Reconnection (Shaku)

“Try…” Oki repeated as it heard the words and saw Sharaku’s reaction. If it tried and really worked for it could Oki really change its path in life? Or were these words just teases of the impossible? Oki didn’t know the answer, but it was curious to find the truth behind that as it considered the words quietly. Try…alright then…It would give itself a chance to try…and challenge Fate.

Sharaku’s scoff would turn its attention from such thoughts as green eyes looked at him as he said his next words. As it listened it would scratch its head as it pondered what was being said to it. On one hand it could see his point. Just move on and adapt, but what happened when even that didn’t work did it all stand still?

“Hmmm…your pathway is logical and yet my mind has difficulty accepting it. We always keeping thinking what if it is all for not? What if we fail at whatever we are suppose to be doing? Do…does Oki finally get eternal peace? Or is it purgatory instead?” the being asked as it looked over at Shaku with a light frown. It was odd, but in the end….this was what concerned Oki the most when it came to the human race and this event. More so than seeing it fall under some god’s control, it was worried about existence…its existence ceasing to be. “Do you think we be erasing ourselves by supporting an angel?” the being asked as it looked down at the foliage below as it ponder these deeper questions it rarely shared with others.

Perhaps it thought and worried too much. Or maybe it was finally truly losing its mind. Whatever the case was, even if it had settled on one side so to speak, the whole thing remained uncomfortable in the end…like even if it did accomplish the goal of the angel…it would perhaps still lose. Maybe Sharaku was right….or maybe it did not have enough confidence in itself not to doubt. It was hard to say what caused the trouble within Oki, but there was a crack there and it was slowly getting bigger and changing it as the events of the world went on.

When the subject turned to Thesis, Oki sighed as it leaned back remaining balanced on the railing.

“We do not claim to have the answer to these things my friend, but I know if we keep sitting the more something else can create something worse than a bad end for us,” Oki paused as it thought a bit more. “All we can do is dig carefully with whatever resources we have. We still have to think….but how much time do we have to be cautious in this game, we wonder….” Oki said leaving the words and broken thoughts as they were. They needed a plan. Minor or not….Thesis and her brother needed to be watched….right?

Oki moved one hand to rub its face as it thought, but could not find answers. It wasn’t until the whole cat ordeal came up that things took a turn for the awakard. Remember that fear of cats the being could not control? Well, it had come back full force as Oki tried to hold its ground against the idea of Sharaku pouncing on it. While the action did not amuse the other who rolled his eyes at the reaction, when he asked the his question, Oki would back up a bit more.

“We square with you, yes. Shaku is an intriguing creature we have deep respect for, but much like tigers we also fear Shaku. We cannot read you easily and so never know what Shaku may and may not do, so you see,” Oki said as it relaxed on the railing. “We do not have an answer because Shaku may or may not pounce. It is really up to Shaku in the end.”

The being would finish letting those words settle before focusing on the next subject. With a sigh, Sharaku would respond back pretty much confirming what Oki had just said. Sharaku did as he liked. End of story and he had no qualms about fighting those that gave him a reason to do said action. The words made Oki narrow its eyes as it observed the other for a bit.

“We perfer not fight either Shaku, but need you to be square about something. Is there nothing Sharaku holds dear?” the question would come out of no where as the being continued to observe the being that was Sharaku trying to figure out the man that seemed so detached from things. Did he really not care in the end? Was everything there simply for his benefit? Or was Oki missing something? This hole was interesting, but Oki wondered how much the other would give it back if it poked about in that space.

Whatever came out of that, Oki would eventually blink as the other began to speak on science and the meaning of male and female. As the being listened, it would snort lightly at the words.

“If I am the only one to think this way, then I am against the world in my thinking. Perhaps we be more broke than first considered,” Oki with an amused chuckle as it pondered the various ideas humans had on the subject. Such a strange things labels were, but at least Sharaku didn’t seem to care, so that was a small sliver of hope in the darkness.

“No love is there? Then may we ask why Sharaku keeps the other around? We thought Shaku wasn’t for having the noncompatiable around him,” Oki said curious as it watched the other think. Whether Sharaku answered or not, the conversation would move on.

“It is hard for us hunters to accept that. Everything has a worth…even what others consider worthless,” Oki told Sharaku with a small smirk. A simple statement that spoke volumes about Oki’s way of thinking. Oki…it could be kind, but underneath it all of it was it really closer to a monster? It was hard to say at times, but that did not matter as the subject changed and Sharaku spoke of his mysterious friend.

To his words, Oki hummed lightly.

