[ He'll be waiting, standing out front of the store ( he would have anyway, because GIRL THINGS ) holding a tote bag of various sized clothing, with Zangetsu strapped to his back, and feeling pretty weird about all this. ]
--> [action]notglitchingJanuary 18 2012, 08:54:43 UTC
[Rinzler doesn't take long. He's been at or near one of his caches since his latest set of injury, and while he's not entirely stabilized yet, he still moves quickly. Retrieve supplies. Follow the signal.
The program slips out from around the corner-on ground level, for a change. Moves towards Ichigo, hand already slipping into pockets to retrieve a handful of energy vials. Nothing much in volume, but refined, concentrated. They should be enough for some time.
The hoodie Rinzler's wearing might cover most of the damage, but the sudden absence of a limb's a little hard to miss. He'd meant to hide that from Ichigo-as long as he could, at any rate. Avoid the inevitable lecture.
Right now? Rinzler doesn't care. He also doesn't look up.]
[ Oh yeah. Noticing the fact you're missing an arm, dude. Ichigo glances hastily at the store, then back with a sigh. You're also getting a pointed glare, there, Rinzler...but for all that he's about as subtle as a box of hammers, Ichigo does occasionally have some tact. Or rather priorities, and he could always fuss at Rinzler later.
For now? Just taking those vials, and stuffing them into a pocket of his coat. He assumed Yori would know what to do with them. ]
Oi.
[ Ichigo had to push down the urge to wave at Rinzler, and get him to look up. This was sort of unsettling. ]
She's already asking...so...what do you want me to tell her? About you, I mean.
[The glance towards the store utterly falls past Rinzler's scope of recognition right now. Most things do. His noise is jarring, harsh and quick and faintly lined with static. Continuously so. He hands over the energy without comment or real gesture.
The question doesn't get much reaction, either. Not straight away. He's still, head lowered. It's his usual hunch, almost more so somehow. More drawn in, more stiff and tense and edged. His hand clenches, unclenches, reaches for his phone. He holds it. Stares down. There's a long pause before he shakes his head slightly, gives a small one-sided shrug. There's no response to enter.
[ Yeaaah. That sinking feeling that Ichigo was going to have to explain a history he barely understood wasn't getting any better. Neither was the glare. ]
She's your--Tron's friend. And she seems really nice, so...if she asks, I'll tell her what I know.
[ Looking away, because Ichigo was in something close to Rinzler's position not too long ago. The last thing he'd wanted to talk about was his personal history, either. ]
Which, you know, isn't much. But the rest, you'll have to tell her yourself, ne? However you have to do that, and whatever you decide to say.
[Sorry, Ichigo. You need eye contact for that glare to do anything. And at the moment? Rinzler's avoiding that pretty spectacularly.
There's barely a reaction at the name. He's. Pretty far past that right now. But Rinzler doesn't disagree. With the description or the stated intent. She should know. Should know more than either of them can tell, really. He doesn't know what to tell her. Or how. The last phrase gets. A response.
Noise skips out irregular through a clenched jaw as his mouth opens. Closes. His head lifts, lowers again, gaze dragging up partway before dropping. He doesn't know what to say, what to do, how to fix or handle or respond to any of this. It takes a moment. Finally his gaze drops to the phone in his grip.]
Protect her.
[Not something Rinzler's texted or said or thought. Not ever. But the words might be familiar to Ichigo regardless.]
[ ...Ichigo wasn't sure what he expected, really. Rinzler is introverted at the best of times, and that was putting it nicely. A nod, another shrug, something as similarly noncommittal? Sure.
That? Not so much. ]
She's more than just a friend. She's nakama.
[ It might honestly be the first time Ichigo has ever seen such a pointed response, not to mention the obvious emotional upheaval this new person was causing his friend. Rinzler wouldn't look up in more than just a little glance, though, and Ichigo didn't think it'd be a good idea to risk physically pushing him to do so. In the poignant silence, only broken by the more intense grinding sound the program always made, Ichigo blinked, and tried to recover from being floored with shock by clearing his throat once. ]
[Rinzler wouldn't have said that. Shouldn't have had to. But she was here and she didn't know and he had already failed. And Ichigo asked.
There's a slight nod. Nod... twitch... flinch. All terms apply. His stance isn't locked or frozen, but it's so very edged, so very rigid all the same. Head bowed, spine curved, hand locked around the communicator. Like he's going to shatter. Break. Run. He wants to run. He doesn't know.]
...I'm not going to ask you to do this right now, but soon you're going to have to explain what's happening here. Because I'm really confused.
[ Part of Ichigo wants to push, and make Rinzler actually say something more than one, or two word answers...but part of him wanted to let the guy off the hook, too. He couldn't decide which was more important just yet, either. ]
You should see her, though. Really.
