standing in the middle of roads upon arrival is becoming tradition

[broroona]

[Funny, how your life can change in an instant. Baroona had already experienced it enough. Twice recently–both arrivals to the City. But after a year he had assumed he was stuck there. A permanent fixture in a futuristic city he had only just started to get used to.

He was wrong.

From laying in the park to sitting up in a dirtied alleyway, the change was instantaneous. A quick look around guarantees that he's alone, allows for a moment of panic. Check to make sure everything is still here: knives, cigarettes, lighter, clothes... translator? Baroona stares down at it curiously, it's presence oddly comforting in his hand. He keeps it there and stands, listening and looking.

It looks like the City. There's a thick crowd at the end of the alleyway and brightly colored balloons passing by overhead. He recognizes it from the City. A parade? Maybe. It's certainly noisy enough.

This isn't going to be fun.

With a sigh, he presses forward anyway, slipping through and around people, taking himself to the front. People glare as he pushes past but get distracted before there's any issues. A float passes by. Baroona regards it plainly. Definitely a parade. What a pain.

Looking past the floats and balloons, Baroona studies the buildings, looks for something familiar. But familiarity is hard to spot when everything looked foreign in the first place. It's hard to tell. A quirk of a frown pulls at his lips as he moves towards another tactic. He fits the translator into his ear, and pushes it on.

At first, all goes well. The strange language being spoken around him gets translated. Yeah, I'm– and then cut off. Static fills his ears instead, loud and merciless. Baroona bows forward, clutching his ear with a wince. The people around him notice and give him space but he can't tell. The static changes to feedback-a high-pitched scream drilling into his head. He winces again and stumbles forward, into the parade and in front of the float. Still, Baroona doesn't notice. Not until the translator is out of his ear and thrown on the ground does he even look up, shoulders slumping.

The people on the float look down at him, shocked. The parade comes to a temporary halt. Security closes in on him from all sides and people shout foreign words from the sidelines. But all Baroona can hear is his own breath as he looks over the float as a thought occurs to him.

He has no idea where he is.]

Comments

unfashionably late

[railgunning]

[It still hasn't quite hit her yet. Being back home. Sure, it was nice---being able to see Kuroko, Uiharu, and Saten again, seeing all of the familiar stores and landmarks, just generally settling back into her daily grind: attend school, beat up punks, hang out, investigate strange goings-on...

...Actually, it's been pretty quiet on that last front. And yet Mikoto's feeling oddly..wistful, as she steps out from the veiled, glittering booth at the top of the float that Baroona is about to block off, dressed up in an ornate (read: heavy, near-suffocating, pain the ass) red-and-gold kimono, with an equally elaborate hairpin set in her long black, princess-style wig---the float's theme being the legend of Amaterasu.

She hears the squeals and cheers of her Tokiwadai peers through the already-bustling crowd. She takes out a fan and daintily waves it around, inviting more cries of adoration (Kuroko could out-fangirl them all, though).

She misses the City. Misses the crazy things that happened there; the constant thrill and excitement. Misses the friends she made there: Bart, Keiko, Lyra, Johnny, Terra, Lavi, Ares, Blue...

...Baroona.

Mikoto briefly 'tsks' as she waves the fan in front of her face. She's getting sentimental---

---And suddenly everything stops. She frowns, hearing shouts and yells.]

What's going on?

[Her one classmate squints. "Uh, some guy's trying to crash the parade. I think security's got it, though."

Mikoto raises an eyebrow. Kuroko would definitely jump in on this if it got worse, being a member of Judgment, but she has to keep on her toes, too. The Level Upper case had been rough on the city. If someone decided to pull a copycat of the Graviton Bomber...

She leans forward to get a better look.

Gapes.]

.....Baroona?!

[And immediately facefaults.

Somehow, she's not surprised.]

can you even be late to a musebox

[broroona]

[Funny, how the crowd quiets down when she calls him name. A shocked silence before murmurs start up. The security have paused, confused, looking to each other for confirmation.

Baroona just looks up, surprised, but calmer.]

Mikoto?

[A burst of fervor to the whispers around them, but Baroona ignores them. Mikoto's presence is enough for him; the panic dies down to an occasional flutter. He steps forward, smirking slightly at her outfit.]

