WHO: Natalia
WHERE: The Bunker, then the Southern Village
WHEN: Sept 22
OPEN TO: Asch, then All
WARNINGS: TBD

The bunker

for Asch

She had escaped Eldrant with the others, she knew. That had been hours ago. So why did she suddenly feel as though she'd been dumped into the ocean under a pile of debris? Natalia forced her eyes open as the liquid began to drain from her containment tube. It didn't sting like sea water, and the vague shapes she could make out nearby didn't make any sense. Finally she felt the water level just past the top of her head. Squeezing her eyes shut again and tilting her head she pushed up with her whole body, gasping for a breath of air.

It wasn't until the water was at her ankles that, back against the glass, she began to wonder about her surroundings again. She was in some kind of cage, and from what little she could see that was inside of another kind of cage. A research facility, maybe? She stood up straight, ran fingers through her hair, wrung out and straightened her odd new clothes as best she could, then stood with her chin raised. Her voice didn't waver.

"Hello? Is there anyone there? Release me at once."

SOUTHERN VILLAGE

OTA

Natalia wandered through the more densely populated southern village, looking for any signs of intelligent life. It didn't matter to her if that life was large, small, oddly shaped or objectively terrifying. She intended to speak to any and everyone who had arrived here the same way that she did.

Of course Asch had explained things to her, even showed her around town a little bit. But she wanted to hear more from the people who lived here. She had questions Asch couldn't answer, questions she wanted multiple responses to. And beyond that, this village was unfamiliar. Everything was unfamiliar, and she wanted to get a handle on it herself. Second-hand explanations could only do so much.

Having changed into the spare set of clothes from her pack Natalia's navy blue scrubs were dry and fresh, but her damp hair might give her away as a newcomer. She carried herself straight and proper as a princess should, hands still at her sides. It was how she had been trained to walk for public appearances, and it had become a daily habit.

"Excuse me," she began, approaching the first person she came upon. "Might I have a moment of your time?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear

The name appeared on his device as the warning for a new arrival flashed as it did for many. Asch had actually been making his way out of the bunker after going down to explore expecting no one would really give a damn if he was there. He had only found this form of fomicry was strange. When her name appeared he turned quickly and started back down fast to find where the release tubes would be.

About the time she spoke he made his way into the room, wearing his black scrubs, his red hair looked more wild than it usually ever looked. He hadn't had the time or tools to care for it, and he hasn't cut it in ages so he refused that. Looking up at her a moment with his green eyes. He moved over to release her.

"Natalia..." Was all he could say a little shocked, did the damn dreck let her die? He'll beat his clones ass.

She stared back through the glass, far more shaken by his appearance than she had been by waking up under water.

"Asch?"

Her voice was small. It couldn't possibly be him. Luke had said... But it wasn't Luke, his hair was too long. She'd only seen her friend a few hours ago.

She didn't even notice that she had started to cry. It was Asch. It had to be Asch. And here he was, saving her again, alive.

"Asch!" She reached out a hand, to hug him or just reassure herself that he was real, but stopped herself. He probably wouldn't want her to get sentimental on him, right?

"Luke told us you were dead..." There's a question in there, but she doesn't care much about the answer as long as he's standing in front of her again.

Asch would always save her, even if he wanted her to get stronger he knew she would need it. She does her best but she, like the Dreck, was to pampered. His eyes stayed on her, as he watched the tears start to fall he didn't really know how to react at first until she started to speak.

It took everything in him not to jerk back when she reached out, he stayed still even when her hand didn't connect. A moment passed before he reached out when she spoke of the Dreck confirming, reaching out taking the hand held his way.

"I am dead." he spoke simply, stating fact. "Tell me the Dreck at least killed Van." In the moment that mattered as much as Natalia being there. "Or did you get killed in the process to?" he kind of gathered by now that death didn't matter but still. He tried to sound cold but his eyes traveled over her to make sure she was okay.

She held his hand tight, putting all of the emotion that would have gone into a hug into that contact. He was solid, he was real. She wasn't dreaming.

"Van is dead," she confirmed quietly, averting her eyes. Her tears were starting to make it difficult to see and she knew she couldn't speak any louder without her voice wavering.

"And... I believe Lorelei has been freed. Luke stayed behind as Eldrant crumbled." She didn't want to believe it, but she knew that Luke was likely dead. She took a steadying breath and looked up into his eyes again.

"If you truly died, how can it be that you're here?"

He could feel it, even without the words, he felt something in that touch. ~~They've got a thing, its called radar love.~~ He was real, and there, and so was she. He had already resigned himself to never seeing her, or the others, ever again. He was dead, and that should have been the end. Still, here she was.

"Good." he spoke, with just a hint of sadness. Despite all, he would always want Van's approval even if he wanted the man dead. The hand not in hers reached up to wipe away a stray tear from her cheek. It was weakness, but Natalia was a princess, she was fine.

"Of course the Dreck stayed behind. I would have." He spoke, almost like he approved of his replica's actions. "He better have handled it." He stated, keeping his eyes steady on her.

"I felt myself die, I felt my conciousness leave after I spoke to him. Then I awoke in the fountain."

The tears did slow as she began to think properly. Her joy was overwhelming, but there were other concerns. She offered a sympathetic smile. Luke had thanked his former master as he died. She could only imagine how Asch must feel. And guilty though it made her feel she relished in that light touch.

She frowned at his explanation, not for the most part liking or understanding it. To feel death... it seemed like such a horrible thing. But now he was here, and that was strange but this was one gift horse she wouldn't look in the mouth. And there was one other thing she didn't understand.

"Fountain?"

She looked around the room again now that there was no glass distorting her view. It looked old, decrepit, poorly lit. She could see that there were other tubes as well, and decided that she would like to step out of hers now.

I'm headed straight for the castle

The bunker

SOUTHERN VILLAGE

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