tsunderebunny | Episode 1: The Day After is Always the Hardest to Handle [accidental audio/action]

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Episode 1: The Day After is Always the Hardest to Handle [accidental audio/action]

[That was some adrenaline rush.

Barnaby groaned when the distant rumble of thunder and the cold patter of raindrops on his bare skin pulled him back to consciousness. The muscles in his arms, shoulders, and back ached like he knew they would. The battle atop the Justice Tower had been long and vicious-- sleep was bliss after that beating, that rage-- He fisted a hand in the sand, and his thoughts ground to a halt.

Why was there sand?

Thunder rumbled once more, closer than it had been moments before. Barnaby abruptly sat up, his already electrified instincts snapping him into action in less than a heartbeat. He knew that there was no more reason for him to fight, but there were some habits that would never change. Not so quickly.

His momentary spark of irritation quickly gave way to confusion. Barnaby ran a hand through his sodden curls with sand covered fingers as his mind tried to register the sudden change in his surroundings. This wasn't his bed, his flat, or even anywhere in Sternbild.

Why was he at a beach?

The rain started to fall harder, prompting Barnaby stiffly pull himself up from the sand. He hadn't noticed the book that was lying on it's open pages nearby, just barely within reach of the receeding tide.]

...Honestly. [His voice was weary, exasperated.] They couldn't have bothered to put up a shelter?

[Later that day, after he's settled (after a fashion), Barnaby can be found in the shops around the plaza, gathering his few belongings and proper furnishings for his new flat, or holed up in a quiet corner of the library to peruse both his journal and any informational book that he could find. He just couldn't trust any of the evidence he had, not when it was so blatantly absurd.

It'd be wise to avoid mentioning any large, stuffed pink bunnies that he might be seen with that day. He couldn't just leave it in the shops for anyone to take!]

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[...somehow, the fairytale grew more complex.

Barnaby stopped his trek along the shoreline, searching for some sign of civilization in the wild chaos that nature decided to throw at him, and quickly dropped to his knees at the sight of the unconscious girl. Retired or not, it was only his civic duty to help someone in need-- especially if he was able too.]

Miss. [His voice was soft but insistent.] Miss. Can you hear me?

[She stirred at the sound, eyes flickering groggily. Who...was this man? Why was he disturbing her? Weird. He didn't have a shirt.

Whatever. She groans and doesn't get up, or move. Almost like she's in pain. Or...just tired and feeling a bit lazy.]

[He heaved a sigh of relief. At least she was alive, which was a start. He was tempted to stay there until he found a way to call for help, but he had no way to because of his conspicuously missing bracelet, among his other belongings.] I'm sorry, Miss.

[Gently, he lifted her head to slip an arm underneath-- and that was when he noticed the brush of something against his shoulders that wasn't his hair. Barnaby looked back, and frowned in utter disbelief.

First a beach. Now wings?

This clearly was a trick of his mind. Wings weren't possible.

He huffed; it was no matter, not with this woman lying unconscious. He slipped his other arm under her knees and stood, lifting her up in his arms as if she were a blushing bride being carried into the honeymoon suite by her newly wedded husband. He was astonished by how light she was, and he made certain to keep a firm grip to protect her from being carried off by the wind.

Once more, he gazed askance at the barren beach.]

...I'm going to file a complaint with management.

Edited 2013-05-11 15:54 (UTC)

[Still asleep, Saori doesn't really know exactly what's going on until she's been hoisted up by the stranger.

It takes a moment for her to register what exactly is going on, dozy as she is. A long moment. She shakes her head, one hand reaching up to rub her eyes.

Slowly, she actually starts to grow heavier and heavier, pulled back towards humanity by the contact, out of the drifting funk she'd been in since Morrigan.

And then her eyes open wide in surprise as she realizes that someone is carrying her away. She gasps and her arms reach to push against his chest, trying to squirm away!]

W-W-What?!

--What?!

[The shift in weight surprised him more than her apparent lightness and her sudden struggling. He fought to keep a solid grip on her, still concerned for her overall well being, but his grip had loosened just enough for her to break free.]

Miss! Please calm down, I'm not going to hurt you!

[Well that's good, she'd hate to have hurt him in her surprise. She falls out of his grip but rather than drop she actually sort of hovers, rotating in midair on the wind itself and landing with a soft crunch of bare feet on sand.

Her expression is still mild, vaguely amused but still wondering why he'd just lifted her up.]

Why...did you pick me up?

[For a brief moment he wondered if she had powers like Mister Sky High.

