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That's fine. At a later date, we will discuss it.
[He doesn't even sound surprised, which may give a hint towards it being his real name; he's used to people freezing when they hear it, or prying into things more, or trying to figure out if he's really related to that family (which, seeing as the answer is yes, he can't really blame them).
More importantly, as she noted herself: getting out of the maze. Thankfully, as he inspects the hallway, he nods to himself.]
I believe we're close enough now to be able to get the attention of that patient.
[And then make use of her plan, and have the patient trip all of those traps.]
[He doesn't even sound surprised, which may give a hint towards it being his real name; he's used to people freezing when they hear it, or prying into things more, or trying to figure out if he's really related to that family (which, seeing as the answer is yes, he can't really blame them).
More importantly, as she noted herself: getting out of the maze. Thankfully, as he inspects the hallway, he nods to himself.]
I believe we're close enough now to be able to get the attention of that patient.
[And then make use of her plan, and have the patient trip all of those traps.]
[Yeaaah, nothing wrong. Sure. Miyako absolutely does not believe that, but she's got enough social awareness to know that making a fuss over the point won't get her anywhere. Thankfully, she does have a lot of questions, some far from the realm of people disappearing.]
I do have other questions. Do you frequent ViViD levels often? [The "Are they all weird like this?" is unvoiced, but obviously there.]
I do have other questions. Do you frequent ViViD levels often? [The "Are they all weird like this?" is unvoiced, but obviously there.]
All right. Let me know if you need any assistance.
[Which is Miyako's way of saying that she will absolutely pick Mary up and carry her if she has to. She's stronger than she looks, after all, and while it won't be easy or fun, she has no intention of leaving Mary behind either.
Thankfully, the door to the next floor's hallway is only a little bit further. RUN LIKE THE WIND!]
[Which is Miyako's way of saying that she will absolutely pick Mary up and carry her if she has to. She's stronger than she looks, after all, and while it won't be easy or fun, she has no intention of leaving Mary behind either.
Thankfully, the door to the next floor's hallway is only a little bit further. RUN LIKE THE WIND!]
I shall leave you to your information gathering, then. Thank you very much again for everything. I hope your search is fruitful, Mr. Shingetsu.
[She gives an elegant bow, now that she can with the coat, and then follows his lead towards down the hallway and to the left.]
[She gives an elegant bow, now that she can with the coat, and then follows his lead towards down the hallway and to the left.]
[It takes her a moment, but she has been counting each corner, as well as noting which way they went.]
Eleven corners have been passed. Seven turning left, and four turning right.
Eleven corners have been passed. Seven turning left, and four turning right.
[Miyako's taken notice of how calm and casual he's taking her request, which tells her that he's used to being asked about it, or that he's been expecting it. Either way, it's intriguing and more than worth looking into...later.
For now, she eyes the patient warily. It's close enough to attract the attention of, and while she's hoping the traps will take it out, they need to be prepared if the traps aren't enough.]
Yes. I shall see if I can attract its attention. I ask that you be prepared for battle against it, should the traps not stop it or not activate.
For now, she eyes the patient warily. It's close enough to attract the attention of, and while she's hoping the traps will take it out, they need to be prepared if the traps aren't enough.]
Yes. I shall see if I can attract its attention. I ask that you be prepared for battle against it, should the traps not stop it or not activate.
I had assumed as much. I doubted they would throw us in here and offer us an option to leave without some condition.
Well then, Miss Shepard, do you have any ideas on how to leave this place? I assume the front doors would not be sufficient.
Well then, Miss Shepard, do you have any ideas on how to leave this place? I assume the front doors would not be sufficient.
(From here)
[No, she doesn't really want to talk about the doppelgangers. But Hawke's gone all the way across the line of ignoring and into...something mildly creepy.]
You were eaten on a tour... Perhaps it was more of a threat than a tour. Our benefactors are not as benevolent as they would like us to believe, perhaps?
