maskormenacelogs | [CLOSED] Course I need to know

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[CLOSED] Course I need to know

WHO: The Doctor and Van Fanel
WHERE: Streets of De Chima
WHEN: June 5th
WHAT: Continued from here.
WARNINGS: Nope

[Van can hardly believe his ears. Was that really the argument this stranger was going to use to defend his unwanted and intrusive actions? How was it the least bit believable?!]

I...think you might have your professions confused.

[Honestly! What sort of doctor goes poking around guymelefs, anyway? Or, for that matter, banging on one without an obvious care in the world for how that goes against its pilot's wishes! No, this man...he's no doctor like any Van has ever met before, he can't be. Probably, with how his luck seems to be running today, this stranger is nothing more than a very old and very, very confused individual who has lost his way. Of course, that realization doesn't stop Van's hand from flashing through the air and seizing the older man's offending wrist. He knows a little better than to trust appearances by now, in particular, the appearances of those more persistent in nature.]

I thought I told you—stay away from Escaflowne.

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Escaflowne...that's a lovely name, [ the Doctor can't help but muse.

Stay away though? Come on Van, that's ridiculous, of course that isn't going to happen! As Van grabs his hand, the Doctor...just tries to yank Van with him as he continues to look. There's strength in his grip, he's surprisingly strong for an old man. ]

[How strong is this old beanpole honestly? Van just...stares. As his feet scrape across the ground momentarily, for he'd been caught off his guard by the sudden force behind the Doctor's pull.]

Are you even listening to me?

[...apparently so if he likes Escaflowne's name. So then, selective hearing. Good to know.

Digging his heels into the pavement, Van gives the older man a sharp tug away from the guymelef. He doesn't want to harm him, but he does want answers! And until he gets them, he'll do whatever he can to keep the Doctor away from Escaflowne. His free hand suddenly falling to rest on the hilt of the sword at his side is indication of that.]

Explain yourself! Why are you so interested in my guymelef? Who are you, and where are you from?

[ It's just tug of war between the two of them. The Doctor's yanked over towards Van as he pulls the Doctor over, but a few moments later, the Doctor attempts to yank Van towards him as he continues to look over the robot (or, more accurately, as he continues to look over the guymelef, now that's a term he hasn't heard before, how wonderful.)

He's noticed that Van's free hand is resting on the hilt of a sword, of course, But again, the Doctor pays it no mind. ]

In order of your questions, because it's strange and new, I said this already, and I'm technically from a planet named Gallifrey but here I'm from Heropa.

[ Happy? ]

[Well that gives Van pause and, albeit involuntarily, he relinquishes his hold on the Doctor's arm.]

Gallifrey? I've never heard of that before.

[Which isn't surprising considering the people of Gaea call Earth the Mystic Moon, but more importantly, Van had been (mistakenly) operating under the assumption that this man was from this planet. Or at least one that was like it.]

Course you haven't, [ the Doctor remarked, with a little nod. He hasn't heard of it because the Doctor's (unfortunately) sure that his world is the only world with a proper Gallifrey. But no, he's not going to tell Van that much. ]

It's not in Earth's solar system.

And what about manners? Do they have them where you're from?

[To explain...]

If there's something about my guymelef you want to know, you'd do better to ask me than to keep poking around. You could get hurt.

[Not that he's going to spill his guts, but there are a few things he'd be willing to share. Things that are commonly known about guymelefs and not just Escaflowne.]

Well, I suppose the first question is this: what's a guymelef?

[ just ignoring that lack of manners but, after all.... ]

[And the obvious answer? A guymelef is that thing you're scoping out, Doctor!]

What does it look like? It's a mechanical suit typically piloted by trained soldiers or bounty hunters and used for combat.

Oh, this is a guymelef? [ said like the Doctor's JUST NOW realizing this. But combat? Ew. ] What else can it do besides fighting?

A guymelef named Escaflowne, yes...but I can't really say what else it does.

