Audio/Action | The ship | Monday before the riots

[ghostly_stutter]

[Currently a petite strawberry-blonde teen is clutching the pendant hanging from a ribbon around her neck as she scuttles between hiding places in the ship and stares with wide-eyed curiosity mixed with finite fear at the names located on the other pods located all around her. Yes, she is looking for specific names and is both dreading and hoping she might come across one she recognizes. There are thousands of pods here, however, and the fingers of her other hand begins to clutch more firmly at the small device she found with her clothing where she had first awoken. After a short hesitation, Chloe presses a button and brings the device to her lips.]

H-hello?

[A hesitating pause, then Chloe seems to find her courage--and outrage.]

Wh-whoever is in charge here, I really don't appreciate being left in the dark. Where am I, and why am I here? Wh-where is my Aunt Lauren, Derek, and the others? Haven't you done enough? Just l-leave us alone!

[If she was thinking clearly, she would realize the Edison Group never would have left Chloe her Swiss Army knife or can of mace... But she was kind of freaking out after waking up naked and without her pendant around her neck.]

Or else.

[Those two words sounded almost like a growl--something Chloe may have loosely picked up from her werewolf boyfriend. Despite the threat, her panicked mind silently taunted her: 'Or else what, Chloe?']

Comments

[kazeninaru]

That's a lot of questions at once, jo-chan!

[But Haruka chuckles, showing she doesn't mind.]

I am serious about the energy wall and the plague. As soon as we step outside, you will see the energy wall, easy enough. And powers, any kind of powers. I have some, but they don't work on the ship. None of them do, for anyone. That makes it safe, but also a little difficult.

And I race. I am the youngest racer of cars and motorcycles in Japan.

[And she is obviously proud of that.]

[ghostly_stutter]

[Yeah... Sorry about that. Chloe's full of questions. They land her into trouble more often than not. At least she has the good grace to blush, being called out on it.]

Y-yeah. Sorry.

[She smiles lightly in return to that chuckle, laughing with her.]

There's an energy wall. To keep out the plague. And aliens, and sleeping people from different worlds... and powers. Magic. And this is all common knowledge?

[Huh. Powers didn't work on the ship? Chloe lightly tried summoning. Nothing. Tried harder. Still nothing. Her brows rose. Huh. Dangerous, possibly, but also potential sleeping quarters. Maybe she could camp out here. Undisturbed sleep could be nice. If the ship was safe.]

So you have powers, and you don't mind the locals or anyone else here knowing? What if they think of you as a threat?

Oh, wow! I wasn't expecting that. Does your power involve racing at all?

[kazeninaru]

They have, off any on. Found us a threat. But we work hard for them, so that helps, and we try to integrate here, be a part of them as much as we can. Not everyone shares what they are and can do, but I gave up on trying to hide mine months ago.

[Especially since whatever keeps people from recognizing them, at home, just doesn't work very well here. Haruka takes one last turn, and there's the exit, sunlight shining through the open portal.]

Here. I'll show you what I do. And it doesn't have much to do with racing, though it does have to go with going fast.

[She shoots Chloe a grin, then trots out into the light and pulls out her transformation wand. This, she'll admit, she hasn't done in front of anyone, really... mostly she just stays transformed all the time, just in case.]

Uranus star power, make-up!

[And if you've seen Sailor Moon, you know what happens next.]

[ghostly_stutter]

Most secrets don't stay secret for long. That's what I've come to find out, anyway. So you've been here that long, though? Who was the first person to wake up here? Does anyone know? And how long have we been here?

You're going to show me?

[Does Chloe sound excited? Because she is. To find people here, who are also different, makes this place feel just a bit like home. While that scared her--there could still be something sinister going on here--it also have her hope. Magic and supernatural things was something she could definitely relate to. Couldn't hurt to have friends with superpowers, either.]</ small>

...Uranus?

[Chloe's brows shoot up, then her mouth drops open as she stares at Sailor Uranus' transformation. So Haruka is a girl...]

You have magic that enables you to transform? Cool. Is it for a secret identity or something?

[kazeninaru]

[Yep, most definitely a girl. A leggy one without much of a chest, but she likes it that way. It makes being athletic easier.

She grins over at Chloe.]

It was, in Tokyo. It doesn't work as well here. I use it here to be stronger and faster, and to use my power to defend others and stop those who would hurt them.

[She beckons for Chloe to follow along.]

