pokebox | LOCKED TO nullorvoid

LOCKED TO nullorvoid

[How many people can say that they've woken up with no memories of who they are or what they've been through? Probably not very many, and he's one of the unlucky few. A lack of memories is only one concern, however; this place is foreign in every sense of the word and even though he's been here for a few days, he's still learning how to handle the environment he's been placed in. He knows that it's a bar and he understands that these games are played to determine what happens to a person's soul, but there are plenty of questions to be asked. He just hasn't had enough time to ask them all yet.

He thinks his name is Archer, but even that's not clear. There's a strange militaristic-looking uniform in the back of his closet, but it looks bulky and uncomfortable, so he hasn't tried it on. It had a tag on it with the name Archer, so that's what he's been calling himself. Not that anyone's asked, of course, but he supposes that's just how things work around here. He has a boss he works with daily, but he doesn't know the guy's name. There are some others he's seen around, but he doesn't know any of their names either, or who they are or why any of this is happening. He's kept quiet and observed everything, but things still aren't any clearer than they were when he woke up several days ago with no memories whatsoever.

This morning is no different from the previous ones. Archer gets up, gets dressed (the uniform he wears is simple: a black dress shirt and slacks, accompanied by a white tie) and spends a moment fixing his hair. He isn't sure why he always slicks his hair back, but this is what he's done since he woke up so perhaps it's some sort of remnant of who he was before whatever happened that caused him to lose his memories. For a moment he considers how pale he looks before shrugging it off as usual.

Archer is prompt as always, entering the bar and immediately looking around for anything out of place or in need of cleaning. He's not entirely sure how this place is always so neat, since he doubts his boss is the one keeping everything perfectly clean. The desire to make himself useful is one that's helpful in this situation, but it's a bit odd if he thinks about it. He doesn't even know the situation or why he's here, why should he want to help any of these people out? He doesn't allow himself to think about it, instead heading toward the bar to see if his boss is already here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[If it'd been up to Ginti, Archer wouldn't still be here. He would have had his memories erased again, and it would have been done right this time around, and he would have been encouraged to play the game and then he would have gotten kicked right out to wherever he belongs. Hell, if that hadn't worked then maybe he could have been sent to Decim; Decim's the odd duck around here, he likes things like this. Maybe he'd find this guy "interesting" too.

But Nona'd had other ideas; she'd shown up after the initial phone call, and there wasn't really much choice but to listen to her because when Nona shows up in person it's generally a sign that she means business and if you're not careful that business is going to end with a hammerpunch to your spine, and he'd really prefer to not have her grey him out in front of one of their..."customers."

So. Here Archer is, as little as Ginti likes it, and...well, here he is, and he's looking about as enthused to be here as ever.]

You're early.

[It's said in such a vague, bored tone that it's difficult to tell whether he considers that a good thing or not; clearly, we're all going to have a good morning today.]

Is that a problem?

[He isn't being sarcastic, it's a genuine question. That said, Archer doesn't look concerned at all. His expression could probably be described as "mildly interested" at best, but it's not like his expressions are usually very vibrant anyway.]

I could always wait in my room for another ten minutes if you'd prefer.

[...That one was sarcastic.]

[So much eyerolling. So much. Maybe a vaguely irritated noise for your effort, are you proud?]

Very funny. Just because you're not my first choice in assistants doesn't mean I'm not going to put you to work.

I don't mind that. It's better than sitting around doing nothing.

[That's not a pointed jab, actually. Sure, he hasn't really seen his boss do much, but he's not purposefully throwing insults.]

What do you want me to do?

[And for all that irritation just a second ago, Ginti just shrugs at that, toying with one of the kokeshi dolls set up on the bar as he does so.]

You've been organizing everything since you showed up. Don't let me stop you now.

[He pauses for a moment. Smirks a bit.]

You're better at it than Memine is, anyway.

[And as though on cue, that black cat jumps up onto the bar; she doesn't waste much time in rubbing up against Ginti's arm, practically asking for pettings to ensue, and he doesn't hesitate in dispensing them, the movement almost automatic as he lets his fingers trail down her spine.]

Ah, is that the name of your cat?

[He's seen her around (and given her quite a few pets when he's sure the boss isn't looking) but Archer never thought to ask for her name. Then again, he's never thought to ask for his boss' name either.]

She seems very nice.

[And wouldn't you know it, it may not get Ginti to relax any and he's still got some spectacular resting bitchface going on, but at least he seems pretty okay with talking about the cat, if that's what we're going to do. Just look like you're busy while we do it, got it?]

