1st game | accidental video

[xroyal_bratx]

[His collar must be gold at present.

That is the first thought running through his mind when Gaara awakens. He hears grumbling from Shukaku, and answers back somewhat absently. Once he regains his mental bearings, he realizes the darkness surrounding him. Gaara extends one arm forward to push at the unknown restriction, not expecting his sand powers to work in this state.

Outside of the cocoon, he inspects the room with blatant curiosity. A new F3 location, he instantly assumes. He needs to check in with Sai, his siblings, and his friends, and then figure out what this week’s challenge will entail.

However… the communication device doesn’t seem to be in his possession at the moment. Frowning, Gaara steps out of the room to begin his exploration. His senses are on high alert, in anticipation of monster attacks.]

[ Ishtar brushed off some of the leftovers of the cocoon as she woke up and pushed herself out of it. Sidia rested at hers side unhappily and no one else she knew was here. She tugged at her hair and furrowed her brows. Where was here? Did the Facility vanish again? It’s not another one of those 3rd Facilities right? It can’t be. She just fought with everyone to get rid of them.

What the hell is going on?! ]

[As Gaara is walking down the hallway, he keeps searching for the device, as well as any signs of the other inhabitants. His movement is swift, and after a few dozen strides, he begins calling out in an even, but audible tone.]

Sai. Temari. Kankuro. Ishtar.

...Gaara?

[ Ishtar raised a brow catching sight of red hair that stood out in the room of cocoons. ]

H-Hey….what the hell. GAARA!

[ Ishtar started pacing quickly towards Gaara, and trying to make sure she wasn't delusional when her eyes darted towards Gaara and realized it was Gaara but she might be seeing things. The Facility did that to people! ]

[His head immediately turns toward the source, his breath briefly catching in relief. So they had simply been separated. He will find the others, after ensuring Ishtar’s safety.]

Ishtar.

[Gaara heads toward the princess, his expression soft with concern. She is armed, fortunately.]

Have you been able to locate your communication device?

N-no but this-- it shouldn't be happening, and you--you’re not suppose to be-- GAARA.

[ Ishtar throws her arms around him the minute she realized he was the real thing without even giving him a warning but she did it discreetly so that the shield didn't smack her in the face when she wanted to hug Gaara. ]

…?

[His eyes widen with surprise at the ferocity of her reaction, but because this is Ishtar, he allows her to hold him. He doesn't understand why she seems so worried and upset, when they are already accustomed to this routine. It takes a moment for the Suna ninja to recover, before he slowly lifts his arms, and wraps them around her slender frame.]

Are you all right…?

[ She squeezed him tightly against her form. It was Gaaa, in the flesh and bone. He wasn’t fake and he was still alive. She kept squeezing him, fighting back tears that were welling up in her eyes. It was so saddening when she lost a lot of her friends. To see them again, she was so happy. There were no words to describe how happy she was. ]

Gaara...Gaara...

Gaara
Ishtar

Comments

[ACTION]

[no_dreams_for_you]

[The redhead briefly glances over his shoulder at his friend, and then steps in front of her, protectively.] Her name is Ishtar. [Hurt her, and Gaara will kill you.]

I see. [More new arrivals. They are to serve a different purpose in this world.] I would presume everyone else seeks that same goal.

[He blinks slowly, mildly surprised by the offer. He nods, stern expression easing a little.] Yes. [Brief, awkward pause.] Please.

[ACTION]

[pillar_of_strength]

[He regards the redhead with a curious expression.]

She your girlfriend, or somethin'? [Since they don't look like they'd be related...]

Yeah, I figure everyone's gonna be working to get home. It'd only make sense, right? We were brought here against our wills, after all. [Then, to the agreement to let Shinjiro show him where the city is, he nods.] Alright, let's go.

[He gestures with his head in the direction they need to go, then starts that way.]

[ACTION]

[no_dreams_for_you]

Girlfriend…? [Gaara blinks at that unexpected question, and then shakes his head as he replies bluntly.] No. Ishtar is a precious friend. I have a boyfriend.

[Speaking of said boyfriend, he needs to find him after they leave this cavern.]

…Some people have desires to remain away from home. [He mutters quietly, recalling a few of the residents that were dead in their home worlds, or had other reasons to escape.

Gaara follows the other teen, who seems rather knowledgeable. He has the appearance of a civilian, but looks can be deceiving.] How do you prefer to be addressed?

[ACTION]

[pillar_of_strength]

[That earns a shrug.] Oh, okay. You two just seemed really close, was all.

[Walking, steel-colored eyes stare up at the sky a moment.] Huh...I can't imagine hating your entire world that much.

[To the question, Shinjiro glances over to the redhead.] Oh...uh... Either one's fine. If you really just want me to pick, though, I guess...Shinjiro's fine.

[ACTION]

[no_dreams_for_you]

[That observation draws a small smile to crease his lips. For someone like Ishtar, who has many friends, to consider their bond to be special...]

Hatred isn't the only reason. [Gaara answers cryptically, but doesn't elaborate any further.] You harbor the desire to leave.

[He nods in acknowledgment.] Very well. [He had asked because some people at the facility were very particular about how they were addressed. Some preferred their first name, others their surname. He would much rather not play a guessing game with that.]

[ACTION]

[pillar_of_strength]

[Well, it was a valid observation, in Shinjiro's opinion.]

