There Is No Escape ... ?

[mistaken_for_monster]

[1] [During the mission 'An Awesome Prayer is Conflict With Us']

[PRAYER attacks, people panic. Police Machines go berserk. People Panic. The Evacuation has been hitting several snags and in the process was one kid in particular who didn't look very much like a local and was frantically trying to find his way through the scrambling mass of people trying to get to safety before he ended up tripping and crashing into the ground and whimpering panickedly in what appeared to be Russian of all things.]

-Why is this happening... what did I do to deserve this?!-

[He flinched as he got to his feet, holding the side of his head and looking around in a panic as the sounds of fighting were most definitely audible over the evacuating civvies.]

S..someone? Help... please!

[He's in over his head and has no idea what the hell he's supposed to do here.]

[2] [Some time after the mission.]

[With the PRAYER destroyed and Shaft sealed life slowly begins to return to normal despite several buildings needing repairs. For those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, the city is providing for them with food and shelter. As you pass by one such place though...]

Look... we're just five people away from the front, can't you guys wait a little?

"Out of the way you filthy gaijin punk! This food is for people that actually live in this city, not some worthless runt like you!"



[It seemed that there was a smaller kid being hassled by a group of local teenagers who were trying to force him out of the line. He was shoved jabbed and insulted but merely had a look on his face that this was clearly nothing new to him and he just sighed.]

Thirty three...

"Are you listening to me you little white haired freak?! I said out of the way!"

Fourteen...

"The hell are you even counting for?!"

Just about the number of braincells you probably have right now. I'd say you're on the level of a concussed goldfish right about now. and starting to go to comatose pebble.

"KISAMAAAAA!" * (Translator's note: Kisama means Yatsu)

[And he's picked up by his collar very easily, punched in the stomach and shoved into a garbage can with a crash. He barely manages to keep from falling over and looks at the line and- it had just tripled in size. And his new 'friends' were laughing and making vulgar gestures at him and telling him to take his filthy foreign garbage ass to the back of the line. It was at this point he heroically... chose to fall backwards into the pile of trash that had spilled out with his impact to its container and not bother to get up. He ignores the insistent growl of his stomach as he sighs.]

-Now all it needs is rain and it'd be another perfect day.-

[He grumbles bitterly and sadly as he looks up at the sky.]

Comments

2

[empress_without_a_throne]

Well for starters, let's take care of the rain. And do take care of this, it's one of my favorites.

[An umbrella is dropped in front of Volya as a woman in black approaches the local ruffians. Mizuki'd just gone to see if one of her usual mushroom shops was still open -it wasn't, blargh- and it was sheer chance that lead her to seeing what'd just happened. But still...]

Hello there. I just found out some very bad news about an establishment I visit regularly and I was in quite a foul mood. Seeing what you just did though... does a lot to help get things in perspective for me.

You're going to let the kid get back in line. And you're going to apologize. So long as you do that, nothing more will come of this. Understand?

[mistaken_for_monster]

[Wait what? Volya sat up and scooted a little closer to the umbrella before gingerly picking it up and watching Mizuki move towards the... wait... uh oh.]

Um...

"What are you? That freak gaijin's girlfriend or something? Take a hike!"

-And the winner for the Darwin Award for stupidity goes to Thug 1-

[empress_without_a_throne]

Not going to be leaving here any time soon. In fact...

[The line starts to move, but the punks are going to be cut off by Mizuki as she glances over back to Volya.]

Hey kid? Get back in line.

[And now back to the teenagers.]

As for who I am... just a concerned citizen. Now then. He's back in line so just apologize, please.

[mistaken_for_monster]

[Well he isn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth as he scrambles back into place... but he does give the thugs a concerned look. Especially when their leader gives Mizuki several uncomplimentary expletives about what she can do with an apology.]

You aren't going to hurt them too badly right? I mean they're jerks but... their homes got trashed...

[empress_without_a_throne]

Not going to even touch them so long as they know their place, both in line and in life. Don't worry about it at all.

... Still waiting on that apology, gentlemen. Please, you're holding up the line.

2

[caressthedarkness]

...Pardon me.

[Speaking of white haired freaks, a bespectacled young woman is now standing there, looking down at you with a sad expression, Volya...and she's holding what appears to be a bag of rations.]

You can have this...I can't guarantee it will taste good, however.

[mistaken_for_monster]

[Volya looked pretty surprised by the offer and accepted it, holding the bag close to himself.]

