estoria | « 001 ⇢ OVERFLOW.EXE »

[And had he been in better shape, and this hadn't all been pretty dangerous and serious all around, he might have teased Kashuu a little bit about his flopping around in the water. He still might, later. But right now, Souji rather has to save his breath for swimming, and for existing in general.

Which is why all the reply he manages to give is a small nod and a strained little smile, before starting to paddle after Kashuu. It's the best he can do, and that way, maybe he'll be able to actually make some kind of sound if he needs to rest.

- OR IF A HUGE DAMN WHALE SUDDENLY BLOTS OUT THE SUN BEHIND HIM???? He manages to glance over his shoulder, and then lets out a hurried, alarmed little croak in Kashuu's direction.]

There's... big... behind...

I promise I'll do my best.

[There's some slight self irony to that smile, because really, he can see why Shinpachi might feel the need to worry. Still, he's happy that he doesn't question him in any way, doesn't even try to argue the point. It's the kind of respect that means a lot, in the state he's in.

If he really struggles, maybe he can hang on to Shinpachi~~'s muscles~~ for a little while.

Now he lets out a soft hum, however, eyeing the globe speculatively.]

Soooo... How should we break through this? Do you think you can tear it? [Because look, it's not like he's carrying anything sharp in this tiny, frilly little bathing suit.]

["THERE'S BIG BEHIND" ISN'T A GREAT WARNING, FRIEND... But boy, Souji sure does his best. Kashuu does his best too, even though he sure isn't getting anywhere with his awful paddling?! He can tread water enough to look back though, and--

WELP.

That sure is an enormous whale, isn't it...]

Wh—?!

[That was the start of a "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT", but in his surprise, he briefly forgets to paddle and ends up dipping below the surface again. Escape is the first thing on his mind because something this big is no good, and he reaches in a fumbling gesture for Souji's hand, BUT ALAS... THE WHALE APPROACHES.

ITS MOUTH OPENS WIDE.

The water around them is starting to get sucked in and these poor noodle beans probably won't be able to swim against the current...]

[He'd felt guilty even back when Kashuu was "just" a sword, just an extension of his right arm, just a part of himself as a living weapon, just a symbol of his own purpose. He'd felt genuinely sorry when he'd been informed that the blade couldn't be reforged, had felt guilt that he hadn't held on hard enough, that his weakness had caused Yoshida to take the blade away from him. He hadn't made a fuss when ordered to sell the metal of the sword and leave it behind, but he'd felt the loss even so.

And now? Now he wishes there was anything he could've done to undo just a little of the pain he'd caused. But it's too late now.

With Yamato, it's not that simple. He can't just blame himself, because if he could've done anything differently, he already would've. Not just for himself or his sword, but for everyone who'd had to lose him inch by inch for such a long time.

So it's with a complicated little twist to his heart that he smiles, running one hand fondly across Yamato's unruly hair.]

I'm glad. Even if there was a point where I got too weak to do much... perhaps that wasn't so bad. Taking it easy will mean I get a little bit more time to stay alive, and that's important. I know there'll be those who will miss me when I go. [There are those who have cried, and who will probably never fully heal after he's gone, and Souji wishes he didn't sometimes feel happy about knowing that.] And I suppose, even after we're all gone... there will still be you, wearing our colors hundreds of years later. That's an honor too.

Mm, I suppose that's a point. And before you left and came back, you did actually explain it to me - although you don't remember that, of course.

[The whole memories coming and going thing isn't really something Souji likes to think about at all - perhaps that's why he's making light of it now. That's how you deal with unpleasant things, right?]

But really, you don't think this is an appropriate setting for flirting?

[That is unusually cheeky from this Souji in particular, but he's feeling a strange mix of elation at being back in Cerealia and resignation to the inevitable fuckery of this place, and possibly that is why. At any rate, he's grinning like the right little shit he is, showing absolutely no shame.]

That kind of negative attitude will probably ruin the mood for a lot of people, you know.

Edited 2016-06-01 05:32 (UTC)

[Well, she's obviously used to giving orders, and Souji has never been the kind of person who is averse to taking them. He's got the mentality of a follower, and right now going along with her plan seems like the best bet he's got.

He falls in step with her, as well as he can. It's cramped and awkward, and his moves are faltering at best, his breathing coming short and sharp now.

Even so, he manages a small smile in return.]

Okita Souji. It's a pleasure, miss... even if- [Starting to sound a bit winded, but pushing on even so.] -this isn't the best situation.

[Behold Souji tilting his head in confusion, staring around him at the ball, and then letting out a bright little laugh.]

