SEPTEMBER TDM

[recollecters]

TEST DRIVE

SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE - EVENT AND FOURTH WALL EDITION The city of Recollé... ...or, at least, a good mimicry of the city. It's been a few weeks since you've found yourself in this digitized version of your beloved city. You've found yourself surrounded by NPC versions of your friends and family who aren't a part of the Retrospec project, you've encountered strange and new places, and the viruses continue to appear despite the fight you've put up. On the evening of the 17th, things change again. No matter where you are, Alphas and Betas will hear the sound of loud clacking, something similar to fingers typing frantically on a keyboard. The dial-up sound rings out, echoing off of buildings and in your ears as a bright blue flash of code scrolls before your eyes. Perhaps it doesn't make sense, but your handheld device might help. It beeps to alert you of a new message, screen lighting up as a navigation app appears and seems to stick. It appears to be an ordinary app like Google Maps or Waze, but the destination is pre-installed and your feet begin to move on their own accord. I. - IN-GAME CHARACTERS ONLY If you're strong enough, you might be able to break free of the mysterious hold that's dragging you across the city and out toward the outskirts of Tisse. It's hard to locate the source of the pull, but everyone will find that as they traverse the city they're all heading in one direction. The navigation app cheerfully blurts out instructions as your body operates on auto-pilot, causing you to stumble through the city and the other districts. You'll find yourself colliding into another user, soon walking in front or behind them as everyone around you begins to form one solid line. The human chain forms steadily and…aren't you lucky? You get to hold hands! Single file, everyone. Maybe you lucked out and you're holding hands with a friend. If you're stuck between two strangers, well, maybe that's a little awkward but the chain is impossible to break. You continue to move. Locked hand in hand with every user in the city, you'll have to help each other navigate, avoid obstacles, and make sure you don't lag behind. Viruses linger and will follow this mass of people, snapping at your heels and attempting to devour anything nearby. Can you fight without your hands? It may be time to find out. The night sky is a bit cloudy and your only source of light is the moon and the glow of lights on buildings you pass by in all districts. The walk shouldn't take you long, but as you venture further away from the center of the city the sun begins to rise and obscures your vision a bit. Has time sped up? Or are you simply walking further than you thought? What an interesting question. II-A. - IN-GAME CHARACTERS ONLY The navigation app leads the group through a long, winding journey that ends just beyond the furthest point of Tisse as the day breaks. As the app chimes, the air before you shimmers as a glass-walled building materializes. Unlike the other buildings in the city, it appears to be solid and smooth, lacking the pixelated quality a majority of the city has by now. The human chain breaks and you let go of your neighbor. You're now free to explore this place. Stepping inside, you find rows and rows of glass cases and chambers off to the sides and in stacks. Accommodated with work stations and instruction manuals, you may find yourself drawn to these computers before the empty cases. While the manuals appear old and frayed, there are instructions one can follow to create the person of their dreams. Are you looking for someone athletic? Simply change the input for a higher muscle mass than your average model. What about someone funny? Copy and paste some knock-knock jokes to embed in their code. It's easy to create anything you desire. The book allows for anything, even those who aren't exactly human. As you code and build, the glass cases and chambers begin to fog up, smoke whirling around inside as something begins to grow and take shape. Be careful! You may have a clear vision in mind of what you wish to create, but the programming may have other ideas… …for those who don't wish to experiment for themselves, or those who are strong enough to shake off those urges, there are several other floors to explore. Unlike the cases downstairs, these ones are occupied and filled with finished models pre-labeled "Projected Example" or "Reboot". Perhaps these faces are familiar to you, or they're someone who looks interesting. A lost friend. Someone from your memories. Someone who you feel doesn't belong encased in glass at all. The possibilities seem endless when it comes to who you'll find inside, but as you continue to stare at the case before you…the glass cracks. II-B. - TDM/FOURTH WALL CHARACTERS. Where are you? The last thing you remember was a wavering, dizzy spell that forced your eyes closed as you fell unconscious. Upon awakening the glass walls around you are stifling and thick, white and blue smoke dances around your ankles as you blink away black spots impeding your vision. Trapped inside a glass case held behind glass walls, it becomes clear that you aren't where you're supposed to be. Any items you had on your person are missing and the palm of your hand burns intensely for ten seconds as a black tattoo forms. Branded as either a "Projected Example" or "Reboot", it isn't easy to understand what these terms mean. Perhaps that isn't what's important though. Rather, what's important is breaking your way out of this glass case and figuring out where you are. Shadowed figures can be seen walking the hallways just outside your case, sometimes alone or sometimes with a friend. It's hard to make out any of their features, but you can hear the muffled words being said. It's only when someone is close to your case that you find your strength. The