04 | voice

[fistofthejoestar]

I'm sorry to ruin all of the pleasant news that's been shared recently, but this is important.

[this is quite a departure in tone from what people on the network usually hear from Jonathan - it's steely and solemn, no trace of the sunny young man chatting amiably about dogs and lost items.]

A week ago two imPorts were kidnapped by a man named Robert Jennings for the sole purpose of hunting them down like animals. [the disgust in his voice is barely contained] They were rescued and Mr. Jennings himself was apprehended - but a group called the Go Fors whose services he utilized is still operating.

They provided technology which made it possible to spirit the pair of them away without causing suspicion, as well as keep them trapped long enough to be hunted. There were at least six individuals involved; I can provide names and some other information to whoever would like it.

This can't be allowed to happen again. I'll do whatever I can to help anyone interested in taking this up as well, whether through more details or physical assistance, but...in the meantime, please be careful, everyone.

[there's no telling what else they might attempt before they're brought down.]

Comments

[fistofthejoestar]

Thank you, but I wouldn't want to inconvenience you.

[what do you mean he won't be jogging there, that seems perfectly reasonable. look he's even standing up as if in preparation.]

[heavyhitter]

[ wait, seriously. She stares at him for a few seconds, then heaves a sigh. ]

Get on.

[fistofthejoestar]

[but he really doesn't want to when he's perfectly capable of getting there by himself...

but he's also known Ramir long enough to know that she's wearing the sort of expression that promises nothing more than uncomfortable arguments ending in his loss anyway. so he just sighs and folds.]

As you wish.

[he gets on obligingly, but you can bet your ass he's not putting his hands on her. they remain folded politely in his lap for the moment, the Ripple more than sufficing to keep him from falling off the vespa whenever it heads off.]

[heavyhitter]

[ Well, she at least won this victory. And she's known Jonathan long enough in turn to know it would be a real dick move to try and insist he actually ride like a normal person and cuddle up, so she accepts the awkward perch. Not without another exaggerated sigh, though. ]

Seriously, Jojo. You're a piece of work. [ But okay, fine. She kicks the vespa off its stand, guns it, and leans forward as the little thing promptly takes off from the ground and starts its hovering journey. She's grinning immediately, of course. That never gets old. ] Don't fall off and die!

[fistofthejoestar]

That would be rather inconsiderate of me, wouldn't it?

[he laughs quietly, gaze dropping away from his companion to the scenery as son as the vespa starts up. this is actually his first time on something like this, and he can't help but be utterly fascinated. his first plane trip was only last week, after all.]

[heavyhitter]

[ It's not a long ride, especially not with the way Ramir drives. It may just be a vespa, but she definitely treats it like a motorcycle. She goes considerably faster than the recommended speed limit, weaves in and out of cars when they're going too slow for for her, and seems to have never heard of the concept of slowing down for corners. So it's just about five minutes when she checks her phone's map one last time, and pulls up by a little park off the main road with a placid pond off to the side. She gestures toward it grandly. ]

Your stage awaits.

[fistofthejoestar]

[you are so lucky that Jonathan's grasp on modern road laws are tenuous at best and all probably taught to him by an Italian teenage gangster. he's too busy watching the scenery flicker by and how the vespa's hover function works to really be too concerned. he seems almost disappointed that the trip wasn't longer as he carefully steps off the vehicle.]

You're making it sound much grander than it really is, I'm afraid.

[this mildly apologetic is all that he gives before just...walking straight onto the pond. there's a soft sparkle of the ripple at his feet as he first makes contact with the water, but not much else in terms of showiness as he makes his way to the center. upon reaching it he turns neatly on his heel and grins, remaining solidly in place with no land in sight.]

[heavyhitter]

[ Ramir had left the vespa at the edge of the grass and gone along with Jonathan, right up until the water line. She'd stopped there, but her grin is quick and pretty impressed. She keeps her eyes on the water at his feet, and drops to a crouch to see it a little better. ]

That's so cool. How're you doing it?

[fistofthejoestar]

The ripple increases the surface tension of the water, and then I just walk onto it. You can probably see traces of it around me if you have a good angle.

[and it's true - if Ramir's got a good perspective on that water, she'll notice some clearly unnatural patterns emanating out from Jonathan's feet.]

[heavyhitter]

[ She totally can, ripples aren't supposed to look like that. Neat. She finally glances up again from feet and water to eyes, still grinning. Hopefully, this time: ] So if it's just surface tension, does that mean other people can walk on it?

