[LOG] OSHI Productions presents .. part #3
WHO: Shizuru Fujino, also people on the Syndicate channel.
WHERE: Fuuka
WHEN: Wednesday, 8/22/07
WHAT: Shizuru is tugged into the Other World, and learns a little bit about what's going on. A lot of pieces remain missing. Also Cameos by Tsukiko and the Weaver!
NOTE: Here are Parts 1 and 2
It's evening now and it's been a long day for Shizuru. She's been pushing papers for the Syndicate and the First District all day and now she's sitting in her apartment sipping a cup of tea. There's a pile of papers around her as she sits down in front of yet another report. There's a sigh as soft strains of J-Pop play in the background. She really doesn't want to do this work but she has to do what she has to do. She's feeling tired but there's still a lot left to do.
Whilst Shizuru is being busy and diligent, studying the report like a good businesswoman, the lines start to blur together. It could be something as simple as exhaustion, and the faint pain behind your eyes may lend credence to that. Soon to follow will be the usual head-bobbing effect of the sleep deprived - but something else may get Shizuru's attention first.
The radio bursts into a high pitched squeal, followed by loud static - this may be odd if that was a CD, and if it wasn't - it's probably odder still when some /god/ awful music starts playing on the radio. Over, and over, and -- no really, the first stanza keeps repeating like a record skipping. Was it always that dark out?
Shizuru yawns and raises a hand to rub her eyes. "Ara... I must be more tired than I thought," she murmurs softly. But it is fairly important that she gets through these reports she attempts to focus. The urge to simply close her eyes and take a nap is strong, this is highlighted by the involuntary head-nodding that she jerks herself awake to. When the radio bursts into static, it jolts her into a heightened state of alertness. Red Eyes instantly narrow in suspicion and her right hand instinctively opens to summon her element but then she relaxes slightly and gets to her feet.
Padding over to the stereo system, Shizuru pulls the shawl that goes with her sleeping yukata closer over her shoulder and she pokes at it lightly, looking irritated, "Maah. CDs shouldn't be recorded over like that." She reaches out to push the stop and eject button and though she seems 'relaxed', she's really very alert.
Click.
And everything changes. There's no boom, no shudder, no Red Mantle Wipe to indicate it - beyond the lights flickering exactly once. But strangely, once the lights are on again, Shizuru's room seems a little.. different. It's hard to place exactly how - ..
No, no, after a moment's thought, it isn't that hard at all. The walls, door and windows are frosted over. There's a larger chunk of it sealing the door shut, and there's a sickly red light pouring in through the frosted windows outside. Every now and again there's a faint snuffling sound from outside, or the sound of something shattering.
There's also a computer left turned on on the desk - but there's nothing strange at all about -that-, right?
"..." Shizuru does not panic. She notably does not panic, in fact she merely raises an eyebrow, "This is odd." Odd is an understatement but Shizuru is also famous for that too. Taking a deep steadying breath as she walks over first to the windows, lightly trailing her fingertips first over the windows then the walls and finally the door knob, her other hand is fiddling with the small communicator she's slipped into her obi. "Hello?" She asks into the wireless each piece nestled against her ear, testing to see if she has outside communication. If it works, she will be able to connect to the Syndicate band.
As she does this, she removes her shawl and attempts to force the down open. The still powered laptop is ignored at the moment.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... Hello?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "...Miss Kiyohime!"
[Fac-Syndicate] Boba Fett says, "Nn?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe, in a tone that totally says 'I was totally not being a confused dork on the citizen's band just now.'
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty faint mutter of still-present hangover
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire rumbles, "Greetings."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... ah...... it's alright?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "Is everything okay?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "Hmm... Odd. Perhaps my power has simply gone out."
Surprisingly, Shizuru's fingers do not leave clear tracks along the frosted windows - the ice breaks apart at her touch, and thin trails of red ooze along the cracks. Blood, or something like it. The attempt to contact the Syndicate may actually be successful! Whoever was responsible for pulling Shizuru into this area had not factored in for an outside communications device although the connection will be very fuzzy.
The door frozen over is hard to wedge open; Shizuru can only get a few inches through, just enough to push her arm out. And with that vantage point, she /can/ see that there is a large block of ice on the outside of the door keeping it from opening all the way.
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Problems? You need us to lean on the power company, ma'am?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No no... that's alr-bzzzz bzzzz bzzzzzzzzzt-zen in."
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "Hrmn. Communication disruption?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "...I think your radio's on the blink, ma'am..."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Oh, this ain't good."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "Maybe it's an interference pattern... Say again, you were disrupted."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "You mi-bzzzzzzzzzzt- ight. But I a-bzzt crackle-right. Appear to be frozen in my apartment."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "...that's odd."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "...show of hands, who knows where her apartment is? I'm betting 'not many.'"
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "Quite unaware."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "Ma'am, what is your location?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No no. It's alright. I c-static- ake care of myself."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I will keep you updated though."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino makes a soft feminine sound of a girl trying to wrench open a frozen door before stating entirely too placidly, ".... This is odd."
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "Frozen in the most literal sense, I presume."
When the ice cracks and her fingers are stained with the red ooze, Shizuru visibly frowns, "Disturbing." She continues to speak softly over the radio frequencies, her voice sounding more placid than what her facial expression is showing. She grabs the door knob by both hands and makes soft feminine noises as she strains to open the door and is finally able to wrench it in just a few inches. She attempts to reach through the crack but meets only ice, "... This is odd.
With a soft sigh, she shuts the door, leaning heavily against it with every intention of waiting out this freak ice storm. She then glances around and finall notices the powered laptop. Padding over to it, she sits down, folding her legs elegantly underneath it to study the screen. If it is still working then perhaps she can get out onto the internet.
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe nervously, "Are you sure you don't need our help, ma'am...?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino sounding oddly light hearted, "If I am fr-bzzzt- in then there is no danger for me is there?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "If the heat's working..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "And on who froze you in there, of course."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "My laptop appears to be working fine."
Freak ice storm indeed because from a clear patch on the window -- there's no ice or snow at all. It /is/ still a disturbing sight - a total wasteland, almost; the ground is dry and cracked, and there are deep gouges in the earth. The trees are burnt to a crisp, either ash or blackened entirely, and the sky - the sky is breaking apart.
Literally.
Huge chuncks are breaking off in triangular sections and falling, only to shatter into nothing before they touch the ground. Beyond that shattered sky is a swirling vortex of black and red with inky tendrils reeaching through.
But perhaps this is all for show. More importantly, the Internet is online! You can browse and MU*! -- wait this isn't a game. There is a window already open, the header reading Fu-i Colle-um. For some reason the words aren't complete. There is a roster though, of faces that are both familiar and .. not really familiar, along with a blurb under each of the pictures.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... correction. There ap-*static*-asteland outside."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "..."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Ma'am, if I may."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "My professional opinion is 'you are not safe.'"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I believe I will retire to the Meyer Gaines building as soon as I am able. I am going to attempt to contact my bodyguard."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "Do you need pickup...?"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Say the word, ma'am, and we'll be all over that place. Once we find it."
On her way to the laptop she DID catch a glimpse outside and what she sees deeply disturbs her, disturbs her enough that she is actively considering calling in for help to pull her out of this place. The sky should NOT be falling. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT NOWE! You and those babies! Ahem.
Now deeply and actively disturbed, curious and with the urge to GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE, she turns her attention back to the laptop. Her brow furrows at the open window and she glances at the words, "..."
She hmms as she ponders at the name and then goes through the roster. Eyes widen as she sees people she knows.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "Understood General."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "and thank you miss."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty hmfs to herself. "Don't thank me when I haven't done anything."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "YOu offered. That is enough."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma chuckles. "Oh, so we actually need to offer to help now?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe's D: is practically audible. "Call on Legna and I any time, ma'am."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No, but I appreciated the thought Kaz-crackle"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "...yeah, that's got me worried."
It's strange, but the faces and names seem to change intermittently, and only accompany brief pain at the back of the eyes, like a migraine. First in line is Shizuru's own picture, but it changes, after a moment, the hair going paler and longer, eyes bright red. The name reads : Michiru, age 20. Princess of the Kingdom of Wind; Guardian, Kiyohime.
This is followed by a girl with dark blue hair; Natsuki. Her features shift subtly, the blue darkening to more black, the eyes shading to blue. The name reads: Tsukiko, Age 20, Princess of the Kingdom of Ice. Guardian, Duran.
Next, a picture of Mikoto, though her features shift until she still has short hair, only cut in a short bob with a ponytail on the side, and brown eyes.
'Meiko, Age 14, Princess of the Kingdom of Earth. Guardian, Sage Miroku.
Next, Mai, her red hair styled in waves that cover her right eye, the other a vibrant yellow. The name below reads "Kaiya, Age 19, Princess of the Kingdom of Fire, Guardian, Kagutsuchi."
There are other names and faces that are familiar and yet not. Chiyo (Shiho), Nyoko (Nao), Isamu (Tate), Bunko (Yukino), Hikari (Yukariko), Rika (Akane), Shizuka (Akira), Masako (Mashiro), Madoka (Miyu).
Something intersting of note would be three other familiar faces. Eiji (Reito) listed as the suitor for Kaiya - purely political between the Kingdoms of Fire and Wind. Reika (Haruka) turns out to be your very own younger sister, of all things. Akihiro (Takumi) is the youngest brother of Kaiya as well.
After a moment, a message pops up reading: Incoming Message from Lady Ninjitsu. Do you accept?
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino's radio crackles for a moment then there is a long pause, "... On second thought. I will not be needing that rescue. I know exactly what this is about."
The eyes throb and Shizuru blinks several times as the images change but undoubtedly there are HiME, all twelve of them, including herself. She hmms softly, "So they are HiME as well?" She makes a mental note of all this but when the faces and the names change, her frown deepens even further. And Reito is there too and, what's this? A smile cracks on Shizuru's face and laughs softly in amusement, "My sister? Really?" Oh, Haruka would be FURIOUS to learn that.
