Momoi Hisa
Location: Some 20 miles from Road's End.
Phase: Morning Phase.
Date: 06.09.1994.
Weather: Sunny
"Y-yes, um, myself!? I... I am not sure if I really a-am that interesting, j-just a simple country-girl from Niseko," Subaru said, looking still a bit flustered at the sudden attention targeted at her. "I, I have worked at my family's shrine since I was 5, I am sixteen years old, my h-hobbies are skiing, poetry and ban'ei races, this is my first time abroad and... and... err, what e-else is there...?"
Why did this suddenly feel like a marriage interview?
It was becoming clear that Subaru Iburi was a rather literal person. When asked about herself, she started listing off traits like from a trading card and when given focus by another person she acted like she had to somehow meet their expectations. As the smaller girl still mulled over what else to tell about herself, the Akita inu puppy peeked its head from within the bag once more, those button-eyes of it staring intently at Momoi.
... Was the dog smiling?
"O-oh, and this is Tonkori!" Subaru said in half-whisper, scratching the puppy behind his ear. "He is the youngest hunting dog we have, and, well... I did not simply want to leave h-him behind. He would have gotten lonely if I did..."
It was quite clear which one of the two had gotten lonely had the dog stayed behind.
"And y-yes, I would very much appreciate help in taking care of him," Subaru continued a little sheepishly. "He is quite the rambunctious young man, and a comrade would be a great help when taking care of him and, um, hiding him."
Apparently realizing it was being talked about, the Akita inu puppy wagged its tail once more, the whole backpack rustling as it did so. His eyes were now aimed squarely at Momoi, and even the girl could see there was a surprisingly significant amount of intelligence behind them. It might have not been just a superstition that hunting dogs were almost as smart as their owners.
... Actually, speaking of smart.
While Subaru's words had been clumsy as she introduced herself, hadn't she avoided the topic of 'why was she here' completely and quite naturally?
Vier Wolff
Location: Some 20 miles from Road's End.
Phase: Morning Phase.
Date: 06.09.1994.
Weather: Sunny
You could practically see the anxiety melt away from Aleen's face. It was replaced by quite relieved and slightly flabbergasted expression of 'Wait did that really just work?' Another self-conflagration from the blue-haired girl avoided (quite nimbly at that), it seemed that Vier had managed to smooth out the wrinkles from this story so that it sounded at least plausible on paper. Of course it was clear that Aleen was a terrible liar and had a habit of getting way too into her own excitement (a dangerous combination if any), but she didn't seem like a bad person?Originally Posted by Vier
"Y-yeah, it had all that stuff! For reals!" Aleen hurried to affirm, nodding again and again. "L-lucky for you I got it all memorized, so we don't even need the physical pamphlet once we get to stretch our legs. We can just head out there the moment we want."
As she said this, Aleen turned towards the window once more. Her red eyes reflected the passing scenery, and this time, the stare wasn't as intense. A small smile was playing on the blue-haired girl's face as she took in the sight of the approaching town. They had now passed the woods and had entered the last stretch of asphalt-road leading straight to the center of the town, and from there to the school on the other side.
"... I'm all sore from sitting in this dang thing anyway," Aleen added. "Can't wait to get to stretch my legs again~!"
As if to emphasize her words, Aleen actually did stretch her whole body with fervor.
Elaine Winters
Location: Some 20 miles from Road's End.
Phase: Morning Phase.
Date: 06.09.1994.
Weather: Sunny
Honestly, this conversation was a bit like a minefield. Every syllable falling from Elaine's lips seemed to make Gabi shiver in fear, like she had actually expected the girl to start yelling at her. There was being afraid of strangers, and then there was... whatever this was. But just like meticulously and carefully making your way through said minefield, being patient and persistent had been the key here. It was barely noticeable but at the end of it, wasn't Gabi a bit more comfortable in her seat?
Or rather, she wasn't attempting to merge with the window anymore.
Progress, nonetheless?
"... My mom buys all my things," Gabi quietly answered. "... Not much. She buys what I need."
While there was nothing exactly wrong with what Gabi had said, the way she said it... even Elaine could immediately feel something was a bit off there. Or rather, wasn't quite right. Like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle connecting just fine, but still being wrong because they came from different sets. Still, setting aside the oddity in how Gabi had put it, this did explain something about her. While her hair was meticulously taken care off, her clothes were quite unassuming and drab. The grey hoodie did not do any favors for her. Heck, the most colorful thing about her was her eyes.
Speaking of said eyes, they were currently staring at Elaine's right arm, probably because Gabi didn't have the courage to actually look the other girl in the eyes.
"... You don't look butch," Gabi said, the first proper thing spoken out of her own volition. "... It's not we-"
Rest of her words disappeared in a sound that was like hitting a squeaky-toy, as a sudden paper airplane out of nowhere crashed straight into Gabi's forehead with its sharp beak. Letting out an animal-like whimper Gabi shielded her face with her hands for any further paperplane-related assaults, curling up a little on her seat. The spot where the previous offender had hit was now growing bright red; either the thrower had considerable arm strength, or then Gabi's pale skin was even more sensitive than it looked.
"... Owie..."
No, it was probably the whole person who was sensitive.
Elise Pelltier & John Dove
Location: Some 20 miles from Road's End.
Phase: Morning Phase.
Date: 06.09.1994.
Weather: Sunny
"Oh, right, right, the ocean!" Sakura exclaimed, nodding in agreement. "It might be a bit too chilly soon to go for a swim, but we should definitely hold some sort of get-together at the beach. Maybe build a bonfire, get some food, cook said food, eat said food, get to know each other... isn't that how it goes in TV shows and books? Or rather, it's supposedly an American thing, right? Parties at the beach with a bonfire?"
