2026-01-25: Two Toughs Talk
- Log: Two Toughs Talk
- Cast: Aigis, Moriko Kumamoto
- Where: Iwatodai Dormitory
- OOC Date: February 01, 2026
- IC Date: September 19, 2012
- Summary: Moriko encounters Aigis while she's reading a book on the SEES dorm common room's couch. They talk about various genres of fiction, ranging from the gangster novel which Aigis is reading to Moriko's suggestions of cyberpunk, sci-fi, and ... magical girls?
(|============================ Iwatodai Dormitory ============================|)
-================================================== Iwatodai City/Iwatodai ====-
A large four-story dormitory used by the Specialized Extracurricular Execution
Squad, only five minutes from Iwatodai Station. Upon entering, one passes a desk
with a sign-in book for guests to find a large carpeted common room that's well
appointed for co-ed gatherings.
A TV is usually on with the local news or a movie that's been loaded into the
DVD player for a student to enjoy. A table for shared dinners, or more often
study sessions, takes up the other half of the dorm, as well as a kitchen should
one dare to show off their skills to their fellow students.
There are two winding staircases on either side. The one on the left simply says
'Boys' while the other on the right states 'No Boys Except By Invitation.' The
implicit threat of execution need not be written down for those who violate
these rules. The second and third stories are living spaces divided by gender
with common spaces that have study areas and bookshelves available.
The fourth story is the command center with surveillance capabilities for not
just different parts of the city but each room within the dorms. The Chairman
has assured all who live here that this capability is strictly necessary.
BGM - Dormitory Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj-FrFI0qnM
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
It's been a few days since the attack on the SEES dorms and subsequent encounter with the Shadow of the artist who had been captured by the Joker Killer.
Today, Aigis is seated alone in the dormitory common area on the first floor as she reads through a novel. She's wearing the dress shirt and slacks combination which Moriko might recognize from the shopping trip out.
... She's trying to not dedicate too many computational cycles to the thought that Strega could attack again. The novel's purpose is to serve as a distraction.
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko has been out most of the day, coming back from a visit to the shrine! Even wearing a dress probably not too far from Aigis' as well as a pair of sandals. Slipping through the door, she closes it behind her. Lets her breath out for a moment as she doesn't hear anyone and immediately moves to slump a little. Working her shoulder and giving it a bit of a rub. She's sore and may or may not have been holding up out of some stubborn sense of pride.
Then she spots Aigis and stands up straight again. With a wince and calls out, "Hey Aigis-" Pausing when she spots her reading. Picking her way over, Moriko leans against the couch for support and to pretend casualness to try and peek at the book. "Not.. going to bother you too much if you want to read. Just curious."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis turns her head towards Moriko and smiles in the exact same manner she always does when someone approaches while she's reading -- machine-like precision, with minimal deviation. "Hello, Kumamoto-chan."
Moriko's shoulder movements don't escape her notice. A more socially-aware person might avoid saying something to spare Moriko's pride, but ...
"You are injured," she blithely comments. "Is it from the recent excursion to Tartarus? You should take the proper amount of time to rest."
"You are not bothering me at all." The novel's cover depicts a group of rowdy young men dressed in boiler suits standing in front of several parked motorcycles. "I am perfectly capable of reading while carrying on a conversation.
She looks up and to the side as if in recall, then returns her gaze to Moriko. "Would you care to sit with me for a bit? I will reiterate my suggestion that you take it easy. Suzuki-san had expressed some measure of concern for your well-being."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko moves to take a seat. Still trying to peek at the book, mostly because she does like reading herself and all. And you know, sitting down helps. She's leaned forward. Knees together and hands on her knees. "I am a bit injured, yeah." She admits. She's not about to deny it. A second time even. "I'm fine though."
"I don't know if I recognize that one. What's it about?" She rubs the back of her head. then sits up suddenly with just the hint of a wince. "That is.. probably true actually." She admits. "I sometimes do it too."