She is about to open another window to look up something with the IM pops up, "Lady Ninjitsu?" She reaches for her small mouse and clicks on the Yes button.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: Michiru. I am pleased to see you are online. I have information. Since our return, those creatures have begun attacking in patterns. Several of our friends and family have already fallen. Rika and Hikari are among the dead, I am sad to say. I do not know the condition of Reika or Bunko, however I do know that Reika was about to meet with Bunko.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: It has been confirmed by an inside source. Reika and her team, Chiyo, Bunko, Hikari, and Rika chose to awaken That Creature. It is why these things have been attacking.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: I have not heard from Nyoko in days.
*Chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: Isamu and Chiyo are behaving suspiciously.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: Tsukiko has requested that I ask you, Meiko and Kaiya to meet at her apartment immediately. She fears another attack will happen soon, and it would be best that we all gather.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: However, I have something that I must do.
Now this is a lot to take in. So she is Michiru now? Interesting. Shizuru quickly reads all of these messages, taking in what they may mean, what they may imply. That Creature? What is That Creature? It is fairly obviously that whoever Lady Ninjitsu is expects her to know. Well, no reason to expose her hands just yet. Instead, she reaches out for the keyboard and begins to type.
JunAi: I have just returned online. My sister is missing? This is worrying as she is an extremely capable girl. She would not have disappeared without good reason. I fear the worst.
Bloop!
JunAi: Nyoko has a tendency to disappear, I would not worry too much about her. She always comes back. As for Isamu and Chiyo, I was never terribly close to them so I could not say. I have not seen either for many many days now.
Bloop!
JunAi: I will go to her apartment as soon as I can but I fear I am having some trouble myself from leaving but I will go see Tsukiko ASAP.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: This is true, however I am concerned that her recent discussions with Kana have led her to believe incorrect things. The fact that she has an assembled a 'Rivalry' group .. but you already know about that. She is competent, but, if you forgive my saying so, too quick to pass judgement, and perhaps naive.
*chime*
Lady Ninjitsu: As you are no doubt aware, Nyoko has been seeking out information for us, despite Tsukiko's distrust of her. She is of my clan, and I trust her implicity - however, you are correct. I do not believe there is any concern for her disapparance.
*chime*
Lady Ninjitsu: This is troubling..
*chime*
Lady Ninjitsu: Do you require assistance in any way? I am pressed for time at the moment, but if there is something I can do on my end, I would be honored to aid you, Hime.
For the briefest of seconds, there's a faint rumble against the foundations of the building. Nothing worrisome though.
Bloop!
JunAi: Reika was always the type to jump to the wrong conclusions too quickly. No offense taken.
Bloop!
JunAi: Tsukiko rarely trusts anyone, it is not an insult against your nor your clan. I have never found your information nor hers lacking in the past and I see no reason to start doubting now.
Bloop
At this moment, Shizuru looks up at the rumbling and furrows her brow, "..." She glances over at the window patch and then back to the monitor.
JunAi: No. Go about your business. I do not wish to waste any more of your time.
Bloop!
A small window pops up. Incoming Message from Ookami Pride. Do you want to accept?
*chime!* Lady Ninjitsu: Understood. Then I look forward to seeing you later this evening. I wish you the best.
*Click*
Lady Ninjitsu has signed off.
A bit of the ice starts cracking, as the building rumbles briefly.
Ookami Pride? That must be this world's version of Natsuki. Shizuru clicks yes and when the rumbling picks up again, she arches an eyebrow, "..." The rumble is accompanied by ice breaking. Curiouser and curiouser. If she stays long enough then perhaps the ice will crack entirely. But for now, she has a little wolf to attend to. She clicks the yes button and before she can thank Lady Ninjitsu, the girl's signed off. Shizuru is left to wonder who this Lady Ninjitsu is.
It must be the secre-- uh nevermind that.
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: Michiru? Are you okay? Kaiya just called and told me that there was another attack nearby.. and if that isn't bad enough the entire place is going -crazy-. People are going missing, and being found again days later, dead - and Masako and Madoka.. well Kaiya's livid at that betrayal. I've got her calmed down though; she and Meiko are out looking for Nyoko.
JunAi: I'm fine. Ara! Was Tsukiko worried about me? That's so sweet~.
Bloop!
It seems like not even the fact that this might not really be Natsuki can deter Shizuru from teasing her. Though she does pause. A betrayal by the chairwoman? This causes her to frown deeply.
"And Miyu is dead from the reports I heard..." Very worrying indeed but she will be sure to attempt to figure out the rest.
JunAi: We will get to the bottom of this Tsukiko, I will help you. You know that. I just spoke with one of our acquaintances. Nyoko is known for going missing for days at a time. I am sure she is fine but if it helps keep Kaiya's mind occupied then perhaps it is for the best.
Bloop!
JunAi: And what do you think of the betrayal Tsukiko?
*chime*
Ookami Pride: I heard about that too.. I think it's in part why Masoko and Madoka are in hiding. As for the betrayal..
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: ...
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: I don't buy it. You have to consider the source - Kana hasn't been honest with any of us from day one. The evidence against them is damning, but I still have the feeling that it was staged, or arranged somehow, to make us believe that she was guilty.
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: Deep down Kaiya and Meiko.. I think they don't want to believe, but until we find out otherwise.. I asked Shizuka to see if she could find anything out. In the meanwhile, Michiru, can you come over? I'd like to go over things with you before Kaiya and Meiko get here. And with all the craziness of late, we haven't really had time to talk.
JunAi: I see. So it has progressed this far as it? Very well.
Bloop!
There is a long pause before Shizuru stands up to check the ice around her apartment, see if it's cracked enough to let her slip through. After she checks this she will return to the laptop.
JunAi: I will come over as soon as I can. I am having some difficulty in leaving my apartment right now but I will be there soon.
Bloop! There is another long pause.
JunAi: Stay safe till I get there.
Bloop!
*chime*
Ookami Pride: I'm afraid so. I'm a bit concerned..
There's a short pause on her end, and then:
*chime*
Ookami Pride: Right. Well I'll mention it to you later. I have a file we should go over..
Another pause.
Ookami Pride: ... difficulty? I find it hard to believe you could find anything difficult. I'll stay safe though, as long as you are. Be careful, the road between our apartments is getting.. tricky. Something's going on out there, I just don't know what - and if that Thing catches you out..
JunAi: Of course.
Bloop!
JunAi: Your confidence in me is inspiring. It is only a little difficult, not anything you really should worry too much over. I will be safe though, don't worry. I have my Guardian do I not? Nothing will catch me unless I will it.
Bloop!
JunAi: But I better see to trying to get out of here...
Bloop! At that, Shizuru finally gets to her feet and walks over to the door in attempts to wrench it open again.
As Shizuru makes her way to the door, there's the *ding* of someone disconnecting - probably this world's Natsuki. The ice has melted somewhat, meaning that yanking at the door is a lot easier - some of the ice cracks in half until the door all but FLIES open, accompanied by a severe rumbling, the like of which causes several hanging fixtures to fall to the floor.
The apartment snaps in half, and the room just two feet behind the young blond starts to collapse. Below, if one were crazy enough to look, is another vortex not unlike the one in the sky; only this one has teeth. Lots and lots of teeth and .. and it's actually -EATING- the building.
As Shizuru pulls at the door, she almost falls over when it flies open. Eyes open in alarm as things crash to the ground and then reality breaks. She snaps her head to look behind her and she sees the apartment falling in on itself. She hesitates to glance at just what may have caused the collapsing at at the sight of a vortex with more teeth than Kiyohime causes her to do something she hasn't done in a very long time.
Shizuru screams.
Without even waiting, she dashes outside, heart racing and throat raw. She runs almost blindly out the door, down the steps and towards the streets.
And so Shizuru breaks the sound barrier with her headlong flight out of the apartment, down the hall and out to the streets. Right in the nick of time too! The apartment is rapidly crumbling, consumed by the ground level - monstrosity. Fortunately it doesn't seem to notice the biped - at the moment.
Poor Shizuru has more pressing concerns, it seems, as the weather starts to change - not only is parts of the sky shattering, but now rain has begun to fall, heavy, sudden sheets of grey, dismal rain that clings and feels .. rather oily. In the air one can hear the roar of something you probably don't want to come face to face with - and in the distance towards the horizon there's a large black shape - an amorphous really, a shadow that shifts with every passing second.
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. So gross, so very gross. Shizuru makes a mental note to spend the rest of the evening at the Meyer Gaines building if she makes it out of this alive. The oily raindrops trickle down through her hair, under the collar of her... wait... why is she in her uniform? If it wasn't for the fact that she could still connect to the Syndicate channels, she would think that this is some sort of odd dream.
But with the roaring sound and the creature behind her plus that ominous shadow lurking in the horizon, she is not about to wait to find out. With a thought, she begins to summon her Element as she races down the street towards Natsuki's apartment. It is not terribly far from where she lives, or so she hopes it is the same in this odd and misshapen world.
It is indeed in the same direction, same location even, though the buildings look a bit different. Those that are standing still. One family is unable to get out of the house in time - the house is pulled down into the ground devourer's mouth. Shizuru can easily hear their screams of horror, fear and panic even when she's long past them.
Images appear and vanish - if she looks to the left, she'll see transparent images running along with her - the girl that looks surprisingly like Natsuki has a wolf at her side, though she doesn't notice Shizuru. This is probably because there's a Shizuru - or Michiru - running just ahead of her, where the two are set upon by phantoms.
Back to back they fight, dispatch the monsters, and move on, shouting voiceless commands, suggestions and encouragement at each other.
To the left is another image entirely. A picnic scene, with all the people Shizuru may recognize, and some she may not; Tsukiko/Natsuki is leaning against Michiru/Shizuru, talking with a few of the others at the picnic. Michiru's expression is a cross between content and blissful.