She's helpful; she probably knows how to run the games as well as I do by now. About the only thing she can't do is bartend, but apparently a lack of thumbs does that.

[He's not really sure what to do with the assertion that the cat seems nice, though; it's not like he really has any experience with non-Memine cats. For all he knows all cats act exactly like she does - or maybe they're all complete hellspawn and she's an exception, he wouldn't know.

He's not about to ask, though. Memine is Memine and that's all there is to it, as far as he's concerned.]

[Oh don't worry about that, he'll be taking care of cleaning the tables even though they don't look like they need to be cleaned!]

That's certainly understandable. I suppose that's good for you though; it means she won't be putting you out of a job any time soon.

[He's smirking like an asshole, but the teasing isn't anything too bad.]

[He'll take douchey smirking over...whatever Clavis does on a regular basis with his face, at least.]

If any cat could do my job in the first place, she probably could.

[...Because his cat is the best cat, okay.]

She might have a bit of a difficult time explaining the situation and the rules.

[But hey, he's not going to argue any! She seems pretty smart; he's not sure if all cats are like this or not, but this one definitely seems to understand what's going on.]

Hence the "if." It's not like cats really have it in them to pass judgement, either.

[Most things don't, really; he's absolutely certain of that, anyway.]

Why is she so different?

[Is she just a magical cat or something, because nothing would surprise him at this point.]

[...Oh, boy, here we go.]

...Different to what?

Than other cats. She's not like others, is she?

[Of course he isn't entirely sure about that since he can't remember any other cats, but she definitely seems smarter.]

[And that just gets another of those agitated sounds out of him.]

Are you here to talk, or are you here to work?

[...Well, it's not like he was expecting any answer. It would have been nice though.]

I don't see why I can't do both, but if you'd really like me to be quiet I suppose I can comply.

[You can probably hear the eye-rolling.]

At least you take orders well.

[Hell if he knows why.]

Just don't be annoying.

[...So of course he's going to follow up the...vague not-praise with something practically designed to be confusing if one tries to act on it. Sure.]

[You know, he's not sure if that's actually supposed to be praise or not, but it sort of sounds like praise, so he'll take it. Maybe his opinion's got something to do with that military uniform in the closet though, who knows.

Of course he adds that on and Archer has to refrain from sighing. He's really not sure how you expect him to follow that one.]

Is there anything else you'd like me to do?

[He's all done over here and everything looks perfect in his opinion.]

Ah, and I'm assuming you have more... guests coming soon?

[Ah, right, the...guests. Always a thrill a minute. It's easier to talk about that than try to figure out what to tell Archer otherwise, though; he still has no idea what he's supposed to do with the guy.]

I'd be told if I had the day off; I'm just waiting on memories. I don't decide when they show up.

I see.

[He's tempted to ask what that's like, both getting the memories and watching these games with full knowledge of what these people can remember. The latter sounds fun.]

How long have you been doing this?

[He approaches the bar, but he doesn't sit and he stays away from those dolls, just to be safe.]

[Ginti sighs a bit at that, the motion sort of irritated, though it's less because he's terribly annoyed at the question and more because he doesn't get why it matters.

He leans up against the bar, though, running his hand over Memine's spine again when she promptly bumps her head up against his chest.]

Five years - so not nearly as long as some of the others in this place, and I'll probably still be here long after they're gone.

How long do most people do this?

[Yes, yes, he knows you're irritated, but this is fascinating stuff!]

And what do you care? It's not like this is ever going to be your damn job.

[He falls into sullen silence for a moment after that's out there, continuing to pet Memine; whether this is going to be Archer's job or not, dealing with Archer is apparently part of his for the time being.

His tone hasn't softened any next time he speaks, but at the very least it's something.]

...Maybe ask Nona about it next time she comes down here. She'd know more about that than I would, anyway.

Edited 2015-03-22 21:38 (UTC)

[It won't? That's a shame. Why is he here if he's not being taught how to do the job? He decides to keep that question to himself. His expression hasn't altered any, but Archer's suddenly found something on the wall over there really fascinating.

He glances over at Ginti when his boss speaks up again. It's an interesting statement and he can only assume that there are two reasons for the words. The first is that Ginti simply doesn't know how long most people work this job and the second is that he doesn't want to say, or possibly isn't allowed to say. Archer isn't sure which is the more plausible idea, so he'll simply let it go with a nod.]

Perhaps I will.

[He's silent for a moment before trying to brute force a topic change.]

...You haven't received the memories yet, have you?

Are you that eager to get going?

[...]

You really like watching these things, don't you.

LOCKED TO nullorvoid

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject