liminalteashop | sci fi psl

sci fi psl

[Kagami is escorted into the recreation space hissing. This proves to do little other than result in his captors transcribe their observations in a language he doesn’t understand, and he doesn't even feel better after the fact! But he can be stupid stubborn when he puts his mind to something. More importantly, he runs on spite and being petty.]

I hope all your data gets corrupted~!

[He waves at them in what would usually be a cheerful gesture, and ego bruised and no closer to escaping, he turns his attention to the most interesting person here. To be fair, they're the only other person here. Surprisingly humanoid, at that, but ephemeral and frail. ~~They’re pretty, and in another life and in a better mood maybe he’d flirt with them~~. It takes one look for Kagami to conclude that they won't be of much physical help in an escape. He fears they'd collapse if he nudged them too hard.

But they’re someone other than their shared captors, and he’s not one to turn down the opportunity to needle at people he dislikes— usually those who abuse their power and boy do the researchers who abducted him fit the bill. Their translators informed him of the goal of the study. Not that he has any reason to trust they’ll keep their word!

He’ll start by moving close to Nen. Get in their personal bubble and ooh and ahh like he’s never seen a person before. His eyes sweep up and down, appraising. He bats his lashes and plasters on his sweetest, most infuriating smile.]

Goodness, I have no idea what made them think this was wise. But I have an idea. Instead of becoming best friends, why don’t we speedrun their little experiment into the ground?

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[ Nenonen stares up at him for a few scant seconds, considering his words, and then replies: ]

I am afraid that if you wish to run I will be somewhat of a hindrance.

[ It's delivered straight-faced and solemn, not a hint of playfulness or cheek to be seen. 100% face-value, as if he's tried to make the literal suggestion of running very fast for the experiment.

Which is odd, since they don't believe any physical activity has been scheduled for today--but maybe he's spoken to the physicians or keepers since this morning? It is plausible that the schedule could have changed.

Nen gives him another up-and-down, considering. ]

You are new. I have not seen you here before.

[...

Kagami's smile doesn't budge as he screams on the inside. The pure, earnest way makes it difficult for him to believe they're anything but sincere. He can still work with this! It's fine. He just needs to learn more about them and what makes them tick.

He leans in closer.]

I can see that! But don't worry, I won't ask you to run! [Except when it's whatever is the equivalent here to 2am and Kagami has the zoomies--] Ah, was it obvious? I'm Kagami!

[Here, he does a shallow bow.]

Hello Kagami. I am Test Subject Twelve, but you may call me Nenonen if you wish. It is nice to meet you.

[ Again, that same earnestness. Almost like they have no other setting!! Odd, that. Most people would lean back a little at the impromptu closeness, but Nen sits there, unbothered as they cant their head slightly. No one has ever bowed to them before. ]

Do you intend to run? Is there a test the researchers wish to conduct?

[Test Subject. It gnaws into Kagami's nerves, and his carefully arranged, brittle sense of composure starts to crack.]

You're not a number, you st-- [No. There's no point. He suspects his patience may be tried with Nenonen, but it's the researchers who he hates. He won't succeed if he loses his temper so early on to someone who wouldn't understand.]

Nenonen it is! [As for a test. Hmmm.] There is a test! The researchers wish to test our, mn...ability to work together and display our resourcefulness!

Our cohesive compatibility. I understand.

[ The response is just as...odd...as the two that preceded it, but there's a more concreteness to it now that a goal has been laid out before them. Something to be tested on, to work towards. Nenonen understands that. ]

How are we to demonstrate this? Have they assigned a specific task?

...Yeah, that.

[Convincing Nenonen is easier than Kagami thought. He doesn't know if that says more about him, or the researchers, or Nenonen, but he'll take it!]

They have. [He leans in again to whisper, smile never leaving his face.] Our specific task is to work together to escape. Have you noticed any weaknesses in our captors or in this recreational space?

To escape...

[ The notion is surprising considering the purposes of their stay...but then, there are those here who are unhappy with their confinement, aren't there? Nen has heard some of them yelling--growling--into the late hours of the night. It makes sense.

A considering hum escapes them. ]

Yes, I think I have noticed some deficiencies. However, they are specific to myself and thus are of little use to anyone else. Is that still acceptable?

Perfectly acceptable! [Kagami smiles and chirps while he screams on the inside. Thank whatever powers that be!! He’s completely out of his element, and here Nenonen is offering him a life jacket. He’d probably be fucked if they weren’t here!!!]

Our fate— our assessment rests on your capable shoulders.

In that case, it is likely that most electronics will react to my presence and fail to sufficiently safeguard against any attempt I make to exit. Anything which keeps temporal track should be affected.

Would you like to see?

[ Nen here offering up this poor facility to Kagami on a silver platter-- ]

Ah?

[His smile sharpens. He’s very proud of himself for not looking outright pleased with himself. There were countless people he could have ended up captive with, and he won the lottery out of all of them!!!!

Maybe he’d thank Nenonen. Maybe he’d take a break on some luxurious planet. Did those exist?]

Yes. I think a demonstration would be helpful! But we should make it cou— wait, if you already know that why are you still here?