Huh, I guess that might be a better idea. I'm not really that good at thinking out plans, you know, so I'm probably really lucky to have you here.

[After all, Serious Zen Sword is probably a lot wiser than him, right?]

We should at least try that. We'll... ah, probably notice if I can't keep up.

[Maybe he was just remarking on Kashuu's ass, THE WORLD WILL NEVER KNOW. ~~Except who are we kidding, Kashuu probably suffers from Tragic Ass-Lack...~~

At any rate there's very little Souji can do at all at this point, no matter how much he might want it, because he has no weapon and no leverage and barely any breath left. He can see Kashuu's hand flailing around for his, and manages to grab on to it just as that great big maw opens and the whole world turns into some giant-ass water slide.

All he can really do is hold on as he's sucked inside, as his head dips under the surface and his frantically burning lungs means he almost instantly sucks down a lungful of salt water. Curling up as his insides spasm in protest, he can still feel Kashuu's hand in his, one long nail cutting sharply into his hand as he squeezes it tight and-

-finds himself spat out into the middle of the Cerealia park, right into one of the smaller ponds there. On top of Kashuu, no less, with their hands still clutched tight despite of everything.

Souji lets out a faint giggle, although it sounds more like a croak, and pokes at something in Kashuu's hair.] You've found yourself... a frog friend.

Edited 2016-06-01 05:47 (UTC)

[LOOK... Yes he definitely does suffer from tragic ass-lack because he's a dang stick, and Souji will have to deal with that first-hand since Kashuu's become his landing pad.

Either way, that was the worst water slide ever and he wants his refund. He's so terribly disoriented for a half-second that he doesn't even realize they're in the pond yet and not the belly of a whale, so he reflexively jerks his hand - and Souji's - like there's still something to escape from.

BUT NO, there's only... gross, scuzzy pond water and this happy fat frog that seems content to just chill here.]

—Ugh!! [NOT ANYMORE, FROG. Kashuu pats it away (as gently as possible, at least), even though it splashes more water into his face as it goes. Rude.]

Gross, gross, oh my god— What even was that stupid level?! [HUFFS... But also very important--] Are you okay?

[The water is definitely colder here than in the game, and also yes, not nearly as clean. But at least it's not salty? ~~Unless you count Kashuu...~~

Souji lets out another little laughs the frog lazily scoots out of Kashuu's hair, leaving a muddy frog footprint right on his forehead. And no, his lungs are no longer burning and full of water, which is infinitely to be preferred. But that doesn't stop the instinctive reaction of his body at the very thought, forcing him to force back another coughing fit, and... well, he's dribbled quite a lot of blood down his chin and onto Kashuu's neck and clothes. Sorry about that grossness. At least there's all this muddy, marsh-scented water to wash it away with if he prefers?]

I'm... a little bit winded, that's all. I wasn't expecting that at all.

[He raises one hand and delicately picks a long, slimy clump of algae out of Kashuu's hair with an amused grimace. The western-style uniform he's wearing now hasn't gotten nearly as heavy in the water as his haori would, but instead the fabric is unpleasantly glued to his body.]

A bit of a strange way out, wasn't it?

[Kashuu is going to turn this into a saltwater environment in like 5 seconds flat, it's true... Especially since he's muddy and covered in pond scum and the water is cold and he's pretty sure Souji's getting blood all over him, thanks Souji... He doesn't want to wash off with gross mud!! Though he'll at least raise his hand to wipe off the blood on the back of his neck before turning to look at Souji.

--Which gives him pause for a second because that sure isn't any sort of outfit Kashuu's seen on this punk before, and it's just met with confusion at first since it doesn't immediately occur to him just why he'd be wearing something new.]

—Yeah, well. It's not the stupidest exit they've had.

[A little huff... As long as Souji's alright, he can relax a little, though - even if that just means he goes right back to being vaguely standoffish, in this case.]

Let's just get outta here already, this place smells awful!

[Maya knows the double of it. Sort of.]

[Maya can sympathize, though she doesn't say as much. She, too, is really tired of getting kidnapped against her will - especially for murder-y purposes - even if CERES is by far the tamest of her kidnappers]

Weeeell... we all we gotta do is reprogram our world so you can go back, right?

[Maya has a magnet too, considering how often she gets into trouble...]

[Speaking of which, a distant growling is starting up]

What do you mean? Do you have sixty days a month or something?

[She's not so sure this guy is really a five million year old wizard....]

Okay, prove it! If you're really Merlin, then... what's King Arthur doing? And... Lampalot? And... those other guys!!