< What are you wearing? >

[Another pause before the crowd buzzes. The others on the float stare at him widely and speak to each other in a foreign language. Japanese? Was that what Beast had told him?

It didn't really matter. Foreign is foreign, and the lack of recognition in anyone's eyes tells him that they don't understand. Baroona's heart sinks, though he wasn't sure he could have expected anything different. The language he spoke was rare and old, or that's what Beast had told him. It'd be too much to expect anyone to know it.

He sinks picks up the translator again, fiddling it in his hands before glancing back up at her. Could she fix it?

No harm in finding out.

The girls on the first level of the float shriek as he jumps up to their level. He mutters an excuse me but it doesn't seem to work. They watch with worry as he climbs the float, stopping only when he reached Mikoto, presenting the translator to her with an outstretched hand.]

< It broke. Can you fix it? >

[Wait. Right. She can't understand that. Baroona frowns in thought. Charades was never his strong suit.

Hesitantly, he points to the device, then to his ear and shakes his head. Hopefully that would be good enough to understand.]

idk but i still feel bad....

[railgunning]

[Why is he here.

And, as per usual, he is smirking at her.

(Yet another thing that isn't terribly surprising, but still highly bothersome nonetheless.)

The blush that is slowly, but surely, creeping over Mikoto's face is bright enough to make the real Amaterasu totally jelly. The fact that her classmates keep looking from her to Baroona with perplexed, but fairly suspicious looks on their faces, and that everyone else ever is staring at them while talking wildly amongst themselves isn't particularly helping.

Most of all, he is speaking to her, but she doesn't understand a lick of what he's saying. She frowns, squinting a little. Odd. She could understand him just fine back in the City---

"Misaka-san, who is that?!" One girl blurts out, and Mikoto gives him one more bamboozled look before turning to her classmate and covertly taking the device---it resembled an earpiece, so it definitely had to aid in communication, which was sorely needed right about now---so she could shock it back to life. She laughs sheepishly at the girl.]

He's, uh, a brother of a friend of mine.

[Mikoto briefly gives him a meaningful look, running her fingers across her mouth in the universal sign that meant, stay quiet.

"But he's a foreigner!" The girl persists. Mikoto's smile turns all the more crooked.]

I took a vacation with my mom a few months ago and met the friend I just mentioed---I guess she's decided to visit...? Look, let me just straighten this out, okay? He's not dangerous or anything; it's all just culture shock...

[She quickly sends a surge through the translator within her long sleeve, and turns back toward him, giving him a flat look. Reaches down to hand him the device.

Grossly miscalculates both the angle from which she's leaning and the volume of her outfit.

Ends up nearly tumbling right into Baroona with a small cry, prompting more staring and shocked gasps as she grabs onto his arms to keep herself from bumping right smack into him.

She growls, mortified. A small spark of electricity shoots past her head; she quickly lets go of him like she's just dropped a live salmon. She glares, sticking the device onto his ear.

Same old, same old.]

What am I going to do with you?

omg don't and how did you even respond so quickly

[broroona]

[Just like that, everything becomes understandable. From the whispers of the two girls behind him _{("Just who does he think he is, catching Misaka-san like that?" "What if she fell into him on purpose?")} to the confused shouting of security below _{("Sir! You need to get down from there!" "Sir, we've called the authorites!")}, but more importantly–

With a tilt of his head he shrugs, a shadow of a grin in his eyes.]

You'll knock me over if you can't stand right.

[The shouts of security get louder and more firm. A glance back shows him that Mikoto's classmates, having heard her explanation, are trying to stall them. Or maybe just explain the situation to them. Either way, security isn't buying it.

He frowns.]

I should go.

[but... where. If he wanders around then it's likely he won't be able to find her again and that's a problem in its own. He needs answers.

Although... He looks around at the crowd. At the way everyone is talking or looking at Mikoto. Maybe...

He looks back at her, curious and expectant. Maybe she could do something to help?]

u_u behold...the power of...coffee...

[railgunning]

[Mikoto's face burns at the 'on purpose' comment. Oh, come on! Even people here immediately got the absolute wrong impression when it came to her and Baroona---did she not just say he was an acquaintance?! And she really did trip because of this stupid kimono which she is now horribly regretting agreeing to wear (she'd only rolled with it because the Cultural Club prez was gunning for shoving her into a furisode, and Mikoto was not going to have that shit.)---

---And of course, Baroona is not helping, with that stupid look in his eyes and his stupid comments...Mikoto's eye twitches.]

