to come here - he still has no idea how he fell all the way to Earth, honestly. His team had been checking out suspicious movements in their vicinity, and he'd gone out alongside them to confirm if they were rebel forces or from the Earth ... or something else entirely.
His screens had suddenly gone haywire and it felt like something had suddenly slammed into his mobile suit... and the next thing he knew he was crash landing on what he now knows is the planet. But everything in between that... is a haze.
A haze that he still feels like he's in, until that accusation yanks him right out of it. ]
Murder? What do you mean murder!? I wasn't even involved in any altercation! Contact the nearest ZAFT base right now, so they can confirm my team's recent orders and movements!
[ Because obviously, that will clear this all up and he can get the hell out of here. ]
['Daft base? You trying to say you've come from some kind of loony bin or something?'
The cop is clearly not joking when he asks this... But he doesn't wait for Yzak to answer anyway. Instead he tells him that if he wishes to plea insanity, he can wait and tell it to the judge. Right now, since the doctors have given them the all-clear, they're taking him down to the headquarters for further questioning.
Yzak can try to resist if he wants to! Presumably, one injured but highly trained coordinator vs a bunch of regular-ass 1800s beat cops is... Still going to be a pretty uneven match, with the odds against the cops?? But even if he does resist, they're still going to subdue him eventually. And then he'll just have even more charges to deal with.
Moving through the hospital and heading outside, the signs that he's found himself somewhere very much outside of his normal time period will keep mounting. Everyone around is dressed in an INCREDIBLY old-fashioned manner... There are very few electric lights around the hospital or any of the other buildings, with things mostly lit by gas lamps. The technology in general is just... not even close to what he's going to be used to seeing. AND MOST DAMNING OF ALL... When they go to transport him to the police station, they put him in a paddy wagon pulled by a duo of horses. In fact, all of the vehicles that Yzak can see... They're all horse powered. Yikes!
In the course of being booked and interrogated, he will at least be informed that he was found in the woods, passed out from his injuries, next to the corpse of a local sheep farmer. Investigation of the scene led the police to one conclusion: Yzak clearly crashed, stumbled out of his bizarre experimental machine, and for some reason decided to shoot the local farmer who came by to investigate the crash site. They're not entirely clear yet on his motive, but they did find a firearm on the ground at the scene, the muzzle of which was still faintly warm.
When they show him the gun, Yzak will see that it is, in fact, one of his own.]
we love killing yzak in this house and Tara gets DOUBLE THE MAIDS??!?!?!!?
[ The place: Jule Residence because sure let's do SEED world The time: Who cares, The backstory: something something they met they chilled they caught feelings they're gay and they're here now.
And in this timeline, Yzak absolutely still had to deal with the unfortunate meddling of his mother and her maid holograms. Back before, you know, he made it very clear that he was no longer dawdling on that matter and finally put his foot down in a way that made it clear to his mother that as much as he loves her and how he'd usually carry out his duties as a soldier and a man and the son of the Jule family, this was something he could not do. Because that's what happens when Yzak falls in love with someone and he realizes maybe he should have this say in his own future.
And as much as his mother is pushy and stubborn just like he is (oh those inherited traits can be both a blessing and a curse), ultimately the truth has to be accepted, and ultimately, Ezalia does want what's best for her son and his happiness even if she does still strongly feel that mother knows best. What this means for her relationship with Ryunosuke, who knows, cause that ain't the point of this.
THE POINT IS!!!!
That Yzak returns from a particularly grueling week at work - busy and relentless and him barely getting any window of real downtime. But he's finally got at least the night and the day tomorrow off. ]
I'm home.
[ As he always announces himself. He's tired, but relieved. Accomplished, but frayed.
We'll find them. I don't know about you but I'm very good at tracking things and people down.
[ Case in point, Yzak turns toward the foresty area and takes the lead, beckoning Ryu along. ]
And don't think of such a ridiculous scenario! Those guys were our friends as much as they were our partners, of course they're going to be glad to see us again! Wasn't that the case with you when you returned home and got to see your companions again?
