#~xinfinitus~

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

"Psi! Oh dearest brother of mine, do you have a moment?" Truly the sickly-sweet cheerfulness here is the kind only his adopted sibling can see through. "I reaaally need to talk to you about something." [ @overx ]

"Xantiiii," it's the practiced kind of cheer only afforded between siblings; although the other X clearly was deserving of the tone given his own opening to the conversation.

"Oh you know me! All the time in the world, especially to spare for my dearest littlest brother. Just don't ask me to start a fire!"

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

I know you would. His little saving grace. Xanti made up for everything he lacked, made things more survivable, more manageable. No one else had to say it for Zain to know how lucky he was to have the X, or his valuable insight.

They'd recap later, but those words. His core feels a little like it's doing flips, a short shot of adrenaline. The brunet used them so casually, but he... //...Love you too.// Time to get back to work, though Vi looked like he was suffering under the silk moth's scrutinizing gaze.

Said reploid eventually leans back to admire her handiwork, then holds out a hand for the things Zain had been holding. He would have protested and been fine told hold them until he was ready for them to check-out, but... well. It seemed like she wasn't really asking.

"...Go get changed and meet me at the counter." //You're a real trooper.// Sarcasm? Nah, they both were in the same boat here. //We should be done. You'll have to wear that later though, I hope you know. Reploids can't call for sick days, soldier.//

//I try my best!// Replied cheerfully, if a bit sympathetically. Xanti knew from the get go this wouldn't be easy on Zain OR Vi, so the least he can do is try to help them speed through some small part of it. I'd help more if I could, goes unsaid.

//Better than expected is good! Hopefully it's smooth sailing from here for both of you.// Or the closest it can get, at least. Even if nothing "happens" per se, the X can still imagine several ways those two would manage to fumble some civilian level social interactions. Oh well, it can't be helped. //Love you bunches, and good luck!//

Naturally what Zain would find upon his return is his subordinate stiff as a board while some final measurements are being taken. Vile is nothing if not still, trying his best not to interrupt the saleswoman. Doing so would only prolong the suffering. One can only imagine how much he's actually sweating it out beneath his helmet.

"Almost... done.... I think...?" He can't tell. Vi sounds like he's frowning, certainly. //I'd rather be shot at by Mavericks than do this again.//

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

"Vile, I have an assignment for you." It's... a grocery list? --- There is a distinct sense of surprise as the Maverick Hunter looks over the notepad, and then back to Dr. Cain. Somehow, he'd assumed when he'd been sent over, that the world famous roboticist was in dire need of expertise specific to the Hunter Organization.

"...right..." who normally handles this kind of thing? Vi wants to ask, but holds his tongue. It's just a little grocery shopping, no big deal. ...............

//Hey, Zain?// The ping isn't out of the ordinary, a fairly innocent from Xanti. //Are you still.... uh, planning to get some stuff for the kitchen today?// Hopefully it isn't too late to message. //Would you mind er, checking on Vi for me while you're out?//

@overx

//Yes, I'm already there.// A reusable grocery bag in hand, already full of ingredients for a simple pasta dish.

It's not out of the ordinary. In the first few seconds to follow while his boyfriend was typing, the blond had the initial assumption Xanti was going to ask him to pick up additional ingredients for dinner, or something he was craving at that very moment.

Instead...

He makes eye contact with a familiar shade of purple, right as the X's message pinged through. //...Just found him.// An incredible scene, really. Zain approaches nonchalantly, reaching past the Hunter for powdered parmesan, but can't help but voice his opinion flatly.

It wasn't like his own unarmored face was a secret. "Why... didn't you come in civvies?"

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

Suit, check. Tie, tied, cufflinks on, vest and pocket square, shoes not out of place. It's a formal event, a press conference, a diplomatic negotiation and a black-tie gala all in one. It's stressing him out, was what it was. Limited guests, all dressed up.

Literally anything and everything there could be misinterpreted, and equally a space with this many government officials was asking for some sort of ambush or attack by-- Zain crosses his arms again, an attempt to keep from fidgeting, though he was becoming increasingly aware it was starting to make him look equally as unapproachable-- and he and Xanti had only just arrived.

Already he can count several high-profile individuals-- including the speaker for New-Gen Perspective, a peaceful reploid's rights activist group.

