Autumn, October 1st (Backdated) - As one tale ends, another begins

[zenoh]

Intro - Closed:

[ Ayame arrived in Genessia quietly; making no hassles and just calmly followed the breadcrumbs left for her by the authorities of this world. She listened to the hologram, read the pamphlet, and even went to the welcoming company office to get herself sorted out. It wasn't her intention to go to this world in particular. She was simply jumping from one random universe to another and ended up here. Her first impression wasn't muddied by the cold dampness of the Bay, and the sight of a peaceful modern city was enough to put a weary smile on her face. Dressed in her kimono-esque battle uniform with arms clad in armored bracers, and armed with a sword at her side, Ayame felt out of place and just want to get changing to something more comfortable. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, prepping herself for a new beginning. ]

Video - Memoria Park/Shrine:

[ After getting changed to some civilian clothes and checking in at a hotel, Ayame decided to go for some fresh air with nothing but her purse in hand and her necklace she got from the Bay complimenting her overall look. She spent all day and afternoon in Genessia City, getting a feel of the place. Taking pictures of flowers and trees at the garden park, that Gothic temple, then going to the grocery store and checking out the library. Ayame's excitement for this new world, apart from her inability to sleep, made her compelled to go outside once again right after dinnertime.

Ayame ended up seeing a Shinto shrine in the city, much to her bewilderment. She's always had a complicated relationship with her "religion" given how she was brought up. She simply looked at the shrine itself, not bothering to ring the bell or offer a prayer. She wandered around the grounds until she ended up at the Memoria Park nearby, seeing the marble slab with all the names carved neatly in the stone. Ayame looks at the names, reads them in her mind until she found a name that gave her pause: Troy Dantes.

A gasp and a moment later, the puzzled Ayame took a moment to get her bearings while reading the name over and over again. Is this even the same guy she knows? Granted, Troy wasn't a close friend of hers yet, but he made a good impression enough for her to know and respect him. It was nagging at her mind. While it was likely this is a different man, there was also the slight chance that this is him. After all, she was drawn to this world against her will, who is to say someone else from her world was taken the same way? There was only one way to find out...

Taking her comm device, Ayame hesitated for a minute as her mind began being flooded with what-ifs and anxious thoughts of having to put herself out there for others to see. But it was the only way to get this out of her head. She chose the video option and places her device on a flat surface. ]

Hello? Good evening. Pardon me for asking, but does the name "Troy Dantes" mean anything to any of you? It's the name of someone I knew from my world, I only want to know if it is the same person. Please, if you have known him, I would like to confirm if this is the same man I know of.

[ Her body language was polite and calm despite how befuddled she was at the revelation. It may not seem like a big deal to many, but if this meant two people from her world have been taken here, who is to say there weren't (or aren't) more from the same place. ]

Comments

video;

[orlokbutterfly]

Troy? Y'mean that guy I tried to get in bed with on multiple occasions?

[With that expression, it would be hard to tell if Gale was joking... he's not, of course, but what would a newbie like that know, eh? He scoffed a bit before answering her seriously.]

If you're talkin' about a guy with a badass powered armor that came from this fancy ass city called Dubai, then it's the same guy. He used to be a deputy for Nova City while he was here.

Re: video;

[zenoh]

Dubai...

[ Ayame muttered the words under her breath. That, the power armor, and being a dude magnet does hit all the marks of the Troy she knows of. She takes her own translucent smartphone that she came with, looking almost like the Genessian communicators except it has a black outline. ]

Dubai is a crucial city in my world. It's essentially became the capital business city of the planet... Let me see.

[ With a few clicks, she showed Gale a picture of Troy wearing said armor, smiling even though it looks like he just came out of an oven with the char marks on the plating. Right next to him are other metal-clad soldiers except for Ayame herself, wearing her kimono-esque combat uniform instead. She zooms the image towards Troy's face, to make it easier for Gale to see ]

Is this him?

video;

[orlokbutterfly]

[He leans a little closer to the device and gave a nod with a grin coming to his face.]

Oh yeah, that's him all right. I recognize that kinda guy anywhere. Shame he's not here anymore though. I'm guessin' you're am associate of his?

[zenoh]

Yes, he was a colleague of mine.

[ The Troy that Gale knew would be much younger than when Ayame first worked with him in actual combat. But Troy was one of those people who don't seem to age, so even when he's a few years older in the photograph, his appearance remains the same as Gale would remember. ]

I suppose it is a shame. I may not feel it now, but having some company with someone who could relate and know where you came from sounds like a nice thing to have in this world in the long run.

