voice/action

[phanther]

[Voice]

Hello?

[The voice is that of a teenage girl, cautious but at least trying to show willing in this strange new place. There's a pause, then, as though she hasn't fully figured out what she really wants to say - does she mention where she was supposed to be? Does she mention the Shadows?

Eventually, she finds her voice again.]

Um...this is kind of new to me so I'm not really sure where to start. I got the welcome message and the map and all but...is there anything else I should know?

[That should be broad enough to get something helpful, she hopes.]

[Action - Genessia City]

[Considering she'd been gearing up to head into the deepest depths of Mementos last she remembers, Ann's really not sure what to make of all this. She's in her regular clothes, so wherever she is she's not considered a threat right now at least, but she's not sure whether that should be comforting or worrying.

Still, she's not going to figure anything out by staying in one place so she figures she should at least go to check out where she's supposed to be staying right now. She's aware it could also be a trap, but so long as she goes into it expecting that, maybe it'll lead to some useful information.

At least, that was the plan. It's not that she doesn't know how to follow a map but when a girl stumbles across a mall, she can't be blamed for wanting to take a look around, right? Even if she can't really buy much, just the act of looking should be enough to help calm her down. And once she's done with the mall, she has to see what else is around, right?

And so she can be found looking in various store windows, lingering longer when she spots a cute outfit she can't help but want. The real danger, though, is when she reaches a bakery with a range of desserts that's just begging to be sampled.]

I shouldn't...but just one couldn't hurt, right?

[She's not addressing anyone in particular but that's not to say she goes unheard, either...]

Comments

[Voice]

[scarlet_devil]

[ The voice is that of someone quite young, very much fluent in the language Ann happens to be using. It's much like that of a child, but she certainly doesn't speak like one. ]

That finding yourself a job would be a good place to start. Oh, and if you go exploring, I would advise against visiting Everglade at night. Many monsters live here, after all.

[Voice]

[phanther]

Yeah, I got the job part. The monsters are new, though.

[And then something clicks for her.]

You live there?

Video;

[effinskull]

[is it really....?! can it be-? all of his friends were starting to show up here, and man this was becoming overly exciting! so of course when he sees her he immediately sends a video her way.]

Ann! Dude! Heh, 'bout time you showed up. I don't wanna say you're late to the party but... actually yeah, I'll say it.

You're late!

Video;

[phanther]

Ryuji?!

[She's too stunned by his also being there to check what she's doing so she manages to hit the button that switches to video too as much by luck than by judgement.]

Wait, what do you mean late? I don't remember this being part of the plan! How can I be late for something I didn't know about?

[And how, if that's the case, haven't any of the more responsible members of the team told her before Ryuji did?]

[quick_clean_pure]

You're in a weird place and you can't leave, but it's otherwise mostly pretty harmless if kinda weird.

At least that's the impression I got. I've only been here a few weeks.

[phanther]

Huh. Well that's better than a weird place that isn't harmless I guess. There's really no way back?

voice;

[trollkeru]

Hello, Hello.

[Because why not really.]

I can at least tell you, you can see whose here through the device we are using. I mean we can make things private, so of course, having a list of people here would be something they would have.

voice;

[phanther]

Oh really? That I actually didn't know. Does it store just actual names or could someone be found by an alias?

[Which she has perfectly legitimate reasons for needing to know which have nothing to do with code names.]

voice;

[misalignment]

[ There's Ann Takamaki. If anything, he could consider her nicest out of the group but that could have just been her keeping all the silent judging to herself. Time to find out. ]

There is plenty you should know in regards to this place. Do you have any specific questions in mind or should I list off what I consider to be the most invaluable?

voice;

[phanther]

A-Akechi?

[Her voice catches slightly, as she tries to process what to make of this. On the one hand, he'd caused a lot of trouble for the group. On the other, he'd also done a lot to save them and while it probably doesn't balance out exactly, Ann is at least considerate enough that she at least won't make a scene about this.

Which isn't the same as choosing to trust him. And her acting skills are probably not good enough to cover the slight stiffness in her voice. But she's trying.]

Well...I guess if anyone would have figured out something important, it's you. So...I mean, if you wanted to tell me then I'm happy to listen.

[And then verify it later but Making. An. Effort!]

Action

[sincerepurity]

[And here comes Mimi, bags in hand, stopping at the same bakery.]

Oh... that looks really good!

[Have a bright smile!]

Hi! I don't think I've seen you around here, and I practically live at the mall!

These chocolate dipped strawberry tarts look delicious. Which ones were you looking at?

[phanther]

[Ann is aware, at least, that she should probably be embarrassed to be caught staring at the window display, even by someone who seems to understand what she's about. Especially when her answer isn't about to make her sound so great.]

Honestly? All of it. I mean, I saw the chocolate dipped strawberry tarts but then I saw the parfaits and all the different kinds of cakes and there's a sign for crepes too so I really wanna know how they hold up to the ones back home...

[And then she realises she never actually acknowledged the part that wasn't about food.]

Sorry! Guess I got carried away there. I actually only just got here today. I was actually trying to find this communal building I'm apparently allowed to stay in for now but then I got kinda sidetracked.

[Video]

[bestfriendroute]

[The other side might be just using voice, but Sayori hopes that a cheerful greeting will help ease this new person's fears.

So, have a wave and a smile from the peach-haired girl on this end!]

Hi~! This place takes some getting used to, and I'm still kinda new myself, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. Um, how much do you know so far?

My name is Sayori, by the way. It's nice to meet you!

[phanther]

[Ann sticks to voice for now, if only because it's easier to walk and talk if she's not having to worry about a video screen too.]

I'm Ann Takamaki. It's nice to meet you too.

