[Video/Action]

[iceandwhips]

Video

[Those turning on their communicators are greeted by the sight of a red eye before the screen pulls back and reveals the face of a pretty but angry redheaded woman who has no chill walking briskly down a street.]

I had hoped that the last time was nothing but a dream, but it seems as though there's some sort of cosmic joke at play. Finding myself here once again certainly feels like it. But I suppose I should introduce myself once more. I am Mitsuru Kirijo.

Is Akihiko Sanada here again?

[Part of her hopes he's not. Despite knowing that the others won't notice her gone, it doesn't help that she wishes that Akihiko is back there to take care of their comrades in her stead. But, a familiar and trusted face at her side is something she also wants, selfish though that thought is.]

If he is, can you tell me where he is?

Action

[Anyone in Genessia will find Mitsuru walking down the street. She's trying to look cool as she takes in the sights, sunglasses covering her red eyes as she notes where things are in this first of four cities, but she has the habit of stopping when she sees something of particular interest. And she's pretty distinctive in that coat.]

Comments

[ ACTION ] Genessia City

[mortal_son]

[ Distinctive, sure, but it never was anything Shinjiro had seen her wearing before. Still, he recognizes her instantly, on the way to get groceries.

Yesterday, he hadn't seen Akihiko coming. Today, he can only stare, a little dumbfounded, at his old friend.

He still asks, as if there was any doubt: ] Mitsuru?

[iceandwhips]

[Mitsuru has always prided herself on being practical, logical. There are few people she really even let see beyond the CEO facade she was raised to wear like a second skin.

But seeing Shinjirou Aragaki back from the dead? Definitely enough to flap her.

She uselessly pulls down her sunglasses as if that will clear the fact that he's right in front of her, alive, looking like nothing changed in the last three years.]

Shinjirou? What? [Anger is easier than grief, she's found, and her eyes narrow dangerously.] How?

[mortal_son]

[ With her sunglasses off, it was clearer that Mitsuru was older than how he'd remembered her, just like Akihiko was. He couldn't tell how much older. He didn't know how long it'd been for her.

He winced, and shrugged. ] Same as you, I 'spect. One moment, I was ... then I was here.

[ And then, with a thread of worry, which probably just made him sound gruffer and glare a bit more: ]

Wait. Not literally the same as me, right?

[iceandwhips]

[It takes her a half second to realize what he's saying. It's not everyday you talk to the dead. She let's out an exasperated sigh before relaxing minutely.]

No. I am not literally in the same position. Just kidnapped. Again.

[mortal_son]

[ Mitsuru has always seemed pretty invincible to him, which is why he'd always been surprised whenever the wrong spell knocked her down in battle. But he still had to ask, once the possibility was in his head. Shinjiro relaxed, shoulders noticeably slumping. ]

Good.

[ ... Wait. Winces. ] Y'know what I mean.

[ Looks away. He ... missed her quite a lot, he realized. ]

Video;

[sup_dude]

[Guess who has plenty of chill to go around?]

Mitsuru-senpai?

[It's taking quite of bit an effort not to cat call right now. Just keeping it as a forethought that it's nicer to actually have some of his friends from S.E.E.S. Even if they look older than, say, a few days ago.]

[Action] Genessia

[mira_strauss]

[Mirajane was going into Genessia to get some supplies for the bar when she spots what she thinks is a familiar set of vibrant red hair, and Mitsuru carries herself and dresses almost exactly like Erza. So she sneaks up behind Mitsuru and covers her eyes.]

Guess who~!

[She's certainly going to feel awkward in just a few moments when Mitsuru speaks and she realizes it's not Erza.]

[iceandwhips]

[Mitsuru knows her flaws, that's what attests to her "invincibility". Something that both of her friends and classmates could have stood to learn along the way, if anyone asked her. However, Shinjirou and Akihiko both were...are good men and deserve the benefit of the doubt if it can be spare.

That's why when he makes the half-slip of the tongue, she only smiles briefly before responding.]

Yes, I do know what you mean. [She blinks, realizing that even though it's been three years, it's just like yesterday that October 4th had come to change their lives.] Have you been here long? You look... at home.

[mortal_son]

[ That gets a small snort of laughter, and Shinjiro shakes his head, faint smile there. ] Nah. Just over a week.

[ But it was a trait he'd developed, out of necessity, to learn how to survive quickly in a strange place. Speaking of. She said "again" earlier? ]

... You've been here before?

[iceandwhips]

[Even if he doesn't have enough chill, she can help him along. Junpei on ice. Redux.]

Iori. I haven't seen you wear that hat in years.

[WHERE IS YOUR JACKET FOR YOUR TEAM, IORI? WHERE ARE YOUR T-BALLERS?]

video

[heptagram]

I have no idea who that is. Can you leave a description for those of us who may have seen him -- I'm assuming the person in question is male by the name -- who don't know his name?

