bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 25, 2023 14:42:51 GMT -7
At this point Izumi is following silently with an upset look on her face, well more upset looking than usual If only i was stronger or smarter i could help those two out in this situation She groans cursing her own inability Well marinating on it won't do me much, the most I can do is be obedient for now
She glances back at the rest of the group once again 4, 8, 10, and then 11 including me. That woman and this guy seem to be the only one taking any kind of responsibility in this situation. Though I suppose everyone else is like me and have no expertise or strength here... That I know of at least She makes the excuse in her head Well those two wouldn't know if they had either but they at least stepped up She groans once again cursing her lack of initiative "Well ideally we won't need to take any action in the first place but that's no excuse either" She thinks aloud
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 26, 2023 7:23:00 GMT -7
The woman in front of her hadn't so much as looked back towards her, keeping her focus on whatever was ahead. Nym had found herself staring at the back of the black armoured form, trying to see past the short brunette hair that covered any sign of expression. Something about this entire situation was...odd. She knew that the individual was wearing a plate armour suit that allowed for mobility, knew that the woman carried a longsword at her hip that was likely as deadly as it looked - and knew that the woman carried herself in a manner which bespoke the fact that she could use both to her utmost capability. But how do I know that? I mean, I know it...but how?
"Hey...do either of you two remember anything? From before? The Tower, I mean. It's...like it's all fuzzy. I can remember certain things, but...not much, and nothing of real use, I think." She didn't look towards Skinsuit or Schoolgirl as she spoke, keeping her focus on the armoured woman leading them. She wanted to see if the woman would react, in any way, to their conversation. Nym found herself ever so disappointed as the woman continued on, as if nothing had occurred. "Would be nice to know where we're going, as well...you know, so we can prepare ourselves..."
Again, no response. Nym found herself becoming concerned about that. It wasn't that she was frustrated - although, it would be hard not to be in this situation, wouldn't it? - it was simply that she found it oddly out of place for someone to ignore them this much, while also leading them to... Where? That's always the roundabout question, isn't it? Where are we going? Where is this woman leading us to? Why are we here? No answers came to clarify her questions, leaving nothing more than further confusion.
At least the city is...nice. The buildings they passed were stonework in design, simplistic and reminding Nym of a place she had visited before. Not that she could remember exactly where that was, but somehow the buildings looked familiar in a way. Just another useless feeling that explains nothing and clarifies even less. She sighed to herself, pushing the thought aside as she realised it was useless. For now, they could follow their guide. Then, they would figure out what needed to be done.
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Post by liqueur on Apr 26, 2023 8:31:02 GMT -7
It took a few more seconds than usual for Lukas to become aware of the question that the purple-haired girl had asked, due to him busily surveying the layout of the city. There seemed to be a motley mixture of civilians in plain clothing, militia in an assortment of gear, and the regular soldiers. Although most seemed to ignore them, he bet there would be more than enough willing to contain them if they tried to wander off or escape.
He turned his attention back towards the girl, merely letting out a faintly amused breath before leaning briefly forward to rap her lightly on the forehead with one knuckle.
"Civilians are not privy to classified information." Even though the fragmented and isolated information still lingering in his mind would probably be of use to no one, he knew he shouldn't tell civilians anything about himself...For some reason.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 26, 2023 9:24:29 GMT -7
"What is this foreign place? Though everything is foreign if I don't remember where I came from" Izumi mumbles to herself observing the town as they pass through
Izumi stops grumbling to herself for a moment to answer the woman's question Do I remember anything? Well I remember language and basic etiquette but that's probably not the answer she's looking for After marinating on it for a few more seconds "I remember my name?" Is all she manages to come up with "...Yeah that's about it" She sighs
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 26, 2023 10:37:05 GMT -7
A name. That was something to jump on, perhaps it would even be one that Nym would recognise. Skinsuit seemed far less welcoming to the idea of sharing information, not that Nym could blame him. Or could she? Any less decisive and you'll start to question...well, everything. Not that she wasn't already doing that. For now, however, she jumped on what little information she could obtain - anything that might lead her towards her past, before the tower.