"Suzuki-san did too?" She frowns. "I'm fine I'm fine. Please don't worry too much. And if you let me know what you like to read, I can share some too!" Changing the subject. It works right? Probably not
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Luckily for Moriko, being simple and direct with Aigis works incredibly well. She takes the request to not worry about her as a command. "Understood. Just as long as you do not overly strain yourself." She doesn't press the issue further today, but internally, she still does note:
> Reminder set: Ask M. Kumamoto to seek medical attention for her arm 24h00m00s from now.
"He did. You had already lost consciousness at the time, but I wished to convey his concern to you."
Aigis holds up the book more prominently. The cover reads: 'VENOM KINGS'. "It is a fictional novel about several members of a bosozoku gang as they ride through the countryside as they attempt to find their purpose in a post-World War Two Japan. They do not seem to have many opportunities for work so soon in the aftermath of the war."
Aigis pauses, glances to the book, then back to Moriko. "I find the topic material resonant in my own situation -- if not now, then in my future."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko would not realize this right away. Despite the obvious, Moriko has had conversations with Aigis about fashion. She just sort of slips into the mindset that she should be treated like a person! She'll learn this later.
She frowns, "He had said he was worried before, but not that much." She shakes her head and looks vaguely confused, "Why call me to task for it, then tiptoe around it?" She seems genuinely confused at the idea. "Thanks I think." Either way.
She tilts her head again, looking at the book though. "I might have known a few guys like that growing up. Some of them are pretty nice." You know, when you've got ties higher up. It's fine.
"The finding work part, or just not knowing what you're going to do?" She does appreciate shifting her focus that way. Moving to lean against the chair's arm, head still propped up. She won't admit fatigue.
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis calmly states, "I was not aware that you had encountered him again. I apologize if I repeated his sentiment, but I thought I should in case you had not."
Confusion appears on her face. "'Call you to task'? I was not aware that I had done so ... unless you mean to say that Suzuki-san had done so." She glances down at her own 'feet,' then back up at Moriko. "Additionally, I have not done any 'tiptoeing' as I have remained seated this entire time."
"You might have known 'a few guys like that'?" Aigis presses her hands together and smiles. "That stands to reason. You dress similarly and you share some of their hobbies. You own a motorcycle, correct?"
Aigis nods at the question about the book and her own thoughts. "The latter. I have started to give some thought to what I may do once the Dark Hour has ended. I am not overly concerned at the moment, however."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko hesitates, "He wanted to make sure I was okay I think." She thinks at least. "So I was out at the shrine and just, talking."
She perks an eyebrow up at the confusion, leaning back slightly. "I did not mean it too negatively. It's something people do when they've messed up." Which, she did! Sort of. "And a figure of speech where you're being careful about a subject. Hemming around the edges?" There's a lot of phrases she takes for granted there. Huh.
She points to the book, "Yeah. Not the guys right after the way, the uh. Bosozoku, they used to show up for my grandfather from time to time." Which she never really used to question. Go figure.
Scratching her cheek, she asks, "Hm. Did this come about before or during the book?" Genuinely curious. "There's.. a lot of books that kind of approach it from a fictional side of things. You get the-" She wobbles her free hand, "What makes a person a person theme a lot."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis nods. "That is good, then. Please give him my regards the next time you see him."
"Understood. It is another figure of speech, but it was not a joke. I have a database of wordplay-related jokes in my systems, but ..." Her expression falters. "They are not very good for navigating regular conversation outside the context of a joke."
Moriko's assertions start to form a better picture in Aigis' head. "I see. The characters within the book are fictional, but the group has a basis in reality. Would you tell me more about them sometime?"
Aigis stares expressionlessly at Moriko as she answers. "During. A classmate had recommended that I read it, so I have indulged his request. What are some other books that grapple with such a topic, however?"
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko considers, "It's a-" she pauses. Working on the word in her head, trying to make sure she doesn't completely mangle it, "Colloquialism." which then leads to trying to explain it. "Informal shorthand?" That might help. Right?
