01 (Take Two) - Arrival Log

[enchantressofore]

Who: Adela (enchantressofore) & OPEN
What: A new awakening in a city she had left before, at least before she had the chance to get acquainted with it. Hopefully, things will be different this time.
Where: The Bay (Genessia City), leading to elsewhere in Genessia City.
When: December 23rd, Early Afternoon

It felt like she was waking from a dream. The first thing that went through her mind was the feeling that she was cold.

She was groggy when she tried to wake up, taking a moment to notice the bundle on her chest, along with the necklace with that large green gem. This felt familiar in a way, like she had done it before. But it was such a far off feeling, was it déjà vu? She didn't know for sure.

She used her cloak to wrap around her body tightly, keeping everything close before she went through everything – the pamphlet, her device, and the hologram on some of the dry land in the cave. Apparently, the first thing she needed to do was to go to a starter apartment. But why was she there? What was Genessia, and why was she no longer in Nautilus? Nehra, it felt like things were finally quieting down when this happened.

But, there was no point on dwelling on it -- at least, not then and there. That would only serve to make her sick from the cold.

It was with some discomfort that she trekked through the shallow water, looking around in silence. It was disconcerting, knowing she couldn't bend there. She felt her magic, but she knew she wasn't nearly as powerful as she had been. Worse still, she was alone there. Nothing at all was familiar anymore. Every so often she would stop, looking over her device and her map. She didn't want to approach anyone, which meant she was made to wander around the city in silence. At least, unless someone else approached her first.

It was also possible that, while looking over everything, she would walk right into someone else out of not paying attention. She grunted with the impact, flushed from the cold and looking to the person she'd bumped into with a tired glance.

"My apologies. Are you all right?" She offered the apology, figuring that courtesy was the least she could offer the other person.

Comments

[spidertwerp]

He was startled when someone happened to walk into him, but Peter barely flinched, after all he had better balance than most people and he was fairly sturdy.

He smiled brightly. "I'm fine, but how are you?"

Peter took in her appearance, she looked weary. "Do you need any help?"

[enchantressofore]

"I..." She paused, taking a moment to think over what she wanted to say. Did she want to be so open with someone she barely met?

... There was no harm in being at least a little honest.

"I am as well as one can be, waking in a strange new world. I was making my way to the housing given for now."

[spidertwerp]

"Oh yeah, it's a real weird trip right?" Peter didn't mind her answer, or seemed at all put off if she was thinking about talking to him.

"You get used to it, it's not so bad. Hey, do you want me to walk you over? I was living there until I just moved out! This place is pretty nice, lots of snow right now though, because I guess it's winter."

[enchantressofore]

"It is not the first time I have woken in a strange world, though I do appreciate that the snow seems slower to fall here than it did in the last place."

She looked down at her things and shook her head after a moment, "I should be all right. I can read the maps given well enough, and I would not wish to impose."

[spidertwerp]

"Oh wow, really? This is my first new world experience!" He grinned and held out his arms, gesturing as he spoke. "It's pretty cool, but it's no New York."

Peter tilts his head slightly. "If you want, but it's really not a trouble. I like helping people."

[enchantressofore]

"I was in a living city before, named Nautilus. It... It was interesting, to say the least of it."

She couldn't help smiling a little at Peter's words, holding herself less stiffly as the conversation went on, "That is very kind of you. If I am not keeping you from anything else, I suppose there is no harm in it."

[younghero]

This face would be familiar to Adela, with a few slight differences. One, this Link was even younger than the one she was familiar with in Nautilus. Two, this Link carried himself more like a child, in his posture and gait. Last of all, his eyes had a certain innocence that his counterpart lacked.

There was also a small glowing ball of light with wings following him.

Link got back up cheerfully. "It's okay, Miss! I wasn't watching where I was going."

[listentomedamnit]

"Link!" Says the ball of light. "You apologise too."

Now to the arrival. "It's okay miss. We weren't looking either."

[enchantressofore]

"Link?"

