1st Day - Arrival

[wistfulsmile]

Characters: Sakura and vatheon
Location: Outside the forest
Time: Evening
Style: Either or. I'm not picky.
Status: Open wide~!

Comments

[runsyoudown]

Once again, Rider had been standing on top of the tallest building in the plaza, just observing all the wet and shivering newcomers who happened to drop in. They typically came in groups, so when one arrived, it was almost guaranteed that more would follow directly afterward.

For the most part, Rider would never interact with the new arrivals. The most she would do was to determine if they were familiar and how powerful they were. Of course, she recognized none of them, and so she would turn her attention away shortly after.

This time, however, was different. Rider could tell immediately that something was different as soon as Sakura arrived, and it didn't take the former Servant long to locate this familiar source of energy.

And sure enough, there was Sakura, looking just as wet and scared as the rest of them.

Jumping down from her building, Rider landed a good distance away and quickly proceeded to close the gap.

"Sakura."

[wistfulsmile]

"!!!" Jumping, Sakura whirled around, a hand still fumbling to hold her sweater close. She knew that voice, but it was impossible - she'd been defeated, hadn't she?

Blinking, she stayed where she was; a tiny gasp escaped her when she saw her former Servant walking up to her. "Rider..."

[runsyoudown]

As Rider got closer to Sakura, she began sensing how her former Master's body was holding up. When she had left, Sakura's body was plagued with the illness brought on by Zouken and his worms. However, while Sakura definitely still had them inside her body, she seemed well.

"I am glad you are well, Sakura."

[wistfulsmile]

"..." She nodded, unsure of what to say. The last person she'd thought she'd see was Rider, and yet, there she stood, apparently alive and well.

Biting her lip to keep from crying, Sakura's voice was quiet as she walked up to the Servant. "H...how are you...?"

She'd meant to ask "how are you here?" but she'd trailed off instead.

[regainedhope]

[Rika noticed a girl just outside the city who was soaking wet. She must be a new arrival. So, Rika ran over to her.]

Mii. Are you all right?

[wistfulsmile]

[Blinking, Sakura glanced down at the little girl, then nodded.]

I-I think I'm all right but...where am I?

[regainedhope]

You're in Vatheon. It's an underwater city.

[wistfulsmile]

An underwater city...?!

[thatsjustpawful]

[ Her head tilted as she watched the girl for a moment, before running off somewhere.

She returned, after having asked a local where towels were, with a stack of the white, fuzzy objects, and offered one to Sakura, a big smile on her cat-like face. ]

Here! You'll get cold if you don't dry off, lady!

[wistfulsmile]

A-ah!

[She jumps a bit, startled, then takes the towel in thanks, draping it over her shoulders.]

Thank you.

[thatsjustpawful]

Heehee! You're welcome!

[ a pause ]

Wooow. Is your hair really purple, or did you dye it like that?

[wistfulsmile]

[She smiles lightly for a moment, before turning quiet again.]

I-it's natural. Ah...can I ask you something?