(no subject)

[brightasday]

Character: Monaka Miyama-Uguisu
Fandom: The Miyama-Uguisu Mansion Incident
Player Name: Cyndi

[Monaka should had known better than to look up. She wasn't sure what had happened, but she already felt wary of the situation. Her whole body was drenched in cold water. It soaked right through every layer of clothing she wore, it saturated her hair, and dripped off the tip of her nose. The soft, rhythmic sound of water dripping did not calm Monaka in the slightest. It only made her far too aware that, before she arrived here, she had been in water. She had been too close to the water, perhaps.

Perhaps she had fallen in.

She looked around her, hoping to see something familiar but everything was too new, too shocking. Even the trees seemed odd, maybe it had something to do with the weather? Monaka glanced upward and was instantly rooted to the spot. A man making his way through town tried to speak to her, but Monaka could not hear him. Her eyes were trained on the sight above her head, at the wide expanse of deep blue water, barely held back by some unearthly force.

The sight of it sent a chill down her spine. It reminded her far too much of a time long ago, when she could still see her parents' smile, when she could see them face down and unmoving.

All she could feel was a deep-seated terror as it worked its way through her body, paralyzing her to the spot.]

No... Please, no... [It wasn't directed towards anyone in the area. She held herself tightly, trying hard to push down the fear that had lodged itself into her throat.]

It can't be real... [It was a nightmare after all. The world was closing in all around her, that thin barrier that held back the water was sure to break and then -- and then -- and then --

Monaka held back a sob as she held herself tighter, trying yet failing, to bring herself back together.]

Comments

He's not in the game either but so noisy. If that's okay with you-

[stainedglassreflections]

Miss?

[ He's just as soaked through, in robes and a sodden cape. There is a bit of hesitance in his approach - Being here, there's something very off about it and he can't place what. He should know-

but there is a girl, and she seems to be suffering. His random drenched state and location change can wait.

Can't be real- ]

Would you like to see something else, for a little while? [ She'd stared up then curled up. Was that odd sky the problem? ]

It's more than okay! :D

[brightasday]

[A distraction was just what she needed to rebury her emotions. But it was hard, much too hard. She could feel it breaking through the surface, trying to recapture her and send her through an endless spiral of memories.

Would she like to see...] ...Something else...? [Was that what she heard? She had curled into herself, but she turned her face towards the direction of that voice. Instead of that nightmarish sky, she saw a man with long white hair. The man who spoke to her was unlike any she had ever seen before - but, then again, she hadn't seen much to begin with. Ordinary (young) people did not have their hair naturally white, unless he had been shocked like her.]

/o/

[stainedglassreflections]

[ He'd argue it was silver, but that's besides the point. ]

There seems to be houses about, or perhaps the inside of my cloak. It looks like there's a way out.

[ Sion's referencing the line in the sky that goes up, then seems to continue. But he won't point it out, just in case that the sky really is what's bothering her. ]

\o\

[brightasday]

I hadn't noticed... [Which, considering how fixated she was on her fears, came as no surprise. She took a deep breath and chanced a look at her surroundings.

Just as he said, there were buildings and houses about her. She remembered seeing more buildings like these before her parents' death. But what was that other part he said?]

Is there something in your cloak? [She looked back to Sion again. It was better if she just looked at his face and ignored everything else.]

[stainedglassreflections]

At the moment there's me, but if it would make you more comfortable, you can use it so you don't have to look about.

[ There's a big shiny clasp with an emblem holding it put on his left shoulder, so it wouldn't be hard for him to shed it and let her use it.

Even if it weighs twice as much as it ought to because all the water. ]

[brightasday]

[She didn't pick up on the joke right away, but when she did, she relaxed a little more. It helped that he went so far as to offer his cloak as protection, despite its current state. But...]

It would, thank you.

[...She was afraid to reject the offering. The man seemed kind, but, perhaps, he was not as sincere as she hoped. He hadn't shown her anything to be afraid of so far. Maybe it was a good sign? ...It was better to trust him and his kindness rather than to accidentally glance upwards again. She would take her chances.]

[stainedglassreflections]

[ He just smiles and unclasps his cloak. He's not particularly tall - not compared to some of the people he lead - but the cloak would probably trail on the ground far more behind her than it did for him. ]

It's supposed to be too long, which is likely unfortunate in this situation. You can bundle it how you like.

[ While she does that, Sion looks about to see how to get to that line into the 'sky'. ]

[brightasday]

[She holds it close to her person. It was really too big (and heavy) but it did obscure the world around her. It was a small relief.]

Thank you... [She truly meant it. Monaka fumbled with the clasp. Though she had read about cloaks, she hadn't seen one for herself.] ...Who are you?

[stainedglassreflections]

Ahhh...

[ For a moment, Sion isn't exactly sure what to say. This isn't where he ought to be, this isn't Roland, but it also definitely didn't look like anywhere he might be recognized. Sooo... ]

Sion. [ If she fumbles for much more, he'll ask if she needs help. But as it is- ]

And milady's name?

and now with less Okumura!

