(御坂 美琴) Misaka Mikoto (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
railgunning) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
compyuutah2013-11-21 05:32 pm
railgunning) wrote in compyuutah2013-11-21 05:32 pm
Entry tags:
cast in this unlikely role, ill-equipped to act, with insufficient tact
[It's the awfully fresh air that causes her to wake up, head bobbing forward, blinking blearily. The air of Academy City isn't this easy to breathe, and this air lacks the undercurrent of smog and who-knows-what-else due to the rampant urbanization of the modern age. Grunting woozily, Mikoto rubs at her eyes.
And stares once her vision clears. Her ears perk up at the sound of horses' hooves clopping against the cobblestones, replacing the rumbling of engines and beeping of horns so familiar to her. Her eyes widen at the sight of castles and wooden houses and wow is she seriously on a friggin' horse-drawn cart?
Mikoto swallows.
Well, she's definitely not in her proverbial Kansas anymore. All she's lacking is a small black Scottish Terrier and ridiculous bedazzled red shoes. Actually---when the hell did she change clothes? This humble dress wasn't her Tokiwadai uniform.
She frantically starts to look around in a futile effort to try and piece things together. Yet, absolutely nothing was striking her as familiar or jogging her memory as to how in the name of arse she could've possibly arrived here to begin with.
The carriage slows upon reaching a rather imposing-looking fortress. Men---armed men, with rather archaic weaponry---are starting to file out of it, surrounding the cart.
The women, elderly, and children around her are murmuring and shifting in what seems to be excitement, but Mikoto's body tenses.
She slowly rises, electricity briefly sparking by her head.
Holy shit if she's being taken prisoner, they've got another thing coming.
Actually, no, someone should just subdue her before a massacre takes place.]
And stares once her vision clears. Her ears perk up at the sound of horses' hooves clopping against the cobblestones, replacing the rumbling of engines and beeping of horns so familiar to her. Her eyes widen at the sight of castles and wooden houses and wow is she seriously on a friggin' horse-drawn cart?
Mikoto swallows.
Well, she's definitely not in her proverbial Kansas anymore. All she's lacking is a small black Scottish Terrier and ridiculous bedazzled red shoes. Actually---when the hell did she change clothes? This humble dress wasn't her Tokiwadai uniform.
She frantically starts to look around in a futile effort to try and piece things together. Yet, absolutely nothing was striking her as familiar or jogging her memory as to how in the name of arse she could've possibly arrived here to begin with.
The carriage slows upon reaching a rather imposing-looking fortress. Men---armed men, with rather archaic weaponry---are starting to file out of it, surrounding the cart.
The women, elderly, and children around her are murmuring and shifting in what seems to be excitement, but Mikoto's body tenses.
She slowly rises, electricity briefly sparking by her head.
Holy shit if she's being taken prisoner, they've got another thing coming.
Actually, no, someone should just subdue her before a massacre takes place.]
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"You have to greet Ariadne for me!" As if that was the reason he was waiting. Pleasant as she was, Ariadne wasn't worth standing on the windy ramparts for. Not when Ares usually fulfilled that duty. Unfortunately, Ares was away and Baroona was instructed to take his place. Ordered, really.]
Neil! Give me a light.
[Neil, a B rank, complies. Baroona catches the lighter with a nod and eases a flame out of it, watching the crowd disembark from the carts below. Neil watches him, with both awe and hesitance before casting an excited look down.
"My girlfriend's down there. And your little lady, too, sir."
Baroona glances at him with the faintest touch of annoyance.]
Don't call her that.
[It's mumbled but it shuts the B rank up quick. Baroona tosses back his lighter. He fumbles when he catches it, looking down shamefully.
"Sorry, sir. Wh-what I meant was the princess. It looks like she's here." Baroona smirks to himself, taking a long drag. The nickname hadn't been implemented by him but by Douglas; he hadn't protested. Another abuse of power–not that any of the troops complained. Clara was the most beloved visitor the Temple mercenaries had.
"... Sir, it looks like she brought someone with her." The statement catches him off guard and he follows Neil's finger downward, watching Clara help and escort a bob of brown hair that had been burned into his brain years ago. Disbelief seizes him and catches hold-he has to wait for a sign, some significant confirmation that it was her. A moment or two later and he has it, a small spark of electricity sparking past her head, faint but definite from his height. His grip on the battlements tightens. A grin forms around his cigarette.
"... Sir?" Neil's voice again, questioning and apprehensive. Baroona glances up, the grin gone.]
