(open)

[masakados]

Who: Naoki Kashima (masakados) & OPEN
When: During event
Where: Various but, notably: the gardens + the sanctuary
What: It's event time! And water element nightmare time! And memory sharing time! What a good June.
Rating/Warning: None... for now. The memories that can be shared will have violence and death, however.

---

a. closed to his apartment (this demon's too big to fit in a glass)
[When Naoki makes his way to the fridge in the apartment, he’s not thinking about much. Something cold to drink, perhaps, to chase down the remaining vestiges of nightmares that have left him feeling shaky. He opens up the freezer, expecting to see ice and--]

Hee-ho! Demi-fiend, it’s you, ho!

[--shuts the freezer door, his eyes narrowing.

The freezer begins to rattle. Apparently the demon inside decided to start hammering on it with its snowy (looking) hands, indignant at being ignored by what constitutes its master. There’s a muffled ruckus and Inugami weaves his way into the kitchen, pricking up his ears curiously. To Inugami, Naoki says:]

...I don’t feel like letting him out yet. I’m making breakfast first.

[GOOD MORNING, YANG, RUBY, there are strange noises coming from the kitchen.]


b. gardens (you yourself and you-i)
[It doesn’t take Naoki long to notice it.

Even if the little goat disappears and reappears, it still follows him. Unsure what to make of it but more pitying than unnerved, he heads to the gardens. There he can be found, his chin in his hand as he stares down at the ground-- at the goat, who’s reappeared again.

Don’t mind him just talking to ‘himself’.] You’re really not looking too good. I can’t do anything, either... Sorry, little guy.

[Of course, if you get close enough, it’s entirely possible to bump right into that goat and crash into one of Naoki’s memories… Or you can keep a distance from the guy mumbling to himself.]


c. the sanctuary (mmmmm whatcha saaaaayyyy)
[It’s taken him too long to notice. Naoki blames it on the events of the last little bit that he wasn’t paying attention, only realising when a thought of that’s odd crossed his mind. When investigating, it’s true, he-- his friend isn’t-- Quatre isn't--

Feeling heavy, he heads to the sanctuary. There’s no reason to go there in particular, but it feels about the most secure place right now.

Either way, if you happen to wind up there there... maybe because that kerfuffle a little while ago… or maybe because you want a little time to yourself, Naoki’s plopped in one of the chairs with a dark face, darker than anyone should be wearing as he writes in a notebook spread on his knees. Next to him on the arm of the chair, swinging its feet, is a strange snowman-lookin thing.]

Demi-fiend, how long are we going to be here, hee-ho? There’s not much to do!

[When Naoki only answers with a grunt, Jack Frost kicks its feet and just sets to wandering around… Maybe leaving little frosty footprints on the floor as it goes. This is fine.

That little goat appears again while Naoki’s here, too. A perfect chance to bump into it accidentally...]


d. wildcard
[Anything else that strikes your fancy! Want to catch him training alone (or with various other demons) about as far away from the city center/buildings as he can get? Want to catch this scrub just glooming about the marketplace looking not particularly interested in shopping (then why are you here, Naoki)? Either way, go for it.

Barring that, hit me up for a random scenario/anything else.]

Comments

[flaredo]

... What's wrong with the fridge?

[ it's the very first thing Yang says, as she walks into the kitchen with a yawn. But it's kind of hard not to notice the... noise. Are two ice cubes making love? ]

[masakados]

[Naoki turns to wave at her with a spatula, already busy with breakfast cooking properly. Inugami keeps looping around him, tail wagging, wanting scraps.]

You can have a look and see, if you want. It's nothing dangerous. He might be kinda annoying, though.

[So kind to his demons.]

[flaredo]

[ That tells her very little-- except that Naoki apparently has a demon he's stuck in there, so she'll grasp the handle and pull the door to the freezer open.

Surely this will be fine. ]

b

[sharpenyoursickle]

[For a girl from the desert, she certainly enjoys the greenery of the gardens. Over the years, Temari has learned to appreciate the varied beauty of the many different types of plants, from the simple foliage to the brilliant flowers -- and so, she enjoys wandering the gardens, sometimes tending to a broken or wilted plant here and again.

Take small pleasures where you can find them.

She stops upon hearing the voice and rests a curious gaze on a familiar face. She leans against a tree, arms crossed.] Not much of a pep talk.

[masakados]

Hm?

[Naoki looks up at once, taking her in with slight surprise before glancing back down to the goat at his feet.] Ah, well, I don't know if you'd exactly call it a pep talk.

[More of an apology talk.]

[sharpenyoursickle]

[So the sarcasm didn't register. She chuckles a bit.] So what are you talking to?

b

[coastal]

[Well, Lili notices Naoki mumbling to himself for sure - but she also doesn't hear what he's mumbling since she's so far away. Instead she's just going to wander closer and raise her hand in greeting.]

Naoki, good d-

[Nope. Not a good day. No good days allowed.

Because Lili's totally bumping into the goat and looking more than a little confused.]

[masakados]

Hm?

