add yet another dazed and confused girl to the mix

[humility]

Characters: Aqua! and whoever you deign to throw at her!
Setting: Floors 99, Cafeteria, and anywhere you like!
Format: whichever!
Summary: oh look it's another newbie LET'S GET HER
Warnings: no warnings for now; will edit as needed



[she might have kept sleeping, but Aqua is being reluctantly pulled to consciousness because something feels...off. different. wrong also springs to mind, but that's a relative thing, really. it was wrong for her to be stuck where she was, but ten years being stuck has a funny way of making you adapt and accept.

when she opens her eyes, the starkness of the room is almost blinding, in a way - not to mention REALLY STARTLING.

a room.

and a bed. she's in a bed.

when did that happen.

something's heavy on her throat when she turns her head to look around; she reaches up and feels the collar, and is understandably startled. there are, unfortunately, no mirrors to investigate.

so she gets out of bed. all of Aqua's movements are slow, deliberate, and quiet. she looks around for any sign of life...or, almost preferably, any answers.]



[wow. a whole garden.

getting there with the step teleportation wasn't that alarming, but a whole garden after the bare minimalism of the dorms is, a bit.

Aqua walks around slowly, staring in wonder at each and every plant and touching every one in turn, confirming for herself the reality of them. living things are a wonder to her after such a long time.]



[oh, this is more...immediately familiar. the gentle glow of the crystals is similar enough to the Realm of Darkness, anyway.

it's beautiful, if quietly unsettling. she can't quite put her finger on why until she tries looking into the crystals to see their colors, and just gets a dull headache from the endless fractals.

she may squat down to touch one of the small pools of water, before settling herself as comfortably as possible next to it in order to take another moment to take in what's going on.

this place is crazy. first a garden, now a crystal cave.]



[...okay, this place is nuts.

Aqua stares in awe and confusion at the intricate ball pits, with trampolines and pipes and all sorts of crazy fun.

unfortunately, she's not much in a fun mood, but that doesn't mean the existence of the place isn't fascinating on some weird level. she steps into the first pit carefully, just looking around and peering through the mesh to pits above and below.]



(basically, feel free to choose any floor! one a little safer where conversation is possible, or a more dangerous one you potentially warn her to leave - she's very very warily poking her head into each floor for a second or two at least until she gets tired and just rides the elevator to the cafeteria, so - go for it!

she will also be mostly travelling by the stairs until she goes to the cafeteria.)



[well. it probably only makes sense that after ten years, she'd be hungry.

so. hungry.

thankfully, it's not hard to find the cafeteria. after one look at the layout, Aqua runs over to the NPCs running the place, doling out food, begging them for answers - and getting nothing. frustrated, she takes the oatmeal she's been given and gives up, moving to sit down alone at one of the tables.

...eating is weird. as hungry as she is, she keeps holding a full spoon in her hand and staring at it like she doesn't know what to do, before eating it.]

Comments

101

[terra_nullius]

[The garden is a strange place, both in design and movement throughout. Still, it's outside, and a change of scenery besides. These outdoor floors do much to improve the morale of those stuck inside. He hasn't spent much time on this floor himself, and so he's chosen to wander about, and eventually sit in one corner, simply enjoying the outside air and the quiet serenity of the garden.

Until of course that's broken by the sounds of someone approaching. He opens his eyes, trying to pinpoint the location of the footsteps, looking carefully back and forth.

The person he eventually spies is not familiar at all, but that is hardly unexpected at this point.]

[humility]

[if it turns out that this world isn't hostile, she might like this floor. of course, it remains to be seen - she still doesn't know how she got here, or why. but taking a moment here before really looking for answers shouldn't make a difference.

she was enjoying the aimless wandering until she gets the feeling someone is looking at her. when she turns to look, the color drains from her face and she suddenly feels cold.

it's been ten years, but looking into that face, that hair, those eyes - she remembers the struggle as if that time had only just passed. she's afraid and angry all over again; how could this still be, after all this time...?

but he's only watching, making no move.

maybe... maybe...

Aqua closes the gap between them, frowning deeply and hands clasped to her chest. she stops at a respectable distance, but she can't resist reaching out hesitantly towards him, her guarded expression slipping into something sad and afraid--]


...Terra?