Send an order to the guys below. Tell them to send the girl Clara's escorting out back to the testing grounds. Have them tell her the Sub-Commander wants to see her.
[He's already jogging towards the stairs as he gives the orders, shooting back one last bit before descending:] Treat her nice! Don't let her get cross!
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Mikoto nearly jumps and tumbles right out of the cart when she feels a light tug on her sleeve. She looks down, and sees a small girl with pigtails, staring up at her with her eyes wide in both curiosity and confusion.
.....She must've seen that, huh. Mikoto smiles crookedly at her, using her free hand to scratch her chin.] Yeah? Uh, you lost, too?
[The girl tilts her head to the side, but shakes it no. "I'm here to see my daddy. Aren't you here to meet someone, too? That's why we've all come to visit. But..." she trails off and points to the side of her head. "...What happened to that light that was around your head?"
Mikoto allows the girl to help her down, looking off to the side and frowning at all of the soldiers, commiserating amongst both themselves, appearing as if waiting, and their loved ones (or so it seemed) as the cart empties. Ultimately, she decides to assume she's not about to be imprisoned; these guys were armed, so if shit was about to get real, it would've by now.
Turning back to Clara, she forces an awkward laugh.] Oh, that? Don't worry about it---must've just been the sun reflecting off of a window, and it bounced off my head. So... [CHANGE OF SUBJECT, go! Mikoto may as well get intel; she still doesn't understand why she's here, if everyone's paying a visit to the troops or whatever. It's vaguely similar to Parent Weekend, now that she thinks about it.] ...Your dad's a soldier, huh? Good for you that you get to see him---but in my case? There's got to be some kind of---
["Ah, Princess! And, er, ma'am."
Mikoto and Clara turn around. A small group of soldiers has broken from the line surrounding the fortress' exterior, acknowledging both girls. Clara frowns even more than she is already, no thanks to Mikoto.
"Daddy's not here?"
The one soldier laughs. "No, the Sub-Commander's here, but..." and he looks at Mikoto, who crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow, her expression hardening slightly. Not suspicious. At all.
(But that's just her luck. Everyone else? Gets to see their loved ones. Mikoto? God knows what.)] But I just got here. I'm pretty sure I can't beat up people in my sleep, if there's been a problem.
[Clara blinks. The soldiers look slightly taken aback by her attitude. The one clears his throat nervously.
"...The Sub-Commander wishes to see you, ma'am. Our orders are to take you to him. Er---I assure you no harm will come to pass."
Mikoto proceeds to look flabbergasted. This schmuck was polite enough, but...something was off. The punchline being---she doesn't know any 'Sub-Commander,' let alone anyone, here. She throws up her hand.] Did he say why, at least? Look, I seriously think there's been a mistake here!
[The soldiers look at one another uneasily.
"He...did not. But those were the orders we were given."
Mikoto slaps her head. Clara looks from her to the soldiers. "Maybe he knows you and you don't remember." She chimes in. "Daddy wouldn't give those kinds of orders without a reason."
Mikoto huffs and shakes her head, but ultimately slumps her shoulders in defeat, if only to not alarm Clara any further.] Alright, I'll go. But he'd better make this quick.
[Oh, she'd give this 'Sub-Commander' a piece of her mind, alright. The soldiers proceed to lead her to the training grounds, but not before she gives Clara a quick wave.]
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It's why Baroona's not surprised when he sees half the compound lined up around the testing arena, milling about and staring at him with visible excitement. There are patches of confusion, some of disapproval (he's fighting a woman? that's low) but he ignores them all, picking up a helmet from the pit. It doesn't cover his entire face, but enough to make it hard to tell. Enough to surprise her and have a little fun. As an added difficulty, he leaves his weapons behind, pulling aside a random troop and borrowing his sword. The only hint he gives her is the lit cigarette between his lips.
Amongst the whispers of the crowd, he takes his place in the center of the ring, sword pointed into the ground with both of his hands resting on he hilt.
It was a cruel trick, he knows. But after the City, after her world, this sort of thing feels necessary. A blatant display of his comfort in his world.
Besides, it'd be fun. For him.]
You all might want to distance yourself from here.
[It wouldn't really be fun for anyone else.]
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[The merc shrugs. "Maybe he wants to test your strength first?"
Another merc scratches his head underneath his helmet. "Weird, because we don't get women as recruits."
Mikoto tosses the two men a flat look. Smooth wording right there.] Really. Just watch me.
[The moment she walks into the arena, sees the crowd, and lays eyes upon...some tall, foreboding guy with a sword, smoking a goddamn cigarette in the middle of it all, without a care in the world, Mikoto just knows this isn't going to be quick, nor bereft of harm.
