first dia ❈ uh-oh who let her near the stove─

[snowtoashes]

[Voice]

Where...?

[The voice seems to go quiet, save a few names being muttered under her breath. Though the only two that may even be remotely familiar to anyone is "Chie" and "Naoto-kun" before she notices the book her hand was lying on earlier. She seems a little hesitant when she picks it up.]

─ Where am I? [She seems to pause a moment to thinking.] I know this can't be the inn, so...

Um, excuse me but... can anyone hear me?

[...This new girl doesn't seem to have realized that the journal is a communicator.]

[Action]

[People in Community Housing Building 4? There is a confused-looking teenage girl wearing a new feather gown in the kitchen of the third floor. You may want to steer her away from the cooking supplies... and fast. That is, if she hasn't begun wandering around on her own already. Feel free to spot her elsewhere! enjoy the nightmares, souji-kun.]

Comments

[This is as good a time as any to move over to some pleasant Action, then. 8|]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Surely you could at least tell that it's your leader? He's trustworthy, unlike that bastard cop! 8[

...Well, he had to be sure. It just wasn't the way he was expecting to find her.

But still--it puts his senses into overdrive, because of the implications...Oh, no. Oh, no no no no no no no. She was in the kitchen, wasn't she? Was she there this whole time, and he hadn't woken up early enough to take notice of her? What if she'd tried cooking while he and Naoto were out cold?

...Yeah, he'll just...take a moment to keep that journal snug under his arm before skittering over there. Yukiko? In a few moments time, you'll see one (1) bowlcut with a mysterious wing addition to his back...and with as straight an expression as he can manage without inadvertently giving away his nervousness. orz] ...I think this would explain everything. You ended up in our apartment.

[More like Action hiding behind the kitchen counter... 8|]

[snowtoashes]

[Oh okay you have a point. (Can we burn him now? 8[ ...Amaterasu, pls.)

Souji. Souji please. You say this as though she would cook in someone else's kitchen and thus use their materials without permission when she had no idea where she was. Give her some credit-?

Well, she was likely going to ask why he went silent when she heard the footsteps and then suddenly her boyfriend is right there and why does he have wings never mind her red-orange ones what happened what is going on.]

Wha-?

[And then she realizes she is... only in a sundress.

Literally.

...um. P-pardon the squeak as she hides behind the counter top, okay. Where are the pails when you need them? Oh wait, there are frying pans. Yukiko do you really need to emulate another fairy tale story? Do you.]

[And violent 180s kind of action?]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Only if we don't overdo it. :|

Okay, he'll give her that. ...But right now, the fact that she's new here, and was probably in a sundress had all but slipped his mind; that he'd glimpsed her in just that singlet was probably enough to blow out his brain, too, once the realization smacked him right in the face. Oops.

...Not that he hadn't already, ahem, seen her, but he blew a hole into his manners by not warning her that he was right there. Not to mention, it's awfully rude to just gawk at someone that's wearing said dress and nothing else. Nice going, self. So now, he'll make a little squeak of his own (which sounds more like a 'ngrk' than a squeak) and make a sharp turn so that his back faces her. He can't be any more red than he already is, he swore it.]

S...Sorry. I...didn't intend to peek, honest. [This was the last time he'd just waltz in there feeling too comfortable with his own 'home'.]

[...I'm thinking more of Yakety Sax kind of action]

[snowtoashes]

We won't, promise! :|

Souji. Souji, please. You should know the drill by now. Actually, the fact that he had indeed seen her before um... well, there is a reason there is not a skillet aimed right for the area his head is nearby. After all, she does have deadly aim...

She peeks from behind the counter when he apologizes. Yukiko's quiet for a moment, standing up completely again and half-using the pan to hide herself. Honestly, she can't out of clear conscience stay mad at him for something like this. Especially after everything they've gone through. So instead, she's just... going to walk up right behind him for a moment and lightly bop him upside the head with the pan. That was for not warning her jerk. You know how self-conscious she is.]

...It's okay. I didn't exactly warn you, either. [a beat, and uh] ...But where exactly are we? What's going on?

And could you... maybe help me find some other clothes?

[OTL]

[That kind of Action works too... ...ost, maybe not? IDEK. 8|]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Good. 8[

He derped, okay? ;_; It was especially bad only a few minutes ago thanks to a dent in his common sense. Granted, last he checked, people tend to show up in the forest first, so can you blame him for relying on what he remembers of the place? orz ...Still, he rubs his head a little once he gets solid steel lightly dinging him in the head. Well deserved, really, after his screwup. orz

Of course, that last request doesn't go unheard... he straightens himself out and steps aside so she can pass. It's the least he could do.]

...I'll explain on the way. It's a long story.

[The action is a lie... like her bento for everyone... ;__;]

[snowtoashes]

[Souji you have been around her too long if you have derped this badly- Then again, this kind of explains the hot springs incident pretty well. Also nope, apparently not. They just decided to troll you instead with "Yukiko in the kitchen" jokes. Also all of the awkward. orz

She nods faintly... putting the pan down when she notices something yellow on the counter.]