glass begins to spider crack under the pressure of your hand, allowing you to push and punch as much as necessary to break free. There's no shame in needing assistance, of course. Some cases are thicker than others, and as the glass begins to crack it becomes easier to be heard by those outside of your case. How will you escape? Who will you find on the other side of the glass? It's a mystery and one that will not be answered until you free yourself of your enclosure. Breaking free is easy if you try and it gives you a full range of motion. The glass won't harm you, but sparkles adorn your skin as the sunlight shines through the windows around you. You're free to explore the floors of the building and check out the other glass cases nearby. Perhaps you'll even lend a hand and help others who are trapped. How did you all get here? That's yet another mystery that doesn't seem to have an answer, but more importantly…how do you get out of the building? This place is huge. III. - OTA Lucky for you, this building seems to be a safe haven from the crazy world outside. Though several stories tall and filled with cases and equipment as far as the eye can see, nothing strange seems to be happening and navigating the building is almost a pleasant experience. The glass walls allow for plenty of late-summer sunshine to filter in, giving you and everyone you're with a path to follow. This path, however, won't lead you to the front door. The front exit no longer exists and any attempts to reroute to it will send citizens on their way through the halls of the building again. Several doors and laboratories are found on the journey though you may not enter. Labeled areas such as "memory restoration", "accounting", "legal" and "resources", these areas are scattered and just beyond your reach. As you venture through the building and exit out the back door, the sound of music hits you full-force. Bright lights, thick grass and the sounds of children laughing await you. The grounds are vast and empty of other people. While the area is large and sprawling, it's evident that several iconic pieces of this area are missing. A large sign hangs overhead, greeting you and welcoming you to Rainbowland. Complete with a carousel, children's rides such as spinning tea cups, bumper cars, the hurricane and the octopus, and a midway full of games, this amusement park looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Along with the usual set-up, Rainbowland is host to a special event for the next week. Scattered throughout the grounds are banners and stalls proudly proclaiming "WELCOME TO RETROSPEC." Carnival food of all kinds can be found at these stalls with the Retrospec logo plastered on the side. Eat these foods at your own risk! Sweets will grant consumers super-speed, meats such as hot dogs and burgers kick in a boost of super-strength, fried foods will cause a consumer to move in slow motion and drinks may cause temporary invisibility. Weird, right? The midway has a few strange surprises as well. While most games are easy to play (and free at that, why isn't anyone around to take tickets from park visitors?), there are certain games set up by Retrospec themselves that have equally strange prizes. Stuffed animals of a variety of creatures from other worlds line the shelves (some you may or may not recognize), along with glass dolls of you and people you know. The likeness of these prizes is a little too spot-on; dolls will spout a common catch-phrase and stuffed animals will feel as though they are breathing. Finally, in addition to the Rainbowland rides, Retrospec has provided a wooden roller coaster and a large ferris wheel, both branded with their logo. For those who wish to feel the rush, the roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and comes with several hills and one full upside-down loop. Riders, however, will experience brief hallucinations after this loop; as the loop completes they'll find themselves seeing visions of a dark, underground river. The hallucination seems within reach almost as if the cart they're in will dive straight into the water. The ride ends with all riders unharmed, however. As for the ferris wheel? It's just a ferris wheel, several stories high with bright blue, encased cars to give riders a bird's eye view of the entire city and protect them inside. As you reach the top, the car will come to a gentle stop and the view from the window will change. Instead of the beloved city of Recollé, the landscape below is different. Perhaps it's a landscape you recognize, or it's an area of a battle-ridden world. Perhaps you see your friend's high school that they've seen in their memories or islands from another life. Every view is different, but by the time you reach the ground again you're back in Recollé. It's a carnival and it's fun, but several things that don't belong to Rainbowland seem off. Those with a keen eye and who have been around for a while may come to realize one important factor; the symbol is drawn inaccurately. The Retrospec symbol is missing a few loops and the particular shade of blue used is too dark to match. A counterfeit Retrospec...is it possible? Maybe it's best just to stick with what Rainbowland itself has to offer. IV. - OTA So maybe carnivals aren't your thing. No matter! You can leave Rainbowland whenever you'd like and make your way back to the city. On the other hand the city and areas around it may not be as you remember it. "Projected Examples" might not recognize this place at all, but "Reboot" will recognize that the pixelation of buildings, the NPC status of people they may know and the glitches that occur aren't normal by any standards. Exploring the city will allow all visitors to ride the trains and visit the various locations Alphas and Betas have access to, create and travel through the digital scape of half-constructed concepts, and they'll