And Someday, We'll Shine... [Action - Goldenrod Base]

[rosehecate]

[Anthy couldn't recall when she'd fallen asleep. She couldn't recall if she'd even gone into a building to sleep in the first place - all she remembered was the winding road, the warmth of Chuchu on her shoulder, and the strength her newfound freedom had given her. And yet, here she was, in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar expectations. The letter she'd found had borne no rose crest, it was true, but she had still crumpled the paper with incredible prejudice.

Somehow, someway, she'd been captured, inducted into some scheme and given orders. Again. The thought makes her mouth hot and bitter, and the absence of Chuchu makes it all the worse. The creatures in the balls she'd found, a fluffy little fox and a monkey so much like her little companion, eased the shock somewhat - it was always easier to be around animals - but they also made her more confused. Why take Chuchu and give her two different friends? Why take her away from her journey at all? Who was in charge here, who decided this? She needed to find out immediately.

(It's not Akio, she has to tell herself, if it was then he would have been there in the room, too, ready to pounce. Ready to start the duels anew. No, above all, she would never give in to that.)

And so, this is how anyone in the Rocket Headquarters today will stumble across Anthy - clad in a rather pink outfit, purple hair loose and free, an Aipom seated comfortably on her shoulder and a Vulpix at her heels. She walks with purpose, even though it's clear that everything around her is unfamiliar, given how she'll stop to stare at signs or through cracks in doorways. If she sees you, she'll approach, and ask in a soft, even voice,]

Excuse me? Would you happen to know who is in charge here? I would like to speak to them, please.

[She adds a smile at the end, and if you're perceptive enough, you might notice the hollowness of the expression, the coldness in her eyes. She's holding everything in, saving it for the big boss. Oh yes, she is broiling mad.]

Comments

[rosehecate]

I've heard that - but I meant, I wondered if there was a bigger picture that we may not be seeing.

[Because as asinine as it might be, there is always a bigger picture, a chessmaster beyond the chessmaster. The End of the World is always, in some way and form and permutation, pulling the strings.]

[beastofasister]

Mm, like they have a goal they're not telling us about? I thought the same thing, but people kept telling me that whoever's in charge isn't smart enough for that.

It's probably nothing to worry about. This world is like a child's dream. It has its own logic, but it feels more like a cartoon or a storybook than real life.

[rosehecate]

And how would they know that if no one's been able to speak to whoever is in charge?

[She stills, almost imperceptibly, at "child's dream" and "storybook" in Manaka's description. Anything like a storybook is the last thing she needs in the rest of her life. What is this, why is this.]

[beastofasister]

They've been part of organizations like this before, and according to them, this one doesn't run in a way that makes any sense. Though... Mm, to tell you the truth, I'm not convinced that it matters in a place like this. A lot of things don't work the way they "should" already.

[Normally, Manaka doesn't press the subject. It doesn't matter much to her one way or another. Still, it's nice that someone else sees it her way.]

[rosehecate]

But is there really a set way something should work? In my experience, nothing is what it seems.

[So even if it seems like her brother's influence is far away...

...Well, we'll cross that bridge if it appears in the path.]

[beastofasister]

Mm, to an extent. If I drop something from my hand, I would expect it to fall to the ground. If it doesn't, then something is amiss.

But that's a function of "the world," a stable force that constantly arcs back toward a single truth. Humans aren't so immutable, so outliers will always exist.

[Even she had met people that she had found interesting, after all.]

[rosehecate]

Of course. Even if they are few and far between.

[So many people were so predictable. Even outliers can become predictable, only to become unpredictable when you least expect it.]

[beastofasister]

[She giggles.]

Of course. There wouldn't be anything noteworthy about them, if they weren't so rare.

[With that said, Manaka pauses, quirking her head to one side as she looks at Anthy. She's still smiling, but there's something in her gaze that seems very intent...]

Oh, by the way. My name is Manaka. What's yours?

[She seems interesting, too. If that's the case, Manaka wants to know more about her.]

[rosehecate]

[The interest is mutual.]

My name is Anthy Himemiya. I suppose we'll be working together from now on.

[beastofasister]

Mm-hm, that's right! So if there's ever anything you need help with, you can ask me. We're in this together, after all!

[LOOK, ISN'T SHE NICE AND BUBBLY, SURELY YOU CAN TRUST HER]

[rosehecate]

Okay, sure!

[SURELY YOU CAN ALSO TRUST ANTHY LOOK AT ALL THIS TRUST GOING ON]