A sigh burns and dies in his throat as he looks reluctantly to Xanti. How do I look less standoffish? It's a losing game. "You look nice," awkward conversation, but he was trying. Look casual, damn it. The blond's multicolored eyes travel the ball-room, attempting to find a face he was sure he'd recognize. It's crowded, a full house. "...Any sign of our bodyguard?"

[DWN-000]: //Where are you?//

@overx

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

((For context:

The Winter tradition of attempting to dress the Maverick Hunter Commander up in festive fashion was originally started when Sigma was still in charge as was used as a way to boost morale in the Hunter ranks, and carries on with Zero (Zain) as the newest appointed Commander.

(Zain actually actively dislikes Christmas as the holiday itself, and doesn't care for most winter festivities. Equally no one has been successful in tagging him for very long YET due to his avoidance of all things festive and yule-themed. That and, he can warp and phase most things off of himself due to being comprised mostly of nanites.)

This game also does apply to other players, and doesn't end until after December 25th, so anyone who isn't all that dressed up and is okay with being assaulted with ribbon and glitter is fair game-- like Vi.))

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

"Why would you think that?" He's decided he's going to leave, actually. "I'll see you later, Xan. If you know what's good for you, please. Go. Take a nap. Yeah?"

Wow... that's.... a first. "Psi....." a pause, in the rapid back and forth between them. "...are... are you mad at me?" Xanti couldn't really recall a time they'd gotten... any form of heated.

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

💭😒 Xanti and MZ lol

Send 💭 for my muse’s first impression of yours.

Well? Xanti... is an X. Not just any X, he’s been a medic for as long as MZ has known him, perhaps even longer...? Time isn’t always linear to the Maverick, but that only made things more... noticeable when the young android always stuck to the same pathways. Psi took him as a sibling in every life too.

They say you can’t ever change one’s original self.

Of course Xanti always chose to help others. Always chose to bear the smile and take the pain prior generations placed upon him. Many would consider that strong, right? Never caving to depression, always holding up others, war after war and always holding onto hope?

Many would call that strength.

MZ would call it suicide. But... perhaps it was better than simply giving up.

Send 😒 for a headcanon about something your muse does that annoys mine.

They don’t agree on a lot. MZ may choose to not harm Xanti, but it hardly changes the fact that they simply never will see eye to eye.

The Maverick doesn’t like humans. Xanti says not to judge. He doesn’t care, because to him they are no better than vermin or roaches. So what if they think, they don’t really think outside of themselves, do they? Xanti disagrees. And they then fall into a one-sided debate.

A lot.

In all honesty he doesn’t believe that the dream Xanti is aiming for is possible, where humans and reploids are simply equal. Humans themselves make that alone too difficult. It may be true that many humans trust Xanti, but the same could never be said for all machines, and for the reploids, well, who’d trust those that stood by idly why they were thrown to be discarded simply for defending themselves?

...And then another argument ensues. 

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

"Hi um, thank you for being mostly nice to Zain." You know, in the grand scheme of things.

"...and letting us have a little time together, here and there. It means a lot!"

((Aww! I'm trying! I do enjoy seeing you two together, it's really cute. <3

...Although um. I feel a little guilty now because I was planning on making things rough for you two in the future as well--))

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

“O-- Oh crap UH-- Where’s-- Rock? CALE?? UH. XANTI TOO.”

“We gotta give Dad a gift CRUD--”

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

"Oh yeah. I have a feeling you may be exempt though. You do take care of yourself, don't you, Vi?"

"...damn, real rough out there tonight."

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

👫 Psi and Xanti cause, BRO.

Send a 👫and I’ll write four headcanons I have about our muse’s relationship

Accepting!

When together, they are the worst set of pranksters. As in, they’re very good at what they do, and it’s rough for everyone else involved. I think the only person who might’ve survived their glitter onslaughts is MZ. (They’d even got Sigma once when he was still with the Maverick Hunters.)

Psi considers himself the elder of the two despite the constant weird time-fluctuations in Xanti’s world and his own. Xanti happily accepts as he’d always wanted an elder sibling... Though physically they’re about the same age if their times got straightened out.

If Psi or Xanti are ever exhausted, there’s this weird thing that happens when they’re in the same vicinity and they’ll both regain energy. It’s not just an energy boost, but sometimes a healing boost as well, though it hasn’t happened often enough for them to notice. Psi just says it’s cause Xanti is super bright and cheery.