Would you rather I did? Because this outfit's pretty---

[She, too, quickly picks up on the growing commotion around them, briefly meeting his eyes in the process. Obviously, usage of her powers were out. So was grabbing Baroona and running the hell away . Talking it out with security wasn't looking like a terribly good option, either, seeing as they're now trying to fight their way around her peers.

Mikoto huffs. Well. Here goes nothing. Leaving Baroona alone in Academy City was just asking for more in the way of complete and utter disaster, so.

She pretends to faint, once again falling into his arms.

Yep, wrong impressions...]

[broroona]

[Things Baroona Was Not Expecting: That. He nearly falls off the float when he stumbles back with a grunt, falling to his knees and cushioning Mikoto's head with his lap. Around him, Mikoto's classmates fly into a panic, dialing emergency numbers and fretting over what to do next. While they're distracted, Baroona casts a dry look down at her.

Really.

But hey, it works and he's got no option but to go along with it. Mimicking a worried tone, he looks back at the security guards.]

Hey! This girl just collapsed! Can you get us some help?

[Startled, the security guards freeze, unsure of what to do. It only lasts a moment, though. Quickly, they shuffle out of the way and hurry off to get the proper authorities.

Well, that's taken care of. Baroona watches them go, tugging a strand of hair on Mikoto's wig to let her know it's alright to move.]

[railgunning]

[Yes, really. All the world's a stage, etc etc, and Mikoto knows far better than to leave his ass to the mean (not really) streets of Academy City. One reason being he wouldn't know what to do with himself---the other, actual reason being that she'd feel bad.

Because she'd already did that once. And she made a promise that she wouldn't do it again. Although, those wrong impressions....

....She'd deal with it later. Somehow. She knew she was going to hear it from Kuroko...

She peeks her eye open once she hears the din die down, and feels Baroona's tugging. Sticks her tongue out playfully at him.]

Hey, I warned you.

[She sits back up, and takes off the wig, ruffling her hair a bit to straighten it out. Gives him a sidelong glance as she carefully climbs down.]

So, what brings you here? Did something happen to the City?

[Mikoto's face and voice become a little more serious at that. If anything happened to their friends...]

[broroona]

[There's a small smile as she stands up and before he turns around. With the immediate problems taken care of, relief sets in, slow and seeping. Apprehension still clenches his gut, but Mikoto's presence loosens its hold. At least he has someone he can rely on here.

A giggle startles him. He looks up; one of the classmates caught the smile and looks at him knowingly. Immediately, it disappears and he stands up, following after Mikoto.]

Nothing happened. [he shrugs while he speaks, waiting for her to climb down before starting himself] Everyone just left. First you, then Yusuke and Keiko. The only ones left were me and Blue.

[Finally, she's down far enough he can start his own descent.]

[railgunning]

[Mikoto frowns---'left'? When she turns back around, confusion is scribbled all over her features. Yusuke and Keiko had been in the City for so long---in fact, it was Keiko who directed her to the Academy. Strange...

She wonders if he's sad. He and Yusuke seemed pretty tight. Though, if he was----she knew as well as anyone else that he wouldn't let it show. He was just like that.

And there is also the matter of Ares, but she won't bring that up. No use making him feel worse...]

Well...did they say anything about coming ba---

[Because she wants to go back, but---and then her cell phone goes off.

Mikoto instantaneously facefaults. She bets 1000 yen it's Kuroko, freaking out.

She'll let it go to voicemail. She doesn't want to expose Baroona to that level of terror just yet.]

---yeah, don't mind that; it's just my phone. [Said rather flatly, as she furrows her brow in thought.] Now, we just have to figure out where you can lay low. And no, you're not hiding out in a park.

[broroona]

[No one comes back to the City after they'd been gone that long; the cell phone saves him from saying it. Thank god to technology, for once.]

I'll find something.

[It's still worrying, relying on someone else for shelter. If it were only a day, he'd feel more comfortable. Passing through felt natural but staying placed... There was only so much he could do to pay someone back for that.

The last thing he wants to do is burden her.

Maybe if he changes the subject quickly enough, she'll let it go.]