I ALSO LOVE KILLING YZAK AND I AM HERE TO FACILITATE MAID CRIMES 8')
Not in the sense that he doesn't know or isn't fully braced for what's coming, because he's obviously fully aware of that. He KNOWS what he's (hopefully) getting into here (it's Yzak's pants).
What he's NOT prepared with, is the actual damn outfit. He's still putting it on when he hears the door and the announcement of Yzak's return with his usual greeting. He startles, which makes him lose his balance while he's still trying to get the tights on, falling against a wall with a heavy thump that can probably be heard from the entryway. He swears under his breath before calling back in a slightly harried, forcibly chipper tone:]
W-welcome back! Just a second~!
[A few moments later, there's the ominous click click c-cLICK of slightly awkward high-heeled steps coming down the hall.]
[ Hearing ominous noises upon his return home after a long day (more like week... maybe more than a week straight,) never sits well with Yzak. He perks up instantly and gets the creeping feeling that some sort of shenanigans are afoot. The thud against the wall, the way Ryunosuke's voice is pitched upward and the fact that Yzak can feel that tilde when he addresses him. ]
Ryunosuke?
[ And then comes that clacking of heels against the floor that definitely do not belong to his mother. (and yes yzak can tell, the mama's boy that he actually is and as weird as that sounds)
...
. . .
He feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, as if a shadow is slowly engulfing him. Part of him, the part of him that doesn't want to believe it, knows deep down what's coming. Yzak stares at the corner of the hallway where that sound is coming from as it grows closer, like some dumb prey animal about to get caught by a hunting predator. (a sexy one) ]
[While he's still walking, Ryunosuke takes a deep breath and does one of his little face slap rituals to try and psych himself up. YES this is impulsive, YES it's stupid, but he's going to make it work, dammit.
So the "predator" in question rounds the corner, and... Hmm. Can you really call this man "sexy", with the way he practically stumbles into view and immediately snaps into that rigid, upright posture he's so fond of taking when he's agitated in some way? It is exactly as Yzak fears, though: his inter-dimensional boyfriend has been... Maid.
It's not even a particularly skimpy outfit or anything, which is maybe for the best since we know Yzak would extra implode if it were. Indeed, Ryunosuke is sporting a simple black dress, knee-length with some lacy trim. Some lacy white headwear accented with a navy-blue bow sits perched atop his spiky black hair, and his feet are clad in those black high-heeled shoes which were making such a racket a moment ago. And of course: he has a frilly white apron on over the dress, tied neatly to accent his stupid skinny waist.
His face is bright red, and one corner of his mouth twitches as he puts on beaming smile and says:]
W-w-welcome home, M-master Yzak!!!
[He nearly shouts the greeting as he goes into a kind of aggressive bow... Not a polite curtsy as would suit a demure maid, but the kind of bow he's most used to giving, as a young man who is trying to be humble and respectful when greeting someone he knows. Ryunosuke is CLEARLY not hella comfortable in this outfit, but BY GOD is he making an effort to try and look like he is anyway.]
[Ryunosuke isn't even going to try to reply to the question of whether he's any good at tracking things down because... Obviously, he's not going to be able to compete with Yzak's military training and coordinator level abilities. HE'S PRETTY GOOD AT FINDING CLUES AT CRIME SCENES? He'll stay content with that.]
Haahhh... Yeah, you're right... [Like. He did admit up front that it was a silly worry, but he keeps that wry little retort to his own internal blue-text.] I just feel so bad about how quickly we had to leave this world... There was barely any time to say goodbye to them.
[He follows Yzak closely, trusting that he both knows how to navigate their way back out and track the cubits within. The most he can contribute is to try not to slow Yzak down.]
[ Unfortunately for Yzak the way Ryu awkwardly stumbles out and then tries so hard to recover from it with that loud, determined shouting is exactly the kind of thing that endears someone to him. So yes, sadly, this is sexy.
