04 ❥

[requiems]

let's do a thing!
• comment with your character. pick a respondent. any situation, any time.
first meetings, fighting together, first dates, whatever.
identify your universe, though! (original, au, game canon...)
• let's do a psl.
• ???
• profit!!

Comments

Lucina, First Meeting, Persona AU as discussed!

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Man, oh man, did he not miss the rumors that floated around Inaba. Though things have been taking a turn for the better, the rumor mill has been as active as ever, spreading things to speculate on and misconstrue as fact. When he'd heard the ones about the recent foreign transfer student, he wasn't surprised to see the boys talking about her everywhere he went. ...Nor was he surprised at all to hear some of it from Yosuke. It's the Amagi Challenge all over again, and lord knows that nobody ever won that. Except maybe he could, but she deserved someone who wasn't going to be sent out of town.

But he's straying from the topic at hand. What had the teacher said her name was...? Lucina? Yeah, that was it. He makes it a point to make a new connection today, especially since this is someone who's in his shoes, and when class rolls out, he goes out to find her.

Little wonder that he does it when another guy is trying to woo her. Souji sighs as he comes across the mess from afar. He has simply impeccable timing this year, it seems...]

[falchions]

[Rumours spread like wildfire since the first time she walked down the corridors of the school in the company of her homeroom teacher. Many of them were no longer true. Many were based on fact. Suddenly, Lucina had found herself an enigma, to be discovered. Yet no one bothered to ask her nor be forthcoming about it. The female population would either admire her but refuse to connect beyond pleasantries, or refuse to talk to her to begin with. Most of the male population had taken to inviting her out on dates. The first few she turned down with surprise, which gradually shifted into ones more gentle. Eventually, she tried to avoid letting those chances occur. Being so kind about it generally wasn't helping her cause, but she didn't want to sour atmospheres. This, generally, was the only true thing the populace knew about Lucina: that she was a peacekeeper.

Other than that, there were some minor truths. Yes, she was a princess, albeit from a ruined line, and not from what many presupposed about her. It hardly effected her day to day activities other than that she was exceptionally polite and well dressed, but of course that quickly esculated. It was a popular game to play. Many of the girls took to calling her it in a mocking tone. Many of the other rumous had spun from that. Other facts included that she'd insisted on signing up for Kendo, despite it being a boy's club. That she had been to the drama club a few times. That she was often seen in Inaba itself taking part in voluntary work or running charity stalls at Junes. She also seemed to spend a good deal of time at the shrine.

These facts had been convulated into her apparant story and was now far flung from the truth. Lucina had, to an extent, given up on correcting it. Nobody listened to her, anyway. She was not to be touched, an object of affection or hatred.

And here she was, just trying to leave school peaceably and go back to her flat, but no, there's another guy. She recognises this one. He's been lingering around for the past few days, trying to get the nerve to talk to her. It seems he finally has. Same as always, based on what they think they know.

Nobody knows the real her. But that's okay. She doesn't mind, as long as she can do what she needs to do.]

I'm sorry. Truly. But I cannot reciprocate. I must be going.

[The guy looks crestfallen, but Lucina walks. It's only when she's out of eyeshot and earshot that she sighs.

Maybe she is a little bothered. Bonds are important. It was partly her choice to come here, to Japan, to Inaba, but she hadn't expected to be quite so alone. She missed her friends, what remained of her family. Why was it so near impossible to make friends here, too?

She's preoccupied enough that she's not paying quite so much attention as she should be, and is a direct collision course with one Seta Souji.]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[He wasn't any more surprised to see yet another disappointed teen running past him, but then, not very much can really shock him nowadays. He's been around Inaba enough to know that this kind of thing is still common occurrence, thanks to the Amagi Challenge being still ongoing...

But maybe he should at least give the guy a pat on the back. A for effort, and what not. Souji tries to reach out to him, try to give him a talking to as he passes, only to be quickly rebutted once he got him to stop--

--And then promptly knocked, unwittingly, into Lucina's direction, just because he tried to console the last poor sap that tried to win her over.]

