foxhoundsonly-blog

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

ductilesuit‌:

“Weird. I’ve never been to Alaska.” Not as this iteration of Simon and certainly not as the brain damaged one puttering around Toronto until he keeled over. His thought flitted to consider Imogen Reed, where and who she’d been but that’s an impossibility. It’s not like there’s a face left to recognize.

Now that they’re face to face Simon can see just how scrawny this guy is. He’s practically anorexic which somehow fits with the leather clad aesthetics though Simon can’t place why. He really can’t get over how familiar this man is despite looking like he hails from a completely different social circle and the impression that he ought to be afraid or, at least, wary.

Which was ridiculous. Had to be his anxiety and nothing more.

“Simon, Simon Jarrett.” A pause while he eyed the crossed arms before extending foward a hand. It seemed the polite thing to do. “Nice to meet you…” Simon prompted, waiting for a name in return.

“Hm. Unless you’ve been involved in military work, I don’t think it likely our paths have crossed, then.”

Mantis shrugged, unperturbed. Then that’s all the dull familiarity was, then: a bizarre coincidence. Rarely ever did he feel the desire to interact with the denizens of this island, but he would be lying if he wasn’t intrigued by what he now knew as Simon.

Blue eyes trailed down pointedly at the extended hand, his cocked eyebrow barely visible behind the orange lenses of his mask. Well, at least the thing had manners. Less and less these days Mantis encountered others with a degree of civility; of course, in many of those occasions their impoliteness was most certainly a result of Mantis’ own bad attitude. But that’s not the point.

“Psycho Mantis,” he responded, placing a gloved hand in Simon’s and giving a noncommittal shake. “Yes, a pleasure indeed.”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

acescere‌:

the visible frustration that comes across tretij in a series of phases works up liquid’s own temper. he has little right to be angry at anyone but himself, which he knows, and yet only feels further antagonized by himself and the baseless perception that tretij is prodding at him for any other reason than to help.

he’s here to help. he’s only ever been loyal - only ever been your friend. your comrade. the only person in the world who knows everything about you.

why did you lie?

liquid tightens his grip across his chest, reflexively making some sort of movement to protect himself. from what - he couldn’t be sure. embarrassment? likely. jaw set and straining, his own gaze has darted away from tretij, like a startled animal from the edge of the road.

but he cannot just let him leave. he cannot chase him out - not when he owes him an apology that’s stuck in his throat, just like every other thing he wants to say. get over yourself - don’t be so difficult for once.

“don’t - ” it flies from his mouth unchecked. quickly, he recovers his volume. “don’t apologize.” silence, heavy and suffocating. liquid tears a hand from across his chest, raking his fingers through his hair, anxious. “don’t … go. please.”

Maybe it wasn’t fair of him to be so short with Eli; after all, no one knew better than himself just how stubborn the super-soldier could be. The underlying sense of desperation in his words had Mantis stop in his attempt to make for the door, and his gaze returned to Eli, scrutinizing.

“... Alright.”

Wary body language visibly softening, Mantis heaved a great sigh and closed the distance between them, rather than leave as he intended. Don’t apologize, Eli said. It almost made him want to laugh. There was so much to apologize for, his many failures... his newfound uselessness. But Mantis held off on being combative in this regard; patience, as he had learned early on, was of utmost importance in dealing with his friend.

“I won’t go, then.” His tone was gentler than before but still carried the heavy weight of exasperation. Mantis shifted on his feet, hands still on his hips, slouching just enough that he was at perfect eye-level with Liquid. “But perhaps we should retreat somewhere more private. I would prefer not to make a scene in front of any budding voyeurs.”

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acescere‌:

so, it had been wolf. liquid figured as much, huffing a gentle noise of no discernible mood. the three of them, resurrected and shoved into some play-pen for whatever-beings. higher or just mortals with fantastic toys. the latter would not be a foreign concept to liquid, a result of such tinkering.

briefly, liquid pokes out his tongue, wetting his lips and swallowing thickly against a rapidly drying throat. he wants to be angry with himself for feeling this uptight. it should not be like this. but it is, he tells himself, and for reasons i cannot ignore forever.

the moment tretij asks, liquid wants to shrivel up and die. returning to whatever vacuity that had snuffed out his seemingly undying flame was nearly preferable when faced with admitting anything other than a tight-lipped ‘fine.’ weakness has no place in this man - not because it was bred into him or coded into his dna like any number of advantageous traits he was to express.

no. that had been a choice.

liquid’s eyes visibly darken, roiling with an instinctive defensiveness that he clips from his tongue. the aggression there is not something tretij deserves. tretij means to help, as he always has. accepting that help, after everything, is another matter entirely.