Thanks. It tasting bad is alright though... I've had to eat out of garbage before... so a meal's a meal...

[caressthedarkness]

Well, even I don't believe it's that bad, so it should be fine.

[Behind the smile though, she looks a bit hesitant before she comes out with the next few words.]

...If you do not mind me asking...what did those boys mean by people who actually live in this city?

[mistaken_for_monster]

Its because I'm not from around here... They think people who look like them belong here and deserve that food more than other people who are starving and hurt just as much too...

[Volya shrugs weakly before opening the bag and eating.]

My home's really far away too.

[caressthedarkness]

...I have heard of things like this happening in places around the world, but this is the first time I've witnessed it in person...

[That, combined with how well she's dressed translates to someone of sheltered upbringing.

In any case...]

But if your home is far away...how did you get here? Are you by any chance stranded with no means of returning?

2

[herodrawing]

Waaaait!

[Someone runs up to the teens in the line, his jacket flowing in the wind majestically like a hero's red scarf.

It is... a scrawny teenager himself. But one you may or may not recognize as a member of MJP.]

What you are doing is wrong!

[mistaken_for_monster]

"What the- You're one of the Majestic Princes!"

[The gang of Teens looks momentarily impressed but...]

"Why the heck didn't you keep my place from getting blown up!?"

"The hell are you defending this runt for? He doesn't even belong here!"

[And so on and so forth. Volya however got up slowly and shook his head.]

Its fine. I can just eat tomorrow.

[herodrawing]

Everyone worked hard to defend you! Some places were destroyed but... no one died! Aren't you happy for that?

You should be happy, and not pick on others!

[mistaken_for_monster]

"Yeah.. well... but..."

[The gang was looking anxious now, especially since there was a lot of attention on them. Volya was honestly having trouble believing this was happening.]

[herodrawing]

So instead of fighting, we should all work together. Because we're all humans!

2

[63rd_shockwave]

Hey, kids...You shouldn't bully.

[A foreign woman has arrived, carrying a messenger bag.]

Bullying...isn't nice.

Re: 2

[mistaken_for_monster]

"Oh great, another one. Listen! This is our town and this is our food! You want to eat just go back to where you came from!"

[Volya blinked... there was something about this new person that made the quip he was about to mutter die on his tongue.]

Re: 2

[63rd_shockwave]

It might be your town, but it's definitely not your food. It's food meant for everyone stuck here, given to you by others. It's not yours to deny.

There's enough for everyone, so just leave the kid alone and let him get his share.

[mistaken_for_monster]

"His share?! Why've we got to let him have any?! And who the hell are you anyway?"

[Well this has Volya lower his head. This wasn't going well was it?]

[63rd_shockwave]

Because everyone has a right to keep living, even if you don't like them very much.

And I'm just a visitor. Did your parents teach you to be this cruel to people who need help?

[ugyuuya]

"OI, YOU LOT, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"

[the noise comes from a short woman who appears to be of Indian descent.]

"There's plenty for everyone and the danger's passed so I think I'm gonna stand here and you're going to let that kid get his place back."

[Though the woman stands shorter than any of the thugs she is unafraid and meets any leer or scowl with one that is just as intense.]

[mistaken_for_monster]

"You seriously think you can push us around shortstop?!"

"Wait, she's got a uniform - she's-"

"Just dressing up!"

[To which the leader of the thugs charges Tarisa.]

Welp. Looks like someone's getting something on their criminal record. 'Attacked military personnel.'

[ugyuuya]

[Tarisa sighs before stepping into the awkward charge and blocking the boy's leg and striking the boy in the back to send him sprawling to the dirt. Looking at the other thugs her face draws into a smirk as she speaks.]

"Well that was pathetically easy, any of the rest of you think you can do better?"

[mistaken_for_monster]

[Yeahno, they're fleeing posthaste. They're going to find another place to get eats if Tarisa's going to be here.]

Okay, I'm a little scared right now. That was ... three seconds?

[ugyuuya]

[Tarisa reaches out and helps pull the kid from the trashcan and back into line.]

"Punks like that are always mouthing off big and when someone who can actually fight back shows up they always wuss out."

[She dusts off a bit of trash that's sticking to his clothes.]

"So where are you from kid, you look like someone from the main continent of Asia. You a BETA refugee or did one of the other threats run you off?"

[She grabs a tray and passes it over to the kid.]

"In any case you look mighty hungry so eat up. I know the look myself from the time I spent in some of the camps. At least the chow here is better than that was."