Ack--! [That was the only warning he could give.]

lucy, chillin at monteriggioni

[animi]

[ the fleeting moments in between sessions aren't enough to solidify Desmond's sense of self. if anything, these periods of time interspersed between running on rooftops in the 15th century twist and collide to form the beginnings of a dream: every time he finds his fingers flexing for Ezio, as Ezio, walking through his uncle's property, he remembers the streets fallen into a state of disrepair. recalls things that have yet to happen, and the worst part is, there's nothing memorable enough happening in the present to discredit the experience as a dream. when he speaks to the other assassins, it's only for a second. when he goes for a walk, or a run, or a series of jumps and complicated free falls, he's all alone. there's no one to tell him that yes Desmond, this is really happening. there's no one to slap him to wake him up, or prove there's nothing to wake up from.

so tonight? tonight, Desmond decides, will be different.

he's not masochistic enough to ask Shaun. and he knows Rebecca, sweet as she is, will want to stick around to work on the Animus. that's fine. he's pretty sure he wouldn't know the first thing about circuit boards or who even knows what. it's never really been Desmond's area of expertise. which leaves him with one option. not one he minds too much either.

groggily brushing off the blissful post-animus undertow threatening to sweep him under, he stumbles over to the blonde, placing the heel of his palm against her desk. leans forward, silent for a full minute while he gathers his wits about him, not wanting to slur his proposition, then offers her possibly the dorkiest smile that's ever graced the lands of Italy. maybe he'll score some points for being cute. or pathetic. either works. ]

So uh. Nice night, huh? [ what the fuck Desmond, you're like three floors underground with no windows. ] I was wondering, if you weren't too busy I mean, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk. With me. Outside. I mean, if you want.

[crossdarkens]

[It's somewhat become routine. She knows Desmond is up, but unlike the first few days, it's now a case of acknowledgement and continuing with what you have to do, whatever self imposed assignment or research or collaborating data or supply runs. Not often do his hours of rest align with theirs.

Likewise, as she knows Desmond is up she knows when he reaches her desk. Her eyes flicker in his direction for a microsecond, before she returns to what she's doing. It's an e-mail to William, incidently, and she continues typing, waiting. She knows he's going to say something, so her focus is mostly off, but she's giving him the time he needs to say it, half looking at the screen, half at him.

When he does smile though, she's looking completely at him. She may not be willing to admit it outright or ever, but it is sort of, maybe, possibly, cute. Endearing. Christ, Desmond, you make everything planned and presupposed ten shades more difficult when you do that. It almost makes her feel like she belongs. Don't look at her like she's your favourite person. Not with what's to come.

... Then he goes and ruins it with the next thing he says.] I suppose so. [From what she can tell from being several metres under ground, but okay, indulgence. At least he manages to pick up for the next part, though this in turn makes her fall silent.

Should she, really? Should she because of being the Siren? Should she because she wants to? Should she because she still has this blasted e-mail to write to try to pry Bill over to actually listening to her?

She should go. She does sort of want to.

And Bill can wait. He made her wait seven years.]

Why not. I could use a break. [She logs off in one fluid keystroke.] Where exactly did you have in mind? [It's limited, yeah, but, well, let's pretend it's normal and not sneaking around in a forgeign town after dark because that's their only option.]

Milla Maxwell | Canon Mash | First Meeting

[ridethelightning]

[Another day, another assignment. Though this one would be much longer than what Ky usually got. He'd already received his briefing and spoken with the division chief, as well as got his house ready for a guest. It'd be his first time taking a VIP into his direct care, but at least it'd mean some company.

Even though he had to travel halfway across Paris (the IPF branch was located in the 1st arrondisement and Ky's house was in Neuilly-sur-Seine), Ky arrived a few minutes early -- as was typical of him. He was informed that the woman he would be watching over was already there and waiting, though, so he entered the room.

Ky spotted her right away. Hard not to -- she was relatively tall, with gradient hair. Immediately, he bowed politely to her.]

Milla Maxwell, I presume? I'm Captain Ky Kiske. I'll be your steward from here on.