[terra_nullius]

[He's not sure why she's acting the way she is... as though she's afraid. He looks up at her, confusion written on his face. He doesn't know her. Does she know him?

The name she says means nothing at all, falling into the void of his mind with no response. That's not him. He cocks his head slightly, thinking quickly, before responding.

There's no echo to his voice, the duality with which he had spoken to her during their conflict is no longer present. His voice is neutral, with his own timbre and quality now.]

I'm sorry, miss... do you know me?

99

[greyerrant]

[ An enormous figure in grey armor blots out much of the light reflected from the crystals in the cave, and it halts for a moment, after looking at Aqua from behind a red-eyed helm, the voice somewhat muffled and tinny, despite the power and depth which aren't concealed at all. ]

You are Aqua. I... had not expected you to be in this place. You don't remember Hinoto-Ri, do you? And... I don't think you remember me.

[humility]

[the looming armored figure is a little startling, but Aqua tries not to show that - he's not a threat. probably the opposite. so she stands, smiling a little sadly]

I'm...sorry. That name isn't familiar to me, and...you aren't either.

[greyerrant]

[ The giant removes his helm, exposing a craggy, pale face that bears scars, and a sense of sadness about it that his stern expression does not convey well. His eyes are the grey of rainclouds, and his hair is like a silver crown, colored strangely by the cave lighting. It might be blond in normal light. ]

I see. That is regrettable. You can call me... Cerberus. I'm sorry that you're here. This is an unpleasant place, to say the least.

Room 1-03

[wrigurun]

You're new.

[Stated by a voice that came from behind her. If Aqua turns around to address it she'll find Wriggle flopped over the bed she woke up in]

[humility]

[Aqua quite visibly jumps from the surprise, and whips around to face the stranger, halfway in a defensive pose.]

I suppose so.

[her tone and expression are both wary; she's watching closely.]

Is that so strange?

[wrigurun]

[She kicks her legs restlessly]

Not really...

There was someone else here before you but I never really spoke to them. And before the others there were other people too.

So what's you're name?

Cafeteria

[earthshards]

[And lo and behold, as Aqua eats the bland newcomer oatmeal, someone is being a surprisingly sneaky, sneaky person and approaching from behind with his own meal.

The fact that Aqua is eating the oatmeal says it all - this isn't one of the old Aquas, returning to the tower. It's someone new to the tower entirely.

Another reality lost.

When he speaks up, he knows he's going to be surprising her. He doesn't look the same (even though she does - how hasn't she aged at all?), and isn't dressed anywhere near the same... but he hopes he feels relatively the same, though that's a far-off hope.] Once you finish that, I can get you something a little more palatable, if you like.

[humility]

[honestly, she probably tastes more in this stuff than most anyone else, just from a long lack of use for her tastebuds.

...nothing to be done about the texture, though.

the whole place is weird and there's a part of her that's still unsettled, even if the people have been nice enough, the few she's met so far. so she's ready with a smile for the stranger--

but he's not a stranger.

all it takes is a moment: Aqua stands up so suddenly that she violently bumps into the table, knocking it a few inches; the bowl of oatmeal almost tips over but manages to stay upright, but not without some spilling.

she stares, wide-eyed. he's older, with longer hair and a strange coat, but.]


Terra?

[earthshards]

[The surprise... hurts more than he thought it would. Twice now, he's seen that look - the one that says she hasn't seen him as himself in over a decade. Once, he'd shared that same expression.

There's a part of him that wishes she weren't here - that she wouldn't have to live through the things that the Tower, Jason, and Ruana threw at them. But the other half of him...

He nods briefly, and tries to keep a smile on his face. There's a smile on his face that doesn't look at all faked, and with the rest of his expression added to that...

As much as part of him wishes she weren't here, he's far too glad that she is.] Hey. Mind if I join you?

[He can't just stand here with a tray of food all day, you know.]

101

[sicharia]

[By chance, Claudia is the garden as well. She comes here often, because it's one of the more soothing places within the Tower, and one of the few where she feels like she can clear her head and sort through her thoughts. She's half-absorbed in her own musings when Aqua appears on the floor, but when Claudia crosses paths with her, she stops and studies her.]