[orlokbutterfly]

Hate to say it, but the closest you have to that might end up bein' the rest of us who are the only people from our respective worlds. I sure as hell don't know anyone from where I came from. But this place isn't too bad. I mean, so long as you don't mind all the crazy shit that happens every once in a while.

[He shrugs.]

But I hope you don't have that same workaholic attitude that Troy had. Name's Gale, by the way.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

[ It wasn't uncommon for people to ask about names of specific people. Most of the time, they were never around. But this rather pleasant-looking lady, however, asked a name that Konoka felt like should have rang a bell, yet it didn't. Instead, she figured that it might be just worth talking to her. ]

No, I'm sorry. Chances are the people you ask for aren't here.

[ She wished she could come across a time where she was proven wrong, though. ]

[zenoh]

I don't expect to see him here. This wall appears to be one for remembering those who have gone.

[ Ayame sighs, shoulders drooping slightly for a brief moment ]

It shouldn't matter, though. I was only wondering if there is someone else from my world in here. A part of me wishes there are...

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Ah.

[ Well that made a boatload of sense. Troy was someone who probably disappeared at some point. ]

Well, I'm sorry that you couldn't find that someone. On the other hand, Genessia as a whole is a very nice place. It won't take you too long to find a good spot to settle. Have you found the job board yet?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame shakes her head ]

No. I just arrived here this morning. I thought I'd enjoy the scenery while I can before I decide on a job...

[ Ayame chuckles softly, almost smiling. She fixes her eyes back on Konoka, focusing her attention on the girl entirely and noting any physical traits she could see ]

You are right in that Genessia is a nice place. I find it quite wonderful. I've only seen the landmarks of the main city today, and I intend to visit the others on the days after.

Ayame Sasaki, by the way.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Konoka Konoe! Nice to meet you!

[ Konoka was also observing her too. Those clothes were sharp and flattering, but Ayame's look was certainly seemed more... world weary. It was hard to place and it wasn't like she was all that experienced in fitting out those details.

Ayame would see someone with long hair done in a hime cut framing a fair face and trendy casual clothing. Her brown eyes shone brightly, now that her mood was improving a little. ]

Video

[nevertrulyalone]

[The video feed shows what is clearly an alien. Artanis has gotten more comfortable presenting himself to the other inhabitants here, so he opts for video nowadays.]

I beg your pardon, miss, but I had the privilege of meeting Troy Dantes. He and I were colleagues for a time, as a matter of fact.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame herself didn't find the sight of a non-human sapient replying to her to be even the slightest of strange. Being used to spirits and meeting many other sapient species during her time in the Consortium has made it a normal part of her life. Her actions remain calm, responding to Artanis like he is a friend ]

Then we have something in common. He was also a colleague of mine, for a time. Hearing from someone else that he was a deputy in this world during his stay does sound like him. I would bet he almost never rests too?

[ Ayame and Troy didn't get to serve much together, but Troy was the type to leave a good impression to his fellow agents. His hard-working, though it borders on self-destructive, attitude was one of the things that made the other agents and soldiers like having him around for ]

[nevertrulyalone]

[After having spent nearly a year in this realm, Artanis notes the lack of surprise and finds it unusual. She must be familiar with extraterrestrial beings, if not Protoss specifically.]

Yes, he was one of Nova City's deputy guardians. I was, and still am, the other. My name is Artanis.

As for how often he rested...I'm afraid I don't possess that knowledge. I never inquired into his personal affairs outside of his job. I assumed that he would simply tell me what he wanted me to know.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame gives an understanding nod in response. ]

I'm pleased to meet you, Artanis. My name is Ayame Sasaki.

I'll be in your care during my stay in this world, Deputy. Any ally of Agent Dantes is an ally of mine.

[nevertrulyalone]

I will continue to do my duty to the best of my ability. I hope you enjoy your time here.

But while we are talking, would you be willing to tell me what work it was that you and Troy Dantes did in your own realm?

[Action]

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi didn't normally hang out at the shrine, but she went there occasionally. It reminded her some of home, even if the purity of the area was somewhat irritating to her. The routines of those who cared for it were so predictable though that she couldn't help but find it relaxing... And it was always exciting when something new and different happened. Brightening immediately the little youkai took to the air, drifting forward to greet the new person... and stopped. Her aura was off-putting. Powerful and somewhat familiar. Better to take this slow.

Relying on her unconscious nature to keep her hidden, she followed Ayame into the Memorial Park, drifting up and sitting on a tree branch. For now she was simply watching, head slightly tilted and third eye swaying gently from side to side. She was carefully maintaining her cloak, though not as aggressively as she did when she was in active danger. Still, it was better to be more cautious than not.