Hm? [She looks at it, then blinks... This was-]

Okay. Lead the way, Souji.

[... She's just going to hold onto that yellow hair accessory, okay.]

[This Action speaks the truth, sob.]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[A little too well, if you ask him. He screwed up the time. ...Also yes, so much awkward, and derping on both their parts... OTL

He's still facing away from her, so he doesn't notice at all; all he knows for sure is that he'll be following her out as he takes those steps towards the door. It isn't long before he actually opens his mouth to explain everything.]

...This place we're in? It's called Luceti. ...You're one of the Malnosso's newest 'additions' to the enclosure.

[This Action reaches out for it, yeah.]

[snowtoashes]

[...Eheheheh. Funny you should mention that, uh... >> << >>;; Yeah, she's going to keep that one a secret for a little while longer.

She listens as they walk, the names not ringing any bells at all when she turns her head slightly to look at him. It's obvious she's perplexed, so one thing at a time. 'Luceti?']

Malnosso? [And 'enclosure'? That was an odd way of saying something... and she's fairly certain she doesn't like the implications, either.]

[This Action is seeking to seize on the whole moment, then. :P]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[He'll catch on eventually. Right now, getting the important bits out of the way was a priority above everything else...

He wouldn't want her fretting over the details she doesn't have. Hope you're in the mood for a bit of an information dump; Souji's got a doozy for you, Yukiko.]

...They're the ones keeping us here. I haven't had the 'chance' to experience it for myself, [And he uses the word 'chance' very loosely.] but I've seen people being kidnapped and being put back inside a week or two later. [He also had the misfortune of getting assailed by a blonde person of mass destruction the first time he got dragged here...and that's about as blank as his memories get.]

They often came back wrong.

[But is the Action seeking the whole moment to now break away? :P]

[snowtoashes]

[Right... until then, lips. sealed. To be honest, it was probably lucky that she came here from when she did. Otherwise She'd likely be a little slower since it's been two months since a certain fight where all hope was nearly lost.]

Keeping us...? [Yes, she is repeating to make sure she has it right. The way that Souji is wording things is a little worrisome as well, and that much is apparent.]

...What do you mean? [Souji. Souji, what.]

[Yes. It's also the Action asking you to let it out. 8|b]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[...He cradles his head when she asks. There's a subtle undercurrent of frustration in his voice she might pick up on...and it quickly grows as he continues mulling over what he can still remember of the village.]

...Held captive, is more like it. As for the people they take away?

They were experimented on before they were returned.

[But, Action... she's the one that wanted to be set free from the dark inner world first... :C]

[snowtoashes]

[At first, she thinks he's kidding. It's a silly thought, really. After all... he wasn't the kind to joke... about... this...]

... ... ...

[...Oh. Oh.

He should remember this look well. Though she's only given it only a small handful of times. It's pretty close to the one she gave those reporters, Adachi, that goddess,and now-]

Why would they...

[-- her hand closes even more tightly around the yellow scrunchie in its grasp as they walk.]

What gives anyone the right to do that to others?

[Oh, alright, this Action will save her now. 8D]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[A small sigh, and a shake of his head. He recognizes the fury behind those irises all too well...the memories of the few times she showed it never fail to return to him. His eyebrows furrow, and his expression turns just that bit more grim as he goes on.

He didn't like saying it, but it was the bitter truth he'd stumbled on in Luceti.]

I can't remember if they actually gave any valid reasons for all these experiments, but if they did...they're only deluding themselves. The only good thing is that they seem to wear off after a couple of weeks. Beyond that...there isn't much good that can come from being kidnapped...

[...His bitterness reaches another high.] ...Nor is there any way to avoid it, as far as I've seen.

[Best prince <3]

[snowtoashes]

[...Again with others deluding themselves. She isn't sure if that or it being used as an excuse to do horrible things. ...No, she's pretty sure it's both. Either way, she is quite livid. Though it seems to temper down a little]

Even if they did, it's still unforgivable.

[Still, there is something else she has been hesitant to ask. Especially after he admitted what their captors were like.]

... Is there... anyone else here from back home?

[Best queen ever. <3]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Yeah, suffice to say, it's both. That's as far as he'd gleaned, anyway.

No matter--there was something else to take care of. They're probably near the shop by now.]

...No question about that. [And without skipping a beat,] ...Rise was here. Naoto still is.

[You flatter me... <3]

[snowtoashes]

[Maybe that guide someone will send her in the future would help them both...? Who knows, but she'll be saving it for future reference.

Still following you, Souji... though that piques her natural curiosity. 'Rise was here?']

Rise-chan returned home? [How?]

[But it's the truth. <3]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

...She was sent back. It happens, but...it's usually someone people grew close to who's returned home.