Or a picture would work, too, if you have one of those around.

[iceandwhips]

[Mitsuru is not very good with physical touching from anyone. She stiffens under the strangers touch and slowly reaches for her foil at her side.]

I don't know who you are, but I am giving you three seconds to remove yourself from my person.

[Which is probably more than she'd give some of the men in her life.]

Three... Two....

1/3

[mira_strauss]

[Well... to say that Mirajane was surprised was an understatement. She was downright mortified.]

Oh goodness!

2/3

[mira_strauss]

[She recoiled from Mitsuru as if she'd just hugged a rattlesnake who was now rattling its tail at her. When she looked closer she could tell it was not in fact Erza, and her embarrassment was made even worse.]

I am so sorry! From behind you look just like a friend of mine!

[To be fair that friend didn't like being touched much either, but Mirajane was impulsive from time to time, and probably would welcome the chance to duel Erza. Mitsuru on the other hand was a complete stranger, and she was clearly in the wrong for having tried to glomp her, no matter how harmless her intentions may have been.]

3/3

[mira_strauss]

She bowed her head in apology, and covered her face in embarrassment and shame.]

I'm very sorry miss, my name is Mirajane. I'm a bartender at Fairy Haven, and if I buy you and a group of your friends a round of free drinks, will you forgive me?

[She did still have some money leftover that she should be able to cover a round of drinks fairly well. Also with the way Mitsuru reacted she felt she had to do something to make it up to the girl so she wouldn't hate her for life.]

[iceandwhips]

[It's strange how it feels as if they'd never been apart. Of course, she'd understood why he'd left in the first place. They all shared in that guilt, but it had been Castor that'd gone out of control, not Polyduceux or Penthesilea.

It's part of why she never really pressed Shinjirou to return to S.E.E.S. Better to let Akihiko talk to him about it.]

Briefly, I think. It seems like a very bad dream. Akihiko and I arrived together that time. It feels...strange. I still feel like I should be with Yamagishi, Aigis and Labrys. Not in this place.

[iceandwhips]

[Mitsuru digs in her coat pocket for her phone and pulls it out. After a few seconds, she shows a picture to the communicator.]

Five-foot-eleven, grey eyes, shortly cropped grey hair, wearing a red cape, no shirt, massive scars across his chest, black cargo pants, and combat boots. Prefers food that is protein based, but he can also be found eating Japanese noodles. Fairly intelligent, but ready to test out his strength against anyone or anything that might be worthy.

[iceandwhips]

[Once she's released, Mitsuru relaxes, feeling foolish for her reaction. However, going around touching strangers like that is dangerous for anyone. And Mitsuru might not be as fighting focused as her friend, but that doesn't give her an excuse for her behavior.]

Apology accepted. My name is Mitsuru Kirijo and I will settle for information instead of drinks.

[Money isn't something that she's used to worrying over, and she doesn't really do alcohol. It inhibits the mind and she needs to keep her wits about her.]

[mira_strauss]

[Mirajane took a deep breath steadying herself... it was a bit mortifying, especially since she'd never had done that to anyone but a member of her guild or a very close friend. Still, at least she was being given a chance to redeem herself.]

Okay... I can probably help you with information. I am a bartender, so listening to rumors, and observing as much as possible is one of my specialties. What do you wish to know?

[She just hopes it's more along the lines of, "where can I find this?" or "is so and so still here?" because she was terrible with the "Why was I kidnapped?" and "Why do I need a job?" questions.]

[heptagram]

Hm...

[She studies the picture for a moment...]

I think I caught sight of him once, but only that. I didn't get a chance to speak to him, so I couldn't say anything about his personality.

[mortal_son]

[ Didn't recognize the last name in that list, of course. But he'd figured he'd miss things, people, battles, after he died. But, he found it bothered him more than he thought it should have. He was ok with what had happened - he was certain.

Frowns a little: ] Kinda weird, that you and Aki both get dumped in here again.

[ Slight grin, shrug, then frowns: ] I mean, better than bein here by yourself, but I'd rather you guys not get sucked in at all.

video;

[eiga]

[Have another teenager who has plenty of chill.]

Never met the guy myself, but according to the CPU he's here. If you don't find him or he doesn't respond to this post, you could contact him privately through your device.

[sup_dude]

[Tickets are on sale...never.]

"Years?" Whaddya mean, Senpai? I always wear this hat. I mean, we just went on a vacation to your family's place not too long ago.

Video

[clevermind]

I'm sorry. I don't think I've heard of anyone with that name.

Do you mind if I ask when you were here before?

[She can't help but wonder if that happens often.]

[Video]

[southpaw_senpai]

[When Akihiko does appear on Mitsuru's device, he's covered in a light coating of sweat with a towel around his shoulders.]

Yeah, I'm here. Been here about a day. I've been staying with Shinji... he's here too. Might... want to brace for that.