towerofanimus | [004] MISSING (Open)

Entry tags:

[004] MISSING (Open)

Characters: Mihli Aliapoh and you
Setting: Libraries, Cafeteria and lower floors in general
Format: Bracketspam
Summary: Unable to find Tohko Amano at any of her usual haunts, Mihli attempts to investigate shortly before vanishing herself
Warnings: None for now

Library Floors

[It's rare to see Mihli wandering the library within sight of anyone but those she tolerates, but today appears to be a bit of an exception. The usually reclusive General has abandoned her feline tendencies in exchange for being a bit more sociable, if only because the person whom she owes a gift is currently nowhere to be seen, leaving Mihli awkwardly strolling around the aisles with folded crane in hand as she calls out for Tohko but receives only silence as a reply. Before deciding her search is fruitless she'll ask around on the Library floors before heading towards ...]

Cafeteria

[... The Cafeteria! Which is expectantly less packed thanks to the nutritious and delicious menu for this month! Chalky, tasteless and highly suspect "nutrition" bars. Yummy. Mihli's not here for that though, she's too busy searching the tables for Tohko, though it's about now that she definitely suspects something might be wrong and it shows in the urgency of her search, even if she remains calm and levelheaded throughout.]

Floors 02~08

[Third option! Failing the other two investigations, Mihli can be found exploring the lower levels of the Tower, gradually combing the floors for any sign of the Book Girl, but by this point she's not as cordial to be around. Monster blood stains her armor, club soaked in excessive amounts of black fluid as she silently skulks up the stairs and through hallways alike, seemingly injured herself but paying no attention to such superficial wounds while she has a friend to find.]

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[Kain understood and appreciated the value of libraries, and thus had determined to settle himself down today and learn something... although he'd have much rather been learning it from a book. He had been advised that it would be wise to learn to use the terminals, so here he was, sullenly tapping at the keyboard and glowering at the screen.

...and how many times had he heard someone call out that same person's name? The next time the voice drew closer, he rose, craned his neck about, and called out.]

If you haven't found 'Tohko' yet, I suggest you change your strategy! It doesn't appear to be working!

[The sudden call of an unfamiliar voice startles Mihli to attention, her eyes catching sight of the stranger. She's initially a little embarrassed in the fact that she'd apparently disturbed him in whatever he was working on over at the terminal, but perhaps he knew something she didn't.]

Apologies, I hadn't rrrrealized I was being so loud, but have you seen a librarian around? Short, dark hairrr, braided pigtails?

[Now that there's a face to place with the voice, Kain regards it curiously. Was she not quite human, or was it his imagination...? He shifts in his seat, attention on her and posture angled slightly back.]

I can't say that I have. She's one of us, yes? [Giving his collar a quick tug to indicate what he meant by 'us'.]

[Not human at all, Kain! The resemblance is there, but she's obviously extremely cat-like. No fur to speak of save ears and tail, plus everything else seems relatively normal aside from her peculiar accent.

The curiosity in his eyes is something she perceives right away, though it's a look she's used to getting in this place.]

She is. It's not like her to hide somewherrre, or wander too far from her books for that matter, but maybe I pissed her off or something. Only once before in my entirrre life have I met someone as stubborn as that girl... Finding her will be damn near impossible if she doesn't want to be found - but something about this whole situation just smells fishy to me.

[There's still curiosity in his gaze, but it's tapering off quickly. His own world contains unusual things. And she's really not that peculiar.

And there's also the matter of her missing friend. The more he hears, the less he likes...]

I'd be worried that it's less a matter of her hiding, and more a matter of her being hurt. This place is dangerous. Is she the sort that can fend for herself and fight?

[Mihli chuckles dimly]

She can't seem to ever stop reminding me that she can apparrrently fight, but I've never seen it myself. The most I've had to go on is the fact that she's been stuck in this hellhole far longer than me.

If she's been here that long, I'd be inclined to take her word for it.

[He tried to laugh, but it came out as something more like clearing his throat. This matter really wasn't that humorous.]

How long have you been here, out of curiosity?

'Suppose I should.

[She huffs, shifting her weight a bit and placing a hand on her hip as she continues on.]

Still, worrying like this wasn't exactly on my agenda for today but asking for a break is a bit much here, isn't it? I've been trapped about two months alrready, give or take a few days. Never seen your face arround before now though.

In a place like this, I think rest is too much to expect. Hm.

[Two months, is it? His eyebrows lift as he takes that in.]

I arrived about three months ago. But I was... pulled away shortly after I arrived. I woke back up here a few days ago. There's no freedom from this prison.

"Pulled away"?

[Mihli blinks away her contemplative demeanor in a flash, leaning forward and taking a hand to the backrest of Kain's seat as if he would vanish again otherwise.]

To your worrrld? Yet there's no escaping? Explain yourself.

[He looks surprised for but an instant, then immediately averts his gaze. So what he experienced wasn't common? Wasn't that well-known?]

Yes.

[And he would have rather left it at that. But it would do her no favors if he did not explain, even though he would rather stay silent...]

It was hardly an escape. I was returned to my world, and my world was ruined and dead. I wandered it until I could no longer reckon the time. And then I was here once again. [And his gaze returns to her, quick and sharp.] You've not heard of this happening?

[No, this is definitely something she's heard of before, and Kain's recollection of the past pierces through her initial anticipation, eyes suddenly muddled with sorrow.]

I have, but it's nothing I've witnessed myself.

[Something she's got mixed feelings about.]