“splendid,” comes the low, sarcastic tone. “as well as i can be, yeah? my brother is still here, as are many of his allies. allies to my father have also begun popping up.”

that is not what he meant and liquid knows it.

A terrible reply, yet, for all of his worry, Mantis couldn’t feign surprise. Something downright drastic would have to happen in order for Eli to be honest, and clearly, all that had transpired wasn’t drastic enough. His frustration at his own lack of communication skills was briefly replaced by frustration at Eli’s response, and at this, Mantis narrowed his eyes and folded his arms.

“Can’t say I’m surprised about that,” he offered evenly. “I’ve encountered too many of the sort in my... foray into purgatory. I’ve been bound to these places for a while, you know.”

He tilted his head, impatiently drumming gloved fingers on the side of his arm. “Though... you’re quite awful at dodging the question. I’m no mind-reader, but I’d wager you’re a rotten liar, too...”

Mantis snorted joylessly at his own words, well-aware that much of the issue on the table lay in that fact-- that he was no mind-reader anymore. His hands dropped to rest upon his hips, and he shook his head, no longer willing to meet Eli’s dark gaze.

“... Sorry, Eli.” Yeah, the floor looked really interesting. “If I wasn’t... Well. I’m-- just glad to see you regardless... Don’t let me keep you any more than I have.”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

pazifica‌:

Now that is interesting. Is it a hint of recognition in his voice? He couldn’t be aware of Volgin, could he? Maybe… I should test that.

“Who am I? That is a good question. A product of Cipher in life, but free in death. Their strings no longer reach me, here.”

“Let’s just say I know all about the Colonel’s plans to grab power for himself. Fool deserved to be beaten.”

Cipher? Ah, yes, there was the migraine. Mantis shook his head as though to clear his mind, to sweep away all of those intrusive shards of pesky little memories-- a fire; a dull ache; an ear-shattering, inhuman screech-- he tried for so long to keep locked away. Perhaps, then, it would be easier to justify his misunderstanding of the girl’s words.

“You XOF operatives must have nothing better to do than to come burden me long after I have died,” Mantis spat, whirling around to face her. “His plans? Don’t make me laugh. Your little ‘Man on Fire’ has been obsolete for years-- and so has your organization. There is nothing for you here. Just fuck off.” 

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

acescere‌:

it is merely the second time they have found one another again, postmortem, yet liquid is already familiar with how he will feel during future reunions. despite the fact that they may meet again, that tretij might not disappear again, it will always feel like a reunion. a renewed sense of clumsiness enters the soldier, festering with the frustration that breeds like an infection within him. it’s a feeling he loathes to have, wishes not to watch permeate his every word and action around his friend. it sickens him, not by way of disgust, but by instilling a vulnerability and weakness he is not acclimatized to with regards to his friend.

before, he easily deflected his loneliness and fixated on other things to keep his mind busy. now, he watches tretij enter the apartment - the ownership is asinine; this place is not his, he does not want it - and does not feel the instant connection they were so well-known for. ( within certain and often unsavory circles, that is. )

he has betrayed it, has he not? introspection has not been kind these past few months.

“not at all,” he returns, softly shutting the door. liquid grows painfully aware of his arms now, crossing them habitually. “wolf is here, too. it seems that the … migration, so i’ve heard it called, picked up some new additions as it brought the rest of us here.”

this is … difficult. tretij’s powers are still locked, liquid presumes, as the russian speaks aloud like last time. that is still a bittersweet relief - the power had brought his friend so much strife and misfortune in his life. yet liquid struggles to find words to speak and would rather tretij took his time reading thoughts that liquid himself could not put together.

at least then he would not have to vocalize his grief and shame.

“ … are you well?”

“Yes, Wolf... she was kind enough to tell me you were here,” Mantis said, rubbing the thumbs of his clasped hands together absentmindedly. “Seems we just can’t rest, can we.”

