[Open] She's never tailed anyone before but is pretty sure it can't be that hard

[diediediediediedie]

[The big question hanging over everything for Peridot was "now what?"

She was stuck in a big human city, ordered to destroy shadow monsters who may or may not pop out at any time with hypothetical powers she has no idea how to use. Most of her own Gem abilities are gone, she has no need of most of the services in the city, and she can't go anywhere.

So what was she meant to do now?

Her training tells her that if she has no idea AT ALL what to do, then she should gather information...but what would that look like? Tracking someone in the hopes that THEY'LL have a clue?

...Yes, apparently. Well, shards.

Perhaps she could tail a likely looking suspect and watch what they do. See if she can catch them working out their powers. It's just a matter of waiting for someone to come by and follow them for a distance.

Of course, that all depends on someone magic walking by...]

Comments

[mechanacet]

[Daniel is limping through the city streets at a snail's pace. On this particular shopping trip, he is hunting for an electronics shop from which he can buy components for his project.

It's been nearing completion recently, despite the set back of Daniel breaking his foot. Largely because while Daniel is close to immobilized, he has very little else to do. This does mean that he needs to go and get components more regularly, which means either scavenging or buying the stuff he needs. Unfortunately, the bit he's currently after are the types of things that you wouldn't normally find amidst some salvage. Hence the trip into the city.

Cam is on his usual perch, keeping an eye on everyone around the conspicuous pair so that Daniel doesn't have to.]

[diediediediediedie]

[Oh yeah, it would figure that the first likely subject to come by is walking at a snail's pace. Perhaps he's heading to some kind of human parts shop to replace his bad limp?

What Peridot is far more interested in is the robot on the human's shoulder. She's fairly sure it's not appropriated Gem tech, and it's too advanced looking to be human tech. She needs a closer look at it, but it will be difficult to get close without getting spotted. Maybe if she tries to sneak up on tiptoe...]

[panspermia]

[It's been a tiresome few weeks, but Greg's rib is finally just about healed up, which means there's one less aching pain giving him trouble. He may as well take advantage and get some work done in the streets.

Greg's been doing his best to keep himself busy with small, menial jobs around the city, as much for the little bit of cash as the distraction. Picking up litter is far from a glamorous use of time, which is fitting, because this is the person who's about as far from glamor as you can get. Indeed, there's probably plenty of locals to Freesia who look more magical than this guy, but he does, at least, bear a striking resemblance to someone...]

[mechanacet]

[Daniel limps on, oblivious to Peridot sneaking up behind him. Cam however, is not, as she quickly finds out when the camera in place of the small robot's head swivels around to look at her.

Cam regards Peridot for a few moments, before deciding that she isn't immediately dangerous and going back to his regular surveillance of their surroundings. Little does she know, however, that Cam has engaged the magnets in his feet, essentially fixing themself to the metal plate contained in the shoulder pad of Daniel's coat. If Peridot tries to pick Cam up, she will not succeed, unless she's strong enough to pick up Daniel at the same time.]

[diediediediediedie]

[Peridot startles the moment the robot looks at her. The moment is tense, she freezes in place. She has no idea what it could do. Shoot lasers? Electrocute her?

...Completely ignore her and turn away? She's almost insulted before she double-checks herself. It's a good thing that she's being disregarded. It allows her to get close enough to the robot to inspect it. Of course, she isn't going to grab it until she's absolutely certain it won't blow up in her face.]

[diediediediediedie]

[Look at what the hairy one is doing. Picking up the trash of other humans. It's pathetic. She can't imagine being that lowly, that disrespected...it's what technology is for! It disgusts her to even look at him. What on earth about them was so worth betraying the Gems for?!

And yet somehow, she can't take her eyes off him. There's something about him that's strangely...familiar?

It's insane. All humans more or less look the same to her, and yet she can't shake the feeling that there's something, somehow, more than human about him? It's worth investigating, and worth dispensing with the stealth.]

Why do you do that?

[panspermia]

Well, someone's got to, right? Heh...

[He'd been leaning down to pick up an old chip bag, so it was a moment before he straightened to see the owner of this new voice. The sight of her faded his casual posture and good natured grin, in favor of staring.

There was a stone on her forehead. A gemstone. She was--he shouldn't assume, all sorts of people and creatures seemed to end up here. But she sure looked like... and if she was one, and not one he knew, then she'd be from--

After his thoughts scrambled for a few seconds, he got the grin back, though it was considerably less at ease.]

Y-you know, helps the streets look a little nicer, earn a little extra cash, where's the downside, right?

[diediediediediedie]

[Crossed arms and raised eyebrow. This human is making no sense at all.]

Did this city bring us here to clean up it's trash or fight monsters? Surely the other humans look down upon you for such menial work. [Like she is doing, right now? If she did this the other Gems would think she was completely cracked.

It did not escape her notice that he responded to her presence in a way that suggested he knew what she was. Not that she could be sure of that, but it was a vital piece of the puzzle.]

Whatever you need the money for, this city should be providing.

[panspermia]

Well... sure they are, I guess. [But he's used to that.] But it seems like everyone's looking down on us from the start, aren't they? May as well do my best to clean up the place we're wrecking.

[He deposits the garbage into a large plastic bag, shrugging. He doesn't want to keep staring, but he sure doesn't feel comfortable taking his eyes off her, either.]

