Summer, July 6th - Ten Minute Retirement

[zenoh]

Action - Locked to her old CR

[ It felt like another one of her bad dreams. Opening her eyes to see an eerie familiar sight of the Bay, with herself sealed tight within the pod. The scent of the cavernous dome she steps out into brought the memories of her previous stay like flashes in her eyes. Waddling through the water to get to the exit, Ayame shields her eyes from the sunlight bearing down from above. The summer heat instantly bombards her with humidity the instant the hologram plays. Seeing the familiar figure greeting her as another newcomer got a sigh out of Ayame. Her first thought was to check the phone she was issued with, and check the Memoria Park and see who has come home and which of her friends remain. Her fingers traced on the names she recognized, particularly Yuyuko Saigyouji. It stung to think she is no longer around, but she choose to hide her mourning for Yuyuko to reunite with people she knew.

Using her powers to teleport to their places of work or frequent haunt in all the five cities, one by one. Ayame appears clad in an elegant white sundress with a pair of smooth framed sunglasses on her head. She always dressed to impress; and this time around is no different. Appearing like a ghost, Ayame can be seen leaning casually on a random wall or pillar, the sight of her old friends in person brought a genuine smile on her face. ]

Well you seem to be doing great.

[ She broadens her smile once their eyes meet her's. Her shoulders shrug lightly as a small chuckle slips her grin, adding in an ironic joke ]

Surprise.

--

Video - Public - Forward dated to July 7th

[ In the morning of the next day after she reunited with her comrades, Ayame feels recharged of her energy enough to have some left for socializing. She can be found in a quaint cafe punnily called D Cups, with a small glass bottle of cold brew coffee with a twirly straw. With a small wave at the camera and a composed expression, she was eager to meet new faces. Maybe this would help her decide what to do now that she's back. ]

Hello, Genessia. My name is Ayame, and around six months ago when I was sent back home. Now it decided to bring me back for reasons unknown, I'm just here to say welcome to anybody who recently found themselves spirited away in this world, and hello to anybody I didn't have a chance to meet in my previous stay. I may have just came back, but I consider myself a local by now. So I'm hoping to meet any of you. I still have enough bills to pay for a coffee if you want a cup.

Comments

Action;

[innocent_royal]

[Ayame may have noticed that Anastasia's haunting grounds have changed. The dear old friend may have been lucky to catch Anastasia on her way home from school, given how she's dressed in her blue and white Honnouji Academy uniform and hair done up in a ponytail.

Walking by, hearing that familiar voice and seeing that face made the girl jump and drop her school bag in absolute surprise, eyes wide. Is this a ghost? Her memories playing dirty tricks? Is this her Mismagius doing? Phantasma is a dirty prankster after all.

But there is only one way to find out.]

Ayame...? Is that really you?

video;

[gamerrep]

I guess I should say welcome back then.

[Sure she had spoken to her at least once, but she didn't know her that closely. But it never hurt to at least say something like that.]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

[ Since she last showed up here, Ayame might have been briefly aware that Konoka's shop changed venues, but that had been so shortly before she disappeared that she might not have actually seen it. Still, Konoka had just been minding her shop in Fayren, even serving a customer or two, and that was when Ayame actually appeared. ]

A-Ayame?!

[ Wait, was this a ghost? An illusion? ]

It's really Ayame-han, right?

Video - since he's still on their honeymoon

[k2so]

Ayame! It's so good to see you again. I didn't believe that it was really possible for our friends to come back here once they disappeared.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame frees herself off of the wall by taking a step forward, she proudly smiles at Anastasia even brighter after seeing the girl in uniform. ]

Mhmm, I'm the genuine article fresh from The Bay.

[ She laughs at her own choice of words. Simply being in Genessia has Gale's influence rub off on her. Arms wide open inviting Anastasia to come over for a hug ]

Come see for yourself?

[zenoh]

Thank you, Chiaki! It's a delight to see your face again, truly.

[ She said, earnestly, as her expression lightens up at the mere familiarity of Chiaki's face and voice ]

How have you been, dear? Six months feels like forever.

[zenoh]

[ Konoka's surprised tone and expression was delightful to watch, Ayame couldn't help but hear herself laugh. But it was mostly the sight of her friend and sibling figure that lifted her weary spirit ]

It is indeed. Your senses aren't lying to you.

[ Ayame invites Konoka over with a gesture of her head, opening her arms wide for a hug with her little sister ]

Come on, see for yourself.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame almost squealed in glee in hearing from K2, who is part of her Attleton family. Her hands covers her lips for a moment, revealing a happy smile as she sees and hears from K2 again ]

Well, perhaps now you would believe in it. Ah, it's very great to see you again, too! I'm very happy. How have you been? Is Cassian with you? I haven't seen him yesterday when I arrived.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Ayame-haaaaan!

[ Well, nothing like testing out the real thing by giving her a diving hug bomb. Because that's what Konoka does. And she's shedding tears of happiness and rubbing her face in Ayame's chest the moment she runs into warm, solid body. ]

I missed you! I missed youuuu!

[k2so]

Yes, he's here with me. There had been some big changes.

[He can smile back but his optics light up.] Look! [Kay raises his arm and sure enough there's a white gold band around one of his fingers.] Guess who just got married and are now on their honeymoon!

[innocent_royal]

[Her look of surprise was quick to turn to a bright smile as Anastasia made a small hop-skip over to give Ayame the biggest hug she could. Yep! Definitely the real deal.]

I'm so happy to see you again, Ayame!

[She reluctantly releases her friend and steps back to pick up her dropped school bag and again turning back to the other.]

So much has happened that I just have tell you about. Do you have time? Will you walk with me?

Action

[lunarlegionnaire]

[Sand Gym, 8 AM. Marc's on his way out from capoeira class when a face he hasn't seen in six months--- and never once forgotten--- halts him right there by the entrance. He's pretty sure he's been getting enough sleep, and he knows for a fact his god isn't here to mess with his mind. He has absolutely no reason to doubt the apparition smiling at him in the morning light.]

[He crosses the threshold and returns the gesture, his surprise giving way to warmth. The arched, playful eyebrow tells Ayame that Marc already knows she's real. He just wants to hear it for himself.]

Tell me something only we'd know.

[Action]

[alwaysimpaled]

[Dante was sitting at his desk in the shop, with an oddly large stack of papers on his desk that he actually - GASP SHOCK AND HORROR - seemed to be reading! Of course as soon as he hears Ayame he glances up and gives a wide grin.]

Well, look what the cat dragged in! You're back! How long have you been back?

action;

[orlokbutterfly]

[Gale had been out and about in Nova City for most of the day alongside his Vulpix to do what he can to support the citizenry in this heatwave, but for the time being he'd made his way back to the Skyrise for a short break. A short break of pesky paperwork, anyway, but it was in air conditioning so it counts.

While Vulpix hopped into a small pet bed by the desk, Gale was in the process of shedding his jacket when Ayame spoke up, giving him a brief start and making him look over his shoulder quickly. That surprised look changed to a smile as he turned around to face her.]

Ayame! You just couldn't survive without access to Prism, could you?

[It was a bit of a half-hearted joke, mostly because he almost couldn't believe he was seeing her again. No one he'd known had ever come back before. In a way, he didn't know how to react.]

Jokes aside, when'd you get back? It's- [He paused a moment.] It's great to see you again. Didn't think I'd get the chance.

[zenoh]

[ His half-hearted joke got a full laugh out of Ayame, who is elated to see her old friend smile as their attentions meet again. Hearing his voice and seeing his face; not to mention becoming the new Guardian just makes her expression beam ]

Likewise, old friend.

[ Ayame takes a few steps closer, freeing herself from her lean against the wall. ]

I've only just arrived. It hasn't been a day for me again yet, many things feel familiar as if I never left.

[ She sighs wistfully, shaking her head lightly before opening her arms to offer her old buddy Gale a hug ]

[zenoh]

[ Dante reading and being responsible is something that caught Ayame's attention once she teleports herself into his shop. It was about the only different sight in here, as everything largely remains the same. Which is a good thing. ]

Less than a day. Don't think I would wait any longer than that to see an old friend again.

