genessia | Autumn, October 29th

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Autumn, October 29th - Show Me The Money

Action - Fayren Beach:

[ Anybody near the coast of Fayren should hear something odd. Sharp cracks in the air as if something small is exploding, like fireworks. At the beach is just a woman in a yukata with a pile of rocks beside her, each floating to her hand as soon as she slings one over the sea, causing miniature sonic booms due to how fast they are thrown. Ayame only casually does so. Not afraid of hitting the barrier since the rocks disintegrate before they even reach a good distance. Her eyes showed no emotion as she mindlessly tosses rocks at the sea in frustration. Anybody who gets near would hear a groan and see her turn her head to look over her shoulder with the same defeated expression. Running an inn is much harder than she thought. ]

Video - Public:

[ Not wanting to dwell too much on her financial woes, Ayame wants to take advantage of this day off to refresh her mind. She doesn't really know what urged her to make this video as she takes a mighty swig of some glowing drink, but she kind of wants to just talk and distract herself ]

It feels odd to say this for such a cold and dark void with plenty of things that could kill planets, but I find myself missing outer space. If not for the barrier, I would have loved to go camping on some distant moon or planet. Hm, that would be interesting... Fortunately, Nova City actually has a place that gives someone a taste of what it's like, out there beyond the clouds. It's called Space Adventure. I highly recommend it for those who are curious, and since I'm free today I can go with you. I could certainly use a distraction...

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[The last three days were hell coming back into the kitchen, not so much cooking, but just the mess that preparations and organization had become--though she probably should have taken that as a compliment to her own organizational skills since those things seemed to fall apart without her...]

[Taking a break she exited the kitchens and made her way outside. If the previous week had done anything it had instilled a desire to be outside in her. Well, that wasn't entirely true. She wanted to fly again. She could have done without the changes to her body, but that experience... That was the most free she had felt in her entire life.]

[She headed toward the beach, simply because the wind would likely be a little stronger there and maybe trick her mind just a bit. Though as she approached she became aware of a strange sound--fireworks? Though why someone would be shooting off fireworks in the day was beyond her.]

[Coming closer she saw a familiar figure in Ayame and only paused a moment as she realizes what is happening with the rocks ~~jals;dkgj holy crap wtf is with all the super humans here!?~~.]

[Without a word she comes up to stand beside Ayame, watching as a stone disintegrates over the sea.]

You seem troubled, Ayame-san.

[ A part of the reason why Ayame was feeling dismal was the realization that her organizational skills are something she overestimated. Tomoe's experience in running the kitchen she owns is just a testament to that, so sensing Tomoe's arrival only made things feel more embarrassing. She sighs and looks back out into the sea, tossing another rock and creating another sonic boom. ]

Because I am.

[ No use beating around the bush. She admits to Tomoe that she's not having a good time. There's even a glass flask stuffed in her obi and the smell of alcohol on her yukata ]

I am grateful to have you back in the kitchen. I didn't think that running an inn would be this challenging. Having fashion businesses in the past did not prepare me for something like this.

[She nods.]

I am grateful as well. I'm not good with idle time. [If she hadn't finally flown during the last week she would have driven herself mad thinking about... everything.]

[She makes a small chastising sound in the back of her throat.]

You must give yourself some credit, Ayame-san--this isn't simply some inn. The sheer size of it coupled with the amenities you're offering, it is a lot to handle, at least ten times what a simple inn might be. I do not know what was entailed in your previous business, but I believe this would be a challenge for anyone.

[ She sighs, accepting Tomoe's insight and reason. Her shoulders slump as air escapes her lips, deflating and letting her stress get carried in the wind. She drops the stone in her hand that she was about to toss, letting it fall on the soft sand beside her slippers ]

True as that may be, I still feel foolish for becoming ambitious from the get-go. And the fact that I still am. Already, my mind is filled with ideas on what pursuit I should take next. But perhaps I should practice what Amatsu preaches and take a breath, unwind.

[ She shakes her head, finally looking at Tomoe with an eased expression ]

You wouldn't be out here if you don't have any troubles yourself. Am I wrong to assume that?

[She nods]

Perhaps you should. Ambition is fine, but you need balance as well. If there is anything else I can do to help you with that I will do so happily.

[She looks back, her expression... essentially the same expression she always has... She looked down and then out over the water.]

...

My memory came back.

[ The way Tomoe said that gave Ayame a pause, looking at Tomoe while letting the waves of the ocean fill in the atmosphere. She hums, holding her own elbow. She remembers Tomoe having a memory lapse when she arrived to Genessia the first time ]

You can tell me.

