epidemiology | A bird all alone on the wind

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A bird all alone on the wind

CHARACTERS: Sakura Kinomoto & OPEN
DATE: First half of May.
WARNINGS: Dead bodies?
SUMMARY: Sakura, as always, tries to Help.

General Help:

[What with the ash and clean up, rebuilding and repairs and such involved, it's only fair that everyone try help somehow. She can't, not as much as she'd like without using her Cards and magic, but all the same, Sakura is happy to make meals for everyone in attempt to feel somewhat useful and helping in the kitchen and distributing some out.]

Here! Take a break and have something to eat, okay?

Rocks, Magic Rocks?

[Even without her magic, Sakura still wants to help. Part of that is trying to investigate, look for those that have been separated somehow. So she's out and about exploring and looking for clues, as well as any potential useful supplies along the way. She doesn't need magic to sense something about these rocks. Always having felt some sort of pull or draw to people or items with such energy. She's just not sure how to explain it. If she should disturb it.]

What....? It looks like someone moved them like this?

It's like some sort of horror movie:

[Of course it is only a matter of time before Sakura too finds out about the bodies washing up on the shore. She loves the beaches and often goes for walks or for a swim. She's walking along the shore with Keroberos, her lion cub, when she sees one. Immediately hurrying over and getting her boots wet in the process of initially rushing to attempt to help before she realizes. She can't. It's too late.]

Who?

[She isn't sure if she means to come out with 'who is it' or 'who did this?' but either way. She can't get the rest out before she kneels down, a hand to their chest as she raises her other to try cover her face. Her eyes, as the shocked tears start and the smell starts to sink in a little, making her feel nauseous. Keroberos sniffs at it before attempting to climb up to Sakura's lap in some gesture of comfort.]

This war's not over:

[Of course, with everything, the tensions are rising and fights are starting. Sakura sees one such and calls out for them to stop, but they aren't necessarily listening. Or maybe they just can't hear her over their own yells and cries as they smack each other. Sakura would cast the Shield card, but she can't. Thus she is hesitant, on the outskirts of the scuffle, wanting to help somehow but not quite sure what to do. She herself is not exactly a fighter, not physically, for as good at sports and gym as she is.]

Stop! I said to stop!

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[ Wouldn't it be nice if it were possible to put guards around the whole beach and prevent children from seeing something like this? It sure would be. But that is really quite ... impossible, and so here they are.

Tsukuyo doesn't know this girl, but she can't just ignore her. So she approaches on light feet, with a giant dog following her. ]

Oi.

You okay?

[Sakura starts when Keroberos reacts to the oversized dog, initially wary and standing his ground as if attempting to protect her from this large beast. That's what alerts her first, to that she isn't alone, before she then hears Tsuyoko.]

Hm? Oh....I'm, I'll be okay. It's not the first time.

[There have been nightmares, fears of her failure with the Clow Cards. Fear of Yue's Final Judgement of whether he deems her worthy to be their Mistress. And the time earlier, in Chantes that she saw bodies as someone there had taken advantage of celebrations and crowds to cause a commotion and warn them.]

[ The defensiveness of this new dog seems to surprise Sadaharu, as he stops in his tracks and tilts his head ...

And then turns around as though he intends to sit on the poor thing.

So Tsukuyo is distracted, for the moment. ]

Sadaharu, no!

Sad--ah!

[She's at least become far more used to pets these days. To Brother and her own pet lion cub. It's more the size than anything that initially startles Sakura, but she is quick to react and reach down to life Keroberos. The cub is rather used to that by now, as much as Sakura likes to let him explore and all, given the potential dangers of the Nalawi and their fear of cats or the like.]

Careful there.

Edited 2016-05-14 22:14 (UTC)

[ Well, that's a relief, because while Tsukuyo has her hands on Sadaharu and is trying to push him away ... He definitely isn't budging. And he does sit, even of not on Keroberos. ]

--sorry. He's not actually my dog. Dunno how ta handle him.

[ Not that Sadaharu's actual owner here seems to always know either. ]

Anyway, uh ... Can't exactly say I'm glad it's not the first time you see a ... dead body, but. As long as you're okay.

Oh, he isn't? You're just looking after him then?

[That would seem. Obvious, yes. But then, Sakura herself never had a pet and is still adjusting to the idea here with Keroberos and all. So perhaps it isn't so surprising when one takes that into account.]

But he's okay. I mean. He certainly still seems really friendly! I just don't think I've ever seen a dog so big!

[She hugs the lion cub to her a little more at that, before giving a nod.]

No, I know what you mean. It's...still scary but. They can't hurt us. The least we can do is try figure out what happened, right?

[Though that will probably more be a job for the adults than her. Sakura's fairly certain Ban and the rest would rather her not be anywhere near this.]

[ Friendly, sure ... She'll just nod at all of that and leave it. Is Sadaharu friendly? She really wonders if that's the right word to describe him.