"A name is a good start. Mine is Nym. How about you two?" Schoolgirl and Skinsuit were definitely the most verbal, the others hovering a few steps away and refusing to look at her. They were likely not going to engage in any of this conversation, unless prompted to with force - something that Nym wouldn't even consider doing, unless absolutely forced. At least we can start by introducing ourselves. That has to be something, right?
"Aside from that...I don't really remember anything of relevance to my past. There's...pieces of information that seem to hover at the edge of my mind, but they slip away as soon as I try and grasp it. Is it the same for you two?" She figured it would be, but she figured confirming it would be most beneficial. For some reason, she kept a closer eye on Skinsuit's reaction to the question, something about his personality so far making her wonder if there was more there. It's the way he looks at the world, maybe? The way he seems so on edge. Then again, aren't I on edge? I mean, I'm not really...comfortable. She gave a flick of her hair, throwing on a slight smile before a look of confusion flashed across her face. "Huh...my hair's...purple. That's...not a common colour?"
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Post by liqueur on Apr 26, 2023 10:49:14 GMT -7
After mulling over the query for a while, Lukas inclined his head slightly. "..You may refer to me as Lukas for the time being." Although it may be a bit risky to go against his instinct, a name should be safe enough to divulge. These two seem to have the most composure thus far, at least.
When she commented on the strange emptiness in her memories, however, he did blink a bit. So the others also suffered the same effects. It didn't seem unique to the tower, so a more permanent effect. Perhaps a surgery or modification? He absently brushed one hand over the other, tracing a faint pattern of what looked like burn scars.
However, he did break out into a soft chuckle when Nym seemed to realize her own hair color's peculiarity. "Purple hair is not common." Of course it wasn't. Unless it was dyed. But...How did he know that? The information was given easily enough, but when he tried thinking back to any source, it flitted away.
His expression grew a hint annoyed at the blank spots he kept drawing from, before smoothing back into an expression-less facade. Best not to show anything the locals could hse against him.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 26, 2023 10:59:26 GMT -7
"Ah, of course. My name is Izumi I..." She pauses I? I-what? I swear I could remember an I-something but now it's all blurry "My name is Izumi" She corrects herself "Pleasure to meet you Nym, Lukas" She bows her head slightly to them before Nym gave a confused response to her own hair "Did... Did you not know it was purple? That seems like a pretty noteworthy thing to forget" Not that she could help it she sighs
"Other than that... Nothing really. I think I was just a student but that's only based on this outfit" She looks down at her clothes again This is a school uniform right? But why can I remember that? I know that i'm wearing a uniform but I remember nothing about school? She pulls at her bangs while thinking but then just lets out another sigh "That's all I got" She shrugs
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 26, 2023 11:46:52 GMT -7
How could she forget? Had she forgotten? More just...surprised? I feel like I've known that it was purple, all from the start...but maybe that's just my memory? Was I just surprised to notice it, after all this time? Whatever the reasoning, she figured commenting on it wouldn't do them any good.
Just as she had expected though, Skinsuit - Lukas, he'd said his name was - had shifted at her question about their memories. It was subtle, so subtle that she would've missed it entirely if she hadn't been focusing on him. Those marks on his hands...burn marks? What from? Some sort of fire, perhaps? Maybe some incident in his past? Doubt he'd remember it, then... The Schoolgirl had introduced herself as Izumi, before starting to say something else. Just like Nym, however, the girl seemed to be at a loss when it came to her memories. Same look. As if something was just within grasp, and then slipped away...something's going on here, and I'm going to figure out what.
"Pleasure to meet you, Lukas, Izumi. I wish it was under better circumstances." Did she? Or was she just saying that to be polite. Not that it mattered, they had met here and now, and that was all there was to it, really. "I think...for now, we'll simply have to try and figure out where we are, before we can figure out what happened to us. Present, before past. Focus on keeping moving, and everything will be alright."
She had no idea where those words had come from, but they felt right in the moment. The brunette leading them had turned another corner, disappearing from sight for a moment as the remainder of the group moved to catch up. Nym had lengthened her gait ever so slightly, pulling a step ahead of the other two as she turned to the left around the corner, coming in short - and almost running directly into the brunette as the black-armoured woman stared at her, a slight smile on her face. Beside her was a small walkway leading up to a building, a single story building that had a sign out front. Red paint, barely visible and clearly worn, stood out from the wood sign pegged into the ground.