[ She never really got to talk to Kenshin yet, but she assumed that he was the trigger for the memories to swim back to Tomoe's mind ]

[She pressed her lips to a thin line, considering. She wasn't one to place her troubles on display, never had been.]

[But in so many ways that in and of itself was why all of this had taken place.]

...

I died.

[Oh, but there was so much more than that... but she didn't know how to tell it. She didn't know if she should tell it...]

[ Ayame remains unmoved in how she stood and how she reacted, but inside she felt a pang of sympathy for her friend. For a moment the sound of the waves fell silent and everything else was irrelevant. Her focus was only on Tomoe. A moment's pause after, Ayame turns her attention to the horizon, reminding her of the glimpse of the life beyond death that she once saw ]

I'm sorry...

[ She expressed her sympathy; although with only two words, her tone showed a hint of understanding. It's difficult even for someone who's seen a lot of death already to come up with what to say for someone who died and lived again, even if she technically died for a bit too. She tried to comfort Tomoe in the only way she knows how, taking that flask tucked in her obi and offering it to Tomoe ]

That cannot be an easy struggle. Here, you seem to need this more than I do.

[ She shrugs ]

It helps clear one's mind. Just don't drink too much.

[ A beat follows. Whether Tomoe takes the offered drink or not, having some liquid courage might help Tomoe decide whether she should tell Ayame the details or not ]

[Tomoe looked at the flask and took it without any hesitation. She nodded her thanks before opening it. She smelled the contents first to know what she was drinking. Whiskey. She'd never had it, but she at least knew what it was from her very, very brief employment at the Drunken Monkey. She took a swig (it definitely was more than a sip) and screwed her eyes shut as it burned all the way down before handing the flask back.]

My god that is strong... [Strong and fast, she already felt a bit of heat in her cheeks.]

I wouldn't have believed it honestly. I do not know if they pulled me here and healed my wounds before I was completely gone or if they somehow brought me back to life. There's no mark... but... [She lifted her hand and tapped her index finger against her cheek] My husband... the scar on his cheek--that's what triggered it to come back. [She traced the horizontal line on her own cheek subconsciously] His face was cut when it happened...

...

And it was nearly fifteen years ago for him... That is the most difficult part to wrap my mind around. That, and not knowing what became of the rest of my family. [She frowned more] And knowing I never will...

Wait, really? Is it low gravity or something?

It's been a while since I experienced that myself. Is there some sort of entrance fee?

Sadly, no. It's simply a neuro-stimulation type of attraction. Zero-gravity is possible in Nova City's Holodeck, however. The entrance fee is there, and it's reasonable.

[ She hesitated a bit when she said "reasonable". It's true, but even now she's hesitant to pay even a single bill on anything. But she also needs a change of scenery ]

Hm... Well. If you're looking for company, they both sound interesting.

A neuro-stimulation would be like a controlled dream, right? I'd be curious to see if it works on this type of body.

[ Ayame tucks the flask back on her obi and kept her attention on Tomoe throughout, nodding and sympathizing with her friend's plight, although she found herself at a loss for words. This is an unusual situation after all, how does one comfort another who's been through this sort of thing? Ayame felt her chest weighed down, simply nodding and looking to the ocean. ]

I won't pretend to understand your situation entirely. That is a very unique and difficult one that puzzles even me... I've lost my life even if for a moment, but never in the way you're going through.

[ Ayame puts a hand on Tomoe's shoulder and turns slightly, the sand crunches softly on her footsteps as she beckons Tomoe to walk along with her. She figures a little stroll might help ]

Time is a complicated matter to explain at this moment, as is death. But death is ultimately not as terrifying as people believe it to be. It's merely a transitional phase.

Yes, very much so.

[ Ayame nods, noting the name on the message as Uai. They have a number of mutual friends, yet she's never heard of him from any of them. ]

I'm assuming you mean a non-human yet organic body, yes? I'm almost certain they don't allow most androids.

[She nods her thanks. She did not want meaningless condolences or lies that someone may 'understand'. She turned to walk with Ayame.]

It is not death itself that upsets me but the finality of it all. We spoke of how time is affected the day I arrived and how it seems to stop for us in our worlds, that it will continue when we return... but I don't have that assurance now. Unless they are brought here I will never see my father or my brother again. If Kenshin suddenly disappears like others have... barring him returning... [She frowned.]

I have been trying to keep myself busy to keep from thinking of these things. The thoughts just chase circles in my head with no resolution. [And Ayame certainly benefited from it as far as the kitchen went--Tomoe was an efficient tyrant when it came to organization, planning and execution. Perhaps her week as a dragon had been more fitting than she realized.]

