[Open] I grew accustomed to despair

[recitings]

Who: Genesis Rhapsodos (recitings) and you.
Where: Around the Mansion, particularly the dining room.
When: Whenever from July 3 to July 14, around mealtimes.
Rating: G
Summary: Although Genesis prefers absolute solitude, that's pretty impossible in a mansion brimming with all kinds of people. So, when hunger hits, he'll be sneaking around in a disguise.
The Story:

[Genesis was still human. He was very sure of that. After all, hunger was a very human feeling and he still found himself looking for the same things he enjoyed before everything changed with the degradation. Apples, warm roast meats, and dishes with a great amount of sauce were always at the top of his mind. Unfortunately, though, the closet didn't seem to let him have what he wanted in the comfort of his room. So he had no choice but to step out to sate this very basic need.

Before doing so, though, he made sure to take a little precaution. After all, he still didn't want his solitude broken and there was no way he wanted to face the other SOLDIERs or anyone else associated with them in the meantime. With that in mind, he decided to don a disguise. He covered up his copper hair with a black wig, set in contacts to dull the mako glow of his eyes, and exchanged his SOLDIER uniform for a simpler black jacket over a mauve shirt, faded jeans, and sneakers. The look was absolutely different for him, and he wasn't used at all to how comfortable it was, but at least he felt convinced that no one from his world could associate him with them.

With his disguise set, he moved out of his room on the 10th floor and headed down to the dining room for a quick meal.]

Comments

[kunsel]

[Kunsel rather enjoyed the second floor so far. Not only did the library (sometimes) reside there, but there was also the dining room with tables that filled up with food on their own. Perfect for when you wanted a late night bite to eat before doing a little research, right?]

[Or, in his case, a little late night searching for a fellow SOLDIER at Angeal's request.]

[And it was precisely that search which brought him to the dining hall that evening, following someone who looked, at the very least, structurally similar to Genesis. It was difficult to be certain when the former SOLDIER had been known for wearing armor and a long red leather coat and this man's attire was less conservative, but it was more than that, really.]

[Not quite a hunch...but something pinged by observation: mannerisms, posture, and facial expression. These were things harder to mask on short notice. And so Kunsel waited for the stranger to enter the dining hall first, then followed suit a little ways behind.]

[recitings]

[Kunsel's hunch was accurate. Indeed, despite Genesis' way with words and the fact that he was keeping to himself as much as possible, it was impossible for him to change the peculiar shape of his face and a few other distinct features about his visage. At the same time, certain habits seemed visible in the way he carried himself-- still with that strong, stiff posture that gave away a military background. No matter how casual his wear was, his form looked far too regal to be part of the common rabble.

While Kunsel may observe all of these things, Genesis himself was paying attention to those around him. And he did notice a particular individual who seemed to tail him once he entered the dining all.]

((ooc: Is Kunsel wearing his typical SOLDIER stuff? Or is he wearing something totally different?))

[kunsel]

[It could all be coincidence, but Kunsel had never relied heavily upon that as an excuse. Too many people had that tendency, and too many people wound up empty-handed in their searches because of it. Leave no stone unturned was a much better motto than It's just a coincidence, he found. At the end of the day, even if it didn't leave you with much, it almost always left you with a clue toward the next step you should take.]

[Still, it might have been better for him if he'd thought to disguise himself to look for Genesis, but it hadn't actually occurred to him that the former SOLDIER would run if spotted and approached calmly. (Genesis wasn't Vincent, after all.) And it might have been better if he'd prepared more to say, something besides, "Hey! Angeal's looking for you!" How awkward would that be if this guy was just a lookalike?]

[...or a clone.]

[He shakes his head. Nah, that's not so likely.]

[Keeping an eye on the dark-haired man, Kunsel makes his way to the table and pretends to eye up the food laid out for eating. Well, it's mostly pretending. The closer he gets, the better it smells, and his stomach betrays his hunger by growling a little more audibly than he'd have appreciated any other time.]



[OOC: We'll go with regular clothing (minus the blazer and side bag), but seeing as how he's not in disguise or hiding, per se, he hasn't gone to the precautionary lengths of hiding his eyes or anything like that. Guess this'll be his first written public outing without the helmet, though. AND NOW I WISH I'D DRAWN SOME ICONS FOR THIS. Derp.]

[recitings]

[Despite his suspicions, Genesis wouldn't dare to talk to anyone unless he was asked. But the sudden sound of a stomach growling definitely caught his attention. He wouldn't dare speak yet, though. Instead, he gives the blond a look that silently communicated something along the lines of "your stomach is rude" before he himself settled down at the table and got small things to eat.

He had to keep his meals small to ensure that he could move quickly back to his room. He couldn't risk anyone seeing him for extended periods of time.]

[kunsel]

[There is a moment (particularly when his stomach chooses to launch itself into a fit of obscene noise-making) in which Kunsel is certain he's been found out. The man he has been following does little more than look at him, but there is a weight behind that gaze, one Kunsel has felt from only a handful of people, all of them SOLDIER First Class.]

[It's gotta be him. But...what's with the outfit?]