She's about to groan loudly and roll her eyes, but does a double-take.
Hold up.
A cigarette? Mikoto stops in the middle of taking a deep, irritated breath to give the equally irritable groan the momentum it needs, and squints her eyes at her opponent. Come to think of it...Baroona would do something like that, wouldn't he? Guy smoked like a chimney and then some.
She quickly shakes her head. Why the hell is she thinking about him at a time like this? Sure, it'd been a while since he'd left Academy City, and things were...rather dull and lonely without him (people still asked her about 'Maria-chan,' which didn't help and served to piss Kuroko off), but in the end, he had his world and she had hers.
Even though she wasn't quite in her world right now.
Even though she actually didn't want him to leave.
Mikoto grits her teeth. Dammit, she has to focus on more pressing matters, like getting to the bottom ofthis hootenanny and finding her way back. Just as Baroona had his wars to fight in, she had to keep things in order in Academy City.
She had to accept that, as much as it saddened her.
You promised me, you idiot.]
Let me ask you something---this how you always welcome visitors, or...
[Mikoto puts a hand on her hip, raising an eyebrow at the figure before her, eyes focused on the cigarette.
You'd better not be dead, at least.
....Why does she feel like she should recognize all of this? He said he was a mercenary, a soldier...]
...Is there some kind of special occasion I should be aware of, 'Sub-Commander'?
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He can't do this.
Not out of pity or guilt, but just because it's too funny. For how long she's been with him, for how long she's known him and still not being able to tell? With just a change of weapon and a strange helmet? It's too funny and the humor of the situation causes that small grin of his to blossom. He drops the sword and a mutter spreads through the crowd as it clatters to the ground.
The mercenaries are confused. Out of all the top officers, Baroona has a reputation. The quietest of the bunch, he's considered the most stern. It's rare the mercenaries ever see him happy, much less...
Baroona starts to laugh. It starts off as a chuckle with him bracing the helmet with a hand before it erupts into full laughter. The troops stand shocked. Only one is startled out of it when Baroona gestures to him to bring his weapons out.]
You really are an idiot.
[The troop bustles out, placing the cord of his knives in his outstretched hand and grabbing the fallen sword. Baroona drapes his cord around his neck, removing the helmet.]
Did you even think about asking my name?
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[Oh. Oh. It's like someone hit the mute button on the rest of the world. When Baroona starts similing and laughing like that, the other mercenaries get to talking amongst themselves, looking from her to him with perplexed, shocked looks on their faces, but she's too busy gawking at him with eyes widened to practically the size of dinner plates.
For one, that explained the nagging sense of deja vu she was beginning to get. She would've picked up on it! ...Eventually, but she would've!
For another, how in holy hell was she supposed to recognize you in that helmet, you jackass.
She rubs at her eyes once she regains enough presence of mind to at least move again. No. This couldn't possibly be happening. This couldn't be Baroona's world. She was dreaming. She was asleep and dreaming and when she rubs her eyes again, she'll find herself back in her dorm room, hopefully without Kuroko trying to kiss her or something.
Except she's still here, and Baroona is still in front of her, real and very much alive.
Her look of shock quickly fades into indignance and angry embarrassment (aka the usual), a bright pink spreading across her face. She clenches her fists.] What the hell was I supposed to do?! Because you decided to be funny, I got roped into things expecting a fight, you jerk! I mean, seriously, Baroona?!
[Mikoto's calling him by name gets the crowd talking even more. Everyone's either frowning or blinking wittily, but she manages to ignore it, too busy bitching at Sub-Commander Stupidhead (so mature) over here.
Finally, why must he do these things to her. She gives him her worst look; or makes a valiant attempt, anyway, when one factors in the blushing. The surrounding stares proceed to enter the bamboozled phase.] You know, I oughta---
["Is she his...girlfriend?"
"Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing. I mean, I've never seen the Sub-Commander look so...happy. Have you?"
"But he's never mentioned having a girl!"
"Well, he doesn't talk much as it is..."
"Or maybe...this girl's his...wife! He did say to treat her nice!"
Mikoto whirls her head at the sound of the above conversation. Her eye twitches, and electricity starts to spark around her; first by her head, and then through her body. She grits her teeth as the crowd stares all the harder.
Needless to say, there's a collective gasp the moment a quick lightning bolt strikes the center of the arena.
It doesn't take long for everyone to draw their weapons, which are all swiftly yanked out of everyone's hands (save for Baroona's) by an electric wave and piled up right where the lightning struck.