Directly ahead -
"MICHIRU!"
The ground explodes directly ahead, bits of asphalt, steam and fire spewing out of the ground.
Shizuru runs, and despite the fact that she is now rather panicked she is not short on breath. It seems like her time with the Syndicate has improved her athletic ability a great deal. Must be from all that running around with criminals.
As images pass by her, she glances to the side and there is a frown as Natsuki runs and she sees the other Shizuru. But this only spurs her to keep running. It is the other image, the picnic image that causes Shizuru to almost stop. As such, she is slowing down. Natsuki... happy... with her. It's almost like a dream co-
"!!!" Becomes she slowed down in her running and the incoming warning, Shizuru's lightening reflexes allow her to leap backwards, an arm coming up to instinctively protect her face, the red naginata in her hand also coming up to help shield from the asphalt. "Tsukiko!"
When the dust clears- and it clears quickly thanks to the rain, .. there is no sign of Tsukiko. But her voice was there it *DID* call out in warning. It calls again, but it echoes, reverberates - comes from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
"Michiru! RUN!"
"I won't leave you!"
"We stand and fight together!"
"Just like old times, ne Michiru?"
".. not going to make it.."
"Michiru.. Michiru please don't leave me - you promised.."
"I'll always be with you -"
"They're coming! RUN! RUN! We have to get to safety -" "Oh god the bleeding wont -" "- open your eyes I can't -" "hear you will you-" "too much blood I-"
The voices are deafening - they don't stop and they're all, ALL in Tsukiko's voice. She's clearly talking to Michiru, and the context isn't exactly good for a lot of those snippets. .
Shizuru frowns deeply now. The panic has subsided and despite the fact that things may be exploding around her, she has settled into an almost zen like state. Blood red eyes scan the horizon, looking for the source of the voices, "Tsukiko! Tsukiko!" She calls out, carefully walking forward looking for the dark haired girl.
Then the second set of voices come in and she frowns. She frowns deeply and something similar to panic rises in her breast but it is not fear, at least not fear for herself. It's that deep seated ugly fear, the one that drives her to protect Natsuki with almost obsessive fervor. "TSUKIKO!" Her eyes widen and the fear settles.
She hears the cut off and she swallows hard, closing her eyes. She reaches deep inside herself for that frightening strength that she has only tapped into once or twice, the one that drives her bases desires, the legacy of the Obsidian Lord and when she opens her eyes again, if anyone where to notice, they are dead. "Do not worry Natsuki, I will protect you. Always and forever." Her words are mere whispers in the wind as she steps forward, calmly with slowness and grace through the aura around her has changed. Her lips begin to move, "I art thou, thou am I.... KIYOHIME!"
"Thou speakest the Holy Words," Kiyohime is not the one to say this, as she is summoned, but it is the voice of a new companion. A girl with short blue hair, and a frilly pink dress. Hands clasped behind her back, she hovers back to a safe distance, wary, watching Shizuru. "You can hear them, can't you? The screams of the dead,"
An image flashes, as a blonde girl raises a spiked mace in defense, only to be speared from behind by a armored, humanoid creature, his helmet covering his face. The girl, refusing to die so easily, turns and swings her club at her assailant - it impacts with a heavy CLANG, knocking the helmet off of his head. She stumbles back in triumph - the smug smile vanishes as he slits her throat as a reward, leaving the young princess to fall back in a pool of her own blood.
The creature turns, one eye larger than the other, sunken nose and skin covered in burns and boils, and he raises his spear with a roar of glory.
"The cries of the dying."
Another image flashes, this time showing a dungeon as a girl with blood red hair screams, struggling against her chains while a younger girl with strawberry pink hair beats her about the head and face with a cat o-nine tails. Behind her two people look on dispassionately, and in the shadows.. in the shadows is another figure, though one can't see them precisely.
"The stability of this world is growing weaker." Says the girl, looking around as a tree collapses nearby, "I don't know how long we can hold it together..." She pauses, as from behind shadows can be seen, chittering, creeping, crawling. "You should run. Those things are coming." They smell new blood, and they all want a taste. "Or would you fight?"
When the girl speaks, Shizuru is slow to react. In her current stupor, she turns slowly and eyes the girl with a creepy sort of dispassionate interest, "The dead?" Her lips curl slightly, tight and cruel. "It appears that they are all dead." She then glances over the images, watching the blonde girl die though she does not move. She eyes the misshapen creature with detached curiosity, studying his movements.
More dead and then... Nao? Screaming as she is whipped and beaten. The others hold little interest to her and she turns her attention back to the girl, "It doesn't matter if I stay or if I run. If Natsuki is here, I must protect her." Her grip on her Element shifts slightly and the lips curl upwards, a placid smile that does not reach her dead dead eyes, "I will protect Natsuki."
"My oh my!" The young girl giggles, clasping her hands over her mouth, "What a scary face!" Pause. "No really, that's a scary face." o_o *pointie point* "It doesn't suit such a pretty person!" But these worse may fall on deaf ears, "You're like that girl too. When she lost everything." She frowns a bit. "Don't get overshadowed, okay? That'll be a nuisance."
A point then, "The place you seek is that way. But there are a lot of nasty mc biters up ahead. Do you think you can get there in time?" She certainly will stick around to see, that Weaver will! "I think it was a mistake.." she eyes Shizuru, "I wonder what would happen if two Overshadowed princesses meet..? Nothing good, she would bet.
The first wave of shadowed creatures are only a foot high - certainly not even a match for Shizuru's prowess in battle. Just ahead, over the screams and the roars, one might hear the howl of a wolf, and the sound of gunshots being fired.
Shizuru merely continues to smile pleasantly at the little girl, even when she points. "Maah maah, it is impolite to point." There is none of Shizuru's usual humor in that voice and what humor there IS sounds forced. Instead, the woman presses her lips together as she listens. Red eyes flicker outwards, following the pointed finger. She continues looking out and though she hears what the little girl is saying, it doesn't really register in her brain.
The whole talk about overshadowed princesses goes right over her head and she takes off running in that direction. It is only a flick of the wrist and a steel maze cuts down the shadowed creatures to shreds. After facing wave after wave of STMCs, she doesn't fear these creatures. The only emotion that appears now on her stoic face are the screams.
Ears pick up the sound of a wolf howling and in her mind, it can only be Duran. Duran, that lonely wolf and his mistress. "Natsuki..." She whispers, her voice nearly zombie like as her pace quickens and she hastens to where her beloved is.
Tsukiko, not Natsuki! There's the howl of a wolf in pain, and then a voice crying in horror and outrage, "DURAN!" Gunshots - round after round after round until all that can be heard is the click click click of an empty gun. A snarl of a wolf, and as Shizuru draws near, she can spy one of those ground maws slithering up behind Tsukiko. Starts to lean up out of the ground, its back covered in spines - Tsukiko has enough time just to turn as Duran snarls a warning..
There she is! A fond smile comes over Shizuru's face and the frightening expression gentles somewhat. She might look different but she is still Natsuki. Eyes widen in alarm and fear as the vortex approaches, attempting to eat Na... no. Some small part of her mind that is still sane clicks as she rushes forward. There is a graceful leap in the air as she pulls her Element backwards, snapping it forward with surprising strength as the blade comes down to deal justice to the creature. As she does this a single world escapes her lips in a heartfelt desperate attempt to warn the girl in front of her, "Tsukiko!"
"Michiru..?" Even in the heat of battle, she has time to be surprised. Tsukiko didn't expect to see Shizuru's arrival, or as the Element snaps forward and literally cleaves the maw in half - it dissolves into pieces just as Tsukiko is turning to see what it was that had nearly eaten her. Duran leaps past Shizuru to growl at the creatures that had been coming up behind her, and with the area clear for the moment, Tsukiko does the impossible.
She rushes forward to hug Michiru/Shizuru tightly.
(Awww.)
Shizuru lands lightly on her feet, graceful and refined, even at her craziest moments. Seeing Tsukiko, Shizuru smiles warmly, though it still does not quite reach her eyes. "Tsukiko." She sidesteps quickly, allowing Duran to pass but before she can react further, Tsukiko does something that only in some of Shizuru's crazier dreams has Natsuki ever done. She holds the burnette in her arms by her own will.
Is act is enough to shatter the hold that terrible fear had on Shizuru's heart and the older (?) girl goes absolutely rigid for a moment before she breaks down and sobs into Tsukiko's shoulder.
"Kanin na, Kanin na Tsukiko." Her words float out in the sobs, like they are prayers and she clings to Tsukiko as if the world was ending and this would be the last time she would ever get to embrace the dark haired beauty.
And that's when the world ends.
Explosions are heard, the sky shatters completely, the wind howls - but all of it is a second, third even fourth distant thought - the sound as faint as the roar of an ocean from over fifty miles away.
And then the sound of the ocean blends into the sound of classic J-Pop.
The blissful, soothing feeling of another girl in Shizuru's arms fades into emptiness, and then the hard texture of a table and several papers.
Lookit that, you fell asleep!
The world ends but she has Natsu- er... Tsukiko in her arms and that's all that matters. She feels nothing but bliss as the world rocks around her. Even the explosions, so close means nothing to her. All that matters, all she can think of is the warmth in her arms and this feeling in her heart that is both happy yet full of sorrow. Then, like an annoying alarm clock, the pitched voice of Utada HIkaru comes blaring back in her life and she jolts awake. "TSUKIKO!"
Her heart is beating quickly as she looks around but everything looks... normal. She swallows thickly. That dream was so vivid... she reaches for the communicator in the ties of her yukata as she stares at the monitor of her laptop.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino can be heard almost shouting, "Tsukiko!"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino is now coming in crystal clear.