My bike's down here. It'll get you down the mountain faster, and to Poseidon, if that's where you would like to go. As for the first one of us who woke up... I think that might have been the Oracle.

[The grin fades into a concerned expression. She still can't find the old woman. It worries her, a bit, when she takes the time to think about it.]

[ghostly_stutter]

[Grinning up at Haruka, Chloe nods in understanding. There is definite respect in her gaze.]

Cool. That makes you sound like a defender of the people, or something.

Honestly, I don't have a clue where I want to go. If there's a safe place for us to go to, I might be willing to try it out. Only if we're free to come and go as we please. Otherwise I'm sure I can find someplace to hole up in for a while.

[An abandoned building, or high up in a tree somewhere.]

The Oracle? Can you tell me more about this person?

[kazeninaru]

Just a soldier.

[Haruka shrugs off the praise, a little uncomfortable with it. She has, after all, done things she isn't necessarily pleased about to get things done.]

You're free to do whatever you wish, so long as it does not break the law. Coming or going in the Flop is up to you-- that is where we stay until we get a job, if we do. You won't have to find another place unless you wish to.

[She leads the way down the mountain path, towards where she parked the motorcycle.]

The Oracle is an old woman who refuses to give me her name. She did tell me to call her Cassandra, but that is not her name. She is Nem's mother. Or was, before he was killed. And she speaks in riddles and sees parts of the future, though she is not very clear about what she sees.

[ghostly_stutter]

O-okay. Are the laws much different from ones we have in the U.S. or Japan? Anything I need to worry about?

I have a feeling any money or bank cards I have won't work here. I'd rather get a job sooner, rather than later, if that's the case. Do you know anyone who's hiring?

[Chloe follows Haruka's lead as they make their way to the Senshi's motorcycle.]

Sounds like her abilities are strange, but powerful. I'd like to meet her, if she's still around. I hope she's somewhere safe.

[kazeninaru]

Just avoid that wall, and you'll be fine. And, you know, don't steal or murder or anything. Standard kinds of things.

[The bike is a bit more dirty and hodge-podge looking than the motorcycles Chloe might remember, but it's sturdy enough. Haruka pauses next to it and points in the direction of the wall in question, the quarantine line, a faintly glowing wall of energy. It stands out.]

There are many people hiring. Talk to Pepper or Edmund, they're both good for that, even if they have nothing they will know who does. As for the Oracle....

[She sighs, looking concerned.]

She went into hiding when her son died. I haven't found her. I think she's all right, but I worry. She is a kind obaa-san, in her way.

[ghostly_stutter]

St-standard is good. Is there a trial for any accused? What type of government do they have here?

[Taking in the motorcycle, Chloe considers it with cautious excitement. She's never ridden one before. Then her gaze turns to take in the wall of glowing energy and a soft whistle escapes as her brows rise high on her forehead.]

Wow. Are they keeping us in, or something else out? Are we sure there's really a plague out there?

Pepper. That's the second time I've heard her name. Is she someone important, here?

[Smiling with gentle reassurance, Chloe moved forward to lightly touch Haruka's arm in sympathy.]

Don't give up. I'll do my best to help you find her, if you'd like.

[kazeninaru]

[Haruka isn't sure whether to be amused or not by the offer, but she does grin a bit. Reminds her of Usagi and her endless optimism. And offers to help that usually backfire.]

Nah, you will have more important things to do. Like getting settled in.

[She climbs on the bike, and motions for Chloe to climb on behind her. There's a seat-- usually full of a box or bag of things she's bringing with her, but she doesn't have anything like that now-- and footrests, but she'll have to hold onto Haruka.]

The wall is for keeping the plague in, and us out of the plague. As for the government, it is like government anywhere. Councils and politics and such. I have not seen much of it in action except up close.

[ghostly_stutter]

[A wry look is slanted Haruka's way.]

Getting settled in may take time, but trust me. I'm going to have way too much free time on my hands. Though if someone had a video camera on hand, I might be occupied for a while. Documenting the area as I explore may not be a bad idea, either.

[Moving towards Haruka and the bike, Chloe hesitates awkwardly for a moment before gripping firmly to the bike and hauling herself on. Her arms slowly slide around the sailor senshi's waist as she shifts to sit more comfortably.]

Okay. At least there's some form of government, here.

[kazeninaru]

Of course there is government here. Sometimes there's too much government, even.

[Haruka looks over her shoulder with a grin.]

Hold on, jo-chan. I do like to go fast... but I won't let you fall.

[Maybe that was a little flirty. But only a little.]