cykeout | 1st Turnabout - [Action/Voice]

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1st Turnabout - [Action/Voice]

[ Action; Locked ]

[ There are few things more startling than waking up in a strange place with no idea of how you got there. But Athena manages to not fall off the branch she's resting on when she wakes up, though it creaks rather ominously. Quickly deciding that there is a time for thinking and that is not when you're 30 feet up a tree, she starts climbing down. All was going well until...

Crack

Anyone walking through the woods nearby can easily hear a loud shriek as she falls down the tree, barely catching herself before she does any serious damage. ]

T-too close!

Y... you said it, Widget...

[ Ugh, it felt like her heart was going to pound out of her chest. ]

[ Action ]

[ By the time Athena's gotten the details of Luceti squared out with Simon she'll be taking the time to explore it on her own and see what it's all about. How does a place even work without a law system anyways? So don't mind the young lady with the bright yellow wings exploring and gawking like a tourist at the sights. In fact that she's distracted enough to accidentally bump into more than one person. ]

Ah! Lo siento! I wasn't paying attention!

[ Accidental Voice; ]

[ Athena had been flipping through the journal curiously, trying to figure out just exactly how to work the strange little book that worked almost like a computer. There's a quiet shifting sound of pages being turned before she comments out loud to no in particular. ]

It's an interesting interface but it still doesn't have anything on Widget's systems... I wonder if I could figure out a way to connect you to it.

[ An artificial voice chirps up now ]

No comparison at all!

Heh, I'll have to experiment with it. It isn't like I'll have much to do since there won't be any cases to defend- Gah! I think it's recording! [ There's some fumbling before the feed gets cut off. ]

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[Luceti has become one gigantic mess these days. The spirits (if indeed the spirits are responsible) are causing more and more damage around the enclosure. Or rather, what would be the enclosure if the barrier were in place. He's seen quite a few startling things and while one might argue it'd be safer inside his apartment... It isn't. Walls won't keep the spirits out. He isn't one to hide in the face of danger either way.

Taka is the first to notice something is off. All in all, that isn't too strange. Taka has been on edge for days now, so to see the hawk tense and cast a curious gaze around fails to get Simon's attention. Not until there's a distant shriek and Taka takes off from his shoulder does he become alarmed. He chases his feathery friend deeper into the forest, but what he finds is not exactly to his liking.

Why her? Why now?!

Taka is already circling Athena and the tree. As for Simon, he'll take his time with approaching.]

[ Athena climbs the rest of the way down with a lot more caution, no way is she going to repeat that particular near death experience. She makes it to the ground more or less in one piece, though her interface glove is pretty scuffed up and her bare hand is bleeding from a deep scrape on her palm. Not to mention the rather unfortunate run in her stockings. Her poor clothes did not fare well in her arrival.

Wait that bird-

She starts as she recognizes Simon's constant companion and then looks around and spots and approaching prosecutor. Once he's a bit closer she goes to meet him. ]

Prosecutor Blackquill? What are you doing out here? [ Please, oh please don't let this be a jailbreak... And of course Widget picks up on that. ]

Jailbreak?!

Ack!

[Taka circles Athena a few more times after she hits the ground, then returns to his owner's shoulder. Simon rewards him with a quick, affectionate scritch. Good bird. Best friend.

Sure enough, Athena's running up to him and she looks... exactly like he left her back home. The possibility of different points in time had him wondering what would happen if someone from his own world were to arrive here- how many years there were be to cause such a difference, and yet... Well, her words certainly narrow it down to the last nine months.

He'll pretend he didn't just hear Widget's remark.]

Cykes-dono. Perhaps it would be best to reverse the question. Are you, as of yet, aware of what brought you here?

[ Oh, right. She still has no idea why she woke up in a tree and almost died. ]

...Not really. [ And now that she's looking around it's easy to tell that this forest isn't at all familiar to anything she's seen since moving back to the states. LA definitely didn't have this many trees anywhere nearby. ]

I was a bit distracted trying not to break my neck after waking up in a tree.

[Geez Athena, don't say things like that. It'll just make Simon worried. In fact, his gaze sweeps across her body to check for injuries and wouldn't you know it? Her hand is bleeding. This will not do.]

Hmph. Perhaps it would have been wiser for you to remain in the tree until help arrived.

