I think the finish line's a good place we could start... [Open]

[spannertime]

Characters: Souji Okita (spannertime) and [Open]
Content: Souji is busy tinkering with planes before the big race. He could probably use distractions. ;)
Setting: Down by the racetracks
Time: All day
Warnings: None for now.

Comments

[fallingjunkyard]

Joshua had found himself a nice spot to perch on and watched the people hanging around the planes, not out of sight but certainly out of the way. But there was only so long he could watch people nearby without speaking to them.

One of the mechanics caught his attention when they dropped their wrench. Girl, or boy? It was a little difficult to tell with hair and features like that, but Joshua was fairly sure that was a guy. Not that it really mattered.

Hopping down from his nearby watch-place, Joshua wandered over to the plane the mechanic was working on. "That might be a sign you need a break, you know," he called out.

[spannertime]

Joshua was right about his gender assessment, though a little confusion was understandable, even if Souji had never gotten completely used to it. The mechanic laughed a little at Joshua's comment, tucking the tool into an empty spot on his tool belt. "You're probably right," Souji admitted. "I get a little carried away sometimes. Are you with one of the teams, or just watching the festivities?"

[fallingjunkyard]

Joshua gave Souji a small laugh, shaking his head. Even though Ichigo was technically flying for the Way, Joshua didn't consider himself as part of his team. "Could you imagine me flying a plane?"

Joshua walked up to the plane and gingerly touched the metal on one of the sides. He didn't really want to get his hands dirty, either, but touching things made them a little more real. Grinning at Souji, he continued, "Or working on one of these?"

[spannertime]

Souji looked Joshua over for a moment, and shook his head. "No, I suppose not," he agreed. "I really wouldn't want to fly one, either." Despite all of his knowledge--or perhaps because of it--he'd never been tempted to learn. "But I think the races will be exciting. It seems everyone's betting on it." Souji was keeping his hand out of that particular aspect this time. Perhaps it was superstitious, but the last time he'd bet on anything, it had been in Doma. That wasn't the sort of luck he wanted repeating itself.

Target spotted!

[alastinglight]

In actuality, Takasugi had no reason to be in the common hangar. He was not a pilot, nor was he a mechanic. Furthermore, he had no interest in flying whatsoever (he usually left that to Bansai). Boredom might not even pass as a valid reason either, because the town had proven itself to be entertaining enough for people in its own right.

Of course, reasons were things for normal people, and Takasugi was no normal person. It was for that reason that he was wandering about in the area where the pilots of the 4423 had parked their planes, puffing on his pipe, as always.

...Odd, to see someone with such a nice, clean face fussing over planes. The one-eyed swordsman came around, to watch him with interest.

OHSHI--

[spannertime]

Souji caught the scent of the pipe, before he noticed anything else. Eight years had attuned him to it. His first thought was that Hijikata must have come around to make sure he wasn't working too hard, but when he actually turned and looked, he was greeted with the sight of the quartermaster instead. "Oh, hello," the mechanic greeted cheerfully, wiping machine grease on his hands on a rag he pulled from one pocket. "Come to see how preparations for the race are going?" He had a feeling that a lot of the people milling around were doing so out of idle curiosity.

OHOHOHO.

[alastinglight]

"Not really," Takasugi lazily returned. "I just happened to wander in here today."

Now he recognized the boy - he was a mechanic on board the ship. They had not been formally introduced, but he had seen him around, particularly in the company of Hijikata Toshizou.

How very interesting.

Poor, defenseless trap... ; ;

[spannertime]

"Oh, I see." Souji didn't find anything particularly odd about that, really. It was fun to wander around, just seeing what you could find, after all. "You're the newest quartermaster, aren't you? I don't think we've met before." Souji spent so much of his time away in the depths of the ship that sometimes he felt he didn't know the crew as much as he would have liked.

