genessia | [Video / Action - OTA] Rise from the Bay

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[Video / Action - OTA] Rise from the Bay

[Action]

[It was sudden. Confusing. This is familiar. Did this happen before? The girl with deathly pale skin blinks and scans the black sky of night with red eyes. She gasps.]

"The Skullgirl!"

[Before Squigly can begin to get up, a skeletal, serpentine creature cranes his neck above her face.]

"Are you all right, milady?"

[Finally, she begins to stand up, with the creature still nesting inside of her head, sticking out from her ear on one side and a wound on the other. Leviathan's tail was wrapped around a peculiar box, to which was passed along to the host.]

"Lev? What happened?"

"I cannot say. We awoke briefly in that cave and you stumbled out. Then you collapsed. I thought you were being influenced by the Skullgirl, but I do not sense her anywhere. ... There's some kind of projection nearby. If I understood what the young lady in the projection says, we are not in New Meridan, or anywhere in the Canopy Kingdom.

My lady, I think we are in a whole other world entirely. A world called 'Genessia.' Weiss, the young lady in the projection, says that box we woke up with has all we need for our little conundrum."

[Squigly opens the box. Brochures? A pretty amulet. A phone? Odd money she definitely did not know. It certainly looks like something they can use to figure out what's going on. Reading through the phone instructions and features, she gets a brilliant idea.]

"Hey, Lev. We can use this to talk to other people. Maybe we can find out what's going on."

"I would not advise that. The undead are not looked upon favorably due to the Skullgirl's influence. Not to mention we're in a strange, new world where we do not know what the reaction would be.

...But, if you must, allow me to excuse myself so I don't shock anyone."

[Leviathan coiled his body, pulling himself inside her head to hide away, covering the wound in Squigly's head with a detachable ponytail to match the other for a cute set of twintails. Upon fiddling with the phone, following the instructions, she got it working and was ready to look for answer.

This could be the perfect chance for someone to catch her before she wanders off.]

[Video]

[Upon the screen was a young-looking girl with deathly pale skin. She looks perfectly cute and normal, except for her red eyes, her mouth stitched shut and stitches in her neck. She was smiling, but how is she speaking?]

"Good afternoon! My name is Sienna Contiello, but you can call me Squigly. If there's anyone awake, would you be so kind as to answer some questions I have? I seem to be new to this world."

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[Trahearne is mostly unphased by Squigly's appearance. She's in remarkably good shape compared to the undead he's used to, either the ones he summons or the ones trying to tear him apart. He has a polite smile on his face, he's curious but doesn't want to show it.]

It's good to meet you Ms. Squigly. I am Trahearne and haven't been here long myself, but I would be happy to answer what questions you might have to the best of my ability. I take it you have just arrived?

Edited 2016-11-28 03:20 (UTC)

[Squigly's not phased either. He looks like someone who would blend in well with the diverse population in New Meridian. She wouldn't ever guess he's not from the Canopy Kingdom.]

"Pleased to meet you as well, Trahearne. My first question is, how many others like us are there? By that, I mean others who were brought from their worlds? My second question, how has life been like for you here?"

[She glances away for a moment as if listening to someone off screen. She doesn't seem to understand why it would be a question worth asking.]

"Oh, and does the title, "The Skullgirl," mean anything to you?"

[The fewer that comment on the fact that he's a walking plant, the better!]

Many, though most people you'll meet here will be, hrm, fake? In a sense. Apparently those of us from alternate worlds are the only 'real' people here, though I question what that really means. [He waves a hand, it's not that important of a debate right now.]

There are many from the same worlds that knew each other, I haven't run across any from my world here however. Which makes adjusting more difficult. I wouldn't say life here is hard, it's relatively peaceful and it's quite simple to settle in. It's odd to be working a, uh, regular job, when one is used to something more.

As for 'The Skullgirl', no, I haven't heard anything about it. I can keep an eye out for any information regarding it, if someone with such a title has visited here before. Does it belong to someone you know? It sounds ominous.

[Then again, she looked pretty dead, so maybe it was normal.]

[Trahearne The Fern is already on it, but hey, he's got seniority. Might know a thing or two more; plus more welcomes are always...welcome.]

Good evening, Ms. Squigly. I'll be happy to, if you don't mind turnabout. You're...Italian, right?

[She was like soemthing out of a video game and that was a strange sight to see if she had to be completely honest. But it was interesting at the same time.]

Nice to meet you Squigly. I'm Chiaki and I should ask what questions. I mean I haven't been here long, but I can try and help.

[She paused for a moment.]

Also... How can you talk with your mouth stitched up?

"Hmm... Real people? Fake people? I'm afraid I don't understand this. I wonder if anyone from my world is here? Besides Lev....

You look like a man made out of plants, and you live life like any flesh and blood person? Would you happen to know the general opinion on, well... zombies?"

[There was a slight hesitation there. It seems she hates what she is. Though, she cheers up at the mention of not knowing about the Skullgirl.]

"No, don't trouble yourself about it. If you don't know about the Skullgirl, then it's okay."

[If she can't take her down, maybe some other brave soul can champion the cause. The Skullgirl can't be left alone.]