The Malnosso have a twisted sense of humor, and they aren't afraid to show it.

[...He'd seen people come and go over the journals, but said nothing--he wasn't sure what to say, when it was people he didn't know at all...when he hadn't even found the time and place to talk with them. It didn't help that his first trip to the enclosure was short, fleeting--and any memories he hadn't sorted out still beyond vague.

He shakes his head a little, eventually stops and glances at the 'store' in front of them. It wasn't the right word for it when everything was free, but...] ...Ah, this is the place.

[;u; <3]

[snowtoashes]

...Souji.

[She knows all too well that look in his eyes, even if he doesn't say anything about it. There's a silent hurt in his gaze as he speaks. Pain, and anger. It doesn't take a genius to notice that, but still...

Before they walk in, regardless of how embarrassing this may be due to her current attire and the fact that it's in public, she gives his hand a faint squeeze. He doesn't have to carry this burden alone. Since she and Naoto-kun were here, they'd continue to help shoulder it with him. That's what friends (and more in her case) were for, right?]

Let's go look, then.

[She smiles. Well, might as well try and find her things...]

[We could keep this up all day. Now if only we had more things to gag about...]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[It's hard, being the most empathic of the team, and yet being unable to encourage people without unintentionally harming them. He may have a deeper understanding of whoever he talks with, and he may have the best ways to express himself at his disposal, but this... ...It was probably a good thing that it was her he was subtly unveiling this bitterness to; though he may place enough faith in Naoto to entrust her with some of his share of the pain...

It was to her that he'd reveal himself to at his worst. Her alone.

...It doesn't take him long to notice the faint pressure around his hand. He looks back at her, his hurt feelings curbed enough for him to finally form a smile.]

...Yeah. Let's.

[And in they go, so they could finally get her clothes back. Surely, she was getting tired of that sundress...]

[Just wait, it'll leak into the actual tags soon enough.]

[snowtoashes]

[She knows, Souji... She may not be the most empathic, but seeing others hurting because of someone's friend disappearing and not knowing what to say must have affected him greatly. Yukiko remembers November well, and the several nights she partially lied to her parents about staying at a friend's house to keep them company since they were alone.

She doesn't actively let go until they are already inside, looking around. It's kind of obvious that she isn't going to leave him alone for a while, especially after that little smile. That was a relief, though... seeing it again.

But yes, she is getting tired of that sun dress. So looking around she goes until suddenly look, there's her summer casual shirt-! Wait, what's that underneath them...?

Uh oh.]

[If we haven't done enough of that already with the earlier ones... :P]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Who could ever forget, with the mayhem in the days after his cousin's kidnapping in mind? None of them would, surely, especially after what happened in the following month... But right now, he's just glad that Nanako's okay again.

And he'd rather it stay that way; if they brought her here, he's not sure if he can take another incident on that scale.

Regardless, he's... going to be oblivious to the discovery, since he's digging around for those black skirts she'd always worn, and her winter shirt if he could. Very, very oblivious. Painfully, even. If there was anything that Souji could be at a bad time, it's 'distracted'. This might just be the worst time for it...]

[Never enough. :P]

[snowtoashes]

[None of them, indeed. Two months later, and Nanako was still safe back home. Maybe even...giving her tips on how to cook eggs when she visited every now and then. Not even Nanako-chan had forgotten the omelet cooking competition between them... irk.

B-but now wasn't the time to think of that! Because she just found a certain item from home, and Souji looked like he could use a laugh right now.]

Hey, Souji-?

[Good thing for distractions, because he'll find a certain pair of glasses on his face as soon as he looks up.]

...snrk. F-found some of my-!

[> You get the sense that she may be close to one of her laughing fits. Wait, there are two of them?!]

[Yeah, definitely not... not when this is happening. XD]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[...Wait a sec. Was this--?

...He slowly...slowly reaches up to the bridge of his nose, and finds a certain bulge has been added to it, not to mention his vision was suddenly obscured by the 'lenses'... ...Oh god. Were these the--

...They were, weren't they.

...Yukiko? As is wont of him to do and make it very clear that he's spent way too much time with you, he's suddenly snickering himself. The fact that there was two of them doesn't quite click in his mind...yet.]

[Exactly... therapy through laughing fits! 8D]

[snowtoashes]

[Yep, it's those glasses Teddie had initially given her. Or were they the spares he made for Kanji in case of throwing them off the stage? Eh, who knows. Same basic gist.

She notices the snickering, but doesn't seem to mind it. After all, it was better than him being so down about things he couldn't change yet.

...and then they Hyena mode happened.]

[> ...]

[> You just got gag glass'd.]

[...And then the item store was never the same again. 8D]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[...Yes, yes he did. And somehow, he can't bring himself to care right now--he could feel like he just did something em-bear-assing later, when he's actually aware of what the heck's going on.

They can be hyenas together--it's what helped them in December. Why wouldn't it help them now? XD]

...Where did you...snrk...find these?