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 26, 2023 11:46:57 GMT -7
"Gregoire's waiting inside." A single sentence, spoken with a tone that seemed almost friendly. The brunette seemed to wait for a few seconds, eyeing the group, before simply turning and leaving. She paid no heed to any calls toward her, continuing her strut down the roadway before turning a corner and disappearing from sight.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 26, 2023 12:20:12 GMT -7
"The red moon volunteer army... But-" The moon isn't red she almost says aloud before feeling the need to stop herself from stating the obvious "So will this Gregoire person be the one to answer our questions?" She asks despite knowing she won't get any answers "We probably also need to get work if we don't want to sleep on the streets so maybe we should ask about that?" She suggests feeling like she should contribute something even if only through these simple observations
"Though if possible maybe I can use me being a student to get out of work" She chuckles dryly, her neutral frown shifts into more of a sinister smirk which she quickly tries to distract from by coughing and covering her mouth "Well... Should we head inside?"
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Post by liqueur on Apr 26, 2023 12:25:23 GMT -7
All Lukas gave in response to the two girls was a noncommittal nod, although inside his head wheels were churning as he committed new information to memory. He blinked slightly in confusion as they arrived at what could be charitably called a spartan building, however, inspecting the sign. Initially, he'd merely given a faint huff of disbelief. Volunteer Army? Obviously this is a conscription initiative....Or was it? Truthfully speaking, there had been no direct attempts to force them to do anything beyond a veiled threat or two. Technically, they could have headed into the city...
A speculative gleam entered into his eye as he glanced around, which faded once he saw Izumi and the others. No, most likely they would only catch him, and besides, it would be desertion to leave civilians in a possibly hostile area. Reluctantly, he returned his gaze to the sign.
Red Moon Volunteer Army...He knew he could fight. He'd trained in it, although it had been incomplete. How he knew that was still unknown, but there would probably be weapons and armor there. He waa still unarmed and vulnerable. First order of business would be to secure arms, and money. He had a few of those strange silvers in an interior pocket, but it probably wouldn't be enough...
Eventually, after mulling things over, he headed into the building, nodding for the others to follow if they wished.
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 26, 2023 14:53:39 GMT -7
There was hesitation, each of them considering their options. It was clear that they were expected to head inside, to find out what awaited them. Nym paused, considering. She had little to go on, little to consider. Little to...well, decide. What are my choices here, anyways? Stand out here, and debate what could possibly happen if I went inside and saw what was to be...well, seen? Or just go in? I mean, it's obvious, when you stop and think about it. She hated that she was right, but there was something nagging at her, pulling at the edge of her mind in a way that reminded her that she still didn't know entirely what was going on.
Lukas had stepped forward the same time as Nym, and she paused long enough to let him step through the doorway first. The man had nodded to the others, as if signalling for them to follow - if they so chose to do so. Nym didn't hesitate any further, following inside towards the light. The interior was, as far as Nym was concerned, fairly basic. To her left was a winding staircase that led into a second floor, hidden away behind a closed door. In front of her, about ten metres away, was a half-height counter, which would come up to around her own waist. Behind it stood an orange haired man, a smile playing on his face as he rested his chin on his hands.
Nym couldn't help but feel a tingle down her spine as the man spoke, her eyes darting about slowly and taking everything in. There was something odd about the entire situation. Something that didn't feel right...and it wasn't just the dangerous aura that seemed to surround the man before her. Nor the way in which this all seemed so...familiar, somehow. I've never been here, and yet I feel like I've been places like this before. How? What is so important about that? Why can't I remember it?
"Welcome, welcome. I'm sure you have many questions. Many, many questions...so many questions, right? Not that it matters. Welcome to the Red Moon Volunteer Army. You're here because...well, you're here." Nym listened as he spoke, watching his movements, trying to figure out what his motive was. The man seemed almost...happy to see them. "I'm here to give you a choice. A rather simple choice, really. You may choose to join the Red Moon Volunteer Army, or not."