"Yeah, absolutely. Though probably not in person." She states, thinking on it. "The mechanic shop I work at has some interaction and the geezer there is... nice? And less worried about all sorts of structural things that we don't need to get into." Which is a lot of words for 'Don't introduce gangs to weaponized robots.
"If you're talking that subject? Probably a lot of historic books. You can even find them worldwide. For.. what I was suggesting?" She thinks about that. "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep maybe?" There's some thoughts on that. "We should do a movie night." Wait should they? "I'll discuss it with.. a few people on a few movies." For the books though. "You could look at some manga for an easier read. New Dominion Appleseed or something." She may be mixing a few names up trying to obfuscate! Or.. not. "Neuromancer maybe? There's a few games out there too and-" She frowns. "We could dive down that rabbit hole for a while. I read a lot of scifi so-" she pauses. "Don't share that."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis gives Moriko a mildly unimpressed look for a moment, but then her own expression falls when she realizes how she may have come across, herself. "I am aware of what a colloqualism is, the problem is that I am usually not aware of which phrases are colloqualisms."
"I am sure that I will be in need of mechanical repairs again at some point in the future. Yamagishi-san is skilled enough, though I would not mind your aid or theirs should the need arise."
She lowers her gaze for a moment as she considers the title of one of the books, then looks up and matter-of-factly states, "But I know the answer to that: yes, I have dreamed of electric sheep on at least one occasion." Movies... "I have watched several films with Mandai-san." She hasn't had any exposure to manga. "Understood. I will look up -- oh." Then Moriko keeps going and going. Aigis waits for her to stop, but she does take note of which pieces of media she has suggested. "... I will read or watch or play all of these, as per your suggestion."
Moriko's protest elicits another set of blank-faced blinks. "What should I not share? The fact that you read science fiction?"
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko holds her hands up and says, "Not everyone knows the word and when you're working in other languages it's a problem too!" She points, "It's why it gets weird sometimes. Didn't mean it negatively."
"I don't know what Yamagishi-san specializes in, to be fair." She considers, "I do have the knowhow though." She then adds, as an aside, "If you have brakelines we're going to have to schedule though." There's a certain look about her that suggests brakelines are not her favorite thing.
"I mean that's.. definitely an answer." She doesn't ask the question on whether it's a screensaver or a dream. That seems mean even if she's sure it's a valid question.
"Had to think on which books were... good? That were uh. Widely good?" She seems lost for words on it. Safe maybe?
"I write some of it too and- yeah. Please?" She's embarrassed by that hobby. Don't worry about the strange dichotomy that is a tomboy worrying about also being a nerd.
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Conveying the intended meaning is a problem in outgoing communication just as it is in receiving. "I did not think you had meant it negatively."
As to the question of brake lines, Aigis glances down at her own frame, then back up at Moriko. "I do not seem to be in possession of brake lines, but I cannot say for certain if I have other parts which work by similar mechanisms ..." Aigis tilts her head. "Perhaps all three of us could convene together sometime and talk. I am sure you and Yamagishi-san would have much to discuss."
Aigis nods. While Moriko doesn't ask, what she says may still serve as an answer. "That it is. I have had other dreams, too, most often formed by recombining footage of previous events in various permutations."
Besides, even in meat-based humans, what's the distinction between a dream and a screensaver? All 'i'm getting tired, guys, brb i need to show my brain a movie'?
Aigis shakes her head. "No, no, I was simply unsure of whether or not you had finished speaking. I am glad that you have recommended works of media which you consider 'widely good.'"
"I would be interested in reading what you have written," Aigis states. "And your secret is safe with me."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko nods quickly, "Good. Just saw the look." She pats her collarbone like she was calming herself down. Maybe a bit of a joke of her own.
