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[There's a bit too much chaos to deal with it while the flash mob is still going, but as soon as things settle down, for some relative value of settling down, Hijikata's straight on to business.]

If this is your first jaunt: don't panic, try to blend in.

Some of our number are going to think they belong in this world. If you can hear this, then obviously, you're not one of them. Keeping an eye on our infiltrators is usually our second clue to figuring out what the hell we're supposed to be doing here.

Our first one is when we arrive in the middle of some shitstorm like this, though - that usually means something. So it's sounding like this one's got to do with... [A slight noise of frustration. This is not his wheelhouse.] Romantic shit? Valentine's Day? If any of you are experts, now would be a good time to tell the rest of us. Or if you know a lot about, I don't know, weddin-

[Actually, no, this is not how he wants to start wedding planning, he is going to cut himself the hell off there. Embarrassedly.]

We usually start by checking in, anyway, so if you're still yourself, speak up. If you've noticed anyone is definitely an infiltrator, tell us that, too; you might as well save us the trouble of saying something really goddamned stupid to them while we're trying to figure it out.

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[ They do look soft.. Inigo sort of wonders if they feel like actual cat ears too, but.. okay, no, he's totally not going to burn his fingers on that one. Instead he just replies. ]

No.

[ Sorry, heichou.. apparently the Trumps decided their own ~~tramp stamp~~ tattoo was already enough for him. ]

.. although I have found that something.. odd does happen around me a lot since we've arrived here. [ He's not sure if it's on the same level of the embarrassment ladder as cats ears though. After all, they're.. cat ears.. on a person.. ]

[OH COME ON.........]

...Fuck.

[(They totally do feel like regular cat ears, and now that Levi knows they do he's torn on whether or not he wants to touch them again.

HE LIKES CATS OKAY JUST NOT SORT OF BEING ONE.)]

Odd like what?

[If he's self-conscious that he seems to be the one of the few affected- he is- he isn't showing it in any other way besides the slight droop to the offending feature. Time to move on to something productive..!

And also turn away from the mirror. Until he can find a hood or something he'll be keeping his appearance off of the network.]

[ SHARE THE SOFT FLUFFY CAT EARS WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP, LEVI.

But no, okay, at least Inigo won't make fun of him for it. Mostly since Levi is scary as hell, but he's probably also trying out of consideration.. Inigo's a good guy.. and he'll at least offer his own problem in return, hoping that the other guy will be considerate enough to not make fun of him as well over it. ]

Er.. well, that is.. [ It's so much easier to just show it?! But he doesn't have the skills for it, so Inigo just awkwardly tries to describe it. ]

It seems that every time I experience a strong emotion, I.. sparkle.

[ Yes. That's a thing. ]

[Levi's the sort of person who'd rather deal with other people's problems than his own and so this works for him. With any luck he might be able to do something about it- you know, be productive and useful??

Fat fucking chance- those vain hopes and dreams are very thoroughly dashed by Inigo's answer. Why is there nothing... To cut up here?? He's almost wishing the Trumps had replaced his memories here. He just can't... Win.

But neither can Inigo, apparently:]

You... Sparkle?

[He's definitely not laughing, so there's that.]

Involuntarily?

[ Cut up his sparkles, Levi. You can do it. Just go for it.

But Inigo noticably sounds a little awkward as he answers that - you know, even mentally. Mentally awkward, a feat that only Inigo of all people is capable of. ]

Do you really think me the sort of person who would sparkle voluntarily..? [ He knows it would suit his whole over the top act and all, but he's still a little unsure if that's really the impression he's leaving on people now?? It's one way to conquer his shyness, that's for sure.. ]

[It can't be more pointless than popping balloon animals with his 3DMG blades, so...]

...Good point. [He isn't, really- that was a stupid question.] But you're sure it's connected to your emotions...?

[That's... Well, honestly, it makes more sense than the sort of magic Armin does, the kind that comes from literally nothing. And emotions are powerful, there's no arguing against that.

Hm.]

If that's really how things work here it might explain the crappy little breeze that's been following me around.

