genessia | [Action] - Because no way is she figuring out how a communicator works yet

Entry tags:

[Action] - Because no way is she figuring out how a communicator works yet

[The moment the hologram popped up, Rialynn jumped a mile, scrambling away from the device until her back hits the wall of the Bay. She leaves a trail of maps along the way, dropped from nerveless fingers as she fumbles frantically at her pouch and flings a fistful of salt at Not-Weiss.]

[Nothing happens.]

[In fact, the ghost isn't even looking directly at her from where she sits shaking on the ground, eyes as wide as saucers. This ghost isn't...very aggressive. In fact, it seems prim and proper. She glances around her uneasily, but since it isn't coming after her, she remains rooted on the spot, boots wet, mouth dry.]

[Eventually the message does end, and she finally exhales the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her legs lack strength and she has to hold tightly to the wall to get back up to her feet, staggering into the street. She blinks and puts an arm up to protect herself from the bright sunlight, but once she adjusts?]

[She sees buildings several stories high.]

[She sees people riding around in metal carriages drawn by really fast invisible horses.]

[She also sees people riding what looks like two-wheeled cannons. And talking to themselves on little boxes pressed to their heads.]

W-what...what is...

[And not everyone is human, either. People seem completely oblivious to the weird and even the scary walking right beside them! She dips to one knee, feeling nauseous and dizzy, and closes her eyes tightly.]

[Some people adjust to Genessia quickly. Others, like Rialynn, are just about ready to faint from the massive shock.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Guess you've just gotten pulled in here like I was.

[It's one of those people who look to be used to it, but he wants to help anyway.]

Maybe we could go exploring together?

[Her shoulders twitch in alarm as she's jolted out of her dizziness by an unfamiliar voice. She looks up, just enough to see his friendly face. His features are exotic, but...well, he looks human -- enough that she doesn't go fleeing for the non-existent hills. He's got one of those necklaces too, just Her gaze dips to the ground, quiet as she tries to process what he said.]

[Give her a moment, she's still trying to adjust.]

I, um... Hah...

[She makes herself nod a little, since she's having a difficult time getting the words out.]

Y-yes. Yes, that'd be all right.

[Definitely not telling her he's a reincarnated god, at least not now, because if her current reaction was any indication, she'd probably have a heart attack, and he'd have to take responsibility for that.]

My name's Daiki, what's yours?

Daiki...

[She tests the name. It's unfamiliar, but not hard to pronounce. In fact, she says it in exactly the same way he did.]

Rialynn. It's Rialynn.

[And she should probably stand up, she's starting to feel a little stupid kneeling on the ground like this. She's still a little shaky, but if she's walking, it'll be harder to notice. Holding to the strap of her pack, she pushes herself up to her feet and brushes the dust from her knee.]

Where did you come from?

[She's pretty sure she would have noticed him right away at the tavern.]

[ This little dog would normally ignored this ghost, if she wasn't acting like some lost little puppy. There's one more thing, this Boston Terrier has a pendant of his own in Genessia City and Everglade's colors around his neck. So, he parks himself in front of her and gives a little 'ruff' sound. ]

[Her head snaps up in surprise, just to find herself face to face with...]

[...]

[That...that is a dog, isn't it? She's not used to seeing them this small, though She's never seen one with blue eyes either. What's it doing out here?]

Oh, uh... Hello.

[She holds her hand out halfway to let him sniff it, because she knows at least that reaching out for stray dogs can lead to bloody fingers.]

Are you alright?

[Oh. A man. Frankly, what might look like the dullest man in existence.

He's there when she starts to falter, though he makes no effort to help her keep her balance. There's nothing noteworthy here.

Dishwater blond hair, flat looking hazel eyes, near expressionless. Despite being quite tall, even his clothes would add nothing of interest, a collection of browns and beige.

The human equivalent of oatmeal.]

You aren't ill, are you?

I just need a second...

[She rests her forehead on her knee, focusing on her breathing. Most of her questions were answered, but those answers just don't make sense. She shifts her pack off of her aching shoulders, the contents clattering noisily. The lute strapped to her back goes next, and it seems easier to breathe without the extra weight. The nervous flutters in her stomach aren't going anywhere, though.]

Sorry. I'm all right.

[Sort of. She takes a few more deep breaths, and when she feels at least a little calmer, she lifts her head to give this man a brief up-and-down glance.]

You got kidnapped too? Is that the case for everyone who lives here?

[He doesn't move, nor speak, waiting patiently for her to gather herself before pressing onward. She said she would be all right, after all. No need to disbelieve this yet.]