It felt robotic, mechanical, foreign; this wasn’t how things were supposed to be. Could Eli feel his desperate attempts to reconnect the link time and time again? Mantis felt his blood run cold and his stomach seize. How pathetic that he had turned into a nervous child once more, helpless and meek. He never thought he would see Eli again-- never thought that they would have to grapple with the events of their lives post-mortem.

“Am I well?”

Finally, after what felt like eons, Mantis turned to face his friend for the first time, searching his familiar face for something, though he wasn’t sure what. He took one confident step forward but hesitated and encroached no further, that childish anxiety rooting him in place.

“I’m just peachy. But I'm not the one you should be asking.” The feedback from his mask was perhaps a little louder than usual, a smidge more erratic. “You-- I haven’t...”

He rubbed the forehead of his mask in grim frustration, suddenly agitated by his inability to vocalize what was so easy to think. “El-- Liquid, I've not heard your voice... your mind... in so long. Are you okay?”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

When Mantis received Liquid’s apartment information from Wolf, he was at a loss for what to do. Wolf had anticipated that he would beeline for their former boss-- and, honestly, that wasn’t too far a stretch of the imagination, much to his chagrin. But Mantis didn’t beeline; in fact, he put it off for several days, out of what anyone besides himself would consider anxiety.

Anxiety was certainly what he felt standing like a fool outside of the door. Deliberately dropping in on a lost friend couldn’t compare to running into him by pure happenstance. Besides, there were too many factors that could throw a wrench in his plans. What if Mantis had the wrong address? What if he wasn’t home? Most concerning of all... what if he didn’t want to talk?

Had it taken just a second later for the door to open, Mantis would have slunk away in cowardice. But seeing that golden hair spill out of the open door as those blue eyes near-frantically searched his mask-- well, it welded him to the spot. Mantis flinched as his rarely-used name left his friend’s lips, and, in an attempt to distract himself from the sudden burst of unidentifiable emotion in his chest, he waved weakly.

“Eli.” A quiet greeting, mostly so any potential eavesdroppers would not be privy to Liquid’s own rarely-used name. Mantis slipped past Liquid into his dwellings without a word, lacing his fingers together nervously as he surveyed their surroundings. It was an uncomfortable feeling, to stand in this unfamiliar apartment with his only friend-- the setting was so uniquely mundane that it felt dreamlike and surreal. He stood with his back to Eli, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“... Sorry for dropping in unannounced.” Pause. “But I was told you were dragged here, too. So. ... I figured I would come say hello.”

@foxhoundsonly​

the situation with his roommates is strange. he has only met one of them since the beginning of spirale and has not even seen the kid around lately. a girl who had been there was gone now, replaced by someone entirely new that liquid hadn’t yet cared enough to introduce himself to. as a matter of fact, there was a third who had been there from the beginning as well who he had never spoken to.

that is how it will be for the foreseeable future, apparently. liquid isn’t terribly burdened by not speaking to his roommates often. he comes and goes from the apartment as he pleases, rarely spending much time in the common areas besides cooking meals exclusively for himself before either going directly to bed or leaving.

so, when he hears a knock at the door, he’s a bit startled. not once - that he knew of, but his experience is a bit null due to never being around anyhow - had someone come knocking. it’s a highly foreign feeling to be expected to answer a door. as a kid, any handlers or officers who wanted to speak to him would simply barge their way into his living quarters. with a twinge of suspicion pinching the back of his mind, the blond soldier steps up to the door, leaning forward to peer through the peephole.

despite the fish-eye lens effect the glass had on the visitor, liquid does not hesitate to yank the door open, one hand on the frame to brace himself as he nearly stumbles into the hallway, leaning forward to look directly into the pair of orange-tinted mask lenses that stare back.

his voice sticks in his throat like peanut butter, or perhaps more like blood, what with the way he feels his stomach drop and chest tighten. sure enough his childhood friend - his only friend from his youth, stated with confidence and no dismay whatsoever - stood before him.

once again.