[SHE KNEW PARANOIA WOULD PAY OFF]
[No, she doesn't really want to talk about the doppelgangers. But Hawke's gone all the way across the line of ignoring and into...something mildly creepy.]
You were eaten on a tour... Perhaps it was more of a threat than a tour. Our benefactors are not as benevolent as they would like us to believe, perhaps?
[
[It's almost laughable to assume he's not prepared for battle at practically all times, but he'll give her that she doesn't know him at all or has never seen him fight. Either way, his response is a simple nod, even as he rests his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword, entirely untense.]
I am prepared, yes. Enact your plan, and I shall make sure it does not cause any harm to us.
[He's confident enough in his skills at least.]
I am prepared, yes. Enact your plan, and I shall make sure it does not cause any harm to us.
[He's confident enough in his skills at least.]
[He's either supremely confident or very unprepared. For her own sake, she'll hope it's the former.
She continues on the path, still careful for traps, but her movements are confident and unafraid. The point was to get seen; there was no reason to avoid detection.
Thankfully, it doesn't take long for the patient to notice her. It lets out an unearthly sound from its mouth, tentacles waving in the air from the force of its bellow. Miyako's already moved back by then, which is a good thing because the patient is moving very quickly for them. True to her expectations, it does set off a number of traps, but none of them are doing anything to slow it down as it draws near. It simply disregards any projectiles and jumps over the trapdoors.]
I am counting on you, Mr. Sousei!
She continues on the path, still careful for traps, but her movements are confident and unafraid. The point was to get seen; there was no reason to avoid detection.
Thankfully, it doesn't take long for the patient to notice her. It lets out an unearthly sound from its mouth, tentacles waving in the air from the force of its bellow. Miyako's already moved back by then, which is a good thing because the patient is moving very quickly for them. True to her expectations, it does set off a number of traps, but none of them are doing anything to slow it down as it draws near. It simply disregards any projectiles and jumps over the trapdoors.]
I am counting on you, Mr. Sousei!
[ Please don't majestically carry her, Miyako-- she's intent on... well, not keeping up entirely, but still running and even though her legs are burning and her chest aches, she'll make it to the door without tripping and tumbling back down the stairs. ]
[Hey, she made it, and that is what's important! Miyako didn't even have to carry her
Miyako barely gives Mary a second to catch her breath before tentatively opening the door to the hallway and looking out. She sees nothing, which is good for them, and there's a whole bunch of doors.]
There is nothing in the hallway. We must continue moving. We can attempt to remain in one of the rooms and hope that the creature passes us by.
[Not her first preference, but Mary is clearly winded and needs time to recuperate.]
Miyako barely gives Mary a second to catch her breath before tentatively opening the door to the hallway and looking out. She sees nothing, which is good for them, and there's a whole bunch of doors.]
There is nothing in the hallway. We must continue moving. We can attempt to remain in one of the rooms and hope that the creature passes us by.
[Not her first preference, but Mary is clearly winded and needs time to recuperate.]
[It is indeed the former.
Sousei has the time to consider that the AI is a fucking cheater before he immediately is reacting. Honestly, he's so confident that he doesn't even bother to draw his sword; he uses the weapon, sheath and all, to immediately strike at the deranged patient.
Thankfully, despite his samurai-like appearance and general demeanor, Sousei is also a cheater--at least, in the midst of combat. His strike is aimed for the pressure point at the bse of the creature's jaw and neck, and with complete and utter precision, he strikes it.
Naturally, even a virtual monster crumples when it is suddenly lacking in the ability to move, hitting the ground with a rather pitiful twitch, and Sousei replaces his weapon with a sigh, inspecting their path. Well...at least the trapdoors are visible now.]
Sousei has the time to consider that the AI is a fucking cheater before he immediately is reacting. Honestly, he's so confident that he doesn't even bother to draw his sword; he uses the weapon, sheath and all, to immediately strike at the deranged patient.