[kirekaze]

Kensei had been in the hangar as well, having to rework his plane a little after that incident just a day or so ago. It had been a damned good thing he decided to take a revaluation of his plane after that whole strange whacked up incident, or otherwise he might have been a victim of a rather horrible plane crash. Which of course, was one of the last things that he wanted to be, regenerative powers or not. Using the power of that thing within him was the last thing he wanted to do

[spannertime]

Souji turned, blinking at the sound of his name, and then waved happily when he caught sight of Kensei. "Hello! How are things going?" He'd heard the man had had some difficulties with his plane, though Souji hadn't learned the details of the incident. He certainly hoped it wasn't anything too serious. The more pilots they had in the race, the better, after all.

[kirekaze]

The Vaizard waved back in return when the mechanic did, making his way up to the other as he responded to his question. "Ah, its fine. Just replaced my timing belt since... you know." He let out a sigh at that, an exasperated look crossing his face as he did so. He really should have know better than to trust complete strangers - now see what happened.

This was why he could never bring himself to trust people so easily. Anytime he tried to, the trust would somehow be taken advantage of.

[spannertime]

Souji blinked a little. "I'd heard there was some problem, but I don't really know the details," he admitted. He hadn't been around at the time, unfortunately. "It's good that you've got it fixed, at least. You wouldn't want that giving out mid-race."

Let's meet, cousin? :3

[sadistofficer]

With their planes greatly guarded, Sougo had another chance to go around again and check out the various planes participating in the races. He's had a chance to work up that one plane, although that didn't work as well. But at least he knew by know which ones are participating for that cursed ship.

Unlike before, he was not in costume nor did he have the shades to hide his features. At most, he could just poke around, ask people about things and learn about plane stuff.

Frankly, this little sabotage plans has piqued his curiosity, and as he found himself peeking about at that same area again, he wondered how else he could sabotage these things.

[spannertime]

Souji was taking a little break from his maintenance work for the moment, stopping long enough to snack on an apple while leaning against one of the planes currently in his care, eyes surveying the crowds. There were a lot of people around, from all over Reial, and it was fun just to sit back and watch.

And then something--or rather, someone--caught his eye. At first, he was sure he was mistaken. It had been almost a decade since the mechanic had last seen his cousin, but the more he watched, the more Souji began to suspect the young man poking around near the 4423's area of the hanger really was Sougo. But how to approach him? Souji didn't really want to give himself away, especially if he was mistaken. Setting the apple down, he walked over towards him. "Is there something I can help you with?" Simple enough question. If he was wrong, there would be no embarrassment to deal with.

[sadistofficer]

A strange familiar feeling came on to him. But he really couldn't figure out why. He smiles as much to the person before him, strangely at ease instead of feeling guarded.

"Nothing much, sir," he answered. "I'm never much of a plane guy but I'm always curious how things work."

For once, he was more curious of the person in front than really of the planes he was willing to blow up.

[spannertime]

Hmm. That hadn't answered his question for him. It looked as if he really was going to have to simply ask. "It's definitely the right place to find planes," he replied with a laugh. "I think there's one of just about every model made here... and a few someone built in a barn somewhere. Um, this is going to sound a little odd," he added, a little more uncertainly. "But... is your name Sougo?"

[fire_water_wood]

Even as the wrench clatters to the ground, Souji hears a "YIPE!" and the sound of....very small feet? wooden dowel rods? someone's cooking spoons?! scrambling back a few steps from about the same location.

[spannertime]

The unexpected outburst startled Souji slightly--there certainly shouldn't have been anyone in the way of his wrench. Scooping the tool up again, he blinked and looked around before spotting the small, colorful figure. "...hello?" He didn't really know what to make of it... it looked like a child's toy.

[fire_water_wood]

"Ah....h-hello, sir. I'm sorry - I didn't mean to interfere in your work. Are you all right?" Harlequin couldn't help but wonder what might happen to make a mechanic drop his wrench, thinking maybe he'd hurt himself.

[spannertime]

"You're not interfering," Souji replied, still a little confused. Despite the apperance, it seemed this really was a person and not a toy... how odd. Then again, he'd had some odd shipmates in the last year, so he probably shouldn't have been surprised.

"Oh! Yes, I'm fine. I skinned my knuckle a little when the wrench slipped, that's all. It happens sometimes."