Week 23-Day 5 [video]

[coldobelisk]

[The visual presented is a sweeping one, as if the camera of the Hitomi were being panned across the valley below from a perch atop a hill or very high tree. From behind it a voice of a woman can be heard speaking softly, as if to herself.]

An eye for seeing, an eye for beauty. It's almost poetic.

[Suddenly the voice speaks up as the camera

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[video]

[sternitfortem]

[ - Asuka, too? This is either really good timing or really bad timing, depending on what she remembers. Although Juudai's still glad to see another friend, regardless. ]

- Asuka. Humor me for a second. What's the last thing that happened to you?

[ Yup, no initial greeting, no explanation. Juudai looks a little frazzled, you might note, Asuka - he's been chasing a very young and very excitable Johan around for about an hour, and he's just found out that Kaiser's here from a very uncooperative point in his life. He's sort of a disaster at the moment. ]

[video]

[coldobelisk]

[Juudai, you're very lucky that she's learned to trust you over the years, otherwise she'd be a bit put out by that being the first thing you say to her after taking off]

I remember getting on a plane to head to college in America.

[She knows him well enough to see the cracks forming, and so she bites back her confusion and annoyance.]

Juudai, what is wrong?

[video]

[sternitfortem]

[ Juudai breathes a sigh of relief. ]

Okay, you're from the same time as me. This world is called Kannagara, and here's the rundown as I know it: Kaiser just arrived about an hour ago, and either he has no memory of the past two years, or he's been pulled here from two years in our past; Johan's here and normally he's our age, but for some reason, today a bunch of people were turned into children for no reason, and he's one of them.

[ That was a mouthful. ]

We still don't know why we've been pulled here, but there are a bunch of people here from other worlds, too, and almost none of them have even heard of Duel Monsters, so I've got no guesses as to how to get out of here. Rainbow Dragon doesn't work. We tried.

[video]

[coldobelisk]

[Asuka listens quietly and patently as he talks, looking like she's getting a headache]

So, Kaiser, yourself, and Johan are the only ones here, we have no way to leave, and you are the only one who retains his intact memories. [Just gonna rub her temples]

I think it would be a good idea for us to meet up. Is there any way I can find you?

[video]

[sternitfortem]

For now. From what I've gathered, I guess it's not uncommon for weird things to happen to people here, and it doesn't last that long - according to a couple of the others who weren't turned into kids. They say it usually lasts about a day or two. Never longer than a week. So Johan ought to be back to normal soon... I hope.

[ He rubs the side of his head and laughs a little bit. ]

Never a dull moment, I guess. But it's good to have you here, Asuka. The Hitomi have maps, and I'm up in the northeast village, Mizusato. Kaiser's coming here, too, last I talked to him.

[video]

[coldobelisk]

What causes it?

[She caught that little lapse] Juudai... He will be fine, and if he isn't, then we will find a way to bring him back. [Pointedly] Together.

[She arches an eyebrow and gives him a look of exasperated amusement] With you around? I should say not.

Mizusato, understood. I will see you there soon, and we can decide what to do from there.

[video]

[sternitfortem]

According to those who've been here longer, the gods. I guess that's what whoever's in charge of this place call themselves. Dunno if they're real gods or not. I haven't met any yet. [ Not that Juudai's likely to be overawed, even in the presence of an actual god. Something about routinely defeating worlds-destroying powers and being the reincarnation of the creative force helps. ]

[ Even so, Juudai's already feeling markedly more cheerful and confident just knowing Asuka's here. Asuka is a constant, a rock. She gets done what needs to get done. ]

Thanks. See you soon, then.

[video]

[coldobelisk]

Gods. [Tired smile] Well, I suppose that is to be expected. We shall have to see what they are for ourselves. [Asuka might respect the power of these 'gods,' but she reserves judgment for after she has seen them with her own eyes]

Right. It's...It's good to see you again.