avantgardes | CMO (Post Trust Fall or Die Hard)

- Pretty much going to be in Alola for a couple years following the return? Maybe shorter, but at least enough time to attempt to patch things up with her kids.
- ???

Edited 2017-03-29 05:38 (UTC)

[ OKAY. SHE MADE IT, THIS IS ALOLA.

AT LEAST SHE'S PRETTY SURE IT IS?

It smells like a tropical place, at least. Well, mostly. Actually, where she is now smells pretty clinical and looks a bit like a huge greenhouse. The margin of error with this jewel sword, as impressive as it is, can be a slight problem. At least it's night so she's not burning up.

Aether Paradise doesn't have security for people wandering around it at night uninvited, right? ]

[A little bit, but there's only one person occupying the area at the moment. Perhaps luck was truly on Elda's side tonight, at least. The relations between the new 'current' boss of the foundation and the old one have been...strained is putting it lightly. Lusamine had honestly only come to check on matters a little bit, but...

Well, hearing someone walking around gets Lusamine to pause, going back up onto the bridge until she sees something--something familiar.]

Elda? Wh--what are you doing here?

[...hi, yes, she is running up, Elda what the heck.]

[ Oh... oh! Good! Elda smiles, wearing her old lavender backless dress and a smile on her lips! She waves a little, bounding over - arguably faster than she had been in the University. ]

Oh, you're here! Good! I thought I'd be lost for a little while!

[ Nods! ]

I came to see you!

...Really, you're quite lucky that I made the decision to visit.

[Despite the annoyance, Lusamine almost sounds...glad to see her. Today's been a bit of a mess, but...]

But...welcome to the Aether Foundation--you're in the observation deck. Most of the Pokemon are sleeping soundly about now, but this place...it still remains my pride and joy.

Edited (hit enter too early) 2017-03-31 01:14 (UTC)

Do you guys have phones here? I learned from my granddaughter and Viktor that they make phones which aren't plugged into the wall anymore. I could call you next time?

[ It's so strange... But she can adapt to the times... maybe...

But that said! She looks around and looks up at the ceiling sort of thing and- ]

It looks like a greenhouse?

We do, yes, but are you quite certain that it will work across dimensions? That seems rather absurd.

[Even so--]

And of course it is! We have to imitate nature to the best of our abilities, you know. The darlings here deserve no less than the best. Of course, we also need to protect these darlings from the outside and the Pokemon that would put them in danger. That is why it resembles a greenhouse.

It truly adds to the beauty of the observation deck, doesn't it? If we simply blocked off the sky, it would be far too enclosed.

Yes, I suppose I can agree...

[ She hums, looking more at the ceiling and the sky than anything as she completes closing the distance between them. She doesn't make to hug Lusamine or anything yet, but she does get up closer to her... ]

[ . . . And as she does her fangs pop out and her face turns into a blush.

Oh.

... Oh.

... She takes a step back, trying to be casual. The fact her nostrils widen, having taken in some scent betrays her too. ]

They're probably all sleeping now, right?

Well, I suppose such a thing is understandable. It's quite bright even during the night, isn't it? It's simply a matter of--

[Lusamine had begun to speak up, turning away while she looked around. She had to make sure no one was around--the last thing anyone needs is a mess of inter-dimensional proportions.

...Of course, when she actually turns back, she sees Elda...blushing? What the...]

Elda, are you quite alright? There is no one here but you or I at the moment.

[ . . . Ah, damn, caught. Uh- ]

... The day's made you quite haggard, hasn't it, Lusamine? I didn't intend to add to your stresses.

[ God she smells delicious. Elda's fangs are still out. ]

[...Ahhh boy, there's something she wanted to avoid--]

No more than the day itself, in truth. Really, I would not worry about it.

What I am worried about are your bared fangs. [Lusamine's pointing them out with a bit of a debonair air to her, but...] Are you quite certain you are alright?

[ Ack! Elda's eyes widen, and shift into that cat-like predatory mode! In the moonlight, they even seem to "glow" a little bit, like a cat's or some other nocturnal predator's might. Honestly, the whole thing would be spooky if he actual facial expression wasn't so silly. ]

My senses finally returned to me when I returned to Shihaba - think nothing of a reaction I can't help!

