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[Setting] Uptown Literature Fair
| > The man wore a simple dress shirt, dirtied now with lint, dust, and his own sweat. He gasps wildly at times, while a short, feminine figure dashing a purple hair stands next to him. The office suit and trousers suits her not.
"Take rest, Ray! The body, out of many, is the weakest to ever be."
"My body?!"
> The man interjects.
"Mine!"
> And so did the girl. Their bickering was cut short as she idly move a great amount of books around.
| "We COULD have… we could— we really could have just opened in that dead apartment!"
> The man complains once more. He stood up, but his legs worn and his hands felt they would fall into the harsh concrete with a disappointing momentum -- if he wasn't holding it all together.
"Nonsense. Either follow my orders or be gone incessantly."
> She answers, now giving a single book a swift glance before storing it back to a shelf.
| >humming a pleasant tune someone walks in
>he has brown hair and is wearing a blue jacket and a strange looking headset, on his shoulder rests a pure white snow owl
>like its owner its eyes dart around the area curious as to where it is
"Hmmm...? I believe this is the place?"
>he silently utters
>despite his simple looks, merely gazing upon him it brings one thought to mind
>"solitude"
>as if he is releasing an aura of peace about him
>a calmly soul certainly
| >>644745
"You've got your first customer, Uni."
> Ray, in between his breaths, noticed the man. His eyes immediately squint at the atmosphere released by this man, as if interpreting it another way--
"That's Cassius."
> Uni gave him a curious look. She tilts her head, even beside him while she is the shortest figure, she still exerts a great lust for knowledge -- a lust bearing greater pressure.
"—H-he gave Phoebe dance lessons! Don't look at me as if I have a thing for him!"
| "Cassius. Such name. Pray tell, will he be moved to smile at anything?""
> Uni gazed at the jacketed figure, hereby giving an approval through a sweet and short smile, enclosed in the vivid red cheeks covered -- if only her eyes were to convey emotions, not covered by the head unit locking the orbs like so.
| >he gives a nod and introduces himself
"bonjour là, mon nom est Cassius! Cassius Robuchon Vanderbilt! c'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer"
>he says with a smile
"Would this be the book fair i am looking for?"
"Hoo"
>the owl hoots
"Yes gamma it certainly does!"
>he responds to his feathered friend
| >>644754
"Likewise. Such a fond way with language, Cassius."
> Uni first answered his greeting. One at a time, she deconstructed the man's words through a list to check. The owl certainly held her attention up to a sure degree.
"But of course, this shall be what you say -- the grand selection of knowledge left unto me."
| >>644756
>cassius peruses the aisles for a moment, somewhat lost in thought. The air about him growing stronger as he goes
>depending on the person, one could easily get sucked into the mood that seems to be following him
"So how will this work?"is it a library? Or perhaps you are selling them?"
>he stops to ask
| >>644759
"Whether purchased, lent, or stolen -- I care much of the contents spread than of them being in my possession."
> Uni replies. The head unit worn by her covers her eyes, leaving her voice and lips to be the denominator of her expression in speech.
"If you seek them to be your property, then you shall do so with no haste -- and nevermore shall I mind if you were to partake only in reading them here."
| "Wait, you're selling these too?!"
> Ray enters into the conversation with a surprised look. Was he carrying these for a merchant to sell?
"No, that can't be. These look… old… antedulivian?"
> He was also unsure how the word was spelt.
"Antediluvian, my dear."
> Upon which came a correction from Uni.
| >A young-ish woman makes her way to the laid out bookshelves
>She has crimson red eyes, silver hair and wears a coat that's way too long for her
"...Books by the hundred. Truly interesting... who left this here I wonder."
>She smells the air, her gaze still fixed on... absolutely nothing
| >>644778
"The heavens beckons me to do such bidding, madam."
> Uni overhears the words left up on the air, taking a turn as she effortlessly spots the guest. While not guiding her, Uni nevertheless left her attention marked to the woman -- lest they be lost in this encircling shelves.
| >>644781
>The woman's gaze does not budge
"The heavens, huh? You believe in God, miss? I thought kids these days all hated religion."
>Her voice is quite husky, authoritive and rough even
| >>644771
"Ah i understand.
Forgive me as i browse for now then"
>and he does exactly that
>moments later the door opens once again to welcome in yet another person
>this time its a girl, she has deep black hair tied in a pony tail set to the left side of her head
>yet her attire is the most notable. Gray black and silver. Nothing more
>a semi feminine gray over coat and black ascot, both edged with a silver pattern detailing flowers and birds
"Hello"
>she simply greets
| >>644783
"Wary not, I do not confide myself to beliefs needlessly drawn for human."
> She spoke, letting the woman be amidst the sections. Uni would have no less taken the time to catch yet another new guest before Ray did it first.
>>644784
"Welcome, how may I help you?"
> The many years of experience in customer service has given him a natural outwardly appearance when greeting a customer. This, left Uni to pause and leave the newcomer with Ray. Two heads work better than one.
| >>644787
"Wise words, without Hubris."
>The woman scoffs
"I guess there's still hope for this rotten world."
>Her gaze does not move
| >>644787
"I was told this was a book fair..
It is pleasant to know i was correct"
>she carries a distant look in her eyes, as if lost in deep thought
>similar to Cassius, she too carries a strange air around her. But not peace like the Frenchman does
>instead of melancholy. Crushing and lonely melancholy
>one cannot help but see the world turn grey around her...every step she takes another forming another grey puddle and every breath coming out beckoning isolation
>metaphorically
| >>644789
"This rotten world once begs piety; yet, what is it but a trade between gods and men?"
> Uni leaves the topic unended. She hadn't minded the woman, or what she does -- leaving her be, as with the rest of the guests. Not once showing uncaring values, but never enforcing any precarious rules.
| >>644792
>The woman's mouth forms a small grin
"Hehe..."
>The woman finally turns around
"Well, ain't you intriguing. Could I have you help me, missy, I'm afraid I gave my sight to God."
>Her eyes are indeed foggy and unfocused
"I can smell the books, but I'm afraid that I can't read them that way."
| >>644793
"My eyes are for yours to use."
> Uni says. She stops herself to be a guide to the woman, putting a close distance to make sure she receives any commands correctly.
"Lend me your command. Whose words interest you the most? What tale shall you ingress today?"
| >>644797
"I simply wish to know what I do not, I am in no way wise or knowledgeable, but I know enough to know that I don't know anything."
>The woman grins slyly
"Someone once said such words, did they not? That much I would like to know."
| >>644791
"That's… correct! I'll help you out here. I know where the books are, trust me."
> Ray replies. He tries his best to stop noticing the thick, enveloping atmosphere around the girl, but fails to prove any real result in this regard. He keeps his smile nonetheless.
| >>644798
"Of virtues ahead, I am of your equal -- neither true, I know no knowledge reside but a fact to never know anything enough, past or present."
> Uni walks to the centre of shelves, arranged in a U-shape. At the very centre, she takes a single book -- one in matters of Socrates.
"If it is such paraphrasing you wish, then I more so possess the knowledge -- so did Plato, and so said Socrates."
| >>644799
"Ah thank you.
I would be looking for demian by herman hesse."
>she asks
"As well as notes from the underground by fyodor dostoyevsky"
>her voice is as blank and monochrome as the rest of her being. Completely lacking of any greater purpose but to convey her words
>still she moves to brows the book fair
| >and so the sight of Cassius and the strange girl is bestowed upon the world
>two simple strangers, yet both accompanied by a strange aurs
>as they continue to browse the feelings only grows stronger
>melancholia and Solitude, should there be an artist who saw the two figures, certainly they would be possessed by the urge to paint the scene in all its picturesque beauty. A simple occurrence yet one gaze of this hypothetical portrait would certainly fill ones thoughts for eternity
| >>644801
"It seems your words are not mere lip service, truly interesting. Many nowadays simply ignore the great classics, be they ancient or modern."
>The woman laughs in her peculiar laugh
"Not many recall the names of Plato, Socrates or the lessons they left behind. I still recall, a faint summer memory like no other."
>The woman shuts her eyes
"My eyes can no longer see my hometown, that place between Euphrates and Tigris, perhaps you too could recall it's name."
| >Not too many moments later, a tall, lanky man approaches the maze of bookshelves, nervously running a hand through a slightly tousled mop of brown hair. His gaze shifts from texts, to customers, to shopkeepers a few times-- they linger on the last. His brow creases, and a troubled expression darkens his features. Quietly, he approaches Ray, and the smaller woman in the HMD.
"Ah, excuse me..."
| >>644803
"Right away…"
> Ray's eyes dart around. He has no idea what those titles meant. A *Kira* Miki album? No! She always name her albums in a theme. He began to doubt his service.
"Under the wet snow, do not be embarrassed. Stand with dignity, Ray."
> Uni says from the far back. Could have she heard the words, why won't she come?!
"Reach inner certainty, and listen to what your blood whispers unto you."
> She points to the west shelf, by the entrance.
| >>644807
> Uni returns to the woman, book enclosed in her metallic palm. The name gave her a certain reaction, leaving her to a sigh of relief.
"Engraved upon stones; he who were wise and knew of the countries in the world -- he first saw the secrets and mysteries -- and eyes to see the abyss."
>>644808
> Her eyes — where they should be — met with this man. She paused, not long before she let a name out for the woman before.
"He was Gilgamesh of Uruk -- of Mesopotamia."
| >>644812
>The woman smirks
"The first adventure known to man is one I think back upon fondly. I thank you for recalling it like I do."
>She smiles softly, a very nostalgic look on her face
"God took my eyes, but behind them, I still see as clearly as ever. As I was young, I had to leave my hometown for a land far to the east, an Island called Zipangu. There God gave me two things, two names."
| >>644815
"My first name is one which spans the ages, when countless Tyrants roamed the Earth, surely you have heard of it."
| >>644809
>having received no directions she continues to browse.
