In which Niki can't write a damn thing without tl;dr'ing all over the place...

[warisallweknow]

It was perhaps the last place Fox had expected to find himself during his exploration of the nexus. In hindsight, that was probably foolish of him. But it was strange, to find FOXHOUND's HQ-no, merely a clever replica of it-just as he had left it some two, three years ago. The same, but also unusually empty, like a husk, like the shell of some dead

Comments

Your tl;dr makes me feel small and inadequate

[still_a_rookie]

[Does Fox's needed supplies list include "Rookie"?]

[Unaware of his future-best-bud-who-eventually-tries-to-kill-him's stealthy wanderings, a Pre-N313 Snake enters the hallway and heads for his own quarters. The young soldier's hair is still damp from the shower he'd just finished after putting himself through an especially grueling training session. Staying in fighting condition was downright hard in the Nexus; not necessarily because of the lack of conflict but because of the dearth of distractions.]

[This wouldn't be the first time Snake's lost himself in a steady workout and emerged from the gym to find that a day (or two) had passed.]

ffff it shouldn't.

[warisallweknow]

[He's on his way back by now, cardboard box of supplies tucked under one arm. Still alert, especially for any who might try to follow him back to his current base. He didn't trust a damn thing about this place, and there was no telling who else might be here.

As someone steps out into the hallway directly in front of him, he slows, considers doubling back before they notice him and taking a different route. But...]

-Snake.

[It didn't make any sense, but then nothing in this place did. Snake, at least, was a friend. This wasn't Zanzibar Land- although Fox doesn't doubt it's hidden behind one of these doors.]

[still_a_rookie]

[Snake turns quickly, a look of genuine surprise upon his face]

Gray Fox?

[It's been months since he'd seen the other man in any way, shape, or form. In fact, the young soldier had almost not recognized the other man's voice. That doesn't really say much though, since Gray Fox wasn't the most verbose of men to begin with.]

[Still, the FOXHOUNDER's abrupt appearance managed to startle Snake into automatic deference. The man was a higher-ranking officer despite what the young man had been told. He straightens his back and throws a quick salute.]

...Need a hand with that, Sir?

[warisallweknow]

[Sir? Snake's tone, that hasty salute, the open surprise on his face-it had been a long time since he'd seen the man so open-told Fox more than any explanation could. He offers a smile: a slight, practised thing which doesn't quite seem to come naturally.]

That won't be necessary. Relax, Snake. Neither of us are on duty.

[And Fox wasn't a superior any more, though whether Snake was aware of that or not...]

[still_a_rookie]

[He sheepishly returns to an at ease position and returns the small smile. It's a shock to see someone who's closer to his time than the times of his alternates; most everyone in the Nexus seemed to be from the 2000s rather than the 90s. Snake isn't going to deny that there's a slight thrill in being known by one of the soldiers he holds in such high esteem.]

I suppose you're right; there's not much in the way of duty here.

[warisallweknow]

[If only you knew, kid.

Fox nods in the direction he was heading, an invitation for the rookie to walk with him, before setting off again.]

How long have you been here?

[still_a_rookie]

[The younger soldier falls into step easily beside the other man.]

It's been a few months now. I was taken from the very beginning of Operation Intrude N313.

[warisallweknow]

[Before Big Boss... Before the friendship which had developed between them after the fall of Outer Heaven. Before his own betrayal of Snake and desertion of FOXHOUND.

That could be awkward.]

I've been here about a week, myself. It's a strange place.

[still_a_rookie]

[Awkward is a word for it, yes.]

[Snake glances at Fox's face carefully. He'd been told that they become friends in the future, but doesn't want to bring that up just in case Fox isn't from that time either. It would be presumptuous to tell him something like that, anyway.]

A week, huh? Has anyone told you the ground rules for this place yet?

[Hopefully not, because then Snake can tell him and maybe he'll be impressed!]

[warisallweknow]

[Oh, he knows what Snake is doing. There's the faintest hint of amusement visible on his face. Let the rookie have his moment, though; he might actually know something valuable.]

I only know what I've seen for myself, which admittedly isn't much. Doors that lead to other places. Multiples of people. Nothing which makes any real sense.

[still_a_rookie]

Sounds like you've got the basics down, especially the "makes no sense" part.

[His back straightens unconsciously as if he were making a report. After his time in Iraq, those little mannerisms have become a difficult habit to break.]

Different rooms can also affect people in different ways. The effects can range from giving someone a sense of peace to radically changing his or her outward appearance. Some rooms won't allow you to exit until you complete a task...

[Snake trails off, recalling the first time he'd run into that type of room and what had happened. Do ignore the slight blush.]

Anyway, the effects can cause a lot of confusion.

[warisallweknow]

[Fox listens quietly, turning over this new information in his mind. Rooms that changed your appearance... Rooms that wouldn't let you out until you completed some kind of task. What purpose was there for something like that?]

That explains why I've seen people avoid certain doors. You've experienced these effects first-hand?

[still_a_rookie]

[Sex, drama, and lulz.]

[That blush grows a shade darker.]

Yeah...I've run into a couple.

[warisallweknow]

[Well, it's not often you get to see Snake turn that shade of red. Probably best not to ask.]

These rooms. What kind of threat level would you say they were?

[still_a_rookie]

[Glad for the distraction, Snake describes a few of the rooms he had been in and their effects.]

Minimal, for the most part. The danger tends to come from the others trapped with you.

[warisallweknow]

[And Fox listens attentively, filing the information away for later.]

That's understandable. Anyone in particular I should know about?