001 - [CONSOLE | VIDEO]

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Sanzo did not look... pleased to say the least. Hair in disarray, dark bruise blooming on one cheekbone, and dirt on his robes suggesting he might of fallen on the way to whatever console he sat at. The heavy breathing and sweat gave anyone viewing a decent guess as to how. More striking was how...on edge he was. Scared even? He was doing his best to hide it if he was, but there was a clear nervousness about him. He glanced back before he said anything, shoulders jumping like someone just out of view had said something.]

That earthquake- whatever you call it- a few minutes ago. Half an hour ago, I don't know. Not long ago.

[It was late evening at the earliest, what light there was outside fading fast. Despite his appearance and heavy breathing, Sanzo's voice was fairly even. Not that he sounded happy.]

I found that child, that something with the wide eyes and the thing with fucking up the power wherever it's at. Several times. It didn't do shit for some eight or nine times.

[He's either avoiding looking at the console or keeping an eye out for something. He looks to either side often.]

I managed to bind the thing. Screamed like hell and- pulled me somewhere, I think it had a hold on me more than the other way around. It was dark, I couldn't move or breathe. It was so fucking dark.

[Another look over his shoulder, gaze sharp, what could be seen of him, tense. His breathing was only barely easing, maybe it wasn't the run alone making it so ragged...]

There were lights still, small and distant. They were all people, I don't know how many. I could see the shapes of people in the lights and I was lit up too. You think you find the weirdest shit here and then- It made some sort of sound, or looked like it was, I haven't heard anything like it and- fuck- I don't know how to explain how that felt. Like it was trying to tear at me, but not physical or mental.

[Alarm flashed across his expression all of the sudden and he glanced down at a string of red beads around his left wrist, the soul gem it held hidden from view of the camera. He wiped a streak of sweat and dirt above the red dot on his forehead, seemingly relieved. Momentarily.]

With these soul gems in mind... Is there anything here that could attack someone's soul directly? Anyone have any idea what that creature was? It held me for seconds at most, it felt like a lot longer. A lot longer.

[Sanzo looked for a moment like he might cut the feed and leave but he suddenly stopped and glanced to the side with a barely audible "He's going to kill me."]

Comments

[no_light]

[So he barely understands a word of what has been said, and little of that can be blamed on Sanzo being shaken. More like, this is all still painfully new to him, and Sanzo is obviously in no state to be giving proper explanations. So...]

Were you injured in the attack? And do you have any indication that there will be more attacks, unprovoked ones at that?

[If in doubt, straight to the points which are of concern to him.]

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Sanzo, can, at least, appreciate someone who wants direct, no bullshit answers, even if it's not helpful to him.]

No injuries I'm aware of. The child doesn't seem able to do more than hold and frighten others for now. As for unprovoked attacks, I doubt it. I was doing this all deliberately to get more information.

[no_light]

I'm not easily frightened by spectres. [At least not by spectres that aren't of his own past. These would be bound to terrify him.]

What you gained, was it worth the risks you took? I'm new to this place, and its phenomenons, but I'm trying to learn.

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Sanzo imeadatly felt less forgiving about the questions.]

In case you weren't paying attention: I'm trying to get information on this thing to even figure out if this was a waste of time or not.

[Sanzo let out an annoyed huff, clearly not too shaken to not get annoyed eventually.]

I've taken bigger risks than this. If you want to learn, go looking for the kid.

[no_light]

I will!

[And he would, he promises himself. If only out of sheer spite.]

It didn't seem to do a lot of damage to you. I was merely trying to avoid wasting my time as well.

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Good, maybe the kid would keep him...]

I appreciate being your test dummy.

[no_light]

[ Who wouldn't want to keep him? He's so charming. ]

You volunteered to be everyone's test dummy. I'd have told you not to take such a risk.

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Sanzo was getting increasingly fed up with this.]

...So you can take the risk like a big dumb hero? You really look the type.

[no_light]

I never said that!

[ Okay, and now he's full-on scowling. ]

And what's that about how I look? What are you trying to imply?!

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Sanzo could more than match that scowl. He was well practiced.]

Tch. Well you don't look like a hero, but you sure look like an idiot.

[no_light]

[He doesn't even remember why they are fighting, but he's sure determined to win this scowl-off.]

And you act like an idiot, running around poking at things you don't understand!

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Whether Sanzo knows why they're fighting or not is irrelevant, scowling at someone makes him feel better.]

With the intent to understand it, before it does further damage! I'm not the jackass that plans to go after it when I just told you what the little shit can do.

[no_light]

[Squabbling has value in itself. It's a great hobby.]

Well I'm knowledgeable in the Dark Side of the Force, and one of the strongest Force users of my time! I have been trained to handle such incidents!

[Because ghostbusting is one of the main Jedi activities. Right.]

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Something they could agree on! If they weren't currently having a verbal slap fight, that is.]

Are you joking or is that supposed to mean something to me? You look less "dark" and more like someone kicked a dog in the face.

[no_light]

And you sound like a man who is going to be in extreme pain if he doesn't learn to shut up!

[ UGH. Why is this guy so annoying? Unlike himself, who is the very picture of charming, of course. ]

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Sanzo was fully aware he was being an asshole. All part of the coping. He did not look that impressed at the "threat."]

Try that one again, more growl in your voice. I've heard that one a lot and you aren't sizing up to the guys I put bullets through yet.

[no_light]

And you're not sizing up to the men who pleaded for their lives before I cut them in two!

[ Better now? More growl? More growl. Ugh. He hates snarky people who aren't him. ]

[badly_behaved_priest]

That was a better try but I'm still not feeling it. [It was taking a lot of willpower for Sanzo not to laugh. Sanzo only considered it a normal week if at least one day involved body parts flying through the air.]

Try being an actual fucking threat and maybe you'll get somewhere.

[Sanzo just didn't like people in general.]

[no_light]

[ At least there is one thing they can agree on. ]

I will show you! Just you wait, I'll... [ Grrrrr. ] I'll remind you of your words!

[ So close to rage-quitting. Ranting just ain't as fun when the other guy isn't right there to hack'n'slash. ]

[badly_behaved_priest]

[Sanzo lost the fight against laughing. He was too stressed right now to have good regulation of his emotions. Still, he did his best to duck his head and hide everything but shaking shoulders and a shit-eating grin when he looked back up.]

I'll keep that in mind and remember to put you in your place if I ever have the misfortune of meeting you face to face. If you can call that a face.

[no_light]

[Grrr!

And here comes the rage-quitting. With a side dish of extra rage.

That console is sure gonna be dead once he is done slashing at it.]