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says "Gah!" because she fell asleep, then, "Ma'am?!"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... I..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino sounds vaguely disoriented, "Did I say anything... odd earlier?"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "You were frozen in your apartment, an' your radio was fuzzy, ma'am."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "You were reporting that you were frozen into your home and were having signal troubles. You declined assistance..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino mutters, "But the world shattered."
Nothing different on the monitor. No IM's from Lady Ninjitsu or Ookami Pride. No strange websites with the faces of people that look familiar but don't. All is well - it's - no ice on the windows or doors, no mouths eating the buildings. No cracked sky. You're back home, safe and sound! You should probably cut back on the scoops of sugar in your tea though.
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "No, ma'am, I assure you, the world is still here. If by 'world' you mean 'entire multiverse.'"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "As for your world, well, we can go send someone to check."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No. My world. I saw... my apartment. Eaten."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "But, I'm still here."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Right then. DRAGON KID!"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Go look."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "... That's... strange."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Tch, forget it. I'm heading over there now, Boss Lady."
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "--hrghwha--"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe THUD, as of someone falling off a cot.
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak, master of delegating.
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe fumbles his radio. "--'m here, I'm here, what is it?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I... I will meet you at the Gates. I'm not very far from one."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Kiyohime says her world got eaten. But Kazuma's already going to check, so you can go back to bed."
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe, very quiet grumbling off-radio. Legna can be heard chuckling in the background. Heh, heh.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino's radio emits sounds of rustling cloth and clothing hitting the floor.
[Fac-Syndicate] Oswald says, "..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Oswald says, "Your world was destroyed?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Shin Matsunaga coughs politely.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I saw it shatter. The sky broke into triangular pieces..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "It was a very odd dream I think."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "...wierd. Sky breaking, that sort of thing."
[Fac-Syndicate] Oswald says, "... Hmm."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Well, you never know with dreams."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "I usually give mine a good swift punch and they behave. No wierd stuff."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "But you said that I spoke with you on the radio and I do remember that."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "You did."
[Fac-Syndicate] There's a sound of clomping teeth from Nowe's radio, and now Legna's on the air. Hey, even dragons get bored.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe slow, deep chuckle. "Heh, heh. You do enjoy punching things, don't you, boy? Well, whatever gets the job done, I suppose. Kiyohime. Are you alright? Dragging my boy out of bed won't be an issue if you should need us. He sleeps enough."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "I do what works, Scales."
But Shizuru doesn't take sugar with her tea! The entire dream has unnerved her enough though that she stands and enters her bedroom to quickly change. The entire time, she is speaking softly over the radio with her fellow Syndicate members. She can't stay here, not in this apartment. Not tonight. She slips out of her thing yukata and into the first things that she can get a hold of, a pair of jeans and a man's white dress shirt (the shirt was her father's. She keeps it to remember him. She IS daddy's girl.)
Still somewhat shaken, she picks up an overnight bag she keeps packed for emergencies and then walks back out into the main room where she puts some of the more critical and sensitive paperwork into a leather briefcase. Slinging knapsack over her shoulder, holding a briefcase in the other hand, she slips on a pair of worn sneakers and grabs her keys and purse off the small table by the door. She hurries out of her apartment (locking the door behind her of course) and slips into the night towards the nearest Gate where a 'friend' awaits.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, chuckles again. "That's Legna, to you, boy... can't say I argue with your methods, though." Except Legna... well, he just sets stuff on fire. It's a lot more effective.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No, there is no need to wake Nowe Legna. I'm on my way to the Gates now."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "I mean, what? You don't breathe fire on people and eat maidens just for fun, do you?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "So I punch people. It works."
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, rumbles. "I see. We'll stand by, in case we're needed. Dragons sleep little, anyway..." Pause. "...What? Oh, no. I only breathe fire on the ones that try my patience. And why on earth would I eat maidens? Hardly enough meat there to make a proper meal, you know." ...It's hard to tell whether or not he's joking.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "You don't eat maidens? So what do you do with the..." Pause. Look over in Nowe's direction. "OOOH, I see. Hmph, lucky little...""
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, snorts. "Myself? I avoid them. Chasing women is like chasing mice. There's just no point." Sadly, there's no video input on his radio. "As to Nowe, if /that's/ what you're thinking, no. The boy is terrified of women." Pause, grumble. Something to the effect of 'not hard to see why, he attracts all the stranger ones.'
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Maybe you should find him some better maidens then?"
Meyer Gaines Building - Corporate Lobby
It doesn't take Shizuru too too long to arrive at the entrance of the Meyer Gaines building. By the time she arrives, she has already slipped back into the Kiyohime persona, complete with mask. What may seem odd and out of place though is the fact that the normally impeccably dressed woman is wearing a pair of faded worn jeans, a man's white dress shirt that is obviously too large for her and untucked and sneakers with no socks. Slung over one shoulder is a knapsack and in that hand is a briefcase. Over the other shoulder is Kiyohime's purse with her keys and some of her IDs. She is walking calmly, as if only going out for a brief jaunt despite the fact that she is feeling incredibly disoriented and more than a little worried.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, chuckles. ...It turns into a good full-throated dragon laugh. Nowe can be heard muttering irritably in the background, something to the effect of, 'Legna! I'm trying to sleep!', which gets ignored. "Boy, I think his own /shadow/ scares him at this point."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Ugh."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma mutters something about 'not ANOTHER one' and clicks off.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, continues. "Put a sword in his hand, and he'll face down anything; but put him in front of a girl and he's as good as--" Blink. The dragon probably rolls his eyes by his tone. "Well, then."
The door to the executive office dings as it slides open, Kazuma stepping out with his hands in his pockets. He looks around for a moment, not really sure what is going on here - he's heard some extremely strange things from Kiyohime over the radio, and he wants to make sure that she's gotten back in one piece.
The very definite change of outfit for her though - whatever had happened was enough to ensure that she would bustle right into the comparative safety of the Hub and the Syndicate's bastion. He walks up, raising a hand and greeting the young Don with a casual "Yo."
She was young too - seeing her in that outfit made it all too obvious, where she might have hidden it before.
Kiyohime raises a hand, feeling in a small part relieved at Kazuma's casual stance. She is in one piece quite remarkably and has had a little time to dwell on her... dream? vision? Whatever it is. She has had time to think and will study it more analytically when she gets another moment of peace. Perhaps all of this work has stressed her out and she's simply seeing things. But when he approaches, she bows slightly in her usual way, voice smooth as silk, "Good evening Kazuma. I do hope I didn't disturb you."
The clothing puts her closer to her actual age, a girl not even 20 yet. But despite the casual, almost slovenly appearance, she still carries that air of a fine mature Lady. Her voice contains the usual amount of lightness, mostly forced this time but it comes naturally due to years of training and the mask hides whatever emotion that may be otherwise apparent, "Or anyone else for that matter."
"You're talking about seeing strange things that not all of us understand - I think that is going to disturb a few people, no matter what happens. Especially when its something you don't particularly sound comfortable with - a lot of people see you as the solid, unshakable part of leadership around here," Kazuma comments, a faint smile crossing his face. "I'm supposed to be the crazy emotional one."
He reaches out to put one hand onto her shoulder and guide the young Don into the elevator to the executive office. "Come on, I had the help pull out some sheets and such for you - they're digging around to see if we have one of those rollaway beds stashed around here for you to sleep on later."
"It was a momentary lapse," Kiyohime states softly though she is starting to find some humor in the situation. She chuckles lightly as the enforcer begins guiding her back to the offices, "Perhaps I have been around you and Nowe for too long and it's starting to rub off on me. But I have to admit, it is a little disconcerting when you look out the window and the sky is falling apart, like it was a mirror and had suddenly been shattered but an invisible force. Not to mention finding yourself quite literally trapped in your apartment, which appears to have been encased in a block of ice while all this is happening."
And as much as she hates to admit it, this little incident has probably proven just how human she is. The syndicate don has vaguely wonders just how this will reflect on the way others see her. Will they chalk it up to a simple once in a blue moon type deal or will it undermine her authority completely? She keeps these concerns to herself however. While the pair move further in, she shakes her head, "Thank you. I'm sure they can borrow one of the beds from the medical ward if they have to."
Kiyohime isn't the one who is supposed to be respected because of her behavior. They're supposed to respect Kazuma because HE IS A LUNATIC and will hit them really hard if they misbehave. Shizuru is there to coordinate and make a profit.
"I know how it feels to be looking at something that makes absolutely no sense at all - happens to me back home more than I care to think about," Kazuma admits, rubbing the back of his head and sounding a bit embarrassed. "Part of my power calls on a 'somewhere else' place, and it pulls me back there from time to time, and it's beyond strange. Like, all psychadelic and stuff."
As they arrive back in the office complex, there's no real sign that the help has found a bed yet - instead, there's a stack of sheets piled nicely on one end of the couch, in case the don wanted to make use of it before they found something for her to sleep on. For his part, Kazuma walks over and flops over onto the opposite side of the couch. "So, are you going to be OK?"
But still, there is a certain kind of reputation women like Shizuru have to maintain! Oh well. It's okay to slip up every once in a while, she is only human. Though when Kazuma spills the beans on some of his powers, she merely looks at he curiously. The curiosity is evident in the way she tilts her head slightly to the side and her tone of voice, "Somewhere else? That does sound unusual. So it's not exactly an uncommon occurrence then." This makes her feel somewhat better.
Now begins the rationalization, "Perhaps it was merely an extremely lucid dream. That would explain the radio communication." Though there is no bed, the girl is tired enough that she sets down her bags gently down by the couch and takes her own seat on the other end, "I think I will be alright. This is the hub and if something DID happen, I think we would have bigger problems then simply me seeing things."
OOC Oswald and Ganondorf Dragmire can has tags pls?
WHERE: Fuuka
WHEN: Wednesday, 8/22/07
WHAT: Shizuru is tugged into the Other World, and learns a little bit about what's going on. A lot of pieces remain missing. Also Cameos by Tsukiko and the Weaver!