"Holy shit!"
"What was that?!"
"The Sub-Commander is married to a goddess?!"
Mikoto shoots an angry glare at the crowd, causing everyone to flinch and recoil in horror, before narrowing her eyes at Baroona. She's about to open her mouth to scold him once more, until...
"Hyah!"
...She's suddenly pinned to the ground by none other than Ares.
You'd better thank your lucky stars.]
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[All of this escalated too quickly. Biting back a scowl, he moves forward, grabbing Ares' hand–(how was he even here? wasn't he supposed to be away on a mission? what a time to arrive early)-and easing it back.]
Let her go.
[His voice is firm and Ares listens to it, reluctantly sliding off of her with a wary look. Baroona holds the gaze until he's all the way off.]
Release their weapons, Mikoto.
[Again, his voice is firm, albeit a bit gentler. With another reassuring glance back at Ares (who looks ready to slice Mikoto in half) he kneels down to Mikoto's level, whispering:]
You've caused a stir. It's time to end it.
[Sharp and scolding. He can sympathize with her situation but even so. Fear brings out violent reactions and there's nothing more fearful than suddenly being confronted with a god. Any longer and the troops would start to panic, maybe turn hostile towards her. That's the opposite of what he wants.
Which reminds him:]
Why are the rest of you still here? Don't you have visitors to greet?
[It's a command in the form of a question and some of the men get the hint, turning away with wary looks back at Mikoto. Amongst the crowd, there's muttered unease "Will the Sub-Commander be okay?" "What was he thinking, bringing a thing like that here?" "Do you think she's a goddess? What if she curses us?" that Baroona does his best to ignore. At least for the moment. Misconceptions can be dealt with later. For now, the primary concern was placating Ares.
He offers out a helping hand to Mikoto while he stands, turning back to the bristling Ares.
"Who is she, Baroona?"]
A friend. I'll explain more later. She's not dangerous. Give me a bit alone with her.
["What if she tries to–"]
She won't. Go say hi to Ariadne before she yells at you for ignoring her, idiot.
[It takes a couple minutes but Ares takes his advice–albeit reluctantly. Moments later they're alone, the other troops and Ares having dispersed.]
You know how to make an impression.
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[Speaking through gritted teeth, Mikoto is about to throw a vicious look Ares' way as she stands back up with Baroona's help, until she sees the other mercenaries look at her with eyes full of suspicion and fear as she lets the magnetized weapons drop harmlessly to the ground.
Her expression immediately drops as well. It'd been a few years now, but she never forgot that encounter she had wih Terra Branford's Esper form, and the havoc she was wreaking. The fear and slight disgust she herself felt, at witnessing such great powers be wielded with such reckless, brazen abandon.
...She was being no different, was she? These men were looking at her as if she were that very beast. While she knows Baroona is accepting of her abilities, there's a slight sting to the wary stares, and especially to the narrowing of Ares' eye before he finally heads out.
She's still unused to people fearing her powers; everyone wanted to be gifted back home. Even though she later befriended the girl, a part of Mikoto feared that she, too, would lose control like Terra did, and end up harming her friends.
Mikoto closes her eyes and sucks her teeth indignantly before looking at Baroona.
She's still frazzled, but there's a hint of uncertainty in her eyes as she crosses her arms.]
Well, you know me. Though, you could've just, like, met up with me or something.
[A beat, and she looks around at the rather intimidating scenery of the training grounds. She takes a small breath.]
So this is your world, huh? [A small, slightly half-hearted laugh.] Guess karma really knows how to get even.
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[Unlike Academy City, where Mikoto had influence but no power–here, Baroona has both. A legacy and connections for influence and the power of numerous titles to gain respect. A clear place to stand.
He offers her a reassuring smile, small and subtle but there without a doubt.]
I'll talk to Ares later. You made him worried. That's the only reason he's suspicious.
[The smile grows with a twitch. He pats her head, ruffling her hair.]
It's good to see you again. It's been a couple years.
[Not that he looks much different. Only slightly taller and with a couple more visible scars. He scratches the most prominent one–one near his ear–with a finger.]
You haven't changed much.
[At least attitude-wise. It's refreshing. Everything about her is, really. Maybe that's why he can't stop smiling.]
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[The guy looked honestly about to kill her, but she supposed they were probably chummy, or at least on equal terms, as he referred to Baroona by name in lieu of rank----unlike the other mercs. Kuroko was just as extreme toward Baroona, if not even more so.
She finds herself wishing she were here, even though she'd have only made things worse with her teleporting. But at least...she wouldn't feel so...out of place.