Hm? [He blinks a little over at Gaara, then appears to think on those words, steel-colored eyes shifting upwards a moment.]

Wanting to leave your own world so badly, you'd be content in a new one. I can't really imagine anything bad enough t-...

[For some reason, the thought of Miki pops into his head, almost instantaneously, cutting his sentence off. What if...what if she had been spirited away to another world, from before her death?

His expression falls serious.]

Think it's...possible for people to simply go to another world, after they die?

[ACTION]

[no_dreams_for_you]

[Death isn't an easy subject to discuss with civilians. Even some shinobi families, when delivered such news... Gaara hesitates, still thinking on whether or not it's information he should divulge.

Is it even his place?]

......

[Gaara barely lifts a brow, hinting at the surprise he feels. Shinjiro has figured it out more quickly than most people. Rather impressive.]

Yes. [He answers honestly. It had... technically happened to him, back in his home world.] I have... witnessed such instances.

[His uncle and his mother had appeared in front of him before, back at the facility... Gaara can only hope that his father won't unexpectedly show up to complete the circle.

He continues walking forward, posterior suggesting that he is unaffected by the subject.] Death was not permanent, within the parameters of the facility. I've yet to confirm if that same rule applies to this world.

[ACTION]

[pillar_of_strength]

[His brows lift. Wait, he...has? Shinjiro's expression tenses and he gives a brief look of disbelief. He'd expected to be told he was insane. That it's a ridiculous idea. To get his head out of the clouds, or to stop talking like a child.

...Things that he'd have been told back home, right?] Huh? You have?

[There's a flicker of a hopeful look in his eyes, but he quickly pushes it away. He's trying not to get his hopes up, but...a part of him has to wonder. What if there's a chance Miki is- well, here? Then, he's caught off-guard with the next part.] Wait, not...permanent?

[He pauses. Letting out a sigh, he shakes his head.] Hell, I'm sure it's not like it'd be a first for pretty much all of us- bein' in a world where death is permanent, and all.

[He shrugs.] And, it's not like I'm gonna jump to findin' out.

[ACTION]

[no_dreams_for_you]

Mmm. [He nods in affirmation, but doesn't elaborate beyond that. Hell would freeze over before he starts even considering the notion of discussing his mother and Yashamaru with a complete stranger.

That look in Shinjiro's eyes...] Is there someone you wish to see? One of the deceased, perhaps.

[Wise choice. Only a stupid person would be so eager to find out whether or not death is permanent - through trial and error.]

The answer will be realized, eventually. Though, it would be beneficial to acquire as early as possible...

[Despite knowing that, it isn't like Gaara intends to run out and kill someone, just to test this theory.]

[ACTION]

[pillar_of_strength]

[And Shinjiro isn't the type to press matters.

The question of someone he wishes to see...has him looking to the side, away from Gaara.] ...

[Both hands shove firmly into his pockets and he continues looking away as he continues to look away.] Maybe...

[Alas, that's all Gaara will get. Once Gaara mentions it being beneficial to acquire the answer as early as possible, Shinjiro's expression tenses a bit.]

Yeah, guess so. But, how do we know this place won't have the ability to fuck with our heads? If it has the ability to bring in random people from random worlds, who says it won't have the ability to trick us?

[ACTION]

[no_dreams_for_you]

[Gaara mentally translates that “maybe” to a definite “yes.” If he knew Shinjiro better, he would ask exactly who he wants to see, but certainly not right now.

He looks over to Shinjiro with a neutral expression as he answers dryly.] We can’t be certain. Whomever is in charge of this realm must possess immeasurable capabilities. [Time travel is no small feat, considering the physics and mechanism.] We need to determine their purpose for our presence here.

[He doesn’t trust the illusion of peace. If everyone is allowed to keep their powers at full capacity, there must be a reason, a need, for it.]

We may not even be able to trust each other.

[ACTION]

[pillar_of_strength]

[Sighing with a bit of frustration, he turns his head to give Gaara a sideways glance.]

Yeah, no kidding... [Looking straight ahead, he appears to think on it, until he hears that last part. His brow tenses, a little. Well, that's certainly not a settling thought. He feels a little stupid, for not thinking of that one.

Why wouldn't whoever brought them there, pose as a fellow victim of kidnapping? It'd be the easiest way to keep an eye on everyone.]

Right... [He sighs, eyes narrowing a bit.] Well, guess all we can do is be careful what we say around each other. That's about all I plan on doin', though. Even if we can't know who to trust, I don't plan on lettin' fear rule me.

[ACTION]

[no_dreams_for_you]

[That level of deception isn’t something Gaara would expect civilians to come up with. What reason would they have, after all, to regard others with so much suspicion? Even if they were careful, there are still a number of ways to bypass their cautious efforts. They must have some reliance on the people responsible for bringing them here, in spite of how hard they fight against the notion.]

That would be wise. However, if there are cameras installed around the city to monitor everyone, then those efforts would prove fruitless.

[Stating such a brave claim quirks Gaara’s brows up with mild amusement. This one isn’t a mere civilian. Not with his behavior. He has to wonder, what kind of experiences Shinjiro must have had, in his home world…

In the meantime…] There are others that I must locate. [He tilts his head a little, sincerity in his eyes as he suggests to the other teenager.] We can speak at a later time, if you wish.