Heh, it's kinda pathetic. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing Vana'diel in ruins, or never hearing the voices of my comrrrades again... So I pushed the possibility out of mind. I've been so steadfast in trying to find a way out of this mess that I'd forgotten how things truly are.

[She releases Kain's chair with a wry, apologetic smile.]

Guess that's why I'm worried about Tohko.

I pray you never have to.

[He does not elaborate. It is meant in absolute earnest, and meant to stand on its own.]

I did the same, upon arriving here. Now... [He shifts in his seat, head tipping back so he can gaze at the ceiling and consider his words.] ...I cannot deny what I've seen. The "way out of this mess" seems to be to conquer the administrators, and find a way to strike back at whatever did this to our worlds.

[With his chair released, he settles back to the ground with a faint grin.]

If you'd like, I'll help you search for her.

Tch... I'm sorry. Didn't mean to brring up such harsh memorrries.

[Her eyes drift shut momentarily as she drives back dark thoughts of her own]

You're right though. We've only really got one option in this place, and it's to learrn as much as we can while we wait for our chance to strike. I just wish I'd realized it sooner. At firrst it seemed like something I could conquer on my own, y'know? Some sort of spell or vision, maybe even a dream - I'm not even sure what I thought of it anymore, but the fact was that I was stubborn.

[Mihli recalls Arturia's words as she speaks in a hushed voice, barely even a whisper. This place wasn't safe for such talk - eyes and ears were everywhere, but if there's one thing she's certain of, one thing she knows she has to ask for, it's help. Just like Arturia said, this task is impossible on its own, and without help she won't make it far. So when Kain offers just that - and before Mihli can even find the words to ask - she simply smiles, albeit a bit lopsidedly]

I'm indebted to you, but how would we even begin? Splitting up would help to cover more ground if you're not opposed to the idea.

[She figures this guy can fight. He certainly looks the part at least!]

[He takes her apology with a shrug and rises to his feet. If there's searching to be done, what was the use in sitting about?]

I felt much the same way, when I arrived. [He didn't elaborate on that. Open as she was being, he wasn't sure he was ready for that just yet. She was certainly giving him something to think on...] Don't be too quick to owe me anything just yet. Once I've found her, then we'll see.

[And he snatched up the makeshift spear that had been propped to one side of the terminal cubicle. Oh yes, he can certainly fight.]

Splitting up would seem like the best tactic. How much of the library have you covered thus far?

Mmn.

[Idly, she itches an ear, tail flitting about in irritation. It's not until just now that she really took in the scope of such a task - searching this place floor by floor and inch by inch was going to take... A while. She'd need to enlist others to such a cause, but where would she even begin with that?]

No luck on this floor. My plans were to search from bottom to top. Tohko's usually hanging arrround on the lower levels unless she's sleeping in the dorms - which I've already checked. I'd ask her friends, but she knows so many people that it's difficult to pinpoint a place to start. Least I can be cerrrtain of is the fact that she hasn't been seen for a while now...

[For some reason Mihli trails off, her attention fixated on Kain's lance. It's not until just now that something clicks, and she can't seem to get pull her attention from the knight's appearance]

Wait... Are you a Dragoon?

[She asks with baited breath, her expression confused, yet hopeful]

That can't be. You'rre not from Vana'diel as well, are you?

It sounds like she might have wandered off exploring. Or possibly encountered some trouble somewhere. You should still ask her friends, if you see them. The more eyes on the watch for her, the more likely that she'll turn up.

[And then came her question, catching him by surprise. He had a very Dragoon-like helm on the desk beside him, and wore gauntlets and gloves that matched it... but that was all that had been stuffed into his trunk. He's a bit of a half-dressed Dragoon. But it intrigues him that he'd know what one was...]

No. I'm not from Vana'diel. I come from the Blue Planet. But you say there are Dragoons, in your world?

Yes! The familiarrrity of your helmet had been lost to me initially, but I'm certain of it. I've never once heard of this 'Blue Planet' but the fact that the term exists between both our worlds is a bit more than a coincidence, don't you think?

[Even if now wasn't the time to be dawdling around, she's curious! Up until now there had been no real connection between herself and home, and with Tohko gone that feeling of homesickness was beginning to well up again. Maybe she can can speak with him again, though if anything it'll have to wait for later.]

Anyway, now's not really the time for this, but thank you again for the help.

[Soldier or no, it's not really in her nature to salute anyone who isn't tied with the Empress, and even then, that's just not her style. So she offers Kain a hand]

Name's Mihli Aliapoh. What should I call you?

That's... something interesting, yes. I already know that this tower has someone from a different version of my world. Could yours be an even further-removed version of mine? Or vice-versa? Does the Kingdom of Baron mean anything to you?

[He strokes his chin and frowns thoughtfully as he works through the whole matter aloud. What a strange place this tower could be... but perhaps that's not the most important matter, right now. His hand drops.]

No, I suppose this isn't the time for this. [Smiling, he takes her hand and shakes it firmly.]

Kain Highwind. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mihli, if I may call you that.

Just Mihli's fine, and while I've heard nothing of your "Baron" I'll be happy to discuss the details of our apparrent connection later.

[She smiles]

Thanks again Kain, and try to stay safe. We should keep in contact just in case we come up with any findings, but since this place is so huge it'll prrrobably be in our best interests to swap info. My mailbox number is 0981, that'll be the most reliable method of keeping tabs on me.

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[004] MISSING (Open)

Library Floors

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