[niakheras]

[Crossing the Temporal Crossroads had been interesting. Especially as, until not two days ago, she had only been objectively aware of its existance. Now, here she was, across worlds, a spirit taken a human form and here, it would be put to use.

There was no particularly obvious reason for coming. Not that Milla knew, anyway. It had been tasked of her, she had gone, received varying degrees of welcome but all were coupled with respect.

Say the name Maxwell and you get a lot of things done quickly, no matter where you are.

Today, she was told to come here. She showed up several hours in advance and had spent much of the time ignoring the structure of the room and its various places designed to sit and relax, instead watching the world past the window. Humans were fascinating, something to be discovered, and here it was no different. She had only once made tracks across the room for food perhaps an hour or so before. She was used to the Four Great Spirits providing her sustinance, but here, they couldn't make the full trip like she could. Food and water, and sleep. How novel.

She looked up when Ky entered, sizing him up and taking the bow with good grace. She herself made no movement.]

Indeed. [She nodded once in affirmation, before apparising him.] You're early, Captain. That's a good start.

[ridethelightning]

[Were this not their first meeting, Ky would have made a comment about how he didn't know that he was being tested. But he refrained from it this time. Regardless, he let his posture adjust into a more natural one, though still very professional, and the look in his eyes softened into a friendlier one.]

Well, of course. I'm sure you've waited long enough already. First impressions aside, it'd hardly be becoming of a man like myself to leave a lady waiting longer than necessary, would it not?

[Ky looked around briefly. He didn't see any bags. That was odd.]

Where are your belongings?

Lucina, Rank 2, Same AU. Let's go-go charity work? 8D

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[It's the weekend -- rather, Sunday. This is usually when he'd lay around, relax, fold up a few paper cranes for the heck of it, maybe go out and have a blast with his closest friends. Or he could be doing more translation work, given how much he'd been slacking on that -- he'd picked up plenty of little side jobs on top of the bigger ones he got. But today would be different.

He had a feeling it would be when the first thing he gets when he wakes up is a phone call -- from none other than the friend he made recently. Souji picks up after a moment of shaking himself more awake, not wanting to sound like a groggy mess.]

Lucina-san?

souji get up the world ain't gonna wait for us to save it, get up go go

[falchions]

[If you happen to look at the time, it's a little after 9am. Well, no, it's about 8:51am. For Sunday, this is an abomination, but if you're called Lucina and you've been up since 5am, well, it's actually quite reasonable.

It's when he picks up after several long rings that it occurs to her she might have woken him.]

I didn't wake you, did I? [She hesitates before continuing, enthusiasm mounting as she goes.] I'm sorry, I- the thing was, I had some charity work today. I had organised a fund raiser, at Junes, but several people have pulled out last minute. If you're busy, I can manage, but... I would appreciate any help.

But it's Sundaaaaaaaaaay, can't he make like Minato and sleep in for a few hours DX

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[He sits up and yawns a little, keeping the phone where it should be.] You did, but...I don't mind. [It wasn't like he'd never been woken up by an important call before. But then, he blinks as he listens to her. Well, that can't be good at all...] No one else is offering to help out?

[He should at least make the situation clear enough before he comes to a decision...though more than likely, even if there was help already, he'd go anyway -- it'd be terrible of him to shirk out on a friend in need.]

Rank 2.5. Seeing the pattern yet? 8U

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Another day in class, another day dealing with Kashiwagi's newest tirade on Lucina, another headache to cradle when school closed out. Yup. This was life in Inaba, alright. He wasn't sure how he went from solving the case, to this...but then, it was no big deal; better to have the majority oblivious and not stirring up a ruckus than to have a gaggle of people just outside your doorstep trying to screw up the truth.

But he had nothing to do, no one to talk with, and Drama Club was closed out today since everyone was busy working on props. So what was left? It took him a moment of thought, but eventually the kendo club came to mind. That's right--wasn't it starting around this hour? And wasn't she there, too? He should at least pay her another visit.

Souji drops by the room they'd made for the fledgeling PE club and steps inside, glancing around.]

[falchions]

[Fledgeling was right. All its members - which were so far a grand total of five, including Lucina - were interested in Kendo, but as it wasn't particularly popular nor in demand, they were pretty much left to their own devices. No coaches.