Thankfully, despite his samurai-like appearance and general demeanor, Sousei is also a cheater--at least, in the midst of combat. His strike is aimed for the pressure point at the bse of the creature's jaw and neck, and with complete and utter precision, he strikes it.
Naturally, even a virtual monster crumples when it is suddenly lacking in the ability to move, hitting the ground with a rather pitiful twitch, and Sousei replaces his weapon with a sigh, inspecting their path. Well...at least the trapdoors are visible now.]
[She's impressed. No other way to describe it; his efficiency and skill in movement are plain to see, and combined with his previous behavior... She knows a master when she sees one.]
That was well done—your skill with your sword is genuine. I am most fortunate to have you accompany me.
[She gives him a pleased smile before turning to the path ahead, her expression turning serious once more. The trap doors and traps have been activated, but it'll be slow going for her. Bare feet don't do well with sharp implements, after all.]
The plan worked as I had hoped, but I am afraid it will take some time for me to proceed safely. The worst of what we have seen is over with; if you wish to go forth without me, I shall not be offended.
That was well done—your skill with your sword is genuine. I am most fortunate to have you accompany me.
[She gives him a pleased smile before turning to the path ahead, her expression turning serious once more. The trap doors and traps have been activated, but it'll be slow going for her. Bare feet don't do well with sharp implements, after all.]
The plan worked as I had hoped, but I am afraid it will take some time for me to proceed safely. The worst of what we have seen is over with; if you wish to go forth without me, I shall not be offended.
[It's funny--usually he's in her position. It's equally odd to be praised like that as though he's a soldier under her command, or something similarly; for a moment, he's not sure how to take it.
Ultimately, he less than gracefully takes it by not responding to it at all, ah...... what a rude loser (but really, it's just that he doesn't know how; it's a very strange experience for him).
Besides, the path is now open before them.]
I am not in the habit of abandoning tasks midway through. [He had said he'd protect her if she wanted him to.] Take what time you need, and we shall continue. This cannot take too much longer, if they truly wish for us to reach some sort of end.
[CERES wouldn't make it too nonsensical otherwise. Someone's gotta make it to the end, after all.
He will go first, however, just to be sure some strange traps weren't triggered by the patient...though it seems they were lucky and it got all of them. Good. He's Over It.]
Ultimately, he less than gracefully takes it by not responding to it at all, ah...... what a rude loser (but really, it's just that he doesn't know how; it's a very strange experience for him).
Besides, the path is now open before them.]
I am not in the habit of abandoning tasks midway through. [He had said he'd protect her if she wanted him to.] Take what time you need, and we shall continue. This cannot take too much longer, if they truly wish for us to reach some sort of end.
[CERES wouldn't make it too nonsensical otherwise. Someone's gotta make it to the end, after all.
He will go first, however, just to be sure some strange traps weren't triggered by the patient...though it seems they were lucky and it got all of them. Good. He's Over It.]
C-can we? Just for a minute.
[ You had to meet the small one with the pitiful amounts of stamina. ]
[ You had to meet the small one with the pitiful amounts of stamina. ]
[That is a lot more accurate than he was hoping for.]
Hmm. We've come pretty far. Let's rest for the time being while the coast seems clear.
[Though he says that, he continues to stand vigilant and the only change in his posture is that he's leaning on one leg and resting his left hand on his hip as if a sword were placed there.]
Earlier...was that magic you used?
Hmm. We've come pretty far. Let's rest for the time being while the coast seems clear.
[Though he says that, he continues to stand vigilant and the only change in his posture is that he's leaning on one leg and resting his left hand on his hip as if a sword were placed there.]
Earlier...was that magic you used?
[She's not even bothered by him not responding to her complement; he didn't seem like a person who cared for praise. She can relate. The most important thing was to see a thing done and stick to it until the end.
Which means that she shouldn't be as pleased as she is to hear that he'll stay, but she's had a very long day, and she just wants to get out.]
It seems that I continue to be in your debt. But, yes, let us go on. Hopefully this will be the final stretch.