[Can't, more like won't. Divulging those particular details to someone he has no reason yet to trust isn't something Van can do, not when it may mean making himself vulnerable.]

I piloted it back home to protect my home. [And in effort to restore it.] But the same conflicts don't exist here.

[ Yeah, the Doctor knows that much. ]

Less of can't more of won't. [ But then back about the home... ] The same conflicts don't exist here because giant robots don't exist here to begin with. That much's obvious.

What?

We don't fight because we have guymelefs, it's not like that.

[He'd meant more that the people who'd caused those problems weren't here, not that he was aware of. He was far removed from everyone and everything that he knew...couldn't restore Fanelia from here, couldn't seek out his brother, couldn't return Hitomi to her home. None of that had followed him here. But there was still war in this world, wasn't there? Because there were still soldiers. They just weren't his soldiers or his war.

Was this how Hitomi felt when she'd been dragged to Gaea and forced to face the battles there, battles that weren't her own?

Van sighs.]

Look, I...I should really go. I can't leave Escaflowne here like this.

No, I suppose you fight for other ideological reasons instead. [ he siiiighs, the sigh of someone who's a bit sick of war. ] I'm overdue someone fighting just because they have things to fight with.

[ Still, it's refreshing to hear. Perhaps this guy's not going to fight in this world because of said ideological reasons? After all, can't really defend a world that doesn't exist.

As Van sighs though, the Doctor frowns. ] Go where, though? Sure you could land Escaflowne in your backyard, but do you know where you're staying to begin with?

I've met my fair share of those types, too. It'll be nice to...

[...to get away from it, but the thought is one Van cuts off abruptly. He can't afford to think like that, not when he needs to get back home, needs to get back to all the people who are counting on him.]

Ah...I've a rough idea where to go. The soldiers gave me directions, but...

[He makes a face and rolls his eyes.]

The writing here isn't anything like what's on Gaea. All I know is that I'm in the right city.

Well, that's a start. [ said with a good chunk of resigned sarcasm. ] D'you want a map? I'm sure I could Siri some directions into your phone or something like that.

[ just ignore the fact that Siri isn't a verb ]

A map won't help.

[He can't fucking read Earth's blocky scribbles, okay? It's all nonsense to him. Much like any mention of Siri, for that matter...]

I don't want you Siri-ing anything to my phone. [What does that even mean??] I'm fine. I'll find my own way back.

[Finally releasing his sword hilt, Van turns his attention to the pilot compartment above. Getting to it'll take climbing up his guymelef's frame, but that's nothing he hasn't done before, and nothing he'll get done just by standing around. With one final warning glance in the Doctor's direction, he starts his ascent up the robot's bent knee.]

[ The Doctor watches for a moment, tilting the sonic sunglasses down so he can look at Van properly...before he pushes the sunglasses back up on his face and just starts to follow Van towards the guymelef. ]

So what, you'll find your own way back by flying around until you run out of gas just hoping you'll run into your house? Great plan, not stupid in the slightest. [ He's sarcastic as shit and...now just is attempting to follow Van up the knee as well. ] Can you fit a navigator in there as well?

[Van doesn't get far in his climb before something the Doctor says gives him pause. Dropping back down rather suddenly, he rounds on the significantly taller man, his sword drawn in a flash, its blade like a ghost in the air until it rests cool against the Doctor's neck.]

I never said that Escaflowne could fly.

[ The Doctor, for what it's worth remains perfectly still despite the sword to his throat...though he gives Van a look that's pure "really???" ]

One, you said you pilot it. You pilot planes, not tanks or trains or boats. Two, it's a giant robot, all of those fly. [ said as if that's obvious enough. Haven't you seen like any 1970s giant robot show ever? ] Now if you want to sword fight, that's fine, give me a moment to get properly armed. Otherwise, put the weapon down before someone gets hurt.

No, they don't.

[But if that's really how the Doctor came to his conclusion, he's hardly dangerous.]

Only Zaibach guymelefs can fly...and Escaflowne.