Fortunately for much of the club, they had allowed Lucina into their ranks. Whilst she had never strictly done Kendo before... she had wielded a rapier, and swords. It was tradition for her house, and so she had learnt, though it was likely it would never see active use.

But it was more than what the others had gained, at any rate. When Souji enters, he will find the four other members sat in the corner, watching her demonstrate some movements.

The blade is unlike a normal one, being wooden, and the intent is different, but even dressed up in the additional gear, Lucina's movemenets are fluid, and poised. It's hardly Kendo that she's doing, but showing how to be at one with the sword, how to have it be an extension of her body.

Swordplay is a forte of hers. For Lucina, she wraps it up into a complicated dance, fluid and graceful. It's hard for any of the members to look away, captivated by each and every movement. It's also worth mentioning that none of those in the Kendo club are in her apparent fanclub or the line of boys checking in for their chances (its unpopularity also means the fanclub hasn't been queing out the door here, either. What would their princess be doing here, of all places?). No, they're largely uninterested in that, uninterested in her, or just don't have the nerve.

But right at this moment, it's hard to deny the grace she has, lost in a world of her own as she spins, ducks, rises, breaking the wooden sword against an invisible foe. It would be difficult for anyone not to stare.]

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[...Perhaps fledgeling was not the only way to describe it -- barren easily fit just as well given how few members there were, and how much space had gone unused at first glance. Barring the rain that pattered against the window, and the sound of footsteps and sword swings filling the air, there was little else going on. Not that it was bad, in this case; it seemed to only make the atmosphere that much heavier, especially as he watched from where he stood.

There really was no denying it -- her skill was impressive, and her talent with the sword great. She'd definitely be helpful in that other world, though there was one issue...

...Not that he'd ever wish this on her, most especially after what had already happened to his friends.

His own footsteps echoed through the room slightly as he moved to get a closer look, sitting himself down a distance away from the other boys. And just like them, he couldn't tear his gaze away from her demonstration.]

Milla Maxwell | Canon Mashup (ToX, Disgaea 4) | First Meeting

[arcadianvampire]

[Prinny Instructor Valvatorez found himself entering the realm of spirits once he stepped through the Dimensional Gate. This had been an odd request; usually the realm was dimensionally locked from demons entering in, but this was not a call for war, nor was it a pleasure trip.

The demon was here on business, in realm that was foreign to him. Fenrich had demanded to come along, but Valvatorez knew well enough that setting foot in this realm might be trouble if there were more than one of them coming. The last thing he needed was a conflict between the Netherworld and the realm beyond. Not when God was a pain in the ass enough as it was.

Still, this fellow no doubt looks out of place, though non-aggressive. He attempts to seek out anyone who might be able to help him in his plight and in his stay here.]

[niakheras]

[The spirit realm is largely the same as Rieze Maxia. A mirror image, a place for the departed to gather their bearings before they took life anew. An echo of prior experiences. So Milla had learnt the last time she was here, devoid of identity, devoid of memories and self. Now, she was here by choice.

She was Maxwell. She had that privilege, that obligation to guide souls, before they were renewed, purified, and reborn.

It was Muzét that had alerted her to the stranger. Largely, those that lived in this realm, for what intervening time they did, had not regarded him. Had assumed he was like them, meant to be here, gaze falling on and past him. No, it was Muzét who had noticed in her observational role, and had sped off to the Hollowmont, to find Milla.

It was not long before Milla arrived, aided by the Four Great Spirits. On inspection, the stranger stood out to her. He was certainly not like the rest in the spirit realm version of Nia Khera. She descends from the path that leads to her shrine, stopping several metres away from him, making it very clear she does see him. Not a threat, nor a demand to leave. Just a simple, yes, I have noticed you.]

You do not belong here. Why have you come?

[arcadianvampire]

[He looks back, and quickly sizes up who addressed him, and gave her a nod in acknowledgement.]

My name is Valvatorez, and I am a Prinny Instructor from the Netherworld known as Hades. I have come here seeking answers. There are rumors floating about that some of the souls set to be brought here with the last Red Moon did not arrive.

