[open]

[stop_apologizing]

WHO: Colette Brunel and OTA
WHERE: Bajikan
WHEN: Any day while they're on the planet
WHAT: Colette goes off to explore her first alien planet
WARNINGS: None for now, will update as necessary

District IV (blue)

[After a month of being trapped onboard a spaceship (and one that needs repairs, no less), exploring a new planet is an exciting prospect, and Colette is one of the first to hoof to the main city. Goodness Martel, but it is lively on this planet - the people are of such variety in size and shape that she can't help her stares. Walking into the city proper does little to curb her enthusiasm, either, and she's running high on the fumes of culture shock by the time she enters a district.

The fourth district, up to this point, is the only one she has a passing interest in, and she knows she's made the right decision when warmth bleeds into her skin like sunshine and leaves her feeling relaxed. She... hasn't felt this nice in ages, it seems.

So much that upon trotting up a green hill covered in lush grass, Colette decides that walking is too much of a bother. Flying too. She'll plop straight onto the ground and proceed to roll down the rest of the way, until she either hits someone or she stops at the bottom of the hill, near the shopping district.

... She'll get up eventually.]

District V (black)

[There's only one reason Colette would ever enter a district like this.

She's told at the gate that if she's looking to upgrade a weapon, well... nothing like a district of violence to sate her needs. And to be sure, the tiny blond girl with her waist-length hair makes a strange addition to the area. For the first few moments, she keeps her cool, resists the pounding in her temples and how her fingers rhythmically bunch into fists. Her gaze remains steadfast on the ground and she doesn't speak to anyone.

It's important, she recites, to be well-armed. To protect the ship now that she's apart of the community. She'll buy herself a sturdier pair of chakrams and then she'll leave. That's it. She can do this. It's her duty as a Chosen.

What she doesn't expect is to get lost on her way, too busy fighting the irritability twisting in the pit of her stomach, and the rising frustration comes to a head when someone - a stranger - grips her shoulder without permission.

Said stranger who finds himself lifted and thrown against the wall which force that it leaves a dent in the brick. Colette just stands there panting and her arms shaking. It's not guilt or hysteria that sets her expression into hard lines until the girl is almost unrecognizable. And as for anyone who is watching--]

W-what do you want?

District VII (violet)

[Colette doesn't know why she decides to go into the seventh district -- maybe to bring Zelos back a gift? She is a little disappointed he hadn't joined her on this outing (something about having had his fill of the last planet, so she should go have fun instead), but that sleight is set aside like it doesn't exist, in fact fueling her desire to perk up his mood.

Except that thirty minutes later, the effects of the district are in full force, and pleasing Zelos becomes the furthest thing from her mind. No, she doesn't feel like pampering him when she could extend the same courtesy to herself. Look at all these shops, these salons, these manicure stores!

Doesn't matter that she has no idea what that last one is. For the first time in what feels like her entire life, the Chosen of Sylvarant is bold enough to stretch her wings - quite literally, in fact. She skips down the streets with a pair of pink wings behind her, smiling in satisfaction when anyone takes note.]

Hehe... do you like them? They're pretty, right? [Swinging her hands behind her back] I got them because I'm an angel!

[Later in the day, she'll step up her game and attend a dance studio. The lesson is... er. Well. There's nothing wrong with tripping so often that she got shooed out of the class. It just means she's found her own style. Give it a few years, she'll be a sensation.

In fact, passerby, she might shake you down for an opinion. Just a minute of your time! Watch her break it down, Colette-style, and possibly break your shin bone in the process]

Wildcard

[ooc: pp for whatever, I love plotting 8Db]

Comments

District IV

[taggingwomprats]

[ Luke can't shake the feeling that there's something a bit off about this planet, but he'll be damned if he can be bothered to think too hard about it right now. Ever since he stepped through the gate of this district he's felt a bit lethargic. Like he wants to settle down and take a nap or something. He pauses at the bottom of a hill to take in the sights for a moment and stretch. What's with this place? He shakes his head, as if he's trying to clear it -- just in time for someone to roll straight into his legs. He stumbles forward with a muttered 'oof' and then regains his balance, arms windmilling.

Luke turns with a look of confusion on his face and then glances down to see Colette. After a moment of consideration, he kneels and gives her a little shake. ]

Uh, hey. You OK?

[stop_apologizing]

[Honestly, if Luke hadn't accidentally stopped her, Colette would've taken a nap in the street, easy as you please. Aaah, the grass feels so nice beneath her -- even better than the fields outside of her hometown of Iselia.

She blinks herself out of the thought, slow smile filling every corner of her expression as she looks to the person shaking her shoulder. No idea who this is but she'd be gald he is a nice dude.]

Hello sir! [Pay no attention to that lethargic quality in her chipper reply, like she might drift off inside her head. Colette misinterprets Luke's reason for stopping her and pats her hand on a patch of grass] Did you want to sit down, too? I promise the grass feels nice.