>the air around her grows...lonely..as if taking a breath would beckon one to reflect on their own thoughts...their own existence
>likewise, the air around Cassius grows...empty...as if under the affects of isolation, without a soul in sight
>catching ray right between the two auras
>to focus on one would serve to become absorbed into the other
| >to focus on suppressing the crippling feelings of melancholy would leave one vulnerable to the feelings of isolation
>to feel distant and disturbed...the need for another soul so share the times with
>yet to focus on suppressing the feelings of solitude would leave one vulnerable to the feelings of melancholy
>the sorrow, the regret..slowly but steadily beginning to question ones own existence and what bought them to this moment
>a painters wer dream of a model!
| >>644812
>The man bites a lip and sighs heavily, tries to straighten himself out of the deepening slouch he's slumped into as he's observed the few patrons milling about.
"I'm sorry to interrupt-- are you the poster of the thread regarding this... pop-up sale?"
>He seems to struggle with choosing the words he uses to refer to this ongoing redistribution of literary wealth.
"I-I'm an... acquaintance of the deceased. I came to honor her memory."
| > Fox descends back to the street level from a series of fire escapes. He still hadn't figured out how to make less noise, but that doesn't stop him. He soon lands with a soft thud and stretches out before heading to the little market. He doesn't notices how sooty and dusty he is, either.
> He's not sure what to find, other than a present. He also seems to be bobbing his head in beat to... something unheard.
| >>644816
"My eyes see naught of the name -- what is hidden behind the stage must be kept from sight. I yet to find the answer to the question -- as much sun shone onto it. Even so, pardon this interruption."
> Uni says. 'Tyrant' had brought her a certain emotion, even more so the names from the past, but she saves past the question as the man spoke.
>>644821
"Stars guide you. Alack, I know not of this deceased; this, only a mere show of literary -- nothing cling to mourning."
| >>644819
> His mind empties. What this personal space exists within his failure -- and how much it has degraded from all the time he has lived.
"Wait, you two calm down!"
> Realising he has been toppled by mere mist of false miasma, he rolled his constitution to a tee. He kept his ground and tries to find those books, with the vaguest direction Uni gave.
| >>644835
"HEY LILIM GUY!"
> Ray waves at Fox, whose appearance was spotted thanks to Ray's darting eyes. He tries his best to keep his calm, but nothing less than chaos seeps out from him as he lacks the literary capacity to come quite close to understanding what Uni had said earlier.
| >>644861
"Yes...?"
>the girls attention has been called, and she responds accordingly
>Cassius says no words but he still turns his head and tilts it like a confused puppy
"...?"
>this did little to stop the little atmospheres they seem to be emitting, or how picturesque it makes them look while doing so for that matter
>crippling depression with style~
| >>644860
"All is well, the name is but a part of the being after all. I hope that one day you will see it too, the first name I was given by God."
>She says, voice tinged with melancholy
"Still, you are wise, one should admit to lacking knowledge when they do, as you have. The children of this age would sooner dig their heels and give whatever answer they find."
| >>644878
"It is only a matter of fate. Avoiding faults leads to error, if art is lacking -- if what befell unto me is the unknown, then the abyss has imparted these eyes with more to gaze upon. To not know is a gift of learning."
> Uni says. There is still a clear sound of curiosity, even if she had said her words as done and there.
| >>644865
"Alright, so what's the book you both REALLY wanted again? I'm good at shouting names, y'know."
> Ray looked at the two. This much is fine. He almost pegged the fact that he is able to hold this much customer pressure, but not for a job he gets on the spot.
| >Another man walks into the shop... and he is armed. He has a pistol in a holster and is wearing some kind of tactical rig over soft armor. On his head was a pair of ear protection and a half mask covering his face. Nonetheless his blue eyes shines with interest as he walks into the shop.
"Now, what do we have here?"
| >>644862
> Fox waves back, leaving a small amount of dust in the air. He still seems to be bobbing his head to something. He walks up, a little spacey, but excited nonetheless
"よ！すみません、いいですか？プレセントを探してよ!どこが？"
> he doesn't at all seem to be aware of who he's speaking to with regards to language.
| >>644904
"Lilim guy, it's me! I speak fluent English!"
> Ray replies with a groggy smile. In spite of remembering of remembering the book he searches, knowing where to look for them, he was unable to parse the titles fast enough to come to a result.
>>644903
"Hey, welcome! Please take a look around! I'm currently busy at the moment. Or have a chat with Uni over there, in that circle-"
> He points to aforementioned 'circle', consisting of Uni and two others.
| >>644893
>perhaps offering books was not the best idea, as their atmospheres grow even stronger for it
>cassius...the world around him slowly gets dyed a light and calming shade of blue...the light shining in from the windows, the dust in the air, relaxing yet lonely
>again metaphorically
>then theres the girl...although hard to see at first, from...*somewhere* a bright blue butterfly flutters unto her shoulders
"demian by herman hesse."
>she repeats
| >>644923
> Fox blinks a few times and realizes that he can't actually hear whatever Ray was saying. He immediately bolts upright and pulls his phone out, tapping on the screen wildly before quickly bowing in apology
"I'm so sorry! I was too busy listening to music that I wasn't thinking!"
> He gets back up and scratches the back of his head, still embarassed
"I ummm... I'm looking for a present and that's why I'm here. I'm sorry if I confused you!"
| >>644891
"Spoken as it should be."
>She chuckles
"My second name is Kinko Maifu, please call me Kinko. I feel with you a sense of companionship which I have sorely lacked in the last few years, could I pray her your name?"
>The girl awaits an answer
| >>644923
>The man briefly looks at the circle, and took a hard pass, he can't be bothered to weave words around to talk with them like that. He instead decides to casually take a look around the place.
| >>644939
"We are Uni."
> Uni answers the question with a sharp, steadfast voice. No doubt rattles her introduction.
"Neither divine nor arcane -- neither holy nor true, our life longs for a friend. For our eternities pass as a seer to a rotten world, we shall smirk on the face of Fate with our union, Kinko."
> She performs a curtsey, a leg behind and a bow that lowers her own head. She too, awaits for the end of the stage.
| >>644924
"On it!"
> It took him awhile. Maybe it's due to the withering hardcover, maybe it's due the broken engraving, but he had waited a read before he can hand the book to the girl.
"Here you go. It's a bit heavy, careful!"
| >>644938
"I-it's okay. Just take a look around. We have books and ancient texts that will curse you if you read them wrong."
> Ray realises none of his words before were heard, letting him a good sigh of relief.
"Whose present will this be? A good pal of yours?"
| >>644941
> The shelves encircle the guests. In the shape of a U, the very centre is the most decorated. Embossed with gold long chipped and marred, the shelf has saw the start and the end of many worlds stored into its cold ribs.
> The west and east side of the shelves possesses quality dirtied by the rotting and creaking wood. None of the shelves are labelled, and books have names long etched in time -- now faded to unreadable glyphs.
| >>644942
"Heh... that does sound intriguing."
>Kinko smirks a little
"I shall watch for a little, do not mind me as I rest, Uni."
| >>644946
"Yes! Dusty never told me when her birthday was so I couldn't get her anything on time. Now I have time to do so! Except I don't know what kind of books she likes..."
> He taps his face and ponders on his words, as if looking for an answer
"She's so funny! She's been more open and talking more now that Pete is around. Maybe... do you have anything on idols? I think she would really like that!"
| >>644952
"Please, shall you ever take us for your eyes, never waver; we shall assist you to our utmost capacity."
> Uni retrieves back her posture. Her attention scrambled, seeing many patrons she readily serves. To think there will be this many, in the span of their conversation.
| >>644954
"Idols… ah, that's Vee's thing. I don't know if Uni is even into idols… maybe both of us can search for it?"
> Ray replies while his eyes continue to dart from shelves to shelves. Between these innumerable books, many unnamed, how can they find anything at all?
"Geez. We're going to search for sometime."
| >>644958
"Oh! Are you... unsure of all of these books? Etto.... ちょっぴり変だね？I think it's okay. I don't have anything else today for some reason. Dusty said she'd get the rest for me today..."
> He thinks, trying to figure out a way to make things a little easier for Ray
"Do you know of anything else? An area that's a little more... mapped out? Does that make sense?"
| >>644947
>The man walks around, looking at the various names of the books and scrolls and such items. Looking for something that could be of intetest to him. Particularly something along the line of Arthurian Legends.
| >>644944
>she takes the book
"Sir...this is not demian...this is la demoiselle."
>she frowns, the aura surrounding her becomes almost crushing as a result
>"why are we here"..."why am i the way i am" the thoughts may engulf one like a wave...suffocating and relentless
>handing it back she sighs and turns back
"Nevermind..i shall look for it myself"
>cassius Meanwhile speaks up
"Excuse me madame curator, do you perhaps have a copy of strait is the gate by andré gide?"
>he asks uni
| >>644964
> Without having any second to pause, the man can find an entire rack hosting the myths of the Round Table. Many are rehearsed works, some are compilations, and some are retelling of the ancient tale. One, in particular, has a symbol of a sword engrafted -- the sword is peculiar, a crest endowed in the same gold as the centre shelf.
| >>644989
"La Potre Etroite. You may peruse its irony the third shelf gilded in philosophical narratives — the west, whereupon lies three books encapsulating it; La Chute of Chamus' own, is one such example."
> She answers, missing not one detail nor making flaws whereupon mistakes can be further made. She points to the shelf, no -- rather, to the precise accurate location of the book.
| >>644963
"Uni knows everything here, but she's real busy right now."
> He chuckles. He stumbles upon a shelf ridden by books he can't decipher… they don't seem to be of any language he knows either.
"Right, can you read Korean, Lilimguy?"
