☼ Chapter 1

[yougotjusticed]

Characters: Tsubaki Yayoi and vatheon
Location: anywhere, really
Time: Mid evening
Style: your choice!
Status: very open.

Huh? I... I don't understand. Where.. where am I? [Hello there, Vatheon. Have a distraught and soaking wet redhead looking a little on edge. She takes off her hat and squeezes it, attempting to ring out some of the water. Shuffling through

Comments

[obsequience]

[When he feels the tap on his shoulder, he turns and almost immediately ascertains that this woman's a newcomer. The sopping wet clothes give it away, really, though he chooses not to comment on it yet.]

. . . Yes?

[yougotjusticed]

Good evening. My name is Tsubaki Yayoi, first lieutenant of the NOL'S Zero Squadron. If you would be so kind... could you tell me where I am? Oh, and if you've run into a blond woman with green eyes? She goes by the name Noel. Noel Vermillion. [she gives a calm, formal smile; despite the fact that she's dripping, she still feels the need to remain professional.]

[obsequience]

Good evening.

[While he doesn't return the smile, he noticeably straightens. Although he doesn't recognize the name of the government she serves, she's a figure of authority and he should respond accordingly.]

I am Hubert Ozwell. [A beat before he adds:] Major of the Republic of Strahta.

I'm afraid I have not met a woman by that name, though I can tell you that this is Vatheon. I presume this is the first time you've heard of it.

[yougotjusticed]

[Tsubaki gasps, but quickly returns to her professional stance.]

The Republic of Strahta... I.. haven't heard of this place before. [she's noticeably confused, and can be seen shuffling a bit.]

I see.. Thank you for your cooperation, then, Hubert. Vatheon... [she says this to herself, tapping into the pool of memory she has stored in her mind.] I haven't heard of this place before, no.. And I'm not sure how I ended up here, either. A moment ago, I was in Kagutsuchi, and.. [she stops herself. It would be best not to tell this man of her mission; she's not keen to his intentions as of yet.]

[obsequience]

[He fixes his glasses.]

That is to be expected, as I have not heard of Kagutsuchi myself. After all, you and I seem to hail from separate worlds.

[That's rather useless information for her, though, so he promptly focuses on what's more important.]

Your confusion is a natural part of arriving here. No one is wholly certain of how, though we have a vague idea as to why. Unfortunately, it is more than likely that your tasks, whatever they were back in Kagutsuchi, will have to be put on hold.

[yougotjusticed]

Different worlds? B-But how is that possible? [Tsubaki begins to shift even more. She's noticeably nervous.]

Oh.. I see. I have to find a way to return as soon as possible, then. My mission can't wait.. and I have to talk to Noel..

[obsequience]

Lamufao must have at least played a small part in making that possible.

[She's anxious, except there's almost nothing he can do for her. But he'll do what little he can. He nods.]

While your mission is your own task, there is the possibility that the person you are looking for is here.

[yougotjusticed]

Lamufao...? Who exactly is this Lamufao?

R-Really? Noel could really.. be here? [wherever 'here' was at least..]

[obsequience]

Vatheon's deity, and the coral located in the plaza.

Yes, or she could not be. If her name is on the StarFish Communicator, then she should be present.

[yougotjusticed]

So it's a god that brought us here..? What sins have we committed that would warrant this..

StarFish Communicator? You mean.. [tsubaki reaches in her pocket and pulls it out.] this?

[obsequience]

[A god . . . ]

It appears to be so. However, please keep in mind that Lamufao is a deity in the local's eyes. You are not obligated to believe the same.

Yes. That device grants access to a list of foreigners presently within the bubble and allows you to communicate with them.

[yougotjusticed]

I see... I haven't seen it's power as of yet, but whether it's truly a god or not, it must have some great power to summon all of us here..

Oh, how handy. Like a transceiver, but with such a cute design. [she smiles as she looks down at the SFC.]

[obsequience]

If it is responsible for summoning us here.

Cute? [He eyes the SFC, considering how Tsubaki's described it.] . . . It's merely reminiscent of a starfish.

[yougotjusticed]

Y-Yes, that's what I meant. I'm sorry. The locals must be vehement about it having powers, though, if they all insist that it is a deity..

Starfish are cute.. in my opinion, at least. I guess it's a girl thing. [she giggles.]

[obsequience]

It possesses certain powers. You will gradually start to feel weaker as time passes. Touching the coral will restore your strength.

[Huh. He straightens.] . . . I suppose it is.

[yougotjusticed]

Is.. this place draining us of our strength? [she says this in a worried tone.]

I'm sure there's some things that you think are cute, too, though. Am I right?