Seldom does Yzak's brain really feel like it's bluescreening, but this comes so unexpectedly (and thankfully he does not come unexpectedly as a result) that he doesn't know what to do for a moment. He just, stares, gaping and wide-eyed, because the mix of natural revulsion he has for maid outfits is clashing against the attraction he has for Ryunosuke. He, too, quickly starts to change color. He goes light pink as he stares at his face, dark pink when he looks down at his legs, red when he looks back up at his cute waist, and then absolutely crimson when he speaks and calls him Master Yzak and that almost takes him out.
He's already losing his composure, rigid and flailing a finger at him and screeching. ]
[Ryunosuke stands there grinning (a little bashfully, tbh) and waits patiently for Yzak finish his meltdown, which is a totally predicted and anticipated response from his Man. It's fine. He knows the spluttering and shrieking means it's a hit. And as for what's REALLY going on here...
He drops character for a moment and rubs the back of his head like the silly little anime guy he is, chuckling awkwardly.]
H-hah... I know, it's a bit ridiculous... Honestly, um. Your mother actually bought this for me...? I, I think she might have meant it as some kind of attempted slight or something, but it got me thinking... That I could use it to. You know... Help you out a bit...
[Have you heard of exposure therapy, Yzak? Ryu sure hasn't, but he's hitting on the principle of it anyway.]
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[xim] cubit party
Good thing he and Sabriel weren't the only ones with magical knowledge, though the two of them led the "project." So it didn't take long at all to turn this possibility into a reality. With these varied magics and those notes, they could all come to and from the station as they pleased, zero memory fuckery included. And originally, Yzak wasn't keen on coming and going anywhere; planning to simply leave behind the fruits of their study, return home himself and perhaps check in every once in a while. Unlike many others, he didn't really feel the wanderlust others did to explore other places or leave their home world often. He had duties to return to back home and wished to focus on those. That, and after all he'd lost on the Ximilia, he simply didn't want the extra reminders of that.
It was Ryunosuke who changed his mind a bit there. When they were preparing to depart, they'd talked, and Ryunosuke floated the idea of perhaps one day returning to Ankata to see how their Cubits were doing. (and the idea reminded Yzak that he wanted to check in on a certain little girl as well as a certain general-turned-friend back on Giva, now that he could) Unable to hide the fact that he did in fact miss those little partners of his, he agreed to it. So a (vague psl compliant) date was set to meet up on the station after they'd taken care of what they had to do in their native worlds, and take a trip to that planet again. ]
Got everything you need?
[ Early just like he is to everything, Yzak is waiting for Ryu to arrive. He himself is packed lightly; only the essentials for a trip that, while clearly anticipated, he still intends to not overstay because he is a busy man. Still, there's a softness in his expression that makes it clear that he's glad to see Ryunosuke again. (i-it's not like he missed him and everyone else too or anything) ]
isekai au ...... yzakai?
Yzak feels his head throbbing, his vision hazy and darkened at the edges. Red flashing lights and emergency beeps surround him, but ... nothing more than that. There's no smoke, no sparks, no threatening sounds in the cockpit that signal an immediate danger.
Still, he wants to get out. Whatever just happened knocked him around enough to fuck him up well and good, so his own bodily safety is priority. One of the straps securing him to his seat sapped from the harsh turbulence; that explains the being tossed around so violently. The glass of his helmet is cracked - thank god just cracked. He doesn't need that happening again.
He undoes the remaining strap over his shoulder, leans over and reaches down to grab the emergency firstaid kit from beneath his seat - and when he sits back up his vision spins and swims. His eyes flit to the screen in front of him. Oxygen levels are still intact, so he quickly undoes the snaps of his helmet and rips it off of his head, the open air around him making him aware of some wet injury on the back of his head. One screen that would usually tell him where in space or planetside he was was blinking with a large text that simply said UNKNOWN.
Where am I...?
Focus. I've got to focus.
