[ So she's actually been standing outside of this door for ten minutes now. Elza had shown her, told her who this room belonged to, and now it's time for her to finally introduce herself as the newest inhabitant of this apartment. A rabbit, Elza had said. So he shouldn't be scary. She likes rabbits.
... But what if he doesn't like her? What if he glares a lot, or he's loud, or--
[ of course Zara is in his room. What's he doing? The same thing he always does - research. Well, that and cleaning, and generally settling into this bizarre futuristic room he's going to be living in for the foreseeable future. When he hears a knock at the door, he assumes it's going to be Nesso or Elza.
When he opens the door and instead finds a girl... well, he's quick to school his tired face into something much friendlier. ]
[Shirou normally worked at the weapon shop and it was a good job for him. His interest in weapons was exceptional and there were things he wanted to learn there.
However, the other day a mysterious woman named Zero came over she was a tough customer. She was always angry and she was never satisfied with the products Shirou brought forward. They argued over weapon quality and somehow this resulted in Shirou getting injured. He's honestly surprised he's still in one piece...for the most part.
He sat on a chair and rocked back and forth on it anxiously. Whoever was supposed to be coming in today sure took their time. ]
[ you don't want to know why he's late. Suffice to say that people in Cereal really enjoy playing with their toys, sometimes too much, and Zara is really glad he's only a nurse and not an actual doctor here. He knocks on the door before entering, and when he does, he has a rather distant look on his face for a few moments. The distant look of a man trying to forget what he just saw and heard...
Fortunately, Shirou is there, all distracting and stuff. His ears stand up straight as he looks over at the other man, and he schools his face into something more professional. ]
... Ahem. Good afternoon, my apologies for the... delay. I'm Zara Skeens. What is the matter?
[ It is a perfectly normal, boring, and otherwise uneventful day, and yet, Zara will get a call from that rude little nobleman that didn't seem to know how to use his manners. Yet, despite that, he sounds much more polite now... ]
Mr. Skeens, was it? This is Earl Phantomhive—I have a proposition for you, should you be willing to take on a bit of work. Please call me back when you are able.
[Where are you, Zara? Why does Nesso have to be at work when he gets this message? He's all confused. Just ignore the lingering body glitter visible just now, okay? Okay.]
Something's happened! It's about Fiona. There's a strange message. It has her face, but I...
[Those aren't his precious perfect sister's words come reassure him about this okay?]
THANK YOU i got distracted from posting about this... LOL
[ zara is the type of man who would absolutely notice nesso being more glittery than usual... if he wasn't also freaking out about the exact same thing. Unsurprisingly, he looks deeply concerned, and is quick to answer his phone (thankfully, Ciel helped him learn to use it more like a normal person.) ]
I know. I got that too...! [ sounding -- desperate? concerned? worried? ALL OF THE ABOVE?? ] She might be in the city somewhere. But that message is just...
Ah, Zara-san? It's Totsuka! Is it okay if I meet you in person? I have something I want to give you! Ah, it's nothing weird or anything -- rather, I think it's pretty cute -- but I guess it's the sort of thing you have to see for yourself? You know --
[the voicemail thing cuts him off because totsuka is a blabbermouth]
[ there's a soft knock on his door, and then soft, but rapid footsteps of someone scurrying away. When Zara chooses to answer it, he'll find a small bouquet of flowers lying on the floor.
The culprit is nowhere in sight (but bundled on the couch with her nose burrowed in a book, so as to appear uninvolved in the scene of the crime). ]
[ his keen sense of hearing leaves him with a clear enough picture of what just happened; still, when he opens the door and sees the flowers on the ground, he can't help but smile wryly and play along, speaking to himself in a loud voice. ]
Oh? What's this? [ crouching down, he picks up the bouquet, holding it to his nose. ] How lovely. Do I have a secret admirer?
Had an x-ray done today. Guess what they found? It was you, safely tucked away in my heart! They said my heart is fine with a friend like you in it. Send this to all the people you love and care for, if you get 5 back no one will break your heart. Xx
Had an x-ray done today. Guess what they found? It was you, safely tucked away in my heart! They said my heart is fine with a friend like you in it. Send this to all the people you love and care for, if you get 5 back no one will break your heart. Xx
[ A message pops up in your inbox from an anonymous source. How strange! If you don't delete it immediately, you'll be greeted with an audio message that's quiet, at first. In fact, it's quiet enough that just in time for you to turn it up, it starts to speak. It sounds suspiciously like Xerxes Break if you know him, but at the same time, there's a totally stupid voice being used, since it's not like Break would send this message along. Emily, though? Of course. She's such a gossip. ]
Had an x-ray done today. Guess what they found? It was you, safely tucked away in my heart! They said my heart is fine with a friend like you in it. Send this to all the people you love and care for, because if you don't, then something preeeety bad might happen to them! Heart failure is pretty serious~! Kehehehehehe!!!
