Test Drive Meme - March & April

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Rio Kamishiro | Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal

[icefallen]

1) Route 29

[Okay, so, this isn't too hard. Controlling the actions of a living creature is a little awkward, but it's not too much different than Duel Monsters, strategically speaking: find a weakness and hammer on it. Plus, she got a cute penguin for a starter, a female Eiscue that she's named Nereid. Rio currently has her out trying to get a feel for this battling thing by smacking down flying creatures, which appear to be less capable of withstanding ice than the bugs or rodents or other such things living on the route.

The grass rustles. She tenses, turning towards it and preparing to issue a command. But in the span of a few seconds, a chain of events happens. Nereid is blown off her flippers by... something, and the something then comes hurtling toward Rio with the recoil.

...The resultant shriek is audible for a long, long distance.]

--Get it awaaaaaaaay!

[It's an Espurr, sitting on top of her in a daze. She manages to shove it off and shuffle back until her back hits a tree, promptly forgetting everything she's learned so far in favor of being afraid of the cat.]

No! I hate cats! Hate them, hate them, hate them!

2) Goldenrod City

[Rio finds the shopping mall almost immediately, wasting no time in stuffing a few bags full of whatever she can afford that strikes her. At the very least, there's some provisions like medicine and Pokeballs in there; she's not completely daft. But then there's stuff like candy, little trinkets, and other miscellany she doesn't really need.

Not that anyone can tell what she bought. That is, until she trips over a radio wire on the ground and bumps into a guy wearing a Rocket uniform, who proceeds to go off on her to watch where she's going. For a blessing, she stands there and lets him continue on and on, at least until her temper finally gives.]

Are you done? The least you could do for laying a thick wire flat across the ground for people to trip over is to help me pick up all of it.

[Unsurprisingly, he does no such thing, turning away and returning to his business. Maybe someone else will have witnessed the scene and lend her a hand?]

1

[songstressedout]

[ After the contest, Yuzu needed to wind down for a bit... and fortunately for her, Cherrygrove isn't too far away from Azalea. At least, that's the case when you have access to both warp pads and flight. A picnic with her Pokemon on the beginner-friendly Route 29 followed by some time at the spa sounded nice and relaxing, after all.

Then, as she was making her way through the route... she's startled by the sudden shriek that Rio lets out. Yuzu is pretty sure she sees a few birds off in the distance, startled by the sudden scream. Yuzu can't blame them. She practically jumped as well. ]

W-What's going on...!?

[ Either way, even if the Pokemon on this route are pretty beginner-friendly, in terms of strength... it does occur to her that somebody might have ended up here like she did, so she's quick to rush over in the direction of the shriek and— ]

...Eh?

[ It's... just an Espurr? And not even an agitated Espurr either. Not that she's ever really seen an Espurr's expression change much from their thousand-yard-stare, but still. ]

[icefallen]

[Noticing the footfalls headed her way, Rio realizes she might be able to use this opportunity to get rid of it. She doesn't have Ryouga to bully into it, after all.]

Help! I don't wanna go near that thing! I mean, look at it!

[If it occurs to her to send her Eiscue after it instead, she doesn't act on that impulse. Yet.]

[songstressedout]

T-That thing…?

[ Yuzu glances at the Espurr, and the small creature stares back with a perpetual O_O face. Well, even if she doesn’t see anything threatening about the psychic cat with an unchanging expression, this girl obviously does, so… ]

Right, right… go on, shoo!

[ At her side is a Sylveon, who lets out a few high-pitched barks as Yuzu gently shoos the Espurr away. Seemingly understanding, the Espurr promptly turns and starts to trot away.

Congratulations, Rio, you’ve been saved. ]

[icefallen]

...Eh.

[Belatedly, it occurs to her how embarrassing the whole spectacle must look to someone else. She stands up and brushes her skirt off indignantly, sighing.]

My apologies. I just... really hate cats.

[And it's a great way to bully her brother. If he were here, that is...]

Ah, my name is Rio. I'm sorry about all the trouble, making it sound like more of an emergency than it was...

