Voices on The Wind

    Xander steps outside of the gates, unknown of Kita who is following him. He opens the inventory and pulls out a pair of gloves, looking them over.

His claw following over the flaw of the stitch line. A smile crosses his features gently, but it fades almost as quickly as it was there, before he places them back in his inventory.

    That is when he hears someone following him. His eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn't see who. Only he knows that he is being followed and given making a few enemies or possible enemies that /might/ remember him before the expansion...

He goes around the corner of the wall of the city, his hand reaching for his blade and without hesitation he swings the blade, only to come to a stop inches from Kita's face. His eyes in that moment had no light; Pure darkness and anger.

Only when he realizes who it is, does a shimmer of light come back in those eyes, his sneering lips relaxed as he says, "... Kita?" Then he realized what he almost had done, and his hand drops the sword as it clatters to the ground, "I-- I am sorry.. Y-you.. okay? I-- I didn't.."

Despite being an Imp, Kita is not exactly sneaky. It's probably the hard soles of her shoes, or the fact that she's having to nearly jog to keep up with someone who is nearly a foot taller than her. Her wings flap, but they don't seem to help at all. Curse the lack of flying in this game!

Then, he goes and vanishes around a corner and the girl is left cursing under her breath. It is by some stroke of luck that she catches sight of the blade as it comes towards her and manages to skid to a stop just at the same moment that he stops his blade mere inches from her nose. That, would likely have been painful.

"Umm." She starts, trying to catch her breath. Her stormy eyes look from the weapon, to Xander, and then back again. "I have enough scars, I don't think I need more to compliment the look." She starts, laughing a bit nervously.

Then, the sword falls and she can't help but show some sign of relief. "Little... intense there for a second, huh?" She asks, then listens to him stammering. "You had that look to you when you left, like something was going on up there again." She pulls her hat forward, tucking it onto her head and casting her eyes into shadow.

"What did you think? I was a PKer? Chasing you in noisy ass flats?" She lifts one foot, then sets it down again, making an audible sound. She's clearly rattled, though, there is a nervous sort of trembling in her fingers.

    Xander didn't reply right way. His bangs hiding his eyes as he lowers his head. His jaw clenches a little as his tail flicks gently behind him. When he does talk he simply says, "Sorry." Before leaning his back against the wall and slides down to just-- sit on the ground.

There was a long moment of silence before he says, "Yes. I did. Before t-the.. um..." He growls at his own frustration. His words slipping up, as he just places the palms of his hands against the edge of his temples. Xander inhales deeply, eyes closed, before he exhales gently; Slowly.

"Before the expansion, I would counter PK groups to protect lowbie players. I would also challenge people for their gear. You-- don't make many friends that way." Xander admits. "So... as everyone is spreading out. As groups start to form back up... It might be a matter of time before one of those-- groups-- people-- individuals.... they find me."

    Xander rests his head back, his eyes still closed. "People are petty like that and we been a month in this game. I am... surprised at how... Tame... things have been." He chuckles a little, but it was nervous. "K-kind hoping that Atif would hang, um, hang around. Nice distraction honestly."

The Salamander then motions to her, as he tries to look over to her, "But hey! ... hehe... here you are. You-- you can be a pretty good one as well."

"Don't sweat it." Kita replies, though it might be obvious that her ease is only surface deep. She crouches down, plucking up his sword, offering the weapon back out to him. It's then that the slight shake in her hands becomes more obvious, probably. She just takes a breath and tries not to focus on the rush of anxiety that comes with it.

"It makes sense. Next time I'll try to call out so you know it's me." The girl is still breathing heavily, though. "It's just hard to shout when your lungs are burning." She laughs, but it doesn't seem to have any real humor. "How the heck does Jurou do this every day?" She pants, touching her free hand to her chest.

"I imagine they'll show up sooner or later. Big difference is that this time, you have friends, right?" She asks, still trying to catch her breath as she leans against the wall a little distance from him. Perhaps not trying to crowd him with whatever is going on in his mind.

"Oh thanks. I'm 'pretty good'." She mutters sarcastically. "I assume you needed to blow off some steam? Do some manly stuff? Grunt and fart and scratch your balls?"

    Xander notices her hands shaking and slowly takes the sword from her, but carefully. He then slams the blade of it into the ground, perhaps out of aggravation more than anything else.

"If you jog at least two miles, maybe four, a day, your lungs get use to it. Also you need to control your breathing. You might be breathing more upper than lower." He says softly to her, before his hands leave the hilt of the sword.

    "And its-- better my friends don't get involved in my troubles. Lost... plenty of--" He doesn't finish that statement, instead he looks over to her and just sees how vulnerable she looks. His brows furrow and before she could even get a word out edge wise, he then hugs her.

