[OPEN] This world falls on me

[denyamenti]

Characters: Bakura, Elizabeth, Jack, plus special guest Anzu!
Date: Through March
Location: Various
Situation: Catch all for 4th wall things and rest of March
Warnings/Rating: None yet


A. BAKURA - Jade Dojo - any day before Mar 11
During the influx of Foreigners, Bakura didn't make any particular attempt to determine who had appeared. None of the previous instances of this happening had brought anyone that Bakura would have known, those he would have recognized had no real reason to seek him out either. With the Dojo's re-opening, there was a bump in new members coming to check out the space, and with his usual staff likely preoccupied elsewhere, the thief was filling in for some of the teaching-related tasks.

That was, he'd already knocked more than a few heads with the bo staff. If they were interested in not going home with too many bruises, they'd learn faster. At least he wasn't using blades.

B. BAKURA - Any Sector, very early morning- Mar 12-31
In the wake of the disappearances by the temporary Foreigner visitors, the city seemed even quieter than it had before. That was especially true at this barely post-dawn hour, where the sun had only slitted above the horizon and only a handful of shops were open, the streets almost deserted. He didn't mind the hour; it wasn't like he'd been asleep anyway.

C. BAKURA + DIABOUND - Wood Sector
The fruits of his and Raine's venture had not become immediately available, which made sense in retrospect: the intent was to rebuild the ability to make that connection, not actually invoke the ka itself. In a way, Bakura was grateful for that. He still wasn't entirely convinced that this would work, and if it failed, he didn't relish the thought of anyone -- not even Raine -- witnessing that fallout. He wisely hadn't attempted the summoning inside the Dojo, particularly given that the form he'd last seen his ka in was not an indoors-friendly size.

Even without the Ring, he would have felt the ripples sent through the Shadow Realm when he was successful. And anyone with kaa of their own or with the ability to sense the presence of that realm itself were likely to feel the same.

His ka had never been conservative, after all.

It turned out that the magic which repaired that portion of his shredded soul had also reset Diabound's growth, but Bakura didn't mind. The current appearance was more portable, which is how someone might come upon him, with a white winged serpent half around his shoulders and half nesting inside his coat.

D. ELIZABETH - Midnight Hotel
This was the first time Elizabeth had experienced this type of strange event in Keeliai -- she'd heard vaguely about it, perhaps something recalled from information provided by the Welcome Center or simply overheard in conversation with other Foreigners. But to experience it was something entirely different. At first, she was both excited by and dreading the possibility of there being someone else from Columbia. Perhaps even Booker? She would have appreciated knowing he was all right, considering their close escape and the way they'd arrived in Battleship Bay.

But as the days went on, and despite her repeated trips about the city, no one struck her as familiar, either in recognition or in manner. Her excitement and anxiety both tamed, and she chastised herself for it.

She'd just finished her last set of deliveries for the day and was returning to the Hotel, looking tired but pleased with a good day's work.

E. JACK - Any Sector
Jack could scarcely believe the changes in the city, especially since to him it had seemed literally just the blink of an eye. He's spent the last several hours zipping back and forth over the various Sectors, taking in from the air all the changes -- both in terms of the city's layout and in just plain feeling. From time to time, kedan would come up to him and offer greetings, recalling him from before, and he always greets them effusively, touched to be remembered, even if they still call him "Snow Boy" instead of his actual name.

It's the thought that counts.

He's come to rest for a bit on the top of a fence, perched improbably on the rail in a way that casually defied gravity and physics.

F. ANZU - Any Sector - Mar 1-11
Anzu had had the chance to experience a lot of strange happenings in the last few years... even some that really did feel like she was in other worlds. Some illusionary, some virtual. But this-- at least if she was to believe what she'd been told, currently eclipsed all of the above.

Yuugi would be loving it, she reflected, chewing her lower lip worriedly for a moment.

At least everyone was friendly, some more than others, but none hostile. They'd even made accommodations for her to stay, and not asked anything strange of her. At least she could be seen, unlike in the Memory World. But she didn't know anyone here, and wandering around the city was getting increasingly less fascinating and becoming a reminder that she was here and not where she was supposed to be. Her friends needed her, Yuugi needed her... especially right now. Especially with what he'd soon be facing.