[Naoki raises his gaze and just in time to see her bumping into the goat, wincing as he goes to say something but then-- vertigo. Nausea, slamming him into him so hard he doesn't know what's going on. He lurches slightly and curls into himself, his hands raising up to his head instinctively, but that's probably not as bad as what Lili's going to have to see.

There's a rooftop. The rooftop of a hospital, to be precise. A woman is standing there, speaking as she looks out over the Tokyo cityscape: The world is about to be engulfed by chaos. It's called the Conception... The rebirth of the world, an event which no human has ever witnessed. Everyone outside of this hospital will perish.

Naoki's feelings, in this moment, are a swirling mix of confusion, indignation, sadness, fear-- The vision of that memory itself swims as though he, in that moment, is having a hard time keeping focus.

This world must first die, to be reborn again... And I alone will carry the burden of its sin... No, I don't have any regrets.

And, the world begins to change.]

[coastal]

[Well.

There's no way that she can stay on her feet after that. She's sinking to her knees suddenly, the very breath knocked out of her lungs as the memories replay in her mind. The dread, the fear, the confusion and... she wonders, are these feelings truly hers?

Everything about it is foreign. The woman, the landscape, the very location in space and time, but when everything changes and the realization of the implication of that hits her - when she realizes just how many lives must have been lost, the level of destruction that came with remaking the entire world - there's no helping the tears that well in her eyes and stream down her cheeks. Her chest feels tight and when her breaths escape her, it's shaky.]

What....?

[What was that?]

another b...!

[pinsky]

[[let me know if you'd like me to nix the memory-sharing part!]]

[Plants.]

[They're foreign plants, sure, nothing like the garden she and Gimel tended at home, but they are calming nevertheless. (She read something about green being calming on human minds - maybe it's that?) Sulla's here with a textbook and her little goat, trying to get some studying done that isn't in that God-awful library. I mean, who would make a school library so crappy? Why even bother, then??]

[It's not too unnerving when she sees that kind guy from the mortifying ViViD level (she never got his name) talking to someone on the ground. By now, she knows that others are seeing the wispy ghost-animals; her own, a dove, is hopping along wherever she goes. She does want to greet him, though, and maybe thank him properly... So she approaches and says:]

Hey, 'morning-- [And she's knocked off-balance by a memory.]

[masakados]

Hey--

[Blindsided by vertigo, Naoki's hand falls to grip the edge of the bench that he's sitting on. He grits his teeth, fighting the swell of sick feelings that bubble up in his throat.

She'll suddenly see a hospital corridor, an annex with pale light pouring in through the windows. In the middle of it, a creature is floating, fluttering her wings, glancing askance when Naoki approached slowly.

She turns, putting her hand to her chin, surprised. I've never seen a demon like you before. Are you looking for something, too? Naoki shrugs, replying with an uncertain, yes for the time being. He doesn't know what to do or where to go, really. This world, being in it, it's as good as being lost.

About that thing you're looking for-- I'll help you, if you want! Pixie flutters cheerfully closer, grinning. I was looking for something too! A demon who can take me to Yoyogi Park. You look kinda flabby and weak, but I'll let that slide. Whaddya say? Should we join up? While uncertain, Naoki smiles and lifts one of his shoulders in a shrug. It's probably the first person or anything he's run into here that hasn't been after him.

Yeah, sure, is what he says.

Then, the memory dissolves--]

[pinsky]

[Oh. Huh. A demon-- Wait, a demon?? First ghosts, and now demons, what has Sulla even found herself in, none of this existed before--]

[She comes to, and she takes a deep sigh, running fingers in lines over her arms. (Naoki's are gone, replaced by her own.) The world she saw looked apocalyptic, almost dead, like it was being taken by something else; she could have barely imagined it two weeks ago. It takes a few grounding scratches to her arms to remember she's here, in Cerealia, this place that's her new home now.]

[(That's terrifying.)]

... Soooo. Do they just like making people share their memories, or something? Because this happened before, and I'm ppppretty sure I just saw yours.

[And then, very quietly:] You're different, too, huh.

a.

[undaunts]

[Ruby was like 90% asleep at the table when Naoki has his little encounter, which means she...actually misses what she saw.

It's too early....

Which is why she's just groaning.]

Naoooookiiiiiii stop fighting with the friiiiiiidge.

[masakados]

[Naoki looks over at her and laughs.]

I'm not fighting with it-- it's fighting with me.

Let me out, hee-ho! [That's from the fridge in question. You'd think Jack Frost could open it on his own but nah.]

[undaunts]

[....... huh. She sits up at that, squinting at the fridge.]

Naoki, the fridge is talking.

