Already choking on my pride [OPEN]

[hellshot]

WHO: Reaper hellshot and OPEN
WHERE: Within the Fleet, some automated cafeteria
WHEN: Various times within the month, whenever he needs to eat.
WHAT: Reaper needs nutrients, touchscreens aren't his friend.
WARNINGS: Possible mention of how horridly deformed he is under his mask. It's bad.


[Dark fingernails tap against the metal counter he's currently standing in front of. If he wasn't wearing a mask, it would be easy to see the look of frustration on Reaper's face with his current predicament, so for now, the only way of knowing that the ghost of a man is pissed off is the wisps of black fog escaping from under aforementioned mask.

He hadn't gone on the previous mission with Sombra, and he had no interest in rescue missions, either. Which meant he hadn't seen the field of battle in little over a month--which meant he hadn't been taking in new nutrients from his surroundings to keep his body from decaying to a point of discomfort. Which meant he had to partake in his least favourite of activities: Eating.

Eating was difficult enough when your face was barely suited for it--but when the cafeteria closest to his living quarters was a fully automated one? It was like a really bad joke. Touchscreens worked when pressure was applied with an electrical charge--human skin was a great conductor for said electrical charge. Dead flesh didn't hold any sort of charge. So this was his predicament. He couldn't eat if he couldn't get the damn screen to work.

Frustrated, Reaper finally turns his head to glare at the individual waiting for their turn after him. He hated asking for help, so instead:]

Work this damn thing for me and I'll pay for your food, too.

[He's too tired for this bullshit today.]

Comments

[hellshot]

[Part of him almost prefers the more melancholic attitude, mostly for his own sake. Dealing with flowery, over-the-top people isn't in his book of talents. Something he really has to get over.

But when Karamatsu brings up Reaper's offer to help him, he's actually somewhat surprised.]

...Ha. So you actually remember that.

Here I'd figured you'd forgotten for convenience, or you weren't actually interested.

[glitterpants]

_{[ I think everyone prefers his melancholic attitude. It's less to take in at one time; it's more genuine to who he actually is. But he doesn't really like who he really is, so why would anyone else? ]}

I don't forget the people who care about me.
<sub>[ Reaper probably wouldn't call it care, but that's the way Karamatsu sees it. This guy wants to train him, to help him, to prevent anything from happening to him.

That's care. ]</sub>

[hellshot]

[Oh, that old feeling of self-loathing--he knows it well enough. But those thoughts aside, his head actually jerks to look down at Karamatsu with an odd, almost confused expression when he speaks again.]

...Presumptuous of you. [Because he doesn't see things the way Karamatsu does, but he can at least see where he'd gotten that conclusion.]

But if that's how you feel, I should make a schedule for you, then.

[glitterpants]

_{[ Karamatsu seems pleased with Reaper's change in conversation to an actual time to train. He wants to learn how to protect others more than actually defend himself, and maybe one day he'll beat the crap out of somebody and like it, but for now.. he just doesn't want to die. ]}

I am seeing Washington early in the morning before I work.. perhaps I can see you in the evening.
_{[ he'll be exhausted, and he might complain and be difficult, but.. NEET life. ]}

[hellshot]

[Washington--another name he recognised.]

Every morning? [An important question.] Washington is a mercenary too. Don't know how good a one, but if you're already working with him, then maybe there's hope for you yet.

[Having two of the most jaded mercs on the Eluvio training with you... Karamatsu, you've got your work cut out for you.]

[glitterpants]

Every morning.. when we both can. I've learned a lot so far.
_{[ His eyebrows lift up slightly at Reaper's remark. Hope for him yet? He'd like that. For most of his adult life he's been a pretty hopeless guy. He cups his chin, one of his smirks appearing. ]}

Hmph. Do you often offer assistance so easily to strangers?
_{[ or is he special? ]}

[hellshot]

You'll have to tell me what Washington is already teaching you. So I can either expand on it, or give you symbiotic lessons.

[Claws on the ends of his glove reach up, and he scratches his neck idly, as if thinking about the others' question.]

...Hah. Not a chance.

I don't know. Maybe I just have a penchant for adopting cases that seem hopeless.

I like the challenge.

[glitterpants]

_{[ claws... how spooky...
anyway.. thy get their food??? however that works.. let the poor dead man eat his food.. ]}

If you say so. It does not matter, I suppose. I am just honored you are willing to assist me.
_{[ He's not denying or confirming Reaper's words, one hand lifting to rake his fingers along the side of his hair. ]}

[hellshot]

[Please let him eat and escape this life.]

'Honoured'.

Save that until you're done with your first day. [You might not be so grateful when you feel dead on your feet.

In any case, he grabs up his tray, the automated machine having finally spitting their order out thank god. He waves a hand as he turns and walks away, not bothering to wait for Karamatsu.]