Troy... Hm. Wasn't he...? Koishi furrowed her brow in thought, her power slipping very slightly. Who was he? Wasn't it that... Her memory was so fuzzy and its been a long time. He was the one who went to the mountain with her. And Sis too. Right? Right!

[zenoh]

[ Feeling odd presences around is a normal part of Ayame's life ever since she was young. So much that she's learned to shut them out. But ever since the incident that poisoned her, she had been unable to shut out any unwanted "ringing" that her Resonance powers can sense. That and she had a few drinks before coming here. The complimentary booze from the hotel was too tempting to ignore.

Though ignore is what she did when she was speaking through the video phone, ignoring those strange feelings of being watched until it was time to leave. Saying goodbye to the people who responded to her video, Ayame acted like nothing was bothering her. She looked to the tree branch where she could feel the anomaly the most, almost leering at the "empty space" that occupied it. ]

If you wanted to talk, we can now. Let's just get this over with, please. I have an appointment I'd rather not be late for.

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi just listened quietly, smiling softly to herself and kicking her feet a little bit. It wasn't long before the little youkai began zoning out, looking up at the birds, around at the tree, reaching up to pull off a leaf. She blinked. Wait...

She looked back down at the woman again, focusing. She had been noticed? She was being talked to? Another blink. Yes. She was looking straight at her! The little youkai relaxed her power some, her form sharpening and allowing Ayame's mind to more easily acknowledge her presence.

"You saw the altered state of emptiness occupying this space. You're very interesting, miss. I was here chasing rabbits and I saw you come over here and I followed." She slipped out of the tree and landed lightly, her third eye bobbing merrily. She drifted slowly into the air until she was about eye level. "Hello there! I'm Koishi Komeiji! I'm a satori youkai. It's very nice to meet you."

[zenoh]

[ Ayame didn't know what to say to that, and she was puzzled at the yokai's blinking. A part of her didn't like that there's a yokai in this world too, even though they exist in many realities as she's witnessed through experience going from one universe to another. But that is her main gripe about it. Ayame just wants as little reminders of her world in here as she could get.

Though it was unfair of her to be annoyed by the little satori by simply existing. She sighs ]

Thank you? I guess? A--

[ Ayame's words were cut short. Ayame's frowning eyes turned to a wider one of curious surprise as Koishi floated towards her. ]

I- It's nice to meet you as well, Koishi. Though I suppose you're a little adorable for a satori.

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi leaned forward, very much in Ayame's bubble, her third eye drifting forward and nudging her shoulder gently. She seemed to be examining the woman, using her thumb to tilt her hat up and back. At least she seemed friendly enough, though her blank presence was disturbing. It made it hard to tell, but she certainly was a satori. But there was something wrong with her aspects. It was like her very nature had been fragmented.

Though this didn't seem to actually result in any distress on her part, oddly enough.

"You seem to know what a satori is Miss. That's good. I don't meet many people who know. Most of them haven't even ever heard of youkai." She brightened. "I like you. You seem like a very smart human. But it seems strange to me. Satori youkai look like me and my sister where I'm from. Apparently they look different in other worlds... But I'm me and I'm a satori!"

[Video]

[youfool]

Yes, I knew Troy a little. He was gregarious enough; came to a party with a very interesting motorcycle, came from a 'Dubai' which had come a long way, to say the least, and seemed to be fond of danger.

[zenoh]

Gregarious and fond of danger... That is him, alright.

[ Ayame nods, a little amused at how fitting those descriptions are of her friend ]

He didn't seem to know as much people as I expected him to have. Makes me wonder how long he stayed in this universe.

[youfool]

Oh? Heh, suppose his hobby might be to thank for that. My last memory was him celebrating his birthday, I believe, by going to the Holodeck; a virtual reality simulator that simulates it well enough to kill. He was just cautious enough to try and vet my credentials, and then...

well, at least his birthday wasn't a deathday.

[zenoh]

I see.

[ Out of all of that, what caught Ayame's attention was the Holodeck. Well enough to kill... Troy and his buddies back home can be a little out of control when they celebrate, so that's not surprising he's willing to do something insane just for his birthday celebration. ]

Thank you for sharing your information to me. I didn't catch your name. I am Ayame Sasaki, colleague of Agent Dantes.

[youfool]

You're very welcome. I'm Ted. As for your name, would you tell me it's meaning? The orient, if that's its origin, has unusually slippery nomenclature.