“t - ” clearing his throat, the super-soldier straightens his back. “tretij.” stepping aside, as if all ego had left him and his motor skills functioned as though he were on anesthesia, he stutters for a moment before offering the psychic to enter. “come in … ”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

xokazuhira‌:

Kaz doesn’t normally frequent these parts of town. The shadier areas are filled with all kinds of characters who, in any other situation, he might perceive as potential recruits… but MSF doesn’t exist here, and he’s not recruiting - and so he doesn’t have much reason to be skulking around in such a sketchy place. But here he is anyways - skulking around, though he’s not entirely sure why. Eventually he finds himself outside of a bar just as dingy as the rest of the street - and he swings the door open, stepping in, wondering what it is that brought him here in the first place.

The place is mostly empty, save the bartender, and… uh. Hmm.

Maybe he’s in the wrong area, because the guy in front of him looks like he belongs in more of a Red Light District type place. Outfitted with a gas mask and like, a bunch of belts, he could be straight out of a really, really weird fetish video.

But hell, he’s bored - he’ll take it. He sits right down next to the guy, orders a beer, and taps his fingers lightly on the counter.

“So, uh… what’s with the getup? You an actor or something?”

God damn it, Miller.

Mantis shifted uncomfortably in his seat and peered at the phantom memory now given flesh, unsure of how to even begin to address that. For all of the comments he’s gotten about his attire, few people have the gall to just straight up ask the reason for it. Mantis tapped on his mask for emphasis as he spoke.

“Helps keep my psychic powers in check.” It was delivered dryly, matter-of-factly; frankness, he felt, was the best course of action, because the average person would awkwardly laugh it off, mentally check him off as a freak, and do their best to leave him alone. 

He took to stirring his martini, unenthused. “But it’s also a courtesy. You’d need more than a few beers to stomach this face.”

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rauubtier‌:

She decides for now, to keep things quiet. To let Mantis throw his fuss and wade through it when it’s less messy. So, she doesn’t bark any more orders, but bobs her head in silent approval when the other drops his hands from the mask. At least that disaster wouldn’t show up. “I am completely right, and you know it. You don’t have any true venom in you.” Her smile shows teeth, laughs a little. 

“Now, I take it you’re going to want to see him. But I would be a fool to just let you leave me here. So thank you for your consideration.” It would just be rude, in her opinion, but not a surprising thing to come out of Mantis’ own playbook. So, she was still expecting things to go either way. If the other chose to run off, she’d just go back to her initial shopping plans with just a few more thoughts on her mind. 

“Have you settled in at all?” Wolf finally asks that much, tilting her head and giving the other a once over. He still looks like Mantis, thankfully. That can’t be too hard to do, however, with the sort of figure that Mantis cuts. 

“You haven’t seen venom,” Mantis grumbled, but he left it at that. This was a battle that was over before it started, and in all forseeable outcomes Wolf was the winner. So instead he chose to huff and cross his arms in a gesture that might have rang reminiscent of a child pouting.

“No-- I-- of course I want to see him,” he said, a hint of what was perhaps anxiety creeping into his voice; he quickly nipped that one in the bud as he continued, “but it will wait. You and I are preoccupied at the moment. I am a patient man.”

And I don’t think I’m ready to see him yet.

Mantis avoided her gaze, choosing instead to focus on the overcast sky. “No. I’ve visited my assigned housing about once, in order to take the money given to me. I don’t care for sharing living quarters, you know. 

“And yourself? Or are you too busy avoiding hellbent stalkers?”

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mxonkxss‌:

“Oh…….right.” Uh, she just got sad. He had no home to return to. He was a ghost, ah that truly sucks doesn’t it? Still, she bounces back up, doesn’t stay sad for long, because at least HE is alive here. He’s not dead and maybe he can call this place home, right? The thought sends happy thoughts. “That’s so cool though. How they’re able to even bring the dead here and make them living!” Wasn’t it cool? They definitely had a lot of power if they were able to do that without hesitation or struggle. 

“Oooh, I don’t think I’ve been in that ward yet.” THere’s so many. Well, there’s only 4 wards, but there’s a lot to see, you know? “I’m in the Cotes Ward.” A pretty ward, she thought. “It’s really nice. IF YOU want, I can bother you ALL the way to Archimedes!” If he wanted.

Curious how she seemed to deflate for just a moment. Odd as ever this girl was, to feel sad over a crochety murderer. Mantis lazily pocketed a hand in his brown trench coat, giving an amused huff.

“One can only wonder.” Nanomachines, if he had to bet. That’s how he was revived the first time, after all. But this was different, no doubt-- he was corporeal here and in the Hive. “They certainly aren’t to be trifled with, in any case.”