[brightasday]

[She wouldn't have ever imagined that this man had something to hide. He hadn't given her reason to think otherwise. And she found his company to be good. Far better than the company she had back at the mansion... But hat was before.

She allows herself to look him in the eye for a moment.]

I'm Monaka Miyama. [She seemed to have calmed down a lot through their conversation.]

[stainedglassreflections]

[ Just a slight part of who he is; people tend to act much different when its known he's a king, so he'll just leave it out for now. It doesn't seem like a place where it will mean much anyway. ]

Well then, Lady Miyama, I think I see a way up out of this... area. Would you care for my arm?

[ Its a very refined and rather regal gesture, his slight bow and arm.

Sion has no idea where they are, but he can just be extra polite. ]

[brightasday]

[That was rather polite of him to offer. She bowed back and gently placed her hand on his arm. He really seemed like a good man, especially with how he addressed her and his small offers.

Or, he could be a bad person. But he didn't act bad. ...Yet.

But he could be good.

She was going with "good" for now.]

Are we dreaming? [It seemed as good an explanation as any...]

[stainedglassreflections]

[ He's only a bad person if you ask his best friends. They don't like his overworking habits.

... His best friends or the corrupt nobles who don't like him. Well. Maybe the neighboring countries too.

Never mind, things get complicated fast. ]

It's a new dream, if it is one. But I've never had a dream that was quite this....

[ His sleeve flaps as gestures at... how terribly soaked they both are. ]

wet, without meaning the euphemism.

[keepsthefire]

[That voice trying to speak to her was more of a teenager than a grown adult, really, but it was concerned none the less. When she didn't respond, though, and only seemed to be muttering in shock to herself he hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder.

Rin had done a double take upon seeing the kimono clad girl in the plaza, but knowing he had just seen Shiemi not two hours before he quickly concluded that this was just some one who looked... an awful lot like her.

But that wasn't the important thing. She was obviously in distress and was going to catch cold standing there in sopping wet layers of fabric.

So hand on her shoulder, other arm holding a paper sack of groceries, he gave her a gentle shake and tried once more to get her attention.]

Excuse me?

[brightasday]

[She wanted to cry - but she shouldn't, she really shouldn't. Her eyes watered either way, brimming with tears that were close to the edge.

The sudden touch came as a surprise to her. It was solid. It wasn't like the intangible terror that shook her to her core. No, the hand on her shoulder was real. She did not relax but risked a glance to the owner of that hand. Was he real or just a delusion?

But it couldn't be a delusion. Not if it was him. At least, she hoped not. She swallowed nervously, her eyes taking in the sight of the person beside her.]

...Mr. Exorcist?

[This man - no, a teenager, the first she's seen - certainly looked an awful lot like the exorcist. Had he come here? No, how could she be offered such kindness? It was impossible. And yet... Here was this man -- boy. Here was this boy who had to be the same exorcist.

But there was something off about him. She did not relax her posture as she tried to get a closer look at him. He was smaller than she remembered. There was something else she couldn't put her finger on. She looked into his face, hoping still that he was who she thought he was.

Those eyes were blue, an unnatural blue, with an unnatural spark hidden within. It frightened her, just a bit.]

[keepsthefire]

Exorcist... ? How did you know I was an exorcist?

[The question was a natural response to hers, given that in Vatheon he very rarely ever wore anything that would denote him as such. Most of the cram school students, Shiro and even Yukio had given in to the freedom to wear more casual clothing. Rin's only real indication that he wasn't a) fully human and b) a fighter of any sort were the sword on his back that he always carried and the tail that swung out freely behind him.

So how did she guess something like that?

Unless... it wasn't a guess? And she was mistaking him for some one--]

... d'you mean Night? He's an exorcist, and we kinda [really] look alike.

[As frightening as his eyes might be, with that constant burn of power that was within him, he seemed friendly enough if not a little confused.

If she knew Night, did this mean... ?]

[brightasday]

[Did she make a mistake? That had to be it. After all, she wasn't at the mansion, the sky above her head could hardly be called a sky, and she wanted nothing but to hide beneath her blankets. But speaking to Rin gave her a little encouragement. She could ignore her own fear if she focused on him.

Rather than taking in Rin's appearance at a single glance, Monaka stepped a little closer to Rin and took a very good look at him.

He had almost the same face as the exorcist. His hair had been styled (or not) in much the same way. The boy even had a tail, which looked so much like the one the exorcist had -- maybe she had been seeing things at the time. Perhaps she was seeing them again now if she was talking to a boy with a tail. But those eyes...

There was something in those same frightening blue eyes that made her feel at ease. If he did ever unleash that power, she was sure it would not be against her. The exorcist had given her nearly the same feeling.

But it was very clear that this boy wasn't the man she knew.]

...I thought you were someone else. [She took a small step back, her eyes downcast as she spoke. Monaka didn't want to hope against hope at the moment. Better to just let things be and enjoy this boy's company.

But the name "Night" pulled out better memories, good ones. It had to be a coincidence that there was another being named "Night". She met his gaze once more.]

I don't know the exorcist's name. [She should have asked for it when she had the chance...] ...But I had a cat, once. His name was Night.