[He won't ask for permission- He'll simply reach out to take hold of Athena's wrist in hopes of getting a closer look at that scratch. Whether she'll allow it is a whole other matter, of course.]

[ For a moment the move doesn't shock her. Simon tending to her had been a common enough theme all those years ago. There had been countless scraped knees and elbows that had been tended by him. It's almost nostalgic before reality hits her again and she gently tugs her hand back, forcing a big smile. She doesn't notice that Widget gives her away by flashing a sad face on its display. ]

It's just a scratch! And if I'd stayed on the branch I woke up on I would have really gotten hurt.

[ She tucks her hand behind her back and leans forward slightly. ] So where exactly are we? This really doesn't look like California.

[Reality, huh? Simon would be the last person to deny the reality of the situation. Or the reality that he wanted people to accept for the last seven years. In essence, it's the same thing. He failed to protect Dr. Cykes, but he refuses to fail her daughter. If only he'd properly mastered the healing magic that these spirits could provide.]

That would be because we are nowhere near California. It's a very long, vexing tale. [Which is exactly why his gaze is sweeping the ground near the tree, hoping to find Athena's journal.]

... I can only assume you haven't chanced a gander over your shoulder yet.

[If she had, she'd most likely be freaking out over her wings. That's the real kicker to explain.]

[ Over her shoulder...? Athena looks behind her, wondering if there's some kind of "You just got punk'd!" sign behind her. But instead all she can see are feathers. ]

What the heck...?

[ She turns to get a better look and ends up doing a few rotations before it hits her why she can't get a good look at the feathers. They're attached to her. ]

Why do I have wings?!

[There we go. Simon can't stop himself from smirking. It's a mean, almost bitter smirk. Much as the wings suit her, he'd rather have spared Athena from such a fate. Luceti is not a pleasant place to be, especially not for those who still have a full life to live back home. People like Simon- well, it's from one cage to another. He can cope.]

Charming, aren't they? Not even the most cheerful of angels could sprout wings of such vivid colors. However, I must disappoint you; you cannot take to the skies with those. We are still but mere humans.

[And when he says "we", he means... Well, everyone here, himself included. To illustrate his point, he turns around and lifts his shaggy ponytail to reveal a pair of black wings protruding through his coat.]

[A bushy-browed ninja happened to bump into her, and he quickly goes into a formal bow.]

Ah... do not worry, this was my folly of youth! Please forgive me!

No forgiveness necessary! I was the one at fault, I wasn't even looking where I was going!

[ She returns the bow, perhaps not as formal but just as heartfelt. ]/small>

But I was not paying attention either! S-so I am no better! In fact, I am most likely worse!

No way! [ She clenches her fists as she realizes they're at an apology impasse. Clearly they have only one solution. ]

It was just an accident for both of us so it isn't that bad! We just need to find a way to decide who gets to apologize and who accepts!

[He finds himself clenching his own fists in reaction.]

Ah! So this will be a competition? Please name your terms. I accept!

How about a race? To, um... [ She points to a building a decent way off from them. ] There!

Whoever wins gets to apologize for not paying attention and the loser has to accept!

S-such stakes! [He is absolutely sincere in staying that. Then he furrows his brow to focus and slides into a starting position.]

Very well. Would you like the honor of counting us off?!

[ Athena gets into a runner's starting position and nods, absolutely serious. ]

Okay... Ready, set and... Go!! [ And she's off, making sure not to get an early start or cheat. She has to win that apology fair and square! ]

[Lee grunts loudly as he sets off! And he runs straight at the destination at an incredible speed.]

[ Athena is close behind, happier at the prospect of a good race for once. Apollo was such a stick in the mud about getting places fast. She might not be a ninja but she ran daily and was pushing herself as fast as she could. ]

[Lee dashes on! He has ridiculous ninja training so maybe he'll win? Just maybe?]

[ What the heck is with that speed of his?! Athena pushes herself as hard as she can but there's a clear gap between them now that only gets further. When she skids to a stop after reaching the finish line she groans. ]

Nooo, I didn't want to lose...

[He reaches the finish and leaps up into the air with a cheer.]

Yes! [Then he turns to her with a confident smile.] I apologize for defeating you, Miss. And...

[Then he does the bow again.]