[taggingwomprats]

[ The feeling of lethargy isn't exactly limited to Colette. It's contagious (or in the air, actually). Luke's brow knits as he considers (or tries to; his mind feels a bit slow and drifty). He tries to clear his head and fails miserably. He replies with a roll of his shoulders. ]

I don't know. You seem like you're doing OK -- I just don't know if I ought to sit down. I'm just... passing through.

[ Despite that, the temptation is strong and he settles onto the grass with a sigh. ]

It is pretty comfortable, though. You should probably watch where you're, uh, rolling.

[stop_apologizing]

Oh, whoops -- did I bump into you? [Colette, it happened a literal minute ago. Focus.]

I'm really sorry. [And she is, but there's still nothing but a sunny smile on her lips. She rolls over onto her stomach, head cushion by her folded arms, and she closes her eyes while breathing deeply] It's just so relaxing being here. I forgot that I could feel this way, so...

[taggingwomprats]

Yeah. I think you were on your way toward the street.

[ Luke sounds vaguely amused. After a moment he flops onto his back, following Colette's example. He feels way too lazy. Just lying here seems to be about the only thing he can work up the motivation for. He breaths out in a low sigh and then glances over at his new companion with a low hum. ]

It does feel that way, huh? I'm Luke, by the way.

[stop_apologizing]

It's nice to meet you, Luke! My name's Colette.

[She'll spare the energy to sound cheerful at their introduction, but it quickly seeps away, leaving behind a quiet hum and the girl slowly kicking her legs up and down.]

Um... are you from the ship too? [She asks because there are so many different people around, she'd feel bad if she misidentified her new friend because he's only got two arms and two legs.]

[taggingwomprats]

What, the Eluvio? Yeah. I've been there for... I don't know... a month or two now?

[ It's hard to put the energy into actually remembering. Chilling out on the grass is a much more worthwhile endeavor, right? ]

They've sent us to some weird places so far. Een had us trying to get some sort of artifact at the last planet we stopped at...

IV

[yokunaru]

[Though Yuuri had been hesitant to visit another planet so soon after Oros, staying on the ship day after day in the gloomy lighting, and with a killer on board isn't exactly appealing. To his relief, Bajikan is vastly different from Oros, and most of his misgivings fade with that realization.

He ends up in Acedia first, drawn to the district's ornate blue and white gate. As the warm atmosphere washes over him, putting him at ease, Yuuri knows he's chosen the right place. His leisurely walk through the district is interrupted when Colette rolls to a stop at his feet.]

Oh, I'm sorry! [Yuuri quickly takes a step back.] I didn't see you there!

[stop_apologizing]

[Eheh... whoops. Colette didn't mean to nearly steamroll the poor guy over. His apology is like a dose of cold water, enough to cut through her current lethargy until she's of the mind to sit up while talking to him.]

No, it's okay! You didn't do anything wrong. [Only one of them is rolling on the grass, and it's not him, but she's too relaxed to do anything but laugh a little] I should be sorry - I didn't mean to roll into you, sir.

[yokunaru]

"Sir"... [That's a first! Yuuri laughs along with her, shaking his head.] Ah, my name's Yuuri. You can call me that instead of "sir". Please.

[With a quick look around, Yuuri decides that they're not really in anyone else's way, and crouches down beside her.]

What are you doing on the ground like this?

[stop_apologizing]

Okay! Yuuri it is. [Which is much cuter than "sir", but hey. Politeness. With her knees bent, Colette places her chin on top of them and smiles]

Well... [HOW TO PUT THIS] I was at the top of the hill and thought how nice the grass would probably feel... and I didn't really want to walk or fly, so rolling down seemed like the perfect idea!

[yokunaru]

[Somehow the idea of lazily rolling down a hill instead of walking doesn't seem as odd as it should be. Something in him even agrees with her methods, telling him that spending more effort than necessary is the wrong way to go. Lying down right next to her to relax might even be welcome.

...huh. Yuuri shakes his head a little, realizing he's zoned out a little.]

I guess if that works for you--wait, did you say you could fly?

[stop_apologizing]

[It's strange; her wings are usually something of a sore spot for her. They're pretty and there's a piece of herself that loves them, but on her darkest nights, they're a reminder of just how far she's set apart from other people.

Right now? The girl gives a lazy stretch, still refusing to actually get up, and simply twists enough that Yuuri can see her back. Immediately, pink wings sprout forth]

Hehe, yep! See? I know they don't look like normal wings, but...

[Meh, still too lazy to care today]

[yokunaru]

[Even though he'd asked the question, the wings still take him by surprise. Letting out a gasp, he flinches away and topples to the ground when he loses his balance.

Yuuri brushes himself off as he sits up again, blushing sheepishly.]

Ah, sorry, that just surprised me. You can call them up like that any time you want?