Honestly, not too much. I think I'm starting to get caught up bit by bit but it's hard to tell how much I don't know, if that makes sense.

action;

[truesmiles]

One couldn't, but five or more might.

[Fai had been currently walking his Pokemon who seemed to be doing their own thing at the moment. Not a care in the world, but at least they were out and having fun for a change.]

I mean you might not stop and I don't think anyone would want that, right?

action;

[phanther]

H-huh?

[Ann looks up with a start, trying to not look too guilty about the fact that she might not have been able to stop at just one. Hey, it's been a rough day, she can't help that sweet things help.]

Wait, are you saying there's some kind of drug or something in them that makes you addicted? Can they even do that?

[It's the first explanation she can think of, even if it doesn't really make a huge amount of sense.]

[Action] one horrible enabler coming right up

[indonutswetrust]

One never hurts!

[Aoi was looking at something different, mind, but she was answering Ann's question. She peers over at the section Ann's looking at.]

I bet they have good donuts, you should try one with me! [She gives a cheerful smile.]

[Action] excellent

[phanther]

Oh?

[It's kind of refreshing, after so much time around people who tease her for her sweet tooth, to have someone understand exactly where she's coming from when it comes to sweets.]

Well...I mean, if you're inviting me then I guess it would be rude to say no, right? And I mean, the price tags I can see don't look so bad.

[Which means it's fine, right? Though not without an introduction!]

Oh! My name's Ann Takamaki. Can't really accept an invitation without a name, right?

Voice;

[alihacka]

[Futaba was just busy working on something on her computer when she heard the voice. She didn't pay attention right away, but the voice sounded so familiar. As a result, she turned to pay more attention until...]

...Ann? Are you really here? [She's already finding a stopping point on what she's doing to go change. She's currently just chilling in her room with her lounge wear, so it wouldn't be warm enough to go outside with it.]

If you're by the Bay, the place you woke from, stay there. I'll be there in a little while.

[Her voice is a little more distant since Futaba is trying to put on her shoes now and grabbing her jacket.]

Voice;

[phanther]

Futaba!

[By now she's known in theory that Futaba is around but it's reassuring to hear that familiar voice, that confirmation of another member of the team being here.

She can hear something that sounds like movement as Futaba speaks which cuts off her initial insistence that she doesn't have to come out. Instead, she opts for:]

Uh...all right, if you're sure it's not a problem. I don't want to drag you away from something you were in the middle of.

Action;

[tsundereroute]

[You know who else is a fan of sweets? This smol girl who looks pretty young, but is actually a year or two older than her. She's just admiring the selection herself.]

I mean... it would be rude not to.... After coming all this way.

Action;

[phanther]

You think so?

[Ann has to admit she hadn't even thought about it like that, but it could be true. If the people inside have spotted her at all then it would be wrong to dash their hopes by walking away empty-handed, right?]

Then, do you have any recommendations? If I try to choose by myself I'll be here all day.

action

[redreigning]

( ren has had more mini-heart-attacks in his short time living in this place than he has in his collective seventeen years of existence. it doesn't often show on his face, but there's definitely shock that can be read in the slight widening of his eyes, felt in the soft thud of his heart against his ribs when he spots two familiar pigtails and a pair of red tights. it couldn't be. can he really be that lucky? he came here so worried about his friends and some god he doesn't really believe in must have answered prayers he never made out loud, because they were showing up one by one. he might want to do something mildly embarrassing, like grab ann around the waist and bury his face between her shoulder blades until he can't get the smell of perfume off his clothes for a week. but ren has more control than that, thankfully, and keeps his reaction to a stealthy walk-up, leaning in beside her to observe the pastry she's debating over. ) If you don't, I might as well. ( turns a smile to her. he hopes it looks cooler and more collected than he feels, but at least his voice is steady. ) I need to fill out my dress before prom.

action

[phanther]

[Ann is so absorbed by the pastries on display that she near enough jumps out of her skin as she hears someone speak to her closely enough that she's actually embarrassed she didn't realise sooner.

And also kind of annoyed at someone getting in her space like that, except she can't really stay annoyed because it's Ren and she can only partly even process what he's saying about prom because even though she's spoken to some of the others, nothing quite beats being face to face with one of her absolute closest friends.]

Ren! Sheesh, you're lucky I realised it was you before I decided to tell you off.

[Well. She's more so than he but she won't admit that.]

I mean, I know sneaking's kind of our thing but not normally on each other.

[But she can't even pretend to be upset. Not with him.]

action;

[princeliers]

[sidon had been taking a walk around as well, enjoying the wonderful day and seeing the new stalls and the freshly laid out food. his diet was a bit different than most here, being one that typically only ate fish, but he wasn't opposed to trying new things!

so, when he spots ann staring at a bakery, he simply can't help but wander up to her. he spreads his arms wide once he is close enough, his booming voice as encouraging and supporting as ever!]

I say, hello there! Are you interested in those delights?! [he made a fist in front of his face, grinning and if ann looked closely enough there might even be a glistening shing! from his shiny white teeth.]

I heard you, and I agree, just one couldn't hurt! If you really are that perplexed, then allow me, I can purchase one for you!

action;

[phanther]

[Ann can't even think to hide how startled she is as a booming voice she doesn't know addresses her. That shock is not helped in the slightest when she turns to see who the voice belongs to and.

Well.

She's seen a lot of weird stuff lately. She's pretty sure she's never seen anyone like this guy before and the fact that he's talking to her about the bakery display does not make this feel any less strange.

She's trying very hard not to freak out, because he's being polite and there's no reason to be rude to him. But she's not really hiding it all too well, even as she finally manages to find her voice again.]

O-oh. No, I couldn't...I mean, that would be too much to ask.

[And god she hopes that she hasn't just gone and offended him by saying no somehow.]