koiwamizuiro | 2nd Dive: Exploration [Action]

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2nd Dive: Exploration [Action]

[Some time has passed since Ai first entered Luceti, and even now she was growing accustomed to life in the village. Slowly, but steadily. It was a much quieter place than what she was used to back in Kibitou.

The draft had come and gone, but the girl hadn't taken part in it, and she was thankful for that. Her recent entrance into this peculiar world was enough to deal with on its own, though she had kept herself as informed as she could as to what exactly was going on.

Today, she had initially tried to simply soothe herself with another walk around the village. It had developed to be a certain routine for her that she often practiced, and the weather was more pleasant than it had been before, warmer. She was wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and blue denim jeans, along with her yellow jacket on top that she had regained possession of upon entering Luceti.

However, curiosity got the better of her and she ended up heading to several places that she had intended on checking out earlier, diverging from her walk a bit.]

Action I.

[Firstly, Ai found herself near the Bakery in the morning, a certain scent inviting her to come even closer and see what was available that day. The girl had wondered whether she would be able to find anything like her favorite Imagawayaki dessert here to buy later (or get, rather), so she would inform herself of what was offered here. Besides, she was also feeling hungry now, so her timing couldn't have been better.

One may find her right at the time she has an inner discussion with herself as to what to get, or they may find her wandering close by later with a croissant in her hand, already eating it contentedly.]

Action II.

[Then, Ai found her way to the front door of the Battle Drome. From what she had understood, this fascinating facility wasn't just a combat simulator, and she wanted to test out its capabilities for herself. She had read about it and already had a few scenarios in mind, but that didn't necessarily mean that she couldn't use the help of somebody around offering to help her understand it a bit more.]

Action III.

[The Library was also a place the girl wanted to check, the last location on her route today, though she didn't have anything particular in mind upon entering it as she simply went on browsing. Maybe there was something informative as to the worlds of the other people she met here? Or perhaps there were different works of fiction made by authors from these other worlds that could intrigue her? Regardless, she wouldn't mind having some reading material to go through before she went to sleep each day.

Ai would spend quite a bit of time here, thinking as to what she would get and what would spark her interest the most.]

Action IV.

[Finally, when the sky has already darkened, Ai would take a small break near the river close to her new come, Community Housing Building #2, and clear her head some with her eyes watching the stars and her body resting on the grass. Anyone wandering around this late would be able to catch her there.]

(OOC: You can stumble upon her anywhere along her route. Reading the reflections post I have linked to is not necessary as it simply shows her initial thoughts and impressions of Luceti right after she gets herself an apartment.)

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[He follows after her, both interested in continuing their conversation and see how his scenario look. For all he knows, he might have overlooked something and need to fix it later.]

After you get the usual explanations and a place to stay, establishing some type of routine helped in getting used to living here.

[Miss Mari once told him and his friends something like that. In a stressful situation, if people can establish a semblance of a normal life, they can live peacefully until the lockdown's lifted.

Unfortunately, it wasn't so simple at the time. If there's something he can give the Malnosso points for, it's giving them food and electricity.]

Between the experiments and drafts, it's very easy to get settled.

[Now they're outside of an available room's door, he pause and gestures to it.]

After you.

[Ai just had to shake her head at that, the tone in her voice utterly confident as she spoke while she still looked at Sharpe.]

That is not true. People can also simply swim for enjoyment or for the feeling of being in the water. I love doing it myself, especially outdoors, and when the body of water is large and deep enough to give me that much more freedom.

[For herself, Sharpe's viewpoint, in turn, was a completely alien concept to her given how much time she had devoted to simple swimming for fun, and that even discounted all the swimming practice at school, whether she did it herself or taught others to do the same.]

[She nodded her head in Kouki's direction as she walked, what he was saying making sense to her.]

They did, yes. Though I suppose, in a way, it is precisely the Malnosso's plan to make it easier for us to get used to all of this so that we help them on their missions and drafts... So that they can help us in return, if they ever decide to.

[As ever, she certainly had her doubts about that and it showed in the tone of her voice, but it was a thought that she had processed in her head a fair amount already.