[songstressedout]

[ Now that Yuzu is getting a good look at Rio, she's definitely a pretty girl with an elegant air to her... an elegant air that's hard to perceive now because of how her first impression with Yuzu has gone. ]

A-Ah, don't worry about it! I guess we've all got our fears, huh?

[ Now that she thinks about it, actually, a fear of cats isn't too unusual. Not something that she can understand—they're so cute, after all—but it's hardly the strangest thing to be afraid of. ]

Oh, I'm Yuzu! Nice to meet you, Rio! [ Either way, it looks like she's fine now that the Espurr is gone... so she may as well ask. ] I take it you're uh... new here, right?

[icefallen]

I... suppose you could say that, yes.

[Though it bothers her to think she's "new" and that this is a known phenomenon.]

Tell me, does that woman back in town treat everyone like her child? It was more than a little awkward, but she didn't seem willing to take the hint...

[At least she gets a cute penguin out of the deal.]

[songstressedout]

[ Well, known at least amongst everyone here, considering how it’s an understandably unreasonable story. ]

Ahh, yep. I’ve heard that there might be a reason for that, but I haven’t got an idea of what that might be.

[ Fake-Mom is someone who Yuzu has decided to not think too hard about. For a number of reasons, really. ]

Still, it’s a good thing I showed up when I did. Espurr are pretty easy to run into on this route if I remember correctly…

1! hi there <3

[4play]

Hey! Get back here! [IV breaks out of a nearby shrubbery, having slid down a ledge after the quarry he and his Rockroff had just sorta lost.

If you count the hound having blown the poor thing far too far away with its stone-throwing attack, and the innocent Espurr having gone toppling down the hill and into the grass below as lost, that is. Sorry Rio, it's all his fault again.]

Ah, there you are~ [Attention still all on his target, IV manages to dismiss the poor person it's sitting on until after he has successfully tossed a pokeball onto the Espurr. The ball bonks the already dazed pokemon on the head, making it vanish in a beam of light. After a very brief moment of wriggling around inside the ball, the hunt is successful and the Espurr is caught.

It's only then that IV follows what his Rockruff has already found -- sorry, that's a dog in Rio's face now, right after the cat-attack -- and freezes]

What the- YOU?!??

hewo <3

[icefallen]

[Because dogs are not cats, Rio's perfectly content having it in her face for doggy kisses, though she finds it's quite heavy for something of its size. But then she hears the almost accusatory exclamation, shifts her attention... and huffs.

Of course.]

I do have a name.

[Gently easing the Rockruff away, she pushes some hair out of her face and stands up, crossing her arms.]

And I think you should remember perfectly well what it is.

1/2

[4play]

[Of course he remember it.

Of course!

Because how could IV ever forget the name of the girl whom he has burned alive and disfigured for life, on the ever less likely chance that she should wake up from her nearly one year-long coma?! How can she ask him something like that, when he wears the marks of his crimes and his shame so clearly carved into his face?!

But the more he looks, the more he is convinced that this is really her: Rio Kamishiro. The ice duelist who had challenged him to clear her ridiculous brother's name, as if it somehow were his fault Ryouga hadn't been able to resist the temptation of looking into IV's cards and being foolish enough to be caught while doing it to boot! The sister he'd - ]

You....

[There's a high-pitched noise inside his ears that keeps getting louder and louder. For a moment IV can hear the crackling of the flames and the groaning as the building around them succumbed to the inferno he'd unleashed again. There's also the memory of his father, only chiding him for not managing to finish the job and failing to kill the girl for real, when IV had finally come to in that hospital. For a moment he feels the burning of his skin and the stench of his clothes and hair being singed into a melting mess again.]

You are....

[His hand twitches. She is alive. He had so often thought of how he could possibly meet her, ever look her in the eyes again, in a face that couldn't be any longer be protected by bandages-- Her face! His eyes widen and his head snaps up as he realizes what's wrong with this picture with a sudden jolt.