Mantis rolled his shoulders at her excitement and, with the tilt of the head, slowly began walking in the direction he had originally been going in. He didn’t turn to address her, but if Kachina was listening, she would hear a simple, “Do as you see fit.”

So, the closest thing to an invitation to join him she would ever get.

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pazifica‌:

“You really see no problem here? None at all? You were floating! That is not a thing people can just do!”

“The afterlife really is full of freaks… and here I thought a rogue GRU colonel that could control lightning was the strangest it would get. I certainly know better, now.”

“It is something I can do,” Mantis snapped, exasperated by the girl’s indignance. “I don’t give a damn about what you think of--”

As he spoke, he had turned on his heel to leave, unwilling to tolerate inane and belittling questions, but her following words gave him quite the pause indeed. He cast an icy glare over his shoulder, but her face suddenly seemed familiar, like one he’d seen in the edges of a dream.

“Wh-- a... rogue... GRU...?” Mantis placed a hand on the forehead of his mask to preempt his incoming headache. “Who the hell are you--?!”

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rauubtier‌:

Could Mantis even touch bleach without breaking out into burns? Frankly, the other looked rather delicate, and Wolf had her doubts about several aspects of his physical health. Nevertheless, she shakes her head. “Prove it to me someday then. I’ll believe you if you can do that.” Otherwise, it was fair game to both doubt and harass the other, given that she wasn’t spared from much of it either. 

Admittedly, she had her doubts about being left in any state of peace. “Bah. You haven’t seen the men who’ve been chasing my footsteps. I don’t think I’m going to truly be left alone here.” Her eyes roll then, a sneer picking up in her features as the other describes the desire for rest. This place, while odd, didn’t seem all too quiet. 

“Yes, Liquid is here.” Wolf says that much with all the patience in the world, reaching into the instead pocket of her coat to rub at the cloth of her worn doll. It doesn’t do much besides steady her breathing, so she can at least be steady as Mantis absolutely loses his shit. “Don’t fuck around so much, you’re going to lose your mask right off your face, and then you’re up a creek because I don’t know where you’d get another one.” 

Okay, move on from there, try to keep everything steady. “Stop acting like you’re going to a secondary school dance with him, you useless gay asshole. I’ll give you the apartment number and you can visit soon enough. I stayed the night the other day, so I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.” 

Yes, Wolf had a different set of challenges here, as evidenced by her dip from lightheartedness to agitated uneasiness-- that much even Mantis, in all his self-righteousness, could acknowledge. But this was her first foray into a second life... by now, he was unfortunately accustomed to the trends that came with these cities. He merely shrugged at her words, not caring enough to get into it; he knew full well that rest wouldn’t come to him in Spirale, oh no. Now, rest of the eternal variety...

His fidgeting hands froze on the mask’s straps in disbelief as she instructed him to stop, and, for the first time since reuniting, Mantis glowered at her. Nevertheless, he slowly dropped them to his sides, mumbling something about how it sure would be the worst thing in the world if his face was exposed-- but it was Wolf’s next gruff response that struck a nerve.

“How dare you... You-- You--!” You what? An indignant huff escaped him as he struggled for a proper insult. The urge to lash out was reflexive, but that he had no real high ground in this situation was indicative that lashing out perhaps wasn’t the best response. Mantis dragged a hand down his mask in exasperation, and when he couldn’t find the angry words he wanted, he instead heaved a great sigh.

“I resent your implications.” A chagrined pause. Another sigh. “... But I nonetheless... appreciate your help. Yes, I would like to visit him at some point. There is... much to discuss. But it can wait.”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

rauubtier‌:

The expression is quickly noticed, and for awhile, Wolf thinks about saying something. She’ll mention it after these other portions, given the likelihood of Mantis going buck-fucking-wild and wanting to be on the move afterward. She’s not ready to go on a jog yet, and saving this piece for last will buy her some time. 

“Here I thought you lost it in some interesting way.” Chuckling, Wolf tugs at her hair, showing the other the beginnings of her dark roots. “Given that you have no hair, I feel like asking you to help might not go my way.” A small wink, and she tilts her head up to look at the sky, teeth briefly biting down on her lower lip. 

