unknownseas | Week 1

Entry tags:

round 3,
week 1

Week 1

Good morning, New Rapture. A new day is dawning.

There may not be much light to differentiate the days here, but the lights of the part of the city you're in change enough by the clock that you can almost believe there's a sun somewhere. It looks like Mayor Fontaine has no intention of going back on his deal, and for the time being? You're all stuck here. But there's plenty to do, and... maybe not plenty to see, but there's enough. There's something, at any rate.

Especially if you're willing to look beyond the surface.

And if you spend enough time around others, you might find something neat!

No matter what, it's time to start getting to know your fellow captives. You might be here a while.

MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY
FRIDAY | SATURDAY

[ ooc: Welcome to the first week of Unknown Seas Round 3! We're very excited to have you. Please make sure to mark any investigation toplevels accordingly, and you can reach either Mayor Fontaine or Eleanor for conversations! ]

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[Upon having mistakenly accosted one of the younger captives in this underwater hellhole, Dandy immediately feels oodles upon oodes of regret. He sheepishly thrusts both hands in the air, then waving both for some extra flourish. Dandy is often quick to announce his dislike for children to anyone within earshot, but in this place, they have earned his sympathy.

Of all people, they shouldn't be here.]

Sorry, kiddo.

[Those dirty hands go back into either of the man's pockets.]

Thought you might've been from one of those planets where the people are all tiny, like a lotta the ones in Nebula-69. My bad!

[Sixty-nine, huh...]

Forget I said anything.

[ The weirdest thing here is Dandy's hair. He hasn't really interacted with him...but that seems weird? You know, from the vibes. The vibes this guy gives off are like...a sleazier Mr. Suga. Hm, maybe that's just a slight physical resemblance, anyway—

He furrows his brows, confused. ]

One of those...huh? You thought I was an alien? [ ...is this another person who's from space. ] Are those really a thing, where you're from?

Of course they are, baby!

[Right on cue, he flashes his pearly whites at the boy, touting an expression that is anything but trustworthy. Greasy salesman vibes aside, Dandy is telling the truth about one thing- That aliens in his world are real.]

You must live on some really remote space rock if you're not aware of the obvious. I mean, there's an infinite number of solar systems, galaxies, and dimensions! The list goes on and on and on, oh-ho!

Either that or you're from a heck of a long time ago. Like, a couple of millennia out from my day.

What's it like to not be able to fly to the moon whenever you want? Sounds miserable. I mean, I can't imagine only havin' access to chicks from one planet! In the future, the dating pool is intergalactic, hot-cha-cha.

[ It takes approximately five seconds for Hodaka to wonder if Dandy is selling something. All things considered, that's pretty good; it could've been much faster.

The more he listens, the more his face falls, skeptically. ]

Ahhh, I don't...really care about that...last point, I don't think... I'm from Earth, if it helps any?

But Earth when?

[This ties in to the root of his problem.

Dandy doesn't like to sweat the small stuff, and while this is partially due to willful ignorance and a tendency to deny or brush off the worst, he unknowingly has his consciousness clogged by alternate realities. The other versions of himself he is typically connected to through various strands of time butt heads within his headspace sometimes, clouding his access to information...

But he can remember so many things so clearly, now.

And he's not entirely sure that he likes it.]

It's been a while since I went back. I really miss Hawaii, it's great! Cowabunga, baby! 'N alla that.

Also clothes are kinda more of a suggestion than a requirement, and that's pretty cool.

[ Oh dear... There go the tips of Hodaka's ears, turning red. ]

Uhh, I've- never been, um... What'da you mean, when? Are you saying you're like...from the future?

The future? More like modern times, kid!

[Dandy's grin widens. That blush is pretty fuckin' hysterical. As much as he hates to admit it, kids can be fun sometimes.]

For me, anyway.

...What year...?

[ Hodaka sounds something halfway to curious, with tones of awe. ]

[Dandy opens his mouth to give Hodaka a date, which I have attempted to look up everywhere but alas it's been to know avail. Just know that it is at least 50 to 100 years after the events of Cowboy Bebop, which I believe takes place 74 years after 1994...]

[ That's a FUCKING LOT of years!! Hodaka's mouth drops open. ]

Ss- s- s- seriously?!

Yeah!

Toldja you were from the olden days.

Edited 2022-06-18 22:54 (UTC)

N- no you're far in the future!

[ both of these things are true boys ]

You seem really freaked out.

[He smiles, clearly having a good time.]

You've looked up at the sky, right? It's giant! Huge! No matter what planet you spot it from.

With all the people who used to be on Earth, do you really think that sorta life couldn't thrive on another planet anywhere else? It's just common sense, baby!

[Dandy says, having a very limited amount of common sense...]

I'm not freaked...

[ Ah, but he is, a little. ]

...I know how big the sky is. [ A little more serious, he- ah, his breakfast's on the counter. Better clean that up. ] It's bigger and deeper even than the sea. Really, it's just another thing that mankind knows nothing about.

[ Oh, much...more serious. ]

...It makes a lot of sense, that there'd be life beyond it.

[Dandy watches Hodaka neatly get at his breakfast. It's strange to watch a child who's so well-mannered, since he thought all brats were impudent nutjobs, mostly.]