NOTE: Here are Parts 1 and 2
It's evening now and it's been a long day for Shizuru. She's been pushing papers for the Syndicate and the First District all day and now she's sitting in her apartment sipping a cup of tea. There's a pile of papers around her as she sits down in front of yet another report. There's a sigh as soft strains of J-Pop play in the background. She really doesn't want to do this work but she has to do what she has to do. She's feeling tired but there's still a lot left to do.
Whilst Shizuru is being busy and diligent, studying the report like a good businesswoman, the lines start to blur together. It could be something as simple as exhaustion, and the faint pain behind your eyes may lend credence to that. Soon to follow will be the usual head-bobbing effect of the sleep deprived - but something else may get Shizuru's attention first.
The radio bursts into a high pitched squeal, followed by loud static - this may be odd if that was a CD, and if it wasn't - it's probably odder still when some /god/ awful music starts playing on the radio. Over, and over, and -- no really, the first stanza keeps repeating like a record skipping. Was it always that dark out?
Shizuru yawns and raises a hand to rub her eyes. "Ara... I must be more tired than I thought," she murmurs softly. But it is fairly important that she gets through these reports she attempts to focus. The urge to simply close her eyes and take a nap is strong, this is highlighted by the involuntary head-nodding that she jerks herself awake to. When the radio bursts into static, it jolts her into a heightened state of alertness. Red Eyes instantly narrow in suspicion and her right hand instinctively opens to summon her element but then she relaxes slightly and gets to her feet.
Padding over to the stereo system, Shizuru pulls the shawl that goes with her sleeping yukata closer over her shoulder and she pokes at it lightly, looking irritated, "Maah. CDs shouldn't be recorded over like that." She reaches out to push the stop and eject button and though she seems 'relaxed', she's really very alert.
Click.
And everything changes. There's no boom, no shudder, no Red Mantle Wipe to indicate it - beyond the lights flickering exactly once. But strangely, once the lights are on again, Shizuru's room seems a little.. different. It's hard to place exactly how - ..
No, no, after a moment's thought, it isn't that hard at all. The walls, door and windows are frosted over. There's a larger chunk of it sealing the door shut, and there's a sickly red light pouring in through the frosted windows outside. Every now and again there's a faint snuffling sound from outside, or the sound of something shattering.
There's also a computer left turned on on the desk - but there's nothing strange at all about -that-, right?
"..." Shizuru does not panic. She notably does not panic, in fact she merely raises an eyebrow, "This is odd." Odd is an understatement but Shizuru is also famous for that too. Taking a deep steadying breath as she walks over first to the windows, lightly trailing her fingertips first over the windows then the walls and finally the door knob, her other hand is fiddling with the small communicator she's slipped into her obi. "Hello?" She asks into the wireless each piece nestled against her ear, testing to see if she has outside communication. If it works, she will be able to connect to the Syndicate band.
As she does this, she removes her shawl and attempts to force the down open. The still powered laptop is ignored at the moment.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... Hello?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "...Miss Kiyohime!"
[Fac-Syndicate] Boba Fett says, "Nn?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe, in a tone that totally says 'I was totally not being a confused dork on the citizen's band just now.'
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty faint mutter of still-present hangover
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire rumbles, "Greetings."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... ah...... it's alright?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "Is everything okay?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "Hmm... Odd. Perhaps my power has simply gone out."
Surprisingly, Shizuru's fingers do not leave clear tracks along the frosted windows - the ice breaks apart at her touch, and thin trails of red ooze along the cracks. Blood, or something like it. The attempt to contact the Syndicate may actually be successful! Whoever was responsible for pulling Shizuru into this area had not factored in for an outside communications device although the connection will be very fuzzy.
The door frozen over is hard to wedge open; Shizuru can only get a few inches through, just enough to push her arm out. And with that vantage point, she /can/ see that there is a large block of ice on the outside of the door keeping it from opening all the way.
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Problems? You need us to lean on the power company, ma'am?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No no... that's alr-bzzzz bzzzz bzzzzzzzzzt-zen in."
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "Hrmn. Communication disruption?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "...I think your radio's on the blink, ma'am..."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Oh, this ain't good."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "Maybe it's an interference pattern... Say again, you were disrupted."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "You mi-bzzzzzzzzzzt- ight. But I a-bzzt crackle-right. Appear to be frozen in my apartment."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "...that's odd."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "...show of hands, who knows where her apartment is? I'm betting 'not many.'"
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "Quite unaware."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "Ma'am, what is your location?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No no. It's alright. I c-static- ake care of myself."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I will keep you updated though."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino makes a soft feminine sound of a girl trying to wrench open a frozen door before stating entirely too placidly, ".... This is odd."
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "Frozen in the most literal sense, I presume."
When the ice cracks and her fingers are stained with the red ooze, Shizuru visibly frowns, "Disturbing." She continues to speak softly over the radio frequencies, her voice sounding more placid than what her facial expression is showing. She grabs the door knob by both hands and makes soft feminine noises as she strains to open the door and is finally able to wrench it in just a few inches. She attempts to reach through the crack but meets only ice, "... This is odd.
With a soft sigh, she shuts the door, leaning heavily against it with every intention of waiting out this freak ice storm. She then glances around and finall notices the powered laptop. Padding over to it, she sits down, folding her legs elegantly underneath it to study the screen. If it is still working then perhaps she can get out onto the internet.
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe nervously, "Are you sure you don't need our help, ma'am...?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino sounding oddly light hearted, "If I am fr-bzzzt- in then there is no danger for me is there?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "If the heat's working..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Ganondorf Dragmire says, "And on who froze you in there, of course."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "My laptop appears to be working fine."
Freak ice storm indeed because from a clear patch on the window -- there's no ice or snow at all. It /is/ still a disturbing sight - a total wasteland, almost; the ground is dry and cracked, and there are deep gouges in the earth. The trees are burnt to a crisp, either ash or blackened entirely, and the sky - the sky is breaking apart.
Literally.
Huge chuncks are breaking off in triangular sections and falling, only to shatter into nothing before they touch the ground. Beyond that shattered sky is a swirling vortex of black and red with inky tendrils reeaching through.
But perhaps this is all for show. More importantly, the Internet is online! You can browse and MU*! -- wait this isn't a game. There is a window already open, the header reading Fu-i Colle-um. For some reason the words aren't complete. There is a roster though, of faces that are both familiar and .. not really familiar, along with a blurb under each of the pictures.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... correction. There ap-*static*-asteland outside."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "..."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Ma'am, if I may."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "My professional opinion is 'you are not safe.'"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I believe I will retire to the Meyer Gaines building as soon as I am able. I am going to attempt to contact my bodyguard."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "Do you need pickup...?"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Say the word, ma'am, and we'll be all over that place. Once we find it."
On her way to the laptop she DID catch a glimpse outside and what she sees deeply disturbs her, disturbs her enough that she is actively considering calling in for help to pull her out of this place. The sky should NOT be falling. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT NOWE! You and those babies! Ahem.
Now deeply and actively disturbed, curious and with the urge to GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE, she turns her attention back to the laptop. Her brow furrows at the open window and she glances at the words, "..."
She hmms as she ponders at the name and then goes through the roster. Eyes widen as she sees people she knows.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "Understood General."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "and thank you miss."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty hmfs to herself. "Don't thank me when I haven't done anything."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "YOu offered. That is enough."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma chuckles. "Oh, so we actually need to offer to help now?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe's D: is practically audible. "Call on Legna and I any time, ma'am."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No, but I appreciated the thought Kaz-crackle"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "...yeah, that's got me worried."
It's strange, but the faces and names seem to change intermittently, and only accompany brief pain at the back of the eyes, like a migraine. First in line is Shizuru's own picture, but it changes, after a moment, the hair going paler and longer, eyes bright red. The name reads : Michiru, age 20. Princess of the Kingdom of Wind; Guardian, Kiyohime.
This is followed by a girl with dark blue hair; Natsuki. Her features shift subtly, the blue darkening to more black, the eyes shading to blue. The name reads: Tsukiko, Age 20, Princess of the Kingdom of Ice. Guardian, Duran.
Next, a picture of Mikoto, though her features shift until she still has short hair, only cut in a short bob with a ponytail on the side, and brown eyes.
'Meiko, Age 14, Princess of the Kingdom of Earth. Guardian, Sage Miroku.
Next, Mai, her red hair styled in waves that cover her right eye, the other a vibrant yellow. The name below reads "Kaiya, Age 19, Princess of the Kingdom of Fire, Guardian, Kagutsuchi."
There are other names and faces that are familiar and yet not. Chiyo (Shiho), Nyoko (Nao), Isamu (Tate), Bunko (Yukino), Hikari (Yukariko), Rika (Akane), Shizuka (Akira), Masako (Mashiro), Madoka (Miyu).
Something intersting of note would be three other familiar faces. Eiji (Reito) listed as the suitor for Kaiya - purely political between the Kingdoms of Fire and Wind. Reika (Haruka) turns out to be your very own younger sister, of all things. Akihiro (Takumi) is the youngest brother of Kaiya as well.
After a moment, a message pops up reading: Incoming Message from Lady Ninjitsu. Do you accept?
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino's radio crackles for a moment then there is a long pause, "... On second thought. I will not be needing that rescue. I know exactly what this is about."
The eyes throb and Shizuru blinks several times as the images change but undoubtedly there are HiME, all twelve of them, including herself. She hmms softly, "So they are HiME as well?" She makes a mental note of all this but when the faces and the names change, her frown deepens even further. And Reito is there too and, what's this? A smile cracks on Shizuru's face and laughs softly in amusement, "My sister? Really?" Oh, Haruka would be FURIOUS to learn that.