It was spoken without thinking, and were it not for Navi being there it would have been suspicious. It was the same boy, a friend and ally, and he was there in front of her as well! It made her heart soar, thinking that she wasn't the only one from Nautilus brought to this strange place. She'd ask about the ball of light soon enough, but for the moment she was just happy to see her friend again.

"It truly is you, is it not?"

[younghero]

"But, Navi, we could be all day apologizing to one another! And she already apologized."

Link tore his attention away from his fairy to give the girl a wide-eyed look and hesitant smile.

"I'm Link. But---you might be looking for the other Link. He's taller and he's a Hylian. He's kinda quiet, too."

[listentomedamnit]

"Still, it doesn't hurt to, and look, it sounds like she knows you." Navi went silent and stared at the two.

Why would this person know Link? The fairy observed.

[princeliers]

"No no, it is I that should apologize!" Came a booming voice from overhead. He was much larger, after all, he should be the one to watch out! He felt rather bad about suddenly bumping into someone, that wasn't like him.

After taking a few steps back he attempting to lean down to look under the cloak, "I am terribly sorry for my clumsiness. So now I ask you, are you alright?"

[enchantressofore]

Ow. Loud. She couldn't help grimacing at the voice, and it took her a moment to realize just how tall the man she had run into was. She... Maybe came up to his waist, it was impossible not to feel tiny next to him.

Oddly enough, though, his fish-like appearance didn't bother her. Maybe it was her previous experiences in Nautilus, but he was far from the strangest creature she'd run into. It was without fear that she blinked at him, unsure of what he was doing before she realized it and removed her hood so he could see her more clearly.

... Big mistake, that was really cold and she winced at the wind brushing against her ears and neck, "I am, or at least as well as I can be in a strange new world. It is not the first time it has happened."

[princeliers]

Sidon was also experiencing the extreme cold. He was at least used to cold temperatures in the water, but this was an extreme all in itself. He would need his own cloak soon, he realized.

But it seemed as though she was experiencing much worse pain than him in the cold. He frowned, "please, we shall continue our conversation but for now we should seek shelter. You seem to be extremely uncomfortable. I, too, should try and find a proper cloak for this extremely cold weather."

Sidon moved a little closer to her, blocking some of the wind, "is this better?"

[enchantressofore]

"Ah-- You do not need to do that!" She couldn't stop herself from feeling a little flustered from the gesture, shaking her head even as she adjusted the hood of her cloak to try and cover her neck a bit more, "It is kind of you, truly, but would it not be more prudent to find somewhere indoors to speak if that is your intent? Then we would at least be out of the wind."

[princeliers]

"Oh yes, quite! We should do that. I can withstand the cold just fine, but it seems as though you are struggling quite a bit. We should go and find somewhere for you to warm up."

Sidon began to look around, trying to find a shop to dive into since they needed to get warm. He saw a random cafe and pointed to it, "shall we head there?"

[justicereigns]

"ADELA?!" Smoker's cigars dropped in shock, and the reason her dog had been so desperate to go this way much to Smoker's initial growling and tugging back (until curiosity got the best of him) instantly became apparent.

His usually intimidating face with the sunglasses and giant scar, broke into a broad grin, and not even caring whether she recognized him or not, he swooped her up in a bear hug and spun her around before setting her back down.

"Right," a small cough and a glance away, before offering her a gloved handshake. "You might not know or remember me but --" he laughed as her dog nearly bowled her over in affection and Smoker's: Sami along with it. "Your dog sure remembers you!" He laughed. Merry Christmas to Smoker.

"I'm Smoker. We worked the forge together and you were the closest thing I've ever had to an adopted daughter." Wry grin, he knows that's got to be a weird as hell introduction, and even if she did remember, it'd cue blushing and stammering, but he didn't care. He was sick of people coming and going and without Smoker even saying hello.

"This place... does one hell of a jaunt on your memories. I've got another world-niece I barely know, so take your time, but I kept your room the same, you should check it out."