He pulls her close and gives her a warm hug. Kita might even hear a very low, faint rumble from that man, as he says softly. "... I am sorry Kita... I would never in my right mind hurt you.."

"Hah." The laugh that bursts out of Kita isn't one of humor, but of surprise. "Oh no, I'll leave that to athletic sorts like you and Jurou. I've never been good at sports." She shakes her head, reaching up to use her gloved palms to wipe a bit of sweat off her forehead. Even the chill in the air hasn't quite gotten rid of all of it.

"No one is losing anyone." She replies back, about to say something else when he seems to come out of nowhere and just hug her. Kita just stands there, and eventually laughs, this time with a bit more warmth. "I'm fine. I promise. You just scared me, that's all."

Lightly shoving at his chest, she adds, "If you had attacked me, you'd have found yourself with a fireball to the face, though. We'd find out what toasted Salamander smells like." Her nose crinckles a little bit in amusement.

"But seriously, would you rather have a guy keep you company? You seemed to be getting a little overwhelmed back there." She asks, her head tilted ever so slightly, perhaps trying to get a read on his slightly mercurial mood.

    Xander ends up letting her go once he feels her hand touch his chest, just lean back to the wall once more, sitting there on the ground where it is safe.

His arms coming to rest across his knees. "Well, when you have a dream with ladies in it-- and then you find yourself trapped where it seems like about... oh... seventy-five percent of people running around are woman," Then he places up an index finger, "Even if they may be men real life." His hand lowers to rest on his knee once more. "... You find yourself getting overwhelmed really easily."

    The Salamander sighs softly, "But your company is always welcomed, Kita. Though honestly guy stuff isn't all that exciting. Just talking about the buns, the cup holders, and possibly grading them." He laughs a bit before he shakes his head, "That probably sounds super degrading."

The trembling in Kita's fingers seems to finally ease back to normal, and she flexes her fingers a little bit. It seems her body has decided that the danger is over, for now. So, she stretches, which probably isn't helpful figuring what Xander reveals to her next.

She stops mid-way and just goes, "Oh. Right." Yep, that would do it. Letting her hands drop back to her sides, Kita catches her lower lip with her teeth. "I can see how that would be... troublesome." A laugh follows, "I know one of them is a guy, but I'm not sure about most people, though. I don't ask unless they offer."

"Here, give me a second!" She ducks back around the corner, "No peeking!" The girl warns. Once there, there Kita goes through a series of menu commands, swapping out clothing in quick succession. It's long enough that anyone would be left wondering just what in the heck she is doing over there.

Then, after what seems like maybe five minutes, someone walks back around and flops down next to him. That someone... looks quite a bit different at first glance. A guy - that's the first impression. A black haired young man with soft features, a white tunic and brown trousers. "There, better?" It's the voice that gives it away.

Then, Kita clears her throat. "How's this?" Her voice drops a little, sounding more masculine. "Haven't done his voice in months." Yep, it is Kita, but also... not Kita? Her subtle but pretty makeup is gone, so are her glasses. It's hard to imagine how she might have hidden her more feminine physical features but they are masked as well. All that really remains is those familiar blue eyes and the couple of scars on her face that aren't as easily masked.

    Xander nods gently, "Yeah. I know one was a dude as well, but... It makes you wonder I suppose. We been in a game for a month... eventually," He hrms, "Would this people even remember what it is like?"

Then Kita gets up and walks around the corner. He raises a brow and watches her disappear. What comes back is, not what he was expecting. "Well then," He says with a chuckle. "Leave as a woman, come back like a guy. Pretty impressive trick!"

Though when she messes up on the voice and has to correct, it makes him laugh a little. "Kind of reminds me of that time I lost a dare and had to walk around as a woman, couldn't do the voice though!" He admits.

Xander gives her a once over, "You know," He grins, "You look pretty cute even as a guy. You wear the whole look well."

"People will remember." Kita replies, though using that deeper voice. "I don't know if anyone ever did studies on the long-term effects. I imagine it has to be stressful. Like all of a sudden having gender dysphoria." She relaxes against the wall then, one leg out in front of her and the other tucked up against her chest.

"We were experimenting with social media, considering doing a band apperance in-game, but... there were limitations." She taps just below one blue eye. "His eyes are brown, but there's no contacts in game. And the INSPECT command sort of ruins the whole illusion. So we scrapped the idea." Then, there is one of those familiar smirks, "Dad wasn't really into video games anyways."