Some of his outer scanners were still in working shape, informing him that the outside air was breathable. Was he on Earth, then? Tossing his helmet to the floor, he reaches a hand out to tap urgently at the control panel, calling out, trying to contact any nearby forces. But he hears nothing - only static.
Then he hears a faint crack, feels himself shift... ]
Shit!
[ And before he can react in any way, he's thrown - no longer secured, helmetless and already banged up, it's enough to slam him hard enough against the screens in front of him and knock him unconscious. How was he supposed to know his machine landed onto a bunch of trees that could only hold the weight for so long before snapping beneath it? ]
no subject
Which, hey. Did you know that overhauling a justice system is really fucking hard? It's frustrating and stressful work, and he's pretty sure he's going to start going gray before he even turns 30... But it's also incredibly rewarding. And also necessary. So all in all, he can't really complain.
Boy howdy is he excited to get away for a bit though! That, and he's clearly thrilled to see Yzak as well. He beams at his friend with so little reservation, it's like... If this were an animal crossing emote, there'd be little flowers floating in the air around his head. Let's just say that.]
Yzak! [Still smiling, he nods his head towards the messenger bag slung over one shoulder.] I should say so, yes. Gosh, it is good to see you though... How have you been? How's PLANT?
[In the course of all this greeting, he holds out a hand for a little Manly Hand-clasping. He's still too reserved in his behavior to initiate a hug, alas...]
no subject
And yet, it has the right effect on him, because it further erodes what little silly little bluster he always puts up and he offers a small, brief smile in greeting in return. ]
It's good to see you, too.
[ He takes the offered hand, unsurprisingly not the hug initiator here so it remains a manly no homo hand clasp. (jk it's still homo its them) And although his posture is always straight and professional, somehow it manages to become moreso when Ryunosuke asks him about home. ]
PLANT is doing well.
Same as always. [ For he's spoken of how even in the unsteady post-war world, things were still busy and tough. But they were a trying. He was trying. To ensure things didn't degrade and backslide back into what it was. ] Better, obviously, than it was before my time here. [ Because there are six more of the colonies to account for within that declaration that the homeland is fine. ] But overall, my work hasn't changed.
How have things gone with you?
no subject
He won't say it aloud, because it feels like taking credit in some way for something that isn't really his doing, but. Ryunosuke considers PLANT one of the biggest success stories to come out of all the changes the orbs made. Even if there are still problems, it makes him very happy to know that things are at least better.
And as for his own situation...]
Ah, I can't really complain... [A beat.] Well. Actually I can, but I won't bore you with the details here. Corruption in the prosecutorial offices remains an issue... But I'm hopeful that Kazuma will whip them into shape, whenever he returns from England. I just have to try and hold out until then.
[He'll start making his way to the transporter while they talk, since he knows he already kept Yzak waiting a bit.]
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Hold out?
If there's something you can do and you see bullshit happening around you, you should crack the whip in your own way!
[ Double checking that he's got everything, since while he's traveling light he still has to make sure to keep to carry what he needs for his arm. ]
There are plenty of creative, roundabout ways to do that.
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Right, well, that's sort of the problem... I've hit my limit on what I can do, at least for the time being. It's not as if Susato-san and I are resting on our laurels, mind, it's just... There are some things that prosecutors will only accept hearing from another prosecutor. Because in the view of the current guard, advocates for defense are just enemies to be beaten down.
[Ryunosuke sighs, adjusting his bag a little while Yzak double checks everything.]
That's one of the many things that we still need to change. I need to figure out how to show them that prosecutors and attorneys aren't meant to be enemies... We're both ultimately working towards the same goal.
[He's getting this troubled, distant look on his face now... Mind falling back into the trap of Thinking About Work Too Much.]
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How do people with such empty heads get into these kinds of positions!? Even with such a huge time gap between your world and mine...
