[ running? wasn't she expecting them? that's ominous. surely they aren't that terrifying looking. well at least he knows they're on the same floor for the moment - trying to push through the crowd and follow and also text the other two at the same time. he may not be a modern but he's smart enough to figure out the basics of a magical device. now T9 texting on the other hand? that is hard to say so it comes out as: ]
[ fluffy doggo... she follows it back down to ground floor! they are getting their steps in! she pauses for just a moment when she receives an entirely incomprehensible text from gale-san. more speed-texting: ]
OK
[ she is on the wayyyyy sorry that probably does not help hawke at all, in tears. ]
[ Gale, you do a great job of using technology to alert Aqua and Hawke! Though this does slow you down, and you find yourself lost in a gaggle of people who are crowding around a store, eager to get their hands on the newly released Malder's Fate 5. It'll take you a second to make your way through this swarm of excitable gamers, and you likely don't have eyes on Riko any more.
But Aqua, with the help of your divine dog, you're taken straight where Riko is attempting to avoid Gale, and once she spots you in your extremely distinct uniform, she'll freeze up and run into the closest store.
So Hawke, here's the thing. You could use your cursed energy to strength your body slightly as a buff to reduce fall damage should you decide to jump down to the lower floors. You will have to roll for it, and won't come out completely unscathed. It'll also draw the attention of the civilians in the mall, when you know you likely want to be subtle to avoid drawing attention to Riko. But yes, you can jump down to the first floor. ]
[ 2006 really was a year right. we still cared about physical game releases and everything. gale really is not a huge fan of crowds, sensory nightmare, so he's just caught up in bumping into everyone and saying "excuse me" every four seconds and trying to push his way through. ]
[ i'm aging rapidly as we speak i am descending into my grave
aqua is beelining into that store as politely as possible! but she will shoulder past a civilian if she must SHE'S ON A MISSION!! can her divine dog try to race ahead and cut off Miss Riko long enough for the rest of them to catch up...
[ common sense of a coin flip saves her from jumping directly down but she still has a bird's eye view (eheh. get it? hawk vision? anyway,) from upstairs. just in case little mistress decides to attempt being sneaky.
she'll work her way down to meet them eventually but right now she's leaving the other two to deal with the crowds. rip both of yall. ]
[ The fact that all of you have such wildly different ways of dealing with this mall brings me so much delight.
Gale, you are doing your best to fight through this crowd. They're extremely enthusiastic, but also lacking in structural integrity (but then again? so are you?) so you are eventually able to push through and continue your pursuit. You can likely see Aqua heading into a store a little bit ahead of you.
Hawke, you decide not to risk it all for speed. But you know what, you're still pretty fast after all those years of sorcerer training, and the crowds just aren't as thick in the upper floors. You're making your way down the mall in good time.
As for Aqua, you run into the store and your divine dog runs ahead... and then parks itself by the entrance of the store. Apparently, Riko isn't making an attempt to swing around and come back out after losing you amongst the sea of bras and negligees.
This is a lingerie store, and while you can't spot Riko immediately... you do notice something amiss in the new Angel Or Devil line of negligees. ]
[ i think it tracks for gale's life right now to finally push through this crowd, spot Aqua and her beautiful blue hair and dart after her without looking at the store name only to find himself wading amongst an ocean of Intimates and find himself getting so overwhelmed with embarrassment for himself that he wants to explode this whole mall.
[ gale should probably stay outside yeah... he might get mistaken for a pervert and get arrested? and then this would turn into jailbreak cyoa when we just dodged hospital cyoa...
anyway, what's?? amiss?? with the new Angel or Devil line of negligees?? she will move over cautiously to investigate and try not to get distracted by any BOGO SALES ]
[ being on the upper floors means she absolutely watches this happen to gale and loses a good thirty seconds just crying with laughter against a banister before she finally makes it down there to join them. ]
Have you decided to branch out a little? Try a little something new?
[ make all those sexy gale art come true? they could probably make someone's head combust for extra murder damage. I'm sure she could find his size in the i could be your angle and devil line ]
There's a clerk that just looks at Gale, who looks completely overwhelmed, and thinks virgin to herself before deciding to help someone else out.
Aqua heads over to the Angel Or Devil display, and while it looks innocuous at first... Soon enough she will catch sight of Riko hiding behind a rack. She's uninjured and unarmed, just crouched there in her school uniform and backpack. And once she notices you, she lets out a little sigh. ]
[ unfortunately definitely not a virgin he's just shy that's not a crime!!!!! looking very defeated as hawke just laughs at him. ]
Oh, I don't know that it's exactly my style, but I've never been good at keeping up with fashion trends.
