[That wasn't right. When Allen became aware of the first vague sensations of consciousness nipping at him, his eyes snapped open, and clarity returned to him. This wasn't right at all. His eyes focused, and the first thing he saw was the roof of a cavern. The first thing he heard, the sloshing of water. He could take account of his other senses as well, but by this point it wouldn't tell him anything he wanted to. Instead, he took account of his own body- made sure everything was still working- and then used one hand to push himself up from the bed of the cocoon, catching the box that was sitting on his chest in the other in a smooth, reactive motion that could have been mistaken for unconscious.

A bed- no, a cocoon? As he pried himself from it and stepped into the water filling the Bay, finding himself up to his heels in it, a whole host of questions crossed his mind, many with answers he didn't like. But he supposed he should get more information before he pursued THOSE lines of thought any further, or else they could lead down dark roads. Best not to jump to conclusions... even if that's what he really wanted to do right now.

He finally turned his attention to the box and pried it open, tucking the lid under the same arm holding the box while he examined the contents. He plucked out the walkie-talkie first, and took a moment to examine it- thoroughly, the hand holding it bursting open into a mass of metallic tendrils, each ended with a different device to prod and hook and pick apart the device- there was even an Ammeter in there somewhere. Ultimately; Rudimentary but functional, he concluded on the device, his hand folding back into it's original shape- and taking the walkie-talkie with it, absorbing it into his body. He knew how it worked in detail now, replicating it's functions wouldn't be an issue.

He briefly glanced over the gold necklace, studded with a large red jewel and numerous other smaller ones, and then chose to pick out the pamphlet. Huh. They wanted him to know they brought him here?

It didn't take long to flip through it. How kind of them to provide the walkie-talkie! He took a second look at the necklace though, now that he knew it's purpose as a transport vessel and an identifier- and took a moment to wrap it around his wrist like a bracelet, snapping it shut and letting it hang there. Then last of all, he took the money and stuffed it into his coat's pocket, mumbling, "Thanks for room and board, I guess." Then he chucked the box and it's lid back to the cocoon, and at last, made his way out of the Bay.


Upon stumbling across the magazine rack, he cocked an eyebrow. "Sure stands out, but I guess that's the point."

As Weiss' message played out to full, he dug through the magazines at the rack, giving them cursory glances. Safer than home, huh? He could believe it. But that didn't mean it was more exciting that way. The message ended and he put the magazines back, taking in his surroundings, and considered making his way to Nova City. But first, he figured he'd put the video capabilities of that walkie-talkie to the test by posing a question to the greater populace who'd already arrived, raising an empty hand and allowing a camera lens to form on it's palm- HD Video, here we come! He'd already recorded the frequency it was broadcasting on, so the rest came neatly.]

[Video]

Getting into the Christmas spirit, everyone? [He laughs to himself, but you can tell from his face he's not in the best place mentally. A little red under the eyes.]

So, can anyone give me a read on how outdated Ms. Schnee's little info relay out here is? You know, if anyone's gotten any closer on how to get home or not. Just need to know if I'm here for the short-term or the long haul, you know?

[He briefly is out of focus, giving anyone viewing a view of a boot attached to a leg- after all, the camera is in his hand, as opposed to being carried by it. Not that the viewer would know. Then it shifts focus to his face again.]

Nice place you've got here.

[A pod in the Bay opens to reveal a small girl in a maid dress, still sound asleep. Before long, Marie awakens, her brilliant red eyes glow for a moment as strength and awareness returns.

She sits up in the pod, baleful blue flames erupt from a huge gaping hole in her back, flames whipping past even exposed bone and settle into a ball no larger than a skull.

She was still and quiet for what seemed like an eternity, then her eyes narrowed.]

"...Lorenzo..."

[She remembers now. She had found the filth, Lorenzo Medici, trying to escape on a airship. Marie began to move to get out of the pod, but nearby box sitting next to her was pushed out and fell into the water.

Marie, now floating a couple of feet above the water, glanced at the water where the splash was heard. A skull with glowing blue eyes appeared from behind Marie and flew into the water, retrieving the box in its mouth and bringing it to Marie. She opened the box to find brochures, a communicator, a necklace, among other things. She looked around the Bay, now realizing this was not New Meridian. She briefly considers this to be a prison, but if it were, why would they release her?]

[Marie uses the power the Skull Heart in her back to search for minions and raise no ones from the Medici's victims possibly laying dead beneath the water, but nothing. She couldn't even find her own elite generals, Double or Valetine. This was troubling the girl. No corpses was one thing, but no sign of her minions anywhere was strange. And this Bay above all things was the most strange. Marie knows for a fact that there was no area like this in the Canopy Kingdom, nor did she create it like the Atrium.

Marie kept the box of items, thinking they may come in handy somehow, and left the Bay. She landed and tried to look like a normal girl in order to test a theory. However, this was impossible to do with pale white skin, brilliant red eyes and a huge hole in her back emitting blue flames.

Seeing the city she walked into, Marie knew she was most definitely no longer in New Meridian, and the hologram of a tiny girl in white prattling on about whatever the hell "Genessia" was. Now she was angry and she made it known to the hologram, not caring whether or not if she or the Medicis, could hear.]

"So this is your plan, Lorenzo? Capturing me and dumping me somewhere else in hopes I wouldn't be able to find you again? You think your new "Schnee" allies would do any better than those fools who come after me for my Skull Heart?"

[Marie stopped herself, deciding not to proceed further and just went on her way to find a scene of death. She needs new minions. She collected the items from the box she had and stuffed them away in her dress where they could be safe and not be a burden. While it would be much easier to just go about as the Skullgirl, it would be better to not flaunt her power until she knows more about Genessia.]

((Sorry that it's a bit lengthy, but intro posts are very important!))

The piercing light from an opening fridge door illuminated the muggy darkness that filled Saitama's home. It was something like 2AM... or something. To say that the hero wasn't entirely sure what time it was-was an understatement since his mind was still up for going back to bed. However , his mouth ached for something to quench a dryness that had him woken up with a throat that felt like a desert.
To make matters worse, the water for his apartment complex had been on the fritz. That's the price you pay for living in an abandoned part of town.
Saitama's eyes scanned the contents of the fridge: some eggs, some tofu, and some leftover vegetables was all he had...
The hero batted his eyes shut a few times before standing up straight and calling out to the darkness, “Hey, Genos! Are you home?”

( Read more... )