find they're even more susceptible to being attacked by bug-like viruses. These viruses will follow newcomers, snapping and biting to try and devour them. Defeating one will generate two more, and while they aren't as prominent in the digital scape you may find yourself with your hands full. There is no way to reach the outside regions of Pesgare, Respatrum, Bosuma and Magatus at this time, but there's plenty in the city to keep you on your toes. Visitors may have to find lodging for the next few weeks whether that's with friends or strangers, but at least all of the buildings remain standing. And if that doesn't keep you busy enough, the NPC citizens of Recollé are happy to provide you with jobs. If you choose to speak to any of these people, they'll go off of their pre-assigned dialogue and provide you with a small quest. "Find ten bananas and deliver them to someone with red hair." "Pet every dog that you see." "Catch three fish from the ocean and sell them to a neighbor." Some of these quests may not even make sense, but they'll be assigned nevertheless. Upon completion of each quest taken on, a triumphant sound will play from overhead and a banner will appear displaying your new title. Deliver those bananas? "Gone Bananas" will flash over your head. How about those fish? "So Long and Thanks For..." will linger for a while. Too bad no one told you those banners won't go away. When you're alone the title will be hidden, but as you speak to more people in the city the banner reappears, hovering over your head for the entire length of the conversation. The titles will change as you complete new tasks, but it appears as though they're permanent now. Congratulations! BONUS. - OTA Everyone will be equip with a handheld device much like a cell phone but downgraded. Containing only a drawing application, the game of Snake, the Retrospec app and the navigation app to lead you back to that glass building, it's...pretty useless. Technology in the city is hit and miss in its pixelated state, but perhaps it's better to ask the Retrospec network what the next step is. While Alphas and Betas are still posting as their A/B IDs, "Projected Examples" and "Reboots" will find that all posts and comments are tagged as their status and their name. Examples and Reboots will also find that a "Welcome to Retrospec" guide pops up, giving them only a brief moment to read the guidelines before a bright flash appears, snapping their photo for their profile and connecting them to someone new on the network. Whether you're sending or receiving messages, a string of colored text, numbers and code will leave or enter your device. These devices also need to be charged constantly, so be careful when taking them out of the house! You'd hate to get cut off at the worst possible moment, wouldn't you? Welcome to the recolle test drive meme, fourth wall event, and September event part two! Please review these instructions for this particular event! As we are combining a few different options here, we want to ensure players know what options are available. Thank you! All characters who are TDMing will be begin in-game AU'd as Recollé residents. You may use any of the above prompts for ideas or make up your own depicting your Recollé AU! Prompts do not have to be set in the districts listed above. You can review our list of locations for what's available. Please note that TDM threads can be used as samples, can be kept as game canon, and can also be used for bonus points for future item regains. Share a few minor details of your AU, tag around, and have fun! Since this is a special event, the TDM is tied with a fourth wall event as well! For players who are fourth-walling characters (canon versions, different canon AUs, CRAU, versions from other games, etc), please label your top-level as "Projected Example." Players who are TDMing to app will fall under "Reboot" and we ask that you label your top-level as such! And finally, characters in-game are not required to label their top-levels with anything. This way, it's easier for your gamemates to know who's TDMing, who's just playing around, and who's already in-game. For Prompt III, any characters who choose to ride the ferris wheel will be able to see the landscape of any canonical world once they're at the top. It doesn't matter if they would recognize it or not, but the image will be brief until the car moves again! Likewise, stuffed animals won from the Retrospec midway games can be creatures your character would recognize from their memories or from other canons they may or may not recognize. Use your best judgment! Prompt IV may be used to create new scenarios and threads based on the prompts from Part One of September's Event! Please feel free to read the prompts in event log one and create your own scenarios for your top-levels. Additionally, you are free to make up your own silly/serious fetch-quests and titles that would be rewarded to your characters. While normally we do not allow this, please remember that current players may earn one freebie by threading with someone who is TDMing! This thread must contain 5 consecutive comments from you to be eligible. In addition, all players may use any threads accrued in this event for bonus points. As a special note, we will also allow current players to use a thread from this Fourth Wall/TDM/Event for their AC proofs! As this ties into a game-event, we are making an exception. However, your other proof(s) (at least ten comments) must come from sources outside of this log. Likewise, as this is an event log instead of just a standard TDM, you may use this log to trigger regains as normal. Please note: you will need a reserve to apply, and current characters must have full AC posted at the time of their reservation. Your September TDM directory is here, and your AU workshop is here! Our mod questions thread for this TDM is over here!

Comments

REBOOT: Yukito Tsukishiro/Yue | Cardcaptor Sakura

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ OOC: Yuki, 19, astronomy student and works at some cafe - haven't decided where yet. He has DID (dissociative identity disorder) with a personality known as Yue who only comes out at night. Workshop for more plotting. ]

iib

[ If there's one thing Yuki is used to, it's waking up in strange and unusual places - though even he has to admit that this is one of the weirdest. He takes his time to recover from the dizziness and dark spots blurring his vision before he even thinks about moving. Even after it passes, he still has a difficult time making out where he is without his glasses. Hands move over the glass case trying to figure out if there's perhaps a seam or doorway. Only after discovering that there isn't a way out, he leans forward and squints at the dark shapes moving around outside. ] Excuse me. There doesn't seem to be a hatch or door on this. [ Yuki doesn't want to break it just to free himself - that sounds pretty dangerous and without the ability to see the broken glass he might end up seriously injuring someone. Yes, himself included. So he does what every polite person does. He knocks as if asking to be let out. Fortunately... (or unfortunately depending on how one looks at it) the glass splinters just a bit but doesn't entirely break beneath his somewhat light touch. ] Oh, that doesn't sound good. [ This is when he refrains from touching the glass at all. Yuki's going to need a little help getting out. ]

iii

[ Only after Yuki locates a set of glasses nearby to where he woke up does he venture into the building. As he hadn't been able to see it happening, he can only assume that they had been there the entire time and not that they materialized like magic. Of course the young man had stuck around to help others out of their own glass case and worries about the mess being left behind but doesn't see a broom to sweep it all up with. Wandering the building, Yuki takes notice of the various doorways as he passes them, though all of them are locked. Still not a broom in sight so the only thing he can do is continue on until he makes it outside. Exiting reveals an amusement park but the oddest thing about it is that there's hardly anyone around but he clearly heard the sound of laughter. Going in further to investigate is only making him more confused but perhaps it just so happens to be an off-season for the park. Yuki isn't quite sure he trusts any of this. For the most part, he avoids the games and rides but not even Yuki can resist the heavenly scent of food. One can bet that he has gotten himself a lovely snack consisting of a burger and a drink. So while the super-strength may not be evident with every bit, Yuki does flicker between invisible and visible. At one point (whether he's visible or not), he speaks up. ] The food here is delicious but something about this place is off.

iv

a [ Outside Rainbowland, things are even crazier but Yuki has to make an attempt to get back to his apartment. He won't even stop to try and attack the random bug-like creatures unless he spots someone being attacked by them. That's when he throws a rock at it to distract the bugs then rushes in. A hand wraps gently around the wrist of whoever might have been cornered. ] We need to run away! b [ Is it any surprise to anyone who knows him that Yuki is the sort to talk to the natives and get himself a bunch of quests? Probably not. So he has an odd assortment of tasks he's been asked to do and he intends to do as many as he possibly can. At the moment he's currently trying to talk someone out of giving him a certain request. ] I don't think I could get a cow to jump over the moon.

wildcard

[ Pick your poison. Or request Yue instead of Yuki! ]

iib

[oniipeach]

Yuki!