> He takes the book. Locked by a three-digit combination, it is a book more dusty than the word itself. Enough to be revered as ancient, its age speaks volume.
| >>644996
"It is pleasant to see you have a good sense of taste madame"
>there is quaint smile on his face as he makes his way to the book in question
"'Strait is the gate' A novel by andré gide featuring protagonist jerome, who's love interest alissa, abandons all worldly joy before fading from this world, altogether."
>he pauses for a moment to give the hard cover a feel
"If i recall...gide uses this piece as a comment on the idea of self sacrifice.
For love unrequited...no?"
| >>645000
"Strait is the gate, narrow is the way."
> Uni passes the short quote, perhaps to answer the question -- or to reject and accept the idea -- or in a way reflecting the piece's broken or true ideals.
"Nothing reduces happiness than its own memory. Seeking a hypocrisy, bound by a fickle thing known to as 'love' -- and Death is a sure figure. A satire upon saitnhood, upon purity, and upon sacred acts."
> She continues. Her voice grows in phase similar to a narrated epic.
| "Mr. Gide born of conflicts know this truth; that it is no less foolish to usurp one to many ensnaring traps set upon the name or 'truth'. Be in disbelief at the man who has found truth."
> Finally, her eyes… or rather, what should be beneath the head unit, gazes upon Cassius. Even covered, the eyes spoke enough to say those words.
| >>645003
"Ah that quote."
>closing his eyes he attempts to recite it in full
"The pastor first read the whole text "enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in threat. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it""
>he opens them again and chuckles, hiding the smile on his face with the front of his hands as to not be rude
| "Im amazed i can still remember that paragraph. I haven't read this book since i was a child haha..!"
>breaking his smile with a somber face he gazes down upon the book
"Mmm..it makes me appreciate what i do have now in a way.
I cannot claim to have a life like monsieur gide, but i suppose thats what allows me to appreciate it."
>upon realizing his little trance je blushes
"Err...my apologies...thank you for entertaining me and my little delusions"
| >>645015
> 'The Summoning of the Round Table', it reads. Sparse in detail, the book is newer than the rest, or its condition are better kept. No author names this piece their creation.
> However, flipping over to the other side of the cover, 'Death of Arthur' is visible instead. This title, is much reminiscent of Le Morte D'Arthur, and seems to constrict itself to be an adaptation. Whichever title is the truest has yet to be seen.
| >>645005
"I have seen many worlds, upon which there lies many secrets, and those secrets were held by many people. They understood these secrets as keys, and the world accepts it as their knowledge."
> This roundabout statement Uni made was created with her serious, but mischievous expression. A bound creativity.
"There are no delusions between the pages; only truths yet found. Which way you present the words is for you, and only you. It is a personal world, you possess the key."
| >>644860
>The tall, somber-looking man blinks, confused... until he realizes that perhaps, the shopkeep he's speaking with is saying that Uni never died: rather, she lives on eternally in each of their memories-- thus giving little need to mourn her absence.
>A wistful grin appears on his face; some light's restored to his eyes-- yeah, that sounds like something she might say. He's about to ask the woman if she knew the owner of all these books, when...
| >>644942
>She introduces herself to Kinko-- using Uni's name. There's a loud "click" as he stiffens in shock: he's sort of reared back in surprise, locking his knees and leaning away from the two women slightly. The exoskeleton he wears from the waist down is what keeps him from flat-out toppling over as he shifts his weight again and tries to re-center himself.
"..."
>He frowns deeply and gives the woman a pointed look, but stays quiet.
| >>645063
> The short figure turned after mesmerising herself to the speech presented by Cassius. Akin to the living intuition she possesses, the man now wrought an expression she dares to intrude -- if this was a man she knew about.
"Are you unwell? Were the likeness of the pieces here not suit your taste?"
> The frown. Her hands bolt to a grip.
"…Rather, what grotesque sight does your eyes reflect?"
> Her smile turns bittersweet; short, incontestable against joy.
| >>645018
>he chuckles
"Quite the colorful way to describe the joy of reading books madame.
Would you mind if i quote you or write that down?"
>said chuckle turns into a full laugh at the thought, although its clear he really means it
"Oh and would it be possible to borrow this?"
>he holds the book up to showcase what exactly *this* is
"I will return it of Course, after all i would need something to use as a excuse to visit again~!"
>he says with a laugh
| >>645065
>His eyes narrow as he peers down at her. His brow furrows. Warmth creeps up his neck and blossoms in his cheeks, his ears, and seizes his throat in a grip like a vise. After a pause, the man's able to choke out the question he'd originally meant to ask this woman:
"...Did you... even know her?"
>It... unfortunately comes out a little more hostile sounding than he'd meant it to. He clears his throat, and waits expectantly for an explanation.
| >>645067
"Contradictio in terminis."
> Uni gave the man a short phrase. She has no care whether it meant anything to the man, or who the man is; a heartache, thumping louder and radiating outwards an uncertain stage. She puts away her sight for now, hearing Cassius' laugh made her remember more than needed.
>>645066
"Please return it within a month's time. For the fair shall show its shelves again."
| >>645071
>He gives a little shake of his head as his upper lip curls in some shade of disdain, but even so, he presses forward-- not stymied by her curt reply.
"... Please. D-did you know Uni?"
>His tone is slightly more gentle this time around-- almost pleading.
"Did you know her?"
>Why else would she be selling her belongings, or using her name? His shoulders sag. If she /did/ know her, would that make this hurt any less?
| >>645104
> Uni looks up to the great height to meet Roy's eyes. The dead, matte plastic staring back at him were unkind to emotions, only reflecting the barest light in this early evening.
"We are Uni."
> She has no need for a dramatic entry.
"—To whom we are speaking, we cast our apology. This life is not ours anymore."
> Her head lowers. Unable to put anymore words, she is burried underneath the pile of thoughts unsent.
| >>645071
"Merci madamoì~"
>he thanks her and tucks it safely in his jacket
>his owl companion also bows as thanks
>awww thats adorable
| >>645106
>The man's mouth falls open, and quickly he covers it with his hand. He inhales shakily. The woman in front of him speaks like her-- her mannerisms are identical; right down to that graceful curtsey he'd seen once before, before the Uni he knew so kindly tended to his injured foot at the Drifter.
"..."
>Her words are genuine. That's palpable to him.
"..."
>It's not impossible for her consciousness to have been transferred to another shell. But, if it's really her...
| >>645106 >>645110
"Uni--"
>I can't believe it's really you.
"I-it's... d-do... do you--"
>Remember me?
"..."
>None of the sentences he tries to cobble together come out whole. So instead, he simply utters:
"I-I'm... Roy."
>...
"... I'm sorry."
| >>645111
> Machines cannot cry.
"I—"
> Instead, she extends her only biological arm. The soft, slender arm unfit for any task -- they weren't hers. Her petite fingers reach for Roy. They try to; they froze as soon as they bloomed.
"I am a fool."
> The words he said came from his heart.
"I mistook myself for another."
> Her voice did not waver. They did not change. However, her voice became to shrink. They show weakness.
"Where were we, in a distant lifetime ago?"
| >>645114
>Roy levels himself to equal Uni's height, kneeling so that she might lay her hand on his shoulder. If they can't connect through shared memories... touch alone will be enough. It has to be.
"You are--"
>He pauses, takes a deep breath, reaching far back for her own words.
"You >>>were... the benevolent goddess of this cruel, ruined city. I am--"
>Another beat.
"I >>>was... simply one of your admirers."
>His eyes well up, but no tears fall-- he blinks them back.
| >>645121
>Roy cranes his neck to the side and feels around the back of it, eventually locating and withdrawing a cable from one of his dataports. He offers it to Uni.
| >>645122
> Uni shakes her head, politely rejecting the offer. At this height, neither of them can prove to be more intimidating in size -- at this height, they were both equal, a deity or not.
> She rests her arm upon Roy's shoulder. Did she ever retreat this far back, to retrieve a plundered memory?
"I… I have failed, haven't I?"
> Her arm quivers.
"Even in this, I… dare disappoint."
> Her legs follow.
"I am unworthy to possess anyone of your caliber, Roy."
| >>645123
> The book has a few pages torn, scribbled, and noted. A large chunk of it survived to this day. Between chapters, a note is written. They follow the same pattern,
> "SUMMON A KNIGHT, DO NOT BE USURPED."
> And then a few kitchen ingredients, too uncommon to be sure, and a circle to be drawn… somewhere.
> Otherwise, its content tells of the embarking adventure of Arthur. From the start, until his downfall at his son's betrayal -- the story of a familial death.
| >>645122
>it is at this moment that something unexpected happens
"Gamma no!"
>can be heard cry out as a pure white snow owl swoops down on roys face!
"Hooo!"
>its prey most likely having not expected it to strike
| >>645129
>Roy looks from Uni's hidden face, to her trembling legs-- trying to keep his lower lip from wobbling along with her limbs. Slowly, he reaches across his chest, and lays a hand over the one she's got folded over his shoulder. He shakes his head.
"We... we have to... get to k-know each other again before you say that, don't--"
>>645131
>The grin he tries to force out is immediately obscured by impressive white wings. Roy shrieks and stumbles backwards, losing his balance.
| >>644997
> Fox blinks at Ray blankly. The question seems to be entirely lost on him.
"Umm... No. I'm Japanese. And I don't think Dusty knows Korean either.
> His eyes look blank, as if they're just featureless green circles
"What else do you guys have here exactly?"
| >>645131
>>645133
>A loud blood curdling scream bounces of the shelves, followed by a loud crack - The shell of a briefcase is swiftly brought on the owl, hopefully shooing it elsewhere if not hitting it directly.
| "Ohhh... Oh my,"
>A woman stares wide-eyed past Uni and Roy, puffing out enough air to displace the bangs framing her face. Her briefcase clattering to the floor is the only implication that she's made further movement, as it seems to take no more than a second for her to grab Roy by the collar.
| "My bad, my bad. I didn't mean to do that.. How embarassing,"
>She mumbles to herself while forcing Roy up, placing another hand to his back to steady him. She's showing a great deal of strength for someone so skinny.
| >>645136 >>645133
"Gamma! back this instant!"
>the owl, following its retainers orders dodges the briefcase and soars back to his shoulder
"I am so sorry he isnt usually like this!"
>Cassius is clearly flustered, not having expected his pet to act up like that
"Here let me help you up-"
>he moves to extend a hand up
"-roy?"
>ah its that fellow who taught those dance classes a moment back, fitting to find him here one would suppose
| >>645136
>Roy yelps and throws his arms in front of his face to shield himself from the treacherous talons of Cassie's exotic pet-- narrowly missing a briefcase to the nose in the process. He has barely a moment to recover before he feels his collar begin to tighten around his neck, and with a startled grunt he jams a finger between the fabric and his skin, trying to wrench it forward. Only then does he realize he's being hoisted upward-- and very quickly, at that.
| >>645138
"A-ahh, h-hey--!!"
>Roy releases his hold on his collar to throw his arms out to his sides-- circling them around frantically as he's shoved back onto his feet.
"W-wait-- wha--?!"
>He takes a few steps forward and back as he tries to right himself, now in a daze. His limbic system is going absolutely fucking bonkers, and the emotional strain and overstimulation he's starting to experience is quickly growing worse--
| >>645140
>When Cassius extends a hand to pull him forward, Roy takes it, staring blankly for a minute... before he starts shaking it weakly, grip limp. He looks kind of lost.
"A-ah, yeah... h-hi..."
>His eyes dart from owl, to owner, to old friend and impromptu savior. They can't find a place to rest.
| >>645148
>The woman gives Roy some space in his attempt to recuperate, basking him in watchful eyes rather than touchy hands.
>>645140
>But when Cassius enters the scene.. She warms up noticeably, cupping a hand to her cheek. You'd be hard pressed to say she'd ever been frazzled at all.
| "How legal's owning an owl? In Glitch City?....I wouldn't know.."
>Her eyes narrow, glinting with some kind of malignant energy.
"But a negligent owner letting their pet /attack/.."
>She lets out a low whistle.
| >The woman turns to Roy and murmurs to him, her voice calm and level.
"Say boy, you got any scratches on you? Any bites, any bleeding?.."
| >>645149
"Im sorry he really is not like this most of the time!"
>speaking of he turns to his owl
"What were you thinking!? Apologize this instant!"
>upon the order the owl glides down from his shoulder to the floor and nods its head down
"Hoo...(´._.`)"
>it lets out an apologetic hoot
"Again im so sorry"
>the owner also apologizes
>>645153
"I have the papers for it dont worry"
>he sighs
| >>645156
>Roy gawks at the woman, and there's a noticeable pause before he's able to comprehend what she's just asked him. Slowly, he lets go of Cassius's hand, and begins to examine his forearms, carefully inspecting each for any sort of injury. Maybe a few scrapes here and there, but... nothing a bit of soap and water and a couple of band-aids can't handle.
"N-nothing... n-nothing serious..."
| >>645158
>Roy startles and lets out a quick cry of alarm as the owl takes flight again-- ducking his head and throwing his hands out in front of it defensively. When the blow he's expecting doesn't come... he cracks open an eye to see the bird staring up at him. He flinches, and winces before letting his arms start to drop towards his sides.
"It's... i-it's ah, all--"
>He squeezes his eyes shut, focusing as he tries to work through his stutter.
"It's... it's alright..."
| >>645162 >>645159
>She nods for a bit, then tucks her knuckles under her chin and taps her pointer finger on her cheek.
>>645158
>Then, to the guilty party:
"You ought to be careful, then, if you want to keep it!"
>The woman presses a hand to her elbow, looking off into the corner.
"..Why, I could report you to the police right now! As a witness."
>...
"And then you'd have to sit with all the reperations for the damages and.. That wouldn't be very good, would it."
| >A young, chubby man arrives at the fair, taking in the scene and books that may be available as he hears the scream of a familiar voice.
>>645162
"...Roy?"
| >>645162
"Oh dear, are you perhaps afraid of them"
>he looks down to his pet and sighs
"Go home gamma"
"Hoo"
>The bird of prey flies away out of an open window
"Get up man your clearly not"
>>645164
"Already ahead of you missy"
>with that he proceeds to call emergency services
"Yes hello? 911? Yes i need a wagon sent to [XXX].
Yes my pet owl just pounced on a friend of mine. The talons tend to be sharp so it would be best to have a professional take a look.
Mhhm. Yes please"
| >>645164
>Roy finds himself... nodding along with her? It's comforting, somehow. The reassuring, repetitive motion only stops when he hears his name coming from somewhere nearby--
"...?"
>He turns in the direction of the voice, and his eyebrows raise as he recognizes who it belongs to.
"O-oh... h-hi--"
>>645168
>Cassie dialing 911 immediately gets Roy's attention, and his jaw works furiously as he tries to stop that call:
"N-no-- I, I, I-I'm a p-pro-- professional--"
| >>645169
"Are you alright?"
>CN walks up to Roy to check on him.
"I admit I wasnt expected this when I came to look for books, much less something involving an... owl?"
| >>645168
>The woman raises an eyebrow.
"I just thought you'd know a threat if you smelled it. But I'll let you have the final word, since you seem happier with frivolities than having a brain."
| >>645170
>Does he /look/ alright?! The man can hardly speak-- and the only thing that's keeping him from collapsing into a pitiful heap on the ground at this point is the exo frame supporting his legs. His breathing's become a bit labored. Roy's brow dots with sweat, but there's no flush accompanying it-- instead, he's getting paler by the minute.
"I'm f-fuh, fuh, f-fine; I'm fine--"
>He shakes his head, trying to snap himself out of whatever's starting to take hold of him.
| >>645173
"You're not injured but you're not fine..."
>CN sighs, grabbing under one of his arm to support him in case he collapses.
"Can someone bring a chair over and some water please."
| >>645171
>he sighs
"No i can. But im a soldier, and upon my oath i am to be reprimanded should my actions bring harm upon a civilian."
>he glares at her with a stare that could kill
"So Forgive me if i dont give a shit from thw words of some sad lifeless bitch whos existence is so worthless that all she could do with her time is to try and fuck with strangers"
>his headset emits an infrasound directed at the girl that would make one pee themselves
(19 on intimidation roll)
| >>645175
>Roy stares wordlessly at the phone for about two seconds before with a trembling hand, he disconnects the call. As tensions rise between Cassius and the woman who came to his aid, his ears stop ringing-- instead he's deafened by the sound of his pulse.
"..."
>The phone falls to the ground, forgotten. Roy grits his teeth, knots his fingers in his hair, and bellows as he clutches desperately at his head as if trying to hold it together:
"STOP, STOP, STOP, >>>STOP--!!"
| >>645179
"Woah, woah, woah."
>CN tries to keep him stable on his legs
"I dont know what happened before I got here, but how about we all take a breath to help this guy out here?"
| >>645177 >>645179
>The woman sadly looks at the ground, clutching the fabric of her long skirt. She's unaffected, but.. Why?
"You're a fool, is what you are.."
>She sighs. She steps around the three even as Roy bellows and picks up her briefcase, opening it on the floor. Inside is a lunch box and a few scattered paper flowers.
| "...Sorry Nicky boy, you'll have to be without today.."
>She hands CN a water bottle and quickly stands up the briefcase, snapping it shut.
"He can sit on this. It's sturdy."
| >>645183
"Thank you miss."
>>645179
"Come on Roy, let's take a minute to sit down here okay?"
>He assists him to take a seat and offers the water afterwards.
| >>645179 >>645181
>he inhales deeply
"Yes you are right. We should."
>and rubs his face, clearly stressed
"Oh hello there CN"
>he says in his best attempts to calm down
>>645182
"Your the one trying to threaten strangers who are Completely unrelated to you, you pathetic waste of flesh"
>this time, he plays two very different infrasounds
>one that raises heartreat and adrenaline
>and one that simply induces stress and fear
(13 on both)
| >>645181
>Roy's first instinct is to immediately withdraw from CN's touch-- he does a hasty sidestep that ends in him accidentally hooking one foot around the other. Miraculously, he stays standing, despite having his weight suddenly thrown to one side. Roy keels over at the waist, and before he can take a header into the floor he lets CN and the woman help him onto her briefcase. He pants heavily, and rests his head on his knees.
| >>645186
"Call me scrap, call me a tin can. I know I look convincing, but you should be able to tell, can't you?"
>The woman stares at Cassius, holding her arms out wide.
"It was a real expensive job to get the synth skin to look so pretty. And my frame is regulated! Warm instead of cold, and not just in my hands, /everywhere/.."
| >She's plain, but it takes effort to make someone look imperfect rather than drop dead gorgeous. The end result is that rather than a doll, she looks like a human.
>...
>This woman is a lilim, and what she's had done to her isn't entirely legal...
| >>645186
> Fox heard the yells and knew the voice it belonged to. He quickly moves around with a series of quick dashes to see what the commotion might be.
"ALEX! Are you okay? I heard you yelling! What's going... on? Um... hi people?"
> He reaches the scene and sees everyone, although he's not too sure of who everyone else is at the moment
| >>645186
>He's just about to begin catching his breath when it's cruelly ripped from his lungs-- caught in the crossfire, and at the worst time, too...
>>>"A-aaAhhHhHHH--!!"
>His eyes slam shut, and he clutches at his chest-- what's happening?! His heart's beating itself senseless against his ribcage, breath's coming in ragged gasps that he can't draw fast enough. The world around him grows dark...
| >>645201
>She tucks some of her hair behind her ear, sculpted instead of the metal norm.
"Do you know this man?"
>That's what she asks the newcomer. CN too, she puts a hand on his shoulder, grasping tightly as Roy's condition changes.
"Do /you/? Have a number? Anybody you can contact?"
| >...
"Friend, family, a lover.. Anybody's. Whoever can get him put of here."
| out**
| >>645195
"Ill call you dumb bitch then dumb bitch"
>he throws a wad of money and a discount coupon for a really high quality lilim engineering store
>should she touch them it would discharge a small current that would scramble a lilim juuussttt enough to make them nauseous
"Take your shitty money and complain more you dumb bitch"
>>645203
>he kneels down and pulls out a first aid kit from his coat, still hoping for that ambulance to arrive soon
| >>645190
"Just take it easy, I got some water hear you can drink when you feel up to it okay?"
>>645203
>CN jumps as he sees Roy panic again. Trying to calm him down.
"H-Hey, take it easy. Try to control your breath okay? Slow inhale, slow exhale."
>>645186
"Oy you, cant you leave the arguing for later? My friend here is panicking something fierce."
>>645204
"*sigh* I have someone I can contact, it will take some time."
| >>645207 >>645208
>Roy coughs feebly, then claps his hands over his mouth. He lurches forward, and his shoulders (along with his diaphragm, theoretically) jump towards his ears as he heaves and whatever he had for breakfast comes screaming up his esophagus. Great. That's another pair of Oxford's that'll need replacing-- and this time, he's the one to blame for them being ruined. He retches pitifully, shaking like a leaf.
| >>645208
>She lets CN go, clearly relieved.
"Then as fast as you can, /please./"
>>645207
>Her expression morphs into disgust as Cassius nears. She watches him litter on the floor, unmoving.
"Trash,"
>She growls. The woman hocks a loogie and spits on the money.
"You're scum. Scum of the earth."
| >>645209
"Solar what is hitting you so hard... did you come down with something."
>CNs mind turns as he tries to figure out what is affecting him
>>645210
"I already did. Now uh... thanks for your help and dont take this the wrong way, but you fighting with Cassius over there is not helping the situation, so can you two cool it or give him some space?"
| >>645210
"Umm... I'm Fox. Hajimemashita. What's happening?"
>>645209
> He spots the sick Roy and digs into his bag, pulling out a package of tissues. It looks like it has been in there for sometime without any use.
"Here, I think this might help a little bit. Are you well? Should I call Pete to help us?"
| >>645209
>all he can do is wait for an ambulance
>es in the background watching this all unfold actually called one
>>645210 >>645208
>trying to hold in his ire he fails miserably
"And you a a disgusting, self loathing, hideous, self absorbed, ugly fucking whale and the mere sigh of you makes me want t-"
>and before he finishes his thoughs he vomits all over the girl
>spilling his lunch right across her face
"-o *inhale* vomit"
>he gasps for air
"Like that"
| >>645211 >>645212
>The tiny portion of Roy's brain that hasn't gone white with terror, or grief, or anxiety-- or just pure, cyclic stimulation and repetitive reactivation of this... /massive/ fight or flight response-- is too busy berating him over losing it /this fucking badly/ for it to hear Fox or CN.
"..."
>Humiliating. This is so humiliating. Can't he just pass out already? At least that'd bring it all to a halt... he sniffles, teeth beginning to chatter.
| >>645213 >>645210
>Kinko has been sitting through the entire ordeal, listening intently
"Oh how pathethic, as a fellow man is in need of aid, all you can think of is who will have the pitiful last word. So pitiful humans have become, too preoccupied with their ego to see the truth of any situation."
>She says with a soft voice
"You will never see the truth if you remain this way, too preoccupied with what you believe than what is true."
| >>645212
"I dont know what's up with him, he was calming down but now his pulse is skyrocketing and getting worse."
>>645214
>CN takes off his trenchcoat and places it on Roy's shoulders to help his shivering.
| >>645216 >>645211
"A man who won't stop will never stop. I hope he trips on his ego and dies."
>That's what the woman announces, covered in someone else's vomit. Her hair is streaked and wet while her clothes are clearly ruined.
>>645212
>She waves to Fox as if nothing had happened at all.
"How do,"
>She manages.
"I'd give you the tablecloth, but it's... It's stuck in the case, you see."
| >>645214
> Fox's sensors only pick up Roy's rising temperature and flushing face. He's not sure what to do because he's never had to deal with that kind of thing
"H-h-hey, it's going to be okay. I think maybe we should give him water or something? Maybe he took something and it d-didn't sit well?? M-m-maybe give him space?"
> Fox takes a few steps back and hopes that others will follow suit
| >>645220 >>645221
>Roy hiccups, and makes a sound that's not quite sobbing, but it's damned near close. Anybody able to get a good look at his face, however, would note that his cheeks are still dry. His body's trying to get a handle on his breathing on it's own, since his conscious mind's nowhere near capable of managing it.
>>645216
>Hearing Kinko's gentle tone seems to steady Roy's tremor the smallest amount.
| >>645225
>Kinko stands up and slowly makes her way
"Are you all quite alright? There seems to be a commotion, or so I heard."
>She uses her hands to make sure she does not bump into something
"I'm afraid I cannot help, but I believe I should at least try."
| >>645221
"I have some water ready, I'm waiting for him to catch his breath. For now let's just keep things around him calm so he can focus."
>CN responds in a low tone, almost a whisper.
>>645226
"I'm not sure to be honest, he was like this when I got here, it seems hes finally starting to catch his breath a bit however."
| >The hum of a motor is heard as a truck rolls up to the site of the book fair. There's one in the driver's, one in the passenger's seat.
| >>645229
>The vehicle's just barely come to a halt when the passenger side's door is thrown open. Whoever's sitting in that part of the truck practically vaults out of it, and doesn't necessarily stick their landing-- they slide, and nearly take a nosedive into the ground before they right themselves, and break out in a sprint towards the group around Roy.
>>>"ROY--!!"
>Something's slung over their shoulder, and under their arm is a neon green, box-like object.
| >>645230
>Roy starts at their voice, but doesn't seem to have the energy necessary to pick up his head and look towards where it's coming from.
| >The driver's door has someone exit much more calmly, though their worry translates in them being unable to shut the door the first time. He walks around the truck to watch Aikawa speed off.
| >>645231
"Aikawa."
>CN tries and get her attention, though making sure hes not too loud for Roy's sake
"He vomited a bit ago but hes just starting to calm down a bit."
| >>645233
>Aikawa's by CN's side in a matter of seconds. She immediately drops whatever she's lugged along with her: a duffle bag full of god-knows-what, and... what looks to be an AED. She'd come expecting the worst. Always triage up.
"..."
>She nods at CN, then steps slowly over to Roy, eventually squatting down in front of him so she can look him in the eye. She couldn't give a shit less about what's splattered all over his shoes-- she peers up at him, frowning.
"Roy...?"
| >>645236
"Jesus..."
>She mutters under her breath, shaking her head. Her bangs sway in and out of her face-- she wipes at her forehead with the back of her hand to wave them away.
"Roy..."
>This is probably the most gently anybody who knows her has heard her speak. Hesitantly, she places a hand on his knee. He flinches, but doesn't react further.
"Can you hear me?"
>She knows she won't get an answer immediately. After a few long seconds, he nods.
| >>645237
>She sighs, though the look of relief on her face doesn't stay long. There's more to be done, here.
"Alright."
>She reaches for the handle of the duffle, pulling it closer before unzipping it in one quick motion. Blindly, she feels around inside, not shifting her gaze from Roy.
"Gotta make sure you're okay... that alright?"
>Normally she'd just fucking go for it, but...
"..."
>Roy's eyes manage to meet hers. He gives the faintest shake of his head, still panting.
| >>645237
> Fox looks on, worried about his friend. To his 'eyes', it looked like this new person was someone that 'Alex' trusted. He didn't look as flushed now. The person helping him also didn't seem as worried as everyone else. She looked like she cared deeply.
"Is... is he okay? 何をしてるか？それでいい, お嬢さん？"
> He looks on, trying to make sense of the whole strange situation
| >>645245
>Aikawa raises an eyebrow as Fox frets over 'Alex's condition-- she snorts derisively when she hears how formally he addresses her, and mutters to herself under her breath.
"しつこい な..."
>The paramedic looks over her shoulder at the well-meaning lilim, and replies:
"ええよ、彼は元気や。Those tissues up for grabs?"
>She turns back to Roy, cocking her head to the side.
"I can't?"
>He confirms his answer with another shake of his head.
| >>645251
”そうだね？あああ、よかた。あの、すみません。僕はフォクス。はじめました。どうぞ。”
> Fox hands the tissue pack to the new person. He looks on, trusting in this new person. The longer she's around, it seems, the calmer Alex seems to be getting. He still keeps his distance, hoping that it's doing some good for the two of them.
| >>645248
>Aikawa raises an index finger, signaling for CN to wait a second while she gets a better read on what the fresh hell's gotten into her roommate.
>>645257
"ほんまおおきに, わかさま..."
>She rolls her eyes. Rather than pull each and every tissue from the pack individually, she unwraps the entire thing and hands the wad of Kleenex to Roy.
"愛川だ.
>If Roy were more with it, he'd scold her for being impolite. Good thing he isn't.
| "G-GOD! I'm just… GAH!!"
> A heavy-breathing Ray came into scene. His disappearance, alongside with a single box of medical supplies. He carries it with one hand, regardless of the weight it possesses.
"Alas, life has no use for wings failing to flap."
> Uni follows closely behind. The head unit has hindered her from running at great speed, as it is seen to slightly wobble when she take faster strides.
| >>645261
> Fox flushes a grey color. He's slightly embarrassed now, as he's not sure really how to respond. Maybe she knows him? Maybe that's why there's an honorific?
"えっと、なんでもないだ。ごめんなさい。君のアクセントがちょっぴり変”
＞ The words made 'sense' in the grand scheme of things, but he couldn't figure out why it was said the way it was.
| "I shall offer everyone, all by his side in need, an eternal gratitude. This undying mind has no reward to speak, but this old friend shall remember you forevermore."
> Uni walks closer to the fair and makes a louder announcement. She sees Roy in the state of awful; same with the rest, kneeling to the edge of panic and unrest.
"Be at ease, I will be the one to shoulder this failure. He shall be in my care."
| >>645265
>Aikawa shoots Fox a dirty look out of the corner of her eye, and says flatly:
"大阪 人 だ."
>Meanwhile, Roy stares down at the tissues, turning them over in his hands, twisting the corners of them into spindles... When Aikawa's attention returns to him, he gives her a look that says, "What the fuck do you want me to do with these?" Aikawa waves a hand in front of her mouth, and offers some instructions:
"Wipe your face."
| >>645277
>Sometimes it's easier to do what others tell you than figure it out yourself. This is one of those times. Roy gratefully accepts Aikawa's advice.
"... Are you sick?"
>Roy hesitates in the midst of trying to get the acrid taste of bile out of his mouth. With considerable effort, he spits out an answer.
>>>"... No."
>Alright, we're using words now. Cool. Aikawa nods, then extends a hand in CN's direction.
"Water."
| >>645281
>CN twists the cap on the water bottle open and slowly brings it to Roy's eyeling to offer it to him.
| >>645266 >>645262
>Aikawa eyes Uni and Ray keenly as they draw near. Who are these guys? Did they see the whole thing go down? Which one of them owns the owl she was told about?
"Can I help you?"
>As she tries to figure out the roles of these two in this contained calamity, she misses Geeky reaching past her to give Roy the bottle of water he'd put aside. The surgeon extends a trembling hand, and takes it from CN-- unscrewing the cap the rest of the way himself.
| >>645289
>Roy's grip is so inconsistent and tremulous that as soon as the bottle's open, water's spilling all over its lip and down his fingers. Aikawa notices he's having trouble-- but instead of taking the bottle from him, she supports it from the bottom with one hand, and lays her other over Roy's. Let him do the work. She's just there to limit further damage.
"..."
>He brings it to his mouth, but doesn't sip.
"What? Nobody's gonna care if you spit."
| >>645290
>Roy makes an uncomfortable noise in the back of his throat, and his eyes dart downwards, towards the briefcase he's precariously perched on. Oh, so /that's/ the issue... He doesn't want to dirty it by accident. Aikawa sighs, but her annoyance is short lived-- his concern means he's regaining his bearings.
"Want a basin? That it?"
"... Yeah."
>She rummages through her bag for a moment, then hands him what he's asked for. Roy gets to work washing his mouth out.
| >>645277
"あそ。すみませんでした、愛川ー先生。”
> Fox steps back a little more, not sure of what to do now. He feels somewhat silly now, not being able to fully parse someone's dialect. Not necessarily his fault, but he felt it was so.
"Are you feeling well, Alex? You seem to look better to me"
> His voice was tinged with worry over the well-being of his friend. He looked on, wide-eyed.
| >>645293
>Aikawa lets out an exasperated grunt as Fox apologizes to her yet again . What's with this guy, and why on Earth is he talking like this? Loosen up a little, pally.
"Tch-- もうええわ! かまへん, かまへん..."
>Roy glances upward as Fox addresses him-- slowly, he's becoming more aware of his surroundings. Aikawa is confused when he readily responds to a name that (as far as she knows) he doesn't go by. With a frown, she looks back and forth between Fox and her roomie.
"'Alex'?"
| >>645295
"Anno.... I don't know if that's his actual first name. I think it's Roy, but I got used to calling him Alexander. That's what he told me first..."
> He claps his hand over his head and gives an embarrassed sort of smile. Aikawa's accent is now getting at his limits of what he knows in other japanese dialects.
"Is there anything I can do to assist more, sensei?"
| >>645297
"... Your >>>middle name?"
>Aikawa gives Roy a questioning look, which he answers with a groan and a slow shake of his head. He mumbles something unintelligible-- tries repeating it once or twice, then gives up, disappointed.
"I'm set; thanks. At ease, or... >>>whatever, omae..."
>>645220
>It's at this point she spots the briefcase's owner in the midst of the group encircling Roy. Not somebody she expected to see here--
"... Ane-san?"
>Or, to see covered in puke.
| >>645298
> Fox relaxes himself now. A low hiss can be heard as some of the various systems in his body relax in kind too.
"Oh, okay. I don't know kansai-ben all that well. I only know what my お父さん taught me. He came from Tokyo, so I just picked up the way he spoke. I hope I didn't misunderstand you at any point."
> He's fairly sure that he did, but he wanted to continue to pretend that he didn't at all
| >>645298
>Said "Ane-san" is currently using her jacket to wipe away the leftovers of projectile vomit from her face. When she comes up clean she's alerted to the sound of Aikawa's voice, so she looks up.
>...
>..And turns as red as a tomato.
"Mmmm... Hm."
>The impressive blush blooms across her cheeks and tints her ears, the kind you make only from utter shame and embarassment. She toys with the end of her ponytail and looks away.
| >>645289
"Sorry if we came late; we're the event organiser."
> Ray says, revealing the two's roles in this instant. He scans the current area, how much chaos has ensued, even if he weren't to par with understanding the situation.
| >>645302
"Uh..."
>Aikawa pauses, and quickly her cheeks flush to match those of the flustered woman a few feet in front of her.
>>645305
>She twists around towards CN, looking troubled.
"Y-you don't--?"
>A quick glance back at the woman who's hiding her reddened face-- as if making sure she hadn't disappeared somehow.
"A-arm wrestling... t-the champ--..."
>She trails off, now focused on something behind CN and the rest of the group.
| >>645308
>... That something (or rather, those /somethings/) are the truck that got her here, and it's driver. Aikawa takes a deep breath, and hollers at the figure leaning against the car:
"'NO, GET YOUR >>>ASS OVER HERE!!"
>After a beat, she thoughtfully adds:
"... AND, BRING A BLANKET... OR SOMETHING!!"
>Roy startles, and jams his hands over his ears, whimpering.
| >>645308
"Oh right."
>CN recalls the lady from the warehouse, feeling a little embarrassed he forgot in the moment.
>>645310
"Hey... dont yell..."
| >>645130
"Okay, that's a little creepy."
>He says as he noted the "Summon a knight..." thing
>He went through the whole book, ignoring the scenes going on behind him. He then put the book back in its place.
"I think I'm done with that, let's see what's going on around here."
>He turns around and go to join the circle of people.
| >>645306
>Aikaw turns to Uni and Ray-- her expression hardens, and she lowers her voice.
"What happened here?"
>Before she can question them further, Roy utters forcefully:
"D-don't."
>He's already caused Uni enough distress, between this outburst and whatever heartache she might have suffered when they'd first reunited (or to Uni, when they'd first met). She doesn't need to go through more.
"Don't."
| >>645490
"It was a blunder. I am at fault -- I was as near as I can be, yet the trouble rose and sunk to him."
> Yet, ignoring Roy, and holding onto the only responsibility she has, Uni expressed the one feeling clung to herself.
"W-woah there, it's our fault, ma'am. None of us are certified owl con--"
> Ray spoke up, but it was useless seing Uni has already given the signal not to. Somehow, not being elbowed with that body gives him the highest sense of relief.
| >The man looks around having just arrived at the circle. He looks at all the apologies and asks.
"What happened?"
| >>645514
"We just had a small hiccup. Please don't be alarmed!"
> Ray responds with an interrupted smile. He didn't completely arch his lips, but the smile is still apparent and fake.
| >>645310
>The figure looks up from his idling and loops around again to grab something from the trunk. It takes him less than a minute to walk the distance from the truck to the book fair itself, entirely owed to the fact he's picked up the pace. He only slows and stops once he sees the sheer size of the circle. He's hesitating. He probably doesn't know how to get through, though that doesn't seem to the only thing bothering him..
| >On a seperate note: His hands hold a folded flannel blanket. Looks cozy.
| >>645494 >>645517
"... Where is it? Where's the owl?"
>The tops of the bookshelves are empty, as are everyone's shoulders or wrists-- doesn't seem like any in this group of spectators have a pair of jesses or a lead on them, either. Aikawa looks over her shoulder at CN.
"You see this thing? >>>You told me 'bout it first."
>>645550
>Coming up behind the tall decker, she spots the truck driver. She tries catching his eye and jerks her head towards Roy, as if to say, "Hurry up!"
| >>645494
>While Aikawa grills CN for details, Roy-- still folded in on himself and leaning heavily on his knees-- turns his head to the side, looking at Uni. He repeats, in a murmur nearing a whisper:
"Don't."
>He grimaces deeply.
"Don't..."
>She knew you, too. She knew you dead; she met you living. You don't need another reminder of a life that isn't yours anymore. You don't need that right now. You don't have to answer her.
"..."
>He sighs heavily.
| >>646205
> A frown forms, etched onto her face in that temporary connection. However, she knew better. Lacking an integral part, coexisting in a world that has known more than her -- she is aware of this now.
> She nods.
> She rejected the idea.
>>646204
"The possessor has ceased to be where we are; I hereby hold his responsibility towards the damage caused unto Roy. Please, if you may -- I shall be liable in this moment."
> Uni says to Aikawa, not a resolve broken.
| >>646218
"No don't"
>cassius sighs again
"This is my fault madame curator.
If anyone is to receive fault it is me"
>he just leans back a bit before shaking his head and standing back up
"I sincerely apologize"
>he says lowering his head to aikawa
| >>646292
"I duly hope you have not forgotten the purpose of this event."
> Uni glares at Cassius. Despite her eyes covered, the sharpness of her stare pierces through the cheap plastic shell of the head-mounted unit. Sharp enough, at least for it to accentuates her own words.
