Exploration [Completed]

[walking_complex]

Character(s): Hojo, Ansem
Content: This is what happens when you leave the domes, guys.
Setting: Outside the domes north of the Muspelheim gate.
Time: Monday afternoon/evening(day 3)
Warnings: None as of yet.

Comments

[alone_by_choice]

Ansem had bid his Guardian carry him northeast down the old road until they had come to the remains of an ancient military fort. There he had found the most secure and least-decrepid chamber and put the Guardian on watch so that he could rest

[walking_complex]

By the time the sun had gone down and the rain had soaked him through Hojo had, really, no idea where he was. He'd fished a tiny flashlight out of his bag and was using its light to keep from tripping over things; with the clouds, it was otherwise pitch black. Curse his absentmindedness... if he'd been aware he could remember how many times he'd changed direction and just turn around, going back the way he'd come. At this point he could really only hope to find one of those seemingly infinite ruins that was in good enough shape to wait out the night inside

[alone_by_choice]

How could it be misfortune alone had brought this visitor to his new fortress

[walking_complex]

Hojo made a startled sound at the sudden voice, fumbling to get his glasses back on so he could see. They didn't help much, given the dark blackness of most of the room, but at least what he could see wasn't fuzzy any more.

"I... uh..." What? Open his heart? "I don't understand," he said shakily, pressing back into the stone wall that was leeching out what little warmth he'd managed to generate for himself.

[alone_by_choice]

There was much Ansem could tell through his own powers of observation and insight, but he could not truly and fully explore the weasel's consciousness without his permission.

One of many infuriating Laws Ansem had never liked.

Still, he did what he could while the spineless worm squirmed and stuttered in his grasp, plumbing the darkness within him as far as he was able without his victimguest's consent.

What he saw was a very pleasant surprise, if not as loin-stirring a discovery as his new pet had been. The potential for Darkness in this mortal was as wide as the ocean, sinking to disgustingly murky depths Ansem himself had only dabbled in long ago, when The Experiments had first begun.

"A scientist." He smiled, dazzling even in the obfuscating blackness of the deserted Grand Hall. "What would you say to an opportunity to increase your knowledge?" These last three words were purred as Ansem cast a seductive gaze on his prey, leaning close enough for the sweating rodent-man to feel his breath.

[walking_complex]

Well, that he could understand, at least. Hojo swallowed a little and tried to slow his pounding heart down; he didn't trust this person, not yet, but cooperation was the option least likely to get him in trouble at the moment.

"That's how I ended up out here," he explained, a bit too fast. It was true, mostly; it was survival-instinct that had put him in the cold stone room, but curiosity that put him outside in the first place. He'd leaned back a little bit more, the back of his skull hitting the stone, signaling the end of his retreat. Damn.

[alone_by_choice]

"That's how I ended up out here," the little weasel mewled, as if this statement answered his question.

It had not, and Ansem was not pleased for it.
And yet.
He was curious just what search for knowledge had drawn the scientist to his bastion. Were those in the city already aware of his presence here?

"What brought you here? Speak!"

At this rate, the little rodent of a man was going to dash his brains against the wall in a vain attempt to escape. Ansem let him go and stepped back, crossing arms over his chest while he waited for a response.

[walking_complex]

Hojo visibly relaxed, just a little, as the tall man backed off, remembering to breathe then. He hadn't even realized he was holding his breath.

"I-- ...I'd read about something called Lumens, but the information I found was insufficient so I went out to find one myself. I got lost." His voice was surprisingly steady, though his posture didn't match his tone at all. After a moment of consideration he stood, keeping back against the wall mostly for support. Cold and fear did not mix well, especially when one was trying to balance.

[alone_by_choice]

"What are these lumens you speak of? What is of interest about them?"

Ansem began to pace, looking thoughtful.

[walking_complex]

With a frown, Hojo watched, dredging up what information he had managed to put together.

"I don't know what they are," he said. "That's why I wanted to find one. They seem to be animals with an aversion to darkness. The books weren't specific in the definition of "darkness," but I would assume it means simply that they're diurnal."

[alone_by_choice]

Now the weasel had captured his interest.

"but I would assume it means simply that they're diurnal."

"I doubt that." He glanced over at the other man.

"Why would you go out alone in the dark in weather like this simply to study a diurnal animal?" He smiled, somewhat unpleasantly. "Either your researcher's instinct tells you as it does me that 'darkness' does not literally mean lack of light, or you have read more to catch your interest on the subject of these creatures. Is that not so?

Tell me. Where are these 'animals' found on this world?"

This worm WOULD tell him everything he knew on the subject. And he would learn not to withhold information from his master again.

[walking_complex]

Hojo's eyes narrowed, just a little. Damn, and he was hoping the taller man wouldn't probe further.

"It wasn't dark and it wasn't raining when I left," he said simply. "And, as I said, I got lost. I wouldn't be here in your..." He glanced around, then continued, "place, if that weren't so." Where were they found? "It would seem they aren't confined to one habitat, at any rate."

[alone_by_choice]

In a single step, Ansem was upon him, had picked him up by the throat and slammed him back against the stone wall. Not hard enough to injure him, just hard enough to get his attention.

"You are intentionally withholding information from me. Don't."

[walking_complex]

Hojo choked a little bit and tried not to writhe. "Why do you want to know?" he managed to ask, his own slender hands gripping the stronger man's wrist for support. He wasn't even sure why he was resisting, other than an overwhelming feeling that he should not trust this person, and his gut instinct was usually pretty reliable.