ohmyarceus | January - February Test drive

[ Aizen entertains that idea, rolls it around in his mind, and takes his time in doing so. His ever present smile stretches. After all, he already accomplished his goals back home for the time being and this whole thing is is simply a diversion, no matter what it really is. He might as well entertain himself at Byakuya's expense. ]

And if I say no?

[ Aizen takes a step closer. It's done intentionally to distract Byakuya with his physical presence and prevent him from thinking too much about what Aizen is saying. ]

Would you believe me?

It was, fundamentally, a comical scene. Taiki had to stifle a chuckle, and called out across the way. "Picky eater, my friend? Would you like a hand?"

[Nodnod. Though Mikasa was thinking...more about knives in backs. But also...]

Garbage..? [Look, Mikasa wasn't a fussy eater. Her family had been too poor for that to be allowed. When she thought of bad food, she thought of moldy and rotting. Who'd eat that to the point of being distracted? Ew]

[Then his memory recalled from that time was no coincidence. He remembers it well, how quickly he became overpowered, the unrelenting violence unleashed from the young man's body. The figure steps closer and he can see the differences clearer. This is not the Kurosaki he knows, but he remembers that deadly look in those golden eyes, the vicious grin, baring teeth.

The name he is also familiar with, of course, for it is the name of Ichigo's Zanpakuto.]

So that is what you call yourself? Why are you here, in this form?

[Did he manifest by himself? Take over Ichigo's body? Where is the hollow mask, like before? So many questions, it is simpler to see what information the other will give him, first.]

[Aizen takes a step closer and while Byakuya does not move himself, his posture does straighten slightly. To be ready to move, if needs be.

The answer to the question is not so simple. Instinctively he wants to say no, because how could you trust Aizen after everything he has done? Some may say he helped against Ywach and the Quincy invasion but the truth in Byakuya's eyes is that he was used against them like a volatile weapon, before rightfully being imprisoned once more.

Yet having said that, he cannot figure out the reason for all of this.]

To create such an elaborate illusion would benefit you, of that I am certain. But to go so far as to fill it with these battling creatures seems both nonsensical and overweening, even for you.

[If the point was to confuse Byakuya, disarm him, fine. But Aizen rarely did anything without purpose and what would be the point in having him chasing after cherries in a field for a day? There is none.]

Edited (i wanted to change my icon 8hrs later dont judge me) 2022-01-24 09:54 (UTC)

[Good memories. Some of Zangetsu's best! If only he hadn't been stopped so quickly... Ichigo could be so irritating. He never got to have any fun.]

Of course that's what I call myself! It's who I am! Would you expect yer prissy Senbonzakura to call himself something else?

Pffftttt. Well, as much as I wish I could say that this was all part'a some grand plan and I know exactly what's goin' on... [he shrugs, and lets a lot of menace drop from his body language] I ain't got a clue! [if it's information that Byakuya wants, he'll get it -- Zangetsu loves to hear himself talk] I just woke up here in this human body and a woman who says she's my mom but definitely AIN'T my mom shoved that blue dinosaur thing at me and kicked me out. ... Speaking of.

[Zangetsu puts his fingers in his mouth and whistles loudly. The Deino charges back over towards them, and Zangetsu grabs her up in his arms before she can slam into his legs] We gotta work on your aim, kid.

Several guesses have been made. However, most of those guesses are less than charitable in their estimates.

A great number of people here feel as though Arceus is simply bringing individuals here to make their lives harder, to put it mildly.

[So the thing has a name, and it is his Zanpakuto? Odd. Though it's not like he ever talked to Ichigo about the whole incident, because why would he? Maybe Rukia knows, he thinks to himself idly.]

The woman is delusional. [Plainly put. She said exactly the same thing to Byakuya too. Obviously she is not the mother of either of them. The fact that 'Zangetsu' knows nothing is simultaneously relieving and a worry.]

[The happy little Cherubi does not appear threatened in the slightest, hopping after the Deino as it charges around, and then back over to Zangetsu.]

This appears to be related to the World of the Living. [It certainly isn't Soul Society.] If you are here, perhaps Kurosaki Ichigo is also present.

[Hopefully he is. Maybe he will know something, or at the very least deal with...you.]

[look, it's fine. All Shinigami should let their Zanpakutou drive every once in a while! It's DEFINITELY fine and OK! And no. Rukia won't know either. It's complicated.]

Coooom-PLETE-ly. [delusional, that is.

The Deino squirms in Zangetsu's arms, biting his ear and yanking. He seems to know this means she wants down, and obliges. Deino then finds Cherubi by scent and chews on it as well. But in a gentle way!]

This is definitely a world of the living, but it ain't the one I'm familiar with. I know you don't go there a whole helluva lot, but we don't have uh... these. [he gestures to the Pokémon] I mean, we got animals, sure! But nothin' like this. These look like monsters from a cute RPG or somethin'. [The mention of Ichigo, though, makes him pause. His expression sours and his brows furrow angrily. But underneath the anger is... worry? Concern? Nah, couldn't be] .... If he's here, I ain't seen him. He better not be gettin' into any trouble.

