[Video]

[ironforged]

[he takes some time to peruse the materials, listen to the hologram, and note maps and things, all the while bemused. He would say it was a dream only he can't remember the last time he's slept. And in that other sleep he doesn't dream, thank whoever, so he knows it's not that.

So a kidnapping, is it? The Soul Court is going to be pissed. Joseph can't help but smirk a little at that. He's glad and a little apprehensive to have slipped the leash for a while.

He mulls a little over what he finds and then decides to see who or what else is out there. It feels a little awkward introducing himself; like those college orientation classes all over again. But a bit of awkwardness never hurt anyone.


Still when the feed clicks on he's standing a little stiffly, gloved hand on the sleek black sheathed sword at his side.]

Uh... hello... My name is Joseph Fukuzawa.... I enjoy... uh... reading... parasailing... and uh... horseback riding.

[this is going well. Excellent job, Joe.]

By occupation... I'm a Ghost Eater for the Soul Court... and if that has uh...meaning to anyone... let me know. If not... um... [scratches his nose]

...

Hi?

[his ears might be completely red at this point. Public speaking. Not his thing]

Comments

[youfool]

Ted dutifully refilled. Surely someone in his line of work had a body and spirit of iron, and this almost certainly wouldn't kill them. Yep. Thankfully, they'd touched ground, and could now go straight off the elevator...and on to the automated walkways. Yes, Nova City is so in love with efficiency and technology that even their walking is done mostly by machines. Ain't the future grand?

"What a perilous line of work you've undertaken." And Ted likes that. Heck, he loves, making a mental note to talk this guy into assisting with his future work himself. But he had to make absolutely sure such dangerous work didn't blow up in their faces. "Once these spirits are brought to the Gate, though, then all's well? Nothing untoward awaits? Or is there yet more numinous danger?"

[ironforged]

[he waits to take a sip until the elevator has landed but the slidewalk doesn't seem to be much better for... various reasons. He swallows and if there is a railing he will grip it and if not try to maintain his balance]

Better... better than the alternative... [finishes the rest of it and hands the cup back to the guy. Pls don't refill it he... he probably shouldn't have anymore]

I don't 'bout the Gate... It's...the Gate. I give... the vial to the Court and they take them through the Gate. Of course... some people say that... sometimes things get out that shouldn't but what do I know right? I"m just a... just a Ghost Eater.

[youfool]

If it wasn't for the slurred speech, Ted just may have committed his first manslaughter. Thankfully, words were one of the few things he paid complete attention to. Usually. And what interesting words they were. Ted doubted, through experience, the presence of any one inhabitant's particulars, save of course for his own favorite. The mist, the Gate, all sounded very far off. A pity, he wanted to see them. He hoped Joseph wasn't too attached to it, else he might be tempted into opening a subarchway, leading to goodness knows what when it came to his Ghost Eater business.

Conclusion? Ted trusted the guy. He seemed earnest and nothing about what he was doing seemed fishy. Dangerous, yes, but not wrong or seriously in conflict with what ought to happen to lingering ghosts. "How humble. If only your job title suggested something less off-putting. Maybe shepard or servant of Charon. Speaking of humility, where is your humble home? I think we should drop you off and let sobriety have its say." What's that? First day arrivals aren't properly set up yet? Must have slipped his mind.

[ironforged]

It's my job. It's what I do... I've tasted memories of a thousand years... [his forehead ruffles in thought] It's a little like burnt cantaloupe mixed with purple.

[an acquired taste really but he's had the time to acquire it]

Charon is reaper division. [a grin, though he realizes somewhere in the muddled recesses of his mind that this guy probably won't get the injoke. Oh well.]

I live in the mists. Just behind a whisper. Just ahead of a thought. [he grips the guy's shoulder and gives him a serious look though doesn't meet his eyes] That... that's in the manual. [he shakes his head] I didn't make it up...

[youfool]

"Ah, you're a....what's that word...synesthesiac! How fascinating." Ted kinda wanted to taste colors too, having worn so many, but alas, his five senses were perfectly plain. Normally one would laugh off what were almost certainly drunken ravings. Ted was somewhat plaintive, feeling that this was all fine poetry or verse that was lost on his dull mind. Oh well, there's always jokes.

"Mmm, but as we concluded, the mists haven't found you yet, so plainer homes must be had. I should like to see this manual of yours, by the way. So no lodging, then?"

[ironforged]

[he blinks. Nods. Shrugs.]

No I don't want to go to the Am.. Am... The Japanese Inn... it's too... traditional... and I would show you the manual but it's on ...

it's on my other horse.

[another joke, accompanied by a wavery sort of smile]

[youfool]

First time he's ever heard someone reject that popular establishment out of being too ordinary. "You like horses? I've always wanted to ride. You'll have to show me either of them some time. Well, what sort of house would you prefer?" Ted could kind of provide, but it's...really weird.

[ironforged]

[the slidewalk keeps going and going and it's starting make his insides churn to watch everyone go past and the world sliding by]

No no... it was a joke. Listen... listen...


listen...[he holds up a finger, and then turns and horks on a slidewalk going the other way. Fortunately doesn't seem to hit anyone but it's not pleasant either.

Just... give him a moment alright? His tolerance isn't what it used to be]

[youfool]

But what, Joseph? What was a joke? The horses? He can live with that. There are other mares. The establishment? That'd be a relief, for it's the easiest place to plop him down. Whatever it is, he has Ted's undivided attention.

Oh dear. Ted wonders if there's some sort of procedure for this. He knew CPR and the Heimlich, though neither seemed to fit. Soon one of the janitorbots ought to come along and sterilize the mess out of existence. In the meantime, Ted fished in his bag again, producing a cloth and some extra-strength breath mints. Always be prepared. Who knows, maybe that would flush out his system and he'd be ready to talk sense.

"...you were saying?"

[ironforged]

[Joseph takes the breath mints but doesn't do anything with them]

I want to get off. [so woozy] I do...don't know where to go just... just... not here...

[youfool]

That was a puzzle. These automatic sidewalks were everywhere. And the cabs weren't much better, in addition to being more expensive. He could stuff him in his bag and tote him off...what is he thinking? No, he'll just have to endure. Be strong, Joseph, like when you led the Jews out of Egypt.

"Just a little farther yet. Sorry, that drink was probably stronger than necessary." Understatement of the year.

[ironforged]

No.. I'm... I'm not used to it... we don't drink... [he wipes his mouth] spirits in the mist. Just eat them. [an unsteady grin but then he grips his stomach again]

Sorry for... [gestures over his shoulder and nearly falls over]

[youfool]

Ted's reflexes snapped to steady the man. "All right, enough apologies. Let's see about finding somewhere still." He took out his phone and used the app for the nearest motel, greedily praying it wouldn't be too pricy. [ooc: randomly rolling 1-4 gets...3, decent motel. Safe!]

Ted winced. His financial situation wasn't the greatest, but he had to play the Good Samaritan regardless. Darn him and his ready drinks! Ted would assist as much as he was able to get the staggering man to the futuristic inn-keeper, handing over the bills for a day and asking to be forwarded any other expenses. "Inebriation wasn't quite the first day either of us had in mind, I think. Let me know once you've shaken it off."

[ironforged]

I will... and thanks... thanks for everything. [he grabs his hand and gives it a few unsteady shakes before weaving into the room, leaning heavily on the arm of the eye-rolling innkeeper.

As he's lead in he begins to sing warblingly under his breath:]

Daisy ...Daisy give me your answer do