Who called you?

[railgunning]

[Yeah...it's better that she doesn't figure that out.

But have they not met before? Mikoto raises a disapproving eyebrow at him. No, no, and no. She is not allowing him to bum around. At all. Period. End of discussion, and that is final, Bueller. She just...has to think of somewhere he can hide out without anyone questioning who he is and especially what he is to her.

Because she didn't quite know the true answer to that yet (friends, yes. though, at times, it seemed like he wanted to get closer to her. or maybe it was the other way around? or maybe---argh, now's not the time...).]

And not somewhere underground, either. Look, I just need to think---

[----Her cell goes off again, this time with the text message ringtone. Mikoto huffs, rolling her eyes and pulling it out. Lo and behold, it's from the Great Miss Shirai herself:

WHAT'S THIS I HEAR ABOUT SOME GUY TRYING TO KIDNAP YOU????

Eye. Twitch.]

A so-called friend of mine. [Said through gritted teeth as she grips it in her hand, electricity sparking past her head.] Forget sheltering you---I have to hide you now.

[broroona]

[Yeah, ok. Quirking a brow at the "underground" jab. It's almost insulting, really. How much of a hermit does she think he really is?

It's probably better not to ask.

Once again, his attention is drawn to the cell phone. .]

You know a lot of hiding places?

[A playful jab that he hopes isn't true. The city seems peaceful enough, but he's been here too short to tell for certain. The last thing he needs is a threat chasing him through unfamiliar streets. Even so, Mikoto should know by now that he can take care of himself.

He takes out a carton of cigarettes and shuffles one out, holding the lighter to his lips before speaking again.]

I can deal with him if he's dangerous.

[broroona]

["Parents weekend" was a godsend, if Baroona believed in gods. After months of only skirts, forced smiles, and silence a weekend off was a welcome change. Exchanging his skirt for pants was the happiest moment he'd experienced in Academy City and the weekend was still young.

Mikoto was off in a hotel with her mother and Kuroko–though watchful–was easily distracted. It wasn't hard to slip away. All he needed to do was be back in the dorms before Mikoto returned and stay out of them until then. It was easy enough in a city this huge and it would be nice, sleeping under the stars again (what little he could see).

He waits until late Friday to set out–past curfew. It's risky but no more than an earlier time. The amount of students in the city make anything hard to do without his "disguise".

The dorm is hard to escape but he manages, sticking to alleyways and dark streets until finally making his way to one of the parks–a welcome quiet amongst the bustle of the city. His pace slows, his posture relaxes and for the first time in a long while he breathes in deep and smiles, head tipped towards the sky.

For once, he's alone. It's just him, the trees and the stars.

And... the obnoxiously loud drunken stumbling multiple yards away. It ruins Baroona's serenity with the clang of a trash can and begrudgingly, he looks towards the sound.

It's a woman, definitely drunk. He considers leaving her be but obligation gets the best of him and he sets towards her after a belabored sigh.]

Hey.

1/2

[railgunning]

[MEANWHILE....Mikoto has...lost her mother. The plan was to head out to dinner (with Kuroko in tow, because Kuroko made it a point to...always be around now ever since the 'kidnapping attempt,' as Kuroko herself called it, and ever since the sudden arrival of 'Maria-chan,' the mysterious, silent, awfully tall transfer student who never seemed to leave Mikoto's side).

Misuzu had brought that up a good four hours ago. It was nearing 8:00 PM, and Mikoto had yet to hear from her mother after texting and calling her countless times. Kuroko peeps her head out from where she's freshening up in the bathroom upon hearing Mikoto's loud growling as she calls Misuzu yet again, only to yet again be taken to voicemail.

"Still nothing, onee-sama?"

Mikoto is mere moments away from destroying her phone. She's gripping it in her hand, eye twitching.]

No, because my mom's stupid. God, why can't she ever----

["Ah, but onee-sama, surely we can have a moment to ourselves for the time being~"

Mikoto swiftly whirls around; she knows that purr in Kuroko's voice anywhere, and...there she is, dressed in scandalous lingerie.

Needless to say, the hotel suddenly goes dark.]

[railgunning]

[Thereafter, as the hotel employees are panicking, and Kuroko is left twitching and fairly burnt on the bed, Mikoto takes to grumbling and scowling on the balcony. It's not just her mother she's concerned about.

