[ OPEN !!! ]

[bakudanma]

Who: Katsura + any of you wonderful people.
When: Throughout the IC month of November.
Where: Metro-rail Station, Pleasure District and McCERES.
What: Open log for people who just want some extra CR in their life. 8)
Rating/Warnings: Zura is in this log. And uh, maybe violence/blood.

《1》METRO-RAIL STATION
_{[ It was time to head home after a day full of adventuring in this place and work, and not to mention, he was already hooked on these two soap opera that had been airing on the television sets. Games of our Lives and All my CYBuddies. Surely he'll be able to get home in time.. right? ]}

Ah, excuse me—
_{[ The doors slide open and people flood inside; it was a little annoying— the way some of the people and been the robots here shoved each other to get into the public transport. He merely gave some of these people a look of disdain, and just when he came to the conclusion that this was an every man for himself situation, he begins to assert himself in front of a few other people who are gathering towards the metro, either by elbowing and using the heel of his palm. Just as the door is about to close, he is blocked by a particularly robust individual who won't have any of this and so—
POW. Right in the face. It's enough to get him to stumble back and hold his nose. In that moment, he rushes back to the train right as the doors shut to press his bloodied hands and face on the window. ]}

Crap! Damn! We're going to hear back from the pregnancy test tonight!
<sub>[ He takes a little jog alongside the train before standing there, banging on the window and making a ruckus.
Well. I guess he'll just have to wait for the next one.
In the mean time, he'll just be taking a seat next to you. The way he held his teeth clenched was the only indication of how immensely furious he was.

Oh.. he should probably clean up his face.
He'll be ready next train station. His hand was already on the hilt of his weapon that was by his hip. ]</sub>

《2》PLEASURE DISTRICT
<sub>[ It's a rainy day here in the Pleasure District. Of all the snack places he could have worked at, it was one located in the Pleasure District. He didn't really spend time here, and when he did, it was mainly for work or to just make a bunch of cute ViVid avatars and make them live a mundane and domestic life instead of catering to any of his needs. It was almost like he was trying to ensure their happiness instead of his despite the fact they were virtual people and not anything with feeling. What was he even doing with his life here anymore..?

Today, he's going home from his barista job, dressed in uniform. It was a swanky place, really, and he was learning quickly how to prepare all sorts of different drinks.

A red, cloth parasol is resting on his shoulder as he heads in the direction towards home. But what is this? Somebody in the rain without an umbrella? Not allowed.
And so, he's just gonna scurry up to you and provide some shelter from the rain for you there. Isn't that thoughtful for a terrorist? ]</sub>

You could catch a cold.

《3》MCCERES
<sub>[ Right. His other-other job. He liked to stay productive, so when CERES offered him several jobs, he went ahead and picked two out of the three, though he was contemplating picking up another soon. With as many games as played and as much as he worked, he was gradually getting pretty loaded on credits to use here.

Anyway, his position here? Mascot. There were a few problems with this job in regards of it. For example, it could have been a much fluffier and cuter kind of mascot and not a mime that wasn't supposed to speak. He broke that rule a lot.
He also took off the mask a lot when he wasn't supposed to and has already gotten several complaints from customers, but he still had his position here. When he worked, he worked pretty damn well.

You're going inside this place, and he pops out of nowhere, holding a sign. He seems insistent that you buy whatever it is he is advertising. Holy shit— this was a restaurant, not a haunted house!!

MCKNIGHT BURGER SPECIAL MEAL
3.99!!

No matter where you go, where you hide, he's following you with this sign— maybe doing the typical mascot jig while doing so with his own thuggish flare.
You could be in the bathroom and he's in the stall next to you with this sign, or leaving in your car, if you have one, and he's following you out there.

Hell, maybe you made it home and he's outside your window with this sign too.
Mother of God. ]</sub>

Comments

[psycholawgy]

[ ... did she just hear a bleep? What was happening?

But that makes her laugh, embarrassed. ]

I... actually grabbed him-- [ A pause, then she laughs again. ] and threw him.

[bakudanma]

_{[ that's his "daughter."
For the record, he's taking all of this seriously. ]}

Did you aim for the window? Specifically, the dumpster?

[psycholawgy]

Well, he hit my co-worker...

[ She may or may not be taking this story from a personal experience. Nope. ]

[bakudanma]

_{[ He's wordless for a moment, mulling over that thought before he puts his attention on the cashier. She can't see the look of disappointment on his face since he is masked. ]}

One bowl of soba.

_{[ he asked this every time, and every time he was told the same response.
Without beating a lash, he changes his order to the same thing he gets when they say this: ]}

Medium fries. That is all.
_{[ steps aside for Athena. ]}

[psycholawgy]

[ Well, that was odd. She just felt Katsura's mood drop a bit. Was it something she said? She didn't mean to say anything offensive; she didn't find anything bad in what she just said... it really was odd, but it wasn't something that she thought needed some deep thought. ]

Umm... I'll have the McKnight Burger special?

[ She looks at Katsura to be sure. ]

[bakudanma]

_{[ THAT'TA GIRL.
And so, they step aside, and wait quietly for their order to be taken out.
Behind the muffled mask, Zura speaks again: ]}

Sometimes the law is put in the hands of the irresponsible. It's our duty as citizens to realize this and change it by educating the illiterate on how to make the world a better place.