"Who are you?" Her voice was strong and confident, even if her mind was reeling. She could feel a looseness in her posture as well, as if she was standing casually, and not preparing to jump at a moments notice. At least I probably look calm and collected to the others? That has to be a benefit in some way or another...
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 26, 2023 14:53:44 GMT -7
"Welcome, welcome. I'm sure you have many questions. Many, many questions...so many questions, right? Not that it matters. Welcome to the Red Moon Volunteer Army. You're here because...well, you're here." The orange haired man paused, glancing at each of the newcomers in turn. His voice was calm, controlled, and higher pitched than one would expect based upon his appearance. There was no doubt that his expressions, and his general posture - leaning over the counter with both hands folded before him - meant that he was dangerous. "I'm here to give you a choice. A rather simple choice, really. You may choose to join the Red Moon Volunteer Army, or not."
His eyes flitted towards the purple-haired woman as she spoke, a glint in them that bespoke a mixture of pleasure and annoyance, an almost conflicting collection of emotions that left no clue as to the true feelings of the man. Instead, he simply smiled slightly wider, clicking his tongue before answering the question earnestly. "Me? Well, I'm Gregoire. The Commander of the Red Moon Volunteer Army, and the one giving you the choice to join it. What more could you possibly need to know?"
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Post by liqueur on Apr 26, 2023 15:13:17 GMT -7
Lukas....Frowned. Orange hair was most certainly not common either, and funnily enough it didn't seem dyed. Something faintly....Nagging tugged at the back of his mind. He'd seen people both like and unlike them before. They were not supposed to be....Good. Esper. Anomalies. The intrusive thought was as gone as quickly as it came, leaving him with a faint frown of unease. "You are attempting to recruit civilians into a military enterprise. And I do not believe most of them are of the same nationality as the one whom you fight for. That is considered a crime under....." Under what again? He trailed off, uncertainty darting through his expression. After a moment, he decided to set aside the legality of the issue for the moment in favor of obtaining information.
"If I do not accept, then what? Would I be bound to the laws of the nation which I find myself in? What would my legal status be? What rights and protections would I possess, and what obligations would I take if I were to join this...Armed force?" Lukas quizzed the man, probing to see if he would receive any answers to his questions. He had little intent to sign up with a foreign army unless it was necessary in some manner.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 26, 2023 15:31:10 GMT -7
Izumi followed shortly behind the duo and after hearing Lukas throw an array of legal questions at the man she's left stunned for a moment He seems upset, such a thing seemed impossible a minute ago She quietly hums to herself for a moment before stepping forward
Izumi decides to ask some simpler questions that everyone else could understand since she didn't get most of what Lukas was talking about "So Mr Gregoire I only have four questions. Where are we, what happened to our memories, what are the benefits to joining this army And as Lukas what would we be doing as your armed force?" She asks, her tone much more dry and flat then before Am I losing my voice? She wonders the tone surprising her more so than anyone else, not that it shows on her face at all No That's probably just my serious voice She concludes
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 27, 2023 8:38:30 GMT -7
"Nationality? A crime? A crime under...what? Did you forget what you were thinking? That happens, you know." The orange-haired man seemed to smile at that; somehow both taunting and sympathetic in its appearance. He glanced between the group, before taking out a collection of necklaces. Chains rattled slightly as the necklaces were laid upon the counter, slowly pulled apart until they were neatly displayed for all to see. Each necklace carried a leather-wrapped tag, reddish in colour with a symbol of a crescent moon on its face. Once they were lined up - eleven in total - for the group to see, the orange-haired man looked back up from his work. "Your choices are this; you may join the Red Moon Volunteer Army as Volunteer Soldier Trainees...or you may leave. I won't stop you. In fact, no one will stop you. You are free to choose as you wish."
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 27, 2023 8:45:03 GMT -7
Nym stood there, staring at the orange-haired man, trying to figure out what was going on. The others were asking questions, about where they were, who he was, what was going on - and none of it was being answered. She frowned ever so slightly as she considered what was happening. He's not going to answer a damned thing. Is he enjoying our cluelessness, or is this part of something else? Perhaps this is...I don't know, how it always goes? He had those necklaces prepared...as if this isn't a first time occurrence...