She took a break from walking at one of the cafes, sitting by the window so she could still watch the pedestrians on the street. It was sort of strange, how some things were so like Earth and others were completely foreign. She'd thankfully been warned away from the sea prunes.

G. WILDCARD
Hit me with anything that doesn't fit in the above starters!

Comments

C

[lasergrenades]

Pepper was at the KPD headquarters when something shifted, like a pebble dropping into water. It was filtered through Vee, she recognized after a moment, and mixed with the sense of her ka being both confused and very unsettled. The redhead straightened, frowning.

What is it? she queried.

Vee hesitated momentarily. I believe your companion has summoned his ka.

Pepper looked visibly shocked. But-- I thought Diabound was gone. I thought he couldn't come back!

As did I. Nevertheless, that was no ordinary summon.

Pepper didn't need to be told again. She haphazardly dropped what she was holding on a desk and grabbed her coat, throwing it around her shoulders and struggling into it as she ran for the Wood Sector at full tilt. If this was happening--!

By the time she reached Bakura she was panting from having sprinted most of the way there, but there was a hopeful, excited grin on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. "Vee-- Vee said you summoned--!" Talking more coherently would have to wait until Pepper had caught her breath.

[denyamenti]

It was the ghosts who alerted Bakura to the red headed incoming missile. Despite logically knowing there was no reason to be instantly defensive, instinctual power still stirred through the Ring at his beckon before being dismissed just as quickly. One couldn't entirely blame him for reacting to something within minutes of recovering his ka.

He couldn't have identified any one emotion at the moment. Everything had become hyper-focused, his soul and his mind scrambling to adapt once again to a presence that had not been there for so long, that had essentially scarred over for its own preservation. And like a physical injury of the same kind, ripping it open was both overwhelming and painful.

But not unwelcome.

Diabound bumped its head under his chin, coil on his arm tightening slightly, grounding him. Belatedly he realized Pepper had actually been speaking, but he'd entirely missed what she'd said.

[lasergrenades]

Somewhat too late, Pepper's brain caught up with her feet - she probably should have asked if she could come over. This was a huge deal, like mega huge, and having a literal piece of himself return to him had to be seriously overwhelming. Still, she was here already, but she had stopped herself from barreling him over with excitement and stood a few paces away.

Diabound. He looked like a snake with wings, smaller than Pepper had ever imagined, but Bakura had said he could change forms, right? That was less important than the fact that Diabound was there, wrapped around Bakura's arm, exactly where he belonged. A complete picture. Maat, or something close to it.

"It worked," Pepper breathed when Bakura didn't say anything, her face lighting up even more. She didn't care that Vee was still concerned and confused at the edge of her mind - all she felt was joy for him. Shrieking happily seemed like it might be in order, but the lack of reply suggested now was a time for restraint. "He's-- well, he's here."

[denyamenti]

Diabound's absence had been different than when the ghosts had been muted by Zorc for all those months. Both were part of him, and he'd come to rely on them in different ways that he didn't entirely realize until those supports hadn't been there. Until he'd realized how little of himself there actually was, without them.

When he'd told Raine that he'd been relatively sure their attempt had worked, it was because he'd thought he could feel himself be a little less fragmented. He couldn't have voiced what that small difference had been to now.

Pepper was talking again. With effort, Bakura tried to order his attention her, rather than latching into every renewed double sense.

"Aa," he managed affirmatively, feeling like there was jetlag between his brain and mouth. In an effort not to just fall over, he managed to sink semi-gracefully to a sitting position.

C

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine feels the shift, when it happens; though admittedly, that's mostly through Saffira. She stops where she is, in the middle of a count of Guild inventory, and turns her gaze skyward even though there's nothing there but dark stone.

A whisper at the back of her mind says Diabound.

It's difficult, navigating her ka's presence; she's more passive than not, and drawing forward enough will and mana to manifest her physically is something Raine has learned is draining, intensive. Like this, though, she can feel the faint brush of feathers against her back, and the rest of the world seems quieter. There, and not there.

It would be a terrible distraction in some situations. For now, it isn't. "Can you tell if there's any significant distress?" Raine murmurs aloud. "Otherwise, I should let him be to figure this out on his own."