Mikoto didn't blame Baroona for being so apprehensive and wary during his own visit now. She turns pink as he ruffles her hair, giving him her usual flat look.] I'm honored, 'Sub-Commander.' [She makes 'quote-unquote' gestures with her fingers. Why is he smiling so damn much? It's making her feel...strangely self-conscious. Needless to say, she doesn't look all that different, either; her hair's gotten a bit longer. Her face looks slightly less rounded. She's filled out just a smidge.
Letting out a 'tsk,' she shakes her head in mock exasperation.] You might have a higher rank, but you haven't changed, either.
[However, that fades away to frowning as she spots his new scars.
You just never catch a break, huh?
That means he's had more brushes with death. Worriment gradually takes a seat in the pit of her stomach, but outwardly, she simply arches her eyebrows, twirling her finger at him.]
Still getting yourself into trouble, I see.
[She throws her hands up.]
And that is why I never stop asking myself---what am I going to do with you?
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It comes with the job.
["Daddy!" If Baroona was going to respond, it's cut short by the call of a young girl's voice. Looking past Mikoto, his smile dims to something more subtle and controlled, though the sincerity's still there.]
I told you not to call me that.
[Not that he seems all that put off by it. Clara rushes up to him and he kneels down to scoop her up, holding her in one arm and making an exaggerated face.] You've gotten heavier. Jeez.
[Clara smacks him for that and he breathes out another laugh. She turns her attention to Mikoto.
"Dad was a real jerk. I'm sorry, Miss." And now, back to Baroona: "She's been through a lot. We found her fainted and everything. You have to be nice."]
Alright, alright.
[Easing her back down, he looks up at Mikoto with a smirk and a quirked brow.]
You look like a real lady in that dress.
[Clara smacks him again for that he shoots her a sour look. "Stop being a jerk!" Baroona sighs.]
We should get you something else to wear.
[It's weird, thinking of Mikoto as a woman.]
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[Upon hearing Clara's call, though, Mikoto stops in mid-sentence, blinking.
Did...did she hear that right? Daddy? Watching Clara come running up to Baroona, Mikoto stares, absolutely flabbergasted, looking from her to him and from him to her and then back again.
They looked absolutely nothing alike, and Clara seemed too old to be his biological daughter; meanwhile, despite being a little older than Mikoto (physically), Baroona was still awfully young to be a dad.
But most importantly, he'd never mentioned having a child, adopted or otherwise. Nevertheless, Mikoto scratches her head, smiling crookedly as she makes an attempt to not look too awkward, forcing a laugh.] Eh...I'm used to it. Should we swap stories? He hasn't told you anything dumb about me, has he?
[When she turns her attention to Baroona, though, Mikoto looks off to the side.] You never told me you had a kid.
[And boy, is it pretty surreal to think of Baroona as a family man. Sure, he could cook; yes, he was pretty deft at housework---that was put on display whenever they'd get saddled with chores around the dorm and school. Mikoto sighs.
On second thought, maybe it wasn't so farfetched. Perhaps it just seemed that way because she's never envisioned him being in that sort of scenario. To her, he was just...Baroona.
What's just as weird is how endearing this looks---Clara playfully chiding and smacking him. Mikoto finds herself smiling more naturally, and a chuckle escapes her throat.
Maybe her luck wasn't total crap, after all (but wow, fainted? way to make an entrance.). Smirking, Mikoto puts her hands on her hips.]
And what is that supposed to mean, Sub-Commander Dad?
[Clara laughs at that one, and nods enthusastically as she goes up to Mikoto. "Don't worry! I'll help make you look extra pretty with Miss Ariadne's help! I'm Clara! What's your name?"
Mikoto grins.] Mikoto. Nice to meet you, Clara.
[She shoots Baroona a teasing look.]
See that? She's defected.
[Although a part of her is confused. Why would she want to look pretty, and for Baroona, at that?
Ultimately, she figures Clara's just kidding around, too.]
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[Clara begins to protest and he ruffles her hair to stop it, muttering something to her and nudging her off. A quick "go find Helena, we need to talk alone for a bit". Begrudgingly, Clara obeys waving enthusiastically to Mikoto as she scurries off.
Baroona smiles faintly as she leaves, staying on one knee.]
You never asked.
[To answer that earlier pointed statement. He stands up, knocking another cigarette from his carton because I can't remember if he had one again.] She's not my kid, anyway. I saved her.