[ Surprising exactly no one, Touya has sorted himself out of his glass case already. And is looking around for familiar faces, because of it's what he does.

So here he is, running closer to the case containing his guy, pulling the sleeve of his jacket down so it will wrap his wrist. ]

Stand as far back as you can!

[whitesnowrabbit]

Touya!

[ Even without the familiar voice calling out his name, Yuki would recognize Touya's shape despite not having his glasses at all. He breathes a sigh of relief when that form comes closer but is more than worried when it's clear that his boyfriend is about to break the glass.

Still, Yuki moves back and is sure to cover his own face to protect it. ]

Be careful. [ He doesn't want Touya to get hurt either. ]

[oniipeach]

I will be. It's all right, we're meant to get out of these, I think.

[ After all, why would they be staying there-- why are they there, anyway?

He doesn't waste time on asking that of Yuki, not right now, instead using his sheathed fist to hit the glass where the crack is, one time harder so that the cracks make sure it's weakened, and then less forcefully, to make sure he doesn't spray Yuki with shards of it.

Then he squeezes in and kicks the remaining pieces out, so that Yuki can step out after him as safely as possible. ]

Hold out your hand, I'll hold it. What were they thinking, keeping you here without your glasses.

[ Touya is efficient.

But he does grumble. ]

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ If they were really meant to get out of them, they would have doors instead of forcing people to break it. But it is what it is.

Yuki doesn't need to see what's happening, the sound is enough to let him know that the first hit doesn't shatter it completely but then the second does. He hopes Touya didn't hurt his hand or get cut in the process. There's not much he can do except wait and follow his boyfriend's intructions.

Which he does by holding out a hand then allowing Touya to guide him out. ]

Thank you. [ With it being Touya, he doesn't hesitate to step close enough to be able to see the other's face a little better. ] I'm sure there was a good reason for it. Perhaps they merely set them aside.

[ Which isn't true but by the time they find it, it might seem as if the glasses were always there. ]

You didn't hurt yourself?

[oniipeach]

[ There may be. They haven't gotten out to the computer labs yet, there might be ways to open entire walls. Seriously. Who keeps people in glass cases?

But Yuki stepping up to him and focusing on his face is surprisingly grounding, and he takes a moment to lean his head down and rest his forehead against Yukito's. ]

I didn't hurt myself. Are you all right? Is your hand bothering you a lot?

[ Touya hasn't quite talked with enough people to be sure, but he's passed along enough glass cases to know that everyone has writing on their palms. That it can be felt... well. That's a guess.

Then he steps back... and his eyes fall on the glasses he was just grumbling about. He leans away only to pick them up, then gently places them in Yuki's (unbranded) hand. ]

There.

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ Who would go all the way to the computer labs when the glass breaks so easily? The whole thing is just too strange and puts him on edge.

Though that eases a bit when Touya's forehead meets his and he gets the clearest image of the other's face since waking. He lets out a relieved sigh at both the contact and the confirmation. ]

Good. I'm fine. It stings a bit but I'll live.

[ That is such an understatement and Touya would definitely pick up on that - especially if he has a mark of his own. He wants to ask what it says but that's interrupted when something familiar is pressed into his other hand.

With all the skill of having done it many times before, he slides his glasses on with only one hand. Then blinks as everything becomes so much clearer. First his gaze looks over Touya to ensure his boyfriend really isn't hurt before glancing down at his hand where the word "REBOOT" is tattooed. ]

What is this supposed to mean? [ Yuki reaches for Touya's hands to see if the other also has a mark. ]

[oniipeach]

[ Ha. Touya is usually on edge, that's why there's only a small difference in how he acts.

He does let Yuki take his hand, trusting him even where it can hurt - he was watching when Yuki raised his own hand to read, saw it was just one word, at least - but he shakes his head. ]

I don't know. It's either that or 'Projected Example.'

Let's find some ice [ for their hands ] and get out of here?

iib

[keystaff]

E-eh? Yukito-san? Ah, s-stand back! I'll get you out!

[Even if his vision might be blurred, even if he might be anxious about the glass, at the least, if she is there, she can try help him navigate it for now. Probably. Sakura may be smaller, physically weaker, but that doesn't stop her punching at the glass to free him, reaching in to gently take his wrist to guide him free.]