He discreetly glanced to her leg to make sure it wasn't mecha, since it hadn't seemed like it -- prompting his logical conclusion that she was from before they met.

"I'm... really glad to see you again kid."

And how. He missed Adela more than even Tashigi. Tashigi he knew he'd see again in their own time. Adela though...

Okay Maribelle, he understands why you cried now.

[enchantressofore]

"Wha--"

Adela didn't get a chance to get anything further than that. She yelped in surprise when she was suddenly picked up and hugged, spun around, promptly put back down, offered a handshake by the man who was hugged her, then got knocked down by two very big dogs. Before she knew it, she was being covered in dog slobber and affection she didn't know what to do with.

"H-Hey!!" Finally she managed to get something else out, somehow causing both dogs to back off a little (much to her relief) before she looked back up to Smoker, not having gotten to her feet again just yet when she asked, "Hold on a moment, what? I-- I do not--"

And then she remembered. It was a wisp of a memory, but it was enough to remind her that she had been there before, and that people might have remembered her differently than what she was used to. It took her a moment to sigh, trying to relax before she frowned at each of the dogs and then Smoker once more.

"I... I see. I think. But -- hold on, it does not bother you that I do not recall any of this?" Because that was clearly the most important thing about the whole blurb, even above the 'adopted daughter' business or the fact that two bears of dogs were still all over her (and, admittedly, making her feel a little nervous for it).

[justicereigns]

Bother...

That was an interesting question.

Smoker doesn't answer right away. Instead takes the time to light up a fresh pair of twin cigars. Because one just isn't enough okay.

Sure it bothered him, but so what? He was still glad she was there!

Which also bothers him.

Because it means it probably bothers Maribelle that he doesn't know her, but she's still glad that he's there, which is good.

But also, maybe they shouldn't be glad that they're stuck here and --

He's getting a migraine.

Smoker gently rubs his face with that big gloved hand. "It happens."

He dropped the hand and tilted his head to the side, drinking in a better look of her and noticing that she's not terribly enthused by the giant dogs smothering her, so he took out the cigars and whistled, calling them back even though they'll be clearly fidgety and tail-wagging with impatience.

"Like I said, there's a young woman, only I don't remember the world she remembers me from. But I was lucky enough to have my... friend, Kuzan, he remembered her, and that world, so..." Smoker shrugged and rolled his shoulders. "Maribelle is her name. She's a lawyer, reminds me of my god-daughter -- my niece. Carol. Point is, I mean I didn't just..." Smoker rolled his eyes, "Understand it right away, but she earned my trust. And myself is myself even if I don't remember?" He rested an easy hand on the top of her head. "Make sense?"

Dropping the hand, he shook his head again. "Hnn. And others have come and gone a lot. And don't always remember things. Memory is a tricky thing to begin with, and this place makes it even surreal."

A quiet tsk. "Sometimes the best you can do is roll with it. Like sailing. It's natural to want to fight the waves, but it'll capsize you faster than not. The proper thing to do is turn sideways to roll with them, and float up and over, yeah?"

He pinched between his eyes. Had she even seen the ocean before Fayren?!

"Or...." Okay forging.

...

...

Where you beat the metal into the shape to force it to conform and it got stronger from more punishment and that was basically how Adela lived her life.

Yeaaaaaaaaaah, not exactly what Smoker was going for here!

Carpentry? Bike riding? Baseball? Were those only things she got to try here?!

People... no both Smoker and Adela were bad with people.

Fuck!

"Don't stick your hand straight into the fire. Use tongs." Smoker's face flattened.

He always stuck his hand straight in the flames!! THAT WAS THE BEST PART OF HIS DEVIL FRUIT!

"Look the point is--!"

An annoyed growl with himself. "Even though I'd rather you could remember me, I'm still glad you're back!" HUFF.

"And you know! It's not your fault, and --" sigh. He should shut up and stop digging this hole even worse. Another shrug. "It happens."

[enchantressofore]

"... How is that all right?"