So that was why she decided to focus her on the scenario Kouki had created instead, her eyes widening a bit and her brows furrowing as she inspected the room they were now in and she had led them to. While it was not exactly like the pool she used back in Kibitou High, there were definitely some similarities; the boy had supposedly made it similar to his own high school's pool back home.

It was definitely an otherworldly experience to see all of this, which was all essentially a simulation, appear so lifelike and realistic to the simple Japanese school girl regardless. Even the water in the pool sparkled under the light coming in from the windows, as it would be like if it was actually there.

There was a look of amazement in Ai's eyes as her head turned around and her gaze took in her surroundings, her back to Kouki as she spoke both to herself and to him.]

Wow... This is really impressive... It is simple, but it looks very real anyway... [Next, she would be walking up to the water in the pool and feel it with her hand before any further praise.]

Yeah... Well. Okay. So I was here before, but got sent home. Then, I came back, but don't remember being here. I really don't know what to call myself, from when I was here before.

I... I really wish I had memories from then, but I've never gotten them back.

...I suppose you'll have to excuse me, miss. There ain't no decent water for a man or woman or child to swim in, where I was raised.

[ anyone who willingly chose to swim in the thames was probably a loony. ]

She... isn't here now. So I think so. I hope so.

[ She flaps up to the higher shelves and does a circle around the room. ] That's this whole room! What are you looking for? Mystery? Adventure? Romance?

[She lifted a brow, understanding that their life experiences were obviously fairly different, as was the exact time they were taken from. Honestly, she really wouldn't have wanted to be in Sharp's shoes back on Earth.]

There is here, though. [She tilted her head curiously at the man.] Once it gets warm enough, you should give it a try and let yourself enjoy it. You can go to one of the lakes, maybe, or at the beach.

I see. [She nodded, aware of such occurrences being possible as she had been told and read in the Luceti guide, yet another strange thing about this place, since apparently people could sometimes retain their memories as well.]

It is probably a strange feeling knowing that you were here before. I would like to have recalled what had happened in your place myself. All the people you have met here remember you from your past time here, but you cannot remember them. [And that would be a sad thing not for herself alone, but for pretty much everyone she knew.]

She was, then. [What she said now was not just meant to comfort the alicorn, but she also believed it herself even if she would never be truly convinced that the Malnosso were actually behind it. All the people who had been here and were now gone; otherwise they would have resurrected.

As for the genre of books that she wanted...]

Um... I was just looking for something... otherworldly. [She scratched her cheek a bit as she thought.] I guess all of those work if I find the concept interesting.

Yeah... [She gets a bit distant.] It's difficult, and I can't help but feel guilty. I wish I could remember things, remember people, but no matter how hard I try, nothing. I just get nothing. I'm always scared that I'm going to ruin something because I don't remember. [A fear that actually happened, seeing how she's no longer with Sokka.]

You sound pretty sure. And you wouldn't be the only one. I used to be here, apparently, and I've spent time in Equestria since then.

How about some science fiction? [ She pulls a small stack off the shelves and brings them down to Ai's level. ] H.G. Wells has got quite the imagination.

[Ai blinked a couple of times as she looked at the girl and saw the ruefulness in her expression and voice. To have something like that wreaked upon her was not something she would ever look forward to if she came to be brought back here again.]

Your friends here have probably helped you learning more about what you have done, but it is not the same as the actual memories. [She then tilted her head with sympathy as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.] I am sorry about that.

...If you say so. [ although he sounds unconvinced, it may take a few weeks for the notion of recreational swimming to actually settle in and be made comfortable. ] But I would bl-- [ bloody well. ] I would hate to look foolish.

[Her eyes widened a bit at Twilight's comment before she nodded, now more familiar with the concept of recurring journeys to Luceti than she had been before.] You probably do not have memories of that trip, however.

[She had to shake her head at the alicorn's suggestion, though, as she clarified what she had meant earlier.] I can read H.G. Wells back home. I was looking for something that I can only read in Luceti. Something from another world.

[That comment earned another amused smile on the girl's part as she kept one of her brows arched up slightly at the man that she had lifted before. Given how different their backgrounds are, it might've made sense, but she couldn't help but ask.]

Why would you look foolish? Lack of confidence?