She is about to open another window to look up something with the IM pops up, "Lady Ninjitsu?" She reaches for her small mouse and clicks on the Yes button.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: Michiru. I am pleased to see you are online. I have information. Since our return, those creatures have begun attacking in patterns. Several of our friends and family have already fallen. Rika and Hikari are among the dead, I am sad to say. I do not know the condition of Reika or Bunko, however I do know that Reika was about to meet with Bunko.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: It has been confirmed by an inside source. Reika and her team, Chiyo, Bunko, Hikari, and Rika chose to awaken That Creature. It is why these things have been attacking.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: I have not heard from Nyoko in days.
*Chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: Isamu and Chiyo are behaving suspiciously.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: Tsukiko has requested that I ask you, Meiko and Kaiya to meet at her apartment immediately. She fears another attack will happen soon, and it would be best that we all gather.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: However, I have something that I must do.
Now this is a lot to take in. So she is Michiru now? Interesting. Shizuru quickly reads all of these messages, taking in what they may mean, what they may imply. That Creature? What is That Creature? It is fairly obviously that whoever Lady Ninjitsu is expects her to know. Well, no reason to expose her hands just yet. Instead, she reaches out for the keyboard and begins to type.
JunAi: I have just returned online. My sister is missing? This is worrying as she is an extremely capable girl. She would not have disappeared without good reason. I fear the worst.
Bloop!
JunAi: Nyoko has a tendency to disappear, I would not worry too much about her. She always comes back. As for Isamu and Chiyo, I was never terribly close to them so I could not say. I have not seen either for many many days now.
Bloop!
JunAi: I will go to her apartment as soon as I can but I fear I am having some trouble myself from leaving but I will go see Tsukiko ASAP.
*chime!*
Lady Ninjitsu: This is true, however I am concerned that her recent discussions with Kana have led her to believe incorrect things. The fact that she has an assembled a 'Rivalry' group .. but you already know about that. She is competent, but, if you forgive my saying so, too quick to pass judgement, and perhaps naive.
*chime*
Lady Ninjitsu: As you are no doubt aware, Nyoko has been seeking out information for us, despite Tsukiko's distrust of her. She is of my clan, and I trust her implicity - however, you are correct. I do not believe there is any concern for her disapparance.
*chime*
Lady Ninjitsu: This is troubling..
*chime*
Lady Ninjitsu: Do you require assistance in any way? I am pressed for time at the moment, but if there is something I can do on my end, I would be honored to aid you, Hime.
For the briefest of seconds, there's a faint rumble against the foundations of the building. Nothing worrisome though.
Bloop!
JunAi: Reika was always the type to jump to the wrong conclusions too quickly. No offense taken.
Bloop!
JunAi: Tsukiko rarely trusts anyone, it is not an insult against your nor your clan. I have never found your information nor hers lacking in the past and I see no reason to start doubting now.
Bloop
At this moment, Shizuru looks up at the rumbling and furrows her brow, "..." She glances over at the window patch and then back to the monitor.
JunAi: No. Go about your business. I do not wish to waste any more of your time.
Bloop!
A small window pops up. Incoming Message from Ookami Pride. Do you want to accept?
*chime!* Lady Ninjitsu: Understood. Then I look forward to seeing you later this evening. I wish you the best.
*Click*
Lady Ninjitsu has signed off.
A bit of the ice starts cracking, as the building rumbles briefly.
Ookami Pride? That must be this world's version of Natsuki. Shizuru clicks yes and when the rumbling picks up again, she arches an eyebrow, "..." The rumble is accompanied by ice breaking. Curiouser and curiouser. If she stays long enough then perhaps the ice will crack entirely. But for now, she has a little wolf to attend to. She clicks the yes button and before she can thank Lady Ninjitsu, the girl's signed off. Shizuru is left to wonder who this Lady Ninjitsu is.
It must be the secre-- uh nevermind that.
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: Michiru? Are you okay? Kaiya just called and told me that there was another attack nearby.. and if that isn't bad enough the entire place is going -crazy-. People are going missing, and being found again days later, dead - and Masako and Madoka.. well Kaiya's livid at that betrayal. I've got her calmed down though; she and Meiko are out looking for Nyoko.
JunAi: I'm fine. Ara! Was Tsukiko worried about me? That's so sweet~.
Bloop!
It seems like not even the fact that this might not really be Natsuki can deter Shizuru from teasing her. Though she does pause. A betrayal by the chairwoman? This causes her to frown deeply.
"And Miyu is dead from the reports I heard..." Very worrying indeed but she will be sure to attempt to figure out the rest.
JunAi: We will get to the bottom of this Tsukiko, I will help you. You know that. I just spoke with one of our acquaintances. Nyoko is known for going missing for days at a time. I am sure she is fine but if it helps keep Kaiya's mind occupied then perhaps it is for the best.
Bloop!
JunAi: And what do you think of the betrayal Tsukiko?
*chime*
Ookami Pride: I heard about that too.. I think it's in part why Masoko and Madoka are in hiding. As for the betrayal..
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: ...
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: I don't buy it. You have to consider the source - Kana hasn't been honest with any of us from day one. The evidence against them is damning, but I still have the feeling that it was staged, or arranged somehow, to make us believe that she was guilty.
*chime!*
Ookami Pride: Deep down Kaiya and Meiko.. I think they don't want to believe, but until we find out otherwise.. I asked Shizuka to see if she could find anything out. In the meanwhile, Michiru, can you come over? I'd like to go over things with you before Kaiya and Meiko get here. And with all the craziness of late, we haven't really had time to talk.
JunAi: I see. So it has progressed this far as it? Very well.
Bloop!
There is a long pause before Shizuru stands up to check the ice around her apartment, see if it's cracked enough to let her slip through. After she checks this she will return to the laptop.
JunAi: I will come over as soon as I can. I am having some difficulty in leaving my apartment right now but I will be there soon.
Bloop! There is another long pause.
JunAi: Stay safe till I get there.
Bloop!
*chime*
Ookami Pride: I'm afraid so. I'm a bit concerned..
There's a short pause on her end, and then:
*chime*
Ookami Pride: Right. Well I'll mention it to you later. I have a file we should go over..
Another pause.
Ookami Pride: ... difficulty? I find it hard to believe you could find anything difficult. I'll stay safe though, as long as you are. Be careful, the road between our apartments is getting.. tricky. Something's going on out there, I just don't know what - and if that Thing catches you out..
JunAi: Of course.
Bloop!
JunAi: Your confidence in me is inspiring. It is only a little difficult, not anything you really should worry too much over. I will be safe though, don't worry. I have my Guardian do I not? Nothing will catch me unless I will it.
Bloop!
JunAi: But I better see to trying to get out of here...
Bloop! At that, Shizuru finally gets to her feet and walks over to the door in attempts to wrench it open again.
As Shizuru makes her way to the door, there's the *ding* of someone disconnecting - probably this world's Natsuki. The ice has melted somewhat, meaning that yanking at the door is a lot easier - some of the ice cracks in half until the door all but FLIES open, accompanied by a severe rumbling, the like of which causes several hanging fixtures to fall to the floor.
The apartment snaps in half, and the room just two feet behind the young blond starts to collapse. Below, if one were crazy enough to look, is another vortex not unlike the one in the sky; only this one has teeth. Lots and lots of teeth and .. and it's actually -EATING- the building.
As Shizuru pulls at the door, she almost falls over when it flies open. Eyes open in alarm as things crash to the ground and then reality breaks. She snaps her head to look behind her and she sees the apartment falling in on itself. She hesitates to glance at just what may have caused the collapsing at at the sight of a vortex with more teeth than Kiyohime causes her to do something she hasn't done in a very long time.
Shizuru screams.
Without even waiting, she dashes outside, heart racing and throat raw. She runs almost blindly out the door, down the steps and towards the streets.
And so Shizuru breaks the sound barrier with her headlong flight out of the apartment, down the hall and out to the streets. Right in the nick of time too! The apartment is rapidly crumbling, consumed by the ground level - monstrosity. Fortunately it doesn't seem to notice the biped - at the moment.
Poor Shizuru has more pressing concerns, it seems, as the weather starts to change - not only is parts of the sky shattering, but now rain has begun to fall, heavy, sudden sheets of grey, dismal rain that clings and feels .. rather oily. In the air one can hear the roar of something you probably don't want to come face to face with - and in the distance towards the horizon there's a large black shape - an amorphous really, a shadow that shifts with every passing second.
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. So gross, so very gross. Shizuru makes a mental note to spend the rest of the evening at the Meyer Gaines building if she makes it out of this alive. The oily raindrops trickle down through her hair, under the collar of her... wait... why is she in her uniform? If it wasn't for the fact that she could still connect to the Syndicate channels, she would think that this is some sort of odd dream.
But with the roaring sound and the creature behind her plus that ominous shadow lurking in the horizon, she is not about to wait to find out. With a thought, she begins to summon her Element as she races down the street towards Natsuki's apartment. It is not terribly far from where she lives, or so she hopes it is the same in this odd and misshapen world.
It is indeed in the same direction, same location even, though the buildings look a bit different. Those that are standing still. One family is unable to get out of the house in time - the house is pulled down into the ground devourer's mouth. Shizuru can easily hear their screams of horror, fear and panic even when she's long past them.
Images appear and vanish - if she looks to the left, she'll see transparent images running along with her - the girl that looks surprisingly like Natsuki has a wolf at her side, though she doesn't notice Shizuru. This is probably because there's a Shizuru - or Michiru - running just ahead of her, where the two are set upon by phantoms.
Back to back they fight, dispatch the monsters, and move on, shouting voiceless commands, suggestions and encouragement at each other.
To the left is another image entirely. A picnic scene, with all the people Shizuru may recognize, and some she may not; Tsukiko/Natsuki is leaning against Michiru/Shizuru, talking with a few of the others at the picnic. Michiru's expression is a cross between content and blissful.
Directly ahead -
"MICHIRU!"