"Italian...? I... I guess so? I mean, I don't really know what other countries call the Canopy Kingdom.

Well, to start, how long have you lived here? How is life for you here?"

"Nice to meet you too, Chiaki!

One question I've been asking many people is--"

[And suddenly the mouth thing. While she can't deny what happened to her, she still hates this little reminder that she is dead.]

"M-my mouth...? Well, um... I could tell you, but it's... kind of shocking."

If you don't want to say, you don't have to.

[She smiled slightly.]

But what is the question?

I don't bleed quite as readily as someone made of flesh and bone, but otherwise, yes, my life is pretty normal. I'm sure you can find more excitement here if that's what you wish.

[He paused before tackling the zombie question. He knew his feelings on zombies. It would be unfair to judge her, however, she was polite so far and didn't seem too inclined to start ripping limbs off strangers.]

I would wager the opinion on the undead is unfavorable. My research so far has determined the reaction to sentient and mindless humanoid undead across multiple worlds is usually one of fear. I would not rely on just my word on the matter, I'm not very sure. Many have been surprised, but accepting, that I am a plant. All I've met here so far have been very accepting.

And... If you wish. If I hear anything in passing, still, I'll let you know.

[There will come a time when Leviathan can come out and meet people too. But for now, they need to tread lightly.]

"My questions are, how long have you lived here? And how has life been for you here?"

"So views on zombies is unfavorable?"

[How she missed being alive. She silently curses all of her misfortune of the last fourteen years.]

"I suppose I'll have to stay out of sight and keep asking around until I can see just how negative the opinion is."

I do hope I'm wrong about that.

[He really didn't want to deliver bad news, especially when it might not be true!]

I would be willing to help in any way I can if that gives you any trouble while living here.

[It's good to know there are gentlemen regardless of time and place. Perhaps he and Lev will get along?]

"What can you do to help me, Trahearne?"

That's a good question. [Maybe he should've thought of the answer before offering.] Most of what I would offer should be in that box you were given. Otherwise I can offer my company, especially if you feel unsafe at any time.

[Necromancers are tanks, at least as far as Tyrian magic users go. He might look like a weed, literally, but he's tough! Really!]

You are free to send me a message at any time if you need to ask a question, though I've only been here, ah, only a month and a half myself. Or just to talk, if that suits you.

[Later that evening, after he closed his shop in Nova City, and he's on his way home, the post caught Sebastian's interest, because being a supernatural being himself, demon more precisely, he never seen a child of an undead type before. Or he suspect she is, it's hard to tell over the video. And children is of particular interest to him because they are his main audience and customers for his candies and bakery merchandise that he produce in his shop.

In the video, she can see he's a businessman, wearing a classic black suit and tie.]

Ms. Squigly, is it? My name is Sebastian. I can take time to answer your questions.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Trahearne."

[Such a short time in and already she made a friend. And so with that, she cuts the feed to continue conversing with other people who answered her call.]

[Fancy person is fancy. He reminds her of Lev a little. The parasite may or may not agree with that comparison, though.]

"Thank you, Sebastian. My questions are, how long have you lived here? How has life been for you? And how are zombies treated in this world?"

"How long I live here? Ah, let's see...I've been here since August, so it's nearly 3 months. I own a manor, a company, and an apartment. I suppose it's all right, but it's a quiet life as I live by myself with cats for company."

[It just isn't the same without his Young Master, who went home.]

"As for zombies, the view is unfavorable. Ghosts, vampires, werewolves thrive in the city of Everglade, but there is some political instability over there. Though I don't live there, I live in Nova City just for work."

"Huh! To think that language is more universal than I thought. Well, can't be too surprised. English is having its heyday here. It's an interesting name; means "red clay", or something along those lines, those there's not much red or clayish about you. Well, excepting the eyes of course.

I've lived here just over two years now, and life's been...goodness, everything. Joyful, sorrowful, dangerous, secure. Romantic, certainly. How about your own? Actually, if you don't mind me asking, how are you speaking right now? Telepathy? I just noticed your mouth isn't moving.

[Based on what she heard from others, it sounds like the good life for the living. But now, once again, someone asked about her stitched up mouth. For a brief moment, it seems like she was paying attention to someone else talking to her.]

"...I agree. ... Well, Sir, it would be best if I showed you. It's a long story otherwise."

"Oh, I don't mind long stories. Whatever you like."

I believe it will be coming up three months in December. As for how life has been. There have been really great moments and not so great.

But that's what life is normally like. I am just happy I can live it.

"Okay then..."

[Going to test the waters right here.]

"What if I told you I have a creature living inside of my head?"

"Eheh, then I'd be very surprised. I'd be almost moved to pity, but then if it is the ailment it sounds like, you bear it very well." [Gen. y u so weird]

[Squigly went quiet for a moment, a somber look on her zombified face. It was only a moment before moving on.]

"How do you feel about zombies? Or do you know how other people see them?"

[As if on cue, one of Squigly's pigtails falls off, and from both sides of her head comes a skeletal serpentine creature.]

"Far be it that I will ever cause ill to milady."