[She follows him at her own pace, more concerned about stepping on needles and scalpels than any new traps. She's still distrustful of everything, but Sousei has at least proven himself dependable.
Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be much more of the maze. At the end of the path, there stands a single door. It's white, plain, and unassuming. That, of course, means she's skeptical of it.]
Which means that she shouldn't be as pleased as she is to hear that he'll stay, but she's had a very long day, and she just wants to get out.]
It seems that I continue to be in your debt. But, yes, let us go on. Hopefully this will be the final stretch.
[She follows him at her own pace, more concerned about stepping on needles and scalpels than any new traps. She's still distrustful of everything, but Sousei has at least proven himself dependable.
Thankfully, there doesn't seem to be much more of the maze. At the end of the path, there stands a single door. It's white, plain, and unassuming. That, of course, means she's skeptical of it.]
Of course. This way.
[Miyako opens a door slowly, and when nothing jumps out, she quickly scans it and, once she finds it devoid of hostile entities, ushers Mary into the room. She quickly locks and bars the door with a chair afterwards.
The room is just another examination room, with some medical supplies, a bed, and a stool for the doctor to sit on. Miyako remains standing and on guard, just in case.]
[Miyako opens a door slowly, and when nothing jumps out, she quickly scans it and, once she finds it devoid of hostile entities, ushers Mary into the room. She quickly locks and bars the door with a chair afterwards.
The room is just another examination room, with some medical supplies, a bed, and a stool for the doctor to sit on. Miyako remains standing and on guard, just in case.]
Magic is a broad category, but, yes, I suppose it would be considered magic to some.
[She crosses her arms as she debates how much to let him know.]
The name of my power is the Dragon Stream. I doubt you would have heard of it.
[She crosses her arms as she debates how much to let him know.]
The name of my power is the Dragon Stream. I doubt you would have heard of it.
Dragon Stream...Are those similar to the concept of Ley Lines?
[A beat.]
There's a concept or theory from my world that dictates some kind of spiritual energy that flows beneath the earth. If I'm not mistaken, there's an Asian term for the theory called "Dragon Lines".
[A beat.]
There's a concept or theory from my world that dictates some kind of spiritual energy that flows beneath the earth. If I'm not mistaken, there's an Asian term for the theory called "Dragon Lines".
[ Gratefully, Mary's going for the bed, breathing out a quiet sigh. ]
T-thanks... I know I'm not very fast.
[ Or steady. ]
T-thanks... I know I'm not very fast.
[ Or steady. ]
Oh, yeah, all the time.
[Because pffft. Working. Or, well, Naoki just can't quite slide into the normalcy of a day-to-day job.] Usually you can just log out of them if you get sick of what's going on.
And they're not usually like this. I guess this is special, straight from CERES.
[Because pffft. Working. Or, well, Naoki just can't quite slide into the normalcy of a day-to-day job.] Usually you can just log out of them if you get sick of what's going on.
And they're not usually like this. I guess this is special, straight from CERES.
[Miyako is startled at how much he knew. True, ley lines and such were common knowledge in her world, but most people believed them to be occult, new age nonsense. The connection between the real deal and the Dragon Stream was kept secret to dissuade people from realizing the truth, but Cerebus... How did he come to learn of it?]
I am...impressed that you know of it. You are correct; the Dragon Stream pulls power from the Earth's ley lines. As Earth is [a beat as she pushes down her feelings] no more, my access to them has been naturally cut off as well.
I am...impressed that you know of it. You are correct; the Dragon Stream pulls power from the Earth's ley lines. As Earth is [a beat as she pushes down her feelings] no more, my access to them has been naturally cut off as well.
[Miyako's watching the door, and while she doesn't turn away from it to face Mary, her voice is encouraging.]
It's all right. Most civilians are unprepared for events such as this. There is no shame or guilt to be felt in having to rely on others who have trained for the unexpected.
It's all right. Most civilians are unprepared for events such as this. There is no shame or guilt to be felt in having to rely on others who have trained for the unexpected.
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