[Thread] The Sound of One Hand Clapping

[powerfulbeauty]

Characters: AU!Chiaki Hayasaka, OPEN~
Where: The Plaza
When: Beginning of the transformation plot
Summary: Now a Noise, Chiaki skulks around the compound looking for targets.
Warnings: Depends on who she runs into. Possibly violence at worst.

Comments

[grtstcmmnfactor]

Coincidentally, or un-coincidentally enough, the self proclaimed Monarch of Measurement, Sho Minamimoto was roaming the plaza aimlessly upon hearing the latest development in Econtra: transformations. Wonderful. At least he was still in tact, he thought to himself, as he wandered through the area, glancing about for anything interesting that might catch his eye. Of course, the Noise symbol might accomplish that more than anything else right now, as he hadn't suspected a Noise plane to even exist in Econtra. It wasn't black; Hanekoma didn't summon it... He approached the Noise bravely and grinned at it, with entertained curiosity. "What the factor?"

[powerfulbeauty]

There must have been a Noise plane, or something close enough, as it was very much real and in existence. The sigil just stared right back, observing the Reaper and finding it familiar. After a few moments of flickering around Sho, it settled closer to the ground and the Noise inside it emerged. It wouldn't be any standard Noise, but it wasn't Taboo or even anything special. Just a large, cat-like creature with bits and pieces of it's sign composing legs, tail, ears. It behaved oddly for a Noise, as it immediately began poking around Sho's legs and prodding at his pockets with a wet nose.

[grtstcmmnfactor]

Sho observed as the cat Noise emerged from the sigil and circled around him. His immediate reaction was to let out a cry of "kitty!" and crouch down to pet it with his blackened hand. So the man has a soft spot for cute animals... what's wrong with that? At first, the thought of this feline being one he was quite familiar with didn't cross his mind, but soon enough he was able to put 2 + 2 together. "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. If it isn't Chiaki! What in googol's name are you doing as a Noise?"

[powerfulbeauty]

She hissed and blinked up at him, unable to form words in such a state. There was a faint vibe of confusion and vague irritation, though, which shouldn't be hard to piece together for Sho. Transformation shenanigans, obviously. At least he could tell it was her, so he wouldn't wind up Erasing her like the others.

Not like I wanted to parade around as a big, glowing symbol. These things just happen.

Chiaki rolled her eyes as best as she could, still partially unhappy with the deal. Sure, this was cool and all, but she couldn't change into anything else, and the sudden desire to obey the Reaper was both odd and uncomfortable.

[grtstcmmnfactor]

"Hmph. S'probably related to all the other permutations going on in this hell hole," he said to himself, showing visual signs of grief as he stood back on his feet. "If my calculations are correct- and they always are- you'll be back to normal sometime within the next week. These yoctograms have a habit for screwing up their own equations, but the least they can do is work on achieving a non-lethal solution."

[powerfulbeauty]

All she could really do was listen, growling darkly with displeasure. Of course. Those with power they couldn't control were just as bad as those who had no power at all, and much more dangerous. The grief on Sho's face, however, temporarily delayed her anger at the situation. Blinking in confusion, her ears swiveled down and she tilted her large head to one side. Without waiting for a reaction, the Noise padded back over to Minamimoto and brushed against his leg a few times, purring faintly.

Oh, don't be like that. It's not so bad.

[grtstcmmnfactor]

Minamimoto lightened up a bit as the cat moved across his legs. "Sure, but it's the principle of the matter. Someone needs to teach this pascal-flooded compound how to calculate. It's only a matter of time until they go one iteration too far and cross the line. Then we're all zetta screwed. I'd do it myself, but I don't have the patience to put up with hordes of senseless slowpokes."

[powerfulbeauty]

Just think of it as natural selection. It's bound to happen eventually, anyway.

Though she'd stopped moving against him, Chiaki continued to pace around, still restless. Since the transformation took hold, she'd found it very hard to sit still.

Though, I'm not sure if I should be glad or jealous that you're still normal.

[grtstcmmnfactor]

"Normal is garbage. Underneath our exteriors we're all odd numbers. I like to separate people into 1 of 2 classifications: rational or irrational. But that's beside the point. What are you gonna do until you're reverted back to your regular self, kitten?"

[powerfulbeauty]

Fair enough.

Chiaki paused, yawned, sat, and stood again, going back to pacing around uncertainly.

Hn, I don't know. W-what am I supposed to do?

She wasn't sure why he'd know, but something told her to ask anyway. He would know something, he had to.

[grtstcmmnfactor]

"You're asking me? Heh... I crunch Noise like you for breakfast. There's a whole world of pencils out there just waiting to eradicate your kind, Chiaki. It's a dog eat dog world. Erase or be erased. Better get to it." How motivational of him. "Course, I'll do you one favor and spare you, since you're one of more rational numbers I've met in this dump. Just don't expect others to be as forgiving."

[powerfulbeauty]

Chiaki considered this for a few quiet minutes before growling again, dark fur bristling.

No one is going to erase me. But, is that what I've been feeling? The need to... erase people?

It would explain why she was sitting out here, waiting for someone to come along. Well, someone that wasn't Sho, anyway.

[grtstcmmnfactor]

Minamimoto shrugged. "I guess. I'm no Noise, but anyone without a pact for you is fair game. All hands off Reapers, of course. We own you kilopascals." And here Sho was pretty much assuming Chiaki understood everything he was talking about, despite never explaining the whole Game concept to her before.

[powerfulbeauty]

'We'? So, you're a Reaper, then?

The Noise twisted her face into what could be assumed as a confused expression. What was he going on about?

I think you've left out a few details, King. Care to explain a little better, or is this one of those things I have to figure out myself?

[grtstcmmnfactor]

He shrugged again. "Meh... it's irrelevant now. The Game doesn't apply. Not even the Composer can stop me here. But I will tell you this much: the Noise are a manifestation of negative emotions hectopascals like the ones living in this compound give off on a regular basis. I'd say Econtra is a breeding ground for the little guys." What, with how much angst people give off here.

[powerfulbeauty]

I don't see any others, but you're right about all the negativity. I think I can feel it.

It was pretty strong, too, considering the new wave of angst brought about by the compound-wide transformations. She almost wanted to go right to the closest source she could find, but the impulse to stay here was stronger.

Back up a bit, though. Reapers own... Noise, is that what this is? Does that mean you own me?