[keepsthefire]

[Suddenly girl in face. Rin tenses a bit, if only to keep still while she stares so intently at him, not wanting to startle any more than she already had been. Blue eyes blinking slowly, he waited until she stepped back to relax, though with it came a frown and a quiet mutter that was more to himself than to her when it dawned on him the gravity of what she was saying.]

You never told her who you were...

[The frown turns in to a scowl, followed by a sigh with his eyes closed for just a moment. They opened again and he adjusted the bag resting in his arm, offering his other hand to her.]

I'm Rin. Your name is Monaka, isn't it?

[brightasday]

Hello Rin. [That was a girl's name, wasn't it? It suited him. It wasn't that he seemed feminine, it was just... "-maru" or something just didn't capture that friendly face as well as "Rin" did.

However...]

How did you know my name? [While it wasn't too odd for others to know who she was, it was odd to have been recognized by her first name only. The Miyama Company was well known, sure, and she was the only heiress... Maybe it wasn't so odd?]

Do you... [uhm uhm uhm] ...like flower arrangements? [She hadn't met another young person since she locked -- since he locked her away. To have stumbled upon a person her age who was interested in flowers (because how else would he know her name and her family's business) was ... exciting.]

[keepsthefire]

[He would claim it was unisex, but that was more to save his own pride and make him not hate the fact that his brother at least got a "-o" with his feminine name any more than he already does.

But it does suit him, weirdly enough.]

Huh?

[Flower arrangement-- oh, that's right. Night had mentioned that much about her. It was why he enjoyed Shiemi's garden so much.]

Oh uh... well... I like flowers! Heh. My friend is really great at gardening...

[Monaka was excited, but Rin found it awkward that he knew so much about this girl already and she had absolutely no clue who that exorcist that saved her really was.]

Actually... I think there's some one you should probably meet. Would you mind comin' with me? You can get dry and warm at my place, too...

[Night you are in so much trouble when he gets home.]

[brightasday]

[...Did he just dodge her question? It was very weird --

-- but when he mentioned a friend who was "really great" at gardening, it hardly seemed like such a terrible thing to dodge a question about names.

It sounded so inviting... To have a chance to talk to more people about flowers -- ! To think there could be more to the conversation she was already having! The initial terror had finally worn off. Her wet and heavy clothes hadn't bothered her now. But though she could feel anticipation at the prospect, it seemed wrong to just suddenly follow this Rin and go to a place that could have been a trap.

But maybe it wasn't. Maybe it would be okay. While she does really mind going with a stranger, she did want to get dry. But what of the risk...]

I... [Monaka knew she had nothing to fear from asking questions or from being firm about what she thought. The exorcist showed her that.] ...I want to know what you are, before I come with you. You're human, right?

[If he was a demon, then she had already broken the first (and only) rule about talking to them. And Rin hadn't transformed. True, he had a tail, but maybe that's just what boys had... Or it was "in fashion". It hadn't occurred to her yet that a demon wouldn't have bothered to be honest...]

[keepsthefire]

[Rin was terrible at lying, so avoiding the answer was just easier. Not that he would need to lie, soon enough. Once he got her to the Villa, so long as Night didn't try to hide...

Which he might. It was a legitimate concern, especially with how he'd been acting lately.

The question snapped Rin out of his thoughts, and he pursed his lips together tightly before doing what he did best - answering honestly.]

Half demon, actually.

[His tail even moved with his answer, giving a slight sway from side to side.]

I'm one'a the good ones, though. I'm trainin' to be an exorcist! And that one you were askin' about earlier? Pretty sure I know him.

[He grins here, sharp fangs showing but everything about his expression cheery and non threatening.]

You can trust me.

[brightasday]

[Rin was training to be an exorcist, even though he was a demon? She didn't know a lot about exorcists, but by the way the exorcist and acted, they were obviously very official and very against demons.

And yet, Rin was a half demon. ... And he didn't seem to want anything to do with her, except to show her to this friend of his.]

I didn't know there were good demons. [Then what should she do about demons? Her uncle was wretched enough... but where there were poisonous plants, there were ones that just wanted to live and be beautiful. And sometimes there were flowers that were caught in-between like...] Lily of the Valley. You're like lily of the valley.

[Had it mattered if he understood just what she was going on about? Not to her. Monaka's eyes shone with a renewed light. It was still her decision. And she felt she was making the right choice.] Okay. ...I'll come with you.

[keepsthefire]

We're... [a rare breed] well, there's not very many. But there's some. A-and I was raised human anyway, so...

[It wasn't like he had an upbringing that would have made him like so many others out there, and for that he was always quietly grateful.

The flower comment did earn a confused blink, but he had a feeling it meant something good. He'd have to ask Shiemi later...]

Alright. Just follow me, it's not far!

[darkasnight]

[Meanwhile, back at the Villa Night's ears are ringing.

He doesn't expect something to happen, completely oblivious for who Rin was bringing home. If he had know he would... probably be very far away from the Villa until he could coax himself out of hiding again.

At the moment he was in the kitchen boiling water for tea. How peaceful.]