1972/Fluid Dramatics

Fluid Dramatics
Date of Scene:	07 April 2015
Location:	Scorched Earth
Synopsis:	Eryl and Ayako 'coincidentally' meet up in Scorched Earth and have a serious talk.
Cast of Characters:	Eryl Fairfax, Ayako Hasekawa

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Eryl Fairfax has posed:
     It's night in the world dubbed 'Scorched Earth,' and a rather breezy one at that. While in most places, that would only enhance the atmosphere in a pleasant way, here it just means every few seconds, dust is kicked up to bite at skin, make eyes water and dirty at fabrics.

     On a grand dusty plain, the only sign of life is a single figure walking alongside a river. It's Eryl Fairfax, prototype for the Saviour Programme, following his century-long route at a fast jog. The river is... well, to call it filthy would be kind. You would have to be close to tell it apart from the rest of the dusty earth.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    The dirty river water suddenly... quivers for lack of a better term. It might cause Original Face to throw an alarm or two! Then again, it's so breezy and dusty, it might not even be detected at all. Although what comes next could probably be detected by just about anyone. "Found you, Eryl!"

    Why yes, that was Ayako's voice. Coming from the river water, of course. About three seconds after the water spirit proclaims she has found Eryl, said water spirit flies out of the the river water, riding on her broomstick. Of course, that simply means that Ayako is dressed up as a witch today.

    "Ppp..." Ayako shakes herself slightly. "Ack. Dust, dust, dust!" Of course she gets covered in dust pretty quickly. Although she also quickly removes said dust from herself and her clothing. The result? She's only slightly dusty.

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
     Oh, Eryl sweeps his surroundings regularly, so he catches the river water quiver in a very unnatural way! So yes, he does flinch and wince, instinctually diverting power into his weapon systems. But, when a familiar voice comes out, he sighs and continues walking, a slight scowl crossing his face before being replaced by a blank expression. "Miss Ayako. You should get out of that water, it's filthy."

     Something she does do, thankfully. He pointedly avoids looking at her while she's flying. "So, is this what you do with your time? Meld into random waterways?" He shakes his head slightly and picks up the pace a little. "I am sorry to see you wound up in this one. There are far better ones out there, I know this for fact."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako inclines her head to the side when she notes Eryl isn't looking in her direction. It takes her a moment, but she then realizes why. She hops off of her broomstick and walks cheerfully next to Eryl. "It might be filthy, but it's still water. And besides... it's an encouraging thing to see in a world like this." She smiles softly.

    Her cheeks then puff out in a pout. Ayako sticks her tongue out playfully. "Bleeeaaah..." She then winks slowly. "Now what's wrong with that? Exploring the world through water is quite nice!"

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
     When she does land, Eryl does turn to her and smile, though it seems a touch forced. At Ayako's words, he shakes his head, some dust and sand coming free from his locks to sprinkle onto his shoulders. "Encouraging? I don't see how. Maybe if it was clean... not to worry, I provide all settlements I come across with purification tablets."

     He seems to be thinking on something, and comes to a conclusion. Sharply exhaling through his nostrils, he begins to speak. "Miss Ayako. I am going to ask you something, and I want you to know; I will believe you if you answer 'no,' because we are allies. But, because we are allies, I do expect you to be honest with me."

     He turns to look at the water spirit, a stern look on his face. "Was this meeting truly coincidence? Or did you come looking for me?"

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako does note the forced nature of Eryl's smile. The water spirit, who doesn't really understand emotions as well as she would like, is very sensitive to other's emotions in a somewhat futile attempt to understand them better. It would be completely futile if it were not for how long she has been doing it for. Her amber gaze goes off to the river for a moment. "Hmm... that's true. I mean... water like this... it needs quite a bit more than just purification tablets and boiling..." She shakes her head slowly.

    When Eryl sharply exhales through his nostrils, Ayako winces slightly and whimpers softly. No matter how old she might be, Ayako still very much acts and behaves similarly to a child. And of course, she can feel the exasperation and incoming scolding coming just from that sigh. Perhaps even moreso when Eryl starts speaking so matter-of-factly! The whimper starts getting a bit louder. She shrinks back a bit when Eryl looks at her with that stern look.

    "N-no... it wasn't coincidence... I was looking for you."

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
     Eryl nods. He doesn't /seem/ disappointed... but, as Ayako would admit, she's not good at reading emotion. Not to mention, Eryl is very good at hiding his. Maybe he's just concealing it. He continues to walk at a steady pace, mulling over how to react.