Finally though, she lets out a dry laugh. “Psycho Mantis, not people? Incredible. I can hardly believe it.” It’s a quick line, before she looks back to the other. “She wasn’t frightening, but her threats were disturbing enough to provoke me. So, ah, best of luck to her. And you, I suppose. I think by the time I passed on I was ready to rest for awhile.” 

She gets to the point she wants. “Both brothers are alive, Mantis.” Wolf offers a slightly warmer smile. “Liquid was caring for me a few days back. Pneumonia again. But, he is alive, and healthy at that. There’s no need to look so downtrodden.” 

“Well, I suppose that sounds more interesting than careful maintenance with clippers,” Mantis said with the roll of his eyes and a pantomime of curling locks between his fingers. “I may not look it, but I do know a thing or two about hair.”

No, he wasn’t people, as far as he was concerned, but her laugh, though short and dry, was infectious; Mantis couldn’t help but give an amused snort and a shake of the head at her words. “God knows all I want is rest. But I’ll be mindful of that. Perhaps if you kill her enough times she’ll get the picture.”

Wolf hadn’t seemed particularly interested in his little speech, and Mantis felt like kicking himself for allowing his guard to drop when Eli was mentioned; she definitely noticed it and was brewing about something, he just knew. Folding his arms and uncomfortable under her gaze, he looked away, thinking of a quick explanation as she spoke in order to--

Wait. Liquid was alive?!

Instantly his head snapped back towards Wolf, his unseen jaw agape. Oh, she was much too keen for her own good indeed, but now wasn’t the time to worry about that.

“He-- Boss is here?” Mantis choked out, startled. Nervous hands fiddled with the straps of his mask, idly tightening and adjusting as he scrambled to compose himself. He couldn’t give a rat’s ass about that other damned twin, but Eli? “... That’s... good. To know. ... No telepathy, you see. I’ve been... ah... out of touch for quite some time now.”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

been listening to a bit mgs soundtrack again lately <3

the wound that is mgsv finally starts to heal i think

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

rauubtier‌:

“Joke’s on you, Mantis.” Her smile is a baring of teeth, rough and uncouth despite her motions. “Liquid dyed it, not me. If I had, it would be far worse.” Wolf guides them down a side street, where the hum of humanity is greatly lessened. Thankfully, nobody seems to find them interesting enough to follow, and Wolf has no complaints about that fact. After all that she’s seen, she’s in no mood to be accosted. 

Wolf very nearly considers chuckling, but refrains for the sake of keeping some edge of seriousness. It hangs on, but just barely, Wolf moving to lean against a brick wall so she can look over the other’s face, hunting for any differences. Nothing seems all too amiss, and from there, Wolf can relax, if just a tad. “It’s terrible. Do you know how vile some men can be? And this odd woman. Had to shoot the whelp to get her to leave me alone.”

Her head shakes. “No. I passed after you and Octopus. I almost feel bad for him, just dropping dead like that. At least you and I, and the others, we went out fighting. My body is likely rotting away in the snow somewhere. I doubt they buried us.” Wolf for a moment, looks unhappy with everything, but perks up visibly at the mention of an abnormal year. “Explain that. I heard myself that you were killed. People don’t come back nine years later.” 

His mirth, at the mention of Liquid’s name, seemed to vanish, replaced instead by forlorn silence. Of course he dyed it. Mantis folded his arms and drummed on the side of one as he quickly attempted to divert any attention away from the moodswing. Wolf was too keen for her own good.

“I’m shocked he didn’t burn your scalp off. How do you think I lost my hair?” While not as genuine a joke this was, there was still a perceptible glint of humor in his eyes as he responded.

It’s much easier to focus once Wolf began complaining about the island. Her scrunity did not go unnoticed, but Mantis, despite the discomfort, remained still and allowed it, maintaining unwavering eye contact. His smile was heard in his voice once Wolf mentioned the girl. “Killing already, Wolf? I’ve been in this... hm... situation for quite a while now... but I can imagine your distaste.”

Mantis rolled his shoulders at the mention of their late coworker and snorted. He had some words about that one, but he found her observation more pressing.

“People don’t come back, but I do,” Mantis said wryly, steepling his gloved fingers together for a moment. “Unfortunately, I don’t know the specifics. I simply woke up. It was not unlike the sensation we felt coming here... though I was not in my original body. I suppose a rotting corpse would not be useful to them.”