“Meet her? Meet her? Hmmm….yes. We would like that very much,” Oki said with a smile that turned into a light wince at the mention of Hyde and her opinion of him. “Ah. I see. Well, let’s just let’s just keep my relationship with Hyde between us then yes? No need to cause strife, no?” Oki finished with a nervous chuckle. The last thing it wanted was unnecessary enemies. Seriously, it had enough problems as it was without that added to the mix.

Well what happened on that end was yet to be seen, but at least on the end regarding goddess and her champion things were more or less settled, Sharaku was willing to wait for an open time for Oki to take him to Helen.

“Alright then. Tea time with Helen and Sharaku,” Oki said as it paused poking out its tongue as it looked upward as if it was concentrating on drawing something. “Mhmm…Note made to find date,”the being said after a moment as it looked back at the other with a big grin; however, the grin would began to fade as the conversation turned to a more serious subject.

“Only a judge can tell you the answer to that, Shaku. All us observers can say is that the answer is both no and yes. We have the right to command and yet we do not. Thus begins the strife. You are quite right in saying we are selfish as much as the angels who claims they created us and what we feel, but we wonder if the chaos of humanity has created these angels, judges, to condemn us to one fate or another. It is how the machine works after all, see? You either submit or die. As for our feelings on such things, we do not know how to answer. We have played puppet so long that it is often hard to tell if what we do is our own choice or that of the master. We care not for suffering, just the results. What doesn’t work is destroyed it is as simple as that,” Oki said in cold tones as it looked around the area, letting Sharaku see it as itself for once and not the strange being it presented itself as to the world.

“What we think on this situation, you ask?” Oki chuckled coldly before resuming. “We think it is an insane loop that we cannot escape except through death. If you try to push forward, things come to push you back. If you resist, you get crushed by the cogs. Everything push, pull, push, pull,” Oki would lock tired eyes upon Sharaku.

“We think it should stop and things be started again when one has eliminated what is unnecessary for the system to function. Selfish? Cowardly? Pointless? Impossible? Perhaps the way we really think is truly that, but…something tells me the formula has to be changed from what it is to get what we really want, my friend,” Oki said as it gave the other a tired smile and let him deal with its words the way he saw fit.

Gloomy oddness aside, Oki would eventually perk back up as a deal of a sort was struck between Sharaku and itself. As it moved passed him and made its comment, the being would give the other a grin as it watched him.

“Little people, voices, whatever you humans call them these days. The things up here,” Oki flipped around easily on the rail and tapped the side of its head. “They make one tick and twitch, see?”
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Note: It seems the conversation has caused Oki to loosen up and reveal more of its true self to Sharaku. We wonder is Oki too much for Sharaku to handle?

As far as the first topic went there was not much to say or do there. Whether Oki tried to challenge Fate or simply went along with the tides was up to the being alone. It understood that no one could help it there and so in turn appreciated the silence that Sharaku gave in return to the simple word it had repeated and pondered. It was well enough that Sharaku was right here now and had even given the suggestion of trying.

“Hmmm…perhaps Sharaku is right,” Oki said as it considered the other's words on the future. “Perhaps focusing on now is all we can do,” the being eyes would turn to the other as a smile appeared on its lips. “And maybe if Oki can stop thinking so hard, Oki will be more sane,” the being ended with a light chuckle as it shook its head.

Stop itself from thinking? Heh. That was nearly impossible to do. Its mind wandered way too much and sought answers to everything. Whether this was natural or a curse human born when it was in prison was unknown to the being, but at least it could try to control its panic. After all, jumping to conclusions is what got most killed in the end.

“The angels…I cannot speak for all, but from the one I do know, I want to believe they really are trying to help out, but maybe not everybody. Maybe they are aiming for a specific type of people and so hide themselves unless someone comes looking for them and when found give them a challenge to see if the person matches that ideal person they are after,” Oki said rubbing its head. “It is a theory, but one I am beginning to think is true from what little I can make out of this rather cryptic matter. Still I don’t know all the pieces and am basing my theory off of one angel. I think you are right in wanting more information before making your choice in this matter. Oki shall help if allowed. Mhmm…” the being said nodding lightly and almost sage like as it balanced its weight on its bent legs, closed its eyes and stroked it chin. It was a comical position, but Oki did not seem to notice as it simply did what it felt like doing at the moment.

“Heh,” the chuckle Oki let out was a dry one as it heard Sharaku’s words regarding investigating Thesis. The being understood what the other was saying knew it was true, but still did not like the fact that Thesis was left alone. Add the time restraint onto the thing and that made the situation even more frustrating. A light growl of discontent was released from Oki.

“Such sound logic I cannot break,” Oki said admitting in its own way how right Sharku was. “So what do you suggest we do when low on allies and time? Wait and see?” Oki asked as it looked over at the other with a curious eye wondering what the other thought on the situation.