[What's the point now in denying as much? After his reaction, the Doctor was sure to know the truth, and even if he couldn't put two and two together, he'd likely have believed whatever he wanted, anyway.

Van sighs and withdraws his sword, sheathing the blade again at his side.]

There's no reason for us to fight so long as you keep what you know to yourself. As for your other question...no, there isn't room inside for two. There's another way, though...

[ The Doctor knows he should be a LITTLE BIT WORRIED about that other way...and yet, he's got to ask. ]

What sort of other way?

It's probably easier if I just show you.

[Turning back to Escaflowne, Van scales up its steel frame and towards the energist chamber located on the front of the guymelef's chest, a large and dull stone that doesn't look like much...at least not until he reaches for it. When Van's hand comes near, the energist within the chamber responds with a brilliant flare of light that briefly illuminates the dark alley. It causes the armor to judder to life—and to transform before their very eyes, metal limbs folding in on themselves, snapping together, or coming apart, until the newly adopted form just barely resembles the old. Four legs instead of two, large wings instead of a cape, and a fearsome steel tail that juts out behind.

Van, of course, is riding atop the mechanical dragon, one hand gripping the reins, the other held out for the Doctor to take.]

You're not afraid of heights, I hope.

[ This is the best thing ever. The Doctor's just grinning as the guymelef shifts, turning and morphing into a giant robot metal dragon. This is absolutely wonderful and absolutely ridiculous and hell yeah, he's up for this! Grinning like a madman, the Doctor takes Van's hand and clambers up behind him. ]

Oh, I'm not afraid of heights in the slightest! Let's go!

[ He's on a giant robot metal dragon, this is so wonderful. ]

[Van's lips twitch, the beginnings of a smirk beginning to lift the corners of his mouth. It can't be helped. This old man is really something. Brave or crazy...maybe even both.]

I get the feeling you're not afraid of much.

[Not a brandished blade, nor the promise of frightening heights far above the city on the back of an unfamiliar guymelef. Van is a healthy combination of suspicious and impressed as he helps the Doctor settle in behind him.]

I'd say hold on, but...

[There really isn't much to hold onto.

Guess the Doctor will just have to try not to fall off as Van gives a tug on the reins and Escaflowne responds by pushing forward on all fours into the more open street ahead—and then, with a mighty beat of its wings and a forceful shove off the ground, they shoot upwards, far above the city's many glimmering lights and into the wide open airspace.]

[ The Doctor grips on with his legs as best he can, letting out a loud, wild laugh as the dragon pushes off the ground. This is fun. This is so much fun, aw man, the Doctor is enjoying this so much, he is riding a GIANT ROBOT DRAGON.

He just keeps laughing, enjoying this so much, having so much fun as the dragon takes off that he totally forgets that he's supposed to be telling Van directions. Whoops. ]

Can it do a loop? [ he's just a kid in a candy store right here ]

Of course, but aren't you afraid of falling?

[As if the Doctor's riotous laughter hasn't already answered Van's question. Even Merle and Hitomi, who'd both ridden in Escaflowne's hand as well as on the back of its dragon form, had the good sense to be cautious.]

Obviously not!

[ The Doctor responded, still grinning, still looking like he was having a ball. Being cautious is for losers. ]

[Glancing back over his shoulder at the Doctor, his thoughts mirror the other man's icon keywords...]

...right.

[He turns his attention back to the sky.]

First, tell me where I'm supposed to be going. I was told the residence number was one.

Oh, right!

[ The Doctor looks down to the ground, taking in the city skyline, quickly transferring it to a map of Heropa he knows. ] You see that road? The one with all the hedges along the side, four lanes in the highway. Keep following it until you see that large grocery center on the right, turn left then.

Got it!

[He shouts a warning for the Doctor to hold on tightly before setting off in the given direction—but only after he indulges his passenger in a quick aerial loop!

Unfortunately, as soon as they're on course again and the Doctor's butt is planted firmly and safely back on the dragon, Van's demeanor shifts from one more appropriate of his age to considerably more serious.]

