[004] VIDEO

[bulwank]

[This guy means business, you can tell from his expression, though, unlike his usual scowl and pose, he's not as high up, or as big. This is- casual? Casual, yes.]

Fellow imPorts! This is Gamagori Ira! Registered imPort and bootcamp instructor of Cape Canaveral.

[Casual.]

First- allow me to welcome those who were newly brought here from their respective homes. I realize there is much to get used to and many new things to learn and understand, but do not find only dismay in new experiences! Embrace the new and remember the only true source of knowledge is experience! There are many here who will assist you if you should ask, including myself.

Second, and the main reason for this parley, I would like to speak to any who scout Heropa and those connected cities to the imPort project. It would do us better to discuss things we have seen and experience things en-masse. Where do you patrol and what sorts of activity have you seen in those areas? Where are good places to keep an eye on? We should share our understanding.

[A small nod, crossing his arms behind his back, giving a slight bow.]

Thank you for your participation. And to those who have questions, as I mentioned before, you are free to ask here for information that I may have, or if you are in need of any help with your transition.

Comments

[databoner]

Gamagori.

[bulwank]

Hm.

[databoner]

You know I'm bad at these kind of talks...

[But ugh. He has to try, at least.]

There is nothing useless about you. Your strength is what leads the rest of us, you know. It doesn't do us any good if you don't believe in your own strength as much as we do.

[bulwank]

I'm a defender, Inumuta. When I am not holding a place of power, I am holding my ground between you and what would attack you.

[A pause, sitting back a little.]

What good am I now with nothing to defend you from. With no position of power? [Shakes his head.] I am nothing here, not even a considerate son.

[bulwank]

So for that, I do apologize.

[databoner]

There is plenty here that we should need defending from! And if Sanageyama is reluctant to admit it, then at least I'm not. I could argue that here is a more dangerous place than our own world. I need defending, Gamagori. And you're the one to do it. Don't forget that.

[And then you go up and bring up your mom. The following is spoken in a tone that tries to convey empathy, but... spoken definitely by someone who's never said the following words genuinely.]

I'm sorry you are missing your mom. I'm sure she misses you too.

[bulwank]

Hm. [The words do him well, even if he's too stone faced to show it. There is a slight relax in his shoulders though it anything.]

I would to the ends of the earth, Houka. [A nod, slow, slight. But the words really- do feel good. His purpose in life has been to support others now. Defend, stand his ground, be there to catch and climb on, so- feeling like it's been taken from him? Being pulled here and being unable to stop it from happening to him or anyone else he cares about? It's difficult.]

Yes... well- [Hard topic to talk about. He pauses, quiet, as he often ends up during these more personal conversations.]

She's a strong woman.

[databoner]

[You didn't have to sound so cheesy about it, Ira. Jeez. Still, he's glad he can tell Gamagori feels a little better with his words. It's really all he can offer.]

I'm sure she is.

[Not meant to sound rude to her, of course. Just... talking about parents. Not really Houka's idea of a good time. Instead he's going to start pouring syrup on his pancakes... and onion rings.]

[bulwank]

I'm sorry, this is probably a difficult topic for you. [A breath, nodding a little to himself. He's aware of Inumuta's situation enough to know the other may be having some trouble responding here. He doesn't have much to go off of as far as parents. So Gamagori will drop it, respecting that.]

What prompted you to have lunch today?

[databoner]

It isn't difficult.

[Inumuta protests, using his fork to have the onion rings sop up the syrup.]

It's fine.

[He appreciates the subject change more than he'll ever say.]

Typically, when I get hungry, I have lunch. I thought this was a common thing.

[And now back to the sass.]

[bulwank]

Isn't it? Hm, yes, I suppose so. But the company you keep is still usually just yourself. Unless you've been making friends here all right? [A glance. Inumuta kinda has a difficult time making friends, and not at all for the same reason Gamagori does. Though- it should be a lot easier for Houka now that all his time and energy isn't being directed to a larger task at hand.]

[databoner]

...

[Making friends? Well... Maybe. Shinjiro is maybe the only one he'd consider a friend. But even then, he didn't trust the other nearly as much as he trusted his fellow Devas.

It's not that he can't make friends. It's more that he doesn't particularly like to call them that.]

You two are the only friends I need.

[Meaning he and Sanageyama, of course.]

[bulwank]

[And here Gamagori has a difficult time calling the other Devas his friends. Is never sure if he should keep it professional. But hearing that does make him smile, looking down to his plate which he's- already finished more than half of.]

Really?

[databoner]

[Meanwhile, Inumuta's barely touched his. His sopping onion rings with maple syrup. He'll start to eat them a little bit though...]

Why would I lie about that?

[bulwank]

I- didn't mean to say you'd lie about it... [He's just not exactly- used to having friends.]

[databoner]

You sounded like you doubted it. Of course you're my friend, Gamagori.

[Still said in that cool, "I don't give a fuck" tone he always uses, and keeps chewing. HOW COULD YOU DOUBT HIM, DOESN'T HE SOUND SO SINCERE RIGHT NOW?]

[bulwank]

I suppose I never had time to really think about it like that. [Meanwhile willing to die for him, never thought about being his friend because he was too busy thinking about keeping him safe and secure. It almost seems- silly now to think about how they couldn't be friends considering everything that's happened.]

[He'll grow quiet. Which seems to be a reoccurring thing nowadays.]

[databoner]

I've known you for how long, and you've never considered us your friends?

[A look.]

[bulwank]

[Uh-]

It's not- I never thought I was anything more than- [An associate, a partner, a fellow soldier, student, comrade? Er, that last one might be troublesome considering where they are but- yeah. He never thought he qualified as more to them. They were close, very close, sure, but-

He's not really sure why he never thought of them as friends. It's not that he doesn't- feel that close, it just... There was always more going on and, other things to be worried about. It was never said because it never needed to be.]

[databoner]

-Than someone I've trusted with my life for over three years? Come on.

[His collar opens up and stays open this time, showing his grin as he picks at his pancakes now. He's teasing you, obviously.]

[bulwank]

[A sigh, smiling as he nods his head. Right, he's- an idiot. He'll agree to that on this account.]

We have been through much together, yeah, a friend. All of you. How could I think otherwise?

[databoner]

[This is getting too sappy.]

Well, there's a reason you're Head of Disciplinary Committee and not Head of Information and Strategy.

[He's calling you dumb.]

[bulwank]

The same could be said in the opposite order.

[And he's calling you a pansy.]

[databoner]

As long as you're comfortable with the information that your... low aptitude testing scores are not just written on paper, but on your face and actions.

[bulwank]

How amusing, if my scores were so low, I would not have managed my president placement before Honnouji! You out of anyone should know weight must be behind your words for them to matter.