When he steps closer to Sakura and sniffs at her hair, though, she thinks that maybe it could be the right word.

But no matter. ]

Yeah. We're gonna try t'get to the bottom of this. Someone's being very ... bad.

[ A grimace. ]

They are. I'm not sure who or how, but...If we can try figure this out, I'm sure it would mean a lot. To their families.

[Of course, they aren't police. And this is possibly not necessarily a priority with the storms and all happening, the powers, the rumors going around, even if there might be some sort of police equivalent. Not that Sakura is sure how much help she will be. But even so.

Sakura shifts, reaching to instinctively pet the other dog with her free hand not holding to Keroberos. The cub at least seems to calm down when there isn't a perceived threat.]

Edited 2016-05-19 09:33 (UTC)

It would.

[ Not ... that she really knows. She is actually a police officer - police chief, even - but things that happen in Yoshiwara very rarely go all the way to the family. Anything that happens in Yoshiwara, stays in Yoshiwara. The very most, if someone died, would be for their family to know that the murderer was caught.

But it's not like they want to know it happened in Yoshiwara. Someone with a family shouldn't exactly be there.

You don't want to know that your loved one has been cheating on you in the red light district.

Sadaharu tilts his head at the hand reaching out for him, but he lets Sakura pet him. Tsukuyo watches in case he decides to try and eat this little girl's hand, but he actually seems to behave.

And she thinks it's about time to try and lift the mood a little. ]

I'm Tsukuyo. What's your name?

Tsukuyo-san then. I'm Sakura. Sakura Kinomoto. And this - [She points to the lion cub.] This is Keroberos.

[Most would obviously question what a girl is doing with such a beast as a pet. But evidently, Gilgamesh didn't have any qualms about it. And she is getting some help in training him.]

What about him? I mean, is he a friend's that you're keeping an eye on?

Yeah, ya could say that. His owner's with the people who disappeared. Unless he's hidin' away sleepin' somewhere. Either a' those are likely.

[ Considering that Sadaharu spends most of his time with a little girl, Tsukuyo won't question Keroberos. Doesn't even strike her as odd, honestly. She doesn't much know what constitutes as odd.

Well, she does know that all of this is very much odd, but that's another matter entirely. ]

Hiding and sleeping somewhere....? But why would he do that?

[Although. It may bring a certain someone to mind. Sakura just isn't sure if she is right, doesn't want to assume. So she doesn't actually say anything or ask, exactly.]

I've tried looking for some friends. Sieglinde-chan and Graham-san are gone.

'cause he loves sleep.

[ But she doesn't actually think that's what he's doing. If so, Sadaharu would have found him at this point.

She shakes her head. ]

'fraid I don't know who they are. But they're probably gone too, if you haven't found 'em.

Someone sleepy...He naps a lot then? Kero-chan back home loves his naps too.

[Yes, she is name her lion cub after the great Beast of the Seal, one of two Guardians of the Clow Cards. It seemed fitting given Kero's real form. And how much she misses the lazy glutton.]

I hope they are okay. King-san wondered about the storm earlier....maybe that's it. I'm sure if they were sent on another mission, they would have said something! And so many of them all at once like that.

I'm pretty sure it's got to do with the storm somehow. People disappear durin' storms and the like. That's nothin' weird really.

[ No such thing as natural disasters in Yoshiwara, but she's quite certain of that much. ]

Hm. Well, I know sometimes people can't get back home because of the damage, or they can't stay at home where they usually would. But I hope nobody is hurt and trapped or anything.

[What if the others are still around somewhere but hurt and trapped and they can't get free, haven't been found in spite of the searching thus far? Sakura can't help fretting.]

Mm. Me too.

We'll just hafta keep lookin'.

I'm sure if we keep looking....they have to be somewhere. We can't just leave them here.

[ALASTAIR wouldn't leave so many of the recruits, if the others still managed to complete the mission, would they? She hopes not. She figures they need all the help they can get, with these missions of theirs.]

Of course we ain't gonna leave 'em there.

[ Was that even on the table? She never even considered the idea. ]

I get the feelin' they'll find their way back here before we find 'em.

I guess we'll see. But....thanks. I think I needed this.

[Some hope and reassurance considering.....everything lately with this particular mission. Sakura even almost manages a small smile of sorts in spite of the smell and sight of the bodies before they draw her attention again and she purses her lips a little.]

For now though. Maybe we should head back. See if we can't find anyone that knew them, that have been missing.....?

[ She smiles a little, and nods. ]

We should get 'em outta the water too. If ya want, I can do that and you can go see if there's anyone that's lookin' for someone.

Yes....okay. If you are sure you won't need help, I'll go ask and show them over here!

[She waits for confirmation before turning and heading off, Keroberos close behind at her heels as she runs up to the shore proper.]

I'm sure.

[ She follows Sakura with her gaze for a few moments, and then looks down at the corpses. Some are ... barely recognisable at all, she's sure, but ... Hopefully someone will find a person they've been looking for.

