genessia | Winter, February 17

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[ Ayame wasn't spared by the sudden culling of people this morning. She woke up with a hollow feeling, immediately noticing the lack of Yuyuko's presence in the city and her name no longer in the system. She saw both Gale's and Konoka's anguish for their own losses, and saw the many added names in Memoria Park.

Ayame never spoke a word when even as she went to work in Nova, starting her day with an announcement from the Skyrise's office: ]

Greetings. This is Ayame Sasaki of Nova City. I have been informed of a sudden loss of many names this morning. One of which is our own Deputy Faye Valentine. My sympathies for those who have been affected, but the matter of their disappearances would have effects in the economy and security of all cities. Should your businesses and Guardian offices be shorthanded by this incident, I will send some aid in the form of androids to fill in temporarily.

One other thing - This is not to cause alarm, but this culling could mean something might be coming our way. I don't know for certain what this could entail or when it will strike, if any, but it's still good to be vigilant nonetheless. Stay together, watch each other's well-being, and report anything that you deem unusual... That is all.

[ She closes the video with a gesture. Her tone was serious and her expression almost cold, but her last request to stick together hid a touch of tenderness in it. With people gone, it's best to enjoy every moment with those who are left have before the world decides to send them away. She's trying to keep it together, especially if her partner Gale is emotionally compromised at the moment. Even if he's not telling her to do anything, Ayame will take it to herself to do all the Guardian work anyway. ]

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[Gale had listened to Ayame's message on his way to the Skyrise. Even if he didn't want to go in and just continue his loathing, Ayame had made a good point. The disappearances could very well mean something on the horizon, and they had a job to do. Emotionally compromised Guardians aren't good Guardians.

He stepped into the Skyrise office with a couple of bags on his wrist and two drinks in hand. He lifted one arm slightly as he greeted her.]

Hey. You like sushi, kid?

[ Ayame is looking out of the large window of the office. The reaction to the door opening behind her was only a subtle turn of her head, brief as it came before her attention looks over the flying traffic and Nova's skyline. ]

I may be the only person from Japan who doesn't.

[ Raw foods in general are something Ayame dislikes. She spoke with a sigh, crossing her arms in a way her hands touch her elbows. ]

Good thing I picked up more than just that then. Burgers and coffee a better option?

[He walked over and sat the coffees down, then the bags. He turned to look at her, sitting on an unoccupied corner of the desk.]

Figured the least I can do is get us lunch since I was late.

[He pauses briefly, rubbing the back of his neck.]

You alright?

Those should be.

[ She remained largely stationary, but looks over to the food and drink items that Gale brought on the desk. She brushes her fringes off her face as she turns her attention off of the city and helps him take the items out of the bags. She glances at him when he asked how she's doing, seeing his hand on his neck ]

I won't lie and say that I'm not upset by this, but I choose to stay positive. Focus on the present.

[For saying she was choosing to stay positive, she didn't seem terribly positive right now. Although she was far more positive about things than he was, comparatively.]

You're handlin' things with a hell of a lot more grace than I am.

[He was kind of envious. Right now he'd seemed more exhausted than anything, and at least no one but Andy knew of his immediate meltdown. Not that it made him feel much better about it, considering that he'd screamed like he had an arm torn off.]

... but I'd heard your message on the way in. The idea of somethin' about to happen seems more likely than I'd care to admit.

[Which meant he needed to pull himself together.]

Loss is an old friend.

[ She answers bluntly. Her eyes once again leaves him to look at the table below. Carefully and neatly, she divides the containers on the table, putting the sushi on Gale's side and giving it almost a wistful look. ]

My brother liked sushi. I never understood why, much like how I never understood why he liked whisky so much. How things have changed...

[ She reminisces, smiling softly as her seat hovered back to give her space to sit on it. ]

Guess that's two of us that it likes to make itself familiar with.

[He gave a sympathetic smile. He's sure faced his fair share of it, but it's one thing he could never get used to. He glances at the sushi briefly before looking back to Ayame.]

My little sister couldn't stand the stuff either. Older sis was indifferent. [He laughed.] Maybe it's a guy thing. Sounds like we'd get along on the sushi and whisky front.

How many siblings did you have? If ya don't mind me askin'.

[ Ayame crosses her legs the instant she sat on the chair. She wasn't wearing her white dress uniform with the dangerously short skirt today, actually opting to wear her combat suit with the armored gauntlets and showed no signs in taking it off to eat ]

Two, but they're all half-siblings to be precise. My father have sired children with different women who were part of the first Program to create supersoldiers.

[ She said, casually. Ayame uses her telekinesis to unwrap her burger, slicing it in four portions with her mind too without even visibly exerting any effort ]

My half-sister Kanae, and my half-brother Yushin. Kanae remains well; since she was spared from the Program. She was my father's original daughter with his actual wife, so he had always been bias towards her. I may have mentioned her before on the topic of Dantes. They were romantic once, and that's how I got to meet him.

But my brother... He was my father's favorite son and the greatest swordsman I've ever known. Better than I. Losing him in battle was one of the deepest cuts I've ever felt. For a time, I really blamed myself for his death much like how my father blamed me. Fortunately, Genessia has taught me to let go of the past.

[ With both Kanae and Yushin being favored by her father, and being a part of a program that breeds children to be war machines, it seems that Ayame's dad is an asshole. She was actually being nice by not talking about him much further. ]

There seemed to be a rather large number of people vanishing, so that is awfully worrying.

[She was worried what that something might be really if anything. So she figured to be somewhat on her guard or something.]

Should we keep an eye out for other strange occurrences too?

Yes, as much as you are able to. But don't let it interfere with your daily life too much.

[ She nods with her straightforward reply, wearing her glasses as she works in the office, moving hologram after hologram of reports for the day ]

Were you one of the affected by this sudden reaping?

I will try and not let it. I mean I pretty much spend most of my time at my work afterall.

[She was also not kidding, the only time she would go out if for food and when she needs more metal from either a store nearby or from Fayren if she manages to find scraps.]</small.

That's it, you and Gale are going to have to start coming to Poker night or something. I'll probably find a fourth person too...

And no, you don't get a choice in the matter.

[ Ayame gives a soft laugh in response, probably the first one she's made today. She wasn't going to deny that she's upset, but she's also handling her woe better than the others, having learned from her past experience with this ]

Poker night? That sounds quite enjoyable, actually. I do love a good game of cards as much as I enjoy a good drink.

Winter, February 17 - The Snappening

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