Oh yeah, all the basics're taken care of, they're good on that. I'm trying to save up for a little something extra, though, y'know? It's the extra stuff that keeps you going, after all. A hot dog's no fun without some condiments.

[diediediediediedie]

But why would you cultivate that attitude? Not that I think this would be beneath you, but surely there are other clods around here lower than you who would pick up the garbage! Why take on the task willingly?

[He keeps staring at her, which she thinks might be something humans aren't supposed to do? She has no idea, really, but he seems uncomfortable which is a fair hint.]

I don't know what a "hot dog" is, but it seems to me they should be rewarding those of us who fight us by providing everything we require!

[panspermia]

Mmm. I see where you're coming from, yeah, but I'm not much for fighting, anyway. [He stoops to grab a couple cigarette butts.] Sometimes, when people already have an idea about you, it's better to just let them think what they want, and do your own thing. Takes the pressure off.

[He pauses, considering her for just a moment, before making a decision. He may as well give it a shot.]

More importantly, we have to get you properly educated on your frankfurters.

[diediediediediedie]

So...they underestimate you and leave themselves open for when you choose to strike? Surprising. I didn't think humans were capable of that sort of strategizing.

[Missing the irony in that statement completely.]

...Explain. What's a furter and why is it frank?

[panspermia]

Not... exactly what I meant.

[Well, if anything, that makes him all the more sure he's got the right idea about her.]

Oh, you know. Frankness gets the furter further. [Heh heh. Jokes, right? No? Okay. He clears his throat.] It's food. You've never had any before, have you?

[diediediediediedie]

[She just...studies him. Is this another human survival tactic, to babble nonsense at a superior being in hopes of confusing them? Humans are trickier than she thought.]

Food...That's the substance you humans must put in your mouth to live, correct?

[panspermia]

Yeah! That's the stuff. And it tastes good, too!

[mechanacet]

[Daniel remains oblivious. Unless Peridot makes a noise or steps in front of him he is unlikely to notice her. He's too busy looking for an electronics shop.

Cam doesn't look like they're going to notify Him either, the tiny robot is continuing their watch, paying peridot more attention than none at all, but merely keeping an eye on her. More attention is paid to the alleyways between the various buildings. Who knows what is lurking there after all.]

[diediediediediedie]

Ugh...it seems so...inefficient as an energy source!

[She pulls a face at the thought. The whole process seems disgusting.

...And this seems like a clever distraction of some kind, but Peridot can't quite figure out what his game is. Close monitor should reveal the cracks in his plan as well as solve the problem of WHO IS HE SHE IS SURE SHE'S SEEN HIM BEFORE AAAAAAGH.]

[diediediediediedie]

[Peridot moves ever so slowly, keeping pace with him and gingerly reaching for the robot. She's more or less inorganic herself, so she should be able to at least communicate with the thing.

She slowly puts her hands on Cam and slowly lifts, up and up, until she's close to lifting Daniel off the floor. How was she to know that the magnet would be that strong?]

[panspermia]

Hey, whatever works, works! I'm not gonna make you try anything, but I sure as hey enjoy it.

[He gives his gut a little bit of a pat to emphasize.]

Name's Greg, by the way. You're new around here?

[diediediediediedie]

Humans have to spend so much time taking care of their body meat. How do you get anything done?

[Ugh, it's trying to be friendly.]

Peridot. And yes. I am currently on a fact-finding mission regarding the magic in this place.

[panspermia]

One thing at a time, I guess. [He's not exactly someone to go to for advice on productivity.

He falters at the name. Peridot. Isn't that... didn't Steven mention...? Isn't she one of the ones who came to--?!]

Mission, huh... Hah... I think a lot of us would like to know more about it. It, uh. Doesn't quite work like back home, does it...?

[diediediediediedie]

No, it doesn't.

[Teeth gritted. Hands clinched. She is very much aware, thank you. She's not really talking to HIM at this point.]

I can't believe I'm being forced to rely on magic again when I have perfectly good tech! Haven't Gem kind evolved beyond this?! FAR beyond this? I don't even know what I'm supposed to HAVE now and I sure can't USE what I don't KNOW-!

[She will go on and on if she is allowed.]

I think we need this mess

[explodokills]

[ Katsuki had considerably calmed down since he realized his quirk simply was not coming back. He'd been messing around with the possibilities of other quirks rising, but he'd yet to notice anything stand out. He spent a lot of time trying to just remember the quirks of everyone in his classroom to go down the list of things to consider, but one thought pervaded another and soon it became a mess in his head.

Trash cans had met the business end of Katsuki's feet on more than one occasion, today included.

What're more is he's annoyed because he's almost positive someone is following him and it's pissing him off. ]

FUCK!

[ Down goes another can in an alley. ]

[panspermia]

[Greg stands there for a while, awkwardly letting the confirmed Gem go off. He clears his throat, once or twice, to no apparent acknowledgement. Being honest, he's less and less certain he even wants to bring her attention back to him, going off of what Steven said.

...You know what, maybe it's for the best she gets it all out. Maybe she'll feel better after a good rant.

........He goes back to picking up garbage.]

[mechanacet]

Please unhand me.

[Cam's voice is surprisingly deep for such a tiny robot and they fix Peridot with the equivalent of a tiny robot glare.

Daniel jumps at the sudden sound of Cam's voice and attempts to twist around to see who his friend is addressing] What the..? Who the hell are you?!?