Both try visiting each other whenever they can, but the issue is that when they’re on either side of the portal, time moves oddly. Hanging out is nice and all, but it’s frustrating when staying a few days can mean being gone for a few months in the other world.

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

“%” (Zain and Xanti)

Send a “%” for my muse to hug your muse just because your muse asked.

Asked– he’d asked for it, but somehow actually getting the hug still surprised and startled him. His partner isn’t the most physically affectionate person after all, but… Xanti sank into the embrace, content to be enveloped in Zain’s warmth. His arms rose slowly, slipping around the vamploid’s abdomen.

“…s-sorry for asking but… thank you.”  

It’d been a hard day, too hard to return immediately to his work like he’d hoped to do.

What was he to say to that? The X had asked for a simple embrace, and had expected denial? That he’d do anything, and that it had only gotten worse after their run with the Maverick’s? Even if it weren’t true, the Hunter would have still gathered Xanti in his arms, if only out of the desperate need for comfort on his face.

I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you sooner.

Zain shook his head, his gold hair cascading over his shoulder and X like a curtain as he curled around the android, squeezing him as tightly as was allowed. “All you needed to do was ask. Don’t apologize, please.”

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

@overx

Zain sets a mug of coffee down next to his boyfriend, an eyebrow raised to the android still typing away at his desk-tablet. “What are you doing still up?”

---

“Ah--” Xanti almost hadn’t noticed his partner, glancing up at the blue eyed android. “Just, uhm, finishing up a few things.” The question itself isn’t really about what the medic was doing, but rather why he’s still doing it at this hour. Zain’s very gentle way of checking in, and reminding the shorter of the two to take a break.

A tap saves and minimizes one document, revealing a digital corkboard of news articles and research notes across the desktop.

Always more much to do, never enough time.

A sheepish smile, as the X reaches for the mug, a mumbled “thanks” before he takes a sip. “Things have just been...” well, it’s not like he needed to tell Zain how hectic everything is. Given the constant deployments, the vamploid already knows better than anyone. “...you know.” The ceramic clinks as its set back upon wood.

“It’s been a lot.” Fighting, at least, isn’t how Xanti imagined his future in his younger years. Field work he could stomach at least, helping directly, but the politics surrounding all of it... “...I uh, almost miss the paperwork,” is the awkward admission. “Everything we do outside of HQ is something the whole world is watching, and suddenly paper pushing is relaxing by comparison.”

I’d say I don’t know how you do it Zain, but I know both of us are the same.

“...so I er, guess you could say I’m avoiding tomorrow right now?”

There’s only a second to catch the file that was closed, but Zain had begun to recognize the title far too easily. It’s analysis of a virus-- MZ’s virus, specifically. Gifted as a sign of good faith and a desire to help? MZ? It feels almost too good to be true, but the evidence was there in charts and notes that the X drowned the document in. 

It’s only one issue on the line of many, all of which are visible to the vamploid now that Xanti’s desktop was free to be seen. The virus, the Mavericks, why they’d targeted X, why Sigma of all reploids, what to do about Zain’s condition... Endless, seemingly.

Traditional paperwork most certainly felt like the most harmless of the bunch. It was easier to report on their subordinates’ tact and efficiency than think about the world at large. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop the world from turning. Zero lifts his own mug to his lips, his own datapad dangling limply from his fingers.

“...Yeah.” I know. His eyes close with a sigh that feels the way Xanti sounds. “I never... would have wanted you to know what this felt like.” He rarely spoke of his past, and this was hardly the time. Even though some things were... more difficult now (the politics, clearly).

A sigh meets the honest excuse, and he leaves his coffee next to his boyfriend’s. “Then...” The red Hunter’s multicolored eyes avert from his partner, an awkwardness pervading his words. “M-Maybe... avoid it with me...?” 

God, how cheesy, Zain. Besides, what about that terrible luck of yours?

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

I do, he wants to object, I am, but there's no use arguing with Xanti. He's not upset that the X liked him as much as he did, Zain liked him back, a lot. But once again the Zero felt that the kindness given to him was... misplaced. But there's no use arguing with Xanti.

After a few minutes of baited silence, the brunet relents, and the Zero's shoulders slump with him. //...Right.// There isn't really much else to say. His smile is brief, but it's for the Light-roid regardless. //I know. I will.//

Hesitation, as raises his gaze from the ground to the sky. Night was sure to fall soon. //...Might be quiet for a little while. I'll come home later.// A promise, a reassurance.