[She definitely seems to have the manner of someone unfamiliar with this place, with the way she responds to one of the easiest to reach floors here. She picks up on the way Aqua regards each plant with something not unlike awe, but she doesn't comment on it. It seems invasive to ask after that right away.]

[Instead, she smiles gently and says:]

Hello. Have you just arrived here?

[humility]

[she was so absorbed in her thoughts and convinced that she was alone that the sudden sound of another voice makes her jump a little. when she sees the person in question, however, she smiles a little and nods]

Very new. [her fingers drift over the leaves she was touching before being interrupted] ...I haven't seen much, but I admit I'm a bit impressed. I don't remember seeing a place like this before. [realizing that's very vague, she gestures not just at the garden, but the floors below as well.] This whole place, I mean.

[sicharia]

[She nods slightly when Aqua indicates that she means the entire Tower.]

Mm, it's true. It's a very impressive place. But— [Claudia's expression falters, and she shifts uncomfortably, not sure how to say what comes to mind. It's something people should be told, but at the same time, it's not something they should be told callously.] It's not really impressive in the way it seems at first. It's not...

Most everything here is an illusion, even if it feels very real.

[notagiraffe]

Taiki had raided the kitchen for fruit, and had a cup of tea, balancing it all in his hands. He looked around for a table with not many people and looked up at the lady who sat there, "Um... sorry can I sit..." He recognised her all of a sudden and his eyes widened. "Aqua?"

[humility]

[another spoonful of bland oatmeal was halfway to her mouth when Aqua was startled by someone. she blinks at the stranger, trying to place him but ultimately unable to.]

I'm... I'm sorry, I don't...recall meeting you.

[she's frowning, sympathetically sad and a little embarrassed.]

cafeteria;

[chainsawn]

[ There's another girl sitting at a table in the cafeteria. She's not eating from a plate though or what they're serving in general at the moment -- instead she has a piece of cake right on top of her head, the icing dripping down her hair, and she's grabbing pieces off it with her hand and shoving those into her mouth. All with the blankest expression ever. ]

[humility]

[it was the...smell. the strong smell of sugar that caught Aqua's attention, so she sees the girl with the cake--

she blinks.

what to make of such a scene. what to say?

goodness.]

...Isn't that making you sticky?

Floor 99

[sunflowerfairy]

[Yotsuba often came to the crystal floor in order to get more stones for her sling, since the pools of water held rocks that were smooth and of a good size. However, she didn't expect to find a woman sitting near one of the pools, and she smiled as she wandered up to the woman, curious.]

Hello! Are you a good person? Who are you?

[humility]

[she'd been dozing, letting herself be lulled by the calm light, but comes out of it easily to address another new face. seeing a small girl, she smiles, but doesn't get up yet.]

Hello. I'm Aqua. I like to think I'm a good person. [her smile grows a little] What about you? Are you up to something you shouldn't be?

[Cafeteria]

[faithstaynight]

[There's someone watching her as she eats, a slight look at sympathy on her face. While the oatmeal served to those new to the tower didn't disgust her at all - it was actually quite good compared to some of the food she had eaten growing up - she did know that not many people liked it.]

You only need to finish that one bowl, then you never need to worry about eating that slop again.

[humility]

[oh.

Aqua sets her spoon back in said slop before turning to the latest friendly face.]

How so?

95

[keybearer]

[Things Riku had never expected to see today: a grown woman in a ball pit.

Things Riku especially never expected to see: Aqua in a ball pit.

The sight of her propels him forward, not too fast, of course. After all, the last thing he needs to do is trip or freak her out.

So, once he reaches the very edge outside the pit, he'll stop, take a second to catch his breath, and then call out to her.]

Aqua?

[humility]

[WHOA hi yes hello she jumps a little and nearly trips on a ball, but manages to stay upright, grabbing at the net separating one ballpit from another, turning around--

she gasps.]

Riku!

[there's no mistaking him, despite how long it's been since she found herself on that tiny island. even if she hadn't planned that detour, all those years ago, it had to be fate- she felt it then, and the memory stayed strongly with her.

she nearly falls again, pushing balls out of her way as she hurries towards the boy, staring and open-mouthed the whole while.]

You-- [she laughs a little, but it's choked - she stops quickly to hide it] I must have been gone a long time. You've grown so much-!