Not even the power of his Crest had been able to fully shield IV from the raging inferno! Rio didn't have a Crest, and she sure as hell had looked a lot worse than he ever has the last time he checked on her! So how the ever-living Hell can she stand right before him now, all proud and bossy and intact when even he---

The right side of his face more numb and damaged than ever as his eyes narrow in an angry blaze and the corner of his lips curl into a snarl. How DARE she appear before him like that, when he's been marked and damaged for life?! How fucking DARE-?!?

He very nearly orders his monster to attack her this very moment. If she's awake and alive again that means that she can run around. That she will tell people about IV and what he's done. She's going to ruin his life!!]

2/2

[4play]

[He will have to get rid of her again. More properly this time. Smarter.

Jerking his head to the side, IV huffs, startling his pokemon.]


I have no clue what you are talking about. Come, Attila, we're leaving!

[icefallen]

Ha--

[For a moment, Rio is stunned by the rejection, but is quickly reminded of who she's dealing with once again. Of course he'd want to run away. Of course.

But she's not about to let him go, so she climbs to her feet and springs into action, marching toward his back with long strides and reaching to seize the back of his collar once she's in range. If only he weren't taller than her... she'd be sure to lift his sorry hide off the ground just to rub it in.]

You are not leaving! We need to have words. Now.

[4play]

[It's not running away, it's a tactical retreat before he does something in his high of emotions that won't be good for either of them. (It's running away.)]

Gkh!

[For once IV absolutely regrets always wearing shirts that have a high neck collar nowadays. Hiding what little scars the fire left on his neck does not justify being nearly strangled by Rio's grip!]

Let go! [Swinging around, he slaps her hands off before IV grabs her roughly by her wrists. Pulling her closer, he bares his teeth an in angry growl] And while we're at it: Leave it! I don't know what you're hoping to gain, but I know that you aren't her, so don't even think of continuing this farce any longer!!

[icefallen]

[Wait, what? He thinks--?

Ignoring the grinding protest of the bones in her wrist, Rio is unafraid to glare right back at him, leaning forward just a little.]

Of course I'm me, you dolt! I wasn't going to stay in the hospital forever, you know. Though you did set the whole area on fire...

[She yanks her wrist free and crosses her arms, making a face at IV.]

What do I have to do to prove it to you? Spill all of Ryouga's deep, dark secrets? Or my own? But knowing you, you'd be much more interested in his, I'm sure...

2!

[lorentzforcego]

[That went smoother than planned. Monsoon's unsure why the idiot is in his uniform in broad daylight when he told him to be inconspicuous but it seems the girl didn't notice. Good.

He happens to be conveniently walking by when the event happens and makes a seemless beeline towards them.Rio is greeted to a very tall older man, dressed a bit like one would expect a member of the Yakuza to look. A red dress shirt with the first two buttons undone, a black blazer, black dress pants, and nicely polished dress shoes. His hair is hanging loose for once, sort of framing his face. The only oddities are the black leather gloves, the heavily tinted red wraparound sunglasses that obscure his eyes almost completely, and how soft spoken his voice sounds when he talks.]

Are you alright, miss? Do you require assistance?

[icefallen]

Ah...

[Yakuza indeed. Fortunate for him that Rio is not afraid of people by default. She grins awkwardly and shakes her head.]

No, no, I'm fine, really! I just have a few more...

[The last of her trinkets go back into the bag in random order, and she springs up with a smile once she's finished.]

There. Though, I wonder what such a large cable is doing here? The whole point of radio is supposed to be that it's wireless, after all...

[lorentzforcego]

If you're sure.

[He may have swiped something that rolled away on his way over, while she was yelling at the grunt. The man is rather gifted at pickpocketing. Perhaps it was a pokéball or something - although he suspects it will be empty when he does get the chance to open it.

Monsoon moves his head to indicate he's following the path of the wires before returning his gaze to Rio.]

Maintenance, I would assume. That sort of equipment always seems to use larger cables and the like. Or they're updating the system? I'm not entirely sure myself.

You are right though.

[He motions with his hand along the eyesore of cables along the floor.]