[Making his hair and the ends of his uniform jacket ~flutter majestically~, as u do. Levi's emotions are 'turbulent' at the best of times- especially now, with all of the things he's feeling and stubbornly not sharing- and he can acknowledge that. It's mostly died down since he's been talking- who'd have thought that interacting with other people would have that effect...??

Or maybe he's just letting it have that effect, for once. How novel.]

I imagine so. It has only happened so far when I get startled or laugh a lot.. [ And it'd be a huge coincidence if whatever magical sparkle popper this place gave him went off just at the same times as he happened to do that, right..

.. although he's entirely distracted by what Levi is saying. Look, sparkles he can get, they sort of fit in with the lovey dovey theme that's happening here. But that other thing.. ]

What sort of breeze are we talking about here, though? You aren't creating some sort of storm, are you? [ LEVI: THE TRUE DANGER OF THIS JAUNT. ]

[Levi nods... Mentally.]

Understood. [That's enough evidence for him, honestly- he isn't Hange, he doens't need much more than that. It makes sense... As much as anything here does, anyway.] And it's nothing that dramatic, just enough to push my clothes around...

[He still doesn't sound that excited about it, though. How pointless.

It isn't sparkles, though, and he supposes he can be a little grateful for that.]

It's stopped now, but... I wonder if there's a way to control it.

[He could find a use for it, probably; in fact, now that he's aware of the connection he means to do just that. It has direct physical ties, kind of, so it's a little easier to comprehend than what he's been exposed to so far.

~~Blind teenage optimism is a thing too, apparently, bless this Jaunt.~~]

[ OH YEAH, WELL, AT LEAST HE DOESN'T HAVE CAT EARS!! ]

I would appreciate if there was.. in my case too, I mean. In some situations they might be useful, but I think that if I keep sparkling all over the place like this, someone might think strange things.

[ He almost looked as if he was trying to seduce Ken, okay.. this is not the fate he ever asked for in his life. Not even a single moment. ]

Do we have any clue yet as to why everyone seems to be experiencing different effects? [ Please don't let the sparkles be the result of the Trump tattoo deal... ]

[INIGO UR PUSHIN ME OVER THE FUCKIN LIIIIINE!

Not but really, Levi's with you there, bro.]

There doesn't seem to be any connection between ours, so I'm not sure... But it's hard to determine anything with just two people. [Insufficient sample size!!] It might be worth investigating the others who're having the same things happen around them- there could he a pattern we're missing here.

[...Which might also present a slight problem, because despite being a Traveler for as long as he has Levi doesn't know many people on a personal enough level to pick patterns out for himself. Sparkles don't suit Inigo, in his opinion- the kid is a soldier, if an oddly... cheery one. But... Maybe that's why...?]

[ If Inigo would know that Levi thought of him that way, he'd probably experience a doki or two. And involuntarily sparkle all over again.

.. it's probably a good thing that he doesn't get those thoughts sent through, in that case. ]

Exactly. Even if it may not end up relating to our goal in this Jaunt, it might at least tell us a slight bit more about the way this world works. Surely we can use that to our advantage!

.. or.. well, I am sure I could find a practical use for sparkles. Probably.

Right.

[That's very true. They don't have the luxury of figuring out what makes his own world tick, but here could be different, and any advantage is worth pushing.]

...I'll leave that to you, then. [THAT'S AN ORDER!! No but really- Levi doesn't go in for that HR shit. He'll leave the interviews to someone with a personality that doesn't leave a bitter enough taste in people's mouths to rivals the strongest, hoppiest beer; Inigo is a pretty good candidate, right??]

But as for the sparkles... You could use them to blind, maybe?

[He's thinking of the way sun glistens over big puddles after a heavy rain- bright enough to make a mess of your vision if you look too long.

Blind them with your radiance, Inigo!]

[ As if Inigo isn't used to taking orders.. he's capable of fighting on himself too, sure, but he's never sure enough of himself to make decisions in some sort of group structure without them being dumb self-sacrifical ones. So he nods a little to himself at that, even if it isn't visible since mental connection and all that.

(He's a weenie, but an obedient one, okay.) ]

.. That sounds like something Cynthia would have said.