There is also the matter of Baroona (Maria-chan). She wasn't quite sure if either of them were ready for him ('her') to meet her mother just yet. So she she left him ('her') to his ('her') own devices.

Hopefully he would behave himself.

Oh, those are the most famous of last words. When Misaka Misuzu gets drunk (she'd come upon a bar offering happy hour in the midst of shopping for an outfit to wear for dinner....which, incidentally, she's all but forgotten about), she gets clingy.

"Ah, hellooooo~"

Especially if the person in her immediate vicinity is male. Misuzu has an unfocused facsimile of a flirtatious grin on her face, and, with alarming speed for someone who's so obviously hammered, within a few steps, has up, gone, and is clinging to Baroona's arm, attempting to bat her eyelashes at him.

What probably doesn't help is that she's the near-spitting image of Mikoto---in twenty years.

"What's your name, hm?"

Run.]

[broroona]

[Yes, she's older. Yes, her voice is different. But weirder things have happened. Baroona's learned not to limit the possible.

He stares at the woman, eyes wide.]

Mikoto?

[A moments pause and he winces–she's clutching his arm too tight and dragging him down. Gently, he tries to loosen her grip, attempting to peel off her fingers with his free hand. His brow continues furrowing in confusion at the woman in front of him.]

No. [A beat. His eyes dart to the flirtatious smile, the more impressive taste in fashion, the breasts. The differences were obvious.] Who are you?

[railgunning]

[Mikoto, in the middle of idly playing some puzzle game on her cell phone, considers maybe convincing her mother to get her, er...'new friend' (Maria-chan) a present. Namely a cell phone of her (his) own. Sure, her mother would make fun of her ("Mikoto, that's pretty generous! This girl must be quite the special friend,hmm~?"----and then the row would begin.); sure, she'd have to come up with an extremely foolproof, no-questions-asked argument to make it happen; sure, she'd probably have to teach her (him) how to use it; but she figures it'd be the best way to remain in contact for when situations like these arose.

She huffs.

She really hadn't thought this through, had she?

God, why does he know me like the back of his hand?

(1. it's been two damn years.

2. she's predictable.

3. she's closer to him than she's willing to allow herself to admit.)

Misaka Misuzu, meanwhile, is all about the sudden and unpredictable. Still clinging to Baroona's arm, she actually looks fairly shocked and is blinking woozily at him.

"You know Mikoto?"

Oh-hooooo...tittering, she goes and cups his chin in her fingers, grinning all the more saucily. "Well, well~! My little girl never told me she had such a handsome rascal for a friend! You know, she's really quite shy..."

For a brief, all-too-fleeting moment, Misuzu proceeds to actually look maternal.

Unfortunately, what could've been a transition to a heartfelt, emotional aside about how precious and innocent her dear daughter is gets completely and utterly razed by this haymaker:

"Or maybe it's because you're not shy, huh~? Now you've got mecurious!"

Misuzu's waggling eyebrows definitely make this all the more horrifying.

"They do say mother knows best, after all!"

And she bursts into laughter. In fact, she's laughing so hard she actually falls on her side.

No, really.

Save yourself.]

[broroona]

[Wow, a cell phone for Baroona would be cute as fuck but that is the least of his worries right now. After recovering the momentary shock of... apparently finding Mikoto's mother (maybe?), Baroona sighs. Years of dealing with mercenaries have given him proper experience in the art of dealing with drunks and though the circumstances are different, this is still largely the same.

Sort of.

He moves to his knees, wrapping his arms around her to get a proper hold before slowly–and with plenty of grunting–lifting her up.] It's been awhile. She probably forgot.

[It's a good way to (hopefully) stop her from asking questions, hinting that they're not close. It'll be easier to help her out without that coming up as a topic.

With difficulty, he adjusts his grip, wrapping one of her arms around his neck and moving an arm around her waist.] Is there some place you should be?

[railgunning]

[Oh, goddammit. Mikoto, in the middle of flipping through channels, makes a final, desperate (not really) attempt to contact her mother. She's over the whole dinner thing by now, but it's already nearing about 11:00 PM, and, admittedly...she's slowly starting to get worried.

Even though she's pretty sure her mom's gotten herself drunk again if it's taking her this long to, at the very least, return to the hotel.