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[Mikoto waves back, smiling as Clara leaves---she seemed like a fun kid, even if that comment about making her 'look pretty' still baffled her. Once the latter is out of eyeshot, Mikoto blinks down at Baroona. She's seen him smile before, but this particular one is...weird. It's affectionate in a way she hasn't seen before (and if she has, she definitely never picked up on it.); he really does look like a father who loves his daughter.
It's...kind of nice, actually. Even if she didn't know why she thought it was nice, and if she wasn't sure how to feel about thinking it was nice.
She breathes in a bit, scratching the back of her head and trying to look nonchalant.
.......What is wrong with her? She never used to...] Baroona, I'd think asking something like that would be...I dunno...too personal? [Plus, the thought just never occurred to her. She's never thought that far ahead in regards to her own life.] I mean---it's not a bad thing! I just wasn't expecting it, okay?!
[Have fun making sense out of that flustered drivel. But she sharply looks up at his next statement.
...Oh. Mikoto's gaze lowers once more. Yeah.
War was common here, wasn't it? It was how Baroona lost his own family. Became a slave. A gladiator.
War kept him alive, and yet, it would end him one day, too. Her shoulders slump slightly.]
So, in a way...you really are her father. [Mikoto forces a wan smile. What'll happen to her if you die? Her laugh is equally weak.] Wow, Baroona.
[A beat, and she looks off to the side again.] That's...really nice of you.
[Really lame way of putting it, but it's sincere.]
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[He speaks without doubt, rising from the ground. With brief annoyance, he fidgets with his cape, wrestling with it until it decides to right itself and flop back over his shoulder. Stupid, stupid piece of clothing. He contemplates cutting it off before looking back to Mikoto, expression neutral, except that invisible smirk.]
Fainted, huh?
[Lighting up the cigarette and waving the match, he doesn't wait for a response. Clara tells the truth, no matter what. It was against her morals not to.] We should get you checked out then we can get you some new clothes.
[He presses a hand against her back to guide her back towards the buildings, glancing down at the dress again. It was definitely one of Ariadne's–a delicate white sundress, slightly dirtied from the cart. Probably. He frowns at it.] That looks weird on you.
[Too... cute, maybe? His statement earlier had been joking but still held true. She did actually look like a woman. One of noble birth, at that. She'd fit right in standing next to Ariadne at some high-society ball. The thought perturbs him for reasons he can't place. He looks away.]
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She huffs softly. She needed to stop...noticing things about him. That was his thing, for some odd reason. He knew her too well.
Which made her wonder---did he really not mind all of her faults? What's kept you alongside me for so long, you dummy?
Mikoto closes her eyes as unabashedly as she can muster, and shrugs.] ...I'd try my best, at any rate. And---
[Yeah, about the cape issues...Mikoto goes and straightens said accessory; well, with how it's hitched up in some places around his shoulders, it's of no wonder it's not cooperating with him. She tuts.] -----You know, if I look weird, at least I'm not having difficulties. It's just a dress; this is bound to get caught on something in a fight. Who's idea was this, anyway?
[Although, she has to admit, it sort of...makes him look dignified. Almost...heroic.
Huh.
Heroes.
Funny, because she never really could get behind those types, always needlessly sticking their noses into other people's business, always so willing to throw themselves on the line for the sake of others.
But Baroona...oh, he's suddenly looking away. Mikoto frowns at him, but ultimately exhales a bit.
He still had a habit of clamming up abruptly. She runs a hand through her hair, rolling her eyes at the idea of a checkup. Uh, after what just took place...?]
I feel fine, though. But do you seriously think anyone's gonna want to so much as stand next to me after what just went down?
[She fidgets in her dress. Looks down at it herself, recalling his earlier frowning.
It's...pretty, but it feels rather flimsy. It makes her feel self-conscious, all of a sudden. On second thought...maybe it wasn't just a dress, after all.
Mikoto sighs. Something with pants would be nice, really.]
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[Having lived most of his life under authority, there was something exhilarating about the ability to lead. To give orders he had always been forced to follow. Though rarely abused, it was somewhat satisfactory when he could use his position for his own gain. So long as it was small.
He stumbles over his cape again on the way into the building, growling silently at it as he catches himself.]
Ares requires it. [Wrestling with it again, setting it back into place while his teeth gnash over his cigarette.] Said they looked cool.
[Gods, why won't it move back into place.] I'm thinking about cutting it off.
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She understood, now, why he'd told her he had no regrets about all that had befallen him. Because, in the end, even though life had been hard on him, things looked up in the end, though things were still rough. She punches his arm playfully.] So, you gonna order me around, too? Sub-Commander Dad, sir!