[ Yzak lets out a low, grumbling sigh. But it's sympathetic, because it truly is what he was dealing with back home himself. And when he glances to Ryunosuke, he pegs that expression immediately, as the king of Thinks About Work Too Much - something Yzak hardly ever falls out of in the first place. ]
Well, stay on their asses until they have no choice but to really look at what you show them. And don't be afraid to call a dipshit a dipshit if they're acting like one! [ Sage advice from someone who has for sure gotten into more verbal arguments with his more hard-headed peers than one can count. ]
Anyway, let's go. They're going to be leaving us around the same area where we originally set down.
But from there ... we're going to have to find our old partners ourselves.
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That's how he's discovered by a group of very confused and alarmed sheep farmers, who find him unconscious beneath the trees and amidst the wreckage of a machine the likes of which they've never seen before.
Sadly, that's not all they find...
It's truly a bizarre twist of fate that Yzak lands where he does. Because very nearby, slumped lifelessly against one of the trees, is the body of one mister Eugene Shepard, Aged 65, dead of a blast from some unknown manner of weapon. With Yzak being the only other person nearby, it doesn't take much for the local village police to leap to the wrong conclusion.
Yzak is brought back to town to have his wounds treated, at least. When he wakes, he'll find himself in an unfamiliar hospital room... And he better not expect to be gong anywhere any time soon. He's got one wrist handcuffed to the iron headboard of the hospital bed, making certain he doesn't wake up and wander off... Or attack anyone who comes to check on him.
There's no one in the room at the moment. WHAT DOES HE DO?]
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But Yzak is also a Coordinator, and thus it's not bad enough to deter him from moving, so he sits up with the goal to find someone and learn just what the fuck happened.
Unfortunately when he sits up, he feels the yank of his cuffed wrist, then stares at it with an absolutely incredulous look (because excuse him?). Automatically, he tugs at it hard a few times in hopes of breaking free - his strength does rattle the headboard, and if he tried hard enough he may be able to ... he may very well try harder in a couple of moments. But for now, he just looks angry.
Angry, confused, and hidden behind that, a growing dread. If he's in cuffs ... has he been captured by the enemy? (is it his turn now, after dearka) ]
Hey! [ He yells out, loud and demanding to anyone who may be close enough to hear him. ] What the hell is this!? Where am I!?
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He nods then and fiddles with his earpiece (which I assume they both have gotten back temporarily for this occasion), pulling up the cubidex.]
Most of my cubits I left with various gym leaders... And I would like to see them as well, if we can spare the time. Jugemu was an exception... But if I remember correctly, I think there are really only a few places that Luxtini are known to gather in naturally. Do you think they may have gone back to one of those spots?
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She quickly explains (in a very crisp British accent) that he isn't in any danger, he was simply brought to this hospital to have his wounds treated. She does not explain the handcuffs yet.]
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While Ryunosuke checks the cubidex, Yzak takes a look around to see if he can get their bearings - they've been deposited just outside of a familiar town. Now, which town was this again...? He definitely recalls coming here for a gym battle, so Ryu might be luck. ]
Of course we can spare the time. We'll make it ourselves, somehow, if we can't.
And if I'm recalling correctly, this area ... Luxtini tend to stick to the wooded area nearby.
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All questions that, to him, aren't as absolutely insane as they're going to sound to this poor woman. ]
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This is also the point at which a Bobby comes in all huffing and puffing, pushing past the nurse so he can bluster at Yzak to shut up and watch his mouth. He also says the only reason he's here and not in a jail cell at the sheriff's office, is because they thought he might die before he could answer any of their questions if they didn't bring him here first.
Make no mistake though: in the name of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, he is now under arrest, on suspicion of murder.]
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Right... I'd say that's probably as good a place as any to start with. If we're lucky enough to find them early on, maybe they'll be interested in traveling around with us to see everyone else as well.
[Still, Yzak might note that he looks a bit worried.]
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What is it?
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[He shakes his head.]
It's silly, I'm just... A bit nervous, I suppose. Like... What if we can't find them? Or they don't want to see us? [He smiles awkwardly.] I suppose we won't know until we try, though.
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North of London...?
