Testing~

[deniedaccess]

[It was the new year, and even Tieria's finely tuned appreciation for solitude had its limits after constantly hearing about everyone's comings and goings for the holidays. Though there was more data to analyze for further consideration, he decided that he had dealt with the details for long enough that evening.

Instead, he gave in to curiosity.]

...So this is it?

[Muttered mostly to himself. Feel free to poke at the conspicuous young man that's lurking about. It's hard to keep a low profile with that hair, not that it will stop him from trying.]

Comments

[psychosemantics]

[[The hair thing isn't important. What might concern Tieria more is A) someone heard him plain as day.

And B), said listener is accompanied by a woman in a full set of plate mail.]]

Thas cuz it ain't even got started yet. I haven't heard your voice before either. Your heartbeat is... unique too... You're not human, are you.


Yet he appears to be so, sir.

[deniedaccess]

I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.

[The words were spoken coolly, without a second's hesitation, as Tieria assessed the strange pair. The question touched on restricted information, and he wasn't about to reveal his hand in that regard very quickly.

Instead:]

Tell me, what hasn't started yet?

[psychosemantics]

Tha party! Obviously! [[He spreads his arms wide open as if he were the master of all parties!]]

So, watcha name, stranger?

[deniedaccess]

The...party.

[He's not surprised, given the date, but he didn't come for a party.]

Tieria Erde. And your name?

[emorangerpink]

Mince pie?

[It's a petite redhead in a dress offering a plate of festive treats.]

...I don't think I've seen you around before...

[psychosemantics]

[[But you showed up for one, and that's how things are going to work. Deal with it!]]

Just call me the Master of Ceremonies! The legend of my name might escape you anyway.

[[Do note how he isn't quite looking at you, but just faced slightly to the left.]]

[deniedaccess]

[His gazed flicked from the treats up to her face. Right. It was a party, and he had been curious about everything that he was hearing.]

That's because I haven't been around here before.

[He hasn't said yes or no to the pie yet. That has yet to be decided on.]

[deniedaccess]

[Noted, but he's not going to comment on it. Yet.]

What's a Master of Ceremonies without a proper name? The legend can't be that grand if you don't have one.

[psychosemantics]

Haha! Noted! But I am a man of many names.

Today's name happens to be "Zatonichi". [[Maybe he knows the legend of Zatoichi, the blind samurai.]] Greatest DJ in the land, and only DJ on the ship!

[deniedaccess]

[He knew it by name alone. Cinema from the twentieth century wasn't something that he bothered with when left to his own devices.]

...I see. Zatonichi then. How do your fans keep up with you if you don't use the same name?

[psychosemantics]

My real fans know just by the style. Sometimes a man has to go through names to keep up with the times.

So what about you, stranger? That beat of yours... And your ID?

[deniedaccess]

[Another detail noted.]

I already told you. My name is Tieria Erde, and I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.

[emorangerpink]

New aboard? Well - you picked a good time for it!

[Even if she seems to have become slightly wary...]

I'm Laura. Ah - sorry if I'm disturbing you.

[deniedaccess]

[There was no need for the wariness. He's like that with almost everyone.]

...It is the new year.

[However, he did notice her uncertainty.]

Tieria Erde. I'm...[Investigating. Gathering information.] ...exploring.

[psychosemantics]

You did, did you? Haha! Music's a bit loud. I might be going deaf.

[[The other girl snickers a bit, the first time she's broken that stone face]]

I'm saying that something about you isn't human.

[deniedaccess]

[He cast a look at Zatonichi, though he suspected that it was a fruitless effort.]

Even if you're correct, it's not like it matters. Why would you ask that?

[psychosemantics]

Because I hear your heart beat... Think of it like a drum.

[[And the ambient music kind of changes. Only, it doesn't. Tieria should notice the change as he talks about it though.]]

Most people have a heart like a bass drum. [[And there's the thumping. Boom-boom, boom-boom, boom-boom, boom-boom.]] But you, it ain't the same. It's like a snare. It's on the same same beat, but a different drum. [[Tak-tak, tak-tak, tak-tak]]

When I hear something new, I want to know why. I can't force an answer out of you, but, you can expect me to ghost you until I get one.


((And given the whole Quantum Brainwave thing, I suspect Tieria could discern that the beats aren't heard on an audible level. There's something subliminal to them.]]

[deniedaccess]

I see.

[He could discern the subtle difference in the tempo and audio that filled the hall, but felt it rather than heard it. Curious. Tieria nodded in understanding. The explanation made sense, however...]

Then I appreciate your respect, but it's not something I talk about.

[Not even his friends knew, though he had his suspicions that one might suspect it. Without confirmation, he would continue to keep the details quiet.]

[psychosemantics]

Well, then you'll have to expect me to keep bugging you until you crack. Don't worry, I'm not a terrible ally to have around.

[[And while the temptation to see if he could just MAKE him talk is there, he rather likes having his fingers in working order.]]

[deniedaccess]

[It wouldn't be his fingers that he would need to worry about...]

I'll appreciate your support when the time comes, but your luck in getting whatever it is that you want remains to be seen.

[haro_and_firing]

"Hey, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you pal." A strong, familiar hand comes to rest softly on Tieria's shoulder, a wide grin behind auburn curls follows.
"Found you! Found you!" Lockon's haro rolls a happy circle around Tieria's ankles, chirping and flapping his 'ears'

[deniedaccess]

"Lockon Stratos?"

Tieria didn't jump at the sound of Lockon's voice, familiar weight on his shoulder, or the chirping of the little machine that was becoming more of a companion than a tool. He looked up at that grin and and allowed himself to relax just a little. Though he didn't return the smile, Lockon's presence was more than welcome.

"It's good to see you. I wasn't expecting there to be a..."

'...party.' He didn't say the word, but his meaning was clear.

[emorangerpink]

[Just the fact that he's an unknown is reason enough for a little wariness, as far as she's concerned.]

Enjoying having the run of the place while everyone's at parties, you mean?

[deniedaccess]

[There's a hint of a wry laugh as he replies.]

I wouldn't go that far, but the quiet does make it easier.

[emorangerpink]

Just be careful where you explore. I think a lot of the mistletoe is still up.

So what brings you aboard, Mr Erde?

[deniedaccess]

[He nodded in understanding.]

Thank you. The mistletoe shouldn't be a problem if no one else is around. [If it followed the normal rules.]

I've actually come here because I was [planning on collecting data] curious.

[emorangerpink]

It's a dangerous place to come to just to satisfy your curiosity.

[deniedaccess]

[Her concern was noted, however...]

You don't need to worry about it.