INTRO ♚ FEBRUARY

[boardmaster]

WELCOME TO CAISSA

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE ♟ Settling In

Welcome to Blanc! You wake up on one of the beds inside the Hall of Glory. You might still be feeling a little light-headed, but sudden dimensional travel will do that to a body. You could have sworn visions of a fantastic world flashed before your eyes not long ago: monsters, magic, and a mission to save the world. You can't quite recall much beyond the basics, but could this be it?

Save your questions for later! The room nannies are quick to urge Heroes into their uniforms (with their beaks if necessary) and to point them to the pick-up locations for their Blanc-issued Weapons and Carriers. Hopefully, nobody but the pigeon’s watching you change. On the other hand, maybe you're the type to turn every roommate into a new friend before you even step foot outside the room.

As you make your way down the halls, you might notice strangely familiar faces around you. But don’t linger too long to chat—the people in charge of the armory and the menagerie have gone through many Heroes before you, and still have many more to go after you. NPCs need meal breaks, too! If you don’t make a decision in time, the random Weapons and/or Carriers they pick for you can be just a little odd.

And if you’re hungry? No matter how rich you were in your homeworld, you’re penniless now until you earn some colle. Thankfully, the Hall of Glory provides free meals to Heroes and those associated with them! Sunday’s breakfast and lunch are bananalicious and seafood pasta. A friendly visiting scholar may have a word of advice for you: “Beware the dining hall on Mondays.”

But you’ll barely have time for lunch before guards come and round you up. “For the parade,” is the only reason they’ll give you.

TWO ♟ Welcome Celebrations

Trumpets sound, cymbals clang and the crowd roars as the parade gets underway! What’s all the fuss about? Well, you Heroes were sent by the gods to save Blanc, right? Of course they’d celebrate! Smiling and waving at the citizens of Caissa from your uniquely crafted float might be a chore, but hey, they love you. Are you really going to let them down, or lose the spotlight to the fellow Heroes sharing your float?

The reception after the Prime Minister’s speech is like some kind of idol session, with Caissa citizens coming up to shake hands and welcome the Heroes warmly. Some are even asking for autographs!

There’s a lot of things to do in festive and lively Caissa, even late into the night under a light fall of snow. Sparrow Town is all lit up, ready for another festival next week.

While some shops are closed for the holiday, others have buffet tables or are giving out free samples to the Heroes. The food stalls here are way better than the bizarre cafeteria menu at the Hall of Glory! Why waste the opportunity to finally gorge on real food? The shop owners have done their best to impress, showing off their local cuisines proudly along the city streets: from the local hamburger joint to the exotic L'adderan curries, you'll find a little of everything to whet your palate. Your growling stomach will likely thank you for the food. … Oh, wait. That wasn’t you? You think the fish sandwich on your plate just sang? Nonsense. That just means you had a marvelous piece of fish bread. Please remember to visit them again sometime when you have the colle, okay?

Various stalls with games and activities have also been set up. Maybe you can impress the crowd by nailing an apple with an arrow or by sacrificing your friend(s) at the water tanks! An unusual Go-style stall offers something like fish scooping, but be careful: touching the fish with your bare hands will leave you feeling funny… Wow, you’ve never seen that color before! But whatever it takes to impress the children, right?

Said children might try and get you to dance in the falling snow. Better not mess up, though, because everyone in Caissa seems to be watching.

THREE ♟ The Day After

Hopefully, you didn’t sleep too late after yesterday’s celebrations! Or maybe you slept badly, since it felt like something was watching you…

The free breakfast that awaits you at the dining hall is… something special. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content! Remember: no food fights, and leave no leftovers! Nothing will save you from the chef’s disapproving mustache swirl if you do!

If you want to make money (to get away from Monday’s Horrors), there are now jobs up for taking at the Hall of Glory and the Poisoned Pawn! If there’s nothing to your taste, check back again every so often. Something new might pop up!