[Yes, Lampalot and the knights of the whatever table]

Ah, of course...

[Okay, Kashuu wants to get out of the gross stinky water. That is understandable! He is however going to have to hold on a little while, because this is going to take some effort from a man whose arms are already shaking just from pushing himself up off of Kashuu and his skinny butt. Probably because he himself is undeniably even more skinny than that, less a noodle than a person made from twigs and paper by now.

Still, me manages to scramble off the sword and onto (comparatively) dry land, allowing Kashuu to actually get up. Souji will stay on the ground for now, thanks, making some unpleasant wheezing noises. He's also shaking quite a bit, because sick people probably shouldn't be dunked in cold water, and his soaked uniform is only making it worse. He kind of looks like a wet, skinny cat, but at least he offers Kashuu his very brightest smile even so.]

I can't say I'm unhappy to be back here, but they could really work on their welcomes here, huh? [It's hard to sound nonchalant and bright when your lungs are crap and your teeth are chattering, but you can't blame a man for trying, right?]

[This is so much like the Souji he remembers that it's almost painful, geez... Though the whole "nearly skeletal" look is definitely new and unpleasant in a whole new way. He's not sure how Yamato managed to make it through this period, back in their own world. Watching a human waste away into nothingness is-- really, really awful.

But there isn't any time to linger on those depressing thoughts. Especially not when Souji's just sort of sitting out here like a wet pile of noodles, and even climate-controlled weather can't help a sick person to feel better if they've been dunked into a cold pond.

He holds his hand out.]

Yeah, well, they'll never do that. C'mon, let's go to the dojo, okay? You can change into something there and then we can head back.

Both... [Huh. The stuff speculative fiction aficionados would go nuts over.]

I can't say that I have but it does sound scary! You were able to fight yours off? [Color Honey Lemon impressed. Not that Mabel wasn't impressive before. She certainly was!

Ahh...

[Honey looks at the fallen popsicle before giving Jaune an apologetic smile.]

Yeaaaaah... I don't think you can eat that unless you like the taste of sand on your tongue. How about I buy you a new one?

I suppose that would be the best course of action...

[beat]

Oh, where are my manners? I'm Greta Santiago, but my friends call me Honey Lemon. [She manages a bow.] It's very nice to meet you.

[~~Well, I just heard that in Ricky Ricardo's voice~~]

Oh, no! Not at all.

[beat]

Ah, Hiro designed me a purse that's kinda a mini chem lab of sorts. The pad on the heart design in front of the purse has the periodic table of elements programmed there and all I have to do is input the chemical formula I need and the compound I make is inserted into these capsules, "chem-balls", if you will. Then I throw the ball and the chemicals will react on the structure or person the ball hits. I can make acid that'll melt a hole on the wall where we can escape or I can make a gel that can cushion our a fall if ever we fall from a great height. Things like that.

That's my Power Purse in a nutshell!

Y-You don't have to do that! I should buy you a new one!

Wait, that... doesn't make any sense...

[Not in this space colony!]

Ooohh... Okay.

[Honey Lemon nods in understanding. This Mosley person is definitely someone she should check out later. Anyway...]

You know what? I'm sorry, I haven't told you my name. I'm Greta but my friends call me Honey Lemon. [She holds her hand out to shake Roxas'.] Nice to meet you!

That's pretty impressive. I wish you could have met my friend Ami, she'd have found that absolutely fascinating. I...am not much of a chemist but it certainly sounds like a pretty interesting setup.

Kind of! I did have to fight my brother's robot but uh...

[She said with a smirk or two] Not to brag but I totally kick his butt! Once you pick on Mabel, you get picked on for life!

[All the while tooting her own horn! Toot toot!]

[If there's any moment that Lili would say "holy shit", it would be right now.

Except that's still not in her vocabulary so she's actually just going to misstep and almost fall face first into the side of the ball thing after take the first few steps. Nice. We're off to a good start.

There's a glance back to him because she's confused?!]

I... Are you certain?!

[BOY SHE KNOWS AN OKITA SOUJI AND HE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE YOU

HE'S ALSO NOT THIS POLITE]

[ Well it's mostly because of the relationships thing being a magnet here but YEAH GOOD JOB MAYA. ]

We don't count days and months the same way. Not quite. We don't have hours, minutes and seconds either. I had to learn that.

[ Help. ]

And if I've been here for two months how am I supposed to know. And for another thing, it's Lancelot.

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who is this douchebag who knows

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Mabel

Jaune

Inaba

Rei

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Roxas

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