[Now that he's had a moment to get used to them, he can admit the wings are very pretty. Not that he's seen a lot of wings like this before.]

District V

[nodyinteam]

[Nekomaru was wary about the information provided by the different districts, but he felt that his willpower would prevail over any unusual effects, and his curiosity about the training regimens followed in this district prevailed.

So he had wandered aimlessly until he came across this alley, just in time to witness an attempted creeping and a tiny girl smashing the creep against the wall.

And then as she speaks, he tries to answer.]

What I want? [As much as he tried to deny it, it's hard to hide the anger he feels within himself, and he points aggressively as he shouts back.]

I WANT TO KICK THAT GUY'S AAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!

[stop_apologizing]

[O-oh...

Um.

Colette isn't what shocks her more - the lack of volume control or the passion with which the stranger speaks to her, and she barely has time to scoot to the side when the same man who'd touched her abruptly jumps back to his feet.

Apparently his head is of a sturdy sort. He's also not that happy about being thrown into a wall. Colette gives the creep a frown in retaliation, still plenty unhappy about how he'd approached her, but um. Manners and all]

I-if you want to, sir! [Go on, her new muscled friend. The first hit is free.]

[nodyinteam]

[Well, maybe both of those things will stop being surprises in time. As it is, with the girl's compliance, Nekomaru finds himself grinning through his anger as he looks towards the recovering man.]

THAT'S WHAT I WAS HOPING TO HEAR!! NOW GET READY, YOU WORTHLESS PUNK... FOR A NEKOMARU NIDAI SPECIAAAAAL!!

[With that Nekomaru charges forward like a bull towards the man who has no idea what he signed up for. He then spreads out one arm and clothelines him, knocking the guy down. Except that before the guy hits the ground, Nekomaru reaches down to grab him by the collar, and then he as he skids to a halt he tosses the man straight into a dumpster lying in another alleyway across the street.]

ALRIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!

[stop_apologizing]

[She watches, a little slack-jawed by the display in power, and goodness, all she did was slam the guy into a wall. This newest person straight up throws him into an entirely different alleyway.

Once the effects of the district have lessened, Colette is going to feel so terrible about this... but until then--]

Oh, that was amazing, sir! [APPLAUSE. Just looking at that has her pumped with adrenaline, and once she stops clapping, Colette balls her hands into determined fists] Can you teach me that move?

[nodyinteam]

[That sure felt good... but he still feels pumped for more! Her cheer calms him somewhat, so he can't help but grin as he glances towards the girl and cracks his knuckles.]

Of course!! It can be a very handy move to learn. After all, who knows when another weirdo will jump you like that?

[stop_apologizing]

Y-Yeah! He was a... a jerk.

[Such language, and from a Chosen, too. Ooooo, if only the Professor could see her.]

Don't worry, I'm stronger than I look! So... [Hm, wanting to learn is all well and good, but not if they don't have a victim volunteer. Colette frowns and begins looking up and down the street in earnest.]

Um... I think there's a competition going on somewhere. Maybe you could show me there!

vii

[genice]

( he doesn't have Makkachin with him at the moment, but what he does find himself with out of nowhere is a young man he recalls from a different context asking him, quite seriously, for his opinion on... dancing? )

I'm sorry, dancing?

( if her wings are still in full display, they get a cursory glance; he can imagine that changes balance more than a little. regardless, he manages to look at least pleasantly confused. )

I don't think I'm understanding. Did you want to go dancing, or...

( ... or ask a relative stranger to critique her dance style? he is, unfortunately, opinionated, and not given to avoiding sharing those opinions to degrees. that's totally fine, right? )

[stop_apologizing]

Hehe, thank you! But no, I don't want to dance with you, sir.

[A cheerful laugh, and oh, she's going to regret her life decisions after she leaves this district, but for now, she stands proudly in front of this stranger (no, wait, haven't they talked before?), allowing her wings to flutter.]

Could you watch me for a minute? I was thinking of making my own dance studio, but wanted an opinion!

[genice]

( He smiles, bright and unfettered, and holds up both his hands. )

I'm sorry! I'm a former figure skater, not a dance instructor. Unless you wanted commentary on how to dance on ice, I'm afraid my opinion won't be worth anything on your abilities as a dance instructor!

( ... why he says that with a smile is hard to say, but he means every word. Victor's honest enough to know his commentary would be skewed toward his own experiences; not toward someone attempting to instruct people purely in dance. )

[stop_apologizing]

[Oh. Well... If he can't help, it only makes sense to leave him be. Colette's newfound arrogance won't make her forget all semblance of manners. Though at the mention of dancing on ice, well.]

Oh, so... all I need to do is dance on ice, right?

[genice]

( He quirks up his eyebrows, hands coming down to rest on his hips. )

Oh? You know how?

( Since he's thinking of ice skating, not simply... dancing while on ice. Which sounds dangerous and poorly controlled. Clearly they must be speaking of the same thing! )