(no subject)

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Some will recognize the purple-haired woman shown in the mirror. Though why she's wearing one of those white shifts given to new arrivals might be a bit odd. Wasn't she a "regular" here? ] Eh? Where....?

[ Looking down at herself, and then around, she stood and walked to the edge of the clearing where she had spotted her clothes. Rather than pick up any one piece of her training uniform she just grabs her necklace and hangs it around her neck. ] Mach Caliber, are you there?

«I am active.» [ Comes the reply of a synthesized female voice, coming right from the necklace's teal gem. ]

Where are we?

«Central arrival position.»

[ That might not be a difficult deduction to make, given the surroundings, but still, it's rather odd how confused the woman seems about this. ] Do you detect anyone in range? Caro, Signum, Nanoha, Fate, Erio, ... Tohma? [ Though the latter are male names, and it's there that she laughs a little. ] No. They wouldn't be here at all, would they? [ Oh good. Seems she really does seem to remember this place. And that means the sight of the Vine recording her isn't all that unusual. She bounds on over. ] Hi everyone! It seems I've gone missing for a while. Can someone tell me the date and... maybe... give me a sound-off?

[ Calmer than a moment ago, she sits down in the grass. ] We don't have to talk long. I just want to make sure that everyone's all right.


(( OOC: And we're back! Though just with Subaru for now, and with a bit of a canon update. For those who would have noticed, she disappeared shortly after the start of the new year. o/ ))

Comments

[of_the_highest_caliber]

I don't want to forget, either. Who would? [ It's a rhetorical question, but she can't think of anyone who would want to ignore even their trauma for the sake of... what? Peace of mind? People can't learn that way; they can't develop and grow stronger, to overcome the next challenge. That's why she doesn't resent any part of her own upbringing, despite the hardships faced. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

I don't think there's anyone here who's had it nearly that bad.

[ There isn't anything Katina would want to forget, not even being torn apart, but she can almost understand how something could be bad enough to want to just get rid of it in your own mind. ]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

...though I do know a few who don't want to leave. [ At least, she considered Homura's sentiment to be something that the other magical girls have shared. ] Do you know anyone who's still here? I've only heard from Fionna and you, so far.

[grandtheftmecha]

Well I ran into Grell, and I know she wants to stick around. [ It makes sense, what with this place only being actively terrible every once in a great while. ] Fionna too?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

I don't think I ever met her. [ Things are hazy, but that name doesn't sound too familiar even if she strains herself. ] It seems like Fionna's missing some friends, and I said I'd help look out for Akiha and the others but... that was before I talked to you. [ And found out it was a moot point. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

...eh. Grell's pretty cool. I'd say she's a little out there sometimes but who here isn't? [ If there's a common thread other than being girls, that'd be it. ]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

What do you mean by "out there"?

[grandtheftmecha]

You know. Weird. She's really theatrical and stuff like that.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Ohh. [ She chuckles. ] I know a few people like that. [ Like Lutecia, after she had been reunited with her mother. No one has any idea how that came about, though... ]

[grandtheftmecha]

[ A thespian waiting to be unleashed. ] Really distinctive appearance too. Tall, skinny, really long really bright red hair, teeth like a saw blade...

[of_the_highest_caliber]

It sounds like she would be really easy for me to recognize. [ Though not because brightly colored hair is distinct back home. Katina's seen photos of Subaru's friends and family by now. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

[ Yeah. Look at some of the people Katina's used to... ]

The teeth are a dead giveaway. Oh, and she's got glasses and dresses really nicely. She's really freakin' pretty in her own way.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

It sounds like it. [ She actually doesn't know how she should feel about that sort of comment, given the timing. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

[ Katina and timing don't get along too well. ]

You oughta meet her sometime.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

I'd like that. [ She would, under any circumstance. It'll be nice to meet others who have been left behind when it sounds like so many of her friends have disappeared. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

[ The few left need to stick together. ] Before that, though, I guess we gotta get you set up in here if you're staying.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru looked over at that. ] You really want me to stay? [ Pointing down. ] Here, I mean. [ Of course she wants to be close, but just how close was entirely up to Katina. There were lingering thoughts — not her own — of being in competition with Akiha for that time when they were all here, but it didn't feel right to be the one close by just because of being the last woman standing. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

Only if you want to. [ Katina could use some kind of comfort. Whether or not she likes the circumstances of one or the other 'winning', if she can call it that, living alone when Subaru's around is also painful. ]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ That would be a stupid thing to deny her. ] If you don't mind the intrusion...

[grandtheftmecha]

It's not an intrusion so there isn't one for me to mind.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

I just don't want any more problems with communication. Which is why I want to absolutely sure. [ She kneaded her hands together, because while it sounded harsh to her ears, that's only because she had taken such a back-seat to the situation even while being right in the midst of it, and she can't be passive anymore. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

[ Right. ] You've got a point. [ That was a big problem they all had. ]

Thanks for asking, then, but I really would feel better if you stayed here.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ With that, she could smile a bit easier. ] Then I'll stay, Katina.

[ Gyaoooo. Shut up stomach, food is low priority! ]

[grandtheftmecha]

I'm glad to hear that.

[ ...and sandwiches are arriving now, because food is always a priority. ]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Just in time, too! A growing cyborg's gotta eat, after all. ] Mm, thank you for this.