[Open to New Applicants + Volunteers]
Characters: OPEN to new arrivals and NPCS.
Where: En route to Casualty Communal
Rating: Gen
Time: November 7, Afternoon
Description: And even more people!
( Desert winter is cold. )
Where: En route to Casualty Communal
Rating: Gen
Time: November 7, Afternoon
Description: And even more people!
( Desert winter is cold. )
Wordlessly, he turns and jumps into the seat of the buggy and fires it up, sending gouts of smoke spilling from the gigantic exhausts. The engine is loud, but not nearly as much as the sound that assaults the ears of everybody present within a kilometer radius as the speakers roar to life with offensively loud and brain-breaking Techno. With music blaring, the train begins to move and roll along, forcing anyone who hasn’t yet taken the hint to hurry their asses up and jump on.
Everyone’s communicators begin to beep in unison, barely audible over the pounding bass, and something flashes into view upon the screen. At first, an overhead map of Death City materializes. One by one, illustrations and captions ping into existence across its surface until it looks like this:
The buggy and coffin-train continues to roll along at a rather unhurried pace through the dark streets of Death City, heading northwest while more and more information flashes on screen. Eventually, though, the map is minimized to be replaced with a large block of text:
In the interest of best safeguarding new arrivals, and in light of attacks upon the city growing in intensity, Guests ought to take heed of the following warnings. Certain areas of the city are to be considered highly dangerous. Zones One, Two, Three and Four are off-limits to all except members of Shibusen.
- The following areas are Risk Level 1 and are to be considered primarily under the jurisdiction of the Watch, except where specifically designated at a higher level: Shopping District, Red Light District, Financial and Service District, Inner City Residential District, Outer Residential Quarter One, Outer Residential Quarter Two, Outer Residential Quarter Three, and Outer Quarter.
- The following areas are Risk Level 2 and may require intervention of Shibusen Personnel due to the presence of potentially dangerous individuals: Casualty Communal, Death City Heights, Creeping Crypts and Shibusen City Park.
- The following areas are Risk Level 3. Please be advised that passing into these areas, while not forbidden, yields an extremely high level of danger and Shibusen cannot guarantee the safety of individuals who choose to travel within these boundaries. For sake of clarification, they have been clearly marked with known threats identified:
Following the final announcement, the communicators all switch off simultaneously and Justin returns to calmly driving towards towards the next destination, music still blaring.
Reply
Ultimately she could only utter one word, barely a whimper compared to the noise.
"Rei...?"
Before she knew it, the ride was over. She got off shakily, her heart swelling with emotion.
"Rei?!"
Reply
But this was a guest speaking her name, and that's ultimately what made Rei turn, and not just any guest but--
"Miku!"
She takes an unsure step forward, half unwilling to believe that this was really--it couldn't be, right?
But then, there had been other similar cases and--
Rei moves forward, running to the girl, not quite throwing her arms around her in a fear that Miku would disappear if she did.
"Is it really...? I can't believe it...!"
Reply
"I think so..." she said quietly. "Unless I'm... still dreaming. This isn't a dream, is it?"
If it was, Mafuyu would be here, wouldn't he? An echo of pain resounded in her body.
Reply
"No...No this isn't a dream..." She reaches out, hesitantly, and touches at Miku's hair. When Miku doesn't instantly burst into light or disappear some other way, Rei looks visibly relieved and teary-eyed.
"I never thought i'd see you again, I..." What can she say? What is anyone supposed to say when confronted with someone they sure was dead, or at least going to die?
"You're...real?"
Reply
"Just remember... You are not alone."
Her shoulders bunch close together as her head drops. She didn't deserve that kind of reaction from Rei. Even though she knew, even though Rei was waiting for her in the real world... Miku left her behind to go after Mafuyu. Wasn't it silly? She was so scared of being left behind all this time; she cried at her brother's disappearing back and chased after it. But she ended doing the same to her very own friend.
"Rei... I'm so sorry."
Reply
And then, just as fast, it hits her and she relaxes somewhat. That seems so very long ago--the worry, the pain of being left behind, it hits her again with a ferocity that surprises even her.
But she can't be mad. She's too happy, too excited and relieved to see Miku again to be upset. She slides her arms around Miku's shoulders and bows her head against hers'.
"I forgive you. I'm just so happy to see you again." Tears form and fall quietly, and Rei sniffles a little. "I can protect you better this time, I promise."
Reply
But Rei seemed different than before. She seemed stronger.
"Did we...? Are we... dead?"
Reply
But she wipes at her eyes with the back of her hand and shakes her head. "No, we're alive. The curse is halted while we're here, so we don't have to worry about that."
Not that it helps much, because Rei still has nightmares and doesn't sleep well, but. Knowing you won't die after you go to wake up is comforting enough sometimes.
"It's...nice here. It's different, and a little scary, but... nice. I like it here." Rei manages a small smile, brushing some of Miku's hair back. "If you mention that you know me, a lot of people will help you. And I've been here a while now--though for you it might not have been long at all."
Reply
She still recalled that moment. Her heart had mind up its mind.
Was it... too late to go back then? Miku blinks back tears, pushing back a little to look at Rei's face. "Then, what happened to me? What happened to you? ...How long has it been?"
Reply
"You were...asleep. In a coma, I think, after--" She doesn't have to continue, right? After she followed Mafuyu.
"Kei came, but... He was killed that night." It left a lump in her throat to think about it, how lost and utterly alone she'd felt. "I went to sleep that night determined to try and stop Reika, but... when I got to the Chamber of Thorns, I opened the doors and woke in the Kishin Chamber, in this world. For me I've been here...about two months now, I think. But for you it must have been only a night or so."
And she pauses for the reaction, so she doesn't have to lay anything heavier on Miku all at once.
Reply
"Amakura-san died? I didn't realize..." A sense of dread falls over her head. She didn't realize Kei had been experiencing the same dream as well. She never read the letters he sent to Yuu, or listened to the small tapes packaged inside. Were they all letters regarding the dream?
"But... I'm glad you're safe, Rei. Maybe it's not too late..."
For Rei, at least. But was there really any escape from this painful curse? Would confronting the sleepless priestess bring back their future? Their feelings for the deceased would only continue. She knew her love for Mafuyu wouldn't just disappear. It couldn't.
Reply
Rei doesn't quite know how to explain it herself, being able to see the dreams of those two--how else would she have been able to separate herself from Miku to beg her not to go? Or to know instantly what had happened?
Still, she didn't quite bring it up and moved the subject away from Kei. "When we get home, I'm going to beat her and I'll save both of us. It's a promise." There's a determined edge to her voice, and some desperation. Rei needs to do this; she has to save them both. There's no other option.
Reply
Rei didn't deserve any of it in the first place. She should live on. Maybe she could break free from this curse by defeating Reika. Maybe.
But for Miku, it was her punishment. It was fate.
Reply
"I'm so glad to have you back." She gives Miku one last squeeze, before backing away completely.
"I have to help with the rest of the tour, and keep Justin out of trouble. Continue on with the tour, alright? I'll can help you move in as soon as it's done."
She doesn't really want to leave Miku, but she can't stick by her right now either, no matter how much she wants to.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment