01 - Pint Sized Terror Unleashed!

[bittydragon]

Who: Yamato Hotsuin and YOU!
Where: Taurus Ward at night
Summary: Yamato is more than a little disorientated
Warnings: A fire breathing dog. THE FIRE BREATHING DOG. Also Taurus ward I guess.

Yamato's brain felt like it was in the middle of a grand overload.

The bright neon lights, the bustle of people in all sorts of outlandish clothing moving from building to building in groups, the loud laughter and catcalls - it was so alien to Yamato, who had spent his years isolated in a quiet, out of the way mansion, that he found himself frozen in place, his head stiffly moving from side to side as he drank in the gaudy sight.

At least he had his faithful demon companion by his side. Cerberus was looming over him, more than twice his height, the beast's shoulders hunched in a tense way. Its body language clearly stated that it was prepared to lash out at anything that exhibited the slightest bit of threat, a low, muted growl rumbling in the back of its throat.

Yamato took an abrupt, cautious step forward, and Cerberus shadowed the movement. As... bewildering and confusing this was, he couldn't stand still all night. He...had to get to the bottom of this. A calm, detached observation of his surroundings, even if the lack of memory about his arrival here was disconcerting.

So. A child by his lonesome, dressed in a traditional yukata, with a Cerberus trailing after him... in the red light district during the busiest hour. Approach?

Comments

[eyewillprotect]

When Aoi first sees him, she doesn't quite register that he looks somewhat familiar. Instead, her expression immediately becomes both serious and concerned, and she slowly, cautiously approaches. He's so small, and that demon, although it does not appear to be dangerous right now, could easily snatch the child up in an instant if it wanted.

"Are you alright...?"

She reaches out to him, holding her hand out even as she begins to crouch down to his height. It occurs to her that the beeping from her COMP must be referring to this child, but for him to appear here of all places - and so close to such a dangerous looking demon of all things - must be quite unlucky. It was so fortunate she happened to be patrolling this area to catch him so soon after he arrived.

[bittydragon]

Yamato stopped when a strange woman approached, only to shy away when she crouched down and reached out towards him. People never touched him, and he would hardly have it start now with a complete stranger. Who was this woman? Yamato's gaze flickered about him, as if to make sure it was just her, and not some sort of trap to lure him into a more isolated location.

Children would trust females more than a strange male. A child would be coaxed by a strange woman. Yamato was above that though.

Cerberus was quiet and still behind, the beast's hot breath ruffling his hair from how close it was. It was comforting.

"...who are you?"

[eyewillprotect]

Now that she's closer, it's hard not to notice the resemblance. After all, she had spent quite a bit of time with his twin sister, even though neither of the two would realize the true connection quite yet. But she can't stop a small "Hotsuin...?" from slipping past her lips.

"...My name is Aoi Misato. I am a Visitor here, just like you."

She frowns a little at the thought. They were both brought here by the same person, and yet... Even a glance tells her he is much too young. A child his age really shouldn't have been involved in this.

"I'd like to help you, if I can. This district isn't very safe for people your age." Her voice remains soft and calming as she speaks to him. He must be frightened, right? To suddenly find himself somewhere completely different.

[bittydragon]

Something in Yamato's gaze sharpened at hearing his family's name pass the woman's lips. How did she know...?

Yamato shied away a bit more, until he was practically pressed back against Cerberus. His demon nudged his head with its dry nose, but its eyes were intent upon Aoi, ears pricked forwards in an alert position. Both of them were very high strung and ready to leap to conclusions (or action)...

"I am capable of looking after myself well enough," Yamato said stiffly, feeling that quashing any perception of him being a weak child was the highest priority. "Explain how you know my name, and our current location."

[eyewillprotect]

She stiffens a bit when the demon nudges him, relaxes only slightly when it doesn't make to bite his head off. It... looks an awful lot like it's with him, oddly enough...

"Eh- So you're a Hotsuin as well?" She's genuinely surprised at this. "Ah... Sorry, I'm friends with Miyako Hotsuin. You looked so much like her, I couldn't help it." She's studying him a little more closely now. "I knew she had a twin brother, but I didn't realize she had a younger sibling as well..."

Wait, he'd had another request, hadn't he? "Currently, we're in the Taurus district of the City of Hinoto-Ri. I can explain more, but we should probably leave this district first. It really isn't safe."

[capitalbackup]

Miyako was at the Pisces apartment in her room, reading a book to herself and mostly relaxing. Tonight, she decided not to go out training during the 13th Hour and will be using the hours leading up to it as she wish.

Until she received both the new arrivals notice and an unmistakably familiar feeling.