[Mikoto gives him a jaunty salute, and ends up nearly bursting into laughter the moment he stumbles.] That so? And you're tall as it is, too. Here, dummy.
[Mikoto motions for him to be still, goes, and sweeps the cape off to his one shoulder. She giggles.]
There. Try wearing it like---
[Suddenly, there's a yell of, "Baroona!" followed by the thudding of rushed footfalls from up the hall. It's none other than Douglas, who quickly screeches to a halt and stares, mouth agape as he looks wildly from Baroona to Mikoto.
His shoulders slump, and he throws his hands up.
"Seriously?!"
Mikoto raises an eyebrow.]
...Hi?
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How am I supposed to fight with this? Or eat?
[He frowns, but doesn't fix it, too busy ignoring Douglas' opening question. Sensing this, Douglas lightly shoves his shoulder.
"What happened to not knowing any girls, huh?!" Baroona passes him a slightly bewildered look.] That was years ago.
["Yeah! So? You still promised me you'd introduce me to them!"] I never promised tha–
["And yet here you are!" Douglas waves his arms around, glare-pouting at Baroona before going back to normal and offering Mikoto a smile and a hand. "Hey there." Seductive raising of eyebrows, check. "Sub-Commander Douglas, at your service."
Baroona sighs.] You're embarrassing yourself.
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[Mikoto tosses him an exasperated look before focusing on Douglas, looking absolutely befuddled in the face of his, er, charms. Or attempt at being charming and suave. She's not sure which. Either way, they're both doing it wrong, because instead of swooning or batting her eyelashes at him, she goes and...
...Shakes his hand, blinking.]
It's Mikoto. Nice to meet you.
[She briefly squints at Baroona in a silent question of, WTF??? as Douglas laughs and outright takes her hand, smiling suavely as he chuckles, "hey, no need to be so formal. I'm not a stiff, unlike some people I know."
With that, he shoots a smirk Baroona's way; Mikoto, meanwhile, is subtly trying to back away. Douglas laughs again, looking from the duo with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"So. I guess this means you're both going to that gathering King Icarus is holding, huh? Man, I can only imagine what you look like all dressed up, Miss Mikoto."
He winks. Mikoto smiles crookedly.
FINISH HIM.]
i'm sorry this tag sucks cries
I'm going as Icarus' guard. We can't bring dates.
["What a shame. Guess some other lucky guy will have to take her." That earns another push. douglas laughs, batting Baroona's hand away. Baroona himself is feigning annoyance, but the end of his lips are curling upwards. douglas sees right through it, smiling and returning one of his shoves, making him stumble slightly into Mikoto.
"I'm just giving you fair warning, is all." Baroona frowns, attempting to steady himself and tripping over the cape once again. He grabs Mikoto's arm to keep himself from falling, glaring at douglas.] Yeah, thanks.
[Righting himself again and looking properly rustled this time. douglas titters to himself.] We're just friends.
["Right, sure. Might want to practice that lie some more before you try convincing the troops. They've already started a rumor about how you know a goddess." His voice becomes more serious as he explains the situation. The real reason he came here. As a reminder that Baroona still needed to clear that mess up.]
pats don't worry this one is even lamer
[Mikoto rolls her eyes as Baroona grabs her arm; without even really thinking, she puts her free arm around him to keep him from outright bowling her over, and also to fix his cape once again, re-sweeping it to over his shoulder. Douglas smirks as Mikoto---absentmindedly---fixes Baroona's helmet, which has gone crooked.
So he prods some more. Stirs the beast. "Aw, come on, it'll be fun! You'll get to look pretty and make all the guys fall all over you! I know I would...say, maybe I'll share a dance with you, huh? When I get some free time."
With that, he tosses the both of them a rather mischievous look. Mikoto grunts while pulling away from Baroona once he rights himself.] I'll pass. And it really isn't like that. On both counts. I'm not his girlfriend and I'm definitely not a goddess.
["You sure about that? Either way, you'll still have to get Ares' blessing, you know. He's not too happy right now, either." Douglas, while still chortling, gives Baroona a meaningful look. More damage control to keep in mind.
Speaking of which, though...
"Miss Mikoto! Miss Mikoto!" Clara comes scurrying in, beaming. "Wanna pick out dresses for the king's gathering?"
Douglas puts on the most shit-eatingest grin as he continues looking Baroona's way. Mikoto initially blinks, then smiles crookedly.
Uh.
That wasn't a joke? Ah, but she's Baroona's surrogate daughter and she's real cute and even Mikoto can't harshly turn away a child...] Um...sure?
