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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[ building number two used to be sharpe's home, as well. only recently had he moved house, but he still found his feet straying back towards his early billet. sometimes, at night, his steps took him there on instinct and it wasn't until he his roughened fingers are on the front door that he realizes his error.

tonight, he announces his mild frustration with colourful oaths: ] Jesus wept. Don't you bloody well know your way, yet? [ the major never used to speak to himself. not back home. but here...

he sighs and retreats from the front porch, opting to cut across the grass to reach his actual destination. the clink of steel in his scabbard and the soft rhythm of muttered curses announce his approach. ]

[And just like that, Ai's peaceful time to herself as she reminisced about her family and friends back home was suddenly disturbed. Curiosity got the better of her and she had to turn her head to the source of the curses.

She was met with the sight of the frustrated man walking through the grass, annoyed for some reason or another. She couldn't recall speaking or seeing him before, but one thing was for certain, as was with everybody else here: he shared the same fate as her, trapped in this place, unable to get away. What could have happened to make him angry right now, though, at a peaceful and tranquil night like this?

The girl would keep her gaze on him for a bit, her eyes narrowed, but otherwise, her desire to simply have the time to relax was predominant. It didn't look like the man was exactly approachable anyway, which didn't make her want to say anything to him in particular. Instead, she simply remained where she was by the river.]

[ his steps bring him nearer the girl, though he's yet to spot her. he was too busy kicking at the grass and muttering about buildings and houses and -- perplexingly enough -- tents. he only pauses at the moment he comes perilously close to walking right over the person lounging in the grass.

luckily, his eyes catch the human shape at the last moment and he stumbles backwards. clumsy. ] ...Bloody hell!

[Ai had just begun preparing herself to avoid for a possible collision with the man, who looked pretty careless in his approach, seemingly not noticing her at all. She was wearing dark clothing, that much was true, but she still should have been fairly visible. At least, that was what she thought.

Thankfully, she did not have to move away from her spot by the river, though she was just about to before Sharpe pretty much fell, muttering out yet another curse as he did.]

You should pay more attention to where you are walking.

[There was no hostility in her words, but she was not cutting him any slack, either.]

[ a girl. just...loafing about. he won't hardly ever get used to that, he doesn't think. all the same, he keeps his distance and addresses her: ] My apologies, miss. Weren't expecting no-one out this way.

[Ai narrowed her eyes slightly, merely looking at him curiously for a couple of seconds before she turned her head in the direction of the river. The sight of the water slowly running in front of her and the lack of any more audible curse words nearby made her sigh with contentment before she spoke again.]

...Perhaps if you were not so focused on talking to yourself on your way here, you would have still seen me.

[There was a hint of amusement in her voice; the man probably didn't quite expect to be heard by anyone else nearby.]

[ harrumph. he's getting taken to ask, is he? however lightly. the rifleman squares his shoulders. ]

Apologized, didn't I? There's no reason to offer up a scolding. [ he squints at the girl. she looks young. ] Has no one taught you to mind your elders?

[Back home, she would be a bit more careful about saying this to an elder, but one thing she had noticed and was actually still getting used to was that the lines between ages here were somewhat more blurred than back in Japan, seeing as people came from so many different cultures and worlds. They were all people of a similar fate, and that brought them that much closer together.

Even here, her primary aim was not to scold, but to amuse herself a little. She turned her head towards the running water in front of her as she spoke.]

...I am just making sure that you and another unfortunate person do not end up clumsily falling in the river someday. Especially when it is still cold. [Given how close to it she was resting, that had certainly been a possibility with her too.]

...Can't be that cold. Not still.

[ but he sounds as though he doesn't quite believe himself. ]

[And picking up on that, Ai didn't answer him, seemingly not needing to argue with him on the matter. Both knew it would be quite unpleasant and neither wanted it to happen, especially right now. If she wanted to swim here, she would want to prepare herself adequately anyway, preferably without getting any of her clothes soaked.

So, instead, in a few seconds, she said brought up a different topic - or rather, one that Sharpe had been mumbling about for a fair amount of time just a minute ago...]

You still cannot find your way around the village, then? [There was a short pause before she added anything, an amused expression on her face.] How long ago did you arrive here? [He didn't have the look of a New Feather, and she hadn't heard of anybody new coming in here for a while now.]