That is when she offers out her hand, "Still, Xander, meet Kei Megumi. Rhythm guitarist of Prophetic Underground." His comment about her still being cute gets a laugh. "Oh trust me, I know. I've got a fan club."

She gives him a look though, as if trying to imagine him in a dress. Then again, his Salamander body likely doesn't look much like his real world one, or so she guesses. "It takes practice, the voice thing. Don't know if you'd make a pretty woman or not, though. I have trouble picturing what you might look like in the real world."

    Xander oohs softly, "A in game band huh? Yeah. The inspect feature would give things a way and that be no fun!" He admits, "Though I've met a few people who have given me shit for using it even now." He laughs a little. "Sorry kids, this mid thirty year old was never good at the whole roleplay experience!"

Though his brows furrow. "Though I was willing to once do it... Not that it would have mattered." He scuffs a little. Though when the hand extends, he accepts it with a firm shake. "Kei huh? I'll try to remember that."

    The Salamander's tail gently thumps on the ground. "As for my looks well," He shrugs gently, "What you see, is what you get Kei. May been paralyzed and the game did a good job at figuring stuff out, but I tried to keep what I could in shape. Though... some days were harder than others to stay motivated to do so."

"Days I did-- just-- want to give up." Xander admits softly. "But I also refused to be a burden more than I already was." He says that last bit with a nod of his head. "As for the /how/," The Salamander rubs the back of his neck, "Weeeell... My crush and sometimes partner had a dress, the guys found a wig. We got some padding, and yeah. I walked around on base with this shit on for like a few minutes. We uh, we also maybe, just a smidge, drunk that day too."

    "My team," He laughs and actually smiles. "My brothers they were--" Then that smile starts to fade and looks out as if almost seeing ghosts out there. "... they were... something else..." Then Kita may catch a tear in the corner of his eye, before he looks away and ahems softly. "B-but seriously. You should like dress up as Kei more often. See how many people you can fool. Be good for some laughs."

"J-rock. My dad's band lost their rhythm guitarist when he had a kid, so I offered to help." Kita's expression shows amusement as she rubs her back a bit against the stone wall. "He didn't think a sixteen year old girl would be good for their reputation, so... Kei was born. Young enough that guys want to be like them, and girls want to date them. So it's a win-win." She explains, "That was three years ago."

She doesn't comment on dressing as Kei more, perhaps simply not that interested in trying to disguise herself while in this world. Besides, it didn't feel complete without the other additions that really made the character stand out.

"Well, if that's the case, I can say you're a pretty attractive guy." She raises a brow at him. "You could probably have pulled it off. Though I imagine it wouldn't go over so well on a military base." Military guys were... weird sometimes.

"You know, you sell yourself short, right? I'm probably not going to ever be able to convince you of that, but you do." She folds her arms across her chest, resting them slightly on her drawn up knee. "Nah, I'm getting too old for it, and trust me, it isn't very comfortable on my 'pillows' if you know what I mean." She wiggles a little as if reminded of this. "Besides, can you imagine the publicity? Kei Megumi revealed to be none other than Lead Guitarist Riku Takekaze's daughter!" She laughs, "Not to mention all the girls that will be questioning their sexuality at that point."

    "Well," Xander was going to say something on this thinking of two English singers that were very much gay, but remembered that one crushed the hearts of women all over when he announced what he was. "Yeah... Maybe it is better."

The Salamander grunts, "Trust me, it was /only/ for a few minutes and I got sassed about it later. Thankfully it was in good gist and those who love to use it against me, never got to see it."

    Though when Kita tells him he is good looking he huffs his bangs to the side and when she explains that he sells himself short he shakes his head. "One night stands, my dude." Maybe he should say dudette, but eh! "One nights stands and one friends with benefits. Could never hold a serious relationship even if I wanted. Not even back in highschool."

"I think I'm cursed honestly." He chuckles lightly, "At this point in my life, I'm not even sure I know what to do with a serious relationship... though there are days I really do want someone to hold close and just-- feel the warmth of. Your lucky you have someone, Kita. Guess that is why I am a little jealous."

    Xander goes to lower his legs, leaning back with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed. "However, just like the tower, I need to start adapting more. Even maybe follow in another friend's shoes and head for at /least/ where Salamander's come from. Maybe actually /get/ more," He then air quotes, "In character."

While Kita normally talks easily, she seems to let the flow of the conversation shift to Xander. Her eyes flick out to the landscape around them, but the slight cant of her head suggests that the girl is still listening.

"Jurou sells herself short, too." She admits, voice shifting back to her natural tone. "I had a crush on her from day one and it took forever to get enough courage to admit it. Even then, she looked like a deer in the headlights. Like, she hadn't even thought about dating a guy, much less a girl." Kita blows at a few strands from the dark-haired wig she is wearing, the artificial quality of it tickling her nose.

