3rd Blog - Back in Black ೕ(•̀ᴗ•́)

[majestiq]

Text - Locked to her old CR (anyone who know her enough from back then)

[ Despite the years that have passed in her world, all the experiences that brought her happiness and heartbreak, waking up in The Bay just feels like something that happened yesterday. Or a recurring lucid dream. After grumbling to herself in the pod, Mariko leaves The Bay and drowned out the sounds of Weiss' hologram after listening to it long enough. So far, it seems nothing has changed. It only filled her mind with so many questions. Mainly, who is still around here? Only one way to find out ]

> Yo (^～^;)ゞ
> It's Mariko
> Still alive?

Comments

[im_gonna_heal_u]

[ Konoka had been ending her shift in Everglade. By now the sun was low and while she was more than capable of defending herself now, she sure didn't like to be wandering around Everglade at night without a plan. She very much doubted her protection from Castlevania was effective anymore.

She had just stepped back in Genessia when she got a buzz and noticed a text... from Mariko.

Someone she thought was gone.

Eyes wide in surprise, Konoka took a moment to stare in wonder, before finally deciding to text back. She rapidly pinned her reply. ]

Mariko-han? That you? (O_O")

[majestiq]

> Why? Is there another Mariko in your life? (ㅍ＿ㅍ )
> Yeah it's me. The redhead with all smiles.
> How long was I out?

[im_gonna_heal_u]

That's definitely you, alright. (^__^;)

I'm doing fine, especially now that I'm not stuck in Castlevania.

You've been out for a few months now.

[majestiq]

> Right
> Good for you
> But just a few months?
> And how many months is a few, exactly?
> Ugh. This is all trippy ( > _ > ;)

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Ah, I don't remember. Maybe 7 months or so?

I guess it must feel weird disappearing and coming back, huh.

We should get together again, regardless.

[majestiq]

> Yeah no kidding (；￣Д￣）
> It's like reliving a bad dream
> But sure
> I could use a familiar face to get used to this place again
> Where are you anyway?

[im_gonna_heal_u]

I'm headed back home. I got an apartment in Holly Ridge.

Meet me there?

[ And in the meantime, Konoka decided to hurry home so she could meet her there. She figured Mariko would have a time struggling. ]

[majestiq]

> Uh sure?
> Not really going anywhere
> Just walking around town
> See you there

[ Mariko exits the text messager to use the map app of this convenient device, typing down Holly Ridge with blinding texter speed, and marks her location. Having devices like these that work like typical smartphones from back home is a huge load off Mariko's shoulders.

But since she wandered off pretty far, and only walked her way to Holly Ridge, Mariko arrived a little late. Konoka would have waited a while before she sees a familiar red haired woman, with hands in her pockets and headphones slung around her neck. Not much seemed to have changed from a distance, but a closer look says Mariko is a tad older than she was back then. Unfortunately, she didn't get to grow taller than she'd like though. ]

Well you look like you're about to cry. Waited too long?

[ Said in the driest tone ever ]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

[ Konoka had arrived home soon enough. Fortunately it seemed Mariko hadn't arrived, so she took the time to clean up her apartment a little bit. It wasn't like she particularly let it get dirty, but habits had been drilled into her since she was a kid, and they weren't anything she wanted to shake.

Of course, she did have time to wait, and excitement soon became a little worry. But before she could really stew in it, however, Mariko finally appeared.

Mariko's dry remark had actually been inaccurate... until the second she said it. They only met briefly, and yet Konoka felt like she had missed her for a long time. ]

Mariko-han...!

[ Mariko better be prepared for a hug bomb. Konoka practically tackled her with one. ]

[ghostofrazgriz]

[Blaze was hard at work in Attleton as usual when he got the text, and when he'd glance over at it, he'd actually stare at the message for a bit. For one, it was a (welcome) surprise to get a message from Mariko, but the way she worded it just made him think of a certain pilot from a particular documentary that he'd watched at home over and over again. He couldn't help but smile a bit at it, even if it was something only he'd really understand.]

Still alive, yes, but probably starting to go grey early.

It's been a while. How are you?

[majestiq]

> Wondering if my stuff is still here
> But mostly wondering how long was I gone here
> I don't
> even remember when I was brought back home
> All of this is still too weird

[ghostofrazgriz]

So you were sent home for a while too?

[That explains why he hadn't seen her in a while.]

It's a disorienting feeling, for sure.

I hadn't seen you since you were at the hospital. But there might be someone who has your belongings.

[majestiq]

> That's putting it lightly
> To me, it's been two years
> Dunno how long I was out in here
> Nothing seems to have changed from what I can see

[ghostofrazgriz]

If I'm remembering right, it's been less than a year since we met.

The most that's changed have been the Guardians. Otherwise, it's still all the same.

[majestiq]

> Guardians
> Right
> Almost forgot those exist here (ﾟ×ﾟlll)
> Guess that's a good thing...?
> Not to sound like a jerk but
> What were you again? (@ _ @;)

[ All she needs is to remember everything, and to find someplace to gather her thoughts. ]

[ghostofrazgriz]

[He can't really blame her. It might just be easier to reintroduce himself. Might help her out.]

I'm Blaze, the former pilot of the Osean Air Defense Force.

Here I'm just a part-time librarian, and in my second term as Attleton's Guardian.

[majestiq]

[ She knew the name "Blaze" on the phone directory sounded familiar. She saw it on his jacket at the hospital, and she remembers seeing the Osean Air Defense Force patch on it too, giving her a clearer face of who this person is. Awkwardness filled her thoughts after remembering how she was with Blaze back then. In her defense, she was 16 at the time. Although she's still kind of a handful even now ]

> Oh
> Hello again

[ A long pause comes after before Mariko sends him another message ]

> And thanks
> by the way
> for the help
> I think I can make it on my own from here
> I just need to find a job first

[alwaysimpaled]

[The reply comes late and slightly less coherent than normal, but he's been drinking and sleeping so he's kinda groggy.]

It took me tree takes to realization it was you, Maria.

[At least autocorrect is working.]

[majestiq]

> Wtf Dante ಠ_ಠ
> Right
> Okay
> Either you suddenly forgot to write in human
> or autocorrect is messing with you

[alwaysimpaled]

I peed the sick

[majestiq]

> ꉂ (´∀｀)ʱªʱªʱª
> Yep
> You forgot how to human alright
> Peed the sick
> Never dropping that btw
> "Hey I'm Dante, I peed the sick"
> lmao

[alwaysimpaled]

p l e a d t h e f i f t h

autocorrect can fudge itself

[majestiq]

> ಸ‿ಸ
> Alright
> Whatever you say
> Anything happened while I was gone?

[alwaysimpaled]

Not really. I was made deputy guardian of Attleton, so that's a thing.

I forget, did I have my shop when you were here before?

[majestiq]

> Yeah, you did
> Even hung out there for a bit
> I can still remember how it smells like a Pizza Hut and defeat