Heroes not in the mood to be errand-runners (it’s understandable, you’re Heroes after all!) can hang out in the parlor, read in the library, or express yourself in one of the Hall’s many studios or other rooms.

If lying back and taking it slow isn’t your thing, you could train or spar! Being summoned to a new world takes a toll on the body, and some Heroes have lost abilities familiar to them. Besides, it’ll take a while to get used to your weapons. Some of them might even be disobedient, backfiring at worst and unresponsive at best. Try not to hit your fellow Heroes (including yourself), or you’ll either have to find enough Heroes to cast weak healing spells or carry the wounded to the infirmary. While the snow has been cleared overnight, it’s still very cold!

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's grand opening log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Comments

Setsuna F. Seiei | Mobile Suit Gundam 00

[quaria]

A: Did a truck hit me? It sure feels like it.

[ After that long videogame tutorial introduction scene, Setsuna is now freely walking around on his own. The tour around Hall of Glory was helpful, but he's still so disoriented that he couldn't take in as much information as he would've liked. But it's fine. Getting to know the housing shouldn't be difficult; the bigger adjustment is the capital city itself. First things first though, he needs to take care of something. Now where did he put his map again...?

And what is that particular something? Well, it's given that it's difficult to navigate through such a large city. But it's especially challenging with a blazing headache. His body is still trying to adjust to the numbing of his natural senses among the loss of his abilities, so he's left with a blooming pain roaming around his head. His brain is trying to process it, though with slow progression... His brain knows that he's still whole, but the mana of this world has effectively blocked a couple of his biological features. He doesn't know how to get it back or if he'll ever get them back in this world.

Doesn't matter for now. He can still stand and walk. He can still get things done. And right now, all he wants to do is to find out where to get aspirin! (Or whatever the equivalent is here!) When he finally found his map, he starts reading it while attempting to soothe his poor head. By manually massaging himself. Sad. ]

Where is the infirmary...

B: A killjoy weak to kids.

[ It's noisy... It's too lively. Setsuna can feel his headache coming back just watching all this. Thus he didn't bother joining the parades or the games, instead keeping to himself at the quieter areas. Rather than to deal with the loud crowd, he prefers to meditate like a boring monk on a bench. Feel the relaxing mana through the air. It's surreal... This world is really different from his. Mana is especially overflowing near that giant tree they call Oubliette. He's heard a few things, something about the concept of mana exchange? He doesn't actually know much though, so he makes it a duty to hit the library later to get to know more. He didn't want to remain ignorant for long.

Except the children aren't going to allow their Heroes to be merely desolated at one corner, especially on their special day. Before he could get any significant meditation done, the local Blanc childen have already made their way to him. They climb his bench, enthusiastically trying to talk to him and play with him. Invite him to dance. To make snow angels. He's so stubborn though, he seems to be intent on continuing to act like a boring old man. However, the children are far more persistent. Behind that bench, some already preparing to fire snowballs at him! Ah, actually... It already happened. After those were launched at him, he finally stands away from the bench. Is he going to play with them now!?

Why yes, yes he is. If they want to throw snowballs, then he can too! Now that he looks fired up, the children look around for more Hero participants. After all, the more the merrier. Maybe the children has already spotted you and is running up to call you! ]

C: First day on the job, already failing.

[ So... Maybe he should've thought over his weapon more. What's the worst possible outcome that can result from all this? Let's take a look at Setsuna's situation again. 1) Picked a motorbike weapon. 2) It's winter. There's snow. 3) Naturally, there's ice. 4) He's running late for the job he volunteered for. 5) He didn't get to practice using his weapon yet, thanks to all the festivities yesterday. Sounds great, right. 10/10 would put himself into this kind of trouble again.

