18 Souls [Video Post]

[soul_dissonance]

[The video feed is turned on, with some light snow in the beginning. It reveals Soul looking down at it from an upward angle. He is standing with his hands tucked into his jacket's pockets.]

Is this thing on? Kind hard to tell...

[He picks it up, one of his fingers covering up a small part of the bottom of the screen.] Ah, sorry.

[After he moves it away, the communicator is pointed outward from the stoop in front of the Latimir Apartments. He points it to the left.] Nothing over there. [Pans it wobbily over to the center, near the corner of Lander Boulevard.] ...or there.

And... [More wobbily panning, finally to the right over toward Horizon Park.] ...still nothing there. It's been quiet for once, and so maybe this guard duty job isn't so bad. Still pretty boring as hell though.

I thought that I'd see more of those dogs. I can hear them barking sometimes. Oh, and if that means they're chomping on someone's guts, then I hope they're not yours. [He gives a light chuckle.] Come to think of it, there was a strange light further down on Lander... Was someone out with a flashlight? It didn't look like fire. Too dim.

[He sighs and puts the communicator down on a lower step on the stoop.] Okay, report's over. [He settles back on the stairway, his arms crossed behind his head.]

Some of you guys ask too many damn questions about me. You think that a weapon is just something that you're supposed to swing around while you try to keep it from rusting.
Man... It's like your head is stuck in a box. Never take something for what it seems, because it might be cooler than you think in the end.

Hm. Almost forgot... Jenny, Prince, Kadaj, Linda and you too, "Stoneface." Let me show you something. [He picks up the communicator, and aims it up toward the star-filled sky.]

Night sky. Right above your heads, and you might not even blink twice before you notice it. Hangs over your head every time the sun goes down. No big deal right? A friend of mine back home used to say that he'd be bigger than the heavens. But he's a dumbass. He can barely collect on a single soul because he's too busy trying to be awesome.

But you know what? He's one of the biggest badasses I've ever met in my life, and that's not just in attitude... [He puts the communicator back down, and then points a thumb at his heart.] But in here too. That's what truly makes him cool. So, just think about that, and... [He pauses and then sighs, sitting up and scratching his head.]

Crap. I'm still no good at this stuff. [Soul reaches over and switches the device off, ending the transmission.]

Comments

[adventlead.livejournal.com]

I like the night sky. Mother's out there.

Your friend sounds dumb.

[covered-wars.livejournal.com]

Two moons.. Never thought I'd see that.

This place definitely has an amazing story to tell.

[empty-earth.livejournal.com]

I should hope you have no intention of addressing me as "Stoneface." Terra already gets away with calling me "Lex."

Still, it is an interesting view, though it means something far different for the likes of me.

(ooc:Strikes private to Soul.)

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

Yeah? Well, I aim to please. It's not like there's anything better to look at in all this darkness.

How are you doing? Did that leaf that Shinji gave you hold up well on your way back?

Your genius astounds me once again, Kadaj.

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

I never thought I'd see a lot of things here, but... There it is. For better or worse.

You mean other than "Rocks fall, everybody dies"?

[[ooc *bricked for poking at that fourth wall*]]

[Voice]

[adventlead.livejournal.com]

It's fun to look at, isn't it?

Yeah. It worked better than I thought it would. Are you going to hurt her...?

What can I say?

[Voice]

[covered-wars.livejournal.com]

I survived a mall full of zombies, something as crazy as rocks falling from the sky isn't gonna kill me now. I still have to publish my story.

'Sides, I'm sure you guys with superpowers can handle that.

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

You tell me. I didn't mean to be that creative, seeing as how I've already known someone by that trademark a little longer than you, "Lex."

But now that I think about it, the nickname does seem pretty fitting. You don't seem like the type to crack a smile on a whim either.

...

No soul either? There has to be something keeping you standing.

[Voice]

[empty-earth.livejournal.com]

I ordinarily never smile.

I lack a heart, which means I lack emotions. Axel already spoke of his being a Nobody, it would not take an intelligent person to put two and two together if they saw the similar clothing. However, as to why I can exist without a heart, your guess is as good as mine.

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

Aah... But I could barely recognize what a few of the stars were named back home. These ones I don't know at all. Might as well name a few of them ourselves, if we ever get bored.

