It's One of Those Weeks

[therewerefifty]

Who: Makie and you
Broadcast: Nope
Action: Planetside / Iskaulit / Twin Roses
When: 16 April - early May, most likely.

A - Business as Usual

[Makie finds this new, skyless world daunting, but given it's not underwater like the last one, she'll take it. She can be found plying her shamisen music in the crowds and taverns, sometimes on her own but often with company, though she's more likely to move swiftly to avoid crowds afterward than stay and talk to them, so you might find her lurking just inside a small cafe or down an alleyway taking a breather. She makes a nominal search for saplings or seeds which might work well for a memorial tree, but she doesn't really have the gardening experience to know which of these will flourish on the Iskaulit. Their care system is entirely different, after all.

As the week wears on, she becomes more relaxed and lets herself enjoy this place a little more. Misty is popular, and that's partly Makie's teaching, and that means she's passed on something worthwhile... and it's a good feeling all round. Later in the week she forgoes wearing her kimono entirely, indulging in the peasant dresses she picked up so many planets ago, and spends more times just basking in the musical environment down here. Even being vaguely sociable.

Blink and you'll miss it.]

B - Another Perspective

[On 23 April, Makie takes a shortcut between two buildings and promptly disappears. But a small child shuffles out soon afterward, trying very hard not to trip over the hem of an overlong and unfamiliar dress, shamisen still wrapped carefully in both arms and hugged to her chest. It's the only familiar thing here and it looks expensive, so she clings to it like a lifeline and blinks owlishly around the strange world she finds herself in.



There's no sky.  The lights and the crowds are the conflicting sounds are overwhelming, and she soon retreats, clinging close to walls like a ghost until she finds a place to hide.  If the last year has taught her anything, it's how not to get noticed in a dirty street, but the shamisen and the tent of a dress she's wearing do kind of tend to stand out.

There's no sky.  And she remembers a field, and an angry old man, and what happened after, and she's not hurt now, but this place is a miserable cacophony of alien impressions... She shouldn't eat the food here, just in case it means she can't ever go home.  She remembers that part.  (Though honestly, would it really matter?  There's nothing really to go back to--)

If you run into her here, she will eventually leave again.]

C - And Then There Were Assholes

[By the time she's singled out as an easy pickup by a handful of drunken traffickers, Makie is too tired and hungry and miserable to put up a fight.  This is what happens to outcasts, anyway.  She just doesn't care, as long as they don't take the shamisen from her, and so she stumbles along behind one as he pulls her along by the wrist roughly, joking with his friends, heading for their ship.

"Gorgeous skin, right?  So pale--"
"And that hair--"
"She'll make a fortune, sell her to the right place--"

Oh.  The more things change... she's not stupid.  But she just follows, eyes dark.  Frankly at this point, she doesn't give a damn.  It's not like anything different would have happened at home.

...so intervention would be welcome.]

D - Catch-all

[For any time after the events of the 23rd.  One can assume she's exploring, and probably pretty taken with the fox park and all the sneaky quiet places she can poke her nose into on the Iskaulit.  She'll be very polite and try not to get in your way.  I can roll with whatever!]

Comments

D - A bit later so they have at least seen each other, but don't know each other well?

[goldenglasses]

[Vash hadn't missed the small child that was now a member, or well, always was a member of his crew. Just a little shorter now.

Back home if he had spotted a kid sitting quietly and alone somewhere he would have approached and started right into trying to get them to play a game. The kids of Gunsmoke were anything but fragile.

Makie, he's guessing, even as a kid would probably prefer things a bit more slow. Which is why a slow moving ball he had "accidentally" kicked a bit too hard will come to a gentle stop next to her. Lightly tapping against her foot as it comes to a rest.

Vash is just a little further away chasing after his wayward ball. Slowing to a stop he waves at the kid with a big smile.]

Oh, hey there, Makie! Could you kick that back to me?

o7

[therewerefifty]

[Makie is both fragile and distinctly not fragile, depending on the situation. When surrounded by a bunch of people very clearly not Japanese citizens (and with outlandish hair besides on some) she'd much rather keep to herself, but the crew of the Twin Roses have been nothing but nice since she came here, and it's very disconcerting.

She's not so sure about the "accidentally" part, Mister. The dark eyes she turns on him are just a little too knowing. Not to mention suspicious. WHAT IS THIS NEFARIOUS SCHEME.

She reaches down for the ball, though, hooking it into her small fingers, and then offers it back. Ladies don't kick balls, dude. Not until they're older.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash just smiles and takes the ball back from her.] Thanks a lot.

[He tucks the ball under his arm for the moment.] How have you been doing? Settling in okay?

[therewerefifty]

[A tiny nod. She wouldn't give any other answer, but it's not exactly untrue. She's still sort of adjusting; feet together and hands retreating into her sleeves, looking very polite and small.]

[goldenglasses]

Hey! Want to have a little fun? We could play a game! Do you have any games you like to play?

[He can't help himself. He must cheer up every child he comes across.]

C!

