Post 'Rebirth In Flames' (Locked from Astara)

[holdthefuture]

So at the end of that fiasco, the mysterious horned girl escaped. The surrounding area is vast, even if she possesses unusual physical characteristics, it can't be too difficult to flee.

But, you should know your Kijin better than that, right?

Wandering the city not long after the mission may lead you to an encounter with the girl in one of a few situations...

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1. [A vending machine looks like it has been run over by a vehicle, and an unhappy policeman is giving the girl a scolding. She stays where she is and listens.]

Yes...I understand. I'll be more careful next time...

But for now I have to...

[Unfortunately, the officer, thinking that she's one of the district's cosplayers, continues his lecture about respecting public property...

So much for a flawless escape.]

---


2. [Towards the end of the day, a bench in a quiet park is where she sits. Staring into space and looking not only directionally challenged, but also troubled.]

I did that much to her, and she just shrugged it off.

She isn't a normal Kijin...

Comments

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Sounds pretty unlikely to me. She'd have to have super strength to do that. [And clearly the woman with the power of a Sumerian god can tell that that kind of thing is just fiction.]

[holdthefuture]

Even though no one else was around? She even admitted to it herself.

[The officer sighs. He has enough of a headache to deal with. This whole thing cuts his lecture short.]

...But I'm going to let you off the hook this time. The city's a mess after what happened earlier, and I'm needed elsewhere.

Just make sure you don't do it again.


...Y-Yes sir!

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Very good.

[Once the officer is away, she turns to the mysterious, horned girl.]

...So what actually happened?

[holdthefuture]

...

I ran into the machine...

When I tried to put it back like it was, I dropped it by mistake.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You actually did that?

...What kind of superpowers do you have?

[holdthefuture]

Well...I'm not human.

[Those ears of hers droop as she says this. It's clearly not just a costume.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

...Should you really say it like that? Most people would be rather worried hearing that somebody who isn't walks among them.

[holdthefuture]

But it's useless to hide it when I look like this.

There is always someone asking...

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You could try to say it's a costume. Like that police officer thought.

[holdthefuture]

That would be lying to a law enforcement officer.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It's not like you were in court or facing criminal charges.

[holdthefuture]

I definitely don't want to be. Not being honest with one of them is a good way to get there.

Anyway, I really have to go now. Thanks for cutting that short, I guess...

[itbelongsinamuseum]

And you're not worried about what will happen the next time you knock something over?

[holdthefuture]

I'll think about it when the time comes.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

That seems like kind of a bad idea when trying to explain away those horns, ears and tail.

What are you even doing around here?

[holdthefuture]

That is how I've always done it.

And I'm trying to find my way back to the S...

Sich...

[Whatever it is, it's obvious she has trouble pronouncing it.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I'm afraid I can't help you with that.

Also, I was just a bit surprised at seeing a girl with horns around here.

[holdthefuture]

...Ah, I see...

[Her ears droop in disappointment.]

It's alright though...you've helped plenty with the policeman.

My name is Lenore. I owe that much, at least.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Alexandra de Witt. I'm an archeologist...In training, but still.

[holdthefuture]

It was nice to meet you.

I don't have much time, so I'll be going now. Maybe I'll see you around.

[And after a slight bow, she turns around to depart.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Maybe...Good luck out there.

[With her apparent ineptitude, she was going to need it.]