It's fine. [A weak smile.] My friends did help me though. And no one was upset that I didn't remember who they were. They were actually really supportive. I guess, for some, they've grown used to it. It's an awful thing to get used to, but I happens here.

It would not have been fair if they were upset with you... That would be like being mad because somebody was kidnapped by the Malnosso. [And from what she had been hearing, avoiding a kidnapping when a person already had a target on their back was not an easy thing to accomplish. For people who could actually fight and stand their ground too.

In a brief lull in their conversation, the Japanese girl bowed her head a bit as she introduced herself, not wanting to be thought as rude for not having done so already.]

I am Ai Nanasaki. It is a pleasure to meet you.

Lack of learning, more like. And I suspect someone somewhere would tell me that it wouldn't befit an officer of His Britannic Majesty's army to go a-swimming just a'cause he wanted to.

[ not that fitting actions were ever a real concern of his. but it seems as good an excuse as any to hide behind. ]

[Kouki nodded. While it's not his exact opinions, it's no secret that the Malnosso used the villagers in drafts, experiments and missions. Despite his misgiving due to the nature of a few experiments, Kouki knew the Malnosso have a lot of information and power.

Information and power he intended on getting, one day, before he returned to his part of the multiverse. He's powerful enough, but the Malnosso's information was more important to him. They may have information about a few, certain matters he care about. He just need to keep reaching for a chance to see them and grab it.]

More or less. Even if we hate them, working for the Malnosso would help in the long run.

[He turned his attention to the pool, watching Ai examining the scenario with a smile. He managed to draw upon his almost fading memories for this. He almost forgot about some parts of his old human life, so he have to work with the vague impressions in his mind.]

Thanks. I did my best with it, but I still have room to improve.

[When she feel the water in the pool, it seems surprisingly cool. The battle dome was very good at simulating the feeling to stimulate their senses.]

No, it wouldn't. [But she still felt guilty.

Suki returned the slight bow.] I'm Suki. It is very nice to meet you Ai.

[Though not really expecting a positive answer to her suggestion, the Japanese teenager was curious as to what Sharpe's reaction would be regardless, and proceeded to offer teaching him with an amused tone in her voice.]

Perhaps I could help you learn, then. I am a captain of a swimming team back home in my high school.

[Another alien concept; not really knowing how to swim. In her mind, people like him were missing out a lot, especially if they weren't giving themselves a chance to enjoy it.

She then shook her head in his direction a bit and then turned it around to look at the river they were both right next to.]

What others think of what you do should not matter... Besides, unless there are other military men from your army here, I doubt you would receive a comment like that to begin with.

[Aside from her initial curiosity as to Suki's world that was there to begin with, the returned bow added even more to it, as not everyone in Luceti followed the same custom of proper introductions.]

What world are you from, Suki-san? [She tilted her head a little as she inquired and crossed her arms behind her.]

[Not really agreeing or disagreeing with the boy, Ai only lifted one of her brows as she looked at him with an uncertain expression on her face.]

If they truly did want to help, I think they could cooperate with us more than they do.

[The information Ai herself would desire from the Malnosso, if they had it to begin with, would involve confirming some things she had read from the guide that no one from the village could say for certain that were true. Whether people vanishing from Luceti actually returned to their respective homes that they were taken from, whether there was a way to go back there on their own, and if time in their worlds actually had stopped while they were there. Believing that it had was a comforting thought, but knowing for sure would be even more so.

As for the simulated water; it was cool, and while most people would say that it was exactly like it would be in the real world, to Ai it still felt like there was just something a little bit off about it. She couldn't put her finger on what, but she had a distinct feeling about it regardless.]

It is not perfect, but... back in my world, such technology does not exist yet... Seeing this is just a bit overwhelming to me. I wonder how swimming here would be like.

[She didn't vocalize her thoughts about the simulated water to him though, not really knowing how to explain it anyway. Regardless, there was still an excited smile on her features as she turned her head around once more to take in that she was, in fact, in a virtual reality.]

Oh! I didn't realize you had... [ she peers at the book cover ] giant tripods at home. Maybe one of these others?... [ She looks down the shelf. How much of these does she have to recategorize if it's not fiction? ]

Oh, and I don't have any memories of my last time, no. Though some others here do.

A captain? [ the rank means something very different to him. ] Truly?

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