[mistyday]

[Misty frequents the unsavory places on these asteroids perhaps more than she should - the music is just too inviting. For the most part, she minds her own business but when she overhears what are clearly a pack of slaver types, she can't stand by. Especially once she sees they have a child with them and -

That shamisen! She'd recognize it anywhere as Makie's. Could it be...? She's heard of people deaging in the fleet, though no one she's close to has yet. Though, in the end it doesn't matter much if this girl is Makie or not: Misty's going to help her.

She steps out of the shadow and blocks their path a few feet ahead. For the moment, all she does is stare - a penetrating, disconcerting stare, the kind that burrows into your bones.]

C!

[therewerefifty]

[The shamisen and the way she clutches it still to her chest with her free arm are practically all that's keeping the oversized dress from sliding too far down her shoulders. Makie knocks gently into the man's arm as he slows and then stops, and then peers around him to see why.

Pretty light hair. She's never seen someone wear it that way before.

The men are cautious-- Misty is one lady and doesn't look like she'd amount to much, but the stare is disconcerting. The quieter one shoots his friends a look of disgust-- man, that's what you get for shooting your mouth off-- and then gives Misty an appraising look before his mouth turns up in a fair estimation of a drunken, lecherous grin. His eyes, though, are calculating.

"Help y'out, lady?"]

[mistyday]

Don't need any damn help from filth like you. Give me the girl and I'll let you walk away.

[therewerefifty]

[One lady? There's laughter at that, and the leader waves his hand around in a don't worry about it! kind of way. "C'mon, what kind of uncle would I be if I just gave my brother's kid away like that? Lady, you got the wrong idea. Kid's with us. Ain't you, kid?."

There's a moment of silence, and then the supposed 'brother' yanks on Makie's hand and the girl starts, tearing her gaze away from Misty's hair. But she doesn't say anything, watches them with dark eyes instead, and the leader shrugs. "She doesn't say much. A bit...you know."

The two men bringing up the rear are shifting, thinking this pretense is a waste of their time. After all, Misty's just an unarmed lady, right? They could always take two for one.]

[mistyday]

Bullshit.

[A wicked smile spreads across her face as she surveys the group, deciding who to take out first. Then, with nothing but a blink of an eye, Misty sends the two men in the back flying, up and out, pinning them to the stone walls of the buildings on either side of the street. They're high enough up that a fall won't kill them, but it sure will break a few bones.]

Now, let's try this again: Give. Me. The. Girl.

D. wassup kid

[collegedropout]

[Sam recognizes her instantly, of course.

Oh, man. At it again, huh, Atroma? Though he supposes they've been better to him than the Animus. That's not saying too much, but he'll take what he can get. He runs into her just as he's coming to The Space Bar — and as he opens the sliding door, he offers a little sympathetic smile.]

Makie?

[Hi I know your name.]

... Don't suppose you remember me?

[Or my poor dog that you totally hurt. Remember that?]

[therewerefifty]

[JFC you're tall. Her craned look goes up and up--

Yeah, from the faint narrowing of her eyes, it's fair to say she probably doesn't remember, sorry, Sam. But he knows her name, so she's confused.]

Were you... on the... place? Below?

[Worlds and space and ships all went right over her head, she's still confused about that.]

[collegedropout]

[........... Ah, shucks.

A wince of sympathy.]

Kinda. I mean, we've met somewhere else, but I think this place messed with your memories a little.

Does that make sense?

[therewerefifty]

[Oh... this again. Makie has the grace to look sheepish, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.]

They said that. That I forgot things because this place was strange. [And you know what, she'll roll with it. Makie rolls with everything.] I'm sorry I don't remember you.

[...were you a friend, because honestly your height is just a little intimidating.]

[collegedropout]

[Aw, well, he's glad at someone at least mentioned it.]

You don't need to feel bad. I'm kind of boring anyway, so forgetting isn't that big of a deal. [He gives a little smile.] You hungry? I'm not really the chef here or anything, but I can make some things.

C

[bythewaves]

I think that child does not look like she wishes to go with you.

[ The voice is soft as velvet, dark and silkly threatening, as Maglor slips from the shadows, grey eyes silver-lit and something unearthly subtly dangerous about him ]

C

[therewerefifty]

[Even at ten, Makie can recognise real threat when she sees it, even if Maglor's appearance is bizarre by her standards. The refined features remind her of the boy she'd just met, but the rest...? Superstition is a gnawing thing, and she's already mostly convinced she's dead. She averts her face after a moment, which is pointless because she clearly already attracted his attention.

It's fine, the traffickers are more than willing to step between them and block her from view entirely, though for distinctly unhelpful reasons of their own.

"If she doesn't want to, she can speak up." It's said pointedly. Makie hasn't uttered a word since they found her, and they're reasonably confident she won't now. If she did-- well, there's always plan B.]

[bythewaves]

[ Makie has good instincts, better than the careless slavers, and Maglor tips his head to observe them, a lazy smile curling his lips, predator playing with prey ]

She does not have to speak, when her very being screams it. What child would go willing with any who treat her so roughly?

[therewerefifty]

[They're not entirely blind to the quiet menace Maglor represents; but that they outnumber him by far, and that lets them believe he's a manageable menace. It's preferable they leave without causing a scene-- trafficking is hard to police, but it's still illegal, so the less attention drawn, the better-- so for now, the leader of this group resorts to feigning offence.