Except not really. But that doesn't deter him. He's going to make it to the orphanage on time, and not even the weather or his lack of weapon mastery is going to stop him! Maybe! A lot of people have yelled at him in the past about his terrible driving skills, but he isn't the type to listen. Thus the situation now is that he's riding through the frozen ice canals... It's fine, right? This is totally legal. And even if it weren't, he's a Hero! He probably be forgiven... for crashing something. Ha ha ha ha. .. Ha. Whatever, he's definitely going to slip and crash constantly throughout the trip. It's not his fault, his bike doesn't listen to him very well! Don't be surprised if a young Gundam pilot accidentally catapults himself on top of you at some point.

No matter what though, he eventually makes it to the orphanage. He looks like he's going to fall and die on the snow, but that doesn't matter in a little while. He's tough!! He can recover!!! Just... let him rest by the fireplace first before he starts making snowmen. ]

C

[umberly]

[ Setsuna looks like he's run a marathon or three and then added climbing Mount Everest to his to-do list for the day. Kavi, who has been quietly entertaining the kids while working on what he likes to call The Snowman is a Showman project (He'd going to do his utmost to make it look dapper, alright?) when Setsuna arrives. And from the looks of it, Setsuna might as well be half dead.

Frowning, Kavi stops what he's been doing and accompanied by a gaggle of children, he makes his way over to the fallen Gundam Meister. ]

Kid? Do you need a hand?

[ Or a lift to the living room? where the fireplace is nice and warm and waiting? ]

[quaria]

No.

[ As if to prove his point, Setsuna lifts a hand to indicate a pause gesture. He can pick himself up, so Kavi didn't need to fuss over him. It'll just worry the kids.

He calmly straightens himself up and takes a deep breath, though his tire from that morning ride is still showing. That and, it's really, really cold!! All he wants to do is continue walking forward to reach the fireplace as soon as possible... ]

Sorry, I am late.

[ Seeing other Heroes here so early makes him feel bad. ]

C

[troyhard]

[ Thanks to Setsuna's horrendous driving, Slaine finds himself suddenly face-planting against the ground. Luckily, the snow managed to cushion his fall?? No, not really, because there's a heavy weight that landed on top of him so the impact still felt pretty painful.

One would assume he's been knocked out cold, but Slaine is pretty resilient. Seconds later, he starts weakly flailing his arms and legs, trying to pull himself back up. This would be a lot easier if Setsuna gets off of him first.

Gosh, really, Setsuna. Git gud with that weapon of yours. ]

[quaria]

[ Shut up, you little brat!! :'C There's a legitimate reason for him to be bad at it...! The motorbike is obviously a hell spawn; it goes left when he wants to go right. It doesn't slow down when he wants it to, thus causing him to fly when there's an obstacle on the frozen canal... Wait, haven't those guys taken care of those toys yet!?

Maybe Setsuna should remain on Slaine for a while longer. C: ... Okay, just kidding. He'll get off as soon as he's done writhing in pain. The other boy isn't the only one experiencing bad luck right now. Ugh!! ]

... Are you all right?

[ Wonderful day already. Now he finally gets off, straightening himself first before offering his hand out for the boy. ]

I apologize. That was my mistake.

[ Meeting you is a mistake, too. LOL J/K. ]

C!!

[oneirism]

[Now that the festivities are all over, Lapis has decided to go exploring. Because she wants to be as busy as possible so that she doesn't end up sulking in a corner or something.

So the last thing she was expecting was someone to end up flying off their motorbike when they tried to drive along the frozen canal. Which means he's now been catapulted towards her, and she could step out of the way.

But despite being very grumpy still, her first instinct is to reach out and catch him, which she manages to do and ends up stumbling back a few feet. Luckily managing to stay upright, thanks to her Carrier tugging on her skirt and Lapis's own awesome balancing skills.]

... You should be more careful.

[quaria]

[ —WHOA!? This girl is impressive!!? Setsuna is immediately dumbfounded from her excellent catch, as he was so prepared to land on a bad spot. Having to be caught perfectly and spared from that fate makes him grateful, but now he realizes how much an ego destroying scene this is. A smaller girl is holding him in her arms... THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS WRONG HERE!!