(( ooc note ; break is sending this to literally everyone in the game, so I'm sorry... Feel free to figure out he caused it, since it's not like he's trying that hard to hide it. ))
You’ll have to pardon me if this sounds generic but I simply couldn’t think of a more efficient way to do it. Simply put, I’ve successfully managed to convert my world’s calendar to the one of this world and I best estimate my birthday to fall sometime before December 25th, which is apparently known as Christmas Day here. Then I had thought “oh, but certainly others would love to join in the festivities!” and so now my proposal is for there to be a lovely winter ball on thinking the 26th, hence the reason for this invitation. I would like to extend my request for your assistance in preparations for the ball, if you would be so kind as to lend your aid.
[GENERIC PART OVER and here’s where the personal message begins-]
I’m sure that you’re busy enough as is, Zara, but if you wouldn’t mind lending your time and assistance, I’d appreciate it. It’s certainly not the first ball I’ve put on but I’m not quite so used to doing all of the work myself!
[ what a pleasant surprise. He is busy, it's true, but something like this - well, he finds doing organizational work more relaxing than tiring most of the time. ]
I'm not too busy to help you, princess. I've helped set up a few parties in my time - though nothing as big as a ball.
[ It's almost Christmas (ic at least), so since he's giving gifts to other people, Zara will find an elegantly wrapped package waiting for him when he arrives to work one day while Ciel is suspiciously out. He doesn't want to be there when Zara opens it, since he's a big tsundere nerd. Inside, there's a pocketwatch, and a very simple, short note in a neat script. ]
Merry Christmas, Zara. You can take the week off as well. - Ciel Phantomhive
[ also be glad that oz is here because ciel totally almost gave zara swiffer products until he had the better idea to ask oz what zara might like... ]
[ While he's not familiar with Christmas itself, it's impossible for anyone to remain ignorant of it, considering the deluge of products and advertisements for said products everywhere - and in the end, he's discovered it's no so different from the winter holidays in his own world. Still, he doesn't expect to be involved in it. Which means that he doesn't believe that the present is for him, at first. But seeing as Ciel is nowhere to be found (and it does have his name on it), he opens it, and, to his surprise, finds a thoughtful gift from him.
He can't help but smile. How very like him, leaving a present and a note instead of actually giving it in person - despite how easy it would have been. Unfortunately for Ciel, Zara's not the type to just let him get away with it. After a few minutes, he rings him up. ]
Earl Phantomhive? Thank you kindly for the present.
[ as it so happens, he is not asleep, because he keeps terrible hours despite the fact that he should know better. Zara is sitting at his desk, scrolling through pages on his phone - he's starting to catch up with the technology, see - when she knocks. It would have given him a bit of a fright if he didn't recognize her footsteps by now; instead, he's only concerned about why she might need him at this hour. ]
[ he wasn't expecting this serious and rather chilly man to actually reach out and contact him; he's fairly surprised when he picks up and hears Sousei's voice, but it's not an unpleasant surprise. ]
Sir Sousei... Yes, I am curious. You were able to find something new?
[ he'll touch on the full name thing in a second ]
[Phoenix doesn't know Zara well enough to get him a full-fledged gift, but he will get a Christmas card in the mail! The card bares a dorky photo of Phoenix and Trucy with Santa beards/hats photoshopped onto their heads.
The contents of the card contain an apology for the possibility that he does not celebrate Christmas but communicating warm wishes for this winter season all the same!]
[ what a pleasant surprise! Zara definitely wasn't expecting this - or even necessarily to hear back from him at all. While he feels rather guilty for not sending cards in return, he can at least send a thank-you for the sentiment. ]
Thank you kindly for the card, Mr. Wright. Your daughter looks like a lovely young lady with quite an impressive beard.
[ It's a normal day at Casa de.... Who even knows what to call this apartment, really. It's quite an odd collection of people, of which Cole is undoubtedly the oddest. He's a very unintrusive presence in their apartment, and he'll often leave for an entire day without returning. Or at least, that's what Mary and Zara would think. Sometimes he was there, but simply didn't want to be seen, so he wasn't. That's just the way Cole was, but at least after a while, Mary and Zara are probably getting used to it.