They could at least put a carpet over it or something as to avoid being a tripping hazard. Really, in such a high foot traffic area of all places...

[icefallen]

Maintenance...?

[Rio tilts her head, uncertain how to process that.]

I'm no expert in old technology, but I'm struggling to imagine how one would perform maintenance with such a large wire strung across the sidewalk...

[It's probably not that important, though. If it's not something along those lines, then what else could it be?]

But yes, you're right; a carpet would be the conscientious thing to do. Maybe... hmm...

[That look means she's getting an idea. It may or may not be dangerous for Monsoon.]

You haven't seen anyone throwing out any rugs or carpets on the curb lately, have you? Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to take someone else's trash and put it to good use here.

[lorentzforcego]

[He shrugs.]

Perhaps they're updating the mainframe? If it's connected to such a large system, they'd need an equally large machine to transfer it from.

But I'm no expert in technology.

[He is but. Appearances.

The albino tilts his head slightly to one side as he sees the gears turning. If going along with her hairbrain scheme means distracting her from Rocket work then he's all for it.]

I can't say that I have. Shall we go looking for one?

[icefallen]

If you're not in a hurry to be anywhere. I would hate to keep you from more important things. Otherwise, I'd be happy to accompany you.

[That begs the question of "who would be most likely to throw out a carpet?" She pauses to consider.]

I suppose a carpeting or home goods store might have something fairly cheap, if there are none on the curbside. It doesn't need to be extravagant... but thicker is probably better.

2.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley is more than a little outraged to see a Rocket around up to no good, but as long as Pokemon aren't actively being endangered at the moment, he doesn't want to do anything about it himself other than tip off the police.

He goes over to Rio.]

Hi. You'll be waiting til Hell freezes over for someone like that to help you.

[He bends to start picking stuff up for her. His Pokemon are happy to help.]

2 - I'm so sorry I didn't see this sooner!

[duelingexpert]

[After witnessing some of that commotion, Tristan will do better than just stooping down to help her gather up her parcels. He boldly goes up the the rocket.]

Hey buddy! I think you owe this nice lady here an apology.

[There's a veiled threat encapsulated in his words, and when the rocket is less keen on complying the teen makes good on it.]

Don't forget that you asked for this.

[Drawing back his arm, he hurls it forward and clocks that guy squarely in the chin. The grunt reels backward from the force, smacking himself against the side of the building before sinking helplessly to the ground. It's at this point that Tristan turns back to the girl. He shakes his hand that had been balled into a fist moments before.]

Hey.. uh.. sorry you had to see that, but I hate seeing people who think they can just walk all over who ever they want. Let me help you with those. [Nodding to the items on the ground.]

I apologize for taking so long, my mh has been in the gutter lately lol

[icefallen]

[She's not really expecting anyone to stand up for her, but this guy does, for whatever reason, and it ends in a solid sock in the face for the other person. Rio blinks, her gaze following him the whole while.]

Oh--

[She pauses when he crouches down, then laughs lightly to try and ease the awkwardness.]

Ahaha, that's very kind of you. Though I might have bought a little too much, so perhaps this is just the universe's way of telling me that.

[She starts collecting items quickly and haphazardly tossing them back into the bag; she can sort them later when she's off the street.]

Sorry it has been! No need to apologize at all. <3

[duelingexpert]

[The whole situation seems a bit jarring for the girl, and he can't say that he blames her. I mean who expects to go shopping only to wind up with a fist fight? Eh, but that was just something he couldn't let slip by casually. If that ends up putting him on some Rocket's hitlist then so be it. What's right is right.]

You weren't hurt, were you?

[Taking some of her bewilderment as a possible sign that she was injured when she tripped. Then she laughed and his mind was set a bit more at ease.]

No problem. I just hope that if someone pulled something like that on one of my friends or family members that someone else would step in to help them out. [Said loud enough so that the people that just stood around and watched could easily hear it. Then he set to work helping her finish up.] There. I think.. we got them all. [Then he stood back up, and dusted off his jacket.] So, what's your name?