Rena | 01

[cleaver_bitch]

Characters: Rena Ryuugu and vatheon
Location: The Plaza
Time: Late night (2:00 AM)
Style: Either or!
Status: Open like a can of sardines

[Walking around Vatheon's plaza sometime late in the night is a young teenage girl in a blue and white sailor fuku. She's soaked to the bone, as are all newcomers to the city, but she's also covered in blood and

Comments

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Oh hey, a samurai is taking a stroll through the city. Mitsuhide is having trouble sleeping, so he is trying to walk enough to tire himself out. His hair is loose and his clothing is casual, though his blade still rests at his hip. It always does, when the night comes.]

[He pauses when spotting the newcomer... and hesitates. The blood and the weapon make him wary, but her expression...

My Lady?

[It is said softly.]

[cleaver_bitch]

...ano?

[wavesoakedlegs]

[His expression softens.]

It's alright, I mean no harm. Are you injured at all?

[First things first.]

[cleaver_bitch]

[She shakes her head, eyes still darting around the plaza.]

N-no...Rena's okay...

[wavesoakedlegs]

That's good.

[He offers a smile. Mitsuhide is still wary, but her mannerisms tug at his heartstrings.]

I am sorry to tell you that you are no longer in the place you would call home. Welcome to Vatheon.

[cleaver_bitch]

Vatheon?

[Her grip on her cleaver tightens, while her free hand suddenly rakes through her hair, eyes widening.]

B-but how? How did Rena get here? How do I get home?

[wavesoakedlegs]

[A moment of hesitation, and he nods, eyes sympathetic.]

A city between worlds. You, and I, and many others were brought here without a choice in the matter. Nobody really knows how such is done, and I'm afraid nobody knows how to leave either.

[A sigh, and he glances at her cleaver.]

It's unbelievable, but true.

[cleaver_bitch]

...this is punishment, isn't it? Rena's being punished...

[She lowers her hand, wiping at her eyes; her hold on the cleaver loosens, but only slightly.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[He pauses, hesitates. So, this young woman has done something regrettable... related to that blood, that blade?]

I will not judge, my Lady, nor ask what you would need punishment for. I have no right at all.

[Mitsuhide bows his head.]

But many are brought here... the reasons why, I could not tell you. Those with and without darkness in their past...

[cleaver_bitch]

...how many others are here?

[wavesoakedlegs]

I do not know exactly, but plenty. There are the locals, who will not answer any questions about the 'whys' and 'hows,' and us, the foreigners who were dragged here.

[Pause.]

We are marked with a tattoo; you will have one as well.

[cleaver_bitch]

A tattoo...?

[She holds her arms out, turning them over, then looks down at her legs. Nothing yet...]

[wavesoakedlegs]

It may be somewhere hard to see. Some have it on their neck, for example.

[He regards her carefully.]

You said your name is Rena, correct? I am Mitsuhide.

[cleaver_bitch]

[At first she tilts her head in confusion, then nods, giving him a small smile.]

Yes. It's nice to meet you, Mitsuhide.

[wavesoakedlegs]

The honour is mine.

[He thinks for a moment, and when he speaks, his voice is kind.]

Vatheon at the very least provides shelter, food and clothing for free. You will... ah, wish to clean yourself up, I should imagine.

[cleaver_bitch]

[She starts to nod, but then gestures at herself. She knows what she looks like.]

Everyone's going to be frightened, aren't they? Aren't they?