[ She smiles, winking softly at Dante ]

How have you been? I'm in a state where everything feels new and familiar all the same. Seeing you reading is definitely a new sight.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame hums in thought, unable to keep herself from feeling a tug on her cheeks at Marc's playful response. ]

You gave me a wonderful painting of the Pyramids of Giza under moonlight, and I returned the favor by giving you a painting Mount Fuji for Christmas.

[ A pause, tapping her nose with a soft wink ]

And a package of moon cakes, if I remember correctly? Which hopefully were good. I made them myself.

[zenoh]

What? Oh goodness, when?

[ Ayame gasps at the revelation, expression beaming like never before. She's very happy to hear this news ]

Oh, I'm so upset that I'm unable to attend. But my warmest congratulations to the both of you. I owe you both a congratulatory hug when you return from... well, where are you? Or is that top-secret information?

[k2so]

[ Kay can't match her expression but he's just as giddy as her. ]

It was right after the election results, at the beginning of this month. Don't worry, we didn't really invite anyone because it was a spur of the moment thing. We only had our roommates at witnesses.

Not secret at all, we are in Fayren now but we will be back next week. We should meet and catch up.

[alwaysimpaled]

[Dante just chuckles, standing from his chair and moving to the back room quickly and procuring a couple cans of beer for him and his guest. He shrugs as he returns, tossing the can to Ayame.]

I've been swamped lately. Cassian stepped down as Guardian so he could figure out who he was outside of work - first order of which was getting married apparently - and I stepped up. So yeah... I'm the guardian now.

Still feels surreal that I'm holding an elected office...

[zenoh]

[ Ayame takes Konoka's divebomb hug without moving an inch. Her arms embraces her little sister, tightly but not too much that she would hurt Konoka. Lowering her head, Ayame rests her cheek on Konoka's head for a moment, giving the younger woman's back a few pats. Lifting her head and looking down at Konoka, she replies: ]

And I you. How have you been, Konoka?

[ Ayame inquires with a proud smile, ruffling Konoka's hair a little ]

[zenoh]

And I'm happy to see you too, looking brand new with that uniform.

[ Ayame returns the hug, wrapping her arms around Anastasia and rubbing the younger woman's back. She giggles upon hearing how happy Anastasia was to see her, filling her heart with warmth ]

Of course. I have all the time in the world.

[ She replies, brushing Anastasia's cheek with her knuckle before she straightens herself up. She gestures with her hand, prompting Anastasia to take the first step and she will follow by her side ]

Tell me everything, dear. I'm eager to catch up with all of you again.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

It's honestly been a little lonely.

[ Konoka's buried in Ayame's chest before she looks up, and it's clear her eyes might have been watery for a moment. ]

Secchan's gone. I haven't seen that elf maid Eva-chan works with either.

[lunarlegionnaire]

[The very mention of those mooncakes sends his mind tumbling to a colder half year ago. His breath hitches, his eyes shut, and it's very clear he's recapturing a very memorable flavor.]

I had to spread them out over two weeks. They kept me going too.

[More than acknowledgement of her gift, however, is the more tacit acknowledgement that she's very much aware of what he does when the sun's down and the stars are out. It's Ayame alright. With a quiet laugh, the weathered ex-merc takes her hand in both of his own. A fond gesture somewhere between handshake and hand clasp.]

The spirits just couldn't keep you away, huh?

[innocent_royal]

[Yay! This is the happiest Anastasia has been in a while. She begins to lead the way towards the library, often making quick turn arounds to check on Ayame.]

Well, as you can see, I'm going to school now. Satsuki enrolled me in the second Honnouji Academy. It's not quite what I expected, but Home Ec and Ballet have been fun so far. I don't care much for P.E or money management, though...

[A breath...]

Oh! And I have a lot of new Pokemon too. They're all at home, though. I do have two with me because of this heatwave, Glaceon and Primarina. I'll need to introduce you to all of them when we have a chance.

[A breath. Calm down, kiddo, Ayame isn't going to vanish right there. But luckily, the library isn't far.]

When did you arrive? Were you here long? Who have you seen already?