The Bear Woke Up?!

[wipeyourtears]

Characters: Kintaros and you!
Setting: 4-08, then wandering the floors looking for people
Format: Starting with prose, but I can match
Summary: Kintaros is disconsolate and in disbelief.
Warnings: None, really, but an upset big bear guy running around.


Being frozen even for so short a time upon waking is a new experience for Kintaros. He waits it out, staring at the ceiling, then slowly, stiffly sits up with a grunt.

He starts to ask himself what's going on, but stops as he realises his bulky frame is crammed into some sort of bodysuit and that he is in a strange room he doesn't recognise. The whole picture is doubly puzzling since the last thing he remembers is sending the DenLiner off while he stalled the Imagin army. The suit is a terribly itchy thing, all his fur flattened under it; he reaches for the neckline to pull it off and finds a collar in his way. He scowls, confused by its presence, and promptly tries to rip it off. To his surprise, it doesn't give, not even in the slightest.

"What the–?" Because he wasn't giving it his best effort the first time, he tries again. And again. And once more, with both hands this time. Same results. Mildly irritated and unsettled, he hooks his fingertips under the edge of the suit and unceremoniously peels that off, tearing it in places where his claws and shoulders catch in the fabric. He doesn't feel much better for the release of the effort and gives the collar another awkward tug. Then he finally spots the letters on the nearby nightstand. The first one he picks up gives him an idea of where he's awakened, at least, but not how he arrived here. He carefully refolds it, mindful not to tear the paper, and sets it aside, then opens the second letter.

For a long moment, he stares blankly at the words on the page, not making a sound. They don't quite sink in at first, the immensity of their meaning a little too much. His hands begin shaking.

Your world has been destroyed.

"But…" he blurts out only to fall silent again, his voice catching in his throat. His face burns; his heart aches; tears sting behind his visor. It can't possibly be, can it? Ryoutarou is a strong young man, growing stronger with every moment that passes. Surely he succeeded in stopping Kai. Surely, Kintaros tells himself, leaving Ryoutarou and the DenLiner wasn't for nothing. He knows his friend's heart; therefore, the letter must be a lie. But if so, why is he here? What happened to the others?


Once the numbness of the letter's revelation wears off, Kintaros is upset. Deeply so. Letter clutched in one fist, he leaves his room on a mission. He keeps an eye out for someone else, anyone else, as he aimlessly wanders. Anyone here must be able to answer his question, he reasons. It's a simple question.

He doesn't think about how he must look, lumbering along with his hands tight at his sides, grim expression on his face. Or what impression that will make on anyone he encounters.

Comments

[heavenscorpse]

V/V's mood has improved a little since she was reassured that all might not be lost. She's still not doing her best, but she's well enough to go exploring the tower.

She's not easily frightened of people. When she spots Kintaros, she walks right up to him. "Excuse me."

[wipeyourtears]

It's Kintaros who comes up short when V/V approaches him. He's used to being the blunt one.

"Ah– yes?" His train of thought goes right off the rails for the moment as he peers down at V/V. He's never seen a human with wings.

[heavenscorpse]

"Do you know much about this tower?" V/V asks, frowning a little in concern. "I'm new here, so if you could tell me anything, I would appreciate it."

[wipeyourtears]

"…Actually… I only just woke up," Kintaros says slowly and apologetically, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand; he tries not to linger on the collar. Perhaps he shouldn't have assumed everyone here would be more aware of the situation. "I only know what was in the letters– ah?" He looks at the only letter he's holding.

He'd forgotten he left the other in his room.

He looks to V/V again and an idea strikes him. No, she didn't wish anything of him, but he hardly needs a contract to offer his assistance. He extends his empty hand to her.

"Shall we find out together?" he asks.

[heavenscorpse]

Without hesitation, she takes his hand. "It's better to stick together in a new place, isn't it?" She smiles, trying to be reassuring. "I'd love to go with you."

[wipeyourtears]

Kintaros returns V/V's smile and chuckles.

"A fine plan," he says agreeably. He still has no idea why he's here, nor has his question found an answer, but there's a sense of comfort in not being quite so alone. He straightens his back and looks around. He'd clasp his chin in thought, but V/V still has hold of it and he doesn't attempt to break contact. "Where to?" he wonders, speaking to himself aloud. "The letter mentioned a cafeteria, didn't it…?"

Perhaps they'll find others along the way, he thinks; such is the way of journeys.

[heavenscorpse]

"I think that's supposed to be on the bottom floor. I haven't been there yet." V/V looks determined. "Let's go."

[wipeyourtears]

"Right." A pause as Kintaros looks around and gets his bearings. How far is it to the bottom floor, anyway?

Well, they won't know until they get going. He promptly starts for the staircase, and though he doesn't try to hold onto V/V's hand, if she doesn't let go of his, he might accidentally drag her along.

[heavenscorpse]

She lets go after being tugged a bit and follows him along, starting to make conversation. "What's your name?"

[wipeyourtears]

Oh! He forgot introductions! Kintaros stops in his tracks and turns around.

"Ah, forgive me," he says, slightly embarrassed. He cracks his neck with his free hand now that V/V no longer has hold of it and adds proudly, "Kintaros. And you, miss?"

[heavenscorpse]

"V/V," she answers with a small smile. She's beginning to expect the odd looks when she gives her name. "It's nice to meet you, Kintaros."

[wipeyourtears]

Kintaros hardly has room to make a fuss about names!

"A pleasure," he rumbles sincerely before turning again to the stairs. He has no idea what really awaits him in this place. It's exciting in a way.


((Did you have a preference for floors to stop at along the way, or monster encounters? And I'm sorry my tagging has been slow. Work's a bit crazy these days.))

[heavenscorpse]

V/V follows him closely. Every time they enter a new floor, she pauses on the stairs to take a look, then hurries to catch up with him again.

[I'm fine with whatever works for you, and don't worry, I'll backtag into oblivion.]

[firstofthefallen]

As far as creatures go, Lucifer had seen wilder, and some would say more intimidating, than Kintaros. In the end he was far from intimidated as Kintaros approached him in the hallway, and in fact stopped for a moment.

"Can I help you?"

[wipeyourtears]

"Is this true?" Kintaros demands, barging right up to Lucifer and holding up the rumpled letter for viewing. He points to the five words that keep eating at him. He adds, tense, "Do you know if this is true?"

He hopes it isn't.

Because two bears are better than 1

[100percentteddiefur]

Well, Teddie was still wearing his white suit, if only because he still thought it was cool. He had met his friends the other day so he was okay now. Some of them weren't here but they were safe at home, Sensei assured him.

But he finds himself colliding into a very big man as he turns a corner. Stumbling back, Teddie pouts looking at him. "Owwww, hey careful! I'm very delicate."

Enjoy him.

Good thing I don't have unbearable allergies to all the fur.

[wipeyourtears]

Kintaros almost doesn't register the thump of collision; it's barely a brush to him, but he pauses all the same, at least aware that he's hit something. Someone.

"Ah! My apologies!" he blurts out, promptly trying to right Teddie as carefully as possible.

That would be truly Embearrassing if you did.

[100percentteddiefur]

Teddie continues to pout, but smiles once again after the man apologizes. But he could probably milk this act for just a little. "My poor body. I think I've badly bruised~" he says this with his usual over dramatic woeful voice.

[wipeyourtears]

With the deepest and utmost sincerity, Kintaros asks, "Do you need a doctor?"

He has thrown people onto rooftops and knocked them off buildings by hitting the building. It's hardly inconceivable he might have accidentally hurt this small fellow. It is, however, deeply upsetting. He looks Teddie over for obvious injuries and makes fretful noises.

[100percentteddiefur]

Okay, Teddie soon tthinks this has gone on long enough. Did this guy actually believe him? Yeah, looks like he did. "Whoa, I as just kidding there. No need to lose your bearings."

[wipeyourtears]

"Ah? Kidding?" Kintaros stops just short of scooping Teddie up to carry him off to a doctor. "You're unhurt?" he asks, quite relieved to hear it. He nods, adding, "Good," before standing straight. "My apologies. I was looking for someone to–"

It hits him rather like one of Ryuutaros' slaps. He leans down again, trying to look Teddie eye to eye.

"Can you tell me if this letter is true?" He shakes the offending missive still clutched in one fist.


((Sorry for the slow tagging. Work has been crazy.))

[100percentteddiefur]

"Yeah, of course. I didn't think you'd believe me!" Teddie sounded mildly impressed by this. Why? Because he normally couldn't get people to buy that kind of act, well except maybe Kanji.

The boy craned his head up though when Kintaros looked down on him. "The letter? You mean the one about or worlds being destroyed?" Teddie asked curiously. But he shook his head. "I'm not so sure. Sensei believes that our worlds aren't gone though so that's enough for me!"

[wipeyourtears]

Kintaros can be… gullible sometimes. But he means well.

He doesn't answer Teddie right away on either count, though he nods. If the little fellow was being dramatic, well, it's done with and nothing Kintaros does will change that – though he could say a few stern words. The time doesn't seem right, however. Teddie's reply isn't quite reassuring or definitive enough to leaven Kintaros' spirits. The positivity helps, though.

"Hn." He scratches his chin thoughtfully. "And who is this teacher of yours?"

[100percentteddiefur]

"He's a really good friend of mine. He helped me grow a body!" To those who didn't understand the context this probably sounded weird. But to some Personaheads this probably would be legit knowledge. "Do you want to meet him?" the little bear asked.

[wipeyourtears]

Kintaros only looks the way he does because someone else imagined him that way, and he only has a physical body because of a wish. Though he thinks the way Teddie describes it – growing a body – is strange, he comes from a world full of strangeness. It's easy to leave for another time.

"May I?" He supposes it's possible Teddie might be in on this somehow, but he doubts it. Kintaros prefers to find the best in people and he feels that the young man before him is mischievous more than malicious.

And he can fight his way out of pretty well any situation he thinks can come of this place, should things go pear-shaped.