[ But not forcing. Not confronting. Just telling truths. ]
[Rinzler freezes. Shakes his head, quick tiny motions. Pauses. Stills. He doesn't know.
His stare lifts, finally. Slowly, erratically. He still can't meet Ichigo's eyes. But there's still a shift to the program's expression that hasn't showed before. Uncertainty, panic... loss. And sharp, painful awareness. Noise grinds out loud, skips of conflict broken to static and buzzing and simply broken sound. And Rinzler does something else he hasn't really managed before. Not with Ichigo.]
Sh-she-
[Orange glow darkens, flickers back, plays in shifts of brightness up from his collar, across his clenched fist, and the speech cuts off. His head lowers, mouth still open, but teeth gritted shut, sharp bursts of static cutting through like panting breaths. After a moment, his fist unclenches. Back to text. Not that the words come any quicker.]
[ Pardon Ichigo, he's standing here looking like someone just hit him over the head. Considering how long he's known Rinzler, and how long he's tried to get even a word out of him, this is...well. 'Shock, and awe' wouldn't exactly cover it.
The explanation helps, though.
Yori was a friend - and apparently a close friend - who...died. She died, and didn't remember she had, and was here mentioning a name that usually sent Rinzler into angry glaring, and angrier growling just in passing. Oh yes, Ichigo could see why Rinzler was having a bit of an emotional, and/or psychological break. ]
I-It's okay. Look, I'll...I'll look out for her. Get her some place safe. And when you're ready...well...you can find us.
[ Yes, it was a lame answer, and it felt lame to say it. But, Yori was nice, in need of some answers, some clothes, and Ichigo had just promised to protect her. It was the most he could do under the circumstances.
...He still wouldn't have been surprised if Rinzler bolted right then and there. ]
[Rinzler had been breaking for awhile. He just. Couldn't hold the pieces together. Not now. Not with Yori. And for the first time in the enforcer's existence, he couldn't stop remembering.
He doesn't bolt. Not exactly. His head dips further in a small nod, harsh sound not quieting, but steadying somewhat. He looks down at the phone, slides his glance up halfway, mouth opening. But there's nothing else to say, even if he could, and he doesn't-doesn't know anymore. Doesn't know anything.
He nods again, instead. Looks up, and does meet Ichigo's stare. Even holds it for a moment. For this, more than anything else... he owes Ichigo. He shouldn't need to ask. It should be his task, he should-he should be better than this. But somewhere between the continued flickering of circuits and pupils, the crackling press of commands and filters, and the even more painful certainty beyond that... Rinzler knew. He'd been broken before ever leaving the Grid
( ... )
[ Ichigo may be aggressive, and damned stubborn when it came to forcing Rinzler to confront the truth...but he wasn't cruel. Rinzler looked like he was about to shatter, or possibly scream. It was disturbing, especially since Rinzler was usually the one that was so adamantly against mentioning, or dwelling on the past.
And so? Ichigo let him go. Maybe he shouldn't have. Maybe he should have said something, done something...but what? Whatever happened to cause so much pain, and damage, Ichigo didn't know, and probably would never fully understand. He did stare after Rinzler until he couldn't see the differing black smudge in the darkness. And long after he was gone; ]
...You're almost there. You can do this. I know it.
Rinzler doesn't bother.]
Yes.
[Pulling a location trace.]
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The program slips out from around the corner-on ground level, for a change. Moves towards Ichigo, hand already slipping into pockets to retrieve a handful of energy vials. Nothing much in volume, but refined, concentrated. They should be enough for some time.
The hoodie Rinzler's wearing might cover most of the damage, but the sudden absence of a limb's a little hard to miss. He'd meant to hide that from Ichigo-as long as he could, at any rate. Avoid the inevitable lecture.
Right now? Rinzler doesn't care.
He also doesn't look up.]
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For now? Just taking those vials, and stuffing them into a pocket of his coat. He assumed Yori would know what to do with them. ]
Oi.
[ Ichigo had to push down the urge to wave at Rinzler, and get him to look up. This was sort of unsettling. ]
She's already asking...so...what do you want me to tell her? About you, I mean.
Reply
The question doesn't get much reaction, either. Not straight away. He's still, head lowered. It's his usual hunch, almost more so somehow. More drawn in, more stiff and tense and edged. His hand clenches, unclenches, reaches for his phone. He holds it. Stares down. There's a long pause before he shakes his head slightly, gives a small one-sided shrug. There's no response to enter.
He doesn't have an answer.]
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She's your--Tron's friend. And she seems really nice, so...if she asks, I'll tell her what I know.
