Walk to seek the answers I can't find

[notamisfit]

Who: Naoto Shirogane and OPEN
What: Trying to work out just exactly where she is
Where: The streets of Promenade
When: Day
Warnings: Nothing of note

Comments

[notamisfit]

Naoto turned sharply at the voice behind her, immediately on the defensive. Green hair wasn't so unusual, at least not enough to be remarkable by itself, and the girl certainly looked human but there was no need to take unnecessary chances. Especially with that mask in place.

"Excuse me? Are you referring to the mask? I wasn't aware that I was under any obligation to indulge in the whimsy of whoever has brought me here."

[notamisfit]

"Nowhere was it indicated to me that wearing the provided mask was in any way mandatory. I fail to understand how we are supposed to follow rules we are not made aware of."

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, casting another scrutinising glance over the girl in front of her. "And I suppose you are the one nominated by whoever brought me here to scold me into submission?"

[icaruschmicarus]

Hibari was on one of my own explorations of the place. He had taken to staying out of the house during the day and for part of the evening since his arrival, familiarizing himself with the place, taking note of anyone of interest.

He was no less irritated now than he had been when he first arrived, and it showed.

[notamisfit]

Having spoken with Paru, Naoto had yielded to the rule that masks were mandatory although she couldn't help but feel more conspicuous now than she had without it. It was probably just her imagination, of course, but that didn't make her feel any less self-conscious.

When she saw the irritated-looking man she initially thought nothing of it - she was still rather distracted by her thoughts regarding this place and just what she was supposed to do to returned to where she needed to be - to where she was supposed to be. Even when she did, the look of irritation was rather lost on her. For now, her main concern was gathering as much information as she could.

"Excuse me."

[icaruschmicarus]

Hibari turned about, eyeing the other questioningly. Not a face he recognized, but it wasn't as he if he knew a lot of people in this place.

He didn't plan on knowing anyone, really, unless it was worth it.

[notamisfit]

A quiet type. Naoto could relate, really, but it wasn't about to deter her from her aim.

"I am currently trying to gather as much information as I can regarding this city. Is there anything you know which might assist me in this matter?"

[daienkai]

Ever since he'd dreamt his first ship up over the course of a couple of weeks, Ace went out to sea fairly often, able to make longer trips than when he'd just had his skiff to rely on. Still damp from wading in to tie the ship up to the moorings, he hoisted a bag over his shoulder full of little things that he took to trade at the market. He never traded for much really but he liked it in the absence of any sort of currency, a little reminder of home.

Shirtless as usual, his mask, bells jingling as he walked, hat hanging around his neck, held in place by the tie, the bull's head pendant resting just beneath the beaded necklace he was wearing.

After catching the broadcast from a few days ago, he jogged to catch up with whoever it was, tapping them on the shoulder.

"You should stick the mask on before any guards who might be out catch you. They're probably all still on edge just now."

[notamisfit]

Even having spoken to Paru, Naoto hadn't quite been able to bring herself to wear her mask. Yes, it was the law of the land and it wasn't that she wanted to rebel. But it seemed so pointless and childish to her.

She looked up sharply at the figure tapping her on the shoulder, immediately tense. Even though nothing he said was news to her, she couldn't help but feel suspicious. "Is that a threat?"

[daienkai]

Taking a step back, Ace gave a friendly smile, holding one hand out in apology as he hoisted his bag further up his shoulder again and then he pushed his own mask out of the way for a moment.

"Not from me and probably not from anyone you're going to meet on the street unless you keep going around with it on. But this place has guards and they'll probably want to enforce the rules."

Or so he would assume. He knew how Marines worked and that if someone had done something wrong they were all desperate to prove that they weren't like that so it wouldn't surprise him if they were a bit more of a noticeable presence after the video. They might be looking to prove that they could be trusted, that they weren't traitors.

[notamisfit]

She frowned a little at his words. "If the guards wish to correct my behaviour I will not stop them. Perhaps in gaining their attention I might be able to talk to someone who knows just a little more about where we are."

She stared down at her mask, fidgeting with the ribbon a little as she considered what she'd just said. It wasn't as though taking risks was something alien to her; then again, at least last time she'd been relatively certain of the outcome. This time there would be no guarantee that she could be saved.