[OPEN] Lost in paradise

[bowtography]

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! ]

Comments

[bowtography]

The crew of the Astral Express--they're like my family. They...

... What? Is there something on my face?

[newphew]

Astral Express... is that like a pirate ship or something?

[ he seems to be trying to figure out how to respond ]

... I just.... I don't get you.

[bowtography]

It's a train... [ And she trails off, huffing lightly. ]

Gee, thanks. I don't think I'm that confusing.

[newphew]

[ tell him it's a space train and he'll be really impressed ]

[ but for the moment he just seems confused ]

You are! You've been walking around with no memories this whole time but you're so.... cheerful all the time! Doesn't that bother you?

[bowtography]

...

I just don't see a point in acting depressed about that. This isn't something that can be that easily solved... so I'm just living with it as best as I can while I work at getting my memories back.

[newphew]

[ he goes quiet, as if humbled..... he really had the wrong idea about her. ]

[ when he speaks up again, his voice is softer ]

Are you depressed about it?

[ she said "acting", but.. he's only ever seen her in the context of being chirpy. before now, it'd never even occur to him to ask ]

[bowtography]

Depressed...?

[ Great question--and March does seem to be thinking it through, before slowly shaking her head. ]

It's kind of uncomfortable to dwell on, because there's so much I don't know about... well, me, but I'm lucky enough to have been found out there and taken in anyway. As long as I've got people who care about me, I'm okay.

[newphew]

I think most people would be depressed, in your position.

[ but then again, he understands feeling so lucky because you're special, important to someone..... that turned out to be a lie, for him, but march is so nice, and she's so strong. so maybe she has people who genuinely care for her and would actually take her in. like luz. unlike him ]

[ mumbling: ]

You can.... count on me for that, too.

[ the caring. his face is a bit red. ]

[bowtography]

...

[ Oh, he's blushing. ]

To care? Thanks, Hunter--the feeling's mutual, you know!

[newphew]

Anytime. I mean that, too. [ he blushes harder, because he's a loser. still not making eye contact. ]

... You know.... I know of a spell back home that lets you travel into someone's mindscape. I can't do that kind of magic myself, but.... I can look into it. Two people you could trust could venture into your mindscape, and see if they can uncover some of your missing memories.

[bowtography]

Huh? Wait, so you're saying... two people could actually enter my mind? And explore around in it? How do they get out again?

[ ... Does she trust anyone here that much... ]

[newphew]

Mindscape. [ not quite the same ] With your memories in it. There'd be an "Inner March" too, and she could find them. She'd be able to talk to them, guide them, stop them --- even hurt them. [ he swallows here, looking away. ]

...Whatever she saw, you'd know.

[ he is actually looking increasingly uncomfortable about this... but he tries to focus on just helping march ]

It'd be another spell to get them out. We could probably all still communicate while they're in there, so they'd let me -- or whoever the caster is know-- know when they were done.

[bowtography]

[ That's not an expression that sits well with her. The intent seems heartfelt and she does appreciate it, but Hunter doesn't look like he'd be okay with it, or maybe has dealt with that kind of... spell before, to ill effects? It's hard to say.

But she'd witnessed and experienced something similar with the Matrix of Prescience, and... ]

That's really sweet of you to offer, but there's sort of a block there. I'm not sure they'd be able to get further than I did, when I tried.

[newphew]

[ it is a testament to how much he likes march that he's offering this despite his obvious discomfort, though there is no way she can understand the context behind it because he has never offered any information about himself. ]

[ still not quite making eye contact and fiddling with his thumbs. but he doesn't push forward ]

The mindscape.... it has access things deep inside your subconscious. More than you might expect. I've read a lot about it, but there's still a lot that's unknown.

[ so there is a chance, perhaps, that it'd circumvent the block. mystery ]

If you change your mind, let me know.

[bowtography]

... Yeah. Thanks, Hunter, seriously. I'll definitely let you know.

But also, if there's something about it that bugs you, you can tell me. Okay?

[ She's here for you, buddy. ]

[newphew]

[ he nods at the first bit.... being thanked is weird. then keeps glancing away ]

It's fine.

[ that's all he says really in response, but he still looks uncomfortable. he's also gonna turn to leave so i can free you from this old thread..... ]