synflux | [OPEN] Lost in paradise

WHO: March 7th and anyone who wants to witness this
WHAT: Post-upgrade Problems...
WHERE: Around the base, around Japan
WHEN: April 12th and up to a week after that
WARNINGS: None so far!

A. Post-Surgery

[ Choices were made. March may or may not regret them a little, but upon remembering things like how badly injured so many of the Outsiders had been and Ishmael gritting her teeth while struggling to walk, she'd ultimately decided it was worth it.

Maybe not right now, though, not when she's kind of staggering around the base, looking very much Still In Pain and sheet-white. Of course, that's one thing. The other thing is that she looks completely disoriented and depending on where you find her, it's pretty obvious that it's not where she was trying to go. Maybe it's a non-Redemption wing. Maybe it's the cafeteria.

Maybe it's the rec room?? Maybe she's actually heading outside when she clearly shouldn't be??

If you're still not entirely sure what she's up to, she can be heard quietly muttering to herself in a shaky voice, definitely rattled-- ]

W-why is it so hard to find my room??

B. Compass Required

[ It's a day or so later! And she is.

... Not doing any better. Though at the very least, she's had some time to get the style upgrade implemented and is comfortably clothed in her much more familiar (to her) outfit from home.

But she hasn't actually been seen on the base all day, which probably isn't terribly strange, since March likes to go out and experience life, but at this point it's dark and if you're out at night, you might spot her. Talking to a few people who seem either amused or flummoxed by her current level of vexation. ]

No, sorry, I've definitely been to Shinjuku, and I know where it is on a map, I just--

I'm not drunk! Look, just tell me "this way" or "that way" and I'll figure it out from there!!

[ ... She has apparently been dealing with something similar for hours, given that she really does sound like she's on the verge of frustrated tears. ]

C. Bah Hummingbird

[ At this point, March has given up leaving the base on her own, so you can spot her in the greenhouse (though it's arguable whether she meant to be there or not), a cute little hummingbird perched on her shoulder. She's taking pictures of the plants, though she pauses to glance up when she realizes she's got company, offering a smile that is definitely a lot steadier than the mess she's been over the past few days. ]

These little guys are pretty cute, aren't they? I'm more of a dog person, but I gotta admit, they've got a lot of appeal!

[ OOC: Also fine with doing custom starters if nothing catches your interest! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ he's not sure if he'll ever truly become accustomed to the cheerful greetings he receives here. in comparison to the hostility he was normally met with, it's ... a bit uncomfortable. not necessarily in a negative way, but it's an awkwardness he does his best to simply ignore. instead, he gives a small nod to greet her in return. ]

March.

[ that's it. that's his way of saying hi back. that said, he forgoes any other sort of formality as he seems to give her a quick look over, clearly attempting to assess any sort of wounds that may have been visible. but, he also notices how ... decorated her room is. ]

I would never have been able to tell you haven't lived here for years.

Thanks! I figured one of the most important things was making it look as close to my actual room as possible!

[ There are no wounds! Maybe she looks a little tired, but that might be hard to spot through the usual level of enthusiasm. ]

It makes me a little less homesick.

[ homesick isn't a concept he personally comprehends, but maybe he can understand some vague inkling of it. ... at least in remembering his comrades. but, since he can't say this, or verbalize his feelings to save his life, he just focuses on what's easy. ] So this is what your room at home looks like...?

[ he then looks around, but at least he politely keeps his hands to himself.

though, he does gesture for her to come closer so he can gift her his idea of what's better than hands.

... a deck of uno. ] I couldn't find regular cards.

Well, my room on the Express is bigger and has a great view of the stars and a way more impressive photo display and more desk space, but... for what it is, it's not bad!

[ She does what she can with what she has. But March amicably wanders closer, taking the deck from him. ]

"Uno"...?

Honestly, I don't think I've ever heard of this.

[ the express. so that was the name of both her home and a train. to be honest, he can't quite visualize it, or more accurately, he doesn't have confidence he's thinking of the right thing. a train where you can see the stars... ]

It seems easy enough. [ not me just assuming it has to exist in some version in neo tokyo. ] You just have to match either a color or number. You can play it with your friends when they come to visit you.

[ he also brings out a bag of popcorn. ] And this if for when you watch shows on your oculars.

[ is it clear that he actually doesn't know what's fun... ]

[ ... This is both really funny and really sweet. ]

So you'll play a round with me, right?

[ does that mean she likes it...

well, he supposed if she didn't, it's not like she would say it. right? whatever the case is, he decides not to overthink it. ] I'm not sure if it's a two player game. But, sure.

Give it here and I'll deal. [ but, he does seem to be thinking where he should sit... ]

Sure thing!

[ And she'll hand it over, beaming, settling down on her floor.

It's fine, sit down. ]

[ that's all the real confirmation he needs as he also plops down. he settles some distance in front of her. he takes the deck, shuffling it, before dealing seven cards to each of them. the cards are facing down, and just like that, he also places the deck to the side.

pretend he's explaining this, because am i really looking up the rules for uno... yes. near the tail end of his explanation, he flips the top card over from the draw pile. ] This is the card we start with. [ imagine if this was all a lie and this isn't how you actually play. ]

Do you want to go first?

Sure! Just know I won't go easy on you!

[ spoilers, she's gonna lose-- ]

[ march no...

you deserve to win against a webtoon protag. that said, i guess they go through the round, taking turn for turn. as soon as their cards in their hands are dwindling in numbers, he eventually does say: ] There is also another rule.

[ why does this sound like a lie, even when he explains it. ] When you only have one card left, you have to yell "UNO!" [ do you have to yell... ] There's a penalty if you miss saying it before the other person notices.

... Oh.

[ Wait, what-- ]

Hold on, what kind of penalty?? Like eating something really spicy?

[ the desire to let her believe that is fairly high. or rather, he just doesn't feel like correcting her. there's a moment of silence as he takes his turn, before looking back at her. ]

Is that the penalty you want? [ it's actually draw two cards, but you know what...

remedying this misunderstanding seemed like a lot of trouble. ] I'm okay with it.

I mean, if we can pick the penalty... then I think we can come up with something better.

[ She's apparently just rolling with it. ]

[ why are they picking penalties now. what happened to uno.

but, he does appear to contemplate this. ] You mean like a dare?

Yeah! It'd be exciting, right?

[ Without gambling. ]

[ is this not gambling... ]

Sure, that's fine with me. But, are you sure you're not worried about what I might ask you to do?

Miss Rodya and Ishmael both trust you, so I will too.

[ Maybe that is foolish, actually. ]

[ gradually connecting the dots. ]

If they're the ones who told you about my hands, then maybe you should stop trusting them. [ but, it's clear by his tone he isn't actually serious. rolls a dice to see if he gets uno yet...

he doesn't, i guess he just draws another card. ]

Edited (why did i put this in text help me) 2024-05-10 22:09 (UTC)

Can't do that until I hold your hand for myself!

[ Cheerfully, even though she isn't getting uno yet either. ]

[OPEN] Lost in paradise

😳

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

i'm sorry, i forgot the rules

me too

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

I accept you bijou