[02] [open] nemesis identified

[usarinpa]

Who: Mizuki and YOU [open]
Where: The wilderness, a ways from Aldrip in an out-of-the-way little cave (Not Lorentia)
What: In which Mizuki finds out she's been alone all along.
Warnings: Spoilers for AI, IDK—will add if any become relevant.

[ There are thin tire tracks starting at the inn that head out and away from Aldrip today. Curious, isn't it? Were they there before? Have you even seen a motorbike here in Aldrip since you woke up here?

If you're keen to find out, you will follow a trail that is just long enough to make you wonder whether you should turn back. Keep with it, however, and you will find yourself at a small cave nestled in the mountains, the opening of which is surrounded by trees. ]


👁️ i. He was the Universe

[ Perhaps you'll see the bike first. It sticks out like a sore thumb. But walk a little further and inside the cave, there's Mizuki, asleep on the cave's dirt floor.

Her hair is messy with sleep. There is a hair piece that sticks out against her cyan locks, standing out almost as much as her bike does in the wilderness. In her hand is an empty, decorated box with a note attached that wouldn't look out of place in a trash can, as it is. Meager remnants of the few good things that have happened to her here, now that she can't go back.

A subtle, unpleasant odor lingers in the air, reminiscent of a wet dog or wild animal that's no longer there. Somewhere beside her sits her pipe, and at her waist, there is her holstered Evolver. ]

👁️ ii. Ought to Know

[ Alternatively, the trail is still going. Eventually, footprints start to appear in the dirt next to the tire track, suggesting that Mizuki has started walking. Catch up to her, you'll find that her back is to you and she is dragging her bike alongside her.

Why? ...Well, technology continues to be fickle, apparently.

Watch her for long enough and you'll see her stop and try to start it again. Instead, there's that all too familiar, insufferable buzz that makes her cover her ears. Her mouth opens, like she's groaning, but the noise that escapes, if there had been any, is easily swallowed up by the rustling of leaves and the buzzing of insects.

Once that passes, she can be seen pulling out a piece of parchment from her pocket—a map. ]

▶ ooc/wildcard

[ Due to trauma, Mizuki will be aphonic/unable to speak temporarily! Sorry about that. She will still be writing things in the dirt or on the back of her map, probably, and if I feel it's appropriate, I may give her back her voice midthread.

Enjoy the introduction of her shiny new bike, and please feel free to reach out via PM, on the Discord, or yammdere for plotting/ideas! Thank you! ]

Comments

[parasaito]

[Saito barely has any time to react as the scarf is swung around his neck. When his mind registers what's going on, she already has him trapped. For real, this time.

His pulse automatically picks up when he feels the walls of his throat constrict — and for once, it's not thrill that triggers that response. His hands claw frantically at the indestructible fabric, even though trying to compete against her in raw strength is bound to be a wasted effort. Desperation begins to kick in as the air going in and out of his lungs grows scarcer with every second he wastes struggling.

The thought of reaching for his knife crosses his mind. But at this rate, if she keeps pulling tighter and tighter as she seems dead set on, he might end up with a crushed windpipe before he can even reach inside his coat. A hint of horror colors his expression at the grim realization that there's literally nothing he can do to make her snap out of her trance, but plead. As pathetic as that is.

So this is how it feels like to be on the preyed side?]

... Mizuki, stop! I— I can't breathe!

[Hurriedly mustering his best, distressed Date-like voice from memory, he manages the words amid disgruntled noises and gasps for air; but the execution still comes out more commanding and artificial than intended.]

[usarinpa]

[ For a second, something cracks within Mizuki. Whether it was his intent or just pure desperation, she really does see Date, and her face visibly winces as she feels her grip loosen. She may have touched back into their reality for a moment, but the reality was that Date was gone, and he dared try to take his place.

She can feel her anger fuel her strength all over again. Just as Saito might feel that hesitation and seek to take advantage of it, Mizuki will shut it down before it even begins, grip tightening once more as she pulls. This time, she won't be satisfied until he stops talking, stops moving. She will watch his breath leave his body and his limbs go weak, but the anger and pain he'd caused does not subside, no matter how hard she tries. She can barely feel the way the tears blur her vision and stream down her face.

Where is that sweet taste of revenge?! It shouldn't feel this way. None of this is right. None of this is right—! ]

[parasaito]

[Saito's knees cave in as the shortage of air only grows. The back of his mind registers the angry drops rolling down the otherwise blank young features of the victim turned aggressor; the majority of his conscious mind, however, is too preoccupied with his own vision getting darker to even think about it — let alone derive any pleasure from the accomplishment.

Realizing his words have little to no effect on her, his vain struggle to free himself eventually subsides, and the sound that escapes his throat resembles more a dry rasp of hopeless laughter rather than a pained groan. Even as his limbs start giving up on him completely, pulling him closer to kneeling down on the dirt beneath them, he makes a feeble attempt at holding onto the girl's shoulders for support.

Still grinding his teeth with whatever strength he still has on his jaw left to muster, he tries to take in a sharp intake of breath to speak. His lips move, but whatever words he's trying to vocalize leave only in the form of incoherent wheezes and groans before his consciousness starts to falter. His body gives in shortly after, letting himself be dragged down by gravity.]

🎀

[usarinpa]

[ It is really a shame Saito doesn't see what happens next. Something plucks at her heartstrings. It wasn't his voice. His words don't quite reach her, or perhaps it was simply delayed, like starlight traveling lightyears. It is sudden like a switch, and Mizuki jumps, gasping as she drops everything—the scarf, and Saito—cleanly onto the ground with a harsh thump.

He doesn't move.

She doesn't move, and for a moment she wonders if she's gone too far. What has this place done to her? What would Bibi say? What would Boss say? And Date...

...Her face twists as she looks at his, and she before she knows it, she is reaching to touch him for any sign that he's still alive. Just before she gets there, though, she can see the slight rise and fall of his chest, and she jerks her hand back, stumbling in the same direction—away from him.

Not that she had much, but she leaves everything behind, and she runs.

She lucks out with her motorbike, which she is pretty sure won't make it through the desert, and makes her way back toward Aldrip. ]