Are you okay? Let's get you out of here.

[Not that. She has any more of a clue about this than he does, but still. They had to start somewhere and at least together they probably have more chance in figuring this? She already suspects this has something to do with Retrospec.]

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ He recognizes the voice on the other side and does stand back before glass shards fly everywhere. Then Sakura's smaller hand is wrapping around his wrist. Yuki's free hand goes to the top of her head, she might be a bit blurry but he can still make out where it is. ]

I'm fine. Are you okay? You didn't hurt yourself breaking it, did you?

[ While he'd probably be able to feel if he was hit by glass, Yuki's unable to see if she got hurt until he finds his glasses or gets extremely close. With his attention on the girl there's no way he notices when said glasses materialize nearby. ]

[keystaff]

Me? I'll be fine!

[It's not like this was nearly as dangerous as some of the other things the app had her involved in before. Which she is decidedly not going to mention to him, but still. Her shoulders hunch as she gives a small smile in attempt to reassure him even as her eyes close at that hand to her head. She guides him out before glancing around. Something seemed to be missing, as she looks up at him after.]

Your glasses?

[whitesnowrabbit]

Good, I wouldn't want to see you hurt on my account.

[ Her brother would be upset if that were the case. Even though Yuki can't see, he runs a hand over her head to ensure there aren't any stray shards that manage to get caught there. When Sakura leads him out of the glass case, Yuki moves with her - trusting her to guide him. ]

I seem to have misplaced them. [ Or someone took them off but he doesn't say that. ] Perhaps they're laying about.

[keystaff]

Even if I did, it wouldn't be that bad.

[This is definitely something Touya would not be okay with. Yukito alone, even without Sakura being involved somehow herself as well. She glances, frowning as she searches for the glasses.]

You usually always have them on though.

[She is already on edge as it is, given her own wake up like this too.]

[whitesnowrabbit]

Regardless, we should take care of it before it does get bad.

[ Sorry but Yuki is not okay with the idea of Sakura being hurt either. Pretty sure the two older boys wouldn't be alone in that. If he could help her search, he would be. Unfortunately, it would be a somewhat blind search and he'd have to do it through touch would would be dangerous.

He smiles softly. ] I don't wear them all of the time.

[ Thankfully, they won't be too far from where he woke up so Sakura won't have to look very long for them. ]

[keystaff]

[Sakura ignores his concern for her with the glass in favour of glancing around, searching for his glasses. It doesn't take long for her to spot them, giving a triumphant hum as she reaches to pick them up before handing them to him.]

There! Better?

[Not that she needs glasses or anything, but she can sympathize at least. It must have been all the more scary and confusing for him without them in not being able to see well on top of all this.]

iv

[interlucere]

[ She's cornered, she doesn't have anything sensible to fight with, and the strange bug monster looks ready to pounce. With no other options, Lucille prepares for a fight for her life, until she hears the rock clatter against concrete.

Both girl and beast whip their heads to look at Yuki, and as he reaches to grip her arm she pulls it away. Not to deny his help, but to quickly pull her coat off and throw it at the insect's head. It lets out a chittering snarl, arms reaching up to pull at the cloth over its many eyes. ]

Come on!

[ Thanks for the moment of opportunity, new friend, but they can talk later. He might be gentle, but Lucille will grab at his arm, pulling him toward a direction if she's able.

Hope you can run, Yuki. ]

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ When Lucille pulls her hand away, Yuki isn't offended - especially not when he sees what she's done. The coat should hopefully distract the monster long enough for them to get away and out of sight. Which is why he does start running the instant she grabs at him instead. He easily allows her to drag him along and yes, he can run. ] We should take shelter in one of the shops. [ They won't be able to run forever, or even outrun it for very long. While they're ahead, they need to find a different way to escape the monster. ]

[interlucere]

[ She's thankful that he chooses not to pull back, and she lets go of his arm just as quickly. No need to flee in a single file line, they just need to keep up with one another. ]

Right!

[ Good call. Lucille glances briefly at him before rounding a corner. Ducking her head to try to pick up a bit more speed, she passes a few storefronts before taking a tight turn.