[He absentmindedly piles some food onto his plate, nibbling on a wedge of this or that as he does so, but continues to watch the lookalike. And when his food-stacking has brought him a little closer, he chooses then to strike up a conversation.]

You, uh, heard that, huh? [Heh.] Haven't eaten much all day.

[Can you tell by his stacked plate? Someone sure knows how to eat like the bachelor he is...]

[recitings]

[Genesis couldn't help but continue to frown at this man with the rude stomach. But despite the way he was definitely giving him a stern look, he wasn't actually looking at him properly, choosing to avoid looking at his face.

But now that he decided to strike up a conversation, he turned this time to look at him properly. It was then that he noticed those unnaturally bright eyes of his.

Mako eyes.

SOLDIER or not SOLDIER, Genesis had to be more guarded around this one.]

Looks like you are ready to sate it.

[He keeps his voice low, making sure the tone doesn't match closely with the higher, more haughty voice he once used as a First Class SOLDIER.]

[kunsel]

Mm...not quite. This here's just the first course!

[Shamelessly, and rather expertly, Kunsel scoops up another plate while balancing the first in the crook of elbow. Said second plate sees the stacking of a lot of salads and cold foods, a fresh contrast to the protein-rich meats and such piled high upon the first.]

Then there's picking a good drink to go with it...and dessert. And then I remember I've only got two hands. Say...think you'd be able to lend an extra? Just up to my room, it's not far.

[Why not offer, right? It'd be a good way to talk to this fella a bit more and learn for certain who he is and where he's from. And failing confirmation of any suspicions, he can at least strike up conversation with the guy on the grounds he could be a potential friend or contact.]

[Of course, that was providing the request was even acknowledged or accepted.]

[recitings]

[On one hand, Genesis could help him and be nice so as not to cause suspicion. But at the same time, that might increase the chances of this guy knowing him. On the other hand...]

Why don't you just eat here at the table?

[kunsel]

Are you kidding me? That'd be a fast way to pop a button.

[As though his current smorgasbord isn't already well on the way to doing just that.]

Besides, important stuff to do and all that jazz. I thought I'd be better off multitasking. Oh, but if it's a problem...the helping, I mean...don't feel obligated or anything. I'll just. I can...

[He finishes stacking the salad plate, then tosses some fruits and sweets onto a third. Pours himself a cup of juice and tries to get a firm hold on it with his teeth so that his free hand can carry the dessert plate.]

I're fry foo oo i' ngyself...

[What he means is: I'll try to do it myself.]

[recitings]

[Genesis rolls his eyes and turns to the man again, quietly taking away some of the plates from his arms so he could actually take that glass out of his mouth and stop looking like a fool.]

[kunsel]

[When his hands are free, Kunsel removes the cup from between his teeth and grins at the stranger.]

You're a life saver, man. I owe you one. With my luck, I'd have started up the stairs and tripped...wearing the whole meal in front of someone attractive.

[With a nod of his head, he gestures for Genesis to follow, taking the lead and making a show of eying up the contents of the table for anything he might have missed. It's not hard, really. There's so much to choose from that he couldn't possibly sample everything unless he actually did sit down there and eat instead of returning to his room.]

You could grab something for yourself too, you know? Or I can share. I don't mind since you're helping.

[recitings]

If you were so sure of that, you probably shouldn't have thought of doing so in the first place.

[Genesis speaks with a calm tone that was very far from the sharpness he used to speak with as a First Class SOLDIER under ShinRa. But still, there's a little snappishness that was uniquely him in his words.]

I'm not all that hungry.

[In any case, the sooner he was done with helping this man, the sooner he could return to his business. He follows him.]

[kunsel]

I figure I can survive a bruised rep in the eyes of civilians, but not so much my superiors, so work takes precedence. I keep the promises I make, you know?

[He pauses after the stranger's last remark though, and looks back over his shoulder at the man. His blue eyes are suddenly very astute.]

Funny...what were you doing in the dining hall if you're not hungry?

[recitings]

I was thinking of getting a snack, but you distracted me from that train of thought.

[He answers curtly, still continuing to follow him while holding some of that food for him.]

[kunsel]

[It doesn't take long to get to Kunsel's room seeing as how it's only on the second flood. Convenient, that. And outside the door Kunsel pauses to carefully try and rifle through his pockets for his keys.]

What're ya snacking for if you're not hungry? Man, that's a good way to put on weight. Just sayin'!

[recitings]

My weight is of no concern to you.

[Genesis watches Kunsel blankly as he tries to get to his keys.]

[kunsel]

Well, no...I guess not, I was just trying to be considerate. Guys like us, we gotta look out for one another, you know?

[He finds his keys, looks like he might shout victory (but doesn't) and fits them into the lock. A moment later the door is opened and Kunsel nods the other man in first.]

After you!

[recitings]

"Guys like us?" Whatever do you mean by that?

[He asks with his voice low as he enters the room and immediately moves to set down the young man's food at a table there.]

[kunsel]

"Oh, you know. Young, fit, and...helpful. That fits, too, seeing as how you helped me up here and all. I guess I mean..." He follows the other into the room and uses his heel to kick shut the door behind them. "...the heroic type."

It was going out on a limb, but he had to dig if he wanted to be sure, right?