Case 001 [Action/Written] (Backdated before the event)

[letsplaysurgeon]

[This wasn’t happening.

This wasn’t happening because it wasn’t what he planned. He was only supposed to be “dead” for a short period of time, hibernating while the pieces clicked into place for Tsuzuki and the boy. Not long enough for the Queen Camellia to dock and allow someone to throw his body out. And no one had the audacity. Perhaps the shinigami, but he couldn’t have been unconscious long enough for the Queen Camellia to dock.

…It also didn’t begin to explain why he was standing barefoot and freezing in a foot of snow in early July. Or the wings. Yes, he found the wings.

The only thing that leveled his disapproving gaze from his new back ornaments was the flicker of something unfamiliar in his peripheral vision. A short distance from where he woke up, half-buried in the snow was a book. He blinks a couple times in sequence, as though double-checking his vision. Someone redressed him, dumped his body in the woods with a pair of tacky wings, but was kind enough to leave him with some reading material. All right then.

He doesn’t know what possesses him to approach the book, let alone pick it up and open it, other than the grim humor that clung to him like a viscous tree sap. And he has a message for the one responsible for this, should they return to the scene of the crime.]

To whom it may concern:

Thank you so much for the relocation: it was a bit stuffy in my room. How considerate of you to give me a breath of fresh air.

I can only assume that this is a joke, or an attempt to stop me, either way it’s pathetic. I will be leaving now. [Never mind how he was going to make it back to the ship from wherever he was.] And you had better hope that your diversion hasn’t wasted my time.

In the meantime, I strongly recommend that you invest in finer clothing. It’s offensive to be thrown about in these cheap pants.

[And he drops the book like a hallucinating surgeon drops the pancreas that they believe is a purple tentacle monster with the ability to spit corrosive acid. The book lands on its spine and flutters open at his feet, but he’s forgotten all about it. He lifts his arm to reach around his abdomen and tug at the first feather he could reach, and the resulting pain makes his head rush, like it was wrapped in nerves. But his brain cannot—no, he refuses to process that the stupid thing was a part of him. He clenches his teeth, and the more he tries to ignore it, the more his vision stabs and his grip trembles, and he has to make a choice between his bad mood and his threshold for pain.

Finally he lets go: undeterred, just twice as agitated. He still hadn’t recovered completely from the strychnine. He was just going to have to try again after he regained his strength—and acquired the proper medical tools.]

Comments

[Action]

[eternallysinned.livejournal.com]

I strongly advise that you refrain from doing that. Your wings are probably more sensitive than you would like them to be...

This will keep you warm.

[Action]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[Indeed, he's a new feather that pulled his feather. But now he's done with that shit as he watches you approach, sizing you up.]

Is that so? [He laughs shortly.] I would prefer not to have them at all. But it seems it can't be helped.

[He considers the offered jacket for a moment before taking it, exercising care as he does so. He's wondering how you've come by this information, and, with a smile, suspects you may be the one responsible for his situation.] How embarrassing. I'm sorry you have to see me like this.

[Action]

[eternallysinned.livejournal.com]

Removing them altogether will kill you. This explains the credentials of Luceti and your situation.

Ha ha. You needn't worry about your appearance. It happens to everyone who comes here.

[Action]

[sonatasedge]

[Ohey there Muraki. Here's Soul wandering nearby in the woods. He's out and about talking to Kipinn, the wind spirit. You might notice a little gust nearby pick up some snow and swirl it. Yeah, that's what Kipinn has taught him so far. Soul glances in your direction and notices the newfeather pants.]

Oi, you just get here?

[Action]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[Hello, Soul. Have the lambs stopped screaming, yet? He doesn't notice the gust of wind, but he does notice you through the corner of his eye, tilting his head.]

I think that would depend.

[Action]

[sonatasedge]

[Heeh? Soul tilts his head slightly.]

On what?

[Action]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

On when I was brought here. [It pained him to realize he couldn't be sure, due to his lack of consciousness before.]

[His gaze travels down the slope of your neck to your back, noticing one of your wings.] ...Ah.

[action]

[falenandawn]

[And here comes a teenage boy with a rather large bag slung over one shoulder, filled with blankets and jackets.

Oh dear is he-

Trying to rip out his feathers?! Hurriedly running over with a worried look.] W-wait, that's dangerous! The wings are attached, sir.

[action]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[And here is a Muraki that wasn't expecting someone to come running at him in the middle of the woods. Don't mind his slightly stunned expression.] So it seems.

[He reaches up to adjust his glasses, realizing too late that he wasn't wearing them, and curls hair behind his ear instead.] ...If I'm not mistaken, birds shed their feathers frequently. How is it dangerous? [Was this a joke?]

[action]

[falenandawn]

[He's been patrolling for new feathers. Don't want them to get frostbite. And he'll be pulling out a blanket as he slows to a stop nearby.]

Well, for one, you'll get weak and ill if you pull them out. The wings are directly connected to our wellbeing here, I'm afraid.