There's the sense that everything is all right, and a message passed. Hm. Raine considers. "I'll stop by this evening, then," she says, and again there's the sense that meaning is passing from one being to another.

Evidently she still has a great deal to learn. But she goes about her day; and, that evening, she steps off the rheaird at the dojo, hoping Bakura is anticipating her. He isn't difficult to find. Neither is Diabound, and Raine pauses a moment for sheer delighted admiration. "There you are," she says, pleased, and means both.

[denyamenti]

The dojo is unsurprisingly closed early today, still relatively clean after its recent refurbishment. The empty main room means that Bakura has taken up space on the sparring platform, sitting crosslegged and mending one of the quarterstaves, although the motions were rote and his attention was on the bundle of scales and feathers next to him.

"Here we are," he echoed, looking up at Raine as she entered. He seemed tired, although in an exertion way rather than a lack of sleep, but there was lightness still in his voice. "Come to see the fruits of your labour?"

[ruinsprofessor]

For a moment there was the echo of wings behind Raine, suggested more in the way she held herself and the faintest catch of light than any actual presence. Then she nodded and was only her again, coming across what space remained between them to the sparring platform. "Something like that," she said, unable to conceal the smile.

He knew, at the least, that she must have known, if not that she was coming. Raine perched on the edge of the raised space, watching Diabound as much as she did Bakura. "I wanted to see that there had been no significant troubles, beyond what would be expected," she explained. As though there was enough precedent to really expect anything in this case.

[denyamenti]

Bakura motioned, silently inviting Raine to join them on the platform. Diabound stopped what it was doing immediately to move toward her, red jewel-like eyes bright and alert and fully sapient.

"None beyond that fact that the wrest of it knocked me on my ass," he grumbled.

C

[ninjainviolet]

Sheena's actually on her way to the Dojo to see about training there, since she's pretty sure Raine can do without a ninja hopping all over the place in the apartment, when she feels those ripples. They seem to flow through her and under her skin, the similarity of it to her summoning causing her to freeze in her tracks, her brows creasing in concentration as she seeks the source.

She's not the only one who had felt it, however. Her Summons are reacting, appearing before her in agitated balls of light in different colors. "Yeah, I felt it, too, guys. But where?" And she slowly looks towards the direction of the Dojo, her steps once again taking her there as the Spirits fade away, convincing her she's on the right track.

As she comes closer, she sees the young man she had spoken to before with a winged serpent around his neck, looking very comfortable. A Summon? Possibly. She's never seen one like that before, but hers can take on different appearances, so why can't this one? Instead of fearing it, Sheena's curious and takes a guarded step towards them. She doesn't want to upset either one of them.

"Excuse me, but are you a Summoner?" she asks him.

[denyamenti]

Bakura's eyes flick up to study Sheena at her arrival, but the cautious way she chose to approach keeps him from being immediately defensive. If anything, it was the best possible way to begin that she could have chosen, and he notes it immediately, and responds in less bite than he might have for others without the same awareness.

"I am," he answered. "Although likely not in whatever way you mean it."

[ninjainviolet]

Oh, she's been around enough Summons to know how to act. They aren't pets. They aren't yours to command. They are individuals who are comrades and companions--whether in battle or not.

When he answers in the positive, her eyes light up, but she remains in the same spot. "You are? I didn't think I'd ever meet another Summoner!" She pauses. "But not like me? How? If you don't mind me asking?"

E

[ninjainviolet]

One of those Sectors is the Sky Sector, and a large group of Kedan are outside of the Jasmine Dragon Tea House talking excitedly. Curious, Sheena goes to see what the commotion's all about, and hears several say that "Snow Boy" is back. Further inquiries get her a description and the reason behind the name, and she smiles at the term of endearment.

As the group heads inside, she notices movement and seeing someone matching his description, she watches as he perches on a fence in a way that would make any ninja jealous. For a moment, she debates with herself before heading over, her smile widening as she points to the Tea House.

"If you're the one they call 'Snow Boy', I know a group of Kedan who would love to see you right now."

[wintershepherd]

Jack perks up as Sheena heads toward him; it's unspoken proof that, whoever she is, she's not having any trouble seeing him.

"That's me," he answered, grinning. "I'm not sure half of them don't remember that's not my actual name by now, but at least they're not getting me confused with someone else."