Zain averts his attention to the second channel he'd had open, no more exchanges since earlier. There isn't really any good way to start the conversation, but he isn't one to leave things unfinished either.

//...Hey.// It's awkward, unrefined. He starts to speak, backspaces, starts again and struggles, the equivalent of opening and closing one's mouth with no sound coming out. //... I'm sorry.//

A start.

//Deserve it? I doubt it.// A pause, Xanti frowning to himself. //You always act like you're a bad person who bad things should happen to... but you aren't.// Unlucky maybe, but far from the monster Zain saw himself as.

Even now, you're looking out for someone who hurt you.

Their kitten clumsily clambers onto the armrest above the medic's head, and ungracefully tries to use the reploid's frame as a bridge to get to his hands. Another of the blond's many, many rescues. A reminder of the ones who were grateful for the Zero in this life. //...okay, well. I promise not to dent his helmet or anything. I'd be setting a prettyyy bad example if I did...//

Noire paws the X for attention, perhaps sensing his displeasure.

//...but if you don't want me to knock some sense into him, you'd better put this whole thing to rest. I can be pretty viscious you know.// It's mostly a joke. Mostly.

//I don't know what else happened between you two...// you don't have to tell me everything. An unspoken boundary by now. //...but maybe you should message him instead of talking in person, yeah?//

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

More Than Just a Hunter (~xinfinitus~)

@overx

He’d strongly opposed it, but... The Maverick Hunter Commander frowned at the live chat, at the tired but bright eyes on the other side of the screen, before shaking his head, typing a reply through to the other’s computer. “ﾉЦ’ｲ 刀ｱЦ Цｱｱ ζｱﾚÐ ｷｱ丂 乙ｱЏ ｱЩ乇丂 Цん乇丂乇?” He would have gone himself, if he could’ve. Ice was his element, after all.

“んｱﾒ ﾉｲ ﾉЦ Ǥｱﾉ刀Ǥ? ﾑ刀ｱЦん乇丂 Ð乇ﾑÐ 乇刀Ð, ｱ丂 ﾉｲ Цん乇丂乇 丂乇ﾑﾚ ᄊﾑЩ乇丂ﾉζズ ﾑζЦﾉЩﾉЦ乙 Цｱ 乃乇 ﾒｱ丂丂ﾉ乇Ð ﾑ乃ｱЏЦ?” While Zain dearly hoped that there would be more to the snowy tundra of the southern continent, he didn’t appreciate that Xanti was the one forced to explore it.

But that was just going to happen, wasn’t it? He was a commander, and no longer allowed to leave the base if it meant the danger of the Hunters losing another one. While Cain could do the work as well, he was getting old (again), which meant they needed a more permanent solution.

The Zero hadn’t been exactly pleased when he’d been chosen, but he was the only candidate more experienced than the Maverick Sigma himself. He’d have to change that soon. But another time, after they produced who he would only assume to be Signas. How long would that take?

“ﾉЦ’ｲ ｱ刀ﾚ乙 ﾑ ｷ乇ﾒ ᄊｱ刀Цんｲ.” That Xanti would be gone. “ﾒﾉﾚﾚ 乙ｱЏ 乃乇 ｱズﾑ乙?” ...Was he talking to himself or the Medic...? 

[thegatesofinfinitespace]

@overx

🎆(Zain and Xanti? UntilIgetbackonmycomputer)

It’s becoming something of a tradition isn’t it? This New Year’s date of theirs is always interrupted, but this time, this time..!

Xanti can’t help but beam, managing to be just shy of his usual sheepishness. “I’m really glad we managed to make it this time.” No last minute calls, and with Signas in charge, no reason for them to be interrupted.

Finally!

Finally indeed.

He’d asked, but it somehow seemed just their luck to be interrupted every time they tried anything together. Zain would admit to no one how irritated he’d become at the thought of people surprising them and ruining another date gathering (?), and the next person to toss their night astray again would receive a heartfelt punch in the face REGARDLESS of what his friend would say! New Years, Christmas, and their anniversary, all missed for some chaos or another.

The android nodded, a small blue-moon smile appearing on his face. “Yeah.” No one could blame him for giving the immediate area a sweep of his gaze, to watch for any tell-tale signs of danger, not after the continuous distractions they’d had to endure. Coast clear, he led his friend into the restaurant, the place chosen for its good food and low wait times (just in case). 

Hopefully things would go smoothly, this time.