Today, however, he's at least here and visible, though he's sitting on one of the chairs Indian style, and for once, he's taken his hat off. It shows that messy, matted blonde hair, so he's only taking it off to clean it, since the hat is important to him. It's an odd thing, especially on a tall, skinny young man like Cole, but it's clearly something he treasures. As always, he's quietly doing his own thing, but as Zara comes by, he pauses in his work, then looks up to Zara.
It's rare for Cole's eyes to meet Zara's, but this time, he does so without hesitation. His clear, blue eyes have a sort of unsettling quality to them, since they give the impression that he's looking much deeper, though it's also hard to tell where that impression comes from.
At least, until he speaks. ]
...She doesn't think you let her down, Zara. She knows you tried your best to keep her there instead of going somewhere else.
[ The one thing that you never quite get used to with Cole is this, though. ]
[ he really is an odd boy - boy, Zara calls him, because despite the fact that Cole can't be much younger than himself, there's something childlike about him, to an even more extreme extent than Mary. It would fall to him to take care of people who couldn't take care of themselves, of course, even in this situation; he doesn't mind particularly, but he does find it amusing. Were Nesso still here, he'd surely laugh at his continual babysitting.
However, it's more than just being childlike. There's something off about Cole. He doesn't know the whole story, but it's desperately obvious that he's not all he appears - the way he acts, speaks, the unexplained disappearances, the way he knows things, most of all. Zara's asked about it, no doubt, but Cole's frustratingly difficult to comprehend.
For now, he'll concentrate on the little things - for example, the state of his clothes. And hygiene. But before Zara can even open his mouth to comment on the greasiness of his hair, he's beaten to the punch. There's a twinge of something on his face - guilt, protectiveness, possessiveness, maybe even fear - but he replaces it with a rather stony gazee. ]
... What the young lady thinks is certainly no business of yours, Cole. Nor what I'm thinking. [ he sounds strict, but there's an obvious edge of discomfort there, too. ] How do you know?
residential district, gym, school, parts of entertainment district compromised due to falling machinery(?) other areas flooded. please direct injured, misplaced, tired, and frantic people to upper levels of the hospital for shelter. communication limited to text and voice, healing does not work on those with intense lethargy.
personal request: take care of ensuring the hospital is in working order and monsters are driven away with Rei
[ he's in a bad place right now, honestly, with his apartment being washed away and all - to say nothing of the fact that he feels like his body's been filled with sludge or something. He's still in the midst of trying to round up his roommates when his phone goes off. ]
I am in a most precarious position right now I'm afraid
If I can make it to the hospital I will see you there
[Natalia swears that on a normal occasion, she's 300% capable of laundry. She's been in this colony for months and she's not so desperate that she'll ask Archer to handle her clothes. No way.
But couple the exhaustion from the reconstruction efforts along with her novice-status at all things domestic and you've suddenly got the laundry room full of bubbles.
At least it was only her bed sheets (and canopy drapes) that she was trying to wash but this is definitely Natalia throwing open the door to the rest of her apartment and some bubbles tumbling out onto the floor.
[ at this point, one can imagine Zara's gotten accustomed to that tentative summons of hers. The alarm call, if you will. She's the type of person who tries to do everything independently - an admirable trait, other than the fact that she includes things she doesn't know how to do at all.
Zara's just finished preparing some vegetables for a salad when she calls him; he does his best to help out around the house when he can convince her to let him do so. As he's untying his apron, Natalia's voice reaches him, and he takes a few step backwards to peer down the hall at her. ]
Yes? What is it... [ it sounds like it was a question at one point, but then he notices the bubbles at her feet... ]
[ Behold! Mary's finally fully (mostly) recovered from her general bout of miserable illness-- not that her recovery has anything to do with the reason she's seeking him out now, wherever he happens to be. Her hands are nervously clasped in front of her, fingers twisted together. ]
[ no doubt, her recovery was sped along by (or at least filled with) Zara's practiced bedside manner. If there's one thing he has a lot of experience with, it's tending to fluffy sick girls. He's still coming out of his fussing, though she may insist she's recovered; thus, when she appears, he's immediately alert, long ears standing up straight on his head. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; backdated to like two days after the intro
... But what if he doesn't like her? What if he glares a lot, or he's loud, or--
Okay, no, she has to do this.