I have come to see if that was true. Those souls have earned their right to reincarnation, so if they have not moved on, the matter is very grave.

Rank 3 -- Drama Club!

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Routine. It kept him sane, and also drove him near insane at once.

When the one he made for himself keeps his head on straight even through Kashiwagi's rambling, it was definitely the former. When even that wasn't enough to stop him from showing some visible form of irritation, it was the latter. There was no middle ground to it, especially when the topic was something he was already nine ways irritated about. The pop quiz gave him some form of relief, but even that couldn't curb the little headache he carried as class closed out.

At least the rain stopped as the afternoon came. That, and he'd finally have Drama Club practice today -- that would help immensely with his mental woes. Acting, while it wasn't exactly what his main goal was in life, was still enjoyable. He could at least read a music sheet, but his ability to play...wasn't so good. Nevertheless, it's where he heads off to once he's finally settled in, wondering if they'd cross paths again.

He wouldn't be halfway near surprised if they did.]

where all the drama happens

[falchions]

[Lucina has decided there is one thing worse than being the subject of talk for your peers: being ignored by them.

The challenge is still on, sure, but numbers are dwindeling. Some of those that have been rejected and have not moved on have treated this with backlash, saying it's unfair, she should just pick one, and so on. They even had the nerve to talk about it within her earshot after lunch that day, whilst in class, waiting for the teacher to arrive. Acting like she wasn't there. She should have told them to stop. But she couldn't. It was her own doing, there was nothing to say to them, and it was fuel to the fire.

The only pleasant surprise was one of - just one - member of 3-3 who took the initiative for her and told them all to shut up. To her surprise, they had.

It's not just that, either. Sure, she talks to people at Kendo and club, whilst working, but it's just obligitary conversation. Outside of that they aren't friends, not really, she might wave at her fellow Kendo club members in the hallways but they have their own circles, and those circles aren't so keen to let her in. They're starting to blank her, gloss over her, not give her the time of day save a sneer or a callback. Lunch has become a period of sitting alone on the roof, or in the classroom, or anywhere, but mainly: alone.

And still the rumours won't stop.

It's beginning to wear her down a little. Just a little. Nothing is changing, and that's one thing Lucina cannot stand for.

She tried to hold onto the one friend she had made. The one who stood up for her. But it was difficult, all the same. It's with a heavy heart that she heads to the Drama clubroom - she promised to give some vocal exercises today - and it's not until a long time after they've assembled that she makes it there, opening the door and closing it without as much as a word.

She certainly seems smaller. Less vibrant. But she tries to look neutral, calm, ready to offer, even though eyes bore into her as she enters. Most of the club, she's on good terms with. Most fall into the guys that asked and have moved past it, and girls that exchange polite terms with her. But there are one or two.]

And where Kou gets all the flak 8|

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Drama Club had been more or less what he remembered it to be last year. It still felt a bit empty without Yumi around, but it didn't stop him from continuing in her shoes, from being the big draw when they needed someone to man the main role. ...Except, of course, when the lead was a girl, in which case he shone through his backup role instead. It was the same thing but only slightly worse, something that had gone unchanged by time for the better. There was talk of one girl being a potential replacement while he and only a handful of the members were there, a certain someone that would come in later. But -- there's never something good without a but in the middle -- while there was praise of her ability to direct speech, she herself didn't seem too good at the actual acting.

And when she comes in, he's amongst the first to notice her entry -- and, virtually, the only one to note the subtle changes in her demeanor. He waves from his seat in greeting and offers the spot nearest to him, keeping an eye on the rest of the club. If naught else, she'd at least be in good company; he hoped it would bring her spirits up somehow.]

Rank 3.5, AKA Prelude to Feels Punches, Guest Starring Yosuke OTL

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[> It was raining again.

> Rumors, rumors everywhere...all of them still surrounding your new friend. Though one caught your attention more than the rest -- apparently, she'd been skipping out on school for the last few days. Varying reasons were given for it, like her being sick, or being called off to her home country. Some were less than friendly, like how she apparently couldn't take the pressure and went off of her own volition and preferred it that way.

