[ CLOSED ] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD-_oLjmCGY

[rollin]

Who: the idiots who think this will actually amount to anything
When: IC 11/23 onward
Where: Various!
What: The rescue mission Yata, Sheba and co. discussed at the citywide meeting!
Rating/Warning: at least PG because some people swear like sailors

---

[ Once everyone arrives at the agreed meeting area, the CERES Metro-rail Station at the Residential District, Yata briefs the group on what to do. As discussed in the citywide meeting yesterday, the group will split into six teams that were decided by drawing lots. Everyone should know who they're teamed up with by now. Yata's instructions are simple enough: don't work alone (buddy system!), and if anyone finds anything, report to him. Should the missing arrivals be found, don't wait on anyone's orders. Yata admits that he's not smart enough to call the shots, but if he found who they were looking for, he believes that taking action should be the team's first priority. Anyone is free to protest, but he won't go back on his word.

Then he makes a special shout out to Hiccup and Toothless because look look guys it's a dragon how cool is that okay back to business.

By 9:15 AM, all teams should be on the move! ]

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT | SHOPPING DISTRICT | ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT | TECH DISTRICT | PLEASURE DISTRICT | VIVID

Comments

[dielectrics]

[ There's a slightly guilty pause before Killua answers. Damage control? Well, he didn't hit the guy hard enough to cause any permanent damage... ]

Uh, yeah. Let's go with that. So there's nothing to find where you are either, huh?

[flaredo]

Just clothes. No one knows anything about a bunch of new arrivals.

[dielectrics]

We're on a wild goose chase. [ He pauses. Levels a suspicious stare at Yang. ] Wait, you're not on damage control for your group, are you?

[flaredo]

Please, we're a harmless bunch today!

[ ... today. ]

[psycholawgy]

Wh- What?!

[ She is so offended! ]

I'm Athena Cykes, and I don't give up!

[chryselephantine]

[she grimaces, straightening up.]

You could say that. Though it's not how I'd spend my free time. [this was important to clarify for some reason. she sighs.] It's called Nyancat. Another one of those computer games, but it doesn't look like this guy was working on it for our benefit.

[masakados]

Good to hear.

[He'll nod a few times. Still amused...]

So you'll conquer your confusion and you'll be great at it before you know it.

[chryselephantine]

[her frown only deepens at his comment, though she stops with the fidgeting. it's not hard to see his logic — doubts only slow you down and distract you, making you easy prey for an ambush...or even a not-so-subtle one. still, there's something that's been bothering her....]

This is too easy. [she looks him in the eyes as she goes on —] You've noticed that too, haven't you?

[if she can expect anyone else to, and she's not even sure she can, she'd bank on shun being the one.]

[faestra]

Lee? Don't know him...

[She just follows Athena's gaze. Someone who would try that is worthy of curiosity at least.]

So he's the overachieving type? He'll need a partner who can keep up with him!

[faestra]

I'm sure you would. Most people play it where I come from, and belong to some kind of duel school if they're younger. I'd offer to teach you, but now's not really the time...

[Plus, if there's a place to get cards around here, she hasn't found it yet.]

Was there something else you wanted to ask about ViViD?

C

[faestra]

[Yuzu listens to Yata's sort-of speech, but despite being the orchestrator of the meetup, he doesn't really seem like he knows what he's doing, so she ends up letting her gaze wander to see if there's anyone in the crowd that seem like they do. And in doing so, she spies Shun hanging out on the wall... now that she thinks about it, she hadn't even noticed him at Ayumu's place, even though he must have found out she was going to play ViViD from that meetup somehow. Still, she hadn't expected him to actually join the party. What would he do that for? He wasn't concerned about Sora... the only thing she had to go off of was those cards he sent her. Or rather, left on her doorstop in person, given that there was no address written on them. She still hadn't decided if she was angry or pleased about what he did, but seeing him just lurking over there like he has nothing to do with it... it definitely made her emotions swing toward irritated, at least for the moment. When Yata finishes (despite his excitement, she barely pays attention to Hiccup and Toothless) she's turning to Shun to call him out, just blurting out the first thing that comes to mind to say.]

Hey, Kurosaki! Are you following me!?

[It would explain a lot, she thinks. Certainly why he knew where to leave the cards. Maybe even his reason for skulking around the meetup, though who even knows with that.

... A voice in the back of her head meekly suggests she should thank him for the cards, but it can wait.]

[harepiece]

[Look....... yes. They're only getting weirder, too. Someone release him from this bizarroland hell.