"Are they weird, or something else? I've always heard all sorts of theories on what they were supposed to be. I.. don't know more beyond that surface level thing though." She mutters, "Never had the awkward school test dreams at least."
As for the difference between the two, that depends on the person! Screensavers unintentionaly weird are usually critical errors!
"Oh." She admits. "I don't uh, talk books or manga that much." Which, her brain's fine with games. For whatever reason.
"I can..." she rubs her chin. "Come by later and I'll pull some of the printed ones." They're doujin, but still.
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis pauses to consider if her dreams are 'weird' or 'something else.' "I am unable to make that distinction." She does add, "I have had the school test dream, but only as of starting my first semester a couple of weeks ago."
"Well, I am glad you have mentioned them to me, at least. Arisato-san and Aomori-san have also showed me a few video games, and Mandai-san has promised I could play in a tabletop game sometime."
Aigis has reread the rulebook for Blade World several times by now.
She smiles pleasantly at Moriko. "I would like that very much. What have you written about, if I might ask?"
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko does actually sit up a little. And wince. "Wait which kind of dream was that?" Hey that's actually an interesting bit of insight! And maybe a little worrying. Is this a Weller thing?
"Wait.. who doesn't just do nerdy things?" She scowls. Muttering to herself, "If everyone's a geek I'm probably standing out m-" she cuts herself off and looks up. "Which games?" That's a good segway. Totally.
"Uh, magical girls. The one I'm trying to get going now is a sci-fi one though. Kinda... odd?" She wobbles her hand at that. "Big blasted landscape with just a clocktower standing."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
"Well, in my dream, I was at school, and I took a test." No mention of anxiety around it, no other strangeness ... just replaying the events of the day.
Aigis has no answer for Moriko's initial (rhetorical) question. She's not quite aware of the social dynamics. Her face DOES light up at the last question, however. "Entries in the Drake Adventure series. Perhaps you could talk with them about it?"
She isn't familiar with some of these terms; at least not in the sense Moriko's using them -- she doesn't recognize one of them as a genre yet. "'Magical' ... girls? Mixed with 'science' fiction." That seems paradoxical, but ... so do many other things.
The mention of only a clocktower left standing does cause her to tense up. Something about that hits eerily close to home. "I am sure that I will enjoy it -- or at least I would enjoy the opportunity to read what you have written."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko scratches her cheek again, "Huh. I might ask you about some of that later." She decides on the spot. "Might help with what I'm writing to be more-" She considers. "Accurate? In depth?"
"Uh. Cute girls fighting monsters in dressup. Usually with a mixed bag of themes depending on if you're going for cute, exciting or horror."
"I will make sure to hand it over when you get a chance to stop by. Just uh, don't share the name at least? I do use a pseudonym. Lemme get used to someone actually knowing who I am."
<Pose Tracker> Aigis has posed.
Aigis smiles that same pleasant smile again. "I would be happy to assist you in your endeavors."
The description of the genre causes Aigis to pause again. She briefly looks at her own hands, then down at her chassis and her mode of dress. "Kumamoto-chan. Might I ask if you and I qualify as these 'magical girls'?"
Moriko's further insistence on secrecy causes Aigis to temporarily avert her gaze again. "Of course. I have already agreed not to divulge that you are its author; I had not been planning on sharing your work at all."
"Besides, I am already well-versed on the importance of a good pseudonym." Did ... did she just wink??? Did Aigis just wink?
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko considers that, then points one more time, "Got a deal. Maybe if you need uh, maintenance? Or something we can talk while I'm working." That way she doesn't feel like she's just eating Aigis' time or something. "Or just hang out. Either or."
"I think we're a bit far from magical girl." She admits. "We're more uh.." She glances down. "Adjacent maybe?" That's a funny thought and she snorts a little in laughter.
"Oh I know I know." She waves dismissively, "Not at you. I'm just-" She frowns. "Probably overthinking it." She tilts her head, "Not surprised though."
The wink catches her off guard though. She offers a smile even, "You're learning fast."