[ninjainviolet]

Nope. She's not having any trouble seeing him at all.

"That's not your name?" she asks, shaking her head. "They acted like it was!" she chuckles. "So, what is your name, and how did you become known as 'Snow Boy'?"

F

[lasergrenades]

There were a lot of temporary Foreigners in town, which has certainly been interesting. As much as Pepper would like to spend all her time with her dad, she does still have to work. The normality of her routine will probably make it easier when he eventually leaves.

She ended up in a cafe for lunch, which meant it was a bit busy and there weren't many places to sit. Spotting an open chair with a young woman across the table, Pepper made her way over, careful not to drop anything. The young woman looked like she might be a new Foreigner.

"Hey - mind if I join you? Seems like I hit the lunch rush," Pepper said, smiling.

[dancermoves]

"Yeah, of course," Anzu said immediately, shifting her chair a little so Pepper could pull out the other one. "It wasn't busy when I got here," she added, glancing around. "I guess I've spent longer watching the street than I thought."

The redhead seemed pretty normal... at least, she didn't immediately look like some of the more exoticly featured kedan.

[lasergrenades]

"Thanks! People watching, huh? It's a good pastime around here, since we don't have TV," she replied cheerfully, sliding into the seat. "Although the politics used to be like watching a soap opera." She holds her hand out. "I'm Pepper, by the way. Are you new to Keeliai, by any chance?"

[dancermoves]

"Anzu," the other girl responded, smiling at Pepper. "It's nice to meet you, Pepper. I know this is going to sound really strange but... this is an actual place, right?"

F

[commandandcontrol]

"Hello, I love your outfit," Sonja said. It was rare to see someone so recognizably fashioable in Keeliai. It wasn't just the clothes either, this girl could have been from Orange Star.

"I'm Sonja. Are you part of the deluge?"

[dancermoves]

Anzu's surprise lasts for only a fraction of a second before she gives Sonja a bright smile; talking about fashion didn't happen very often when her main group of friends were all boys. "Thanks! Yours is really stylish too, I love how you've coordinated everything."

"My name's Anzu. Uh, I'm new if that's what you mean. People have been trying to explain, but I keep waiting for something to tell me this is another virtual world or... something."

[commandandcontrol]

"Virtual world...?" Okay. "Have you played video games before without... knowing you were in one?"

Well, let's be the one to answer, to the best of her ability then. "No, this is like a- well, I'm not sure if 'real' has any value in this instance, but you're- well maybe you aren't even really here, since it's kind of like a Dream, but a really lucid dream?"

Okay it turns out her ability to explain this is really poor.

[dancermoves]

"It's pretty terrible that I can say 'yes' to that," Anzu scrunched her nose, and then shook her head. "The games I've seen can get... pretty involved."

Wasn't that putting it lightly. Despite everything she'd seen in this place, she wasn't quite ready to tell people outside of her friends about magical Duels just yet.

"I'm not sure that's better," she laughed a bit. "What about you? Are you new here too?"

D.

[unetrustworthy]

Midii had been unnecessarily tense for most of the day. It had been years since her initial arrival in Keelai, and in all that time, she'd never once come upon a familiar face. She also had never fully decided if that was a good or bad thing. Considering her past.

Her last stop of the day was a family at the Hotel, which coincidentally put her in the path of a familiar face--but not one from her world. Still, despite the fact that she seemed a bit more distant than usual, Midii did manage a faint smile for the girl as she parked her bike just outside the main entrance, giving her a light nod of the head.

"Hello again."

[isochrone]

"Good evening Midii," Elizabeth said brightly, offering the younger girl a wave. "I'm glad the weather has finally begun to change," she added. "It was getting rather dreary doing deliveries in that cold rain all the time!"

Both of them had similar jobs, although Elizabeth's was through the Hotel specifically, so they likely faced many of the same problems.

[unetrustworthy]

Elizabeth was far from the only other person Midii had seen making delivery runs, but there was plenty of business for everyone, so she was never worried. Her customers liked and trusted her, which was important when it came to the errands she was often expected to carry out.

"I don't mind the cold so much." Her jacket was thick and warm, and the wind always felt refreshing across her cheeks, no matter how bitter it stung. "But I agree about the rain. It makes it a lot harder to peddle on some streets."