"Maybe the right person will just find you? I don't know. I was a pretty fucked up kid. Still am in a lot of ways." She admits, "Jurou is the one who pulled me out of my own head. Someone is going to come along, look at you, and go: Yes, this person thinks they are a steaming garbage pile of a person, but I see more than that. When you find that person, you hold on to them, yeah?"

"Oh god, please don't dive down the role-play rabbit hole. If you start playing the part of the pompous knight I might just have to shove a stick up your ass to go with the attitude." Kita rolls her eyes. "But... if you need to get out, get out for a while, then come back. I know we need you in the Tower, but your life comes first."

    "Honestly," Xander says simply. "In the can of zerg, I rather be left out of it." The Salamander admits. "I /want/ to help, but I'm a soldier. I look at things /as/ a soldier. Not a gamer or civilian who is playing as /one/, but real military tactical situation."

He shakes his head, "You are /trained/ to do that. Its beaten into you. You don't turn it off and back on... and really," He laughs, but it isn't a happy one. "Its frustrating!" He rests his head back against the wall. "There is going to be a massive wipe and when it happens its going to be because no one was prepared and no one honestly studied the situation."

    He then looks up to the sky. "And I'm a hard-ass. I know I am. It was easy keeping it somewhat in the dark, but the longer I am here. The more that /natura/, the /real/ me is slipping in and--" he closes his eyes once more. "-- and that part of me is waiting for everything to crash."

"This is some twisted, sick game. All over again. And nothing anyone, no matter how damn good, is going to do about it." Xander than sighs and goes to stand up, reaching for his sword to pull out of the ground, before cleaning the blade off. "And I never was a holy knight, as much as I like to joke about it."

Xander then looks at her. "I am a trained weapon, programmed to think of a million ways to kill someone at any given time, and make sure I always come out the victor. If not me," He then sheaths his sword. "Then at least my team." He chuckles lightly, "Give me a few more weeks.. maybe a couple more months-- and then I probably won't even be in this guild anymore. I'll probably be off making silver as an undying mercenary for the Landers."

This. This has Kita grow quieter. There is a lot that she simply doesn't understand, and despite being a fairly empathic person, there isn't any way to put herself in the shoes of a soldier. The training, the control, the orders, it is all something she can conceptualize, but it doesn't form into anything solid in her mind.

So, she just sits there, letting him talk. Letting him vent. Even when he gets up, Kita remains sitting there, watching him with those intense blue eyes of hers. "You're right." She finally says, "This is a twisted game. It's fucked." Kita pushes herself to her feet, her motions just ever so slightly more stiff than if she were not cross-playing at the moment.

"But that doesn't mean you have to be dragged down with it." She motions back towards the city, towards the tower. "You aren't a dumb soldier, Xander. You're not a trained monkey following orders." She points, "In there, is a whole mess of scared people. People who just want to go home. People with lives, with families, with hopes and dreams."

"Those people need people like you. People who can look at the situation and lead. Who can see where the danger lies. Who can train them. Teach them. Not because you're a weapon. Not because you can kill people." Her eyes harden, "But because you can show people how to win. You can make this world better."

Then, she sighs, rolling her eyes, "But yeah, sure. Go be a mercenary for the Landers. Kill shit for the landers and be rich, stupid, and lonely. But if you do, I'll come and kick your ass. I'll come and make you eat your fucking promise about not hurting me. Because at that point, I don't think there will be much of you left to care."

    Xander listened to her words and sighs softly. He reaches over and places his hand on her shoulder. "I am not going anywhere, Kita. Its all theoretical anyways." His hand slides off. "But I can't lead. I can teach sure-- lead no. People will get killed if I lead. I-- I can't lead. Never will."

Then he turns to face her and smiles. "Now, why don't we get back inside huh? I think we both had enough serious for one day and you," he motions to her outfit. "Probably like to get more comfortable, or at least free the ladies I'd imagine." Motioning to her chest. "Though... I still think you look nice in that often as well. Maybe even more /you/ really."

"If you say so." A little of the bluster leaves her eyes at that, as if she weren't entirely sure all the reasons behind Xander's way of viewing the world. It would probably take someone far more wise to dig through that mess.

"I should probably change back, though it would be funny to surprise Jurou like this on Valentine's day." She muses to herself. "But I should be getting back to her soon. I've got something nice planned." So, Kita is more than happy to excuse herself from seriousness and head back into the city. "By the way, did you hear that there's a guy selling Cactus juice?" She asks, as they walk.

This will not end well...