He feels his eyes widen gently, then he doesn't waste any more time to get off her. He steps back quickly too, moving his hands up in an apologetic gesture. ]

S, Sorry. [ hey. waitaminute— ] Ah. You...?

[ Didn't he see this girl... somewhere before? But he can't quite his finger when or where. He observes her in further silence, attempting to recall why she seems familiar. ]

b is for balls (snowballs)

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh, much like Setsuna, had been caught off guard by the sheer enthusiasm of the Caissan youth; any attempts to ignore them and continue on his way had ended similarly, until he finally gave in and found himself embroiled in the one true snowball fight to end them all.

At least Gilgamesh was treating it as such. So much so that he's managed to blend in with the children now and he's among the group trying to bully Setsuna, for as grumpy as he was about current circumstances and migraines he'd also suffered Gilgamesh wasn't much better than one big kid himself when it came down to it. If nothing else, it served as a decent distraction.]

Is that the best you can do?! Where's your sense of spirit, boy?

[Yet another aggravatingly bombastic blonde in Setsuna's life... but watch out! Here comes the snowball, aimed right for his face! Think fast!]

AH...!!!

[quaria]

[ NO, NOT THE FACE... ;A; Setsuna doesn't want his headache to come back...!! Clearly that means he should move away as soon as possible. He's still off-balance though, with his body dulled out like this. He hasn't fully adjusted to the mana of this world, so his movements are sluggish.

He does his best to dodge the incoming snowball, but it hit a part of his hair, leaving a snowy trail against one part of it. At least that served as a wake up call... How can he complain over this situation, the exercise might be good for him. He has a feeling lying down a bed won't ease his body at all, so he's grateful that the children and now this man is trying to motivate him to move more.

He obviously can't lose to himself. He needs to start adjusting. ]

... I will try not to disappoint you.

[ As the kids happily run with him, he picks up a handful of snow before attempting to return fire at the blonde. It's a skilled throw and it shows, but his unadjusted body is causing him to move more slowly than his usual. ]

a

[harassing]

[ One of the first orders of business was to explore the city. At the very least, he could scope out what resources were available to them outside of the Hall of Glory. They may not have much in the way of money at the moment, but he still believed such an endeavor worthwhile. He spots Setsuna, and despite having no acquaintance, knows that an unwell soldier isn't good for their cause.

Whatever their cause is supposed to be. He approaches, a gloved hand lightly bracing Setsuna's shoulder. ]

Hmm? Are you okay? [ Clearly not, if he's asking for the infirmary, but just how grave is the pain? ] We should find you some help.

[quaria]

[ Shinya's caring gesture and soft tone regardless surprises Setsuna, as he's still thrown off by pretty much everything. He jolts very slightly, then moves his widened eyes to face the other young man. He blinks once before regaining himself...

Ah... Upon realizing the other is offering help, he gratefully and quietly nods. ]

Thank... you. I am attempting to find the nearest clinic. [ With his map still open, he points to the nearest mark from the Hall of Glory's coordinates. ] I believe there is one at the Regular Army's Headquarters.

c

[sunflowerseeds]

[Why did Hamtaro sign up to make a 10-foot-tall snowman? How did Hamtaro sign himself up in the first place? Why is he making an army of tiny snowhamsters instead of the assigned giant snowhuman?

These questions are totally irrelevant, stop asking. Anyway, the kids seem to like it? He stopped questioning things when he realized he could talk to humans, but the fact kids love hamsters isn't a question anyway, he knows he's cute. ()

Ah, but that newcomer looks....tired? Sick? Both? He puts off the snowproject for a minute to run over to the resting stranger.]

Are you okay?

[quaria]

[ OH, NO... Who wouldn't like such an adorable army of snowhams! ;U; The fact that a hamster is capable of making them in the first place is an admirable spectacle in itself! If Setsuna had seen it, he definitely would've been mesmerized and kept watching.