Hand outstretched, she pushes open the door of a coffee shop. Skipping a few steps as she clears the doorway, she nearly doubles over, hands on her knees but head held up. Did he make it..? ]

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ If he had a bow and some arrows at hand, Yuki would have done a lot more than throw a rock at the bugs. Fleeing is the best option for the time being.

He trails behind Lucille just a bit to ensure she doesn't stumble and fall, though otherwise manages to keep up with her even when she picks up speed and takes a turn.

So when she bounds into the coffee shop Yuki is right there behind her. With them both inside, he closes the door behind them - hoping it's enough to deter the bugs from pursuing or trick them. ]

Are you alright?

[interlucere]

[ Relief washes over her as she sees him standing there, and she takes a few breaths before pushing herself upright again. She hasn't had to do that kind of running in a while, let alone do it while being chased. ] A little winded. But I'll survive. [ Her attention turned toward the window, she watches as the bugs pass by, exhaling deeply. Good, they managed to shake them. ] You really saved me back there. Thank you.

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ At the time, Yuki hadn't been able to make sure she wasn't hurt but her reassurance is good. A nod of his head and he moves towards the counter only after the bugs move away from the cafe. ]

It's been a while since I've run that much.

[ Archery means standing around for the most part. Once at the counter he gets two bottles of water and returns to her, holding one out. ]

You're welcome. I couldn't stand by and do nothing.

iv-a

[cardcaptured]

[From an outsider's perspective, it did seem a lot like Xiaolang was being cornered by these rampant bugs. But that was all part of the plan-- it was harder to attack them when they were skittering about, so luring them into a more compressed space would help him nail more of them at once. All he had to do was get out his thunder talisman, aim it just so onto his sword, and then--

Suddenly, something nails one of the bugs in the head, drawing the viruses' attention to their injured comrade, and Xiaolang can't help but blink in stunned surprise. Just what in the world was going on?

Before he can dwell on it further, though, a gentle grip on his wrist begins to tug him away from the mass of creatures, getting him to stumble slightly on his feet as they move. He has every intention to dig his feet in, to demand whoever is pulling him to let go-- when suddenly the other person speaks, in a much, much too familiar voice.]

Y-Yuki--?!

[His eyes flick to the weapon in his other hand, and a panic blooms in his chest. How in the world is he going to explain this to his neighbor? And better yet-- how was he even seeing all of this, and not just spouting NPC phrases like he had been before?]

W-Wait, hold on...!!

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ Really Xiaolang, if anyone should have cornered the other then it should have been the other way around. Having seen his young neighbor seemingly trapped by the bugs, what else is he have supposed to have done but thrown the rock? While it seems like the teen is comfortable with a sword in hand, Yuki simply can't leave him there. He's extremely glad that Xiaolang appears to be unharmed and that he doesn't fall when they start running. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), he's not Sakura's sister and therefore just willing to carry the boy away from danger. Xiaolang sounds surprised and Yuki can't blame him for that. The situation and his appearance had been quite sudden. ] It's too dangerous to stay here. Even with a sword. [ Now is not the time for the older male to question why Xiaolang has a sword or for them to stick around talking. Those bugs are following after them. ]

[cardcaptured]

[Look, Xiaolang's good at coming up with strategies, but he's not all that good at being careful about it. Regardless, he's going to blanch a little as Yuki mentions his weapon, but if he wasn't going to say anything about it, he wasn't going to bring anything up. It was definitely too long of an explanation to give while they were hot-footing it out of here, anyway.

He has no choice but to keep up with Yuki's pace, lest he get dragged along, but a slight frown flickers across his face at his warning. Yuki was a kind man, and he knew that he only had his well-being at heart, but those were lines that he should be saying.]

I know. But it's also dangerous to let these things roam around the city and have them harm people who might not be able to fight back!

[He hears the telltale signs of bugs skittering behind them, though, and he angles the sword in his free hand in some means of defense. He's not sure if he can fight them off while one handed and in motion, but it was worth a shot.]

Where are we going, anyway...?!

IIB

[blondferret]

[Derek hears voice come out of the case next to him.]

You awake in there?

[Derek takes a step forward and peers inside.]

Honestly, you're going to want to stand back a bit.

[Derek smashes his elbow into the glass, shattering it, and freeing the guy inside.]

That should do it.