Whatever came from that was yet to be seen as the situation went from serious to a bit more lighthearted as the subject of Shaku’s nature came up. To his words, Oki gave the other a sheepish grin as it took the teasing better than expected.

“Smart? Mayhaps. I think we are just honest with feelings towards you,” Oki said as its tensed positioning relaxed as it moved a bit closer to Sharaku once more. “Then perhaps you should get used to new for Oki may say anything these days,” the being said with a light chuckle and then hearing about the panther over tiger choice, it would let out a low hum. “Hmmm…Panther is definitely more secretive than tiger, but why Shaku think it fits better?” it asked curiously and then would wait for a bit before asking its question.

Observing the laidback grin, Oki would listen to the way Sharaku described how he held things dear. The concept was strange, getting a few head tilts here and there from the being as it absorbed it all. It didn’t exactly agree with Sharaku’s ways, but at the same time it respected the differences as it nodded after a while as it looked upward to the left.

“Like changing waves on the ocean. Oki thinks we get it,” it said as it pondered the words a bit more and then looking at Sharaku it would give a light smile of thanks. At least it now knew the other did hold some value of things even if his way was a bit confusing to understand. Ah well. Shaku was Shaku and Oki honestly wouldn’t change that.

In response to the science talk, Oki would scratch its head lightly as it let out a light hum as it thought. “Perhaps so,” was all it said before letting that subject drop and focusing on the next set of words. To this, Oki was about to respond, but there was something in said description of the person that made it hesitate and blink.

“That….sounds oddly familiar…” Oki said. “Like a spoiled brat….” Oki blinked again and then looked up at Sharaku as a clear image of said person it was thinking of popped into its head. “…Shaku, if you don’t mind. Can you tell me said boyfriend’s name?” Oki asked cautiously not really wanting to start in fires with this curiosity. It just wanted to confirm something was all. A tense moment later the conversation relaxed again.

In response to the value subject, Oki would simply smirk as it looked away and back at the scenery. It and Shaku would probably never agree on that one just as they did not agree with many things. Still, the flaws did not seem to damage the bond between them thus far and so Oki did not mind the challenges that came along with Shaku. When it came to the friend issue, Oki tilted its head lightly as it took in the information before it found itself smiling.

“She seems very kind then. I hope one day we do get to meet then,” Oki said as it relaxed in its position on the railings, sitting all the way down instead of crouching as it resumed letting its legs hang free over the edge. However, what occurred in response to the next subject was not planned.

“Fair exchange?” Oki repeated its tones icy. “There is no fair exchange in this game. Something always has to be sacrifice in order to gain what you want. People try to tell you differently, but every time you try to play by fair rules things blow up in your face. So you fight the fire with your own cruelty. It is the only way to win in this insane world without changing the formula,” Oki said, the darker side of it coming out in the situation. The dark personality did not shift as Shaku suggested jumping. Oki would look down below considering the option.

“You are quite right. Oki could end it now. After all, I am just one grain in a desert. I will not be missed if I were to fade,” Oki said quietly as it stared at the trees below. Just a single jump. It could end it all. The pain and the thinking. Just one simple action was all that was needed.

“And yet Oki does not jump because it has come to a second conclusion,” the being looked up meeting the other’s sneer with a grin of insanity it hadn’t shown anyone before. “Broken things like us aren’t cared for anyway. So whether we stay or go it doesn’t matter. No one would notice, so we watch and wait for perfect holes to poke into. Stir the pot to recreate our own reality of perfection and peace. Price does not matter. Just results,” the being said the strange behavior lingering a while longer before the being blinked and went back to being more or less normal, seemingly slightly confused as the cloud passed by. Sharaku would have to translate that personality on his own, but one truth about Oki had been revealed. In the end, under all the smiles and such, it was not a stable creature. In fact it was quite unstable and unpredictable. Would Sharaku accept this or would he push Oki aside now that he knew just how broken this creature was?

“Touché,” Oki would say softly when the other made his point regarding the situation at hand and how to handle it. The point was well spoken and gave one lots to consider, but when it came to such theories, the arguments were endless because in the end nothing was right or wrong in the equation because there were no solid answers. Sure one could make change, but swaying the people? Heh. An extreme measure would have to be enforced to do that and work effectively. If not you were just wasting time and energy.

In any case, Oki would be quiet after that as a rather content smile appeared on its lips. While the whole conversation may have seemed pointless to some, the being had just found out a bit more of about Sharaku’s view on the situation and in turn could easily say he was someone worth having around in the chaos. Worth studying and watching as he took this more neutral path when it came to the angels. Yes, a very valuable individual indeed. He could very well shake the world with his ideas, but in the face of the Angels he would have quite the challenge.

Still, Oki was interested in taking the journey along side Shaku and seeing just what happened in the end. It was a point worth living for. And then the distraction came.