He didn't notice right away, since he's busy trying not to die off. As someone who hailed from the desert, the winter isn't something he's quite comfortable with... However, it isn't the first time. He's familiar with this temperature, although not quite enough to have him used to it. So he's just... trembling there.

But he does have enough energy to move and talk still. Actually, he should get moving soon. Sitting will only make him feel colder. ]

I apologize for worrying you. [ He can't believe he's talking to a hamst— wait. ] A talking hamster...? Where have I...

[ Ah!! He remembers talking to one before...! But when? How...? ]

C

[dualized]

[ Marie is already playing in the snow, the kids shouting out different requests and tips regarding this Ultimate Snowman. It becomes increasingly clear that this isn't a job that any one person could fill. Still-- she's having fun practicing rolling up snow but... it's not very high. It was, however, sturdy. Turning, she slips a bit on the snow and lands on it. Just topping two feet it does a good job of catching her. It's silly and fun and she's enjoying herself; laughing as she pulls herself out and brushes off her uniform skirt.

In all her fun, she hadn't realized anyone else had arrived- but thankfully one of the kids passes it along, telling her that help had arrived and after seeing her work added that she would need it.

There's still snow on her when she steps inside, but she's all smiles when she sees Setsuna by the fireplace. ] Setsuna! [ Quickly, she joins him, sitting on her legs in front of the fire. But up close she notices he... looks a little rough. ] ...are you alright?

[quaria]

Marie...

[ Oh, no. He's already made a few kids worry earlier, now he's worrying her as well. He looks at her softly, indicating that he wants her to not do so. He's going to be fine, so he tries to give her a meaningful look to spell out that fact. It's the same face he gives whenever he waves away unnecessary concern.

But that didn't mean he doesn't appreciate it. He really does. ]

Yes. I will be. What of you?

[ He sees that snow all over her... So he extends a hand to brush them off. He's glad to see her here, though. He's not surprised to see her here too, since he's always known that she and Allelujah has always held children close to their hearts. ]

B

[yelly]

[The children have a much easier time convincing Kaisar to join in with their game compared to Setsuna and he's already being escorted over by a whole gaggle of them. Although it seems they have a more complicated game in mind now that they have roped some heroes in. Namely, the obvious leader of the group points confidently up at Kaisar and declares:

"Okay, you're a biig Yeti attacking the village!"

Yeah, he just got cast as the villain. It's not easy being over six foot when surrounded by precocious children. Kaisar looks stricken for a second before collecting himself. They obviously prefer the cool hero type in their stories luckily enough for Setsuna. It's not a personal offense against him. Totally.]

Well, we can't let the children down.

[Ahahahaha... Torn down by kids.]

[quaria]

[ YETI... This sight is pretty cute, though. It's like witnessing a big bear from a fairy tale get surrounded by children. Maybe that's why they decided on a Yeti for him. It's okay, they're cool!

Setsuna quietly observes, wondering for a second. ... Until it hits him that they assigned him as the main hero. It's then that he makes an unsure face too, thinking that it... doesn't really suit him.

But it's just a game, so. He can play along. He looks at the "Yeti," nodding a little to him as if to introduce himself in silence. He is so sorry for all the future snowballs. ]

Yes, I will do what I can.

FORCED WILDCARD!!!

[outbrave]

[ It's a lot to take in, this Hero business. From blazing through space toward his ultimate end, to waking up naked in an fantastical unknown land with its own set of laws and physics, and magic for that matter. Graham doesn't plan on delving too far into that aspect - he's always been more hands on, brawler over brains. Not that he has any experience with magic, but his impression is that magic requires intellect and bookworming. Graham doesn't have the kind of patience, so it'll be interesting to see how he would be able to "advance."

Well, he'll cross that bridge once he gets there.

In the early morning following his arrival, now more than properly dressed, Graham finds himself kicking through the shoveled pavement right outside the Hall of Glory. Without much direction, Graham follows the cobblestone paths, trying to familiarize with his new "home." As he approaches a bench, he takes no time to brush off any snow on the seat and set himself upon it, breathing in a lungful of new air and life that he's only beginning to appreciate.

