Kyriakos: OVERFLOW

[justichthys]

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[justichthys]

You might wanna take the ammunition, as well, Kaito. [ Aoko calls over, as she gives the stave a quick little testing twirl. The heft's not bad … it's not a mop, and it definitely isn't a paint-sabre, but she should be able to use it with no problems. ]

But what about the armor … [ She gives it a doubtful squint. ] It looks clunky.

[carptricks]

I've got it, I've got it.

[he says with a scoff before he tucks a couple of boxes of said ammunition into the pack strapped at his waist]

The armor would slow me down. I think I'll be okay without it.

[though that might be a bold statement for him to make]

[justichthys]

Kaito, we don't know what we're going to be up against …! It's better safe than sorry. [ Prods him with the tip of the stave, lips pursed. ] You can always take it off again later if it's holding you back.

You should know better than to head into an unknown level with too little equipment! Or didn't you learn anything from that last boss battle in Wandering Swords 2?

[carptricks]

[wh]

[did she just insult his Wandering Swords 2 skills]

. . . oi! That boss battle went just fine! I won in the end, maybe only after five separate tries and at the expense of 75% of my health, but this is different anyway!

[and yet, he reaches for some chest armor as he glowers at her]

[justichthys]

[ you bet your britches she did, sir ]

Only five times! You could've done it on your first if you'd just listened to be when I made those recommendations. [ Huffs at him. ]

Need any help with that?

[carptricks]

Some boss fights take more than one try to beat! That's just how video games are!

[:T! he sticks his tongue out at her as he starts latching the armor across his torso]

And I can dress myself, you know.

[there might be a strap across his back that he can't reach. . .]

[justichthys]

You're only saying that to make yourself feel better ... [ Is she talking about his gaming skills, or how ability to dress himself? The world may never know. ]

And you're missing something.

[carptricks]

[scoops up a helmet once he is done and spins around to face her, expression flat]

Are you always this critical?

[DEPOSITS HELMET ONTO HER HEAD. back strap is still not fastened btw]

[justichthys]

Only when it comes to your safety! [ s-sigh! marches closer, gesturing for him to spin around. ]

You missed a strap, dummy. I'll get it for you.

[carptricks]

[HEAVES A SIGH but obliges, and while she fixes that strap he scans the area for any more useful items. his gaze comes to rest on the exit door, which is clearly labeled with the word "START" in bright green, glowing letters]

You nervous?

[justichthys]

... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. [ She admits quietly, fiddling with the strap. ] After that game. And neither of us knows Iota very well.

Are you?

[ Finishes up with the chest piece and steps back! ] Guess I should find some gear to wear as well.

[carptricks]

. . . nah.

[his smile is confident, but a bit lopsided, as he cranes his head over his shoulder to look at her again]

I trust you to have my back. We'll be okay.

[he reaches out to thunk the front of her helmet lightly]

Grab the rest of your armor and let's get going.

[justichthys]

Hold this for a second. [ Holds out the stave for him to take so that she can get her own chest piece into place! ]

… You really trust me like that—? I mean … [ It's not like she's really any good at fighting, or like she could keep up properly with Kaitou Kid. She just kind of flails her way through these things most of the time. ]

[carptricks]

Yes? Don't look so surprised.

[thunks her helmet one more time before he finally grabs one of his own. while holding her staff for her, of course]

Any smart alien we run across is gonna be terrified of you.

[justichthys]

Ow! Kaito, geez! [ It didn't actually hurt at all BUT IT'S THE PRINCIPLE OF THE THING, gosh, stop being rude to me. ]

Out of the two of us— [ mnnngh no she's not going to say that ] I just don't wanna slow you down, that's all. [ which is to say that she's worried she's going to. ]

[carptricks]

You've never slowed me down.

[. . . as a contrast to all his grumping about her earlier, that comment is delivered in all sincerity]

[justichthys]

[ … oh ]

[ abruptly, there is silence—save for the sounds of Aoko fiddling with straps and harnesses and all of that fun stuff. ]

H-Hey, could you get the back for me? I can't reach.

[carptricks]

[pffffft]

[he snrks, slips his helmet onto his own head, and slides behind her to fasten that last strap. once that's finished, he drapes both arms over her shoulders and holds the staff out in front of her to take]

Breathe easy. You're better at stuff like this than you think, Miss Fire Snake Slayer.

[justichthys]

[ She leans back against him, resting the back of her head against his shoulder. Just. Gonna stay here for a moment, even after she's taken the staff. ]

That was different! All I really did was get it wet. But ... I'll give it my best shot.

[carptricks]

[this is like the least romantic setting, plus he isn't even sure if it COUNTS if these are not their real bodies. but he tilts his head to press a kiss against her cheek anyway. he's already kissed a physical manifestation of her true heart so WHY NOT??]

Right!

[somewhat reluctantly, he pulls away]

You ready?

[justichthys]

[ Suddenly that cheek he is kissing is VERY WARM INDEED. They've been getting more affectionate in public, sure, but what if Iota is watching oh nooo … … … not that it stopped her from tilting her head into it slightly. Very slightly. ]

[ Deep breath. In, and then out ... ]

Okay! Ready when you are.

[carptricks]

[FORGET IOTA WHO CARES WHAT SHE THINKS. and it's true that Kaito is getting a little more brazen with affection in public, too]

[with his hand resting on the handle of his weapon, his chin tilted up, and the feeling that they both look VERY SILLY right now pooling in his stomach, he counts down]

Three, two, one. . .

[and on "one," he bursts right through the "START" door, fully expecting Aoko to follow]

Go!

[justichthys]

Kaito, you dumbass, don't just run through without checking things first!

[ Scolding him (audibly!!) under her breath, but she's right on his heels anyway. Goodness knows what's going to happen to him without her there to yank on his leash. ]

[soulping]

[the duo bursts out of the supply room and straight into a long ass hallway. it's dim; the lights overhead flicker on and off as though broken, barely illuminating the surrounding areas. the darkness makes it impossible to see what lies on the other end of said hallway, as everything fades into blackness.]

[still, the floors are lined with blinking green lights, similar to the ones that also line airplane aisles. large, bold numbers are printed on the walls next to them, and during a moment when the lights above actually work, they can tell they read the following: HANGAR 869]

[the watches around their wrists begin to beep an blink with a small, red light]

[carptricks]

[skids to a halt before he treads any further into the darkness, lifting his wrist to peer at the watch curiously]

Eh. . .?