     "Why? Are you concerned about me? No need to be." He gives another smile, again a little forced. "I have been doing this for one hundred and eight years. I'm used to it. Besides..." He taps his head. "My radio is built-in. I always have people to speak to, if I want. So I'm not really lonely."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako childishly peeks over at Eryl. That neutral, concealed expression of Eryl's still seems to get her a bit nervous. She does have to wonder what he's thinking about...

    "Huh? Oh." Ayako smiles softly. "I am concerned about you walking alone through a place like this." She frowns just ever so slightly when Eryl says how long he's been doing it and that he's used to it. "I..." A soft smile crosses her lips when Eryl mensions the radio. "Well... that's one thing. But... I'm more worried about you doing something like this for so long alone." Her amber gaze falls to the dusty ground. "Walking through a place like this alone... it could wear away at you..." Ayako's stare becomes distant for a moment... as if she's remembering something.

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
     Eryl examines Ayako's face carefully as she speaks, catching the childish expression, the frown, the smile, the look towards the ground and the thousand-yard stare. Already, he's putting it all together, linking it all with the information he already has. Soon, he has a response.

     "First, allow me to soothe your concerns: yes, this would wear away at anyone. And not to disparage any similar event in your life that may mirror mine, but I am not just 'anyone.'" He smiles again, far more genuine and a little prideful.

     "I am Eryl Fairfax. Selected from a pool of several dozen at a young age, raised and engineered to survive in this environment. I can handle it." He peers at Ayako again, actually slowing his pace. "But, here is my issue with this. Here you are, trying to become a part of my life and help me with my woes. I am not the only one who has been a target of this. I speak of Mizuki, of course. But, you speak of a past that, from what I have pieced together, is a painful one. But whenever directly queried about it, you avoid the subject."

     He shakes his head and sighs sadly. "To be frank, it is hard to open up to anyone who is so closed off themselves."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako blinks her eyes slowly at the pride that Eryl has in himself. She didn't know Eryl had it in him. But she smiles softly at that. "Mmm... well... if you say so, Eryl. I guess you can handle it then."

    Huh?! And now Ayako blinks her eyes quickly when Eryl brings up his issue with it. Well. She certainly didn't expect this."U-Un. Eeeehhh?!" The water spirit inclines her head to the side. "I don't mind talking about my past." She pushes her pointer fingers together awkwardly. "Except for maybe one or two things that are quite private." Her gaze goes up into the sky for a moment and then returns towards Eryl. "It's just no one really asks."

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
     Eryl nods, still smiling. "Of course I can. It is what I was designed for, after all." His voice has no smarminess or arrogance to it. He says it with the same tone one might use to comment on the dustiness of the ground, or that fire gives off heat. Like it is an objective truth.

     He pays close attention to Ayako's response, nodding slightly. "I understand. Well..." He looks to the distance, narrowing his eyes at something only he can see. "I'm still quite a way away from my next destination, so I certainly have time to hear about your life. Let's start with..."

     He rubs his chin, and nods. "As I said, you seem to have had some experience that is similar to mine. If that is not one of the things you feel are private, I would like to hear about it."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako smiles softly when Eryl says that as if it were a fact of the world he is in. Well, she isn't really the type to argue that kind of thing. She's a girl made out of water, after all.

    She nods her head slowly when Eryl actually wants to hear about it. Ayako is a bit surprised, but doesn't seem to have any objections about talking about herself here of all places.

    "Ah."

    Ayako winces visibly. It seems that whatever it was... is indeed one of the things that Ayako does not feel comfortable about talking about. "S-sorry Eryl... there are some... certain things that... I don't think anyone-" She cuts herself off, unable to continue speaking as she trembles slightly.

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
     It doesn't take a brain full of computers to realize that Eryl just asked about something Ayako doesn't wish to share when she responds with 'Ah.' Although, he doesn't cut her off immediately, letting her ramble a little before speaking.

     "I understand. You should feel no obligation to share anything with me, or anyone. Just know, that the Union is full of people who would happily listen to such things if you ever feel you can share them," he says reassuringly. He goes to lightly pat her on the shoulder, weak enough that he doesn't accidentally break her surface tension.

     "If not that, then perhaps something else? It can be as trivial as you like, I don't mind." He grins, a genuine one again. "To sweeten the deal, I would discuss things I have seen, if you would like to hear such things."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    "U-Un."

    Ayako takes a deep, shuddering breath. When Eryl pats her gently on the shoulder, he can feel that she's still trembling slightly. That and Ayako is more like a human when she isn't being all watery.

    "I... yeah... something else..." Despite this... it takes Ayako a good few minutes to regain her composure to talk cheerfully again to Eryl. What could have shaken her so much?