Caissa, huh. He blinks toward the sky- it's gray, much like some Amercian winters, but there's still a certain beauty in it. Quiet, but he doesn't suspect his new job would allow it to remain so.

But it doesn't remain quiet for long - soon after he relaxes, a familiar sound of a motorbike puffing all the way. It causes Graham to turn his attention toward the general direction wherever it's coming from, and through it, he can feel the inexperience. Someone who doesn't know how to properly switch gears... it makes him huff a laugh, wondering who could possibly be riding their bikes first thing in the morning like this...?! ]

/SPRAYS WITH PESTICIDE

[quaria]

[ The weather is so cold, yet it only serves as motivation for more movement. Staying still in such temperatures is only asking for trouble. To battle away ice brittle and shake off the unpleasant sensations all over his new mana-infused body, Setsuna works hard. Mornings are the most effective hours of the day for exercise, so he doesn't waste time to do so. It didn't matter how many times he would literally fall and meet with the snow, he's determined to make this work for him. He has to.

Except his motorbike is refusing to listen, no matter what. Setsuna does wonder why that is, but he already witnessed other Heroes struggling with the same predicament with their own weapons. It's the confirmation that he needed to know, that it isn't him or his skills. Perhaps it's because they're all still so unused to this world? He can only guess that it can only be aided in due time... So he does his best, attempting to figure out how to properly use his weapon. He can't treat it like an ordinary bike anymore.

It's a long, long road for him. But a short, short trip to a flying mistake. In fact, it's already happening. His bike refused to acknowledge his constant attempt at breaking, causing him to brace up and get ready for the inevitable launch. It's... it's okay, it's only the twenty-first time ever since he rode it!! ... Oops. Well, by the end of that, the young Meister will now find himself accidentally landing on something. Maybe someone. ]

C!

[nicocissistic]

[ Nico was absolutely ready for her job in making the best snowman ever! The kids will surely love her and she'll soon have some pocket money to save her from Monday breakfast horrors. Then she'll be free to continue her hero days being the cutest idol on the— WHO JUST CRASHED INTO HER??

Falling to the ground with a thump, Nico immediately tries to pick herself up but Setsuna's weight holds her down, the fallen bike also visible from her field of vision. It's easy to put two and two together, but Nico was more concerned about herself and how she was going to be late he doesn't— ] Get off!

[quaria]

[ NO. HE IS SO SORRY, LITTLE IDOL...!! ;A; Setsuna doesn't hesitate to quickly do so, lifting himself off the poor girl. He can't believe it... He's really reaching new heights with his track record of blunders. Now he's landing on top of little girls, what on earth does that make him. Forgive this sinner.

He looks so guilty, though. He lowers his head slightly as he apologizes: ]

I... Sorry. Are you hurt anywhere?

[ HE'S WILLING TO PRINCESS CARRY HER, JSYK. ]

b FINALLY I GIVE U A NORMAL TAG

[avantguard]

[ Asuna is on a nearby bench, also trying to stick to quieter areas and avoiding the crowd. She already got lost in there once. She keeps her head ducked and stares at the ground, trying to make sense of the situation she's in. All she wanted to do was see what her ONII-CHAN was so excited about. This «Sword Art Online» so many people talked about. It was only a whim, a passing desire. He was leaving for overseas anyway and wouldn't get to try the game on the launching day.

But Asuna did. As soon as she called out "Link Start!" she was waking up in this place. She's not sure if it's the game she had tried to log into but either way, she regrets attempting to try something new that wasn't studying or anything she usually did. And yelling out "Link End!" didn't do any good either.

Once she hears a bunch of kids yelling and making a fuss, her shoulders twitch and she slowly looks up and across the way. That group of children is bothering a young man but she doesn't think it's her business to interrupt or save him. He seems to be ignoring them anyway which seems a little cold. So she's definitely a little shocked when he stands and starts to join in on the snowball fight. All the kids start laughing, ducking to hide behind some other benches. They get closer to her with every throw until one of them is running over to her. Her eyes go wide and she's already moving to stand and apologize, say she doesn't want to play.

