29th Frontier [open commentlog]

[ecopiracy]

[Phoenix creeps through an alley in Thymops town, carefully ducking from shadow to shadow. When he reaches the end, he carefully peers round the corner. Too many people. That path is no good

Comments

[skin_and_steel]

[Ed's starting to wonder when they would get off this damn island already. It was a nice change to be able to relax, but hell if he'd ever been the type to enjoy sitting around doing nothing.

The sound of... of footsteps makes him halt. He looks all around him, but there's not a soul to be found.]

[ecopiracy]

[Have you tried looking up, Ed? As short as you are, you'd think that would be a habit~

But up is where the footsteps are, until Phoenix drops down behind Ed.]

You should take care where you wander at night, young man.

[Random, sage advice to strangers is very much the ninja way.]

[skin_and_steel]

[Jeez, could the guy at least give a heads-up before dropping outta the sky like that?]

"Young man"? It's just me, Phoenix. I should ask you the same thing - chilling on a roof in the middle of the night doesn't seem like such a great idea either.

[ecopiracy]

You recognize me from voice alone? Impressive.

[After all, they haven't ever officially met. Hmm... The boy's voice is familiar. They were talking about...

Ah yes. Cars. And teaching the young man to drive. Ed. That was his name.]

It's a very different story when a ninja takes to the rooftop, Ed, than it is for anyone else.

[skin_and_steel]

[He spent an awful lot of time on the phone back home, between his mechanic and a superior who constantly raved about his daughter. It comes with the territory.]

...you said you were in the air force. You don't look like a ninja to me.

[ecopiracy]

[Ed is pretty smart like that.]

It's a relatively recent change of occupation. I haven't had time yet to acquire appropriate attire. The clothes do not make the ninja, though.

[He steps forward into the light of a street lamp and drops into a fighting stance. It's as fine a display as you'll ever see of the Dramatic Ninja Pose. It also allows Ed to see him quite well.]

The ninja makes himself.

[skin_and_steel]

[He's trying so hard to keep from cracking up. Was this really the same guy who had been so prim and proper over the comm?]

Well, you're definitely making something of yourself. Tell me, ninja, what made you change your mind?

[What the hell, he'll play along.]

keyboardface in 3...2...1... (good night~)

[ecopiracy]

[Phoenix straightens up, thinking about the question for a moment before shrugging.]

Do you know? I'm not quite certain. I was listening to some live entertainment when I realized that it felt right. It's like...

[He gestures vaguely at Ed.]

You have round ears because a human is who and what you are. I am a ninja because I am. That is what I realized.

*waves good-night* <3

[skin_and_steel]

[He would be facepalming so hard if he cared less about the fact that this guy had to be drunk or something.]

...Phoenix, are you drunk?

Re: *waves good-night* <3

[ecopiracy]

[Blink. Now that question seemed to come out of thin air.]

No, I assure you I'm quite sober. Why do you ask?

[skin_and_steel]

Because you don't strike me as the type of guy who'll just change his life goals at the drop of a hat. That, and you're not even going about it the right way. Aren't ninjas... I dunno, supposed to be hidden? Don't they speak a different language? It just seems like you had one too many beers to me.

[ecopiracy]

But I do speak the language of the ninja, Ed. Atashee no talentsuu n'otoko desoo.

[Phoenix is a man of talent, Ed.

Just...

Japanese is very much not one of them yet.]

Life changes can happen slowly or suddenly. Have you never had an epiphany yourself?

[skin_and_steel]

...I've had epiphanies about a theory. I mean, isn't being a ninja something you kinda have to spend years working towards?

[ecopiracy]

A lot of the skills I already know transfer quite well. You could say I've had a somewhat... colorful career.

[skin_and_steel]

[He shrugs. If Phoenix truly wanted to believe he was a ninja...]

Skills like what? [He'll bite.]

[ecopiracy]

A true ninja does not reveal...

...his...

[He pauses and puts his hand to his head, feeling somewhat disoriented.]

...

Ed?