...I'll need someplace out of view to land.

[ YEEEEEEEEAH, LOOPS ON A DRAGON!

The Doctor is certainly not acting his age and just lets out a loud whoop of excitement as Escaflowne loops. He's almost on the edge of bothering Van to do it again when right, he does need someplace out of view to land, it's a giant robot after all. ]

The backyard's slightly out of view but not entirely. There's a small copse of trees on some undeveloped property near the residential area—I assume for future houses if we keep popping up. You can land Escaflowne there for the time being.

I see it.

[And with no further word of warning, Van takes Escaflowne down at a steep angle towards the property the Doctor mentioned. It's not as out of the way as he'd like, but it'll do in a pinch...and until he can figure out what exactly he's going to do with his guymelef, where he's going to keep it. Or at least how he can make it disappear the way he'd made it appear in the first place.

Their landing is fairly smooth as Van pulls up and levels the dragon out before touching ground. And, as the steel beast settles, Van releases the reins so he can turn and gaze at the Doctor.]

You can't tell anyone about this.

[Not about Escaflowne, just...that it can fly.]

[ The Doctor sticks his arms out as they land, feeling the wind through his hair, just enjoying the moment. When they land, he looks more like a mad scientist than expected: he's put on the sonic sunglasses but his hair is sticking up all over the place.

And Van wants this a secret? Hell, the Doctor is perfectly fine with keeping this a secret. ]

If you want me to keep quiet, I can certainly keep this a secret! It's the least I can do, after all.

[It's really quite difficult to tell if the Doctor is taking this seriously or not, especially with his hair such a mess and those bizarre spectacles on his face.]

Good.

[With a frown, Van adds...]

Thank you. Now get down. I can't leave Escaflowne like this.

[ Wordless, the Doctor hops off of Escaflowne, smiling still, hair still a mess. ]

I hope you find somewhere better to store it, by the way.

[With the Doctor safely back on the ground, Van returns to the dragon's reins. Its transformation back into an armored suit is quick following that, albeit not uneventful...or quiet. With parts shifting and steam blowing, they're fortunate to have landed someplace more out-of-sight to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. But before long the robot is just as it had been in the alley...a kneeling armored suit that Van exits and drops down to the ground from.]

I'd like someplace better, too...but I doubt this world has guymelef hangars, and I don't exactly know how to unsummon it the way I summoned it.

[He looks back up at the guymelef, and then back to the Doctor.]

It just sort of happened when I was looking for it.

It's entirely possible that the Porter registered the guymelef as a superpower—it did that with my sonic sunglasses. I arrived here with them, can't really unsummon them or what have you...it's entirely possible your guymelef is just going to hang around forever.

[ The Doctor just talks about this like it's the most obvious thing ever, giving Van a little shrug. ]

A superpower?

[Well, to be perfectly honest, Van supposes that's possible, particularly if his understanding of superpowers is at all accurate. Escaflowne is bound to him by blood...

...which doesn't exactly resolve the issue of the guymelef sitting here in this copse, but it's better than the street, right?]

Maybe. In any case, it should be fine here for now. That is, if the residence I'm looking for isn't too far away?

Oh, yes. It's about a block down that way, [ said with an idle hand gesture down the street. ] I can show you, if you want.

[Van starts to say no, but thinking better of leaving the Doctor alone with Escaflowne, he says instead...]

You might as well. There's nothing I can do for you here to thank you for what little help you've offered.

I don't need thanks, [ the Doctor responds, with a little shrug. ] It's the least I could do, after all.

Right.

[Van starts walking. If the Doctor joins him, that's good. If not...Van just hopes he doesn't do something that'll result in a seven ton metal giant falling over on him.]

If you're not coming, that's fine. But try not to do anything stupid.

[Reckless. He means reckless, but Van's manners are sometimes a little coarse.]

Scuze you, I don't do stupid things. I just do things without thinking.

[ He knows what Van means. ]

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[CLOSED] Course I need to know

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