Just what sort of shows had this girl watched...?
Nevertheless, that sparkle in her eyes didn't die out. If anything, it grew and grew as she heard both John and Elise tell about their hopes for this trip. Maybe she just was such an easily excitable person, or maybe there was bit more to it than that... nevertheless, at least she was a good listener. She didn't deem either goal for the journey worse than the other and nodded encouragingly to both as they spoke these goals out loud.
"Hmm... something to feel passionate about?" Sakura put a finger to her lips, thinking intently. "That's sorta deep, isn't it John? I know we've all been sent here for important reasons, but to want to find something like that on top of it all... that's a lot to think about."
Then, as if getting an idea, Sakura snapped fingers and beamed a smile towards the two of them. She slapped herself few times to chest, as if to emphasize her trustworthiness.
"Aw, what the heck! If you ever need help in finding that something, just tell me! I might not look like it, but I'm a pretty good thinker," Sakura exclaimed proudly. "Same goes for meeting others. If either of you needs someone to chaperone you, or don't have the courage to talk to someone, don't hesitate to ask me! Since we're all spending a year together, we should make it the best year possible!"
She puffed her chest proudly at her own words, even though at the end of the day, it was a rather humble chest.
Lucille Faraday
Location: Some 20 Miles from Road's End
Phase: Morning Phase.
Date: 06.09.1994.
Weather: Sunny
The embarrassing moment was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
Before Lucille even properly realized it, the smell of willowherb was gone. Instead it had been replaced by furious sounds of a pen sliding across a paper. The large notebook that Caleb had was open once more, and with surprising speed a scene was appearing upon its surface. First came the rough-looking cliff and the terrain around it, a rocky extension of the hilltop where dark woods and sycamore trees remained. At the very edge of the cliff formed a sturdy, if old, building. A venerable lighthouse of many years that had seen better days. It braved the wind, the sea and the darkness to guide ships back home to the harbor and to loved ones. Indeed, this was a duty it had been bound to for many, many decades.
But as the scene of the lighthouse by the sea began to form, Caleb seemed to add one more detail to the picture... one he didn't even seem to realize.
A humanoid figure was standing in the shadow of the lighthouse, staring out to the sea. Long hair flowing in the wind, one hand on her cheek, eyes gazing deep into the distant horizon... and a young seagull perched on her shoulder, looking into the same direction.
"..."
Well, there was no getting around it. While the clothes were different (she had never worn an attire fit for a sailor, really)...
... That was Lucille herself, wasn't it?
Vivienne Bianchi
Location: Some 20 Miles from Road's End
Phase: Morning Phase.
Date: 06.09.1994.
Weather: Sunny
"... No, that is quite alright."
Alex Terrot's response to the sudden game of charades and picture puzzles was a subdued, quiet sense of confusion. Whatever this person was thinking, they were clearly trying not to let it show on their face. Maybe out of politeness, perhaps out of fear that if they let their actual thoughts to the surface, the whole situation could become so much worse. Whatever the actual reason, the fact of the matter was that Alex Terrot declined politely and set the notepad back into the vast pockets of their considerably large coat.
"My apologies, I do not think I caught your name," Alex Terrot then continued, a hint of French accent creeping into that voice. "While I have my doubts about the validity of this school, at the very least we can be cordial with each other during our time here, yes?"
A gloved hand (very fine leather, actually) reached out towards Vivienne. Not to shake, no, but to take a hold of it for a greeting much more old-fashioned and fancy, one often reserved to noble ladies and upper-class individuals. And it wasn't even conscious effort on Alex's part. All of this happened as naturally as breathing, meaning that either Alex greeted everyone this way... or then Vivienne had been 'categorized' in Alex's head into a group that deserved such a greeting.
---- As it turned out, maybe Alex Terrot was quite the gentleman?
"I know I said it before, but allow me to introduce myself once more," the blonde youth lowered their head a bit. "Alex Terrot, freelance journalist at your service, Madame...?"
The question was left in the air, waiting for a name.
New Person Met!
Prushka
Location: Some 20 miles from Road's End.
Phase: Morning Phase.
Date: 06.09.1994.
Weather: Sunny
"Pyry. Pyry Leijonamieli."
It seemed like now that Prushka's eyes were no longer bloodshot and the look on her face was not one to chill someone to their bones, even the lanky boy was able to relax. He leaned once more back on his seat, clearly glad he had gotten his cord back too. As he did, he listened to the girl's complains, small grin rising back to his face. However, unlike the one from before, this one wasn't full of ridicule. Well, it was still somewhat annoying grin, but this time there seemed that there was nothing personal in it.
He was just amused by the situation.
... Maybe a little bit amused by Prushka.
"Yeah, I know, rings a bell, right? Can't help but to think 'where have I heard that name again', right? Well..." Sounding a bit too self-satisfied, Pyry looked at his own fist. "Here's a hint: November 12... Denver, Colorado... McNichols Sports Arena... Royce Gracie lying flat on his ass after he was knocked out by a knee to the forehead..."
The oaf seemed to be waiting for Prushka to have some grand revelation, almost as if this was common knowledge and something everyone should have known. No, more than that, it was like he was expecting her to be amazed for some reason. Maybe that was why the boy was looking so smug once again - like someone thinking they're about to completely shock another person with something grand.
"... Pay-per-view event of the year...?"
And now he was starting to sound a little desperate.