How are they related again? Nevermind that people always mistake them for sisters...

The following text gets sent:]

mom

where the heck are you????

[That was a bad choice on his end, sorry to say. Not only has Misuzu resumed clinging onto him with renewed force, she's actually now coiling her other arm around his neck. She giggles, winking at him.

"I don't think she'd forget about someone who looked like you!" Needless to say, this is the booze probably doing all the talking. Well, most of the talking, anyhow. "I know I wouldn't~! And besides, I think it's about time she found herself a nice boyfriend...it'd loosen her up. She's always so uptight!"

Misuzu pouts, only to start chuckling. "Oh, but you'll---"

She's cut off as she hears her cell phone ringing. "---Huh?"

He'll be given a reprieve as she goes to pick up. Sees the message from Mikoto. She gasps. "I was supposed to go to dinner with her and her friend, wasn't I?!"

Misuzu clings to Baroona again, but she looks more (drunkenly) determined.

"Carry me back to the hotel! It'll be quicker that way!"

.....What.]

[broroona]

[Due to the fact that she is desperately attempting to... do something to him, it's not exactly hard to read the text. Which is good–it confirms things. Yes, this is definitely Mikoto's mother. Yes, she is missing. Yes, she should be brought back.

There's just the issue of how to bring her back or rather, how to ensure no one sees him when he drops her off. He thinks about that while sighing, tapping out his cigarette with one hand and pushing Misuzu away with his free hand.]

Alright.

[True, it'll give her better access but it'll also make it easier to move. Better to carry her than have her drag them both behind. There's more opportunity for them to be seen that way–a prospect Mikoto would likely flip out about. Getting clung to and breathed on would just have to be a small sacrifice.

Finishing off the cigarette, he stomps it out and scoops her up bridal style.]

You'll have to tell me where it is.

[railgunning]

[Mikoto receives the following (near-illegible) text message some time later:]

on ym wya bcka

[Cue the lineface to end all linefaces, in the middle of listening to Kuroko screeching and squealing in ecstacy in the middle of what is undoubtedly a perverted dream. About her, as evidenced by the occasional cry of "Onee-sama...!"

Mikoto puts her pillow over her head, actually wishing and hoping and fervently praying that her mother gets home soon. The power in the hotel came back on not too long ago, so she can't zap Kuroko into respectful silence again without causing another panic.

"A few blocks from here! Just keep heading north!"

Elsewhere, within an alleyway, Misuzu giggles cotentedly in Baroona's arms, her arms wrapped loosely around his neck. "Wow, you gentleman! I didn't think you'd actually go along with it!"

(Don't flatter yourself, lady.)

She pokes his cheek playfully. "Now I really wonder how you got Mikoto to befriend you! She hardly ever notices boys unless they irritate her! Why, you even call her by first name, without honorifics!"

Misuzu looks off to the side, looking almost maternal again. "She must really like you, to allow that. I'm sure she doesn't show it, though. She's the same way with me."

Another laugh. "It's funny. The more she seems to hate something, the more she actually likes it. I think she gets it from her father. So she's finally growing up, huh..."

Well, it turns out that that wistful, emotional look was just her about to let out a yawn. She rubs her eyes with one hand.

"I wonder what she'll be like, as an adult..."

Leaning her head on Baroona's shoulder, Misuzu lets out a sleepy grunt, closing her eyes. "Do me a favor, hmm? Take care of her. She's stubborn, moody, and silly, but she's a good girl..."

If only her subsequent loud snoring didn't just absolutely ruin what could've been another poignant moment.

Her and Mikoto are quite alike that way, frankly.]

[broroona]

[Baroona knows better than to trust a drunk's word. Douglas has given him enough experience in that. Still, there's a lingering curiosity to how true her words are.

The more she seems to hate something, the more she actually likes it. Did that explain her weird behavior? There had never been a doubt in Baroona's mind that they were friends but had always figured her anger was sincere. Could it truly be just a cover-up?

And honorifics? Baroona didn't know what that was. He figured Mikoto had known that but could there be a chance that there was something else to it? That she permitted it out of fondness?

It all seemed so minor to mean anything.

He dismisses it. Spends the rest of the walk placating her mother with murmered comforts and quiet promises he may or may not keep in the future. Lulling her to sleep. By the time they arrive in front of what he thinks is a hotel, she's been asleep for awhile.

