⚡ 11th zap | action ⚡ forward-dated to morning of May 5th

[i_am_not_cute]

[There's a familiar young woman stalking the streets of Luceti today, newly returned from her mallynapping a week ago. But those who know her will quickly realize that something is...off.

There are the physical differences, for one. She's slightly taller, wears her hair longer, and carries herself a little tighter, like a coiled snake ready to strike as needed. Her expression is intense and wary, not cheerful like it usually is. And she carries a katana with her -- a strange choice, considering her trademark weapon as a Hero (and the fact that she never walked around armed in Luceti).

Ah...Heroes and HeroTV. That's where things get interesting with this one. She remembers a certain event from her world rather differently from before, and as a result she's a girl with a mission now. Her purpose in Luceti is to rest a bit from her earlier ordeals and to learn enough to get her where she needs to go; she doesn't intend to stay any longer than she has to. After all, there's nothing that anchors her here aside from unfortunate circumstances. Friends? Don't be ridiculous -- she lost all her friends four years ago. It's the whole reason she's even stuck here in the first place.]


((OOC: Replies to come from lightningbride! You can find Bride-Lin practically anywhere in Luceti during the daytime as she scopes out the village and tries to gather information. Evening is reserved for other ridiculousness...))

Comments

[action] placeholder!

[hiken_ace]

[Ace was just taking a walk through the village, as per usual, until he noticed a... slightly familiar head of hair. He raised his hand and called out to her.]

Oi, Pao-lin! [It was her, right? Just a way to check.]

[action]

[lightningbride]

[Before she can think about it, Pao-Lin stops upon hearing her real name being spoken by an unfamiliar voice.

...maybe it's not what she thinks it is. Maybe it's just a massive coincidence, and there's someone else named Pao-Lin in this podunk village.

So, after a moment to recompose herself, she continues walking.]

[action]

[hiken_ace]

--uh, Pao-lin? [She stopped, so... she definitely heard him, right? He walks up to her to get a better look, and offers her a smile.]

Hey! When'd you grow out your hair? Looks good.

[action]

[lightningbride]

[Okay, shit. He was definitely talking to her.

Pao-Lin turns around to face him with a slight frown on her face.]

How do you know my real name?

[action]

[hiken_ace]

[That's... not really like her, and it's really, really weird.]

You told me. last year when we first met.

action;

[menial]

['Okay, so it's not that unusual for someone to walk around with a sword in public in Luceti (although we should really have some concealed carry laws, seriously). But some reason I have the feeling that this person might stab anyone at any moment. Also, why is she looking around like that...?']

Uh, are you looking for someone...?

action;

[lightningbride]

[She glances over her shoulder before turning to face him.]

Have you heard of either Albert Maverick or Dr. Rotwang? [She wasn't told where in the world Luceti was, but she's been able to understand the snatches of conversation that she's heard so far, so she's guessing she's in an English-speaking area. But it doesn't look like this place gets TV, so they might not have heard about Maverick. And Rotwang was probably hiding in Maverick's shadow.]

action;

[menial]

['Those are some sinister-sounding names.']

Uh... No, I can't say I have. Are you a New Feather...?

['You know, if you were, how would you respond to that, anyway?']

action;

[lightningbride]

"New Feather"...? I'm not from around here, if that's what you're asking. I'm trying to get back home. What's the nearest big city to Luceti?

action;

[menial]

...Wait, you know what Luceti is but not what a New Feather is?

['Leftover Shift victim? Actually, that doesn't seem so implausible. But then I don't know what the hell to do.']

Uh... Well, there... aren't really ways out.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Grune, being the keen observer she is, naturally notices all of these differences immediately and reacts accordingly.

...Hahahahano let's try this again.

Grune doesn't notice a thing different about her friend. She only calls out cheerfully:] Hello, Pao-Lin! Isn't it a lovely day?

[Action]

[lightningbride]

[...again. Another person who knows her real name, and another person Pao-Lin doesn't know. What is going on?

Pao-Lin turns around to assess her new acquaintance. Well, this one looks less shady than that one shirtless guy she ran into earlier, at least. But looks can be deceiving.]

I don't know who you are, sorry. I think you must've mistaken me for someone else.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[She gives Pao-Lin a confused look.]

Oh, no, I haven't mistaken you. You're Pao-Lin. And I'm Grune. Don't you remember?

[Action]

[lightningbride]

...no.

[And it doesn't sit well with her. But there's not a lot she can do at this point.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[...Oh.

That slows her down for a moment, but then she smiles.]

That's all right. I'm sure you'll remember soon.

[Action]

[failguardian]

Hey, Pao-Lin! You're back!

[Wave wave wave as she bounces forward. From the distance, nothing seems strange yet. But as she gets closer, she begins to notice all the differences in Pao-Lin's demeanour.]

[Frowning:] Are you okay? Those kidnappings can be pretty tough!

[Action]

[lightningbride]

[By this point, Pao-Lin's started to get over the shock of people apparently knowing her when she doesn't remember ever meeting them at all. The idea of it still unnerves her to the bottom of her stomach, but she's had time to grow mildly accustomed to the notion. This, coupled with the fact that Anise is just a little girl, is what allows her to actually show a decent smile for the first time in ages.]

I'm sorry, I think you must have mistaken me for someone else. This is my first time being here in Luceti.

[Action]

[failguardian]

Well, your hair's longer [and you don't look as sunny as usual] but...

[Her frown deepens. Well, Pao-Lin had just returned from her kidnapping, so this is probably a Malnosso trick or something. Best to play along! Still, she can't stop herself from asking:]

Are you sure you don't remember me? I'm Anise!

[Not being remembered always makes her uneasy. What if the change is permanent? She can't stand the thought of losing her friends.]

[Action]

[lightningbride]

Anise...like the herb?

[Hey, look, she's talking about food. So she's not totally gone.]

[Action]

[failguardian]

Oh hey, you know about it? Not a lot of people do!

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[There's definitely something familiar about that young woman, enough so to make Richard stop and tilt his head at the resemblance to another girl he knows. She's definitely older, which can only mean one thing-- the Malnosso have been messing around again. Oh boy.]

Pao-Lin?

[Action]

[lightningbride]

[...

Pao-Lin sighs. She turns around and gives him a look that's somewhere between annoyed and bored.]

I suppose you're going to say you know me too, right? And I just forgot?

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

That was the original plan, but I'd say you've already beaten me to it.

[Richard, on the other hand, doesn't seem bothered quite yet.]

[Action]

[lightningbride]

[She shifts her weight slightly, her expression softening a bit with curiosity.]

So who are you and how do I know you?

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Richard just smiles, pleased that she seems to be relaxing somewhat.]

I'm Richard, and as to how the two of us met, I'm not entirely sure you'd believe me even if I told you the truth. Let's just say that you weren't certain whether I was a man or a woman.