[...waaaaait.

Wait, that's all it is? Lusamine thought it might've been something serious there for a moment. Her hands go on her hips at that, even if her expression is a little...baffled, to say the least.]

You do know you can just ask, right? Really, if I knew that would cause such a reaction...perhaps I should have expected it, but you would look like a smitten school girl if it weren't for your eyes.

Well, I've never been one to hold back from my prey-- [ Errr - ] Any vampire reacts to their blood affinity being around, it makes us feel hot and needy for the thing.

[ . . . Err. ]

This would not achieve the same result as your previous experiment.

[...well, that was...]

Now I'm wondering if I should use my sword and bring Hanyuu over, now that you've put it like that.

[But Lusamine does seem intrigued!]

Oh? What could you mean by that?

No!

[ She sounds aghast at this, backing up a step, leaning against a rail ]

[ Okay no, let's be a dignified creature of the night: ]

At the University, with my senses removed and my vampire abilities diminished, I clearly did not extract what it is we actually feed on. Blood sustains a vampire, yes, but what gives it flavor and texture, what w actually extract is the emotional excess tied up in the blood of humans.

[...okay, give Lusamine a second to laugh there--she wasn't expecting poor Elda to have such a bad reaction, christ.

But once that's taken care of--]

Emotional excess...those 'affinities' you spoke of, then. You would be feeding on that along with the blood? ...What on earth would happen to me?

I'd extract that excess from you! [ A nod! ] So for me, I'd be extracted that sort of tired, weary, mature feeling you've got. The feeling which weighs on your with your responsibilities, but also cautions you from making foolish choices.

[...]

That sounds like the equivalent of possibly getting drunk. If this were anywhere but my previous workspace, I may take you up on that.

But I do not believe anyone needs to see what I would be like without a conscience.

[Most people have already seen it. It'd be like Nihilego juice without the Nihilego involved.]

It may not be the best idea to stay here, however. I'm simply here on a visit, you know...would you like to be taken back into the city?

[ It wouldn't be without conscience and if she knew she was being compared to those she'd be annoyed. But all the same, she nods! ]

I'm here to see you, after all.

[ So wherever is best for Lusamine is best for her, blushing aside. She can still smell Lusamine is Lusamine smells delicious</>. And she... well, she didn't want to hurt her, so. ]

...Let's move, then. The last thing I want is to be in hot water.

[She'll...make a move to grab Elda's arm then and start leading her toward the elevator. It's a damn good thing the workers were gone, and even then they shouldn't be seen...

Right, just let her set the Elevator--]

Do you get motion sick at all?

[ Delicious-- Oh, right, she did come here for a reason! ... Well okay visiting her friend and maybe seeing the world is the main reason, but there were others. She starts to rummage around in her bag as she responds, ]

Huh? No, I don't think so.

[ A beat ]

That's when a vehicle makes you ill, right?

Yes. The boats from here to the mainland travel quite fast, so I simply wished to make sure.

[And down we go to the main floor! And toward the exit. Thank god it's quiet...]

You have been eating well, I take it? It would be rather...troublesome, I suppose, to explain to another how blood got onto the boat.

I wouldn't make a mess if I bit someone, who do you think I am--

[ . . . Oh, wait, she means if she got sick. Elda blinks, shakes her head, and then brushes back her hair. And then finally out of the bag she pulls out!! A bat. Not a zubat, just a normal (well, small) Karin-style bat which had decided to pull across worlds to come here. ]

I thought you'd like to see a bat.

But ooooh, we're going to travel by boat in this moonlight?

[ Elda's steps might be utterly quiet, but she is sort of ghosting ahead as if eager to get to the boat ahead of her friend even if there's no reason to... ]

[--OH NO, it's so cute! Lusamine...well, she may try to give the bat some affectionate skritches and pets.]

Oh, you did not tell me they were so adorable! But yes--that is the only way off the island, short of renting a guide Pokemon.