But a snowball nails her right in the arm and she yelps, staring at who's thrown it. "Gotcha!" They call out, from nearby Setsuna. "You're it!" No, she can't play. This is no time for fun and games. No time for a parade when she wants to cry because she's stuck here and has no escape. "C'mon! Betcha can't hit us!" Has she even been a part of a snowball fight before?

Her eyes drop to the snow at her feet again. Well. It's better than autographs... and she bends down slowly to gather up a bit of snow to make a ball, packing it down. As she does, another ball hits her other side and her head whips towards them to stare down a laughing kid. He looks a bit nervous now... as she reels her hand back. ] There's no point in throwing a snowball at someone who is already it.

[ Right after, her lips quirk in a small smirk once the kid takes off, screeching. SHE'S CHASING THAT LITTLE SHIT, arm raised to throw the snowball. As they head towards Setsuna, she lets the snowball fly through the air. Problem is her aim might be a little off. WHERE DOES IT HIT?? ]

AM I DREAMING

[quaria]

[ To avoid the unfortunate fate of becoming "it", the kids scramble and conveniently hide behind the unknowing Setsuna. He's the tallest among the participants, so it's inevitable that they'd want to take advantage of that. When they came rushing like a wave of hyper snow bunnies, he could barely react. If he has a stable condition, the story would've been different. But right now, being able to quickly react is difficult on his current body. It's really hard when he has lost access to a number of his senses, he's still disoriented... This is part of the reason he preferred to keep to himself.

When Setsuna turns to face Asuna's direction, bam, the snowball hits him right on the face. That can't be good for someone who's still recovering from a headache. He's been avoiding a direct hit on his head... As he expected, he gets shaken by the unfortunate impact. He does what he can to get a hold of himself. If he collapses here, everyone might worry about him. He didn't want to cause that kind of trouble... So he holds his head for a moment, on a facade to cover his eyes as if he's wiping the snow off his face. In reality though, he's refocusing and soothing himself to avoid a dizzy spell. Sad that he doesn't know how to use basic magic yet, even if it's natural considering everyone just arrived. Still, it would've came in handy at a time like this...

After a few seconds of focusing, Setsuna relifts his head to look out at the kids and the new participant. This is the first time that he meets with Asuna's eyes. He's aware enough to shortly notice her pale complexion... What happened to this girl? He falls into short silence again, this time causing the children behind him curiously peer up at him. He's been pausing a lot... They all tug at him, reminding the young male Hero that they're still playing! Of course, that's more than enough to have him realize what he's been unconsciously doing. Right, he should do his best from now on. If nothing hits him, then he shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Now that he's "it", Setsuna reacts appropriately. He spares Asuna a small nod first, then rolls up a snowball of his own. He pretends to run slowly to match the pace of the children, then eventually throws the snowball to the most hyper-looking kid among them. ]

C

[carptricks]

[TODAY'S WEATHER FORECAST: cold temperatures, leftover snow, and falling motorbikes. it is only by Kaito's quick reflexes and light feet that he manages to duck and dodge out of the way before Setsuna's bike crashes right into him]

Whoa--!

[instead of puffing up indignantly at the near accident, however, Kaito immediately trots over to Setsuna's side, crouches down, and offers him a hand. his gaze flickers from side to side, searching his fellow Hero for any obvious injuries]

You okay down there?

[quaria]

[ Ugh, really. Setsuna couldn't move right away due to the painful impact against the snow; for now, he's trying to hold onto his back part. A headache yesterday, and now this... He's off to a good start.

He's only able to reach out to the hand after the sensation subsided. He keeps his other hand on his back though, soothing it out more as he stands back up with the young man's help. ]

... My apologies. More importantly, what of you?