Kidnapped perhaps, may not be the correct word. I don't believe anyone chooses who arrives or leaves.

But yes, as with everyone with an amulet here, no one arrived of their own free will.

It's what the ghost mentioned.

[She glances briefly back at the Bay, still spooked, but glad to be away even if the situation proved to be harmless.]

Something about the spirits. I don't know what they're called.

[Her head shakes faintly before she looks up at the tall man again. So far, he seems all right, but she doesn't know enough to make any kind of assumptions.]

So...we do leave? Eventually?

The hologram. Weiss is alive, it's merely a recording.

I'm afraid not. You may be returned after a period of time, but you may be here for several years before this happens.

[SOFTENING BLOWS?

WHAT'S THAT?]

[Her brow flickers in confusion. She doesn't know what a hologram or a recording is...not a recording in this context anyway.]

I don't...I don't understand. Why? Why are these spirits pulling people here, why did it pick me? I mean, of all people...

[Her arms rise and fall back down to her sides. She's not really anyone of significance, no special heritage, no abilities, no great deeds.]

We don't know.

[As blunt as the other explanations have been, Elias sounding fairly calm despite this rather unfortunate revelation.]

Not everyone who arrives here is anyone important.

So it's random...? Oooo, nothing about this place makes sense...

[She presses the heels of her palms against her eyes and sucks her breath in through her teeth. What is she supposed to do about this? 'Get a job and a place to live,' quoth the ghost. Urgh, it's so hard to just accept that this is her life now.]

[But...apparently that's how it is for everyone here, including this very tall man. Rialynn draws her hands away from her face and looks up at him, really studying him this time. He's very...oddly...non-threatening somehow despite his towering size over the 5'3" bard.]

How did you handle this when you first got here?

Not particularly, no. But if it is of any consolation, once you arrive, things begin to settle down. Adjustment shouldn't be very hard.

[And he's made no efort to stoop down or reduce his height in any capacity either, his tone still rather dull and non-emotive. He has, of course, been watching her very closely this entire time. Frankly, her reaction seemed more typical of a human than anyone else he'd seen arriving here.]

I asked questions, much like you are doing.

[He paused]

... You are doing quite well, all things considered.

Ha ha...

[She leans on her knees with a wry grin, auburn hair and the tails of her bandanna spilling over one shoulder.]

If this is 'well,' I'd hate to see what's considered handling it poorly!

[Rialynn glances up at him, that crooked grin softening with gratitude. Just talking with him is helping to calm her down. It's normal, and what she needs is more normality. Rialynn closes her eyes with a sigh, then straightens and finally turns to face him fully.]

Rialynn Kollmann. Thank you.

You have not attacked the hologram... Or a passerby. You've done well in comparison to those.

[And... he smiles back. It's vague, obvious but just as oddly stiff as he's been through the rest of this.]

Elias Ainsworth. You are very welcome.

[Rialynn glances away just a touch guiltily, lips pursed into a small 'o.' Technically, she did attack the hologram by throwing salt at it. But there's no need to mention that. No need at all.]

Oh, well...I do what I can...!

[Stiff as it may be, it still seems like a nice enough smile in her opinion. He's been nothing but patient with her, and she appreciates it. Rialynn hitches her pack higher up on her shoulders.]

So...is there an inn for travelers from afar? Really, really afar?

There is a place where you may stay for free, for an entire month, before you must find a profession and move out.

Do you need help locating it?

An entire month!

[She's never stayed in one spot that long before. Her brow furrows as she looks to the side, mulling it over. Still, if it's all paid for, she might as well.]

I've already got a profession, so that's not a problem. There aren't any laws against musical performances, or traveling bards, are there?

No.

There aren't laws about professional bounty hunting either. As long as you don't kill anyone or steal anything, it doesn't seem like there's much to be concerned about.

It's fairly common to hear a few fellow captives here make open death threats on the network. As long as they remain threats, it's perfectly fine. You should be fine playing music.

... It would be a lot nicer to hear than the death threats.

Bounty hunt--? Oh, no. No no no, that's not my thing, trust me!

[She waves her hands emphatically. The rapier at her hip might suggest otherwise, but she seems earnest in her denial.]

On the other hand, they might have some great stories to tell. ...Do you know if they hang out at a local guild or tavern?

[Now that she knows they're around, her curiosity is piqued, and that's doing wonders to replace her previous panic. As for the music, well...it coaxes a real smile out of her at the very least.]

Then I would be honored to play you something.