“Brain?” Oki tilted its head. “Brain is home and tells the body to this or that. Little people talk and form personalities. I am not sure if they are same or not as their functions be different than brain,” Oki said to the other as it watched him with a smile that held a bit of instability in it, but no hostility at all. Perhaps this was Oki simply letting its true self hang out. After all, this did not seem like an act of any sort. Still it was up to Shaku to translate the behavior and determine Oki's trustworthiness from there.

“What works for Oki….We would have to ponder that a bit more,” the being said scratching its head a bit perplexed for a moment before leaving the subject alone for now. With a shake of its head it would let out a low hum as it ponder the situation with the angels.

“It seems that way, but I wonder if it is the angels or us that is making it seem so bottled necked…” Oki said as it looked down at the railing underneath it. There were so many variables floating around the angels that it was hard to say what was right or not. Were the angels really trying to force everyone into one idea or…was that an assumption brought to reality by humans It was hard to say, especially without more proof. In any case, the being wouldn’t push that subject too much further because in reality it would go no where.

When Shaku mention the Thesis issue, Oki would give the other a small smirk.

“I suppose Shaku is a popular fellow. I guess I am a bit selfish for wanting to do some investigations just to see how well we can work off of one another; however, if Shaku has other plans that is fine. Oki does not wish to hold him back,” the being said with a light shake of its head. If Shaku didn’t want to work with it that was fine. All he had to do was say so, but if he did want to work it then it wish the yes was a bit more straight forward. At the rate this was going Oki was unclear if Shaku would really work with it or not as they had agreed upon in their earlier deal.

An agitating little aspect of the curious creature that was Shaku. Ah well, it would be what it would be. If one plan failed it could always make another. After all it was trained to adapt, no? As for the answer to its question on what to do…well Shaku didn’t seem to care either way. That was that. As for the cat thing…

“I see…” Oki said with a nod seeing that explanation as good enough for now. He didn’t think Shaku was a brute force sort. Ever since they had met the being found him more of a thinker than an impulsive attacker so no surprise there it guessed. As for figuring out Shaku’s values…heh! Oki would probably never understand him, but Shaku said it was better that way so Oki would not push the subject too much further as it simply gave the other a light smile.

“Okay then,” it would say to wrap up that subject. When it came to the subject of the spoil brat, Shaku dodged the question effectively and thankfully Oki knew and respected the man well enough to not cross too far over the line as it scratched its head as it gave the other a sheepish grin.

“Well…a few weeks ago, I ran into this blonde that was coming after me for revenge purposes. When you described the one attached to you, I just saw that one’s face. Perhaps they are not the same,” Oki said and then shook its head and gave the other a light smile.
”Neh. Forget it,” the being said with a light chuckle that hide much of what it felt regarding said blonde. In any case, the being would only nod about the meeting Shaku’s friend bit as it watched him carefully.

It wouldn’t force Shaku to do anything and depending on the friend they might not get along to begin with so….if they met fine and if not that was fine too. In any case, the option was left there for the other to deal with as he felt like.

But then the peaceful moment would turn dark as Shaku pretty much went off on Oki with its train of thoughts on destruction.

It listened to his words and absorbed them, some part of it knew he was right, but the other just wanted to shred him for such words. Did he honestly think humans should be given such a chance when beasts like the scientists existed? Why not put them under a iron grip? Give them a taste of the hell it had gone through?

Oki would reamin quiet as its more beast-like side remained in the open watching Sharaku with narrowed eyes. It wanted to hurt him. Wanted to get at him badly, but the sane part of Oki held the illogical side back. It took a moment of internal fighting, but eventually the strange personality and madness that came with it would pass and Oki would return to normal appearing to be exhausted from the ordeal as it looked at Shaku sleepily.

“Humans make lots of rules that don’t make sense, so why can’t we?” it would ask before shaking its head lightly as it closed its eyes with a light smile. “No..those words aren’t right either. Oki be torn between high anger and peace, but Oki knows…Shaku is right….and to be honest only the beast within wants such cold results. Oki always think…there be a better way…just sometimes forget this option when relied up by somefink…Sorry you had to see that…Bad Oki be bad...” Oki said its words slightly slurred as it remained on the railing slightly rocking as if it could fall at any moment.

Oki didn’t seem to notice it was in danger of falling though as it remained where it was in its drained state.

“Split personality? Maybe….Or maybe Oki is too broken to tell anymore, Shaku…” the being said before beginning to tilt dangerously towards the edge as it tried to maintain focus on Shaku. It seemed that whatever that dark personality was had zapped Oki of energy, but why would remain a mystery…unless one knew the consequence of experiments dealing with shadows....

3rd one on one rank up go ~ + 4 points

Oki:

Sharaku: