sweetdevil | 1st ♫ | my wish came true in a dream

[ So Asuka doesn't quite know if she trusts the weird portal gun, but hypothetically, if everything works out, she should be able to at least drop by another dimension or two for a visit to one of her Graceside alums. It'd be a while before Unit-02 was repaired; she wouldn't be doing very much fighting until it was fixed up, and Mari had insisted to leave everything to her when it came to the preparations. She didn't quite know what Four-Eyes had in mind...but whatever she was going to do, she was positive it wasn't going to be pretty.

It can't be helped, though. She'll bitch about the aesthetics if need be later, but she was hardly in a position to complain, if it worked at the end of the day. ...And besides, it gave her a chance to explore a bit. See some other possibilities, worlds where everything didn't go to hell in a handbasket three times over.

So when she fires the weapon and steps through the weird green vortex, her "something's not right" sense starts pinging when she finds herself in a bustling metropolis. Didn't Blue say that she was from Kanto? She did, didn't she? This isn't Japan, though; if anything, it looks more like fucking Paris. Or, Paris if it was overrun by people walking with their weird-looking creatures...most of them are foreign as hell to her ("Is that a walking trash bag?"), but some look like animals she recognizes, for better or for worse.

Something tells her she's not where she's supposed to be, but, no point in not looking around, at least a bit. She has time to kill, and, hell, maybe she'll catch one of her acquaintances here.

Maybe if she looks hard enough, she can find a place that sells some magenbrot...everything does look decorated for Weihnachten, after all. ]

Edited 2016-01-01 18:04 (UTC)

[ To Inaba Himeko, being tossed into another world isn't anything new. She fully expects some sort of announcement explaining what kind of level in ViViD this is, but she gets nothing of the sort. That in itself is very peculiar, but she doesn't find it all that strange. She'll have to complain to Mosley — or, hell, any of the people behind this level a bit later; she can't help, however, but show some slight relief that this area seems a lot... nicer, perhaps, than the last few levels in the virtual reality.

She does seem to recognize the creatures prawling down the streets and immediately finds herself standing out in the mass of NPCs, considering that she's fully clad in armor rather than wearing some regular clothes. Cursing herself under her breath, she raises her left hand to log out, but remembers immediately that's probably not going to happen as long as she hasn't cleared the area.

How annoying.

With a roll of her eyes, she can't help but wonder — why send her into a level filled with Pokémon? She did vaguely recall that there was one or two people from a world like that, but it doesn't seem that she was equipped for this level, either. She wasn't even given a starter. Maybe that was the first goal here?

But usually professors would live in a small, somewhat secluded area, not some bustling city that looks like a Paris ripoff. Running fingers through her bangs with what seems to be a mixture of annoyance and just outright distraught, she decides that perhaps asking around would probably be the best option here, just as long as she doesn't lock eyes with someone and have them think that she's a trainer. She's not! She's only played the video games...

And that's when she sets off and sees an unfamiliar set of pink hair. Even if she is an NPC, she should at least say something, right? Although if this was like the games, she might just get an irrelevant one liner that would just piss her off even more than she already is, even if she's trying pretty hard not to let it get to her.

Which may be the whole reason why she finds herself tugging her lips upwards in a smile — look, it may be forced but it's good enough — as she tries to muster up a polite voice. Because you never know with ViViD; maybe it's just another new arrival who's just as lost as she is. ]

Ah, excuse me— I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me.

[ There's a sharp chill in the air and the wind is making it feel even colder than it already is, but if there's one thing that Sonico's learned about Furfrous, it's that when they want to be walked, by god will they get walked and the weather be damned. Which is why she's found herself bundled up in as many layers as she could get her hands on and walking through Lumiose with Anko trotting along happily at her side.

She's moving practically on autopilot, which is why she almost doesn't notice when Anko comes to a stop. The Furfrou's stood alert, tail and ears pricked up, eyes fixed on something. Sonico follows her gaze just in time to see the red-headed girl just as Anko suddenly lets out a boff right from her belly and goes thundering over, tail wagging furiously. ]

Ah-- Anko, no, wait!

[ it's been a while -- far longer than Sonico would've liked -- since she's heard that voice in person but the first syllable barely even finishes hitting her ears before she's beaming in recognition and starting to turn towards the owner. She'd known Inaba's voice anyway -- it's like Adachi's, Walker's and by now Hanna and Naomi's, a voice she feels she knows better than her own. But hearing Inaba's is a little different -- it makes her heart jump a little bit, if only because she gets to hear it so infrequently these days.

But even as she turns, something's striking her as a little wrong. That's not the kind of voice Inaba uses with family, it's the polite and slightly distant way you speak to a stranger. So her smile, though still there, dims into something a little more careful, slightly more cautious and she takes in the sight of Inaba -- not Himeko, not until she's sure -- with a bit of trepidation. ]

Um-- y--yes, of course...! Is there something wrong?

Edited 2016-01-07 22:57 (UTC)

Anko..?

[ Like...as in, the bean paste? But it's a do--oh, so it's like wanko...

...Whoever's in charge of naming these things must have a real goddamn sense of humor. Still, though, Asuka's never exactly been good with animals, let alone Pokemon. And even if she was, she's...more of a cat person...

Even so, she's trying to be a bit more, well, personable. What the hell would a normal person who isn't socially maladjusted do in a situation like this? It's probably not just staring at the damn thing for a while before leaning down to...maybe try and pet her...please don't bite her hand... ]

I-it's cute...

[ Look, mutt, she gave you a compliment, don't let her regret it, okay? ]

It...is a Pokemon, isn't it?

[ The stuttering reply seems to imply that this pinkette doesn't seem to be an NPC. Unless it's one of the more complex ones — it's kind of hard to tell sometimes, considering the world she's in. ]

No, there's nothing wrong, per say. . .

[ Her words come off rather awkwardly, as if she's not sure of what to say. She really doesn't. Rubbing the nape of her neck, she can't help the silent laughter that tempts to leave her. ]

I was wondering if you know the professor of this region. Whatever this region is.

Edited (i forgot the rest of this tag......) 2016-01-09 07:26 (UTC)

[ The furious whipping of the Furfrou's tail cranks up to a whole new level as Anko shoves her nose right into Asuka's hand. For a moment all she does is sniff frantically and then she butts her head up against Asuka's hand. hello friend!! you smell weird like mom and the others do!! please apply petting now.

Sonico just lets out a little sigh and manages a smile. She's guessing this girl's from outside of Kalos (not that Sonico can talk) and gives a little nod. ]

That's right...! She's a Furfrou -- they're pretty popular Pokémon around here. I'm sorry she just barrelled into you like that...!

[ Sonico's first thought is that this is some kind of prank, but as mischievous as Himeko might be, a prank like this seems too cruel to be her style. She doesn't... look quite right to be Himeko, either -- something about the way this Inaba holds herself, the way her expression settles when she's done talking, even the look in her eyes -- this isn't Himeko. This is Inaba Himeko but this girl isn't her Himeko.

She has to swallow hard to chase back her concern and forces a smile. ]

Um-- yes! You're in Kalos -- Lumiose City! You'd be looking for Ausgustine Sycamore-san.

Furfrou...

[ Well, it certainly is affectionate. Let's just keep petting her and see what happens. But it's not the typical, almost aggressive and vigorous petting one would expect to give to a dog; Asuka's petting is slow and deliberate, gently running her hand across the thick fur as if she were grooming it. Almost...cautious, and hesitant. ]

Don't apologize. It's a sign of weakness.

[ She looks up at Sonico; at least she knows she's in a place with Pokemon for sure now. ]

I'm, uh, more used to...schiesse, what the hell did Blue call it...I dunno, but it was a shapeshifting pink blob. A little unsightly. Someone I know wore it as a bra.

[ Yeah, that's the kind of person you're dealing with here, Sonico. ]

But I'm sort of visiting and looking for her. ...T-the girl, I mean, not the Pokemon, of course. I think I'm a bit lost, though. We're not in Kanto, are we?

Edited 2016-01-14 15:29 (UTC)

Kalos... that's definitely a region I haven't heard before in the Pokémon games. I guess CERES has outdone themselves this time.

[ She folds her arms over her chest for a moment before decidedly sighing with a heavy shrug of her shoulders. But wait a second— ]

You're Japanese?

[ The honorific gives it away. While the Pokémon games are, indeed, games that come from Japan and honorifics aren't actually that uncommon not only in the games, but the television anime, but CERES doesn't exactly use them... ]

Ah, sorry— that must be rude of me. Especially since I'm wearing these weird clothes [ at least she admits that?? ] and I haven't introduced myself yet. Anyway, I'm Inaba. Although I probably should get some new clothes before I see the professor. I'm Inaba - Inaba Himeko, by the way.

[ ... what girl would use dittos as a bra oh my god nameless girl please love yourself.

she doesn't bother to hide the wince at that thought but does try to wipe it off her face as quick as she can and forces a smile. ]

Ah, those are Ditto! Dittos...? Is that a plural by itself, or... A--anyway, they're pretty common around here! You might see someone else with one.

[ the mention of Kanto makes her pause, though. She... can understand getting turned around in Lumiose (because she's lived here for months and her sense of direction is STILL absolutely unbelievable) but there's 'turned around' and 'that's like three continents away' ]

... um... N--no, you're in Kalos. You're... kind of far away from Kanto.

Glad to see she's odd by your standards, too. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Blue's just an alias, but she insists...

[Blue is a character, all right.]

Mm...that figures. I'm still kind of learning my way around this whole alternate world business...at least I'm in the right, uh, universe, I suppose.

...Might as well figure out my way around not-France, though, right? See the sights? Fake Eiffel Tower? Fake Louvre?

[ The casualness with which the girl just blurts out alternate world business makes Sonico start a little bit and she opens her mouth to question it before shutting it again. Maybe some time ago that would've sounded like a bizarre non-sequitur but stood here in the streets of a city in a world she wasn't born in... well, it just makes her brow furrow a bit. ]

... um... I'm sorry if this sounds strange, but did you come here from the Future Foundation?

[ the longer she keeps it on her face, the more that smile of hers starts to look strained. Oh, she knows full well that with all the universes out there, there had to be another Inaba somewhere, one who hadn't ever heard of the Future Foundation or suffered Lysandre's game. But it's one thing to know that on a purely intellectual level and quite another to have the proof of it staring her right in the face, addressing her as a stranger.

This girl might as well be a perfect stranger wearing Inaba's face for all it matters what Sonico knows of her.

She makes herself swallow hard. Her throat's suddenly dry and she feels a little ill. ]

... um. It's-- it's nice to meet you, Inaba-san. [ god that feels so weird to say

she bows a little awkwardly. ] I'm Yamamoto Sonico. If... if you're new here, I could show you where to go...?

Future Foundation?

[ That's certainly a strange question. ]

No. Can't say I've ever heard of such a thing. I got here with a portal gun. This mad scientist-type ended up making it for me. Or at least, came up with the idea. ...He's another fucking wackjob, if I'm totally honest. But then, I guess we all are.

[ That last bit said more to herself than anything. ]

Why do you ask? Are they some kind of world-hopping organization? They better not try and recruit me, now, I seriously don't have time to pour into another job...

[Haruka was here dropping off muffins and hanging around with the teenage noodle squadron, but while she's here, why not bother the neighbours. Which is why she sneaks over to the Agency's door, not like you can really call it "sneaking," and knocks.

Come stop this ring-and-run attempt and drag her in.]

Same here. [ There's a slight nod of her head as the politest and closest thing to a bow as she keeps a close eye on her. She feels immediately uncomfortable, and she's not sure if it's because the other, older girl is acting nervous, or if it's something else entirely different.

No need to ask about it now. ]

I am, actually, [ to this level ] but if you can help, that would be nice.

[ TOO BAD HARUCHIN because a moment after that knock, the door opens -- but instead of an ex-murderschool detective answering the door, it's... Sonico? To her credit, she looks just as surprised to see Haruka there, if only for a moment before she beams. ]

Ah, Haruka-chan! Did you come to visit? I think we just missed them...

R--right...

[ god she just hopes they don't run into anyone who'll recognize Inaba. This is awkward enough without trying to navigate another person through the "this isn't our Himeko" conversation while also not tipping her off. ]

Y--you said you wanted some new clothes so, um... well, there's a lot of nice boutiques around here! I guess it depends what you're looking for.

[ aaaaand she messed up. god. she hates all this multiverse stuff so much and it's only for the fact that it keeps her in contact with friends and family alike that Hinata's stupid wormhole machine is even in the vicinity of her good graces.

She fidgets a little nervously with her hands and Anko gives a plaintive whine, as if picking up on her owner's distress. ]

... um... I'm not... really sure how much I should say. B--but usually when someone ends up here saying they're from another world... I'm used to it being because of the Future Foundation.

Got it. Classified information. I remember when NERV used to be like that...

[ How times have changed. ]

Just be thankful that you weren't introduced to this whole multiverse crap the way I was. I swear, I never want to see a damn school building again for as long as I live.

Gah! [Haruka flails her arms, then rubs the back of her head nervously.] Yes! Totally. Hello, Sonico-san, "how are you and I'm fine thank you!" I mean, pretty much mostly fine, so...

[stomach growls, haruka why have you forgotten to eat]

[ a school building, huh?

She gives Asuka a smile, but there’s something bitter about it, like there’s something sour sat in her mouth. It doesn’t suit her face much, nor does the way it makes her lips thin out. ]

It wasn’t a school building exactly, but I’m pretty sick of the thought anyway. I know what you mean.

[ ... well, she doesn’t, as far as she knows, and she’s maybe letting a little more slip than she should with that response. But it’s hard not to. She’s still mad as hell, Future Foundation, just for the record. ]

That so?

[ An interesting response. One she doesn't miss. She doesn't want to pry, but she's curious all the same.

Funny. Few months ago, she probably wouldn't have given a shit. She wonders when she became more interested in other people's affairs... ]

I'm Asuka. And I...appreciate the help.

[ It looks like she's trying. ]

Probably not every day you have to deal with weird foreigners like this, after all. ...You're from Japan, though, aren't you? Or, at least, some form of it.

[ And Sonico just smiles. Really, you were probably going to end up getting fed anyway but now there's no escape. ]

I'm sorry you missed everyone -- they had to go rushing out just as I got here, so I was about to leave too...

[ she lifts her arm, showing Haruka the bag dangling from it. ]

Should we head out together? I got some galettes on the way here and it'd be a shame to waste them.

1st ♫ | my wish came true in a dream

Trustfell!AU

i'm sorry sonico but you're getting cerealia crau inaba

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why are you this way

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i'm always rude

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COME FEED NOODLE CHILDREN

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