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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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.

What's not to understand?

[Lightning flashes, crackling and sparking nearer. And very suddenly at that]

[He breathed deeply and controlled his instinct to jimp at the sudden crack of lightning.]

...

That.

[He glanced upward. Did he really have to say it?]

That is me.

[Electricity crackles and lances down at the ground striking in a semicircle behind her before rising up, and taking on the form of several fish, swimming around her head, an eerie procession indeed]

...Impressive.

[He meant it, even if he kept everything completely neutral. This place was more bizarre than he initially realized, beyond the wings, the book that aspired to be a laptop, and the completely inept management. The only thing he knew for certain was himself and what his senses told him-- but, recent events had thrown even that into question.

There was nothing to grasp. So, he clung to his skepticism.]

You're definitely something other than a NEXT or an average human, that I'll grant you. I'm still not sure of your divinity, but I also have my doubts about this place entirely.

[He sighed. There was no point in keeping up fronts if this really was a dream.]

And you're right, I am a NEXT. Although, I'm not the same as Kid-san. If you've heard anything about Wild Tiger or Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, then I should tell you that we're partners. Our skills and limits are the same.

[Saori is very, very tired of having to convince people that she is what she says she is. Crossing her arms across her chest she raises her chin irritably and just...transforms right in front of him. Her divine form, the ten foot tall god-thing, glares down at him.]

It is not a dream, Barnaby. And I am a little tired of mortals questioning what I am. You have no idea how aggravating it is, do you?

[She points one long, clawed finger down at the blond man]

How would you like it if I said that I wasn't sure you were a NEXT, or even named Barnaby? How would you like it if everyone you met did that?

[She...is not happy, consider the rant to have begun.]

[He stared right back, tensing now as his instincts registered her as a valid threat. Out of everything that had happened in recent days, this was the last thing that he wanted to deal with.]

...I see your point. [He did, truly.] Just understand that I have my reasons for being doubtful about all of this.

[Enough lies can come close to breaking a man.]

Then don't openly question my divinity again, or I'll have to start denying your existence myself.

[If the thing had eyebrows, it would have raised them]

And I may give you a new name. Like...Bartlebee or Chickenfoot.

[He remained silent and swallowed his irritation about the nicknames that she suggested. Suddenly, he realized, that maybe the foolish old man had a point.]

...Bunny. If you must.

[He had a feeling that he'd regret this.]

...Bunny?

[She shifts back, irritation fading to amusement]

Blame my partner. The old man has the worst taste in nicknames.

[Which then spread to Apollon's engineer, and leaked out to his fellow heroes-- if their taste in gifts was any proof of this.]

...Hmph. You probably would come to the same conclusion if we were ever forced to fight together. Not that I plan to in the near future.

Well, I'd rather not get into a fight with a mortal, not really. But, you mean that you...jump around?

I meant if we find ourselves fighting against the same person, although I don't imagne that would ever be the case. [He'd find a way out of this strange situation long before then.]

And I'll let you be the judge about my style.

Edited 2013-05-17 16:26 (UTC)

Fair enough, Barnaby.

[Bunnaby...]

Now, have you ever seen a teleporter before?

[Yep. He would never hear the end of it.

Barnaby looked at her, his skepticism clear in his eyes.]

There's teleporters now? Honestly... [but there was no set-up for a monorail that he could see. Teleporters didn't exist. He was sure of that.

Mostly. What was the truth anymore?]

Are there any more surprises?

The journal will make things a bit clearer, Bunny. Now, follow me.

[With that, she steps onto the teleporter and warps to town!]

My name isn't--

[He cut himself off. If she was going to use a nickname anyway, he would rather it be something that was familiar and a little less insulting than the ones she already suggested. So long as 'Bunny' didn't devolve into 'Bunny-chan', there would be no problems.

Right?]

--never mind. I'll follow your lead, Saori-san.

[He followed her through the teleporter after a moment's hesitation, overriding his instinct that there might be a trap lying on the other side. It was too convenient. Too unreal, like the rest of this place.]

[And into the village itself. She's waiting, fists on hips, for Barnaby with a not-unkind smile.]

See, was that so hard? Now, come with me and we'll find your glasses.

[He didn't return the smile immediately as he recovered from the rush of being teleported-- and discreetly checked the area for any potential dangers. But there was nothing, only Saori waiting patiently.

Barnaby ran a hand through his hair and shook off his unease.]

It was interesting. [He looked at her, still questioning the little things.]

Are you sure they're going to be my glasses?

Yes. They should be.

[She sounds only vaguely annoyed. Having her existence questioned was a good way to wear her patience out.]

[Barnaby, on the other hand, was starting to realize that he only had Saori at this point to guide him. Teleporters, wings, gods...]

Alright. Please lead the way, Saori-san.

[All he wanted was a break.]

[It's not a long walk to the item shop, not really...but she makes it in silence unless Barnaby asks more questions.]

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