Karkat Vantas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
usedshooshpap) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
route_10652013-02-18 12:14 am
usedshooshpap) wrote in route_10652013-02-18 12:14 am
[ closed ] first meet ups are clearly the best
Who: Karkat and Kimblee
Where: Goldenrod
When: Feb. 17th
Summary: Karkat calls up Kimblee to make good on their first face-to-face encounter. You know... Without that Team Rocket stuff getting in the way.
Rating: PG-13 because Karkat
Log:
[ Karkat is presently sitting at the front of the PokéCenter. it's really the easiest place to bring up as a point to meet at. to be honest, he hasn't had that great of a day and add in the fact he is, yes, kind of missing Gamzee's presence ( even if the guy had disappeared on him ). the kid doesn't know when he's going to go back and see everyone. could be another six months or so, you know?
that's when he had remembered that Kimblee had wanted to try to catch him ( and vice versa really ) while Karkat is in Goldenrod. what better time than now?
Leopold is at his side, as per usual, only half paying attention and Static is in his usual place as well: Karkat's hair. he has no idea what to expect, but oddly? talking to Kimblee has usually helped to distract or help him in some way. so this is a good thing. yupp. totally. ]
Where: Goldenrod
When: Feb. 17th
Summary: Karkat calls up Kimblee to make good on their first face-to-face encounter. You know... Without that Team Rocket stuff getting in the way.
Rating: PG-13 because Karkat
Log:
[ Karkat is presently sitting at the front of the PokéCenter. it's really the easiest place to bring up as a point to meet at. to be honest, he hasn't had that great of a day and add in the fact he is, yes, kind of missing Gamzee's presence ( even if the guy had disappeared on him ). the kid doesn't know when he's going to go back and see everyone. could be another six months or so, you know?
that's when he had remembered that Kimblee had wanted to try to catch him ( and vice versa really ) while Karkat is in Goldenrod. what better time than now?
Leopold is at his side, as per usual, only half paying attention and Static is in his usual place as well: Karkat's hair. he has no idea what to expect, but oddly? talking to Kimblee has usually helped to distract or help him in some way. so this is a good thing. yupp. totally. ]
no subject
He was fairly sure this sort of thing was what had caused so many issues for him in the past; he couldn't really say he cared.
But for the time being the distraction is nice, as is the fact that the weather had been solidly above freezing for the last good while now. He's carrying Thetis, his Flareon, close to his body anyway, the warmth of the creature radiating through his gloves and the closed front of that long overcoat he always wears in the winter; he's dressed all in white, as usual, and his long ponytail is done up so neatly that it had to have been fussed with immensely moments before he went out.
He doesn't seem overly tense, however - and neither does Thetis, who's taking to batting at those long strands of hair that always manage to fall to the sides of Kimblee's face; he's nothing if not punctual, walking into the Center and idly reaching up to press Thetis' head down a bit such that he can actually seek out the individual he came here to meet.
He hadn't seen much of Karkat, admittedly; the times they had spoken over a video feed had been very few, the last time being several months ago. However, now that he's actually getting a look at him, something manages to fall into place with a rather resounding mental slam -
They had met in person once before, hadn't they? Granted, Kimblee hadn't been coherent enough to realize; Karkat hadn't seen his face. But just the same...well.
Interesting.]
Ah...Karkat?
[He keeps any thoughts he may have had just now off his face; there's a vague upward pitch to the name, rendering it a question but not-quite. Verifying recognition, nothing more, a light smile present across his features.
...this is totally a good thing. Totally.]
no subject
Leopold finally rises as the man draws closer, nudging Karkat's arm. in return, Karkat gives the Espeon a pat on his head and peels his back from the wall.
there had been a time where Karkat had a rather healthy complexion under those eyes. lately those dark rings have started to make a reappearance. just not sleeping well lately, you know? unlike the last time that Kimblee and Karkat had encountered each other ( although unknowingly ), Karkat has had quite the growth spurt.
the question that's not really a question is answered with a nod. to Karkat, there is no doubt that this is Kimblee. if anything, Karkat has a great memory. he remembers the face from the few voice/video conversations that they have shared over the what... getting towards a year and a half now that they've talked on and off. ]
Nah, it's not me. Because there are totally other people here waiting and stepping forward when the person they're looking for is approaching. Just look at all of these bulgemunchers out here, freezing their shame globes off...
[ and there's no one else outside. ]
no subject
All with equally charming turns of phrase, I'm sure.
[It's not chiding, however; more amused than anything.]
It's a pleasure, regardless. Did you have anything in mind, or are we staying here for the time being?
no subject
[ so yeah. Karkat's not too into minding his manners at the moment. he'll curb them as much as he can, but this is Karkat. ]
Unlike the rest of my asshole friends, I don't think the usual movie would do. Aide from making shit go boom, I have no idea what you do do. You know. Normal stuff.
[ pauses and he rubs at his face. ]
Not that blowing shit up is bad or anything...
no subject
It's not most people's idea of a good time; I'm well aware of that much. Don't worry, I'm not going to require you to entertain me.
Have you eaten? I know of a few cafés near here, nothing grand; if nothing else, the caffeine would be welcome.