RPG..? An unfamiliar term. In what way is that related.

[While he does not want to ask what it is, it is not a term he knows at all but one that Zangetsu seemingly does, and that it may be related to their situation. He also appears to confirm that this is indeed the world of the living, somehow.

As for the topic of Ichigo, Byakuya notices how the expression of the boy(?) quickly turns to anger upon hearing the name, but it does not phase him. It needed to be asked.]

The two of you are one, are you not. And I am certain you were before you awoke here. Either you are now he, and he is gone, or you became separated and he exists here in his own form.

[He has been seperated from his own Zanpakuto and cannot call it, not that he is going to admit that here. And in all honesty, this seems exactly like the sort of nonsensical trouble that Ichigo and pals would somehow get involved in. Call it intuition of whatever, but he just feels it.]

Corrin sighed. It was bad enough that his Ponyta was being a menace in public, but it was somehow made worse given that there was someone to witness and comment on it.

"Ah ... that's okay. I appreciate the offer, though. I think the real help I need is to be able to speak Pokémon so that she can tell me herself what she wants to eat."

[ And there it is, that added caution. Still, Byakuya is an intelligent person. Aizen will give him that. It's just too bad for him that he is so closed-minded and rigid. ]

Nonsensical? Nothing could be further from the truth. But then you also believe your zanpakutou is missing, don't you?

[ Aizen purposely avoids giving direct information and instead both sows doubt and offers advice in one move, all through telling nothing but the truth.

It has always been his favorite weapon or, rather, the distortions come with people's individual perceptions of it. ]

It can be. When human body suffers, it can impact the mind, which in turn can make a player who is in full diver sick. It really is a very immersive experience.

They really need to vett their developers better. It's absolutely absurd that everything there is still a way to imprison players.

She'd just been trying to take a quiet moment to herself to contemplate the situation or maybe just pout about it. Now here she is being pounced by whoever happened to catch her in the act. What's worse is that they've landed directly on top of her, face buried against her chest in a far too familiar way. So of course her instinct at first it to fight off this over zealous person.

Asuna squirms underneath him, going to shove him off and preparing a punch, but then her mind registers that voice and how familiar it is. She immediately stops herself from decking him and rather blinks at him in shock.

"Kirito..."

A fresh wave of tears fill her eyes, though she's smiling and takes her own turn to throw her arms around him. "I'm so glad to see you." She clings to him, holding him close, the way she always does whenever she's afraid of losing him.

Yeah, that lines up. Making it harder how?

That's the problem with psychopaths, right? They'll always find a workaround to achieve their goals. The security measures on the Amusphere were pretty impressive, at least, and people have said we don't have to worry about dying in this world, so there are some positives.

He keeps himself close to her for a moment longer, breathing her in, amazed at just how real she feels and how authentic she smells. It's the first thing here that's made him wonder if maybe he was wrong, maybe this isn't a game. He knows that it felt the same in the Underworld, though, or at least close to, and every launch of a new program improves with these kind of details. The potential with using peoples souls for data processing is endless when it comes to simulating realism.

He pulls back after a second, looking down at her, his own eyes watering, though no one would be shocked by that. He reaches out to wipe some of the tear stains from her cheek carefully. For all his bravado and surface excitement, he understands why she'd needed to cry. There's so much about the situation that's terrifying, no matter the bright sides he keeps pushing on himself so he doesn't crash under the weight of it.

"It's going to be okay," he says with as much reassurance in his voice as possible. "If we're here together, everything will be okay."

[ Haha. Ha. That's not concerning at all.

Hm. ]

Well, let's hope I don't have that problem. I like to think I'm decent with animals and all so, uh, Pokemon shouldn't be much different. Right?

Sariel.

[The way she says it is soft and thoughtful, perhaps a mannerism to be expected from someone like her. As she carries herself, it's a rarity that Rhea speaks without some form of contemplation seeping into her voice. As if she's always thinking and that kind of assessment isn't inaccurate.]

A lovely name. This must be a friend of yours you miss. If you do not mind my prying, how long has it been that you have been here?

[Long enough to name a Noibat, obviously, but she can hardly gauge a proper amount of time based off of that alone.]

[His words of concerned reminder, which is how she chooses to interpret them, do not go unheeded. Rhea makes a note to perhaps see if there is a way to make something similar to her normal apparel, perhaps just a touch heavier to host her in the cold. He's right, after all. She suspects she has caused him and the others from Fódlan more than a little duress in her absence.

Rhea's attention turns onto his new line of questioning.]

It may sound a little silly for me to say, yet when I heard about the ruins, I thought a little of the Holy Tomb. I had thought coming to pay visit might have allowed me in finding a feeling similar to our homeland.