You ever been? To the sky, I mean!

I think in your day the farthest they could go was into the clouds on an aer-o-plane.

Wow! Vintage. And I usually dig the old-school vibes.

[Dandy may be from the future, but his room is full of Hawaii-themed knick knacks that mostly stem from the eighties and nineties. His spaceship is futuristic, but the lounge space is very seventies inspired, and that kitchen of his in tandem with his typical, if over the top, hairdo and outfit... Is reminiscent of the fifties.

He may not know it himself, but his penchant for old mixed in with new is more of an instinct than an impulse. Dandy had been alive for all those years- It's just that he hasn't been this particular Dandy at those times, per se.]

[ Yeah frankly if Hodaka had to guess he would not have placed Dandy as someone from the future. He seems like some kind of... Do all yakuza have that hairstyle? Or is he just getting that mixed up with movies?

The question, however, keeps Hodaka in his somewhat serious state, as he mops up egg from the counter. ]

Um... Yeah. Not... Probably not like you're thinking. But I've been...up in the clouds.

[ And he never wants to go back. ]

Whew!

[Dandy picks up on some of that touchiness, resentment, or what have you, but he chooses to poke the bear instead of... idk soothe the fish? what is the opposite of that proverbial statement]

What happened that time? Did your mom decide she was sendin' ya back to God?

[DANDY!!!!]

[ He raises his gaze and it's directed straight at Dandy in a cold glare. ]

Don't joke about it. I won't let you.

Your mom, or the sky?

[It's unclear as to whether he is Trying or still mocking the kid.]

I'm confused.

Then stay confused!!

[ It seems very suddenly his patience has worn out, as he retrieves another egg. That polite boy, where'd he go? ]

Don't make thoughtless comments like that. Just shut up instead.

[The tip of Dandy's nose curves in disgust. God! This is why he hates children. Fucking amateurs.]

If you don't tell me, I'm just gonna keep makin' 'em.

[Oh... If he can, he's gonna snatch up that egg in his hands. Is it solid? Like a solid egg...]

Listen kid- Sayin' this shit is worse than pullin' a large hammer outta my butthole, but there's a good chance that somebody's gonna snap and start shankin' people soon!

So that means we gotta be straight with each other.

[In any other situation, Dandy would be likely to storm off or behave immaturely, but these are dark times.]

Let's try that again.

Have you even got a Mom, kiddo?

[ It is certainly a solid egg, right from the fridge! ] Hey—

[ Hodaka protests, but Dandy keeps talking, and that's what sours his expression entirely.

And what gets him to swing a punch at Dandy's face, on the heels of that comment about his mother. ]

Would you just cram it, you pompous...!!

[The egg crashes to the floor, splitting open and oozing onto the ground. Dandy is more focused on stopping Hodaka's hand and gripping it tightly. He's not a muscular meathead with years of fighting experience or training, but he is (unfortunately) an adult man who deals with others more gruffly than he should. He grabs the boy's other arm, not to hurt him, but to steady the teenager so that they can meet eye to eye.]

Fine! You don't have to talk to me. Pick somebody else!

[There's a wide variety of individuals to choose from, especially in the Rugrat sector.]

But gettin' pissed about things with no explanation isn't gonna solve nothin', baby!

So you don't got a mom. Big deal! I don't have one! Lots of people don't. Some aliens just come into being as they are, with no mothers, brothers, or sisters to speak of!

How am I supposed to keep any of you doo-doo heads from dyin' if I don't get any of ya, hah?

[ Eye to eye means Dandy can see every bit of the glare Hodaka fixes him, the way his jaw clenches and his mouth twists into a snarl the more he talks, talks, talks, talks— ]

Shut up!! [ Again, he shouts, and now he tries to wrench his hand free. ] I'm sick 'a people like you! Think your entitled to- everything, 'nd just push your own thoughts...!!

[ Selfish assumptions. Baseless. Thoughtless. Whatever best fits his narrative. Of course Hodaka wouldn't want to— ]

Let go of me...!!

[Hodaka's struggling something fierce, and Dandy doesn't have the heart to continue to hold the boy down. There's no use for it. When you're floating on your own vessel surrounded by stars, it's easy to become selfish and get caught up in your own affairs. But here, since he is just one of so many packed sardines, slowly suffocating as the air gets thinner and thinner... It's nearly impossible to ignore the fact that every hostage is doomed to an unceremoniously grim end lest they come up with a solution.]

People like me?

[Like this Dandy?

Or the infinite number of others? The very thought makes him see red.]

There isn't another man like me in the entire universe! And a whole buttload of other universes too, so there!

I'm the Dandiest guy there ever was and will be, baby!

[The strangest thing is, Dandy might be actually be right about that one.

He releases Hodaka, scowling and turning in the other direction.]

Fine! Go on bein' a little shit and see if I care when the real bullcrap starts goin' down.

[He does.

And he will.]

You're on your own, brat.

[In his hasty exit, Dandy crushes a wayward eggshell beneath the metal sole of his shoe.]

Edited 2022-06-23 23:13 (UTC)

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withagun - 2022-06-23 23:38 (UTC) - Expand

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