He waved a hand as though it was unimportant. “I was put in charge of a unit. Made sure they performed well. Killed many. And then our good friend Solid Snake ended me once more. He’s built up quite the record now...”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

pazifica‌:

“…You… you are lecturing me on manners?”

She laughed, still bewildered, still staring.

“Look at yourself. Of course you will attract attention like that! And for the record, you started talking first.”

So she was one of these children. Mouthy and contrary-- the exact type of person Mantis had no tolerance for. His boots hit the pavement, and his hands haughtily rested upon his hips as he filtered through several different biting responses that rose to his throat as soon as she spoke. No, that would just fuel the flame.

“It was simple advice,” he said coolly. “The next person you do this to might not be as patient as I am. Off you go, then.”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

mxonkxss‌:

This is a load of Butt fungus! Then again, she has to remember that Mantis is one of those ‘personal space is important’ type of guy. Still, while his hands are on her shoulders, she has her arms outstretched and fingers curling in a ‘gimmie gimmie’ sign. Eventually though, she does drop it. She’ll get him one day. Luckily for him though, she won’t force it. Hands are at her sides now, but she doesn’t move an inch back or anything. JUST stays where she was stopped. “HOPEFULLY this is the last time we’re dragged, huh? Though, you just vanished before. Like poofed. Were you able to go back home?” That sucks if he was able to, only to be brought back to a new place. 

Once again, the smile comes back and she nods, “Yeah!” Finally, she’s taken a step back, giggling, “There’s a much of people from the old city. You might find someone you knew back there, too.” Definitely, she was sure of it. 

“Where are you staying? Do you know?”

Slowly he removed his hands from her shoulders and straightened up to his full height once he was absolutely sure she wouldn’t try anything funny. Mantis settled on folding his arms once more, keeping his body language closed off. He’d have to keep an eye on her in the coming days, huh.

“Home--?” The question startled him, and he gave a weighty chuckle. “No. Ghosts have no home to return to. It seems, however, that I am not allowed to stay dead for long.”

He tilted his head at her words, relieved that the two of them weren’t the only ones pulled from that wretched place. Perhaps, then, he could afford to hope that his friend was also relocated. Mantis sighed after casting a glance to their surroundings and shook his head-- not at anything Kachina had said, but at their familiar situation.

“Yes, I believe it’s called the Archimedes Ward. It’s certainly unlike anything the other city had to offer. I was heading that way...” Mantis paused. “... And you are staying... ?”

[foxhoundsonly-blog]

ductilesuit‌:

One could forgive Simon for staring. Only a skinhead would walk around in broad day light wearing an old timey gas mask and full leather getup. Yet the orange tinted mask was familiar, jogged some old memory of a noise filled screen and hand on his shoulder, urging him forward towards…something.

Too bad his memories from the 21st century were so spotty because this guy was giving him the creeps. Simon wasn’t even that close and already his skin was prickling, whole body leaning away from the guy like he could just blend into the store front display at his back.

Though he could barely see the eyes behind the lenses, making eye contact felt like someone taking a pick-axe to his brain. Simon winced, placing a hand on his faceplate and turning away. The guy spoke, too softly for Simon to hear and while he was busy looking left and right for an easy escape.

Fuck, he’d waited too long. He had to say something.

“You, look familiar,” he blurted; somehow the best he could muster. “Have you ever been to Ontario? Toronto or Kingfisher Lake…?”

Truthfully, what the thing said gave Mantis a pause. Ontario? He was silent for a moment, rifling through his scattered memories to recall if he had ever been to Canada. Sure, he had travelled through it. Perhaps he visited on a mission long ago, but, evidently, if that was the case, it wasn’t worth remembering.

“I have not,” Mantis said simply, tapping gloved fingers against the side of his crossed arms. “Admittedly, you also seem familiar. Try Alaska.”

It was silly to indulge such a thought, since Mantis was confident in knowing he had never met this creature before, but it wouldn’t hurt to pry a little bit. There was never such a thing as too much intel, and he was intrigued.

“You are... ?” Though Mantis really intended for it to state its identity, he supposed a name would suffice-- the questions about Canada felt more human than A.I. or whatever new technological garbage had surfaced in recent times.