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-

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.

[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]

[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...

[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.

[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]

"Our PLACE!? THAT'S IT!!!"

[Yeah no apology here, those thugs are going to try their luck with Mizuki here. Volya averts his eyes from the impending carnage.]

[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.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Hoping to downgrade? Very well.

[The leader's charge gets thrown off-track when Mizuki abruptly grabs his shirt and pulls him forward while bringing her knee up to smash into his gut. Her other foot shifts back in the process, and a swift blow to the solar (ha) plexix drops him as well. The third and the fourth get their punches caught mid-swing, Mizuki holding the arms up straight to leave them dangling as her grip tightens.]

I could crush your wrists right now. First one to show doubt of that gets to be an example for the other. Now, apologize to the kid. And for all the nice people behind you who had to see this.

[She kicks the leader once in the ribs. Not hard, just enough to get his attention.]

ALL of you!

[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?

[mistaken_for_monster]

[This promptly led to them babbling profusely and literally ejecting apologies as fast as they could manage, bowing with difficulty to the offended parties Mizuki mentioned and begging for mercy.]

...Whoa...

[mistaken_for_monster]

... Something like that. A bunch of angry people chased me out of my home because of me forgetting to return a library book... or because I didn't join a school sports team...

I can't remember what the reason was... just that its really stupid.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Knew you had it in you!

Alright people, just walk past them, don't worry. It's part of the learning experience for them.

[And Mizuki's just going to walk past them and ride shotgun with Volya, just for safety's sake.]

Don't worry too much about it. The loudest fighters are usually the most pathetic. It wasn't anything, really.

[Mizuki can think of at least one individual back on base who that applies to. But she offers Volya her hand.]

I'm Mizuki.

[caressthedarkness]

...

[Suddenly, the girl looks very concerned.]

I...wasn't warned of such severity in public punishments...at least not of any on this scale...

[mistaken_for_monster]

My name's Volya.

[He takes her hand happily, looking happier than he felt for a long time. He could barely remember the last time someone stood up for him like this.]

Thanks... you didn't have to help... but I really appreciate it. I think this is going to be my first real meal in months.

[mistaken_for_monster]

Well... its not always like that. Promise. Its just me. I've just got really bad luck with everything that aren't plants.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Well... I guess in that case thank God for natural disasters and relief efforts.

And it's no problem. Didn't feel right that you were picked on just because you weren't Japanese. I can sorta relate to that.

[Says the creature who's not even human.]

1/2

[caressthedarkness]

[And at that she breathes a sigh of relief.]

Thank goodness...I haven't had the chance to return those books for months now...

2/2

[caressthedarkness]

[She clears her throat.]

...

...That aside, I may be able to help you with your situation.

[And she starts reaching into the bag she's carrying...]

[mistaken_for_monster]

...Really? I can't think of anyone who'd try pick on you...

[Volya actually looks confused.]

I mean, after something like that I'm expecting a Savior like you to have a lot of friends.

[mistaken_for_monster]

Huh?

[Volya's going to be a little curious and look at the bag.]

[caressthedarkness]

Ah...

[A few seconds of digging and glancing at the bag turns into a few minutes...]

Huh...?

It was here when I left the airport...

IT BEGIIIIIIINS

[empress_without_a_throne]

Not saying I don't, but when I was your age things were still pretty tough for me. But... people were there to help me through it. And in my own way I was able to help them out too. Still am, come to think of it.

[And man... that way he said 'Savior'. Kinda a nice ring to it...]