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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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.

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.

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