[ gale will clear his throat, put on his best confident and I belong expression and then just. head over towards where he can see aqua - though he probably can't see Riko because she's on the floor. ]
[ POOR GALE WHO HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG!! aqua is still feeling the secondhand embarrassment however and just sort of gives gale and hawke a fleeting glimpse before she turns her attention back to the girl. she will crouch down as well... pspsps. ]
Hi, Riko. We're from Tokyo Jujutsu High. [ or whatever the name of their school is, watch spoon be like, YOU'RE WRONG! ]
I'm Aqua, these are my friends Gale and Hawke. We've been sent to escort you around. Did you not get the memo...?
[ weheh's at his embarrassment but otherwise, she sticks back so they're not all crowding the poor kid. it's just what they need, really. looking incredibly sus while in the lingerie store.
if she also so happens to make eye contact with gale later and slides her eyes over to the skimpiest white negligee she can spot while looking incredibly delighted...... well, no one (else) needs to know. ]
[ Knowing that she's been caught, Riko will crawl out of her hidey hole and look over at them. There's a moment where she looks vaguely guilty before her expression smooths over into determination. ]
I know. Kuroi told me you were coming. I just...
[ She glances away, a slight frown on her face. ]
There's something I need to do first.
[ It's midday right now, and you need to bring Riko to the Tombs of the Star Corridor before the end of the day, so there is time before the merger. However, you also know that Riko is a target, and there are no barriers to protect her in civilian locations like this. ]
[ SPECIFICALLY NOT LOOKING WHERE HAWKE LOOKS BECAUSE HE'LL GET SO EMBARRASSED AGAIN. don't be jealous he's got a good body.
going to talk to this teenager now instead of being objectified for the moment. there's something this is reminding him of but he can't really connect it in his head at the moment. ]
We have a bit of time, of course, though it might be best you stay with us instead of by yourself for the time being?
[ Riko blissfully ignores all of these adults being inappropriate because she's only 15, and far too young to sexualize Gale.
She takes a second to bite her lip before replying. ]
I. I just wanted to get something for Kuroi before I went. [ She doesn't seem particularly enthused about opening up to strangers who just chased her around a shopping mall, but also understands that she's essentially their captive. If she wants freedom, she'll need to make a compelling offer. ] She's spent her entire life looking after me, and I wanted to do something for her. While I still have the chance.
[ This is Riko Amanai, a 15 year-old school girl orphaned as a toddler and raised by her maid, Kuroi. She has the exact cursed energy signature required to be Tengen's new vessel, after which she will cease to exist.
As far as you know, she has no intention of shirking her duties if you allow her this one request. ]
[ he twists his hands into one another, looking down at this - well. basically a child. and for some reason can't help but think about a man trapping an angel in a cage - lifetimes after lifetimes - all for the chance to keep living.
it doesn't strike him as right. though, of course, he had made his oaths already, hadn't he? it's likely not his business. to put one girl above the entire country. ]
[ even if gale hadn't answered for everyone, aqua would've immediately agreed to the request herself. the honesty of her plight softens her (worksona) demeanor quite obviously.
it's an incredible sacrifice she has to make, at an age so young. it would feel remiss not to grant her one last wish. ]
I don't see why not. Were you looking to buy a gift for her?
[ PRETTY SURE THAT WOULD SKYROCKET THEM TO BEING ARRESTED ACTUALLY.
but like the other two, hawke is a big softy and would have agreed for them anyway. terrible.
it does, however cause something to tug at her memory, a blurry sense of glowing..... but perhaps she's just stayed up too late playing Lizard Days 3 ]
Well now you've got an extra three opinions for gifts and the like.
[ and speed the process up so they're not stuck out in the open for too long. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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1pt fjonr!!
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OK
[ she is on the wayyyyy sorry that probably does not help hawke at all, in tears. ]
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which is why she feels absolutely no shame checking her phone, squinting a touch and lifting a hand to start speed walking away. ]
Found her, thanks a lot, bye!
[ so anyway, what are the chances she can do the video game thing of just yeeting over the edge of the railing to the first floor without dying ]
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But Aqua, with the help of your divine dog, you're taken straight where Riko is attempting to avoid Gale, and once she spots you in your extremely distinct uniform, she'll freeze up and run into the closest store.
So Hawke, here's the thing. You could use your cursed energy to strength your body slightly as a buff to reduce fall damage should you decide to jump down to the lower floors. You will have to roll for it, and won't come out completely unscathed. It'll also draw the attention of the civilians in the mall, when you know you likely want to be subtle to avoid drawing attention to Riko. But yes, you can jump down to the first floor. ]
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aqua is beelining into that store as politely as possible! but she will shoulder past a civilian if she must SHE'S ON A MISSION!! can her divine dog try to race ahead and cut off Miss Riko long enough for the rest of them to catch up...
STOP RUNNING FROM THEM, CHILD!!! ]
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she'll work her way down to meet them eventually but right now she's leaving the other two to deal with the crowds. rip both of yall. ]
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Gale, you are doing your best to fight through this crowd. They're extremely enthusiastic, but also lacking in structural integrity (but then again? so are you?) so you are eventually able to push through and continue your pursuit. You can likely see Aqua heading into a store a little bit ahead of you.
Hawke, you decide not to risk it all for speed. But you know what, you're still pretty fast after all those years of sorcerer training, and the crowds just aren't as thick in the upper floors. You're making your way down the mall in good time.
As for Aqua, you run into the store and your divine dog runs ahead... and then parks itself by the entrance of the store. Apparently, Riko isn't making an attempt to swing around and come back out after losing you amongst the sea of bras and negligees.
This is a lingerie store, and while you can't spot Riko immediately... you do notice something amiss in the new Angel Or Devil line of negligees. ]
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he doesn't, but he wants to. ]
Oh. Gosh.
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anyway, what's?? amiss?? with the new Angel or Devil line of negligees?? she will move over cautiously to investigate and try not to get distracted by any BOGO SALES ]
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Have you decided to branch out a little? Try a little something new?
[ make all those sexy gale art come true? they could probably make someone's head combust for extra murder damage. I'm sure she could find his size in the i could be your angle and devil line ]
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There's a clerk that just looks at Gale, who looks completely overwhelmed, and thinks virgin to herself before deciding to help someone else out.
Aqua heads over to the Angel Or Devil display, and while it looks innocuous at first... Soon enough she will catch sight of Riko hiding behind a rack. She's uninjured and unarmed, just crouched there in her school uniform and backpack. And once she notices you, she lets out a little sigh. ]
... Hi!
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Oh, I don't know that it's exactly my style, but I've never been good at keeping up with fashion trends.
[ gale will clear his throat, put on his best confident and I belong expression and then just. head over towards where he can see aqua - though he probably can't see Riko because she's on the floor. ]
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Hi, Riko. We're from Tokyo Jujutsu High. [ or whatever the name of their school is, watch spoon be like, YOU'RE WRONG! ]
I'm Aqua, these are my friends Gale and Hawke. We've been sent to escort you around. Did you not get the memo...?
[ WHY WAS SHE RUNNING FROM THEM! ]
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[ weheh's at his embarrassment but otherwise, she sticks back so they're not all crowding the poor kid. it's just what they need, really. looking incredibly sus while in the lingerie store.
if she also so happens to make eye contact with gale later and slides her eyes over to the skimpiest white negligee she can spot while looking incredibly delighted...... well, no one (else) needs to know. ]
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I know. Kuroi told me you were coming. I just...
[ She glances away, a slight frown on her face. ]
There's something I need to do first.
[ It's midday right now, and you need to bring Riko to the Tombs of the Star Corridor before the end of the day, so there is time before the merger. However, you also know that Riko is a target, and there are no barriers to protect her in civilian locations like this. ]
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going to talk to this teenager now instead of being objectified for the moment. there's something this is reminding him of but he can't really connect it in his head at the moment. ]
We have a bit of time, of course, though it might be best you stay with us instead of by yourself for the time being?
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she nods along in agreement with gale. ]
What did you want to do...?
[ maybe she can still do the thing, but just have 3 extra people t-posing around her while she's at it ]
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I'm sure between the three of us, we can escort you to and from if you'd like.
[ not that she'd be letting the kid out of her sight, mind. but the freedom of choice is always nice. ]
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She takes a second to bite her lip before replying. ]
I. I just wanted to get something for Kuroi before I went. [ She doesn't seem particularly enthused about opening up to strangers who just chased her around a shopping mall, but also understands that she's essentially their captive. If she wants freedom, she'll need to make a compelling offer. ] She's spent her entire life looking after me, and I wanted to do something for her. While I still have the chance.
[ This is Riko Amanai, a 15 year-old school girl orphaned as a toddler and raised by her maid, Kuroi. She has the exact cursed energy signature required to be Tengen's new vessel, after which she will cease to exist.
As far as you know, she has no intention of shirking her duties if you allow her this one request. ]
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it doesn't strike him as right. though, of course, he had made his oaths already, hadn't he? it's likely not his business. to put one girl above the entire country. ]
Of course. A simple enough request to honor, yes?
[ just agreeing without asking the others. ]
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it's an incredible sacrifice she has to make, at an age so young. it would feel remiss not to grant her one last wish. ]
I don't see why not. Were you looking to buy a gift for her?
[ SHE'S ASSUMING NOT LINGERIE. ]
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but like the other two, hawke is a big softy and would have agreed for them anyway. terrible.
it does, however cause something to tug at her memory, a blurry sense of glowing..... but perhaps she's just stayed up too late playing Lizard Days 3 ]
Well now you've got an extra three opinions for gifts and the like.
[ and speed the process up so they're not stuck out in the open for too long. ]
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Anyway, Riko just looks at them being soft at her with a dubious expression. ]
Can you all be normal long enough?
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[ you are being so unnormal, girl. ]
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