[ Territory of the Earth Force's Atlantic Federation. And not the most ideal place to land. Still, if this is all one big mistake perhaps it can be smoothed over easily enough. Because Yzak definitely didn't intend to come here - he still has no idea how he fell all the way to Earth, honestly. His team had been checking out suspicious movements in their vicinity, and he'd gone out alongside them to confirm if they were rebel forces or from the Earth ... or something else entirely.
His screens had suddenly gone haywire and it felt like something had suddenly slammed into his mobile suit... and the next thing he knew he was crash landing on what he now knows is the planet. But everything in between that... is a haze.
A haze that he still feels like he's in, until that accusation yanks him right out of it. ]
Murder? What do you mean murder!? I wasn't even involved in any altercation! Contact the nearest ZAFT base right now, so they can confirm my team's recent orders and movements!
[ Because obviously, that will clear this all up and he can get the hell out of here. ]
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The cop is clearly not joking when he asks this... But he doesn't wait for Yzak to answer anyway. Instead he tells him that if he wishes to plea insanity, he can wait and tell it to the judge. Right now, since the doctors have given them the all-clear, they're taking him down to the headquarters for further questioning.
Yzak can try to resist if he wants to! Presumably, one injured but highly trained coordinator vs a bunch of regular-ass 1800s beat cops is... Still going to be a pretty uneven match, with the odds against the cops?? But even if he does resist, they're still going to subdue him eventually. And then he'll just have even more charges to deal with.
Moving through the hospital and heading outside, the signs that he's found himself somewhere very much outside of his normal time period will keep mounting. Everyone around is dressed in an INCREDIBLY old-fashioned manner... There are very few electric lights around the hospital or any of the other buildings, with things mostly lit by gas lamps. The technology in general is just... not even close to what he's going to be used to seeing. AND MOST DAMNING OF ALL... When they go to transport him to the police station, they put him in a paddy wagon pulled by a duo of horses. In fact, all of the vehicles that Yzak can see... They're all horse powered. Yikes!
In the course of being booked and interrogated, he will at least be informed that he was found in the woods, passed out from his injuries, next to the corpse of a local sheep farmer. Investigation of the scene led the police to one conclusion: Yzak clearly crashed, stumbled out of his bizarre experimental machine, and for some reason decided to shoot the local farmer who came by to investigate the crash site. They're not entirely clear yet on his motive, but they did find a firearm on the ground at the scene, the muzzle of which was still faintly warm.
When they show him the gun, Yzak will see that it is, in fact, one of his own.]
we love killing yzak in this house and Tara gets DOUBLE THE MAIDS??!?!?!!?
The time: Who cares,
The backstory: something something they met they chilled they caught feelings they're gay and they're here now.
And in this timeline, Yzak absolutely still had to deal with the unfortunate meddling of his mother and her maid holograms. Back before, you know, he made it very clear that he was no longer dawdling on that matter and finally put his foot down in a way that made it clear to his mother that as much as he loves her and how he'd usually carry out his duties as a soldier and a man and the son of the Jule family, this was something he could not do. Because that's what happens when Yzak falls in love with someone and he realizes maybe he should have this say in his own future.
And as much as his mother is pushy and stubborn just like he is (oh those inherited traits can be both a blessing and a curse), ultimately the truth has to be accepted, and ultimately, Ezalia does want what's best for her son and his happiness even if she does still strongly feel that mother knows best. What this means for her relationship with Ryunosuke, who knows, cause that ain't the point of this.
THE POINT IS!!!!
That Yzak returns from a particularly grueling week at work - busy and relentless and him barely getting any window of real downtime. But he's finally got at least the night and the day tomorrow off. ]
I'm home.
[ As he always announces himself. He's tired, but relieved. Accomplished, but frayed.
Unprepared for what awaits. Woefully so. ]
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[ Case in point, Yzak turns toward the foresty area and takes the lead, beckoning Ryu along. ]
And don't think of such a ridiculous scenario! Those guys were our friends as much as they were our partners, of course they're going to be glad to see us again! Wasn't that the case with you when you returned home and got to see your companions again?