"I shall leave you to the behest of those you harm; however may be, I hold no grounds to punish you."
| >>646204
"Well no, when I got here I heard Roy's scream and I found him like this. Everyone else, Roy included, mentioned the owl thing."
>CN chimes
| >>645550
>CN turns around and spots Nano, moving a little space to the side to let him join the group.
| >>646218 >>646292 >>646302 >>646322
>Aikawa's scowl twists into something fearsome as Uni and Cassius "bicker" over who's to blame for Roy's current state (despite Roy's repeated request that Uni not get involved). Each of the two earn a look of very thinly veiled suspicion. She grumbles darkly to herself:
"Gimme a fuckin' break..."
>She side eyes Roy, who avoids her gaze.
"Got clawed, but... 's not enough for you to be like >>>this. Said you aren't sick... What's eating you?"
| >>646350
>Roy casts a few glances about the area, as if he's searching for some kind of escape route.
"..."
>With a low groan, he decides to take the easy way out. He can't come up with an alternative. Roy slowly reaches for the back of his neck, and withdraws the same cable he'd offered Uni earlier. Aikawa's eyebrows raise in surprise, but she nods and accepts it.
"Hang on a sec..."
>She fishes around in her jacket pocket for something.
| >>646352
>What she pulls out of it is a crescent-shaped device about the length of her hand. In the middle portion are 4 holes that seem to correspond with the location of her dataports-- she holds this to them, and with a click, the dummy barrier locks into place.
"Gotta stay on my toes."
>Roy nods, evidently approving of her decision to use this-- he doubts he's the victim of a hack, but it's better to be cautious.
| >>646353
>She pauses before she plugs the cable in, meeting eyes with Roy. This is not an action that should be taken lightly. It leaves them both vulnerable to the world around them, and when sharing sensory data, what one has experienced can have undesirable effects on the other.
"... Ready?"
"Yeah."
>Aikawa jacks in, and her eyelids flutter closed. She murmurs something to Roy about granting her access-- presumably, he does so. Both are quiet, and still.
| >>646355
>CN shakes his head
"Alright, alright, let's give the two some space. If Roy here is good enough to plug into something he should be fine by now. Let's just let everything rest for now, we can worry about blame later right?"
| >>646355
> Fox shuffles a bit in place uneasily. Even for someone who generally had some issues reading the atmosphere, as some might say, he could tell there was a heaviness. Most of his worries did lie with Roy and him feeling better. This doctor was certainly doing that, at least from what he could tell.
> He glances around at the rest of the people. He spots Cass, but doesn't feel the need to say anything. To do so would certainly go against the atmosphere of the situation
| >>646370
> Ray steps off, noting the appearance of Fox. He once again let Uni handle the increasingly — yet stable — situation. He tries to get the lilim's attention, whether by a wave or by tapping his shoulder, anything to get him.
| >>646360
> Uni didn't make a single sigh, despite willing to give in to the risk earlier. Her mind has been cobbled together, built from rubbles, and is now walking on crutches to support itself. Even so, she nodded at the slight idea CN gave.
"I am not pleased leaving my duty as prompted, but it will be wise if we impart no more than what has been served."
| >>646355
> She eyes the two, keeping them a close metaphorical proximity with herself. Regardless of the outcome, the emotion emitted from her is sour and punctual, though not to the effect of any positivity.
| >>646355 (You)
>Now falling deeper into her dive, Aikawa's brow furrows. Her hands ball into fists. What is she hearing? Seeing? Feeling? Closer the the surface, Roy stares blankly-- as the person sharing stimuli, he's more aware of his surroundings right now than she is-- though, not by much.
| >>646373
> Fox notices, but only just. He's still too transfixed to do anything. He simply mumbles something under his breath, still not moving much. He can't tell what Ray might be trying to convey. Was he trying to get Fox out of the situation?
>>646384
> His attention moves back to the pair. Now he was lost there too, unable to tell what they were feeling like, but still hoping it was all going to be settled soon
| >>646558
"Hey, Lilimguy!"
> Ray taps on Fox's shoulder again. His hand, which were none the type to be said as fit nor trained gave a good clunk to Fox's metallic chassis.
"I found the book for Dusty!"
> He flashes it. It's an ancient, decrepit book showing an idol group; it depicts a… cartoonised zombie idol group? His taste has to have turned south from the events transpiring.
| >>646558
>Aikawa's eyes flicker beneath their lids as if she's dreaming-- the corner of her mouth twitches, then slowly pulls into a grimace. She takes a few deep, shuddering breaths, and anyone watching can see her face gradually starting to go red before--
"...!!"
>She flinches vioently-- stopping just short of throwing her hands in front of her face. Half a second later, she's rolling her shoulders and cursing to herself. Roy looks slightly concerned.
| >>646641
> Uni hurries to approach the two; a feeling of unrest exudes from her. If this is a device she has never seen, then she will have reacted with interest -- but with how they have gathered, how Aikawa is at the moment; the situation defies her anything 'usual' for her.
> Behind the lens of those cameras installed, she spots more than warning signs.
"I-is this…?"
> Her words trail. Her head tracks Aikawa's reaction as soon as they change.
| >>646644
>Roy wets his lips nervously, but there's nothing in his behavior that suggests he intends to sever the connection between the two of them. He turns to Uni, and swallows-- gaze shifting here and there as he struggles to put forth the words.
"S-she, she, she c-can't... can't s-see--"
>He waves a hand in front of his face.
"--he-hear us, now..."
>The same hand is then placed over one of his ears.
"Suh, suh, s-saw the... >>>owl..."
>He nods, hoping Uni understands.
| >>646649
"I…"
> She well understood the fragmented sentence. Memory sharing? Part-semiotic recreation? All she can sumrise is, it futile to intervene. Uni takes her drumming heart to a pace, willingly reducing their rigid beats whence the panic came.
> Yet, she can't move, nor can she avert her gaze. Something had forced her to stay.
| >>646654
>Roy makes a strained noise in the back of his throat before he attempts to clarify with his (currently) limited vocabulary what's taking place between the two roommates.
"S-ssshe is, is..."
>He makes a vague gesture that seems to encompass his head and chest.
"What... I... >>>was."
>He pauses... then remembers that he has another tool at his disposal when it comes to communication. Maybe this is easier?
| >Kinko has been sitting a bit away during the whole ordeal
>Truthfully, she had wished she could help, but alas, without sight, one could hardly provide assistance of the medical capacity
>All she could do was listen carefully, trying to piece together what had happened around her without her knowledge
| >>646658
>He brings both hands in front of him like a wall, knuckles facing Uni, then sweeps the outer edge of his little finger over the top of the index finger of his other hand--
>[SHARE...]
>Then, slowly gestures to the different parts of his face, ending the phrase by stroking the back of his hand gently.
>[SENSES.]
| >>646572
> Fox mechanically grabs the book and slowly sticks it into his bag, still too focused to give a proper response. He does manage to hand over his credstick however.
"Ahh... どうも"
>>646661
> He does recognize what Roy is trying to sign and moves a little closer, bending down slightly and waving to get his attention before signing back in a slower than normal manner
> [Are you feeling better? Need assistance with signing? Talking?]
| >>646654
"Its rude to stare you know Uni."
>CN says as he plays with his phone, standing near Roy and he does his... business with Aikawa.
| >>646671
>Roy stares at Fox for a moment, unblinking, before closing his eyes and letting his head hang limp, sighing heavily. His motions are suddenly more hesitant-- it's as if he's forgetting how to form the signs halfway through making them. Eventually, he manages:
>[I'M TIRED.]
>The way he exaggerates it-- allowing his whole upper to body sag and letting his hands fall within inches of his shoes brings the meaning closer to "I'm absolutely fucking exhausted".
| >>646703
>Roy pauses, then moves his hands again, this time looking as though he's clawing at his face-- but not quite making it there.
>[I'M EMBARRASSED.]
>His fingers tense. He looks ready to tear his own hair out. That'd probably be less painful than making a spectacle of himself like this. Finally, Roy rubs a fist against his chest, shaking his head and looking regretful.
>[I'M SORRY.]
>He glances at Uni, and mumbles aloud:
"... Sorry."
| >>646708
> [It's okay. You look better from what I can see. That's what matters]
> His signing is still slowed, trying to empathize with Roy through his 'speech.' He gives what can only be called as a glowing thumbs up with a smile. His thumb, or rather hand, does seem to be glowing slightly before he gets back to a signing stance
> [Please don't worry. Tea-cher? is there to help]
> he frowns at his own signing. He wasn't sure how if what he meant to say was right
| >>646739
>Roy frowns, confused. He mimics the unclear sign, punctuating this by hooking his little finger like a question mark.
["TEACHER"?]
>He looks around, trying to figure out who Fox is referring to-- then realizes another familiar face has joined the group around him. His eyes widen, and he bites his lip before lowering his head once again. Not him, too...
| >>646676
"I-I am aware this is a deprived manner, alas, I have everything more than elegance and etiquette to mind."
> Uni tackles CN's comment early, before she received the gist of the conversation. Signing isn't the topmost skill she possesses, let alone one she is proficient at -- lacking the capacity to follow, somehow her mind manages to translate them into a coherent, yet instinctive senses, as opposed to one of a linguistically understandable to her.
| >>646708
> Her hands didn't move, nor did her lips. They were jammed hearing Roy's apology. What is he sorry for? She draws another frown, unsure what to make of this sense of worry.
> Nod.
"I… it-it is—"
> Where was her pride in speech?
"—I…"
> She has lost grasp over the cloud of words.
> Were she the one to blame?
"I… was a fool forgetting you. Roy."
> The clearest of her vocal came to be in a few seconds late.
| >>646744
> [Yes, Love-river's assistance. She is a good person.]