Snapping her book shut and put it down on the table, Miyako immediately get off her chair and leave her apartment. Her phone was in her pocket, as always, and it will be enough to cover for her sword. If he was there, she wouldn't need to bring her sword along.

It took her a while, even at her fast pace, to traverse from Pisces to Taurus ward. And once she realised where she's heading to? It's a wonder she didn't break into a run.

Once she entered the ward, Miyako continued to follow where she can sense him at, ignoring the few looks she may have received. Her footsteps came to a stop when she saw Cerberus and a very familiar looking boy.

A very familiar and short boy.

Miyako Hotsuin was quite taken back and confused by this. Which wasn't all that strange the longer she stay in this city, but she certainly wasn't expecting to see her brother as a child. They did discuss about different worlds and timelines before, but the possibility of her brother returning as a child never crossed her mind.

Even if it's technically his first time in this world, to keep the flow of time in perspective.

She slowly approached him and Cerberus, allowing them to notice her, before she stopped at a distance. Yamato may notice she's wearing some casual, civilian clothes. Mostly some clothes from a sports clothes store, even if he wouldn't know that.

"Yamato."

[bittydragon]

At first, Yamato wasn't sure what to make of the woman making her purposeful way towards him. She looked very much like a Hotsuin, pale hair, sharp eyes, and white skin - before it clicked that it was a Hotsuin. A specific Hotsuin.

Miyako Hotsuin. As an adult.

He jerked to a halt, and just stared at her in a bewildered sort of way - showing how disconcerted he was, allowing his face to shift expressions like that. He wasn't sure how to respond. Was this a trick? Was he - no. This... felt like Miyako. Different though. Like the pieces weren't aligning perfectly, but still connecting.

"...Miyako?" he asked, his voice sounding a bit small.

[capitalbackup]

For a moment, she wondered what was Philemon thinking to bring a young Yamato like this. If he want a good pawn in this fight, an older Yamato would be more preferable. But after her discussion with another young boy last month, she merely keep her thoughts to herself.

What matters right now was Yamato. But the way the connection felt was almost disconcerting. Connected but not quite so. Was it the large gap between their ages? Or something more than that?

"Yes, it's me."

But first, they should get out of this ward. It's too distracting and loud, and it's a terrible place to explain to him. She wasn't familiar with this ward, due to having no reason to ever visit here. Miyako wouldn't know a good place to talk in quiet at.

"Come with me. I'll explain after we leave this ward."

[bittydragon]

Yamato didn't move immediately - he looked partly suspicious, and partly confused - but after a long pause, he slowly walked towards Miyako, Cerberus shadowing his steps.

"What's the meaning of this?" he burst, obviously too impatient to wait for his answers.

[capitalbackup]

Good. Miyako didn't have the patience if he didn't want to come along with her. She waited until he's close enough.

"We're from different points in the timeline. Visitors like us, non-natives to this world, can come from different worlds and timelines, regardless of who we are."

It's the simplest explanation for this. She turned around, starting to walk and fully expected him to follow.

[jumyouboshi]

It happened so suddenly that Alcor almost missed it, like a brief shine of light that could easily be overlooked if one wasn't careful.

However, Alcor was certainly careful, almost purposeful, even, in nearly every action he took. This was no different. He made wandering out and about and observing during the 13th Hour one of his little pastimes, due to his curiosity, but this was a different occasion, as now he would actually intervene. He faded out of sight, then into sight at the red light district, and followed that little trail of potential until he found its source, floating closer and closer, hovering a few inches above ground. He turned a corner and...a younger Yamato Hotsuin.

As he expected and yet didn't.

Though he was a few feet away behind Yamato, he hesitated before approaching or notifying him, someone rooted in the past. ...His presence had probably been given away already, though, thanks to Yamato's senses. Even as an adult, Yamato could always tell when Alcor arrived, when nobody else could.

[bittydragon]

Yamato felt it as a prickle over his skin, and he whirled around before Alcor could skitter away from cold feet. His eyes narrowed into thin slits when his gaze landed upon the star, before his tight expression eased into something more controlled and relaxed.

"Alcor," he greeted with eerie calm, "Are you behind this?"

[jumyouboshi]

"No. This was not my doing."

...Best to be honest. Although he was capable of modifying things on a molecular level, as he was somewhat similar to a program modifying data, he wouldn't think to create an entire city doing so, or haphazardly bring others into this mess, this wager. He had no intention of getting humanity caught up in this little game, but it happened, and he couldn't control it.

Despite being "nearly God", he lacked control over a great many things. And he was, for the most part, fine with that.

Alcor was calm and relaxed himself, greeting him with his usual smile, betraying his thoughts, which were in...turmoil over the boy's appearance, to say the least.

[bittydragon]

"Hm."

