[ 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

[psycholawgy]

[ Mister, what's the point of forming parties when one is alone?! ]

Oh... that's no good! [ She looks more worried than offended when she says it. ] This place is dangerous... we can't have anyone go alone.

Do you want to go alone? Is that it?

[masakados]

[WELL, YOU KNOW HOW IT IS...]

It's not that, [quickly, with a smile. He's not being dishonest either!]

I just mean that if there's no other option and we need someone to, I could, 'cause I'm pretty used to playing in ViViD.

[psycholawgy]

Wow!

[ You are the first person she's met who's actually an expert in the game. ]

You must love this game, huh? Have you fought all the bosses yet?

[masakados]

[Naoki grins, shaking his head from side to side.]

Not all of them. I'm pretty content just grinding sometimes, and new bosses come out every now and again.

But it's an easy way to get credits, you know?

[psycholawgy]

[ ... maybe she should play ViViD more often. ]

Can I really get a lot of credits from this game?

[masakados]

If you play it a lot. During special events you can get more... Well, in other words, when weird stuff happens here and they have different requirements than usual.

[He trails off and looks at her curiously.]

You looking to get a lot?

[psycholawgy]

[ oh no, wrong question. . .]

Ahaha... hah... [ she's just laughing so awkwardly now to try and avoid the question. ]

[masakados]

...

[He reaches out to sympathetically pat her shoulder. HE DOESN'T KNOW HER FINANCIAL SITUATION BUT:] Today should be a good haul.

--er, of course, second to what we came here to actually do.

[psycholawgy]

[ She sudden show of sympathy makes her tear up... PEOPLE CARE ABOUT HER??? ]

I- I hope so! My poor little sister has to beg for food!

[masakados]

[No, Athena... that reaction is a bit too much...!!]

Eh, really? [THAT'S NOT GOOD AT ALL.]

[psycholawgy]

[ No, sorry. You brought it upon yourself. ]

It was my fault! [ SOBS. ] I spent too much when I got here. I bought food for every person I could find!

[masakados]

... Why?

[There's generosity and then there's going too far...]

[psycholawgy]

... They. They wanted food.

[ Such a simple answer, and yet so complex. ]

[masakados]

But couldn't they have gotten some for themselves?

[psycholawgy]

Hmm... if you eat something here, will you be able to eat it in real life, too?

[masakados]

You know, that's the second time I've got that question...

[And thus he shakes his head slightly.] I don't think so. I mean, you could try but it wouldn't be the same.

[psycholawgy]

Exactly! So whoever is lost is still hungry!

[masakados]

And that's why you bought food for so many people...?

[Well, it's not a bad thought. No, he feels a bit of admiration for it, even if it's landed her in this situation. Is her little sister really having to beg for food, though??

But either way, he:]

If you want, you can have whatever credits I make today.

[psycholawgy]

[ That's nice and all, and her face even flushes red at the gesture. This is more embarrassing than complimenting. ]

I couldn't do that. That's your money!

[masakados]

[Naoki considers. Offering money's a bust, huh? You could do that, though, he thinks with amusement.

Well, he can't say he doesn't get it. Instead... he thinks about something else, an idea popping to mind. It can't hurt too badly to reach out to others, can it...?]

Then, lunch.

How's that sound? [GRAB A BITE TO EAT WITH HIM ATHENA even if he doesn't need to eat much]

[psycholawgy]

[ That is definitely a better idea. She can't say no to free food! ]

Alright, I'm in.

[ She holds out a hand for him to shake. ]

I'm Athena. What's your name?

[masakados]

[Yes, good. The universal way of bonding is through food. Who could say no to a meal!

He'll extend one of his own hands to clasp at hers.]

Naoki. 'S nice to meet you.

[psycholawgy]

Naoki, huh?

[ Her grin gets wider. ]

I don't think I know how to write that name in Japanese.

[ She's been taking Japanese lessons! HUZZAH. ]

[masakados]

You're learning Japanese, huh?

[He grins a little wider.]

My name's got the kanji for-- actually, it might be easier to show you. Let's see... [He finds a twig and swipes his foot over the ground to smooth a spot. He crouches down and writes: 尚紀.]

The first one means esteem, but you can also use it for 'yet' or 'still'. The second ones means a chronicle, or account. Nao and ki.

[psycholawgy]

Wow!

[ She grabs a twig of her own, and writes アシナ. ]

Yours looks like a baby and an elephant. Mine's so much simpler!