I ALSO LOVE KILLING YZAK AND I AM HERE TO FACILITATE MAID CRIMES 8')
Not in the sense that he doesn't know or isn't fully braced for what's coming, because he's obviously fully aware of that. He KNOWS what he's (hopefully) getting into here (it's Yzak's pants).
What he's NOT prepared with, is the actual damn outfit. He's still putting it on when he hears the door and the announcement of Yzak's return with his usual greeting. He startles, which makes him lose his balance while he's still trying to get the tights on, falling against a wall with a heavy thump that can probably be heard from the entryway. He swears under his breath before calling back in a slightly harried, forcibly chipper tone:]
W-welcome back! Just a second~!
[A few moments later, there's the ominous click click c-cLICK of slightly awkward high-heeled steps coming down the hall.]
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Ryunosuke?
[ And then comes that clacking of heels against the floor that definitely do not belong to his mother. (and yes yzak can tell, the mama's boy that he actually is and as weird as that sounds)
...
. . .
He feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, as if a shadow is slowly engulfing him. Part of him, the part of him that doesn't want to believe it, knows deep down what's coming. Yzak stares at the corner of the hallway where that sound is coming from as it grows closer, like some dumb prey animal about to get caught by a hunting predator. (a sexy one) ]
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So the "predator" in question rounds the corner, and... Hmm. Can you really call this man "sexy", with the way he practically stumbles into view and immediately snaps into that rigid, upright posture he's so fond of taking when he's agitated in some way? It is exactly as Yzak fears, though: his inter-dimensional boyfriend has been... Maid.
It's not even a particularly skimpy outfit or anything, which is maybe for the best since we know Yzak would extra implode if it were. Indeed, Ryunosuke is sporting a simple black dress, knee-length with some lacy trim. Some lacy white headwear accented with a navy-blue bow sits perched atop his spiky black hair, and his feet are clad in those black high-heeled shoes which were making such a racket a moment ago. And of course: he has a frilly white apron on over the dress, tied neatly to accent his stupid skinny waist.
His face is bright red, and one corner of his mouth twitches as he puts on beaming smile and says:]
W-w-welcome home, M-master Yzak!!!
[He nearly shouts the greeting as he goes into a kind of aggressive bow... Not a polite curtsy as would suit a demure maid, but the kind of bow he's most used to giving, as a young man who is trying to be humble and respectful when greeting someone he knows. Ryunosuke is CLEARLY not hella comfortable in this outfit, but BY GOD is he making an effort to try and look like he is anyway.]
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Haahhh... Yeah, you're right... [Like. He did admit up front that it was a silly worry, but he keeps that wry little retort to his own internal blue-text.] I just feel so bad about how quickly we had to leave this world... There was barely any time to say goodbye to them.
[He follows Yzak closely, trusting that he both knows how to navigate their way back out and track the cubits within. The most he can contribute is to try not to slow Yzak down.]
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Seldom does Yzak's brain really feel like it's bluescreening, but this comes so unexpectedly (and thankfully he does not come unexpectedly as a result) that he doesn't know what to do for a moment. He just, stares, gaping and wide-eyed, because the mix of natural revulsion he has for maid outfits is clashing against the attraction he has for Ryunosuke. He, too, quickly starts to change color. He goes light pink as he stares at his face, dark pink when he looks down at his legs, red when he looks back up at his cute waist, and then absolutely crimson when he speaks and calls him Master Yzak and that almost takes him out.
He's already losing his composure, rigid and flailing a finger at him and screeching. ]
What the hell is going on!?
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He drops character for a moment and rubs the back of his head like the silly little anime guy he is, chuckling awkwardly.]
H-hah... I know, it's a bit ridiculous... Honestly, um. Your mother actually bought this for me...? I, I think she might have meant it as some kind of attempted slight or something, but it got me thinking... That I could use it to. You know... Help you out a bit...
[Have you heard of exposure therapy, Yzak? Ryu sure hasn't, but he's hitting on the principle of it anyway.]