[action]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[His eyes dart as the teenager comes closer, though he's not looking at him or anything else in particular. He's digesting his answer and realizing how stupid it sounds, and he can't bring himself to believe him entirely--never mind the fact that he experienced it himself. He needs some time, okay?]

And where is here?

[Written]

[unseenspy.livejournal.com]

There are two things you should know about this place. First, you won't be so thankful when you learn what this place is. Second, you won't be leaving so easily.

[Written]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

How interesting. Is that a threat?

[Written]

[unseenspy.livejournal.com]

No...just a fact.

[Written] (dskj I'm sorry he's so annoying)

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

I make it my business to defy certain "facts."

[Action]

[deathsdoctor]

Oi. Stop.

[Huh. Another new feather? Was this cycle ever going to end.

... and... hmm... was this one going the route of self mutilation? Icy blue eyes narrowed at the agitated man in the snow, scrutinizing. And deep inside, fighter's instincts and decades of paranoia honed from the Grand Line and other experiences were suddenly subtly subconciously humming... itching through his skin like little bursts of electricity. He seemed pretty helpless in the snow... weak... but as the doctor in him assessed, the Supernova sized. You never knew what Luceti would throw in next and it was stupid to ignore your instincts and rush into a scene.

Wariness warred with what the scene presented, and then decided the best course of action. Hang back and see for just a moment if there really is a threat. It might be nothing. It usually was nothing. It might not be.

It certainly would do no good to rush in and push the man into further agitation, would it?]

Pulling out feathers from the wings will only sap your strength. Do enough damage to those and the results will be quite fatal.

[There he is... that striking figure in the long black coat, equally black scarf and gloves, and that hat. It... appears he has no wings (they're hidden under the coat, but if you pay attention, you can see movement under the cloth). He's... not quite smiling, not quite frowning, just... watchful.

And oh, of course there's the nodachi casually slung over a shoulder. That nearly man sized sword he carries with him. That, and his reaction, mark him as perhaps more cautious than the people who usually blunder across your path, Muraki.]

[Action]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[His right eyebrow quirks beneath his bangs, and he pivots around to see the one who addressed him. He wants to match the blunt command with a face, after all.

There were several things that that he expected to see in a forest: squirrels, birds, perhaps a raccoon or a deer. Certainly not a man dressed in black. He glances behind him, as though trying to pinpoint what direction he came from, and perhaps why he was there in the first place. It seemed too convenient. After an extended moment, he considers what he said about the wings, so it might seem like he didn’t hear him at first, taking his time to react.]

Then I should thank you for the fair warning…if you would enlighten me on how you know this.

[It was ridiculous, and he wouldn’t have believed him if he didn’t experience the pain of trying to pull a feather out. And he doesn’t need to jeopardize the strength he still has at the moment.]

Re: [Action]

[deathsdoctor]

[Still watchful. The instinct hasn't faded in the slightest. And he can't help but remember the murder this cycle. Supposedly came about in a situation very similar to this. His eyes never leave the man's.

He however shrugs out of his coat, one arm at a time so he can keep a hold on his sword. His wings spread - glossy black with yellow tips - as in example.]

How do I know this? I am as much a prisoner here as you now are. The wings and the consequences of maiming them are one of the first lessons a 'New Feather' here is taught. This is Luceti, and you've been brought here by the Malnosso. They are scientists and we are their test subjects and soldiers.

[A dry chuckle as he echoes the words given to him when he first arrived.]

But, if you wish, you can call this place Hell. It's very apt.

[He offers the coat. You... make him wary, but Law can be a gentleman about this.]

Welcome aboard.

[Action]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[As he watches him shuck his coat off, he finally notices the sword, and Oriya flashes to mind, which causes a slight lump of undeterminable emotion to settle in his stomach to remember his friend. Not sadness or regret, but perhaps frustration.

It’s definitely frustration that he feels throughout his explanation of the Malnosso and the wings, but that vanishes after he calls it “Hell.” A surprising sensation of nothingness washes over him.]

Hell?

[He snorts at first, and then the short burst of air through his nostrils turns into a laugh. He runs his hand through his bangs and covers his fake eye with his palm. That is a little more intentional than it seems.]

If I’m in a place that adds another blatant weakness to the human form, then I will have to agree with you.

[He drops his hand and accepts the coat with the other, smiling at him.] I appreciate it.

[voice]

[purpledemoneyes.livejournal.com]

Sorry, you're stuck here now. Just like everyone else.

1/2

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[...!]

2/2 [Written]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[What an unbearable cliché, his heart just skipped a beat. Compose yourself, Kazutaka.] You sound like an expert.

[Voice]

[akumanotrill]

[and since the book is open, it might be accidentally sending out a video feed? Hijiri sees him plucking his feathers!]

Ah! You shouldn't do that! You'll die!

[Written]

[letsplaysurgeon.livejournal.com]

[The book...was talking to him. And the voice sounds familiar, though he can't put his finger on it.]

I'm sorry, how does pulling out one feather lead to death?

[He finds himself going through his medical expertise to answer the question, only to remember that normal, human medicine didn't involve wings.]

[Voice]

[akumanotrill]

You might if you pluck them all off! Those wings are very important and if you lose them, you die!