> Fox shifts his eyes to Aikawa. He now figures it is time to check on her too
"Thank you, sensei! He looks a lot better than he was before!"
> He flashes one more smile at Roy. His spirits seem to be lifted now
| >>646748
>Roy is even more bewildered when Fox decides it'd be better to translate Aikawa's surname literally and spell it out for him. It's only when he looks towards and speaks to the woman sifting through his memories that Roy realizes who his friend is referring to.
"Oh..."
>He murmurs quietly to himself, and for a moment he's still, looking contemplative. He doesn't bother telling Fox she can't hear him. He's too busy figuring out how to introduce her.
| >>646750
>Roy lays a hand flat across his chest, gaze still focused on Aikawa.
>[MY...]
>He then pulls it away, holding up an index finger and spinning it towards himself.
>[ONLY...]
>For the first time since he's sat down to rest, those looking closely can see Roy's face start to regain some color before he finishes his sentence-- his expression softens, and crossing one arm over another, he brings them both to his chest tightly.
>[DEAREST.]
| >>646204 >>646323
>Nano fills the space. He stands there, not wanting to interrupt or step any closer. He wrings the blanket tightly.
| >>646752
> Fox blushes slightly, now understanding their relationship. He signs back, a little shaky now that he feels a little embarrassed by how long it took him to figure it out
> [I see. I'm happy for you two.]
> He fiddles a little
> [My friend also has someone like that]
> He seems to not fully understand it, it seems
| >>646747
>Roy's focus lingers on Aikawa for a few seconds more before he hears Uni-- he's about to turn to her and try his best to assuage her fears when the color begins to drain from Aikawa's face. She's trembling.
| >>646758
>CN moves back from Roy so Nano has room to place the blanket on him
>>646763
"Uh... is Aikawa okay now?"
| >>646771
"... Huh?"
>Roy looks up at CN-- why wouldn't she be? Sure, having the owl fly at her in the middle of this near simulation spooked her, but that's nothing she can't handle--she brushed that off afterward. Yes, she can experience the panic he was feeling, but her /body/ isn't replicating that; it's not supposed to be.
"...?!"
>... But, it is. The second he looks back down she's broken out in a cold sweat and is heaving for air.
| >>646774
"Roy, I think it's time you disconnect her."
>CN walks over to Aikawa to check on her condition
"Hey Aikawa, focus on my voice, not the owl."
| >>646760
(Alrighty by the power of fourth wall bullcrap lets retcon and redo that exit!)
>Cass noticed the crowd and figured he could just slip out without saying much. He did what he needed to
>es, Completely unrelated left a while ago
| >>646776
>Aikawa can't hear CN-- nor can she see him-- or the owl, for that matter; whatever she's witnessing (?) in the haze of Roy's memories is far more terrifying. Blindly, she feels about the corner of her jaw; after a moment or two of this it becomes clear she's trying to find her carotid-- and her hands are shaking so bad she can't get get a pulse.
"..."
>She cranes her neck to the side, and finally, it's enough. Her free hand hits the side of her thigh repeatedly.
| >>646804
>She doesn't have a minute hand she can see, so she's trying to make one herself. Fifteen seconds... Roy counts along silently, slowly reaching for the back of Aikawa's neck.
"..."
>She struggles to spit out whatever number she's come up with--
"... F-forty... forty six; 4-6..."
>He doesn't even have to do the math. Roy /immediately/ rips the cable from the dummy barrier's port, causing Aikawa to lose all muscle tone for a second and fall to the ground, shoulder first.
| >A woman meshes herself with the crowd, observing the aftermath of the Owl-based chaos that had just occured. Her long blonde hair was accentuated by her plain white summer hat, from which two fox ears were protruding. Her blue eyes seemed to almost glow in the relative shade of the building's interior.
>A large bushy tail swatted around behind her, lifting up from under her summer dress as it did.
>She looked around, and the crowd moved, finally approached the man known as CN
| >>646812
"W-Woah there!"
>CN bends over to help Aikawa up
"You okay there, give it a second for it to come back to you. You need water too?"
>>646878
>CN glances to the figure approaching him.
| >>646890
>The fox gets right next to CN, looking up at him with a blank expression before smiling widely
"We did not think We could meet you here, truly a fateful encounter is it not? This one has never found the time to claim their cookies either, truly a problem."
>Her tail wags behind her
"You appear to be dealing with quite the troublesome situation, may this one help you in any way?"
| >>646895
"Oh hey Eacian, I almost didnt recognize you. Perfect timing, help me get Aikawa up I suppose? I still plenty cookies at home so we can walk back after if you want for them."
| >>646890
>Nano chucks the blanket forward to grab Aikawa's shoulder and wherever else that will support her, hands replacing CN's.
"I've got it,"
>He tells the hacker.
| >The blanket lands on Finn, who's worked up her courage to come over to say something. Whatever it is, however, is woefully short lived.
"Ehmmmm... Uhhh, excuse-"
>Her head and shoulders are completely covered in the flannel. Her arms wiggle about as she steps backward and attempts to pull it off.
| >>646910
>The fox woman, Eacian, nods to CN before turning to the one currently buried under the thrown blanket.
"Look at yourself, stop flundering around and let Us help you"
>She approaches and takes the blanket off of you
"This one finds no fault with you, you may thank Us"
>He tail wags again, contrasting with her regal air and facial expression
| >>646912
>The older woman (and Roy savior) blinks dazedly as she's unmasked. All things considered, she still looks like a mess no matter how much vomit she wiped off. She clutches her dirty jacket that she used to do the deed, albeit loosely.
"Thank... Thank you..?"
>She manages, and looks down to the blanket in Eacian's hands.
"....."
>The gears grind in her head. Cobwebs clear.
"..May I have that?"
| >>646913
>Eacian eyes the blanket and then passes it over to you
"Yourself can take it... you should clean yourself with it"
>Eacian says, keeping as far away from you as possible
| >>646878 >>646890 >>646907
"—!"
> Uni hadn't lurched forward faster. The uncomfortably weak and small legs she now possesses can make few wide hops, none faster to catch Aikawa in time -- her attention was latched onto Roy before they identified Aikawa's tremble, and the latency brought upon by said act caused her to be the last to react.
"Is she unhurt, Roy?"
> She turns to the man but spoke with ambivalence. Her emotions hasn't had the worst of her.
| >>646974
> Fox watches on. He knows that there isn't much that he can do specifically in this situation, given that he was wildly out of his own element. But at least he could tell that whatever it was that Roy did with removing that 46 plug had some kind of effect that made her feel... something. Relief?
> He pulls his phone out, idly checking it to see if there's anything that he might have been missing in this whole event, and finds... still nothing
| >>646812 >>646907
>Strength suddenly floods Roy's limbs as he sees Aikawa go limp and collapse-- it's as if the lingering weight of his fatigue has been torn away-- he springs forward and onto his knees, ending up by Nano's side /just/ as the man stops Aikawa from taking a header near CN's feet.
>>646974
>Well, /is/ she okay...? Roy reaches for her anxiously, cradling her head as Nano turns her over in his arms. He's expecting what would amount to a bad case of dumpshock, but...
| >>647484
>When Roy gets a look at her face, he gasps. She's as white as a sheet, cold and clammy, neck too weak at the moment to hold the weight of her own head. As awful as these things are, though, they aren't what gets to him most--
"..."
>What's killing him are the tears that are just /pouring/ down her cheeks. She's not sniffling or sobbing-- just breathing heavily-- but the sight of her crying alone is enough to make his chest ache. He winces deeply.
"... Ei..."
| >>647490
>Roy glares at CN momentarily, trying to communicate through pointed gaze alone the message, "Excuse me, but /which one/ of us is the person here who's /done this before/?" One hand keeping her head stable and in place, he checks her pulse to see if it's come down at all... and, it seems to have.
"Ei... "
>Aikawa moans faintly, feebly reaching a hand towards her face to rub her fingers over her tear-stained cheeks.
"... what the fuck...?"
>She cracks an eye open.
| >>647496
>CN sighs, annoyed that he should realized that hes asking for a *reason*. He takes out his deck and starts pulling the cable out.
"I'm going to check what's going on."
| >>647496
> The question Uni threw needn't need a verbal answer. She sees the reaction made afterwards, with Aikawa's state stabilising, yet the sobbing had made her faintly drop breaths.
"Roy…"
> Repeating his name in a murmur have her at a better ease. Unbeknownst to her, even her memory would know no more than herself.
> No more words uttered.
> There was no more pride that she held now.
| >>647498
>Roy's expression becomes guarded. Why not give her a minute to come to, before shoving something else right back into that dummy barrier? Still... she /had/ been worried about the slim chance of a hack. Wouldn't it be best to rule out any sort of foul play?
"Ughhh..."
>That one eye that was opened is immediately squeezed shut. The world is far too bright right now, and everything's weaving around her...
"... Mother>>>fucker..."
>Well, the cursing is a good sign.
| >>647510
"Ei, a-are, are you, you, y-you alright...?"
>Aikawa groans louder, and seems to grunt an affirmative, though she doesn't make any other attempts to move aside from wiping at her face. Roy eyes flick from Aikawa to Nano-- thank god he was there to keep her from /really/ getting knocked out...
>>647498
"... Fine."
>Roy gingerly helps Aikawa turn her head in such a way that CN can jack into the dummy barrier's plugs.
| >>647513
>CN simply nods and plugs the cable in. He starts running a simple diagnostics on Aikawa.
This thread is permanently archived
| > A few shelves are laid, strewn neatly on the open pavement, covered only by a layer of nanocamo to keep them less so foiled by water. A total of eight shelves, as tall as two and a half metres each, standing in height which cowers the tallest men.
> Whomever moved those shelves, is in fact, a man of many hardwork -- and such man is now laying still, taking heavy breaths and his slender arms could lie of his ability.
"Uni! I—I—… so many!"
> His voice is a weight heavier.