Excuse me...

[Soft-voiced and polite, and then a hand against her upper arm and shoulder. Letting her kneel, but offering support so she won't fall fully.]

It'll be okay, just keep your eyes closed for now. Take a deep breath, slowly.

[Deal with the faint-feeling and clear-off-balance state first. Then anything else can be dealt with.]

[She's initially startled, but her body is automatically going down and refuses to be stopped. So in this instance, his support proves to be helpful in keeping her from passing out face down in the street and completely embarrassing herself.]

[Even so, she feels sick. Kidnapped by spirits. Which ones? Did she fail to appease them? Appease them too much? How long is she going to be here, and why?]

[She presses a hand against her forehead, feeling her sweat dampening the silk bandanna she habitually wears, and exhales a shaky breath.]

It's not okay. It's so...s-so...

[So weird!!! But as scared as she is, she isn't the type of person who gets hysterical. She just needs to really think about this, and adjust.]

I'm sorry. Thank you.

[The startlement is why he didn't ask permission, just moved to help. Trying to not invade her space because the last thing he wants is to be mistaken as a threat. The grip against her arm is firm, but gentle.]

It'll be okay though. Just breathe. Take a deep breath in, hold it, and then let it out slowly.

[Still softly voiced, but also with a hint of authority.]

[It's really not going to be okay. She grimaces at those words again, but says nothing. She just sucks in another breath and pushes it out again.]

How often...how many...?

Until you feel like you're not going to fall over.

[Keeping his voice even and calm.]

Then we find you a place to sit, and you tell me what's wrong.

What...? No, no, that's not...

[She gently pulls her shoulder away from his hand, a fleeting sheepish smile to show it's nothing personal. Apparently she's also fine just rocking backwards to sit on the ground, legs splaying in front of her.]

I meant, how often does this sort of thing happen? How many people are taken?

[Her arms drape listlessly over her thighs as she hunches forward, defeated.]

Everything about this is just...it's all wrong. All of it.

[He's still worried, but let's her pull away. Crouching though, so he's not towering over her. She might be alright with sitting where they were, but it wouldn't have been his first choice.]

Unfortunately, often enough. People are brought whenever whoever's doing it feels like it, apparently.

[There's a hint of dryness in his voice, but he's still keeping his tone even and calm.]

Do you at least feel like you aren't going to faint?

I'm not sure. I don't think I will.

[She brushes the back of her hand against the side of her head and blows out a breath. She feels dizzy, disconnected, but her vision isn't dancing or spotting over. She just needs time to think about this, and really figure out her situation.]

...Thank you, for being patient.

[Her head moves slightly in his direction, though her gaze is still on the ground.]

Does anyone ever get to leave? ...Go back?

[Her eyes flick to his shoulder, the ground, then finally up to his face. She blinks and her head jerks faintly. Blue hair? He looks human, though. Did he dye it? Is he something supernatural?]

...Who are you?

[There's a friendly smile, and he's fine with patient. It's a lot to take in--his life has been weird and it was a lot to take in for HIM, never mind anyone else.]

They do, but we don't know how. My name is Trunks, and I'm also someone brought here, just like you. There are a lot of us here though, in that situation.

[Studying her some more, head tilting in faint worry.]

I promise I'm not going to hurt you, I just remember how unnerving it was when I first arrived.

[And he'd arrived with Mai, so that had helped a lot.]

Do you want me to get you some water, or anything?

Oh, er...I've got some, thanks.

[Her hand brushes against a canteen hanging from her hip, which sloshes a little with the light jarring. She probably should take a few gulps, but she's not sure she's up for it just yet.]

So you...

[Her eyes squint for just a moment as she studies him, but it's pretty obvious that her attention keeps refocusing on his hair.]

...uh, Trunks...you're...

[How is she supposed to ask something like this? She doesn't want to infuriate someone who seems friendly so far, but she's also ridiculously curious. She has to know.]

I don't know how else to say it, so I'm just going to ask and hope you don't take offense. Why is your hair blue?

[There's a blink in surprise, then a smile and soft laughter.]

It's fine. I'm used to worse questions, honestly. My hair is blue because I get it from my mother. We're unusual even where we're from, but it's not unheard of. It's natural.

[That smile remains, and he really isn't upset at all.]

Let me guess. Where you're from is a lot tamer than anything you've seen here so far, right? Probably not as advanced in technology, and maybe not as diverse a population either.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Action] - Because no way is she figuring out how a communicator works yet

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]

[Action]

Re: [Action]