Troublesome.

It disrupts his plan of leaving her and running, hiding away so no one will see his face. So Mikoto will have less problems to deal with.

Looks like there's no avoiding it now.

With a sigh, he trumps up the steps, past the doorman and into the reception area, blinking wildly as he's faced with bright fluorescent lights and smiling receptionists. Their cheer fades as they watch him recover, stepping back a bit and glancing down. Fancy locales had never been his specialty.

"Can we help you sir?" A brave brown-haired women pipes up from behind the desk. He looks at her, bewildered and lost.]

I need Mikoto.

[railgunning]

[The receptionists proceed to stare at him. And just when things couldn't get any more awkward and bizarre, the elevator dings. Its doors slide open, and out comes one Misaka Mikoto, who ha decided to take it upon herself to embark on a one-woman citywide search for Misaka Misuzu, despite it being, oh, 1:30 AM.

Needless to say, she doesn't need to look very far. The moment she looks up from growling and muttering irritably to herself, she sees several things incredibly wrong with this picture. There is Baroona, looking like his actual gender. There is her mother. Drunk. Asleep.

In his arms. Now, she knows he's no lothario, but...it's taking every ounce, right down to the very last drop, of her will to not outright send lightning bolts hurtling through this entire lobby at this unnerving sight.

A foreign anger swells from somewhere just as unknown, for reasons unknown. But the horror before her is what's triggering it; that much is certain.

Mikoto's eye twitches, as does the right side of her mouth.] What the hell is---

["......YOU....!"

Mikoto and the hotel staff end up gawking as Shirai Kuroko, still clad in her unfortunate lingerie, abruptly teleports into the scene, right in front of Mikoto herself.

"Onee-sama, get back! I will handle this!"]

[broroona]

[Instinct takes over when Kuroko pops in. Baroona takes a step back, turning his body towards her in order to protect Misuzu. It only takes him a moment to realize that it's not necessary. It's hard to be mad when the girl poised to attack him is dressed in... lingerie. He settles down, turning fully back towards them and looking directly at Mikoto.]

I found her outside. She said she was your mother.

[Lifting her as he speaks seems to make her stir, curling further around him. There's a twitch of a frown as a hand pulls down the collar of his shirt but he deals with it. Can't spare a hand to guide her away.]

I thought she'd be safer here.

[The streets aren't any place for a drunk this late at night.]

Is that a problem?

[Meeting Mikoto straight on for that, his question asking more than what it seems to be. It's a challenge on multiple levels–is it a problem that he's there, is it a problem that he's not disguised, that he would actually want to feel normal for once? His stare is a challenge–daring her to say yes.]

[railgunning]

["Unhand Misaka-san, you fiend! I am going to count to ten! If you don't put her down by then, expect consequences!"

Kuroko, glaring all types of daggers and other pointy objects at Baroona, takes out her famous throwing pins, holding them between her fingers, ready to let them fly should he make any sudden movements again. Mikoto, meanwhile, continues letting her eye twitch, eventually cringing and turning a bright red as Misuzu proceeds to...ah, try to strip him. Or something.

But that's the thing. She can see in his eyes that he's trying to confront her about something.

Kuroko on the other hand, lets out a screech as Misuzu yanks at his collar, burying her face in his neck. The hotel staff looks deeply (unsure) as they debate either letting this freakshow run its course or giving Anti-Skill a call.

"1! 2! 3! 4..."

Mikoto doesn't have a problem with any of that. She doesn't blame him. She actually feels bad for making him going along with her scheme, but at the same time, she can't let him get involved in the secrets of Academy City.

She couldn't let him see what they did to high-level Espers like her. She knows he wouldn't let it lie. But he's no match for the opponents she goes up against. Even a Level 2 could overpower him.

Mikoto swallows, furrowing her brow, looking from him to her mother, and to Kuroko, who looks about to throttle him on the spot.]

Baroona. Put Mom down. I...

[Kuroko stops counting, frowning at Mikoto. "Onee-sama?"]

Kuroko, stay with Mom. I'll take care of this.

[She supposes she should come clean. Mikoto takes a deep breath, looking off to the side as she steps toward Baroona. Whispers---]

We need to talk. Alone.