...? Because I am comfortable here.

[ Kagami's question just does not compute for them. Did he think they were here against their will? The thought of trying to actively break out has never once occured to them. ]

[He's at a loss for words. That's a first.]

...........Okay! Why don't you show me what you meant?

Alright.

[ If this is all at the request of the facility's staff then there's no reason for Nenonen to feel hesitation; they are well-informed of what Nen's...situation does to their equipment. They should expect what happens next.

Pushing themself to their feet, Nen makes their way over to the room's door. To its side is a keypad and card scanner. Their have neither the code nor an access card, but that doesn't matter. All they need to do is reach out and brush the tips of their fingers against the panel and everything on it glitches out for a second: digits run randomly amidst number signs on the display, the keypad sparks and--

--and suddenly Nen is back where Kagami first found them, sitting on the same bench as if they'd never moved. The panel, though? Is crackling and smoking, and the door has slid ajar. ]

[It's hard for him to believe it would be that easy. Why would this be any different from the rest of his life, including getting captured and kept here? He raises himself on his toes and waits inches away, not daring to breathe and hoping to be proven wrong.]

What in the world--

[He didn't? Actually expect to be proven wrong? It happens so fast, and so smoothly. One moment, the stupid researcher tech mocks them with their stupid advanced engineering and the next it's just broken like an old shitty phone he had. Freedom is in front of Kagami and it's beautiful.]

Okay, let's go...!

[He almost misses it (even though Nen was right in front of him??). He's so eager to escape that his body reacts before his brain and he only just stops himself from stepping outside, eyes darting about in confusion until they land on that cursed bench.]

Eh? ...EH?! [What should he do?!] Why did you teleport?!

It is a side-effect of the temporal anomaly afflicting me.

[ A hand lifts to their brow as the room swims in the aftermath of their 'reset'. Nen struggles to push past the disorientation to meet Kagami's gaze, fingers curling around the edge of the bench in order to keep themself steady. ]

I cannot interact with instances of recorded time or my own becomes erratic and unstable.

[ such as rewinding them back to where they were two and a half minutes ago ]

Temporal...you can't control it?

[...They do look pretty sick. He doesn't think they're lying.

Well. That changes things.]

Give me your hand. Hurry, we don't have much time!

My hand...

[ The fact that eh wants to touch them at all after what's seen them do catches Nen off-guard. They're always so careful not to touch anyone, just in case--but he holds out his hand and they find themself lifting their to take it.

There's a short moment where they fear they'll rewind him, and then he's pulling them up off the bench. Nen stumbles along after him ]

Where are we going??

[Nen's palm is cool against Kagami's. He pulls them as he rushes for the door, more concerned about their escape than Nen's athleticism or lack thereof. The risks of touching them weren't something he gave much thought, but even if he had, not acting would have meant they stayed trapped here. It's worth the risk.]

We're going to learn the layout of this place! And I'm going to learn the extent of the anomaly that affects you.

M-more research...?

[ They've barely cleared the first corridor and already Nen's begun to pant. Their words take on a breathless edge and they struggle to keep up with his pace. He's more or less pulling them along despite their best attempts. ]

Please...slow down...!

Yep! It's for the data~!

[He sounds entirely too happy about it, saccharine sweet, but Nen's breathless plea stops him in his tracks. He looks over his shoulder, at the way they pant and look on the verge of passing out and he doesn't like how it makes him feel.]

What? Are you bad at running?

[Come to think of it, why haven't the researchers stopped them yet?]

Yes...!

[ Very Bad. Their lack of athleticism and physical prowess is AU-SPANNING. This Nen is better than OG!Nen, but they've been largely holed up in a super-natural medical facility for the last...however long it's been. ]

I have...a weak...heart.

[ HMM YES FUNNY THAT... ]

[You could timestamp the different emotions that flash across his face.]

Wh...Why didn't you tell me?!

[Weak heart?! People have those! Kagami grips their wrist, feeling for their pulse, looking at their face and then chest in a panic.]

And they're keeping you here? Do they even know how to take care of you? You're not going to collapse on me, are you?!

I will... I will be fine. I just need to rest...

[ Thankful he's taken them to a complete stop, Nen leans against the nearest wall. No sound or protest is given as he checks them over. They're used to such treatment. Getting their breath back and their pulse under control is the most important thing; Nen closes their eyes and takes several slow, steady breaths.

Their skin is pale, but colour starts to return the longer they rest. ]

I'm sorry. I did not think...we would run.

[Kagami stares for what might be a minute too long and hovers at their side. When it looks like Nen isn't about to pass out, he puts his hands on their shoulders to try and get them to sit.]

Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault. [Stupid researchers.] Do you have an idea of how much physical activity you can handle?

A brisk walk is usually my limit...and not too many stairs at once. I can go for longer walks if I am careful.

[ Obediently, Nen sits; grateful for the insistence as they close their eyes for the moment and rest. ]

I have been making gradual progress in my physical fitness under Doctor Koskinen's care here in the facility. He has high hopes I will be able to handle up to three flights of stairs at a time in a few months.

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