I apologize, for bumping into you!

[ Sheepishly, she bows as well. Gosh she never lost a race. Then again Apollo and Mr. Wright never were that enthusiastic about it. ]

And I accept your apology...

Oh, and I'm Athena. Athena Cykes. [ ...it probably would have been polite to introduce herself before challenging this guy to a race. ]

[He raises a fist in the air. Introducing after a challenge seems legit enough to him at least.]</small It is a pleasure to meet you, Athena-san! My name is Rock Lee... I am Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast!

[ Beautiful Green Wild Beast? Huh, not the weirdest title she'd heard in her life. ]

That's a great title! Are you a pro wrestler?

[If only because of the kind of court she frequents.]

No, I am actually a ninja! But thank you for your compliment!

Seriously? [ That would certainly explain his unreal speed. She's not even going to question whether or not he's being truthful. There's not a lick of insincerity ringing in her ears! ]

That explains a lot actually! [ No it doesn't. ] I've never met anyone so fast before!

[Insincerity is a foreign language to Rock Lee.]

There is a first time for every occurrence! Where I come from, all of us ninjas are trained to be capable of moving at great speeds! [Their primary method of travel is hopping from giant tree to giant tree, after all.]

We don't really have ninjas where I come from. Or at least I haven't defended one in court yet... [ Give it time, Athena. ]

I see! That is a shame, but I am sure that there are other lovely things where you come from! What kind of court do you fight in? [Maybe he's been reading too much medeval literature lately...]

A court of law, of course!

[ >Court Record

>Attorney's Badge

>Present ]

Take that!! [ Oops, she didn't mean to yell quite like that. But she's showing off her attorney's badge. ] I'm a defense attorney with the Wright Anything Agency!

Ah...! [His eyes bulge in surprise at the force of her revelation!]

I have only heard of these fabled... law courts! That's so impressive, Athena-san! You defend those in need?!

Of course. [ She smiles confidently. She might be a rookie but she's still a fully fledged attorney. ]

I only just started but our agency hasn't lost a case yet!

You're undefeated?! That is even more incredible! You must be very skilled in that court room!

Well I'm the most junior member. I've only been the lead on two cases but we work very hard!

[ Of course Widget picks up on her thoughts and chirps up. ] More like two and a half!

Widget!

[Now he looks even more puzzled.]

W- Widget?! [He curiously tries to peer towards a source of the voice.]

[ Helpfully she lifts the necklace she's been wearing, revealing a blue image of a smiley face. ]

This is Widget, an AI program I use in my work. I've had it since I was little. It reads my emotional state and occasionally picks up on what I'm thinking.

[He hums excitedly as he beholds it!]

Oooooooohhhhhh! An AI program... like the Battle Dome! And it is connected to your heart... so it is like a loyal comrade at the same time! This is very impressive, Athena-san!

Edited 2014-12-03 02:05 (UTC)

Widget can do a lot of things, actually! It even helps me get a read on the hearts of others when I boot up my mood matrix. [ She lifts a hand to touch Widget's screen lightly, the face flashing to a bright green happy face for a moment before returning to the default blue. ]

Oh, and that's a um... it's a program that helps me track a witness's emotions to see when something is inconsistent.

That does sound very handy! Does that mean that... [He covers his heart with his hands chastely.] You can see into my very heart?!

Oh, not unless my Mood Matrix is activated! Otherwise all I can do is hear any note of discord within your heart's voice. [ Not that such a thing sounds much better, honestly... She taps her chin thoughtfully. ] And I only really hear discord when someone is hiding anything.

I see! Well you don't have to worry about that from me!! [He leaves one hand over his heart in swearing an oath.] I promise with, all of my heart, that I will never lie to your or deceive you in any way! [For what it's worth, he seems to sincerely believe it.]

You know, one of these days, the Mallies are going to figure out how to fix these stupid books so they just don't start automatically recording at the least opportune time!

Oh, I'm sure there could be way worse times than that. I mean if you were committing a crime and it started recording that'd be even worse!

Well yes. Provided that we actually had laws around here. It's not like we exactly have some judge or high authority around here to keep all of us in order.

[Wait. A thought.]

I mean, can you even call it murder if you kill someone, and the Malnosso just bring you back a few days later?

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1st Turnabout - [Action/Voice]

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