The question fled immediately when he noted the obvious difference. Her eyes hadn't turned blue, and she hadn't glowed like a NEXT activating their powers. It was becoming clear that something else was at work, but the subtle amusement in her tone couldn't be ignored.]

I thought you were injured, and I don't have my phone to call for help. Any responsible person would have tried to carry you into town.

[He wasn't going to tell her that he didn't even know where town was.]

Well that's...sweet of you. I was just taking a nap, though.

[She brushes herself off, taking a moment to smooth her kimono's hem. And it's only around then that she notices his lack of shirt, and obvious New Feather pants.]

Let me guess. You just woke up here yourself?

That's right.

[He was suddenly suspicious of how she could have guessed that. He hadn't said or done anything that would have hinted at that piece of information, but denying it would just make the situation worse.

Barnaby huffed, irritated, and gazed out over the beach.]

How close are we to Sternbild? I need to get back.

It's your pants. Only newcomers have them.

[She caught that confusion and stepped over to stand beside him. Of course, Sternbild...tickled more than a few memories. A city in another world where her little electrical sibling lived]

Sternbild isn't here, I'm sorry to say. I've only heard of it because of a friend. Do you know Pao-Lin?

Pao-Lin Huang?

[He was never questioned about his association with his fellow heroes that directly, and never in relation with their civilian identities. Barnaby made it a point to memorize all of their names long before he counted them as his friends. His next words were chosen carefully, wary about what all this woman knew.]

I've met Miss Pao-Lin a number of times. We're associates. [But, back to the point:] What do you mean that Sternbild isn't here? [A tense beat passed as his gaze quickly darted to the side.] And why don't I have my clothes?

Edited 2013-05-12 04:26 (UTC)

Pao-Lin was a friend of mine, that's all. But she's departed.

[Ignoring the question for the moment, she waves a hand and calls his journal over to them in a carpet of wind, opening it to the guide]

You are in another world. Reality, or ... whatever you want to think of it as. Newcomers always arrive in those clothes, but their own clothing appears in town. Yours will too. But for now, read that. It will help. Take all the time you need, I'll answer any questions you might have.

[...departed? This warranted more investigation at a later time, along with the woman's power. Once more he was reminded of Sky High. The former King of Heroes also had power over the wind, and rode on it every night in his eternal vigil over the citizens of Sternbild. The man's dedication was impressive.

He peered at the book that the woman brought over, confused by its presence but still determined to write it off. This had to be a dream of some sort. With narrowed eyes he held it up, making out the words that, once more, were as unbelievable as the explanation he received.]

My apologies, Miss. This is alot to take in.

[He wanted his glasses. He wanted to talk to management. He wanted his own bed in his flat.]

Of course it is. Everyone has trouble at first. Don't feel bad.

[His squinting draws a raised eyebrow from her.]

You need glasses, don't you? Follow me, I'll take you to the village and we'll find them for you.

[He wasn't worried. Not yet. He still wasn't sure that he believed any of this.

Barnaby raised an eyebrow in return at her offer.]

Are you sure? They're a fairly strong prescription.

Well, they'll be your glasses.

[She heads towards the teleporter]

So, what should I call you?

Barnaby. [He glanced over at her, still uncertain about everything.] What do you mean that they'll be mine?

Well, Barnaby. I mean that they'll be your glasses. They've been brought by the Malnosso.

They're the ones who run this place, but are apparently not the ones at fault? Why would they bring our clothes to this place?

...also, do you have a name, Miss?

I don't know, but I count it as a small mercy.

And, I am called Saori. Saori Kimura, the Daughter of Wind and Rain.

I thank you for the assistance then, Saori-san. [He was just going to reserve judgement on the Malnosso and mercy.] That's a unique title you have. Is it a handle you use while in practice?

[He's decided that you're a NEXT of some kind, even if it's of a sort that he can't recognize. It's not uncommon for NEXT to use their powers in..unique ways.]

My title? No...it's not for practice.

[She raises an eyebrow]

I'm not a NEXT, like Pao-Lin or you I suppose. I'm not even human.

--So then you know Kid-san's profession.

[It wasn't a question, but a statement. If Saori knew that much, what else did she know?]

What are you, then, if you're not a NEXT or a human?

[The weather over them suddenly shifted, thunder rumbling and lightning flashing across the sky]

A god.

[He glanced up at the sky when the thunder newly rumbled, louder than before. This place just got stranger.]

...I'm sorry. I'm not sure that I understand.

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