The ground explodes directly ahead, bits of asphalt, steam and fire spewing out of the ground.
Shizuru runs, and despite the fact that she is now rather panicked she is not short on breath. It seems like her time with the Syndicate has improved her athletic ability a great deal. Must be from all that running around with criminals.
As images pass by her, she glances to the side and there is a frown as Natsuki runs and she sees the other Shizuru. But this only spurs her to keep running. It is the other image, the picnic image that causes Shizuru to almost stop. As such, she is slowing down. Natsuki... happy... with her. It's almost like a dream co-
"!!!" Becomes she slowed down in her running and the incoming warning, Shizuru's lightening reflexes allow her to leap backwards, an arm coming up to instinctively protect her face, the red naginata in her hand also coming up to help shield from the asphalt. "Tsukiko!"
When the dust clears- and it clears quickly thanks to the rain, .. there is no sign of Tsukiko. But her voice was there it *DID* call out in warning. It calls again, but it echoes, reverberates - comes from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
"Michiru! RUN!"
"I won't leave you!"
"We stand and fight together!"
"Just like old times, ne Michiru?"
".. not going to make it.."
"Michiru.. Michiru please don't leave me - you promised.."
"I'll always be with you -"
"They're coming! RUN! RUN! We have to get to safety -" "Oh god the bleeding wont -" "- open your eyes I can't -" "hear you will you-" "too much blood I-"
The voices are deafening - they don't stop and they're all, ALL in Tsukiko's voice. She's clearly talking to Michiru, and the context isn't exactly good for a lot of those snippets. .
Shizuru frowns deeply now. The panic has subsided and despite the fact that things may be exploding around her, she has settled into an almost zen like state. Blood red eyes scan the horizon, looking for the source of the voices, "Tsukiko! Tsukiko!" She calls out, carefully walking forward looking for the dark haired girl.
Then the second set of voices come in and she frowns. She frowns deeply and something similar to panic rises in her breast but it is not fear, at least not fear for herself. It's that deep seated ugly fear, the one that drives her to protect Natsuki with almost obsessive fervor. "TSUKIKO!" Her eyes widen and the fear settles.
She hears the cut off and she swallows hard, closing her eyes. She reaches deep inside herself for that frightening strength that she has only tapped into once or twice, the one that drives her bases desires, the legacy of the Obsidian Lord and when she opens her eyes again, if anyone where to notice, they are dead. "Do not worry Natsuki, I will protect you. Always and forever." Her words are mere whispers in the wind as she steps forward, calmly with slowness and grace through the aura around her has changed. Her lips begin to move, "I art thou, thou am I.... KIYOHIME!"
"Thou speakest the Holy Words," Kiyohime is not the one to say this, as she is summoned, but it is the voice of a new companion. A girl with short blue hair, and a frilly pink dress. Hands clasped behind her back, she hovers back to a safe distance, wary, watching Shizuru. "You can hear them, can't you? The screams of the dead,"
An image flashes, as a blonde girl raises a spiked mace in defense, only to be speared from behind by a armored, humanoid creature, his helmet covering his face. The girl, refusing to die so easily, turns and swings her club at her assailant - it impacts with a heavy CLANG, knocking the helmet off of his head. She stumbles back in triumph - the smug smile vanishes as he slits her throat as a reward, leaving the young princess to fall back in a pool of her own blood.
The creature turns, one eye larger than the other, sunken nose and skin covered in burns and boils, and he raises his spear with a roar of glory.
"The cries of the dying."
Another image flashes, this time showing a dungeon as a girl with blood red hair screams, struggling against her chains while a younger girl with strawberry pink hair beats her about the head and face with a cat o-nine tails. Behind her two people look on dispassionately, and in the shadows.. in the shadows is another figure, though one can't see them precisely.
"The stability of this world is growing weaker." Says the girl, looking around as a tree collapses nearby, "I don't know how long we can hold it together..." She pauses, as from behind shadows can be seen, chittering, creeping, crawling. "You should run. Those things are coming." They smell new blood, and they all want a taste. "Or would you fight?"
When the girl speaks, Shizuru is slow to react. In her current stupor, she turns slowly and eyes the girl with a creepy sort of dispassionate interest, "The dead?" Her lips curl slightly, tight and cruel. "It appears that they are all dead." She then glances over the images, watching the blonde girl die though she does not move. She eyes the misshapen creature with detached curiosity, studying his movements.
More dead and then... Nao? Screaming as she is whipped and beaten. The others hold little interest to her and she turns her attention back to the girl, "It doesn't matter if I stay or if I run. If Natsuki is here, I must protect her." Her grip on her Element shifts slightly and the lips curl upwards, a placid smile that does not reach her dead dead eyes, "I will protect Natsuki."
"My oh my!" The young girl giggles, clasping her hands over her mouth, "What a scary face!" Pause. "No really, that's a scary face." o_o *pointie point* "It doesn't suit such a pretty person!" But these worse may fall on deaf ears, "You're like that girl too. When she lost everything." She frowns a bit. "Don't get overshadowed, okay? That'll be a nuisance."
A point then, "The place you seek is that way. But there are a lot of nasty mc biters up ahead. Do you think you can get there in time?" She certainly will stick around to see, that Weaver will! "I think it was a mistake.." she eyes Shizuru, "I wonder what would happen if two Overshadowed princesses meet..? Nothing good, she would bet.
The first wave of shadowed creatures are only a foot high - certainly not even a match for Shizuru's prowess in battle. Just ahead, over the screams and the roars, one might hear the howl of a wolf, and the sound of gunshots being fired.
Shizuru merely continues to smile pleasantly at the little girl, even when she points. "Maah maah, it is impolite to point." There is none of Shizuru's usual humor in that voice and what humor there IS sounds forced. Instead, the woman presses her lips together as she listens. Red eyes flicker outwards, following the pointed finger. She continues looking out and though she hears what the little girl is saying, it doesn't really register in her brain.
The whole talk about overshadowed princesses goes right over her head and she takes off running in that direction. It is only a flick of the wrist and a steel maze cuts down the shadowed creatures to shreds. After facing wave after wave of STMCs, she doesn't fear these creatures. The only emotion that appears now on her stoic face are the screams.
Ears pick up the sound of a wolf howling and in her mind, it can only be Duran. Duran, that lonely wolf and his mistress. "Natsuki..." She whispers, her voice nearly zombie like as her pace quickens and she hastens to where her beloved is.
Tsukiko, not Natsuki! There's the howl of a wolf in pain, and then a voice crying in horror and outrage, "DURAN!" Gunshots - round after round after round until all that can be heard is the click click click of an empty gun. A snarl of a wolf, and as Shizuru draws near, she can spy one of those ground maws slithering up behind Tsukiko. Starts to lean up out of the ground, its back covered in spines - Tsukiko has enough time just to turn as Duran snarls a warning..
There she is! A fond smile comes over Shizuru's face and the frightening expression gentles somewhat. She might look different but she is still Natsuki. Eyes widen in alarm and fear as the vortex approaches, attempting to eat Na... no. Some small part of her mind that is still sane clicks as she rushes forward. There is a graceful leap in the air as she pulls her Element backwards, snapping it forward with surprising strength as the blade comes down to deal justice to the creature. As she does this a single world escapes her lips in a heartfelt desperate attempt to warn the girl in front of her, "Tsukiko!"
"Michiru..?" Even in the heat of battle, she has time to be surprised. Tsukiko didn't expect to see Shizuru's arrival, or as the Element snaps forward and literally cleaves the maw in half - it dissolves into pieces just as Tsukiko is turning to see what it was that had nearly eaten her. Duran leaps past Shizuru to growl at the creatures that had been coming up behind her, and with the area clear for the moment, Tsukiko does the impossible.
She rushes forward to hug Michiru/Shizuru tightly.
(Awww.)
Shizuru lands lightly on her feet, graceful and refined, even at her craziest moments. Seeing Tsukiko, Shizuru smiles warmly, though it still does not quite reach her eyes. "Tsukiko." She sidesteps quickly, allowing Duran to pass but before she can react further, Tsukiko does something that only in some of Shizuru's crazier dreams has Natsuki ever done. She holds the burnette in her arms by her own will.
Is act is enough to shatter the hold that terrible fear had on Shizuru's heart and the older (?) girl goes absolutely rigid for a moment before she breaks down and sobs into Tsukiko's shoulder.
"Kanin na, Kanin na Tsukiko." Her words float out in the sobs, like they are prayers and she clings to Tsukiko as if the world was ending and this would be the last time she would ever get to embrace the dark haired beauty.
And that's when the world ends.
Explosions are heard, the sky shatters completely, the wind howls - but all of it is a second, third even fourth distant thought - the sound as faint as the roar of an ocean from over fifty miles away.
And then the sound of the ocean blends into the sound of classic J-Pop.
The blissful, soothing feeling of another girl in Shizuru's arms fades into emptiness, and then the hard texture of a table and several papers.
Lookit that, you fell asleep!
The world ends but she has Natsu- er... Tsukiko in her arms and that's all that matters. She feels nothing but bliss as the world rocks around her. Even the explosions, so close means nothing to her. All that matters, all she can think of is the warmth in her arms and this feeling in her heart that is both happy yet full of sorrow. Then, like an annoying alarm clock, the pitched voice of Utada HIkaru comes blaring back in her life and she jolts awake. "TSUKIKO!"
Her heart is beating quickly as she looks around but everything looks... normal. She swallows thickly. That dream was so vivid... she reaches for the communicator in the ties of her yukata as she stares at the monitor of her laptop.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino can be heard almost shouting, "Tsukiko!"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino is now coming in crystal clear.
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says "Gah!" because she fell asleep, then, "Ma'am?!"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "... I..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino sounds vaguely disoriented, "Did I say anything... odd earlier?"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "You were frozen in your apartment, an' your radio was fuzzy, ma'am."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "You were reporting that you were frozen into your home and were having signal troubles. You declined assistance..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino mutters, "But the world shattered."