She tried to mask her eyes with her hand again, looking down at the ground before her. She didn't understand half of what was coming out of this man's mouth, but clearly she was important to him, and yet... She didn't remember a thing. How was that all right? It bothered him, but he was just happy to have her back? Bothering him she could understand, but how could he simply accept that?

"Did it not feel like I abandoned you?" Adela asked, unable to keep her voice from breaking just a little. It was how she felt when Link failed to recognize her. It was how she felt when Ace failed to recognize her. It was so much, she didn't understand it, "Just how is that all right, Smoker? I... Whether I wished to or not, I left you behind. Worse still, for such an important bond you felt, I do not remember in the least. Do you truly not resent me at all for it?"

[justicereigns]

"No..." Smoker was hoarse, and he reflexively pulled her into another hug and let go the dogs so they covered her hands in licks. "No. Hey... no. Not at all. Kid, listen to me. You... You wouldn't have chosen to leave me. At least... if you had, you would have said goodbye, okay? I know that."

UGH SO MUCH UNDERSTANDING MARIBELLE'S TEARS NOW. FUUUUUCK.....

"And why would you choose to forget me? You wouldn't. Because it's weird and confusing. And Tskk...." an annoyed tongue cluck, and he bent down on one knee, resting a hand on her shoulder and gently nudging her chin with a knuckle or two. "I'm more worried about you. Forget about me. I can handle myself. I missed you, yeah, but it wasn't like--" His voice paused, thick with emotion and his throat closing up. "I never felt like you abandoned me," he forced a small grin. "I felt like --" For anyone else in the multiverse, he wouldn't have said the next few words. And even when Namur and Ted were worried about him, knowing he was upset without... literally everyone he gave a damn about enough to talk to regularly -- and they'd gotten him smashed -- or at least tried to, there wasn't any force in the universe strong enough to make Smoker get drunk around a pirate, after all -- he still wouldn't have revealed the next part. But it was Adela, and it was important. And even if it was a god damn dream, and he was going to wake up, groan, and roll over to try to go back to sleep, he wasn't going to have a single god damn regret. "I thought maybe... it was me. That I didn't protect you well enough, all right?"

Another gentle grin and he stood back up, and with a quick look around to make sure LITERALLY NO ONE AT ALL WAS WATCHING AND COULD THINK CREEPY WEIRD SHIT -- Even if he didn't care if they did, because fuck them, they don't know the truth; but no, he still didn't want to give off that impression to anyone -- he gently kissed the top of her head.

And stepped back but offered her his hand. "I could never stay mad at you kid. Even if you'd chosen to leave without a word, then it was probably necessary. And besides that... what matters is you came back. You're here now. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see anyone before." It's true. Tashigi, Hina, Garp, Kuzan, Maribelle, even when he was happy to see them, they were headaches and a half. Oh wait. Straw Hat?

.... That's a can of worms he is NEVER going to open.

"Come on, you wanna get some food? We can talk about how... I don't care. Anything. You can ask me questions and I'll try to answer. I had a million for Maribelle when she first surprised me like that."

[om_nom_namur]

[Seriously, Namur barely notices the impact. But he does know her scent and her voice, though it's been awhile.]

Oh, hey Adela.

[Wait.]

Adela!? Uh, shit. I mean. Uh. Hi! Ever been here 'fore?

[He's out in the cold in bare feet and a long sleeved t-shirt, somewhat oblivious to its numbing effects.]

[enchantressofore]

[ Another shark man, why is she even surprised? Still, she blinks at the question, staring at him before thinking it over. ]

... It is like a far-off dream, but I think I remember being here when it was much warmer... And I remember you from that, too. It was only one meeting, was it not?

But, I also know that may not be the answer you wish to hear.

[om_nom_namur]

So long as it's the truth 's good 'nuff for me! So yer the one from that other place, huh? How's kicks on that end a reality?

[enchantressofore]

[ She looks away, sighing as she shakes her head. ]

It was... Interesting, at least. Things had finally calmed down. It is a great many friends I am leaving behind once again by being here, though.