[With his tail going across Squigly, he bows his head.]

"I am Leviathan, a humble parasite in service to the Contiello family."

"You see, Lev is the reason why I can be normal."

[Ted's expression is visibly shocked to see the parasite's sudden and grotesque entrance.}

"Eugh!"

[Eloquent profundities dispensed, he looks intent and thoughtful, not sure what to make of that. He had experience with 'helpful' parasites like life-fibers before but none that talked, let alone behaved with courtesy.]

"..Ehah, I must be blind, because I don't quite see what you mean by normalcy. It's strange; I'd have thought Leviathan would be breather or breathe fire; or at least something more aquatic. How did you two uh, meet?"

"Without Leviathan, I would've been just another mindless minion of the Skullgirl. Thanks to him, I can live just as I did over a decade ago."

"I've been with the Contiello family for generations. Many heads of the family have been my host, with her father passing me down to daughter to save her life..."

"...at the cost of his own."

Edited 2016-11-29 14:21 (UTC)

"The Skullgirl! Strange, I think she here a year or so ago. Awful creature; I'm only sorry I didn't take to slaying her at some point or another. But then I don't recall her compelling any into service; she'd have done that to you, then?

Ah, I'm...sorry to hear that. On a few levels." [The whole thing smelled evil. There's no getting away from the sinister implications of a 'parasite', however genteel. Presumably this creature with an unholy name kept her father living well past his expiration date too.]

"So Leviathan, you're used as some sort of...defense?" [Just fishing for anything that isn't "I'm an abomination" here.]

"The Skullgirl was here? For how long? How did she leave?"

[Though, Squigly doesn't want to answer the next question. Leviathan will finish the rest.]

"She was, briefly. While her father laid dying at the hands of the Medici, her father asked me to save Sienna, who was also a victim of Medici treachery, before a previous Skullgirl could fully bring her under her control.

To answer your question: Yes, I am the Contiello family's guardian monster."

"Just a few months, I think. She vanished the way everyone does; without warning for no reason we can discern. I've my theories; mainly involving a lack of will to live, to some degree or another. In short supply with the undead, I imagine.

Medici, eh? Strange; the Skullgirl was completely obsessed with their demise. She didn't find any, of course. Goodness knows why people expect familiarity here. Suppose she didn't know what to do with herself upon learning just how unobtainable that revenge was. I hope you don't mean the same.

Monster...[Nnngh. It's probably a bad thing but there's pocket-monsters and Gengar and it's almost hypocritical, buuut...] So if the threat's abated, is it really necessary to be in her head like that? It doesn't look like a comfortable arrangement.

"So then she didn't cause any trouble?"

[That's good. At least she won't have to worry about losing her sentience to the Skullgirl.]

"...For personal reasons, I do want revenge on Lorenzo Medici. But it's not like I can do anything about it now, though. I waited fourteen years. I can wait longer if I have to."

"If only." [He spoke with a harder edge.] "Got up to necromancy; defiled a church. I'd have hoped law enforcement would've done something about her, but.." [Easy mistake; he's sorry he made it.]

"Well, good riddance to bad trash, eh?" [Can't help but notice she dodged his quesiton] "So is the parasite really...necessary, at this point?"

Well... people see them like you see them in movies, television and video games. Mindless zombies who only want to eat. But that's how people see them. But where I'm from they were real, so I couldn't really say how I would feel.

[Both Squigly and Leviathan looked at each other briefly before looking back to the video feed.]

"Yes. Without Leviathan, I wouldn't have this second chance at life."

"I concur. It's the least I can do for the Contiellos."

[Something felt off. Well, more off than having a draconian parasite in your skull. Her conversation with Trahearne about zombies, a "second chance at life". The only reason he's even contemplating this is because her hair hid her hollow eye, and he never saw her skeletal hand. He has to know.]

Eheh, Ms. Squigly, you wouldn't happen to be a zombie yourself, eh?
[Cause even though he only saw her good side, he was very familiar with their aesthetic]

"I am, and I hate every bit of that fact. But once more, I'm still not ready to return to the grave."

[She's a good zombie, desiring to drink cream soda instead of dining on human flesh and brains. Not like she can do either anyway with her mouth sewn shut.]

[He drooped.]

"Oh..."

[The only good zombie is one in the ground. Granted, he's somewhat cheered that she's at least aware of her corruption. Still, the undead are an abomination. He wished he knew a cure, but the only thing he knew that worked was a return to nature, and an acceptance of natural death. Something she didn't have the courage for, apparently. He can relate; Ted's afraid of death as much as anyone. Not that it would matter; Genessia wouldn't let her die. What could she do?

All Ted could do was end with formalities. He's too disappointed for much else.]

"Well...let me know if you need anything. Good evening."

"You're not going to give us your name before you go?"

"Indeed. I'd rather have a name than a reminder of Vitale Medici. He has a thing for clowns, it seems."

"Oh!, Uh, certainly. It's Ted." [No he's not too stupid to remember his name, why do you ask]

"Ah, a simple name. Nice to meet you, Ted."

"Thank you for your time, Ted."

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[Video / Action - OTA] Rise from the Bay

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