video/action;

[goodlifechoices]

[ The video offers what seems like a first person view of someone stumbling her way through pulling her high heels off, going barefooted rather than squelching her way through every step she took. What was that soft, pale curve blocking most of the screen anyway?

Judging from the way the camera moves, it shouldn't be hard to deduce that she'd tucked the SFC in her bra for a lack of hands to carry everything. Or maybe it is. Either way, she's oblivious and ranting just to herself. ]

This can't be happening!

[ She had all the things she'd arrived with bundled under her arm already, though she's not entirely sure what she's doing with herself here. There wasn't anything better to do than look around. The video is abruptly covered up by blue fabric and the sound muffled as she hugs the bundle to her chest. ]

Everything finally settles down, I can't just--! Oh no, no, no... Don't I deserve a break?

[ Siiiigh.

This could go on for a while, and it does. Nothing but blank blue-black and quiet fussing. ]

Comments

action

[circumsutus]

[For a split second "this can't be happening" is Stein's reaction as well. But of course it can be happening, after all, Liz just showed up, and that's Marie's voice and... typical Marie behavior.

Stein doesn't bother to respond to the post, just pinpoints her soul and goes to meet her. He comes up behind the weapon and once he's decently close enough (close enough that he won't have to shout, far enough that he's not in punching range) he says her name.]

Marie.

[And braces for impact.]

[goodlifechoices]

[ Planning for punching is a good exercise in forethought.

However, did he plan for a somewhat casual response as she starts to turn to his voice? ]

Oh, hey Stei--

[ Wait.

Wait. ]

Stein!

[ Her weird collection of welcome package and shoes go everywhere, and a high heel ends up dangling from a particularly interesting coral growth. The distance between them is quickly covered, and she practically crashes right into him as she grabs him by the lab coat. ]

Stein! It's you! I thought I was all alone here!

[circumsutus]

[He was expecting some kind of dramatic tacklehug, complete with emotional yelling and maybe a shoe thrown at his head. You never know with Marie.

For a split second, he almost doesn't get that dramatic Marie greeting. Then she almost knocks him over.

He pats her on the shoulder.]

Nice to see you too, Marie.

[goodlifechoices]

[ For now, she's just going to cling onto him like a limpet. Clearly that's what he needed in his life, a soaking wet woman just hanging on him. ]

I don't understand what's going on! Everything starts to settle down, and now I'm soaked and underwater. I'd finally gotten used to Nevada again, this is the exact opposite of that...

[ And then, suddenly, she shakes him. ]

AND WHY DID YOU GET TO BE DRY?

[ Never mind that she was getting him wet anyway. ]

[circumsutus]

Well, I'm not dry anymore, Marie.

Come on, let's get you somewhere where you can get that salt water off of you.

[Voice]

[crabbygenius]

...You realize we can see the inside of your bra, don't you.

[goodlifechoices]

[ Oh, oh right. The shaking stops when he replies to her. ]

There's no helping it.

[ She doesn't specify which part of what he said that she was responding to there. Releasing him, she goes to gather her mess.

Whoops, that wasn't planned well, was it? ]

Do you know where anything is? That brochure said something about hotels...

[goodlifechoices]

[ Give it a minute, Marie is kind of freaking out over here because WHAT WHY ARE HER BREASTS TALKING-- oh.

The video cuts out when she pulls out the SFC, but alarming creaking noises suggest that she's squeezing the poor device really hard. ]

Not anymore you won't!

[circumsutus]

You'd stay in a hotel and leave me all alone?

[crabbygenius]

[Oh that was just amusing to her. ]

You're right, we can't. Though I'd recommend not breaking the communicator. You'll be needing that~.

[goodlifechoices]

What? Absolutely not!

[ She shakes a shoe at him.

Maybe that was a little too strident-- no, no that was exactly as strident as it needed to be. ]

[circumsutus]

In that case, you're coming home with me. I'm sure everyone else will be happy to meet you.

[goodlifechoices]

[ It doesn't want to break for her anyway, which is kind of weird. Crack a little, yes, but it seems to be taking the punishment well. She's usually really good about crushing things into pieces. ]

I don't know if that's possible in the first place.

[ She sounds a little shocked now. ]

[goodlifechoices]

There's an everyone else? I'm dreaming. This is a dream, isn't it?

[ Once she has her weird bundle of everything, she pinches her face to check.

Didn't help.

She'll go with him, but not without further confused commentary. ]

I still don't understand what's going on.

[crabbygenius]

Oh it's possible, it just takes a lot of effort~. And I wouldn't recommend it.

[Chuckles.]

Welcome to the oddities in the bubble.

[circumsutus]

Maka, Kid, and Liz are here in Vatheon, and they've made quite a few new friends.

Someone has an introductory guide, but I've never bothered to pick one up. What do you need to know?

[goodlifechoices]

[ That gets a funny look from her. ]

What do I need to know first?

[circumsutus]

What do you already know?

[goodlifechoices]

Ahhh, everything happened without any particular control, there are hotels, and something about an island?

[ Shuffle, shuffle, there! She produces the mangled brochure. ]

Oh, here. I just flipped through.

[circumsutus]

You might want to look at that in more detail.

[goodlifechoices]

No cliff notes then, huh? Alright, alright, I can read and walk then.

[goodlifechoices]

Thank you for the sound advice, and for the welcome. It's... certainly an interesting place.

[circumsutus]

Or you can wait until we get to the Villa, and you can sit and read.

What's the last thing you remember?

[goodlifechoices]

Azusa and I had just taken Rachel home. Oh, it was so lovely, seeing her with her parents...!

[ Sniff. ]

I could tear up just thinking about it.

[circumsutus]

... Rachel? [Stein feels like he would remember that name. But he doesn't, so Marie is probably further ahead.]