Nothing different on the monitor. No IM's from Lady Ninjitsu or Ookami Pride. No strange websites with the faces of people that look familiar but don't. All is well - it's - no ice on the windows or doors, no mouths eating the buildings. No cracked sky. You're back home, safe and sound! You should probably cut back on the scoops of sugar in your tea though.
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "No, ma'am, I assure you, the world is still here. If by 'world' you mean 'entire multiverse.'"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "As for your world, well, we can go send someone to check."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No. My world. I saw... my apartment. Eaten."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "But, I'm still here."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Right then. DRAGON KID!"
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Go look."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "... That's... strange."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Tch, forget it. I'm heading over there now, Boss Lady."
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe says, "--hrghwha--"
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe THUD, as of someone falling off a cot.
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak, master of delegating.
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe fumbles his radio. "--'m here, I'm here, what is it?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I... I will meet you at the Gates. I'm not very far from one."
[Fac-Syndicate] General Ashnak says, "Kiyohime says her world got eaten. But Kazuma's already going to check, so you can go back to bed."
[Fac-Syndicate] Nowe, very quiet grumbling off-radio. Legna can be heard chuckling in the background. Heh, heh.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino's radio emits sounds of rustling cloth and clothing hitting the floor.
[Fac-Syndicate] Oswald says, "..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Oswald says, "Your world was destroyed?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Shin Matsunaga coughs politely.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "I saw it shatter. The sky broke into triangular pieces..."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "It was a very odd dream I think."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "...wierd. Sky breaking, that sort of thing."
[Fac-Syndicate] Oswald says, "... Hmm."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Well, you never know with dreams."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "I usually give mine a good swift punch and they behave. No wierd stuff."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "But you said that I spoke with you on the radio and I do remember that."
[Fac-Syndicate] Sleigh Presty says, "You did."
[Fac-Syndicate] There's a sound of clomping teeth from Nowe's radio, and now Legna's on the air. Hey, even dragons get bored.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe slow, deep chuckle. "Heh, heh. You do enjoy punching things, don't you, boy? Well, whatever gets the job done, I suppose. Kiyohime. Are you alright? Dragging my boy out of bed won't be an issue if you should need us. He sleeps enough."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "I do what works, Scales."
But Shizuru doesn't take sugar with her tea! The entire dream has unnerved her enough though that she stands and enters her bedroom to quickly change. The entire time, she is speaking softly over the radio with her fellow Syndicate members. She can't stay here, not in this apartment. Not tonight. She slips out of her thing yukata and into the first things that she can get a hold of, a pair of jeans and a man's white dress shirt (the shirt was her father's. She keeps it to remember him. She IS daddy's girl.)
Still somewhat shaken, she picks up an overnight bag she keeps packed for emergencies and then walks back out into the main room where she puts some of the more critical and sensitive paperwork into a leather briefcase. Slinging knapsack over her shoulder, holding a briefcase in the other hand, she slips on a pair of worn sneakers and grabs her keys and purse off the small table by the door. She hurries out of her apartment (locking the door behind her of course) and slips into the night towards the nearest Gate where a 'friend' awaits.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, chuckles again. "That's Legna, to you, boy... can't say I argue with your methods, though." Except Legna... well, he just sets stuff on fire. It's a lot more effective.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kiyohime, Not Shizuru Fujino says, "No, there is no need to wake Nowe Legna. I'm on my way to the Gates now."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "I mean, what? You don't breathe fire on people and eat maidens just for fun, do you?"
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "So I punch people. It works."
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, rumbles. "I see. We'll stand by, in case we're needed. Dragons sleep little, anyway..." Pause. "...What? Oh, no. I only breathe fire on the ones that try my patience. And why on earth would I eat maidens? Hardly enough meat there to make a proper meal, you know." ...It's hard to tell whether or not he's joking.
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "You don't eat maidens? So what do you do with the..." Pause. Look over in Nowe's direction. "OOOH, I see. Hmph, lucky little...""
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, snorts. "Myself? I avoid them. Chasing women is like chasing mice. There's just no point." Sadly, there's no video input on his radio. "As to Nowe, if /that's/ what you're thinking, no. The boy is terrified of women." Pause, grumble. Something to the effect of 'not hard to see why, he attracts all the stranger ones.'
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Maybe you should find him some better maidens then?"
Meyer Gaines Building - Corporate Lobby
It doesn't take Shizuru too too long to arrive at the entrance of the Meyer Gaines building. By the time she arrives, she has already slipped back into the Kiyohime persona, complete with mask. What may seem odd and out of place though is the fact that the normally impeccably dressed woman is wearing a pair of faded worn jeans, a man's white dress shirt that is obviously too large for her and untucked and sneakers with no socks. Slung over one shoulder is a knapsack and in that hand is a briefcase. Over the other shoulder is Kiyohime's purse with her keys and some of her IDs. She is walking calmly, as if only going out for a brief jaunt despite the fact that she is feeling incredibly disoriented and more than a little worried.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, chuckles. ...It turns into a good full-throated dragon laugh. Nowe can be heard muttering irritably in the background, something to the effect of, 'Legna! I'm trying to sleep!', which gets ignored. "Boy, I think his own /shadow/ scares him at this point."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma says, "Ugh."
[Fac-Syndicate] Kazuma Torisuma mutters something about 'not ANOTHER one' and clicks off.
[Fac-Syndicate] Legna, not Nowe, continues. "Put a sword in his hand, and he'll face down anything; but put him in front of a girl and he's as good as--" Blink. The dragon probably rolls his eyes by his tone. "Well, then."
The door to the executive office dings as it slides open, Kazuma stepping out with his hands in his pockets. He looks around for a moment, not really sure what is going on here - he's heard some extremely strange things from Kiyohime over the radio, and he wants to make sure that she's gotten back in one piece.
The very definite change of outfit for her though - whatever had happened was enough to ensure that she would bustle right into the comparative safety of the Hub and the Syndicate's bastion. He walks up, raising a hand and greeting the young Don with a casual "Yo."
She was young too - seeing her in that outfit made it all too obvious, where she might have hidden it before.
Kiyohime raises a hand, feeling in a small part relieved at Kazuma's casual stance. She is in one piece quite remarkably and has had a little time to dwell on her... dream? vision? Whatever it is. She has had time to think and will study it more analytically when she gets another moment of peace. Perhaps all of this work has stressed her out and she's simply seeing things. But when he approaches, she bows slightly in her usual way, voice smooth as silk, "Good evening Kazuma. I do hope I didn't disturb you."
The clothing puts her closer to her actual age, a girl not even 20 yet. But despite the casual, almost slovenly appearance, she still carries that air of a fine mature Lady. Her voice contains the usual amount of lightness, mostly forced this time but it comes naturally due to years of training and the mask hides whatever emotion that may be otherwise apparent, "Or anyone else for that matter."
"You're talking about seeing strange things that not all of us understand - I think that is going to disturb a few people, no matter what happens. Especially when its something you don't particularly sound comfortable with - a lot of people see you as the solid, unshakable part of leadership around here," Kazuma comments, a faint smile crossing his face. "I'm supposed to be the crazy emotional one."
He reaches out to put one hand onto her shoulder and guide the young Don into the elevator to the executive office. "Come on, I had the help pull out some sheets and such for you - they're digging around to see if we have one of those rollaway beds stashed around here for you to sleep on later."
"It was a momentary lapse," Kiyohime states softly though she is starting to find some humor in the situation. She chuckles lightly as the enforcer begins guiding her back to the offices, "Perhaps I have been around you and Nowe for too long and it's starting to rub off on me. But I have to admit, it is a little disconcerting when you look out the window and the sky is falling apart, like it was a mirror and had suddenly been shattered but an invisible force. Not to mention finding yourself quite literally trapped in your apartment, which appears to have been encased in a block of ice while all this is happening."
And as much as she hates to admit it, this little incident has probably proven just how human she is. The syndicate don has vaguely wonders just how this will reflect on the way others see her. Will they chalk it up to a simple once in a blue moon type deal or will it undermine her authority completely? She keeps these concerns to herself however. While the pair move further in, she shakes her head, "Thank you. I'm sure they can borrow one of the beds from the medical ward if they have to."
Kiyohime isn't the one who is supposed to be respected because of her behavior. They're supposed to respect Kazuma because HE IS A LUNATIC and will hit them really hard if they misbehave. Shizuru is there to coordinate and make a profit.
"I know how it feels to be looking at something that makes absolutely no sense at all - happens to me back home more than I care to think about," Kazuma admits, rubbing the back of his head and sounding a bit embarrassed. "Part of my power calls on a 'somewhere else' place, and it pulls me back there from time to time, and it's beyond strange. Like, all psychadelic and stuff."
As they arrive back in the office complex, there's no real sign that the help has found a bed yet - instead, there's a stack of sheets piled nicely on one end of the couch, in case the don wanted to make use of it before they found something for her to sleep on. For his part, Kazuma walks over and flops over onto the opposite side of the couch. "So, are you going to be OK?"
But still, there is a certain kind of reputation women like Shizuru have to maintain! Oh well. It's okay to slip up every once in a while, she is only human. Though when Kazuma spills the beans on some of his powers, she merely looks at he curiously. The curiosity is evident in the way she tilts her head slightly to the side and her tone of voice, "Somewhere else? That does sound unusual. So it's not exactly an uncommon occurrence then." This makes her feel somewhat better.
Now begins the rationalization, "Perhaps it was merely an extremely lucid dream. That would explain the radio communication." Though there is no bed, the girl is tired enough that she sets down her bags gently down by the couch and takes her own seat on the other end, "I think I will be alright. This is the hub and if something DID happen, I think we would have bigger problems then simply me seeing things."
OOC Oswald and Ganondorf Dragmire can has tags pls?