[fistofthejoestar]

[Jonathan's mind goes back to when Speedwagon had tried to cross that river in the same manner as himself and Zeppeli, and he can't help but laugh aloud. he'd been so sure he could do it, too.]

I'd have to spread it out somewhat, and even then I can't make any promises. Do you mind possibly getting wet?

[heavyhitter]

[ It's just a pond, but she still feels a little twist of discomfort when she glances through the water, trying to see the bottom. But that's stupid. It's probably like six inches. And even if it were deeper, it's not like she can't swim. Stupid. ]

I have never minded getting wet. [ Which probably goes over his head, but at least she said it. She hops back to her feet, fidgeting at the edge of the water. ] Should I just... go for it?

[fistofthejoestar]

Let me come a little closer first.

[liquids conduct the ripple impeccably, but Jonathan doesn't want to widen the possibility of things going wrong any more than he has to. he strides back to shore until he's only a few feet away, and then exhales sharply - the patterns spread out until the lap against the land with the small rhythm of the pond.]

Alright, go ahead.

[heavyhitter]

[ She watches the patterns for a few long seconds, judging and considering, then steps out toward the water — onto the water, hopefully. She realizes an instant too late that she probably should have taken her shoes off first. This is her only pair, it would suck to get them damp and smelling like ducks... ]

[fistofthejoestar]

[Jonathan's a bit concerned at first because he's never quite tried to apply things this way, but things seem to be actually working out. the ripple keeps the water tight and Ramir doesn't seem to be sinking to the bottom of the pond. he holds a hand out to her, just to be safe, but his face is lighting up with quiet satisfaction.]

Very good!

[heavyhitter]

[ A grin splits her face again as soon as she fails to sink through the water — but she's still quick to slap a hand into his. If things go terribly wrong, he's probably strong enough to keep her from totally wrecking her boots. ]

Nice! [ She picks up both feet a few times, convincing herself that she's really standing on water, then half crouches to try running her hand through it. ] Man, look at this. In your whole Jesus allegory, does this make me Peter?

[fistofthejoestar]

[he gives the hand a reassuring squeeze and then laughs. the idea of being inserted into a Biblical epic was more than a little comical.]

Not unless you intend on panicking and falling to the bottom anytime soon.

[heavyhitter]

I'll do my best not to lose my shit over any stray gusts of wind. [ She shakes her hand free of water when she pulls it up again, huffs a quick laugh, and straightens to glance over at him. ] You got an awesome power.

[fistofthejoestar]

I'm truly fortunate.

[he smiles fondly, gaze dropping for a moment to watch as he idly scuffs the Ripples he's producing with a toe. there were so many memories associated with his power...it was something he wouldn't trade for the world.]

To be able to fight with life itself, in all the forms it takes...mm. [he chuckles quietly, rubbing the back of his neck] But I suppose I'm getting sentimental again.

[heavyhitter]

Yeah, you are. But getting sentimental is what old geezers do, so it's fine.

[ She says it fondly, but it does sort of remind her that she's just kind of standing here holding hands with someone. Totally not in accordance to her badass look. She pulls her hand back and takes a step back toward land again. ]

Anyway— I think I got the picture.

[fistofthejoestar]

[it's ok, Ramir - since Jonathan's involved, no one would hold you accountable for your actions. those things sort of just happened.]

I'm glad I could show you. [his gaze wanders out across the lake, and then he turns back to her with a mischievous smile] Would you like to see one more thing before we go?

[he's pretty sure that she'd enjoy it, and knowing that he can make a friend happy with something so simple as a display of ability is more than enough reason for Jonathan to allow his more childish side justification.]

[heavyhitter]

[ She pauses, immediately intrigued. Anything Jonathan is actually volunteering has got to be good. ]

Yeah, sure.

[ It sounds casual, but she's immediately (still slightly cautiously) retracing her steps and watching him expectantly. ]

Whatcha got?

[fistofthejoestar]

Liquids conduct ripple much more effectively than other mediums, so...

[he turns to face away from Ramir and delivers a staggering kick variation on this to the water. the pond erupts into chaos, a great deal of its contents finding themselves displaced from the force.]

...blows can become even more devastating.

[heavyhitter]

[ Oh yeah, she's into it. Her grin is back immediately, and she even adds a little applause, a whole audience of one. ]

Yeah, nice! [ Her grin is aimed toward him just as fast as it'd come back. ] Shit, do that again. And remind me never to piss you off in a pool!

[fistofthejoestar]

Just once more.

[he laughs and obliges, because it's been a while since he's had cause to use the ripple in a 'fun' setting. no sparring partner means no lighthearted matches to throw his all into...so it's nice to have some measure of that back here.]