That's good. Hm? The Princess? ...If I have to. Right now, all I can do is keep an eye out for her. It comes with the job I've been given, and it keeps me from getting burned before I ever manage to find Nightmare. In more ways than one.

[He chuckles] "Please teach me some humility, oh Master of the Cool"?

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

A whole mall full, huh? How did you manage that? I think that sounds like enough of a story on its own.

Not exactly sure how you are going to stop the presses around here though... I think that much has already been done for you.

Superpower? Heh. I think I like the sound of that.

[Voice]

[covered-wars.livejournal.com]

It wasn't easy. I have photos from it on my camera, and I'd broadcast it if I could ever figure out how to send the images over to this thing.

Probably.. Nobody back home would believe this kinda story. It'd make a nice bit of cash in tabloids, maybe, but a respectable paper may not take a story about another planet.

Thought you might.

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

Then I'll hold onto it for you. That name.

Oi, oi... Heartless and a "Nobody." ...I don't think I like this naming system already. Sounds like the one who created it had a bad sense of humor, if nothing else. Besides, I think there are too many people who strive for that kind of name. For it to be that simple is either very cruel, or downright ironic.

But enough of the thinking out loud... Maybe your existence is not meant to be questioned. You're living without a heart, and that doesn't even qualify you to be one of Linda's zombies! I'm sure that alone says something about who you are.

Too bad I can't see souls the way Maka can though. Now you've got me curious.

[Voice]

[empty-earth.livejournal.com]

The way a Heart behaves is quite different from a biological sense you might think of.

..Mm. The Superior never had a great sense of humor. We existed without hearts, and sought to obtain one. Now, however, I'm long since dead in my home world.

This place is all I have now.

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

Is it ever? Outside of video games, I wouldn't know. But, anyway... sounds cool. I'll be looking forward to the day that I can see those photos for myself.

Their loss, I guess.

Then am I acquainting myself with one of our local Average Joes? You're a dying breed.

[Voice]

[covered-wars.livejournal.com]

I've been hanging around the High School for now, I got a few people interested in the Santa Cabeza story, if you want a little preview.

Definitely met some interesting people, though.

Gotta make due with whatever I can get my hands on. Did plenty of reading and covered some crazy stories, so I'm not entirely unfamiliar with a situation like this. I'm no scientist, but I know a few things.

[i-has-waffles.livejournal.com]

That's... just what I needed to hear, man. I think my faith in the people here just went up bit.

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

Heh. Then I must have said something right. Looks like I should give myself some more credit.

This city has already fallen on hard times without our help.

I might follow my own lead, but... I don't think I want to get absorbed into this crappy scenery. And if I can drag a few more people out of it, then all the better.

[Voice]

[i-has-waffles.livejournal.com]

I respect that, man. I'm glad to hear that not everyone only cares about themselves and a few people around them.

...I'm Victor, by the way. But, uh... call me Vic.

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

Che. Looks like I dropped my guard again, huh? I'm going to have to keep a better grip on it next time.

Soul. I thought you looked like a new face.

Nice to meet you, Vic.

[voice]

[i-has-waffles.livejournal.com]

Let your guard down? What do ya mean?

Heh. Would it be rude of me to ask for a name, too?

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

To be cool, sometimes a hero has to act like he doesn't have a care in the world. But if any of his friends are in trouble, then the act has to drop.

That's all it means.

Aah? Soul must not be a very common name in your world.

[Voice]

[i-has-waffles.livejournal.com]

Man, I'm sorry! I thought it might a' been some weird curse word or something, Soul.

And I totally get you there. I deal with that on a daily basis, you know?

[Voice]

[nummeh-souls.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles] I can't say that I've ever heard that one before! Don't worry about it, Vic.

Sounds rough. Then again, I guess I'm one to talk.

You finding your way around the city all right?
You might want to look out for any monsters along the way too, in case no one warned you about them already.

[Voice]

[i-has-waffles.livejournal.com]

Eh, I'm used to it. Comes with bein' a superhero, right?

There were some freaky bat things somewhere on this street, but I managed to get away from them. I can't use my Sonic Cannon, but I still have my strength and speed, it looks like.