Primus. [Video]

[defrostedpride]

[The video shows a room at the hotel, the communicator having apparently been set on a table. There are already signs of sustained, or at least emphatic, occupancy, mostly in the form of crumpled papers strew hither and, indeed, thither. Even looks a little more pinched than usual about the face.

[He gets right down to business without preamble.]

I gather that there are some among you who are skilled in physical combat. I wish to request the assistance of one such in gathering resources from unfriendly Dream Eaters. You would be entitled, of course, to an equal share in the proceeds.

Is anyone available?

Comments

[wavesinherheart]

I could help, if you need.

[defrostedpride]

That would be appreciated. ...I assume you have a name of some kind?

[wavesinherheart]

It's Aqua.

[defrostedpride]

Aqua. I am Even. [His lips twitch in a hint of a smile at the sound of his own name. The lustre has not worn off it yet.] I don't believe we've met. Oddly enough, since it seems half my acquaintanceship is about somewhere. [The wrong half.]

[wavesinherheart]

I don't think we have, no. I've been... busy, I guess you could say.

[skysmirror]

I'll help.

[defrostedpride]

Thank you, Xion. I assume that despite your...apparently brief tenure with the Organization, you are practiced in combat?

[skysmirror]

[Oh, right, he doesn't remember she can use the Keyblade. Not mentioning that here, though.]

Ah, yes. We all had to be able to deal with the Heartless.

[defrostedpride]

I suspect we have all been busy over the past week. Appearing in a strange place without any of one's previous resources will have that effect.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I could be available...what did you need the resources for, specifically?

[defrostedpride]

Aside from the obvious need for funds to secure lodging et cetera, I am a chemist, among other fields. I wish to acquire the ingredients and, of course, equipment necessary to resume that practice, making potions, at least to start with.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

Hmm, I see...

While I am not a chemist, it would seem the ingredients for them would not be dependent upon Dream Eaters, considering their use outside of this realm.

[defrostedpride]

No, obviously not, but I don't see anything else here liable to provide them.

Unless there are Heartless here, and I just haven't seen them, which would be entirely in keeping with the nature of this world and its surprises.

Besides, I am not in the habit of keeping lab equipment in my pockets [Much. Not large lab equipment, anyway.], and I cannot titrate by will alone. Yet.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I haven't seen any Heartless here, either. I would rather not get that sort of surprise.

I suppose those things would take some manner of investment.

[wavesinherheart]

It will, yes. But it could have been worse.

[defrostedpride]

...Yes. That is - definitely true.

[defrostedpride]

It's possible that their nature prohibits them from being present in this so-called 'Realm of Dreams'. If, excepting the Dream Eaters of course, which may be along the lines of indigenous fauna, only beings possessing a consciousness and thus the mental capacity to dream are able to arrive here, then the Heartless, which lack such higher function, are effectively barred from entry. Unfortunately, it is equally plausible that Darkness and Light in their various manifestations can go anywhere, and as our hearts are evidently able to exist in this realm, the incarnation of Darkness in the heart can appear here as well as anywhere. It's too early to tell, but I wouldn't rely on the non-perniciousness of the universe, personally.

Ah. I am Even, by the way. And you are...?

[defrostedpride]

As long as you are certain your skill level is suited to such a task, then.

[wavesinherheart]

Ah... were there any resources you're looking for in particular?

[hiptobe_eraqus]

That sounds reasonable. Regardless, assuming things are one way or another may prove disastrous in a place like this. And regardless of what form darkness takes, it's necessary to stamp it out.

It is good to meet you. I am Master Eraqus.

[skysmirror]

[Oh if only he knew.]

I should be fine. What would you need me to bring back?

[nightmaresfear]

[Geez. Castle Oblivion really is crawling out of the woodwork in this place, and generally not in a good way.]

Why ask for people to do your dirty work when you can just create your own servants? Or have you given up on that little pet project of yours?

[dork_of_keys]

[Didn't they just get done arguing about Ienzo? On the other hand, Sora's not so sure about Even. Going by the snarkfest between them when Namine and Ienzo posted about help cleaning up the shop, Even doesn't seem to have any particularly redeeming qualities. His loyalty seems to be to his research.]

Okay, I don't even know what to say here. Just... no violence.

[nightmaresfear]

[Yes, they talked about Ienzo. They didn't talk about mad scientists who liked to play god.]

You don't have to tell me twice.

[Considering the last time they fought, Vexen took Riku's data for his replica, he's not in a hurry to have a repeat experience.]

[shadearchivist]

[Oh great, telling Even not to reply will probably actually result in a reply, but saying nothing could ALSO result in a reply that would do no one good.]

Even's situation is analogous to my own, though I do agree that he could stand to do some of what he considers busy work himself.