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Mikoto has to swallow a sigh as she remembers the above remark made by Clara once dress-up was done and over with. Notice what? She didn't get any of this; not Douglas' fairly off-color remarks, not the sudden plague of chuckling and whispering amongst the rest of the mercenaries, not being all prettied up in a light blue dress with flowers on the side of her head (and Ariadne wouldn't stop gushing and rearranging them and going through several different dresses with her until Helena had to alert her to the time constraints---girl was nice and really funny, but it was clear she was having too much fun.), and definitely not how Baroona even tied into all of this to begin with.
Because, seriously. What was there to notice? She didn't feel any different. A bit awkward, self-conscious, and irritated at having to lift up the skirt of the dress to walk, seeing heads turn as she passed by, and catching snippets of whistling and more weird whispering, but for the most part? There was nothing mind-blowing about any of this.
Not in the slightest---until she hears a particularly loud whistle and looks up. It's Douglas, who's standing (while grinning suavely and winking in her direction) next to Baroona, some tall, rather elaborately-dressed guy she's never seen before (Icarus), and Gohu, who gives Douglas an exasperated look. Ares, meanwhile, blinks and frowns.
Mikoto has to swallow back a grumble, waving at the group while passing by.
You know what? She's suddenly thirsty. She'll be perusing a drink, dear sirs. Minding her own business.]
i actually have an account for icarus cries
I didn't do anything.
["That's basically the same thing, isn't it?" Another twitch of a frown; Icarus smirks in triumph, keeping his eyes trained on Mikoto. Baroona follows suit–he has since the moment she walked in–convincing himself that he's watching her actions in a professional sense, not a personal one. Icarus, to his chagrin, continues with a shrug. "Your loss. She's pretty easy on the eyes. Someone'll snatch her up pretty soon." For a moment, Baroona's grip tightens but it passes quickly. He looks away casually (though keeps Mikoto in the corner of his eyes).]
She's too dense for something like that.
["doesn't mean no one will try. Hell–" Icarus laughs. "–I think I might try my hand." At this, all the mercenaries glance towards the king as he steps off his throne. Baroona moves the furthest and fastest, stopping short only when Icarus holds up a hand. "You boys can wait here." Reluctantly and with gritted teeth, Baroona allows himself to be pulled back by douglas and Gohu, left to watch while Icarus approaches the group of suitors already starting to surround Mikoto.]
that intrigues me
Boys are so weird. Why are they being so...friendly? Was this what Clara meant by 'noticing'? This wasn't noticing, this was straight up mobbing.
Nothing about it is flattering.
The best she can do is smile, laugh awkwardly, and nod, make up stupid excuses about how she's waiting for someone, or that she's not sure her family will be okay with her hanging around boys she doesn't know, or that she'll be leaving soon anyway----
"Really, now? The night's only just begun. It'd be a shame if you didn't grace at least one lucky man with your presence, don't you think?"
As he says this, Icarus briefly looks Baroona's way, giving him a sly look, almost challenging him to try and intervene. Douglas looks at the latter just as smarmily, while Gohu rolls his eyes, sighing.
"I'm going to dance with her, you know, if Icarus doesn't beat me to it." Douglas feels the need to announce, chortling.
"Knock it off, Douglas. You're going to piss him off." Gohu grumbles.
Mikoto, meanwhile, blinks up at Icarus, looking a bit taken aback---he looks important. The group of woud-be suitors quickly mutter greetings and disperse, appearing just as nervous.]
Uh...is there something I can help you with? Though I'm not even from around here...
[Icarus chuckles. "I didn't think a goddess would be shy. No need to be on guard; I'm just humbly curious. My name is Icarus; I hope your stay in my kingdom is going well."
And with that, he smoothly takes her hand and bows. She turns a slight red, frowning as she tries to swallow down her embarrassment, willing herself to not instinctively pull her hand out of his grip---she can feel people staring in shock at their king boldly approaching a random foreigner.
Why did these things only seem to happen to her?
She briefly wonders if Baroona's seeing this.
Her shoulders slump a smidge. He'd have intervened by now, wouldn't he? And they weren't on speaking terms, so...
...Dammit.]
I'm Mikoto, your, er, Majesty. It's an honor---and I'm doing just fine. If you've heard anything--- [Mikoto smiles awkwardly, forcing a laugh. Because knowing Douglas and some of the other mercenaries...] ---it's all an exaggeration. Really.
[Icarus laughs. "No worries. Who could ever be scared of a face like yours, hmm?"
Mikoto has to keep her eye from twitching.
Help.]