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[ but it ha dbeen just a dream. no way could someone like him ever really climb the ranks. ]
But yeah. Café is fine. I haven't had my usual cup of coffee.
no subject
[Come on, then, this way.]
Might I ask what changed this dream of yours? I'm assuming it's the circumstances you've described to me before that are rendering it more or less a moot point; is that the case, or...?
no subject
[ following right after you, man. ]
It never really changed. Not exactly. It's like you're suggesting, though. Events of the game, universes blowing up and what have you? There's no Fleet to join.
no subject
Nothing I've experienced is directly comparable to that, of course, so I'm not going to insult you by saying that I understand entirely, but cataclysmic events have a rather impressive way of derailing one's goals.
Admittedly, when I was your age I hadn't the vaguest what I wanted to do with myself - or, well, I had many paths available to me, but no idea what I wanted to get out of taking any of them. It was ultimately my surroundings that decided it for me; I'm not too disappointed with how it all turned out, so at least I have that much.
no subject
Yeah, I remember you saying you were satisfied with how you live your life. Wish I knew the secret to that.
[ snorts. ]
Anyway, from what I know about humans, you're not expected to be shipped off the moment you reach adulthood. The moment our eyes fill in and the Imperial Drones make the rounds, that's it for us. Your "childhood" is spent figuring out your shit because that's all the time you have to do it in - eight or nine sweeps.
Not that it really matters. Most "jobs" are caste based. Chances are I would have been culled instead of achieving anything.
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[He pauses for a moment, glancing over before returning his attention to the street ahead.]
Although I don't see why you would be culled, of all things - how is caste determined, exactly?
no subject
[ no, really. trolls his age have killed and whatnot already. combat is how they thrive. ]
Still. Late start or not, sounds like you made something of yourself.
[ more than what he's done. Karkat buries his nose into his scarf at the question. caste... well it's not really a secret and he's kind of learning to deal with the mistake in his genetic code. ]
Caste is determined by blood color. Trolls have pigmented blood. Rust red is the lowest on the spectrum while violet is the highest. Tyrian is the ruling caste. Tyrian and violet bloods are sea dwellers... Blood color also determines life span...
[ Karkat glares at the street, ears tinged pink in embarrassment. ]
The reason I'd be culled on sight is because I have a mutation. A lack of pigment.
no subject
[He's silent for a moment, fingers kneading lightly into the ruff at Thetis' neck as he mulls that over; Thetis squirms a bit, pleased, nudging up against his hand as he does so.
The situation isn't an unfamiliar one, the concept of all members of a given race or class being eradicated in the name of the government, the ruling class, the simple reason of because-we-said-so; even now, were he to be presented with that scarred man from Ishval all those years ago, Kimblee would kill him on the spot, were he given the opportunity. Not because he particularly hated him, and not because he feared him (although he had many reasons to hate him, and many more to fear him), but simply because that was how things were supposed to be. Outside of that, there had been Major Miles, who had identified as an Amestrian despite his obviously Ishvalan heritage; the idea of the man ever touching him, even casually, was repulsive.
He's well aware of hating people, of killing people, based on nothing but physical traits that they can't control. It's something he's identified with for most of his life. And while empathy has never been his strong suit, nor has putting himself in the position of others unprompted, he's fully aware that had he been a member of whatever society existed on Alternia before the effects of this universe-destroying game that Karkat mentions from time to time, he would have thought absolutely nothing of him being culled.
He supposes the thought should bother him. It doesn't.]
My apologies for pursuing such an obviously unpleasant line of conversation; I'm sure that isn't exactly anything you're thrilled about discussing. I appreciate the answer, however.
[Fortunately, the presence of that café prevents him from having to attempt any further awkward shots at conversation; he doesn't recall Thetis just yet, returning his attention to Karkat instead as he enters.]
Anything you'd like; I'll cover.
no subject
[ hold habit's really die hard. Karkat had been a recluse because of his blood color. hiding away in his hive and only coming out to shop and watch movies and the like. most trolls do participate in rather violent gaming and yet Karkat had not once sought to do any FLARP session. one wrong move meant his life could be forfeit. should anyone have caught him with a blade or too hard of a swing in the wrong place and it would have been over. just like that.
and it doesn't bother him as much now. not entirely. yeah sure, Karkat is aware that there's something much deeper about his particular hue, especially since ancestors are a real thing though he had always wanted to deny it. what exactly, he's not sure. all Karkat really knows is that his sign isn't really a sign but more of a pictograph representing the death of some asshole who couldn't keep his mouth shut. maybe he should have paid more attention to this stuff and to his schoolfeeding.
can't do anything about that now though.
trolls killing trolls is normal. Karkat accepts this as reality. funny thing is, he wouldn't hold it against Kimblee at all, if the other had openly voiced such an opinion. well, maybe a little, but only because you do not kill off your friends like a douchebag would. Karkat doesn't mind brutality that the hemospectrum causes... he just wants the opportunity to be normal. to be an average, bloodthristy troll without this stigma because of a thing like blood color - something that's completely chance.
once inside Karkat looks over what the café has to offer. ]
Probably am going to be boring here and just get a vanilla latte.