001 ★ voice

[zohvin]

[The person recording this is soft-spoken, with a slight British Imperial accent underlying his words. His tone is otherwise quite measured; it's probably obvious that he's either rehearsed this or is going off of a written script.]

Good afternoon. For those of you that don't know me, my name is Draz'ohv'inadax [and there his mouth is making sounds that would be hard to hit with human vocal chords,] - but please, call me Zohvin. I'm making this post to announce that I have been approved to hold a license as a private investigator, and my office in Lower Lunatia is now open for business.

Supernova Investigative Services - or S.I.S. for short - is a private detective agency here for uncovering information and discovering what other people don't want you to find. We will work on everything from personal matters to minor crimes that you might not want to get the Moon Knights involved in. We also take the privacy of our clients seriously, no matter what your case might entail.

If you're wondering about my credentials, I have a background in both military service and law enforcement that spans multiple planets. Rest assured that conducting investigations is something of a specialty of mine, and I'm going to make sure that S.I.S. operates at a strict level of quality and efficiency.

On that note, I'm also looking for employees, both part time and full time. I'll even hire on a temporary basis, but anyone interested in a position will need to come in for an interview so I can see if you have the right attitude and skills. If there's any magic-users out there interested in earning some extra demichroma, I'd particularly like to speak to you about some special work I have in mind.

[There's a brief pause before he adds,] And if you did take the time to listen to this whole spiel, I appreciate it.

[In text at the bottom of this message is more information about S.I.S., including an address and phone number.]

Comments

[zohvin]

It's very similar to the work I used to do. I did consider the Moon Knights, but I've had my fill of swearing loyalty to governments that I'm not familiar with.

[braverpath]

Blindly swearing fealty is what killed my clan.

[He lets out a soft sigh.]

So we are in agreement there. Following your own ideals will spare you from any further disappointment.

[And sometimes bloodshed.]

[zohvin]

I see. I'm glad that you understand my reasoning, then. This job won't be quite as steady as being in a police force, but it'll be worth having complete control over what I do.

... Besides, there's other ways to earn chroma. [Most of the reason he had decided on this was just to have something to do every day. Zohvin had never needed much to live on.]

[braverpath]

Being in control of one's destiny matters more than anything. [This is something he wishes he known before. As much as the Manji prided themselves in being independent, they were still living at the whim of their former master.] Even a stream doesn't flow steadily once it begins.

It will take time but fortunately, you have this time. As do we all.

[zohvin]

You... might be right about that, [he half-mutters, his tone a little off. It doesn't seem like he expected to hear it.]

Time isn't something I'm used to having, but now I have this and a garden to attend to, so I'm satisfied.

[braverpath]

Are you truly satisfied?

[Judging only from Zohvin's previous response to his comment, there might be some discontent brewing.]

Life as a civilian must seem unfulfilling but it's the freedom that appeals to you.

[zohvin]

[Now it seems that Yoshimitsu has him pegged a little too well. There's a pause before Zohvin responds,]

I'll admit that it's difficult to adjust to this, but I already spent my first couple of months here expecting some sort of rescue. I can't keep waiting forever.

[braverpath]

[The pause is expected. Yoshimitsu has a knack for reading people and now that he knows Zohvin is a former soldier, it all starts to make sense. Maybe it has something to do with him being in the similar situation. While Yoshimitsu isn't s solider, he's certainly a warrior.]

So even this supposed paradise isn't fully to your liking.

[He can certainly sympathize with that.]

Of course not. Waiting for what may never come would only drive you to insanity.

[zohvin]

[Zohvin hadn't been entirely truthful on that point. He wasn't actually military, but he was another kind of warrior, so it was close enough to fool most people. That was why he he used that excuse.]

What's ever going to be fully to my liking? If I had a choice between going back and being stuck here, I think I'd choose this. A life of service doesn't mean anything if it doesn't give you a chance to live.

I learned long ago that you can still miss things that weren't good for you.

[braverpath]

[Thankfully, Yoshimitsu is none the wiser about that little white lie. He knew that Zohvin wasn't just your average civilian thanks to their duel. This little lie lines up well with everything he has assessed so far about the alien and then some.]

This is true. [He answers after a brief pause on his end.] We often yearn for the familiarity of yesterday while forsaking the present.

However, I hope you and I can adjust accordingly. It's not like a ninja to be without a clan, much like it's not like a soldier to be without a war.

[zohvin]

I for one am ready to put it behind me. I'm tired of war, and I have no desire to return to being a soldier, either.

But what about you? You don't seem all that happy about being without a clan.

[braverpath]

The restlessness within is at ease.

[His tone is a little warmer now. He's slowly starting to like Zohvin, somewhat.]

I'm not. [A terse reply.] But I cannot change the past.

What's done is done.

[zohvin]

You're right, it can't be changed... but I'm sure you'll be fine, in time. You just need to find your own feathers now, or whatever that saying was.

[braverpath]

...my own feathers?

[There's a bit of silence on his part but it's quickly interrupted by a quiet chuckle.]

The expression is lost on me but the intention is appreciated.

[He means it too.]

Is it safe to assume you'll require my aid soon in regards to this new venture?

[zohvin]

[Look, Zohvin was trying. He's actually more than a little surprised by that question, leading to a moment of silence before he says in disbelief,]

You think I need your help?

[Then he pauses to actually think about it for longer than a few seconds.]

If you can actually be stealthy, I'd be willing to pay you for your work - assuming that you can do it without your armor on. This is the kind of thing where running around like you're suited up for combat would be detrimental.

[braverpath]

Is it truly such a ludicrous idea?

[Yoshimitsu asks with a hint of humor in his tone. He's not offended. No, not at all. If anything, he finds Zohvin's incredulous tone to be quite laughable.]

Stealth is second nature for all ninjas, even myself. [Even though he tends to ignore stealth and logic both for the chance at a grandiose intro but that's besides the point.]

Ah, so that's your terms. [Why isn't he surprised? Yoshimitsu knows for a fact Zohvin dislikes his mask and armor both.] Very well.

[zohvin]

You haven't proved your stealth to me yet. If you can do that, I'll show you what else you'll need to know.

[Like using some basic technology, or a camera at the very least. Zohvin isn't quite sure how difficult that's going to be.]

Come by the office whenever you have the time and we'll see if I can make use of you.

[braverpath]

[Zohvin truly does doubt him, doesn't he? Yoshimitsu can't help but laugh some. He's a little offended but his pride will heal.]

Very well. I'll venture there before day's end.