[Alright, right at the dock! One of the employees is there at least, and they talk for a moment--

"We will be seeking a trip out, Erinys."
"...We, Miss Lusamine? Wait, who is--"
"A very dear friend of mine from our experience. Kindly do not mind her."
"...Is she a kid? She looks like a kid."
"I would advise not saying such a thing to her face. Would you kindly start the boat up and not dilly dally?"
"Eh, roger, Miss Lusamine."

With that, she'll gesture Elda over.]

Let us get a move on, Elda!

[ The bat is actually very well trained, and as such it's going to coo a little, but not allow Lusamine to touch it After all, Lusamine is a human! And while it's not skittish, it's also never allowed humans to touch it.

Yeah.

But okay, no, she nods and... Well.

She heard all of that? Rude? But okay- ]

You've told people about what happened?

[ she aid with some surprise, breaking the distance between them. ]

...of course I did. They can't exactly refute someone tearing through the walls of reality with a crystal sword, you know.

[Lusamine shrugs a bit.]

I have not stated many details, obviously. Simply the fact of the matter itself. It truly isn't any of their business, what has happened. And I have no intention of making it their business, just as well.

[There's a signal from the grunt, and Lusamine will let Elda get on first, before she gets on herself.]

Oh.

[ . . . ] I barely even explained it to my family, myself. It seemed wrong to burden them.

[ But maybe that was cowardice on her part, to some extent. She shrugs herself, leaping ahead of Lusamine onto it.

... Whoa, it's been years, hasn't it? This doesn't feel familiar, being on a ride like this. ]

...You should at least tell them something. They must have been incredibly worried about you, and it is not any sort of burden.

[...Then again uh. She's not. Gonna mention the fact that she just got done telling her actual family about the incident today. Because god damn she's a hypocrite.

Either way, they'll be off now! It may be a bit of a faster ride than Elda is used to, but Lusamine seems unperturbed as the sky comes into view.]

...I don't think I'll ever tire of staring at the sky, after what we have gone through. It's beautiful...

[ Much faster. Always so sure-footed on the ground and especially now with all her strength able to move blindingly fast herself, it's probably somewhat comical to see the woman stumbling a bit and holding a rail for dear life. But she does this, in a way where uh - well, she's trying to still look dignified, even if it doesn't work that well.

She tuts, but - yeah, they do. At least she doesn't need to explain killing someone(s). She can't imagine what Silver or Gold's lot is like. But- ]

It really is. Two months without a hint of it's far too long when you're awake.

[ She didn't answer the first part. Obviously she did tell them... well, something. After all, she did need to introduce Hanyuu and maybe another visitor or so. ]

[...It is kind of amusing, actually. Lusamine hides her expression behind her hand though, and keeps an eye out on Elda to make sure she doesn't fall.]

It truly is...if I weren't so adverse to the so called 'great outdoors', I would likely never go indoors for quite some time. It's wonderful that such simple knowledge means that you aren't simply biding your time before becoming a target.

[...]

Then again, I prefer the night above all else. I won't burn in moonlight.

Well, you won't literally burn in the sunlight either, but I'm sure it does a real number on skin as flawless as yours.

[ She's doing her best to sound casual there, matter of fact, even! But its made a little less (okay a lot less) intimidating by the fact her knees shook a little there as she sort of wobbled with her sea legs when she tried to shift her footing some. ]

I won't say that it's the entire reason I decided to make the sanctuary like so...but I won't necessarily deny it, either.

[Being pale complexioned is suffering, 0/10 do not recommend.]

In truth, I'm quite jealous of those who tan without suffering hideous burns. They truly look wonderful once all is said and done...like an entirely different person, perhaps.

[...or a little more accurately, like a true Alolan. She figures Elda will see that soon enough, though.]

Ah, that's right... Humans can do that, and they do that deliberately these days. Shihaba's not far from water, but it's also not near enough to the coast you'd see a lot of it on people who aren't working, but pursuing that wasn't an asset in my youth.

[ She hums and, ] If anything, a complexion like yours was considered enviable in my youth.

[ Because it meant you were nobility, or at least wealthy enough to not have to be out as much.

... Man this boat is hard to keep her footing on. ]

CMO (Post Trust Fall or Die Hard)

Potential timeline gathering...? For my own reference.

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