[ sheepish: ] ...A year ago, miss. But -- ah -- I only moved house a few weeks past. Used to live in that great block of flats. Still think I do, some nights.

[She glanced his way with her brows lifted a bit before gazing into the river once more, making herself more comfortable on the grass again.]

Hmm... I think that is still enough time to get used to the change. [At least she would, anyway, as she didn't have much trouble finding her way in the village anymore.] I have only been here for about a month, though I have always lived in this community housing building. That, I cannot mistake it for my apartment back home. [She would admit that much, at least, so perhaps there was the possibility that she could get confused herself. Just maybe.]

[It sure did feel like she had been here a lot longer than she actually did, though, and it intrigued her, made her think on the matter. In fact, that was what had been on her mind before he interrupted her train of thought.]

[ as for why the change is hard to get used to?: ] Put lightly, miss, before this place I've not lived in a proper reliable house for years. I move 'round a lot, eh? Sometimes I wonder if I might be better off with a tent by the woods.

[ a nod across the river, towards the tree-line. ]

I see... that would be quite the shift. [Ai nodded at Sharpe's words in understanding, now looking at him with a curious expression on her face. More and more she begun to realize just how many different ways there were to look at Luceti depending on one came from.]

[Her amused smile played on her lips once more after the man's next comment.] ...I would take being lost from time to time over living a tent in the woods. The apartments are actually nice, and I bet the houses are as well.

[She then bowed her head in his direction after a brief moment of silence on her part.] I am Ai Nanasaki.

[ the inclination of her head prompts him to offer a deeper -- but not necessarily formal -- bow. a simple sign of respect, common to his time and place. ]

Major Richard Sharpe. Your servant, Miss Nanasaki.

[The girl lifted her brow curiously at the introduction, eying him inquisitively as she did so.]

Which military are you a part of, Major Sharpe?

[Or rather, was, possibly, since he had been taken to Luceti, after all. His manner of speaking led her to believe that perhaps he was English, but she was not an expert on the matter and wanted a confirmation.]

British infantry, Miss. [ his shoulders stiffen. since the bow -- and since he'd recovered from his initial embarrassment -- his courtesy was equalizing. ] South Essex Regiment.

I do not really know anybody from the military back home...

[Which made the girl all the more curious to found out more, and Luceti was turning out to be a good opportunity for one to educate themselves with how motley its population was, whether it was connected to Earth or to another world altogether.]

...Which year were you taken from?

[ oh, if he'd had a shilling for every time he'd been asked that... ]

1813, Miss. Not a common year in this place, I'm afraid. How about yourself?

[It was a pertinent question to be asked!]

2012... I have yet to meet somebody who came from then as well, though.

[She wasn't the best at history, however, certainly not Great Britain's... so that probably gave her less information than she would have liked to. Though of course, wars were a much more common occurrence in the past, so being part of the military then must've certainly been rough.]

...How was it like back then? [Being part of the military, as well. Sharpe would have to forgive her curiosity.]

[ he grimaces into the gloom, as if to ask what kind of a question is that? it's regular. it's bloody well normal. but even as he experiences such indignation, he understands the question. a year in this place is more than enough to acquaint him with the differences. ]

We've none of that 'lectricity stuff, for one. Or...zippers. [ the word tastes foreign on his tongue. ] The future sounds so polite and kind. But back home, we do for ourselves.

[There had certainly been times when Ai had felt weird explaining things to others that she had taken for granted at home; things she didn't really notice and thought as completely mundane. Technology, for one thing.]

...Coming into Luceti must have been an even bigger shock to you than it was for me, then. [She lifted her brows slightly as she gave a small nod.] Seeing the technology here as well. The Battle Dome is very alien for one thing, even to me. [As she had found out today, as a matter of fact.]

The future... It has its problems, but it is kinder on most people, yes. [It was a much more peaceful time, for instance, with plenty of conveniences for those who could afford them.]

Won't even go into that beast, if I can help it. [ he means the battle dome, of course. ] Bloody queer, it is.

It is... You can try it out if you wished to practice combat, though.

[Most people seemed to want to use it for that purpose (it was called the Battle Dome), so she thought that the Major wouldn't be an exception if he ever got round to it.]

It is actually easy to use, or at least, the pre-made scenarios are.

[Not like the ones she had thought of.]

Is that why you was there? [ he asks with mild doubt. ] Practising combat?

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