001. Another place and time without a great divide

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ Ladon has pretty much gotten himself settled in his new room, at his new school, in this new world. Considering all the new information he's had shoved down his throat since appearing here, he's taking it all pretty well, busily rationing out the money he'd been given by his sponsor and squirreling the rest away in a new bank account. So far he's spent little-- a new case for his tommy gun, a couple spare hats and some clothing, and now that he's got all of that put away in room A205, he's headed out to get a look around the Garden.

He pauses momentarily by room A201, as if expecting something, but then shakes his head and continues on his way. It isn't long before he's found the cafeteria, and he stands there, frowning up at the menu, hands tucked in the pockets of his coat. ]

Ain't a damn thing on there I can eat...

Comments

[turnip-rage.livejournal.com]

[]

Well tough. It's something off there, or go out and buy something.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ Ladon shrugs, tugs his hat down. ] Not hungry anyway.

[ Then he gets a look at the person-- creature-- lizard addressing him.

Cue awkward silence. ]

[turnip-rage.livejournal.com]

[]

Please yourself. Just don't complain about it when you are hungry.

[]

What? Never seen a chameleon before?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Figure it out when that happens. [ He eyes Espio. ] Dunno. Ain't never talked t'somethin' so... pink.

[turnip-rage.livejournal.com]

[] Is there a problem with pink? Besides, it's purple, and it's my natural colour. Holding another colour too long is too much effort.

[.]

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Kinda stand out. Like a stuffed animal, yeah? [ He frowns then folds his arms, leaning against one of the cafeteria tables. ] Guessin' talkin' animals ain't a big deal where you come from.

[turnip-rage.livejournal.com]

Stuffed animal?

[]

We're not animals, we're people! I'd never seen humans before I came here!

[]

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Where I come from, lizards're animals. [ Oh, the hypocrisy. But he's used to it by now, and so nothing in his body language registers his revulsion to his own words. ] But they don't normally carry on conversations, yeah?

[turnip-rage.livejournal.com]

Well I can. Obviously.

You're in another world. It's not a huge stretch to have "talking lizards." So, deal with it.

[]

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Don't got a problem with it. S'interestin'. [ He smirks a little. ] Prob'ly a lot stranger t'be surrounded by humans when you ain't used to 'em.

[turnip-rage.livejournal.com]

[]

Yeah well, I got used to it.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Don't really got a choice in the matter, yeah?

[turnip-rage.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

[]

Better get my lunch, I guess.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ Ladon nods, without saying another word, and heads off to continue looking about the Garden. ]

[fierybluebird]

Allergies?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ Ladon blinks, tugs on the brim of his hat. ] Somethin' like that. Y'know if they let us go 'bout cookin' our own food?

[fierybluebird]

Maybe. They have vegetarian menus. And a while back a bunch of people were eating Rexaur steaks.

What can you eat?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

S'less what. [ He tucks his hands into his pocket again. ] S'more how. If it ain't cooked 'nough, s'a problem for me, yeah?

[fierybluebird]

[Nods head.]

You like it borderline burnt?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Burnt's better, but can do borderline.

[fierybluebird]

That shouldn't be too hard to manage. If nothing else, grab some food and set it on fire.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Not sure I wanna go gettin' a reputation as the genius who set the Garden on fire just yet, yeah? Just showed up here, got plenty of time t'go 'bout embarrassin' myself.

[fierybluebird]

Here, hold on a second. [Why yes, Marco is checking out his cheat!book of rules. Lucky for Ladon he ran into the master of finding as many loopholes in the rules as he can.]

Well it doesn't say we can't go back there. And there's a Home Ec. class and club, so we should be able to borrow their kitchens easy. Just keep it a secret for now, eh?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ Ladon peers around Marco's shoulder, curious. ] Huh. S'a handy li'l book you got there.

[fierybluebird]

Yeah, I'm on the Disciplinary Committee, believe it or not. 4 months ago if you asked me where I'd be, I'm pretty sure it would be polar opposite of that, eh.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

You from 'nother world?

[fierybluebird]

Yeah. Aren't you?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ He nods. ] Heard there's a good few of us.

[ He hesitates for a moment, then steels himself up and asks: ] S'there... been a guy named Hei here? Dark hair, dark eyes, kinda short?

[fierybluebird]

[Slowly shakes his head with a small frown. He hates that everyone's friends gets split up.]

Sorry, no. Not that I know everyone here, the Garden is pretty huge, eh? But I try to get to know the off-worlders at least. He could still show up though.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ He had a feeling in his gut that would be the answer. He nods solemnly. ] Yeah, thanks.

M'Ladon, by the way.

[fierybluebird]

Marco. [Offers a hand to shake.] Hei a nakama?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

[ Ladon takes his hand and gives it a firm shake. As firm as a skinny guy like him can, anyway. ] S'a nakama?

[fierybluebird]

Friend, crew mate, traveling companion. You don't always like each other or get along, but you're practically family so no matter what you've got each other's back.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Sounds like some people I got at home. [ He looks down. ] S'a real close friend, yeah? Was just hopin'... S'been a while now.

[fierybluebird]

Yeah. It'll be okay though. Nothing can beat friends you've had for years, but the people here are pretty friendly for the most part. Making more friends is a breeze at least.

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Mmm. S'good to know. 'Til I can get back home, anyway. [ Not that he has much to look forward to back in Nieve anyway. He nods to Marco. ] Thanks.

[fierybluebird]

[Nods.]

Any time. You want help sneaking through the food?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Ain't hungry right now, just doin' some scopin' out of the place. If I'm gonna be stuck goin' to school like a kid, should at least learn m'way around, yeah?

[fierybluebird]

Oh, so you're not a kid?

[rustigedraak.livejournal.com]

Look younger'n I am.

[fierybluebird]

Always a good way to be.