[ Looking away, because Ichigo was in something close to Rinzler's position not too long ago. The last thing he'd wanted to talk about was his personal history, either. ]
Which, you know, isn't much. But the rest, you'll have to tell her yourself, ne? However you have to do that, and whatever you decide to say.
Until then...do you want me to look out for her?
Reply
There's barely a reaction at the name. He's. Pretty far past that right now. But Rinzler doesn't disagree. With the description or the stated intent. She should know. Should know more than either of them can tell, really. He doesn't know what to tell her. Or how.
The last phrase gets. A response.
Noise skips out irregular through a clenched jaw as his mouth opens. Closes. His head lifts, lowers again, gaze dragging up partway before dropping. He doesn't know what to say, what to do, how to fix or handle or respond to any of this. It takes a moment. Finally his gaze drops to the phone in his grip.]
Protect her.
[Not something Rinzler's texted or said or thought. Not ever. But the words might be familiar to Ichigo regardless.]
Reply
That? Not so much. ]
She's more than just a friend. She's nakama.
[ It might honestly be the first time Ichigo has ever seen such a pointed response, not to mention the obvious emotional upheaval this new person was causing his friend. Rinzler wouldn't look up in more than just a little glance, though, and Ichigo didn't think it'd be a good idea to risk physically pushing him to do so. In the poignant silence, only broken by the more intense grinding sound the program always made, Ichigo blinked, and tried to recover from being floored with shock by clearing his throat once. ]
I promise. I'll keep her safe.
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And Ichigo asked.
There's a slight nod. Nod... twitch... flinch. All terms apply. His stance isn't locked or frozen, but it's so very edged, so very rigid all the same. Head bowed, spine curved, hand locked around the communicator. Like he's going to shatter. Break. Run. He wants to run. He doesn't know.]
Can't.
Didn't.
Have to.
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[ Part of Ichigo wants to push, and make Rinzler actually say something more than one, or two word answers...but part of him wanted to let the guy off the hook, too. He couldn't decide which was more important just yet, either. ]
You should see her, though. Really.
[ But not forcing. Not confronting. Just telling truths. ]
Reply
He doesn't know.
His stare lifts, finally. Slowly, erratically. He still can't meet Ichigo's eyes. But there's still a shift to the program's expression that hasn't showed before. Uncertainty, panic... loss. And sharp, painful awareness. Noise grinds out loud, skips of conflict broken to static and buzzing and simply broken sound. And Rinzler does something else he hasn't really managed before. Not with Ichigo.]
Sh-she-
[Orange glow darkens, flickers back, plays in shifts of brightness up from his collar, across his clenched fist, and the speech cuts off. His head lowers, mouth still open, but teeth gritted shut, sharp bursts of static cutting through like panting breaths. After a moment, his fist unclenches. Back to text. Not that the words come any quicker.]
derezzed
Doesn't remember.
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[ Pardon Ichigo, he's standing here looking like someone just hit him over the head. Considering how long he's known Rinzler, and how long he's tried to get even a word out of him, this is...well. 'Shock, and awe' wouldn't exactly cover it.
The explanation helps, though.
Yori was a friend - and apparently a close friend - who...died. She died, and didn't remember she had, and was here mentioning a name that usually sent Rinzler into angry glaring, and angrier growling just in passing. Oh yes, Ichigo could see why Rinzler was having a bit of an emotional, and/or psychological break. ]
I-It's okay. Look, I'll...I'll look out for her. Get her some place safe. And when you're ready...well...you can find us.
[ Yes, it was a lame answer, and it felt lame to say it. But, Yori was nice, in need of some answers, some clothes, and Ichigo had just promised to protect her. It was the most he could do under the circumstances.
...He still wouldn't have been surprised if Rinzler bolted right then and there. ]
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He doesn't bolt. Not exactly. His head dips further in a small nod, harsh sound not quieting, but steadying somewhat. He looks down at the phone, slides his glance up halfway, mouth opening. But there's nothing else to say, even if he could, and he doesn't-doesn't know anymore. Doesn't know anything.
He nods again, instead. Looks up, and does meet Ichigo's stare. Even holds it for a moment. For this, more than anything else... he owes Ichigo. He shouldn't need to ask. It should be his task, he should-he should be better than this. But somewhere between the continued flickering of circuits and pupils, the crackling press of commands and filters, and the even more painful certainty beyond that... Rinzler knew. He'd been broken before ever leaving the Grid ( ... )
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And so? Ichigo let him go. Maybe he shouldn't have. Maybe he should have said something, done something...but what? Whatever happened to cause so much pain, and damage, Ichigo didn't know, and probably would never fully understand. He did stare after Rinzler until he couldn't see the differing black smudge in the darkness. And long after he was gone; ]
...You're almost there. You can do this. I know it.
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