[Just so you know.]

b

[splashdamage]

[ he's so sure he saw polnareff round the corner, heading in the gardens, but -- where's he gone to? he's well aware that it's unlikely one of his companions has ended up here, only to play some ridiculous game of hide-and-seek with him, but still ... just in case. he has to make sure.

kakyoin gives a frustrated huff as he rounds a tall hedge, nerves on edge, and as soon as he hears the sound of distant mumbling, he makes a beeline for it.

there's the sound of quick footsteps and the rustle of foliage as kakyoin rounds a tree and vaults over a low bush, bursting into the area where naoki's talking to his goat. in his rush, he practically runs right into naoki and has to bring himself to a sudden halt, looking a little embarrassed as he gives a breathless apology. ]

-- sorry. I was looking for someone, and thought I heard --

[ aaaaaand he's stepping right into the goat, whoops. ]

[masakados]

[Jeez, Kakyoin, way to set a sort-of-demon on edge. Naoki's tensed up by the time Kakyoin dashes into view and he jerks back slightly before he recognises the guy--

And there it is. Nausea and vertigo. His vision swims before his eyes, and Naoki grunts, his hand lifting up to his forehead, clenching at it.

Enjoy that memory, Kakyoin.

Much of it is a blur, a frantic blur of fighting in a strange prison-like place. Naoki charges his way through demons and creatures of various kinds, gritting his teeth, desperately working. It's a choppy memory, like parts of it have been omitted, like there's one part that stands out the most clearly--

Well, look who we have here. Naoki. Don't tell me you came to save me. You're way too late. Standing in front of a blue pillar is a boy with a hat, who looks back over his shoulder at the heavily breathing and mussed Naoki in a way as if to dismiss his presence.

I'm sorry, Isamu-- it's what Naoki blurts out, taking a step closer.

I don't want your apology. It won't change anything. But Isamu turns away, looking at the pillar.

Listen to me for a second, Isamu...! Naoki tries again, but his voice is ignored as Isamu raises his hand toward the pillar.

It's obvious I can't count on you or Ms. Takao anymore. No one's gonna help me in this world... I'll have to survive on my own.

The memory jerks, as if choppy, and the pillar begins to glow and spin. Then, in a flash, Isamu disappears, and the memory dissolves.]

c!

[adornmental]

[What's a demi-fiend and who is this and why is this happening, thinks Kashuu as he opens the door to the sanctuary and realizes he is Not Alone...

But, ah - he recognizes Naoki quickly, and his expression brightens. Behind him, his little beat-up fox skirts by his legs, weaving around them before resuming its usual spot at Kashuu's heels as he walks. With great care. He's learning how to wear heels all over again, okay.]

Hey! I didn't think anyone else'd be here today... No pizza parties or anything, y'know?

[A glance over toward the weird snowman... Is this another weird part of all the stuff that's been going on lately??]

[masakados]

[Sorry for the demons, Kashuu. Can't escape. Jack Frost himself has stopped, peering up at Kashuu with his beady little eyes that look like they'd better belong in a plushie...]

Hey, Kashuu. [There's an unusual, tired tone to his voice but Naoki nevertheless smiles faintly in greeting.]

I didn't think anyone else would show up today, either. What brings you here? [Pause.] Oh, yeah, don't mind Jack Frost. He's with me.

D

[theshiningone]

[Noticing Naoki training with various demons had made Hiro realize that he needed to get a work out of his own. Despite how he looked, he knew that he was pretty strong... But it never hurt for him to become a little stronger. Being the Human Administrator was bound to get him more opponents in the great big universe, so it was good to sharpen his skills. They were far away from the city center, so it wouldn't had hurt to cut loose for a bit.

And he was still trying to master his control of the Factors that he absorbed. Canopus was able to pull off tricks that Hiro himself couldn't just yet. So as Naoki was training with one of his demons, the bunny god will just unceremonially cut in by floating upside down behind him.]

BOO!

[masakados]

[Hiro, it's probably bad to interrupt in the middle of a battle, especially given how Naoki spars with his demons--

Naoki doesn't see him, but the demon he's sparring with (Yurlungur), sure does, and he's letting loose with a blast of electricity at some random floating guy before Naoki even hears Hiro. He jumps in surprise, yes, and then he quickly gets in the way of the electricity, wincing. That's unpleasant.

He looks over one of his shoulders as his body twitches from aftershocks.]

You-- have terrible timing.

c

[heiroglyphs]

[Weiss has been recovering since her recent death, and is finally feeling well enough to venture out. She's been spending a good amount of time at the Sanctuary, tying up loose ends related to the involuntary adventure half the city seemed to go through earlier in the month. Having been working at a computer terminal in the back of the room, she hadn't noticed Naoki come in, but immediately notices his expression when she does.]

Oh, Naoki. You look... unusually serious today.

[masakados]

Mmm? Oh, yeah?

[She'd been busy, so he hadn't wanted to bother her, but when she speaks to him he turns his head to look over at her. He rubs his thumb absently against a corner of the notebook in his lap, as though debating keeping it open or shut.]

I guess you're right. But even I get more serious sometimes. [Words that he punctuates with a smile.]

gardens

[heiwana]

[ He sees you there bro, talking to yourself...but he continues to walk towards the other regardless. ]

Naoki-san are you alright?

[masakados]

Oh? Kousetsu.

[Naoki glances up at once, his eyebrows lifting in confusion at the question. He looks down at the goat by his feet briefly, before back up.] Yeah, I'm all right. Why?