Nym didn't hesitate any longer, striding forward and picking up one of the tags. She lifted it and let it fall over her head and down onto her neck, before looking towards the man once more. She knew only one thing about him - his name. Gregoire, if she was remembering it right. "You're not going to provide us with anything useful, are you? No information that could help us in any way? We just have to...what, figure it out for ourselves?"
Gregoire gave no response, simply smiling at her question ever so slightly, his lips parting in a way that reminded Nym of a dangerous smirk. She sighed, realising that she'd guessed accurately. "Fine."
She turned to the others, shrugging ever so slightly. "I've made my choice, you can make yours. But I get the feeling that if we don't join up...if we don't become involved in...whatever the hell this is...well, then life is going to be extremely difficult for us. Best to know what you know, and do what you know, than be left in the dark."
She passed the group, heading out to the exterior and down the main path. She stopped at the end of it, turning back to glance up at the building, waiting to see if anyone would follow her.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 27, 2023 9:52:07 GMT -7
Izumi follows shortly behind Nym having quickly decided to take one of the necklaces herself. She's wearing a much broader frown than usual I wake up without memories and ten minutes later i'm a soldier. How foolish are you Izumi? How could this have been a good idea? She's quietly grumbling to herself before noticing Nym waiting at the end of the path
"Are you waiting for someone?" She asks stopping before she walks past her Maybe she's waiting for Lukas, she didn't really talk with anyone else. Well excluding me that is "I was going to head into town and ask around for help, That seemed very routine so surely there are others like us that could give us some advice" She explains having reached that conclusion during the conversation (or more so lack thereof) with Gregoire
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Post by liqueur on Apr 27, 2023 10:09:20 GMT -7
Several more seconds passed as Lukas deliberated. These foreign citizens...This foreign country...He held no allegiance to them. This he was certain of. However, he was unsure about the others in the group, what duties he held towards them. His first inclination was to refuae this offer and make his own way...But to do so without information would be foolish. And if this was an army...There would be weapons. Armor. Vehicles and artillery. Siegecraft, not artillery. Cavalry, not vehicles.
He blinked, slightly off-guard by the haphazard corrections his memory had made to his assumptions. What was artillery, again....He'd already forgotten. He would likely have deliberated further if the two girls hadn't accepted so quickly. Leaving civilians was unacceptable, especially if they were in a dubious paramilitary organization. Suppressing a growl of annoyance, he slipped a necklace off the counter and instead wound it around his left bicep, turning it into an improvised arm-band. That seemed more...right, to him. He'd worn a badge in the same way before...
Walking after Izumi and Nym, he merely frowned at both of them, not quite sure if to tell them off or not.
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 27, 2023 12:10:51 GMT -7
Nym wasn't surprised to see Izumi follow her out first. She refrained from giving the girl a smile - not quite yet, at least. It wasn't until Lukas had joined them, his own necklace wrapped around his arm in an odd way, that Nym finally relaxed slightly. Her smile bespoke a tinge of exhaustion - a feeling that she was sure the other two were feeling to some degree. Arrived in a new place, no memories, no understanding of what's going on, and signed up for an...army? Whatever this is. All within a couple hours. That's gotta be historical in some sense...
"Alright...so we're here now...now what? You mentioned trying to find some information around town, Izumi. Probably a good idea. But we also don't know what we're walking into, right? I mean...this guy seemed relatively welcoming...sort of." She nodded back towards the small building and Gregoire, a slight frown crossing her face for a second before shifting back into a smile. She needed to stay positive, keep them going forwards. "Not so sure the rest of the city will be. I mean, I would be annoyed if someone came up asking me who they were and what they were supposed to do, right? Like, as if I know?"
She shifted her gaze around. The city itself was busy, people passing them by even as they stood at the end of the building, trying to figure out their next path. Nym noticed that those passing them by would given them odd looks; not quite hostile, but definitely gazes that seemed to hint that the three of them were out of the ordinary, somehow. It's the clothing. We're dressed weirdly, aren't we? She looked down at herself at the thought, realising that she really was dressed differently from everyone else.
"So...do we split up and return here, or go together?" She was still staring down at her outfit even as she spoke, her words carrying an air of distraction to them as she tried to collect her own thoughts, to figure out something.
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