[ Inigo's not homesick for many things, but the other kids and his older sister are sure of the few he does miss. He tries to think it as a half-joke of sorts, but there's something bittersweet lining it. ]

On the other hand, using such a thing in battle.. it might be rather embarrassing, right?

[Okay so a huge percentage of soldiers literally piss themselves upon meeting a titan for the first time, and no one even bats an eye over it (except to tease them later, provided they live to be teased about it.....); as far as Levi's concerned embarrassment has no place on the battlefield.]

If it's an important battle, you won't have time to be embarrassed.

[Sage Advice dispensed, Levi tilts his head, brows knitting together slightly.]

Cynthia... Is that someone who was here before?

[Because the tone of the comment... Maybe it's because of his own situation, but Levi can't ignore the bittersweet note to Inigo's voice. It's sort of obvious (if not entirely on the mark)- if Erwin stays MIA, will he sound that way too...?]

[ LOOK, IF IT'S AN IMPORTANT BATTLE, HE WON'T HAVE TIME TO SPARKLE..

But arguing that with Levi feels like reaching new embarrassing lows, so he doesn't mention it. Instead he focuses on the latter question, since.. well, it's already pretty hard for him to try and stay all smiles when it's about more sensitive topics like these.

He tries, though. And Inigo actually succeeds mildly well on this one. It might still sound a little bit bittersweet, but it's also happily thought. ]

No, I know her from back home. She is one of my friends who fought alongside me there. [ But he does miss them, okay!!! ] Cynthia has always been fond of.. flashy entrances, I suppose that is one way to put it.

[Hey, aniki-- was it cool, what I just said?

Flashy... Yeah, Levi knew someone like that back home, too.

His ears droop a bit. He tries not to, but it's impossible to make the connection.]

Someone I used to know was the same way... [He sighs in a way that almost makes him look tired and a little worn- his real age.

Flashy seems to be the name of the game here, much to Levi's annoyance since he's never been fond of that sort of thing, image be damned- everything he does is utilitarian, every move only as polished as it needs to be for optimal performance...

But thinking about this place in a different way, looking at it the way Isabel or even Auruo might have, is, well... It hurts, but that's not all there is to it. It's sort of a nice feeling, in spite of everything.]

They'd have liked this one, then.

[ Oh no, this went to Awkward Territories. Not that Inigo doesn't like his companions - he adores them, every single one of them - but talking about them.. well, it's a little painful. And it's exactly because he knows what it feels like that he can see the same on Levi.. it makes sense, considering they both have backgrounds as soldiers. It's only natural to lose people that way, or to even just be stuck here without people you're naturally close to.

But Inigo doesn't like showing weakness. And he knows he's going to do so if they keep lingering on this topic, so he quickly tries to put a spin on it, deflecting any and all negative feelings.

That's something best saved for when he's lying in his best alone and can ponder all of these things over without anyone seeing if he cries. ]

Well, I do suppose that means we'll have to enjoy it twice as much for their sake! [ OVER THE TOP CHEERINESS IS GO. The only way to deal is with dramatics to cover up every single piece of sadness, of course. ] I shall learn how to utilize these sparkles until they shall strike fear into the hearts of my enemies!

Edited 2015-03-06 19:03 (UTC)

[GANBATTE, INIGO-KUN!!!!!!!!!

...No but really, Levi's just as ready for a change of subject. It's good to remember sometimes, necessary, but overall and especially if left unchecked, nostalgia serves no purpose but to be a distraction; like Inigo, Levi won't be giving in to it unless or until there's an appropriate time or place.

It isn't what motivates him, and so he needs to turn it off, at least for now.]

Enjoying it's aiming too high... But if you can make something worthwhile out of whatever the hell they did to us, that counts for something.

[The ears and tail are obviously a lost cause, but surely Levi himself can find a use for storm clouds and cyclones...?]

...Good luck.

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OBVS INIGO IS FREE TO IGNORE THIS 'ORDER' LEVI'S AN ASSHOLE GOMENNNN

SSHH LEVI'S NOT AN ASSHOLE JUST AN ANGRY MIDGET

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SOBBBB

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