SO SHE FINALLY KNOCKS. ]
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When he opens the door and instead finds a girl... well, he's quick to school his tired face into something much friendlier. ]
Good afternoon, young lady. May I help you?
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However, the other day a mysterious woman named Zero came over she was a tough customer. She was always angry and she was never satisfied with the products Shirou brought forward. They argued over weapon quality and somehow this resulted in Shirou getting injured. He's honestly surprised he's still in one piece...for the most part.
He sat on a chair and rocked back and forth on it anxiously. Whoever was supposed to be coming in today sure took their time. ]
....I wonder what the hold up is.
[Did he get the wrong place??????]
good job shirou
Fortunately, Shirou is there, all distracting and stuff. His ears stand up straight as he looks over at the other man, and he schools his face into something more professional. ]
... Ahem. Good afternoon, my apologies for the... delay. I'm Zara Skeens. What is the matter?
OH GOD OH MAN SIB CR
OH GOD OH MAN OH GOD OH MAN
WHEEZES LOUDLY IN SIBS INBOX
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voice;
Mr. Skeens, was it? This is Earl Phantomhive—I have a proposition for you, should you be willing to take on a bit of work. Please call me back when you are able.
[ truly ominous ]
voice;
Earl Phantomhive? This is Zara speaking. You had something you wanted to speak with me about?
[ it hasn't occurred to him that he's being hired for his services yet. ]
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You've got mail!
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My lady? Are you here? Please respond quickly!
video -- backdated to juuuust after the last spam
[Where are you, Zara? Why does Nesso have to be at work when he gets this message? He's all confused. Just ignore the lingering body glitter visible just now, okay? Okay.]
Something's happened! It's about Fiona. There's a strange message. It has her face, but I...
[Those aren't his precious perfect sister's words come reassure him about this okay?]
THANK YOU i got distracted from posting about this... LOL
I know. I got that too...! [ sounding -- desperate? concerned? worried? ALL OF THE ABOVE?? ] She might be in the city somewhere. But that message is just...
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voice; HEYA
Ah, Zara-san? It's Totsuka! Is it okay if I meet you in person? I have something I want to give you! Ah, it's nothing weird or anything -- rather, I think it's pretty cute -- but I guess it's the sort of thing you have to see for yourself? You know --
[the voicemail thing cuts him off because totsuka is a blabbermouth]
voice
Mr. Tatara? You wanted to arrange something...?
voice
voice
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voice TO ACTION
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action-ish, after someone paid a visit to the flower shop
The culprit is nowhere in sight (but bundled on the couch with her nose burrowed in a book, so as to appear uninvolved in the scene of the crime). ]
MARY TOO CUTE...
Oh? What's this? [ crouching down, he picks up the bouquet, holding it to his nose. ] How lovely. Do I have a secret admirer?
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text;
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Oh Zara, I don't understand this world at all!!
[don't mind her distress]
text;
That was very sweet of you, Natalia. Though slightly threatening.
text;
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text; hello bun-bun
its supposed to be a metaphor
text
Thank you. Did you get this idea from Natalia?
text;
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voice;
Had an x-ray done today. Guess what they found? It was you, safely tucked away in my heart! They said my heart is fine with a friend like you in it. Send this to all the people you love and care for, because if you don't, then something preeeety bad might happen to them! Heart failure is pretty serious~! Kehehehehehe!!!
(( ooc note ; break is sending this to literally everyone in the game, so I'm sorry... Feel free to figure out he caused it, since it's not like he's trying that hard to hide it. ))
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text
[GENERIC PART OVER and here’s where the personal message begins-]
I’m sure that you’re busy enough as is, Zara, but if you wouldn’t mind lending your time and assistance, I’d appreciate it. It’s certainly not the first ball I’ve put on but I’m not quite so used to doing all of the work myself!
text
I'm not too busy to help you, princess. I've helped set up a few parties in my time - though nothing as big as a ball.
text
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text 1/2
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actionish
Merry Christmas, Zara. You can take the week off as well.
- Ciel Phantomhive
[ also be glad that oz is here because ciel totally almost gave zara swiffer products until he had the better idea to ask oz what zara might like... ]
voice
He can't help but smile. How very like him, leaving a present and a note instead of actually giving it in person - despite how easy it would have been. Unfortunately for Ciel, Zara's not the type to just let him get away with it. After a few minutes, he rings him up. ]
Earl Phantomhive? Thank you kindly for the present.