Yamato studied Alcor closely, feeling disquieted. Something was off, although he couldn't put his finger on it. If this was not Alcor's doing, than who's was it? The observer of humanity didn't seem stressed or anxious in any way, but Yamato knew that Alcor was very adept at hiding his 'anguish' behind that facetious smile of his.

"Then..." Yamato said carefully, taking a few steps towards Alcor, Cerberus following him. "Whose doing is this?"

[blitzkriegzwei]

When the HORUS system indicated a new arrival in the Taurus district, Ludwig decided to actually go out and investigate for once instead of waiting to meet them later. The Taurus district was not a good place for new arrivals to get their first impressions of Hinoto-Ri, anyway. Who knew what kind of demon would be waiting to seduce the new arrival?

When Germany reached the source of the signal, however, he did a double take. The child before him certainly looked familiar. He looked like Miyako, whom he had spoken to recently, but more importantly, he looked like Yamato, who he hadn't seen in months. It might just be a coincidence, but Germany felt compelled to investigate anyway. "You there," he said in a tone that was authoritative, but not too strong. "Do you happen to be related to the Hotsuins?" It was an odd question, to be sure, but the worst that could happen was that the kid looked at him like he was crazy.

[bittydragon]

Well then.

Yamato stared at the large, commanding stranger, his eyebrows raised a fraction. This was Yamato completely and thoroughly 'startled', and very confused. Yamato had never seen this man in his life (indeed, he was an obvious foreigner), yet he knew the Hotsuin...? What was this?

"I beg your pardon?" he murmured, his voice cold and clipped. "How do you know that name?"

[blitzkriegzwei]

Germany wasn't even shaken. Given the level of secrecy both Hotsuins maintained, he wasn't surprised that the child reacted with some skepticism. However, he had an answer for this, and he delivered it in an even voice. "I have spoken with Miyako Hotsuin on several occasions, and when I arrived, I met Yamato Hotsuin. Your resemblance to both of them is uncanny. Are you a future son of one of them?" He couldn't help but find his last suggestion a bit humorous; before he arrived here, he would have dismissed such a notion as ridiculous. Living in a world where magic was widespread and people came from all sorts of dimensions and time periods had gotten him used to the idea, however.

The latest - forgive my action brackets, my brain can't handle prose right now

[terminally_clever]

[It isn't often that Fumi ranges out as far as the Taurus District, but she does recognize that it's one of the less pleasant places for a newcomer to the city to arrive. And she's finished her work at the JP's building early today, so with her phone at her side, she heads out to see who has arrived this time. As she steps around the corner, the demon Lugh striding confidently beside her, she encounters a sight she did not expect to see.]

...Chief?

it ok uvu

[bittydragon]

[Yamato's head twitched up at the title, his eyes a little wide with childish confusion. Fumi would notice that Yamato's features were a lot... 'softer' than the adult, his face still rounded with baby fat and eyes clear from the dark bags and exhausted lines]

...are you speaking to me?

[Chief... that was a title he was expected to earn and - Yamato doubted it was a coincidence. His eyes narrowed a fraction]

Who are you?

Re: it ok uvu

[terminally_clever]

[Fumi is well and truly speechless at the sight. Had she expected it, she might have had some witty quip or sarcastic jibe ready, but the reality of what she's looking at here is just hitting her too hard. Hard enough that she has to take a single, slow, deliberate blink of her eyes before she nods back in response.]

...Yes, that's correct. Although it's a title you won't have for several years yet. And as far as your second question is concerned, I am one of your subordinates from ten or so years in your future, judging by your apparent age.

[bittydragon]

...

[Blink.]

...are you mentally unwell?

Late to everything everrrrrrrrr

[demifemme]

Shura is at the door of the Penguin's Nest, being a bouncer as usual, when she spots the child and the Cerberus passing by. In the Vortex, she'd think it was Lucifer messing with her. In Hinoto-Ri, though...

"Hey!" she calls out as she walks away from the club, toward the child. "Are you lost?"

better late than never!

[bittydragon]

Yamato twitched at seeing someone calling out to him, and shifted closer to Cerberus as his eyes narrowed in suspicion. This... woman was... Yamato had to squint. No, not woman. Demon.

"Not enough to take your assistance," Yamato said coldly. Like he would let a demon lead him away.

<3

[demifemme]

Shura stops in her tracks and huffs, crossing her arms. "That's some big talk coming from a small child."

Shura no. It could be Lucifer.

[bittydragon]

Yamato's expression was like stone, and Cerberus growled softly at his side.

"Small child? Only in appearance," and technically aged, but Yamato liked to think that his maturity and intellect far exceeded that of any adult, let alone a child. "I'm not stupid enough to be led astray by a demon, so take your tricks elsewhere."