[In short, Rhea has been looking for something familiar. Something to stabilise herself in an otherwise uncertain world. True solitude is a feeling unfamiliar to her. She has had Seteth and Flayn for longer than most others would know and before them, there were others. And once, there were her brethren. A Rhea on her own does not necessarily know how to proceed on this pathway without the company of those she trusts.]

It sounds as though you and... Kent— [She turns her attention back onto his munna with a fond look.] —are close. You claim it has been over a year since you have come to this place. How long have you been here, Dimitri?

[Of all things, she can appreciate his... candour, even when it is accompanied by how very serrated he is with her. Felix is as sharp as the blades he is so fond of. Rhea does not provide him argument or anything that might otherwise stand against him. His distaste for her antics is not what she would consider an attack on her person. It is merely a dislike for something that is innately her. If not a dislike, then purely impatience.

In the years of his youth, she wonders what might have happened had she the courage to sit and tend to lunch with the academy's students the way she'd wanted to. Would she have been as stilted and stiff as she is now? She cannot pretend to be close to any of them. She cannot pretend that she was anything more to them than the archbishop they have always known her as.

She could think on it for ages and she suspects that she very much will, even as he turns her attention. In a way, Rhea is thankful for it.]

I am not. [She confirms for him easily.] That is what you were doing when I arrived, is it not? Is that why you are here?

[His is not the first face from Fódlan she has had the pleasure of seeing again. If... 'pleasure' is the proper word for it. Her feelings on this strange occurrence of reunions is complicated, at best. There is familiarity and in familiarity, even one that may not be the most close, there is a semblance of security and stability. Does she trust any of them? Perhaps no more than they trust her, and none of them in this very strange set of circumstances has really any reason to.

To her, they are all victims of time, even if it has, in the case of Felix, only touched in slight. Claude too is enough of the young man she knew of in academy days that she can recognise him. The turn and lilt of his tone. That overconfidence, which seems well-founded given his reputation. Rather, what little she's known of it, given that only monastery whispers have found their ways into her ears.

Faced with him, he is pointed. Very to the point. Very... Claude. In the past, she has been able to avoid many conversation topics by filling in a void with information that is not nearly as much as it seems. She has thought it more than once since her arrival that she will not always be able to resort to this. Against Claude, she images she has very much met her match. He is a cunning man. Dangerous, some might say, and though he has never quite outright spoken against her, she recognises him for the threat he very well may be.]

I suspect you may be inclined to ask me of things others have since my arrival. [She replies kindly, finding that in ways here and there, she has said much the same thing to those who have inquired.] That is, if you wish to know of what last I saw... [Rhea shakes her head.] Younger days. A younger you. At the time of the fall of Garreg Mach.

[And yet knowing him, Claude likely has so much more to pursue. He always has and he has never been shy about chasing it down. Already Rhea's mind is turning with possibilities. She finds herself at the same place she was before. If they should fail to remember what they learn in this world, what harm is there in being so honest? Old habits die hard, however, and Rhea clings to sentiments that will do her no good here.]

['Fucking terrifying.' What an... expressive description. Rhea has, undoubtedly, been around a variety of people. Those with elegant tongues. Those without. Whatever her true feelings on such informal language, she remains at peace on the exterior. As if to imply that so very little can touch her.]

You must have quite a history with the ocean to feel so strongly about it. [A personal history, perhaps. A fear...? Rhea declines from prying too deeply into it. After all, Rosalina has been kind enough to provide an answer. She finds her attention turning back into the direction of the route opposite the docks. Perhaps that is the way to go then.] I appreciate your input. I remain undecided, yet I suppose I have no real preferences either way. To me, they are both foreign directions in a foreign world. I suspect my travelling will be much the same, regardless of which path I take.

The Holy Tomb... I see. I suppose I can see that, in some ways. Yet, in my experiences, it is something much more different than what lay beneath Garreg Mach.

[Is there anywhere in Johto that would remind him of his own homeland? Of Faerghus? When it comes to the natural parts of the land, yes, but that is not quite the same thing, he thinks. No stone fortresses, no simple villages... Even the small towns have a style that is completely different from what he grew familiar with.]

[And the Ruins of Alph are even stranger and older than all of it. Would some of the truly old and abandoned valleys of Fodlan be comparable? He supposes that is the strongest point.]

[Kent blinks up when attention is focused on him again, making another low murmur of a hum.]

I have been here for... a little over a year. It was only a few months ago that it was that exactly, with my arrival having been in the middle of the autumn months.

[He rests his hand gently along the curve of Kent's body, stroking behind his head gently.] ...It is an amazing place. I would take its knowledge to Faerghus, if I were capable of it.

[Just the medicine alone... That would change so much about his kingdom. At least, so long as they could finish the war.]

January - February Test drive

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Olivine

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thought=fought love catching my typos a day later lmfao

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love catching typos when it's way too late. makes me feel so GOOD :')

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always so good :')

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Can she accept the Starbucks and refuse the lamp?

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