> You, on the other hand, have this sick feeling welling up...

> It couldn't have happened again...right? It was over as far as you and your friends knew. There was no one who could possibly know about this save everyone involved...no one who could actually do it.

> ...

> ...You decide, for old time's sake, to wait until midnight came, and look into the other world, hopeful. Praying that this terrible feeling was wrong.]

1/2

[falchions]

[It had been raining for two days. Early June showers, the weather said, but that's neither here nor there. Lucina barely noticed. The past two days, she hadn't left her apartment.

It had started the day before that. Rumours had begun to spread, different, malicious rumours. Most were designed to provoke, and as usual, she ignored them. But those spreading them got smart. They whispered to each other in hallways when neither Souji was around, whom they identified as her friend, or those who had defended her in the past. Hanamura, she thinks, given the one time they all lapsed into silence when he entered the room. She wasn't sure, though.

But the main rumour being spread was worse than any of the others. When once, they romanticised her heritage, now they had a new story to tell.

She wasn't a princess.

Her mother was a woman who danced for coins, or had been, until she married in for money. Y'know, her father? He was a war victim. He was a war victim in the war that his father started, Lucina's grandfather. He went to war on those who were innocent and killed them. That was why they were a ruined house. That was why she was at this school. She was running away, she was a disgrace, and look at the blood on your hands. It's despicable she can even show her face.

Please stop. Please.

It shouldn't have got to her. But even if the words were true enough about her grandfather, her parents... that was what got to her. She wanted to change so much but her parents had spent their lives trying and achieved little. And it seemed that, armed with this knowledge, the town would not give her the chance to do the same.

But she didn't have the nerve to ring Inigo and say she wanted to go home. To tell Frederick he had been right to be concerned, to insist on her staying in this apartment. To let her aunt actually embrace her and make all her troubles go away. She couldn't be a child anymore. She couldn't. She couldn't change this place and it wouldn't let her and she would go home a failure she couldn't... she couldn't. But she didn't go to school. She didn't leave. She did nothing. That was the evening it had started to rain.

I don't have to listen to this.

On the second day, she left the apartment block, umbrella over her head. It was a few minutes later that she realised she was being watched. At first, she was going to the shrine to speak with her parents, but a mass of people she recognised in the shopping district, despite the rain, and she returned back the way she came. She wasn't sure if they were trying to follow her, or had noticed her, but she didn't stop to check. She made it back and slammed in her pin code and keycard for the elevator and was glad for small mercies.

I shouldn't have to be here, in Inaba.

Look at her. She was actually avoiding them, now. She actually expected the worse.

She was pitiful.

She ducked her head on the desk, listening, as time passed. She got up, was just about to go to bed, when- the tv flickered.

Usually that wasn't a cause for concern. But something made her stop. It flickered again. She walked over to it. Still nothing.

I don't want to be here.

She was just about to move away when something, implausiable and crazy as it was, reached out and grabbed her arm, and whatever scream or shout of surprise was lost and drowned in a sea of darkness.]

[falchions]

[You thought that rumour was old hat. That it had stopped happening at the end of the past year. Well, if you tune in tonight, you might get something a little... unexpected.

An actual transmission.

At first, it's a little unclear. That's probably because the focus is far too much on that iris, sorry about that, let's just move the camera a second. Right, there we go. It seems there's a field of them, in various shades of purple and some close to blue. This field rolls on, for miles, it seems like, with what looks to be a castle in the distance. Or a grand manor, it's hard to tell. What can be told is there's a young girl, amidst these field. About six or so. Wearing a blue and white dress down to her ankles, toes pointed, hands behind her back, staring straight out to the world, or the camera.]

Father! Father, I'm going to change the world! Don't worry, daddy. No matter what happens, you'll come back safe. I'm going to make it a nicer place for everyone. No one will go hungry. No one will be sad.

[It's the words of a child. It's different, but it's Lucina. The child was Lucina. Her voice, as a child. Except the child pauses, and then, Lucina's normal voice resounds, just for one sentence.]

No child will be alone to cry.