"You've gotta lot of nerve to make such claims. What have we done? She's not fighting, is she? She's just a little slow, that's all. You know." Tapping a finger to his head. "Needs encouragement. Go mind your own business."

The one holding Makie's wrist starts moving while the others hold Maglor's attention. This time, though, she drags her feet. Despite how intimidating he is, what he had to say was nicer than expected-- and she's worried.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor's eyes are sharp and piercing, for all his apparent langour, and they reach through the slavers to Makie when she drags her heels, his voice sharpening, just a little, although the eyes that meet hers are kind, before he turns the full weight of his glare on the slavers ]

She looks remarkably resistent to me. Child.

[ He lifts his voice and catches Makie's eyes ]

Tell me true - do you want to go?

[ Say the word, his eyes promise her, and you will be free.

But they are in public, and although Maglor cares little for his own reputation, killing them now without confirmation from Makie would bring trouble on Mikleo and Sorey as the captains of his ship. ]

C

[ahappylie]

[He doesn't normally frequent these places, but he'd been sent here on an errand to earn a little cash to help with the forge. He's only just finished his delivery and begun his journey back when he hears the snippets of conversation and rough laughter float toward him from an alleyway

"Gorgeous skin, right? So pale--"

It's not his problem though. There is a lot of unsavory business going on down--

"She'll make a fortune, sell her--"

He stops dead in his tracks and tells Saizou to wait behind some barrels. He knows the piglet will listen, not wanting to get stolen away for food, and he takes off down the alley, sliding to a stop at the corner to peek around.

A young woman - girl? - between a group of older men, leading her toward a ship at the end of the street. There's enough of them to cause trouble, but--

A shamisen?

Without a second thought, he slips up behind the last man in the line and grabs him from behind, pressing his hand over his mouth as the knife he keeps on delivery missions comes up to his throat. He hisses, "Move and you die" into the man's ear and then calls out cheerfully to the rest of the group.]

Excuse me~! I think you've taken someone that doesn't belong to you, and so have I.

[He presses the knife closer to the man's throat as he struggles, a bright red bead of blood forming where the point meets skin.]

Would you like to trade?

I'm still laughing

[therewerefifty]

[As one, they turn, the cheerful tone really not enough to prepare them for that sight, jesus christ. There's a lot of startled swearing; one reaches for his gun and the man next to him slams a hand down over the holster before he can draw it, and Makie straightens, a tiny bit of life entering her eyes. He's Japanese. He's the only person who's looked even vaguely familiar.

Not like she's the only person who sees the similarity, either.

"...look, we weren't doing anything," says the leader cautiously, hands out. "She was lost, we were just gonna find her some food. You her dad or something? You should take better care of a kid round here, there's all kinds of trouble.

"S'okay, she can leave. Just...let him go."

The man holding her wrist drops it, settling a hand more gently on her shoulder instead, nudging her forward. They'll let her go if Soujiro lets him go.

You know. Maybe.]

maybe I should have called the thread NC - No Chill

[ahappylie]

If I were her father, do you think you'd be alive to be speaking to me right now?

[He tightens his grip on his hostage, twisting the knife a little deeper in as his smile grows brighter. He can see the way the girl looks at him - with the smallest shred of hope - and it breaks his heart.]

Let her go.

[All the warmth in his smile suddenly bottoms out like the floor of the gallows as he fixes his gaze on the leader. He's the one he has to deal with after all.]

And I'll consider letting you all leave here alive. Isn't that a fair enough trade?

SEEMS LEGIT

[therewerefifty]

[The hostage tries to swallow around the knife jammed too tightly in, which doesn't really help the slow trickle of blood as the skin breaks more, and his voice is more than a little strangled. "Hey-- c'mon, Sura--"

"Yeah, okay," the leader says hurriedly enough, motioning with a hand. His eyes are dark as he stares at Soujiro. "You kill him, you're a dead man. Don't doubt me."

Well, it's debatable. But the one holding onto Makie's shoulder lets go completely, giving her a shove forward. It's not even particularly rough, and she only stumbles because the dress tries its best to trip her up. She gets her balance quickly enough, her expression one of furious calculation for a split second before it smooths into blankness and she takes small steps to curve around behind Soujiro, making well sure to stay out of the range of his hostage. Just in case. The shamisen is too precious.]

IT'S ALL HE KNOWS

[ahappylie]

Mmhm.

[He knows it's bravado at this point. He was able to sneak up on them and even at a size and number disadvantage, he knows he could probably take them. This isn't a situation he's unfamiliar with, after all.

But he smiles and nods, and once the girl is behind him and safe, he lets his hostage go and spins the knife in his fingers. He gives the man a quick but strong push forward at the small of his back and then slides the knife back into its hiding place.]

Although if you're going to threaten me, I suppose I should do the same.

[The smile dies completely and he gives all of the men a hard, icy stare.]

If I see you around her or anyone else from the Fleet, there won't be enough left of any of you to identify.

[Then he smiles again and waves.]

Goodbye now.