_{[ what a change in mood vs. a few minutes ago. ]}

—And sometimes that means shoving them into a dumpster.
_{[ oh, he's handed their tray and with a tip of his head he bows to the cashier before taking their food to a table to eat. ]}

[psycholawgy]

[ That was surprising. She's not sure where it came from, but she can at least feel that he speaks from the heart. And she can even sympathise. She's met people who are supposed to be protecting and upholding the law, but they do the opposite.

Although, she's really confused as to why Katsura suddenly said all that, and starts to think that he may not regard policemen very well. At least, that's the only thing she could think of. That was what she was talking about when Katsura's mood dropped. She wants to press on this and ask about it, but she was slightly hesitant. She wasn't sure if he was being serious about all this, or if it was an act. They. . . were acting, weren't they?

She doesn't respond yet, and just follows Katsura to the table. Once she sits down, she just looks at Katsura curiously. What kind of person was behind that mask? ]

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ Yeah. Sure. ACTING.
Katsura's thought process were definitely an enigma. His imagination was very broad and could be triggered by nearly anything at any given time. He preferred it this way; it came in handy with his craftiness and when he was in need to improvise.

The mask is finally removed and he shakes his long hair out a bit.
His eyes were as dark as his hair, and they focused in on his french fries as he went in for a singular fry. ]</sub>

—Thank you for your hospitality, Chihiro-chan.
_{[ lmfao still no idea who you are. ]}

[psycholawgy]

He sure has nice hair. Athena can't deny him that. ]

Actually, my name's Athena.

[ Grabbing her burger... and whatever food came along with it. ]

[bakudanma]

_{[ there we go that's the name he is looking for.
He's grateful for her playing along with him, but it's such a quick and passing thought he doesn't even bring it up. ]}

Athena-dono. Good afternoon; you may call me Katsura.
Your interactions with the police as you mentioned; are they always like that?

[psycholawgy]

[ She's obviously caught off-guard by the sudden serious talk, and her face shows it. ]

(What just happened?!)

Uhhhh... no. It's actually only happened once.

[bakudanma]

Did you sue his pants off at least?
_{[ nonchalantly he says this, but the look on his face shows disappointment.
Another fry slowly makes his way to his mouth, his gaze finally looking at her. ]}

[psycholawgy]

Well, no... [ Man, she can't help but feel worse every time she talks. Why does she sense so much disappointmen from Katsura? ] I had to hurry and investigate a murder.

[bakudanma]

_{[ MAYBE CAUSE HE DON'T LIKE THE PO-PO... ]}

Investigate?

[psycholawgy]

[ Well, at least this is something that she can be glad about. She points to the badge on her lapel. ]

I'm a defense attorney! Pretty cool, huh?!

[bakudanma]

<sub>[ Katsura leans in, squinting at the badge before sitting upright. Maybe this is somebody he can confide in about his home and how it's gone to the dogs since she knows about the law.

But not right now. ]</sub>

I see. What sort of job were you given when brought to this place? Does it have to do with your occupation?

[psycholawgy]

Noooooo... [ She slumps her shoulders as she groans in distaste. ] The legal system here is so weird... I can't practice law here yet.

[ A beat. ]

I work as a waitress at a cafe, and an instructor at the gym.

[ So unrelated to law... but what can you do when there's nothing even close to being a defense attorney in this place? ]

[bakudanma]

The bastards who brought us here certainly have a terrible time matching us with our suited skills, wouldn't you say?

But ah, we can't complain too much. It's our duty to revive our world through whatever means necessary.
Did any of your companions make it?

[psycholawgy]

[ She tries to smile, but she can't help but be sad when she remembers her friends from home. Sure, their codes can still be extracted, but it's not the same when they're not around right now. ]

No... well, there's someone from home but he doesn't remember me. He's from a different time, if that even makes sense.

[ Because while it may be the truth to her, it's still weird to talk about with other people. ]

[bakudanma]

It makes sense what you say. It doesn't make sense why they have chosen him from a different time..

_{[ Hm. Something to think about.
He can be rather difficult to have a conversation with, and so, Zura falls quiet, head dipping to look down at his meal again before taking another fry. ]}

[psycholawgy]

It kind of sucks not being remembered. [ She looks away as she rests her cheek on her palm, and then her elbow on the table. ] But I guess that's how it is. I just hope that the others will know me.

[ At least she's optimistic about that thing. ]

[bakudanma]

I understand completely.
_{[ Zura replies solemnly. ]}

They put me on stand-by for months; even during all of the important arcs. Even now in the most recent chapters? Where am I at? I always get left out! It puts a cramp in my butt.
_{[ ??? ]}

Ah, but at least you have somebody.
_{[ all of his aren't here.. ]}

[psycholawgy]

You what?

[ Wait. Why is she even asking. ]

Um, I'm not sure I get it. But don't worry. You're not alone.

[bakudanma]

Ah. I suppose if he's the only one here and he's forgotten you, that puts you in a similar situation. _{Just never allow them to put you on stand-by. It's cruelty towards supporting characters.}

Athena-dono, do you think we should riot and get our friends' coded so they can reunite with us here?
_{[ he talks about this so casually like nbd... ]}

They should have at least sent our pets with us.
_{[ ELIZABETHZUUUUUU ]}

[psycholawgy]

Riot?

[ She tries to stay calm, but now she's having so many thoughts like oh jesus christ is this the person Kaoru was talking about? ]

I don't think that's the right way to go about things. I'd love for them to be here, but they wouldn't want me to get into that kind of trouble just for them.

[ Although she'd probably punch someone in the face if it meant saving her friends. ]