TAGALONG OZ IS TAGGING ALONG, THOUGH. He sticks pretty close, which may or may not be irritating to Sousei, but not close enough that he's popping any personal bubbles at least... Once they get to the door, he steps forward immediately to STICK HIS EAR RIGHT AGAINST IT.]

...I don't think there's anyone on the other side.

[SAFETY FIRST. Unless Sousei beats him to it, he'll be reaching for the knob, too. INTREPID EXPLORING.]

[psycholawgy]

[ Now she's even more determined to learn Japanese. And become Cerealia's head weaboo. I hope you are prepared. ]

But before all that, we gotta find the people stuck here. C'mon!

[ She's totally decided she's going with you now. ]

[harepiece]

[Peko Keeps Getting Tricked By My Characters: A Saga

Oz doesn't usually like keeping things from other people, though. If he does, it's generally because he has a dumb idea in his dumb rabbit head that it's better for them to be left in the dark... WHICH IS DEFINITELY THE CASE HERE. As far as he's concerned, if someone forgets about DreamLand, they shouldn't have to remember. If someone's peace of mind hinges on his ability to pretend like he doesn't know them, he's gonna do a damn good job.

Nodding at that, though! Duke Kazoo will have to wait until another day, it seems... Tragic.]

So like Kuzuryuusan? [He just sort of smashes it all together and probably pronounces it like a weirdo... Even after getting used to Japanese names, he still hasn't fully mastered being able to say them right.]

[psycholawgy]

Uh huh, that's him.

He made me to five hundred push-ups. HE'S INSANE!

[raidraptors]

[He isn't concerned about the brat, no, and the other missing people aren't really any of his business either, but there is no doubt that CERES is behind that and that is concerning him. If joining up with this utterly disorganized affair gives him the opportunity to figure out an angle of attack on them, it seems well worth it.

He doesn't seem to pay any attention to Yuzu's presence – at least not until she calls him out.]

No.

[Not right now and lately either.]

[faestra]

["No?" What do you mean, "no?!" Even if it wasn't lately, any instance of him following her without her knowledge totally counts. She stares at him, not buying it, but at least toning down the accusatory tone like a whole 5%.]

Well, that's funny, since you still paid me a visit. Yuya didn't mention that he gave you our apartment, you know?

[Furthermore, she'd say that that was... none of your business. But she doesn't exactly want to let on that she's still mad about that.]

[faestra]

[it is indeed even more unusual because of his looks, so she was hoping that was some kind of typo... now she definitely doesn't want to say something to offend her, but.]

Wow. ....I didn't know being a yakuza was considered a 'field.'

[YOUR SCHOOL ENCOURAGES THIS???]

[raidraptors]

[The way she asked the question it totally applies. And anyway, she is asking him questions that she already knows – or at least suspects – the answer of. They might as well cut to the chase.]

You aren't exactly trying to hide yourselves.

[Not that it would matter if they were, probably.]

[raidraptors]

[She can bank on him to notice, but can she bank on him to care about that? Yuuto does call him reckless for a reason.]

If they have nothing to hide here, worrying is pointless. If it's a trap, it's better to spring it on our terms.

[Honestly, he is just used to people trying that one on him. It usually ends with the other person getting knocked out instead. ...If they are lucky.]

[faestra]

[SIGH. She knew it. And now he's flipping from cagey to sass, which she can handle a lot better to be honest.]

We shouldn't have to try, you creep. [YEAH THAT'S RIGHT you're a creep!! But now that that's been established, that little voice is growing a bit louder. She bites her lip for another second, before admitting.]

They're pretty good traps though. I hope you didn't want them back... I already put a couple of them in my deck.

[faestra]

Were you guys training for the Olympics? ... I don't suppose there are any other athletes in this group?

[actually Yuzu sort of qualifies, action duels are basically card games with a side order of SPORTS]

[raidraptors]

[He's been called worse, and it's not like he did anything beyond assessing their location for his own comfort and in case Akaba ever shows his face here. Never be said he doesn't keep an eye on his person of interest after all. Not that he is going to bring up that aspect with Yuzu like ever.

Also, about those cards:]

If I needed them, I wouldn't have sent them in first place.

[They are meant to be used by you, Yuzu, sheesh.]

[unevoke]

[He isn't sure whether to be impressed or skeptical - does this guy seriously have nothing better to do than play video games all day? - but he has to admit that things here are vastly different from the way things are back home.

Besides, right now, his experience is more of an asset than anything else. Shinji nods in acceptance, then tilts his head in a forward direction.]

You probably know this place better than anyone else then. Got any idea of where to start?

[He'll defer to your wisdom here.]

[psycholawgy]

No way! [ She shakes her head vigorously. ] I'm just a normal lawyer.