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being nice is physically painful for ciel
looseeeerrrr
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action;
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Yes? Come in.
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voice;
There's no harm in sharing the medical knowledge, so here he is.]
Zara Skeens. It is Abe no Sousei. If you are still curious as to what medical advancements I've learned, I will report them to you.
[wow that's sure..........stiff...]
voice;
Sir Sousei... Yes, I am curious. You were able to find something new?
[ he'll touch on the full name thing in a second ]
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Christmas Delivery
The contents of the card contain an apology for the possibility that he does not celebrate Christmas but communicating warm wishes for this winter season all the same!]
text
Thank you kindly for the card, Mr. Wright. Your daughter looks like a lovely young lady with quite an impressive beard.
text
action;
Today, however, he's at least here and visible, though he's sitting on one of the chairs Indian style, and for once, he's taken his hat off. It shows that messy, matted blonde hair, so he's only taking it off to clean it, since the hat is important to him. It's an odd thing, especially on a tall, skinny young man like Cole, but it's clearly something he treasures. As always, he's quietly doing his own thing, but as Zara comes by, he pauses in his work, then looks up to Zara.
It's rare for Cole's eyes to meet Zara's, but this time, he does so without hesitation. His clear, blue eyes have a sort of unsettling quality to them, since they give the impression that he's looking much deeper, though it's also hard to tell where that impression comes from.
At least, until he speaks. ]
...She doesn't think you let her down, Zara. She knows you tried your best to keep her there instead of going somewhere else.
[ The one thing that you never quite get used to with Cole is this, though. ]
action;
However, it's more than just being childlike. There's something off about Cole. He doesn't know the whole story, but it's desperately obvious that he's not all he appears - the way he acts, speaks, the unexplained disappearances, the way he knows things, most of all. Zara's asked about it, no doubt, but Cole's frustratingly difficult to comprehend.
For now, he'll concentrate on the little things - for example, the state of his clothes. And hygiene. But before Zara can even open his mouth to comment on the greasiness of his hair, he's beaten to the punch. There's a twinge of something on his face - guilt, protectiveness, possessiveness, maybe even fear - but he replaces it with a rather stony gazee. ]
... What the young lady thinks is certainly no business of yours, Cole. Nor what I'm thinking. [ he sounds strict, but there's an obvious edge of discomfort there, too. ] How do you know?
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text; mid-event
residential district, gym, school, parts of entertainment district compromised due to falling machinery(?) other areas flooded. please direct injured, misplaced, tired, and frantic people to upper levels of the hospital for shelter. communication limited to text and voice, healing does not work on those with intense lethargy.
personal request: take care of ensuring the hospital is in working order and monsters are driven away with Rei
warm regards. stay safe. thank you.
text, during event
Natalia suggested we work together. I do not know you, is there an acceptable place to meet and discuss rescue operations?text
I am in a most precarious position right now I'm afraid
If I can make it to the hospital I will see you there
text
text
Re: text
action!!
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text; in that hazy post-event space
text
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text......
[Along with two picture attachments: this and this...]
kashuu ur cute
I think you have the wrong number, miss.
However, I prefer the second one. [ he might be biased ]
he sure tries
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But couple the exhaustion from the reconstruction efforts along with her novice-status at all things domestic and you've suddenly got the laundry room full of bubbles.
At least it was only her bed sheets (and canopy drapes) that she was trying to wash but this is definitely Natalia throwing open the door to the rest of her apartment and some bubbles tumbling out onto the floor.
Tentatively, she calls out:]
.... Zara, might you have a moment....?!
natalia.....
Zara's just finished preparing some vegetables for a salad when she calls him; he does his best to help out around the house when he can convince her to let him do so. As he's untying his apron, Natalia's voice reaches him, and he takes a few step backwards to peer down the hall at her. ]
Yes? What is it... [ it sounds like it was a question at one point, but then he notices the bubbles at her feet... ]
help her, zara.
she's beyond help
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action;
[ Behold! Mary's finally fully (mostly) recovered from her general bout of miserable illness-- not that her recovery has anything to do with the reason she's seeking him out now, wherever he happens to be. Her hands are nervously clasped in front of her, fingers twisted together. ]
I had a question...
action;
Yes? Is something the matter?
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voice; IC: 4/4
voice
Sir Arles. Certainly - has something happened?
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voice -> action!!
action force nowww
action