[Probably because 0/10 - No one recommends.]

Ah, not quite. I guess I'm classified as a "very complex illusion." [He's honestly not sure what to call his human form.] If it works on me, I'd assume I must be well made.

A resolution to that would not come so easily. But it is possible.

[ She breathes a sigh ]

I find that living in the moment helps greatly, making the worries of the past and future be silenced. Once it does, you'll hear your own thoughts on the matter more clearly. And perhaps then, you'll come to a resolution.

Ah, you're one of those. A rare entity.

[ She hums with mild hint of being impressed. That description fits some of the sort of entities she's encountered in the past. ]

Very well then, I shall send you the coordinates and directions to Space Adventure and meet you there? I can be there in a minute.

[ And she sends him a code for the map application on his phone, highlighting the ways he needs to take to get to Space Adventure's building. Ayame would be there already, dressed in a stylish casual attire with a purse slung on her shoulder. She gives Uai a soft smile in greeting and a small bow out of habit ]

Good afternoon, Uai. Are you ready to come in? The fees are reasonable, so I hope you don't mind paying for yourself. I don't have much money to spare.

Edited 2018-11-16 02:49 (UTC)

Perhaps.

[She lets the silence linger for a few moments.]

We do not know how to act with each other. What we are here. I call him 'my husband,' out of habit, but is he? Our vows were 'until death parts us' and death did part us. And everything that lead up to my death only clouds it all the more, including how I died. Even if he says that he has forgiven me... That there was never anything to forgive...

[She curls her arms around herself, frowning.]

I do not know what he wants. I do not know how to ask him. And I do not know if he would tell me either way. The only thing I do know is that he does not deserve to be haunted by a living ghost... But here I am...

[Uai is fast enough getting there, though he does have to walk partway: He can't just teleport around to places without visualizing where he's going. Ayame will have to make up the casual quota for them both, since Uai never wears anything less than his weird spaceman formal wear.

He throws a casual wave, though, and then follows it up with a bow after she does. Never sure what culture he's dealing with, but happy to adapt.]

Not a problem! It would be weird to be paid for. [His step has a childish skip to it, indicating the excitement that he's trying to keep off his face.] I can't wait to try this!

Edited 2018-11-28 06:11 (UTC)

[ A small sigh of relief escapes her, so much that she didn't register the fact that he both waved and bowed in greeting. She gives him a nod to acknowledge it, though, leading the way inside.

It went pretty much like any indoor attraction. Pay for tickets at the desk, go to a room with pods and put on some crown-like device on their heads before the simulation runs. Ayame wanted a randomized feature, so as the simulation loads, she uses the chat feature to contact Uai. There's telepathy sure, but she wants to see the chat feature and hear the cute sounds it makes when there's a message notification! ]

Are you feeling a change?

[ The machines on their heads slowly starts responding to their brain waves, starting with their senses. Ayame feels herself turn weightless by the second, hairs on her skin crawl as cold begins to envelop her from head to toe. Her sight darkens, and her stomach sinks as she feels her feet lift from the floor. But she isn't sure if Uai is feeling the same thing given his different physiology. ]

I think I know where we're starting off.

[ Even her sense of smell was reaquianted with that familiar "smell" and "sound". It's odd to say that the cold vacuum of space has a smell or sound when there's no air, but the machine registers her abilities and carries it on inside the simulation. So if she can fly outside of the sim, she can fly in it ]

[Uai is all too eager for this to work, and some of his childish personality shines through as he follows Ayame. He's picking up any brochure that is offered along the way as well, behaving almost like a tourist. When they're presented with the pods, however, Uai has to slow down.

He puts a finger to his cheek, overthinking what should be a simple process of taking a seat. Thoughts of If it's about brainwaves, and My glitches might break the tech, do worry him as he stands there examining the attraction. Maybe coming here was a mistake after all, is his final concern, before he shoves them all aside in favor of taking a seat.

The machine takes longer to adjust to whatever Uai is. Likewise, Uai is trying to strike a balance between his illusion and the 'real him,' who could enjoy this. When the change does take effect, it's quite sudden for Uai. Almost as if he switched to the right TV channel mid-show.]

Oh! I figured it out. [He makes a note not to stay too long. Maybe... fifteen minutes? No, he can't drag Ayame here and then ditch her so fast. A half hour? Forty-five?

As he feels himself floating, Uai tells himself to leave his worries behind. He'll leave if something seems to glitch, or otherwise be disturbed by his presence.]

Hoh! Space, huh? It's so weird to be back here.

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Autumn, October 29th - Show Me The Money

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