[Whether the child is aware of this or not is unclear. But she simply turns on her heel and begins to run.]

I need to find mother. I need to tell her, too! Come, father. Let's go together.

[And once again, the voice shifts, disorientating with the image of a small girl.] We'll always be together.

[No fancy show titles, this time. Just some atmospheric, melancholy music as the camera slowly pans out to some distant point to a girl and - it's hard to say if that is a human figure, the one she called father - walk away into the distance. The screen goes black, but not to static.

TO BE CONTINUED
The words remain for a minute more, and the static returns...]

Rank 4 -- The Actual Feels Punching

[the_tv_is_a_lie]

[Sunday -- the earliest opportunity they had to get together.

Not all of them could make it -- worst of all was Rise, who'd been held back by her show business -- but the majority of the core group was at least there. It was something.

The discussion over what had happened could be boiled down to two things: 'how?' and 'we need to get her out of there, right this instant'. There was little argument on the latter, especially since this is the first victim they'd have to pull out of there in a long time. The former, though...they were all as stumped as they could be. Unless Izanami had done something else to the 'window', this shouldn't even be possible. She couldn't have been dragged inside without any provocation on her part...

But they could muse more about that later -- Lucina needed to be saved.

As he stands in front of the TV that they always used, he finds himself looking back. The last time he went here was still fresh in his mind. Facing that death goddess that shrouded their town in fog, covered it in a seemingly never-ending rain... Being dragged down into the abyss as they fought in vain against her, only to feel that raw rush of strength from his bonds, the power that lit the way towards the truth... and now, here they were again, ready to use this power to make one more rescue.

Just like old times.

He heads on in, and as soon as they're all inside, he heads in the direction Teddie points them towards.]

[falchions]

[It won't take them long to find it. Or perhaps it does. It's really impossible to tell the passage of time here, but eventually, the weather, the peaceful, serene world giving way to fog, which grows more dense with each step.

You'll probably need those glasses.

Once they go far enough, the scenery changes, too. Though where there were omniously silent streams and withered trees now there is grass. Beyond it, irises... where Lucina's shadow broadcast itself on the midnight channel. It doesn't seem to have changed much. The flowers are still due to no wind, save the odd emptiness the fog brings with it, the low howl of no wind at all and silence. It's easy to see where you're supposed to start your search, for Teddie's nose has led you to what looks to be a manor entrance.

What's interesting is that, when all dungeons have been consistant in their setting, once you're inside, this one appears not to be.

The first floor of the dungeon is the manor. But when you reach the end of that and climb the stairs, ascending to what should be the floor above it, no. You're out in a field of irises again, petals blowing and belying shadows which threaten to blind and suffocate. As inexplicable as it, there's another staircase, ascending into the clouds.

Go up it, and you're on a rain soaked passage through some rocks, what seems to have once been a battlefield. Melancholy. Slow, yet turbulent. It's the first time you heard Lucina's voice, the one from the child.]

This is where I lost you.

[A shadow appears, if it can be called that. The warped remains of something that none of those fighting it will want to think about too much. At its defeat, the final blow, it falls to the ground, and vanishes. In its place is a previously missed grave marker.

But still there are floors to go.

The next is the manor again, decorated differently. In mourning. A dance studio.] She danced. She was the most beautiful dancer. Even if I couldn't do it well, I danced with her. We all did. [A hospital ward.] She died with a smile. [And a place a little too close to home, for whoever sets foot on this floor. Inaba. An exact replica.]

I wanted to forget. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted something but I can't remember what it is anymore. I want to leave.

[But Lucina isn't found there, either. There's another floor to go.

And it really is a no-place. Here, there are only stars, the cosmos, never ending. Wherever the stairs came up seem to have gone, if there ever were any. There's just black, with small orbs of light, distant constellations and galaxies all out of reach. It's oddly hypnotising.

Walk some more and you'll find her. Lucina, the child, sat next to what appears to be the world, Earth. Alongside her, a more familiar, collapsed teenager, of which the child has a hand on her forehead, gently brushing the hair from her eyes.

It seems she isn't paying any of you much attention. Unless you approach her.]