And so she starts pulling them out of the water to lie on the beach in a neat row. ]

[ At this stage, Magnus has made it his goal to not go near any commotions. The problem is that when he steers clear of one, he inevitably bumps into another. Still, when he spots a young girl in the midst of it, he finds himself striding forward even as his brain tells him this is a terrible idea.

He reaches for her shoulder, careful not to startle her. He doesn't care how small these people are; they're strong and Magnus likes his nose in one piece. He also really doesn't want to watch an innocent girl get caught up in the fray. ]

I don't think they're listening.

[Sakura, physically, without her magic, doesn't actually stand much of a chance. She's just a kid, possibly barely much if any taller than these little deer people. The hand to her shoulder stops her from instinctively rushing ahead to try physically get between the fighters, as she pauses and looks up to Magnus.]

But....we can't just let them keep fighting like this!

[ Really? Because where Magnus is standing, they absolutely can. It's very simple and requires merely turning around. They'll probably just knock each other out and regret it in the morning, like every street fight he's come across. And yet he can't quite bring himself to impose his cynicism on the girl. It seems cruel.

He sighs. This is how you ended up in the middle of a war a century ago, Bane. ] Fine. Just stay here.

[ At least he's got a couple of feet on the Nalawi; judging by their size and slim build, they're probably teenagers. Which explains everything. He grabs the smaller one, hauling him out of the scuffle, and gets a split lip for his trouble from all the flailing limbs. Ow. Still, a stranger interfering seems enough to freeze their fight. Maybe it's the sharp silver claw tipping his forefinger that looks a lot like a weapon, now that he thinks about it. It's not, obviously. It's a fashion statement. But whatever. He'll take what he can get.

He is so tired of everyone on this godforsaken island. ]

Please go home both of you.

[Stay? Well, Sakura does obey that much. But she is still seemingly ready to jump in if necessary. There's a nod as she does so, watching and fretting all the while. Observing as Bane hauls one of them free and gets them to at least thus pause to see what is going on, who is interfering.]

Please, fighting won't help things....

[The Nalawi look to Bane, and then to Sakura, seeming to debate whether this is just easy pickings when there's a little girl there pleading with them to stop, or if they possibly should. They've seen that some of the recruits can be powerful, that not all are without their powers or magic, after all.

In the end, after a moment of considering, they seem to decide to agree to stop, giving nods and grumbles of reluctant agreement to go home.]

[ When they scurry off, Magnus relaxes. He touches a finger gingerly to his lip. Great. He hates accumulating injuries with no way to heal them.

Still, he spins around to face the girl, who he's glad is at least okay. (He really can't tell if some of these children are here for a reason or if they just sort of accidentally got sucked in.) ]

Well, now that we've done our civic duty, let's say we get out of here, hm? [ He makes a shooing motion in the opposite direction before anymore fights break out. One is plenty for him, thank you. ] Magnus, by the way. What's your name?

Okay. Um, thank you, Magnus-san. I'm Sakura! Sakura Kinomoto.

[It's habit to introduce herself the other way around, but Sakura has still been quick to try adapt, noting that most tend to say their surname last. And she is quick to give a nod of agreement, moving to follow when he gestures in the other direction.]

This way then.

My pleasure, Sakura.

[ Magnus is just happy to get away from the mess and he doesn't mind keeping an eye out while she goes wherever she's going, either. Not that he's especially concerned. She clearly has some moxie despite her age. ]

Have you been here awhile? [ He studies his nails idly as they walk, picking chipped red polish off one of them. ] I'm trying to determine if every mission is this much of a disaster or what.

Hm? Oh, yes. I've been here...hm. I think it was about six or seven months now? A lot of the missions are difficult. Not all of them require fighting, but....it happens. Sometimes.

[Which is why she is grateful for her healing. In addition to her usual variety of Clow Cards, when she actually can access her magic, that is. She's only happy to answer some questions, but with certain aspects, others might know more. Most have at least tried to shelter Sakura from the worst of things.]

[ That long? Magnus looks more contemplative than concerned, though underneath, he is very concerned. From what he's heard, this loss of their powers isn't usual. Which means, for a good chunk of time, there were people like Loki who couldn't find a way out. ]

At least that's good to hear. I'm not much of a fighter without my magic.

[ But even then, he prefers to avoid it, especially when it has nothing to do with him or his people. ]

Ah, I'm not either. I mean, I've been learning a bit on how to use a bow. And a sword, but....

[Well, she is still admittedly more used to using the Sword card, which naturally enhances the user's swordfighting prowess. So she can understand his concern, his worry on being without his powers when it is dangerous. When they could and probably will need to defend themselves. If they had their powers, would some of their friends have been separated like this? It's hard to say.]

[ Magnus perks up a little, both at the notion that he's met another person with magic like him and the bit about the bow. ]

Really? I don't know anything about archery beyond dating one, but he would've liked to teach you, I think.

[ Alexander is not here, though, which Magnus is glad for but also selfishly, in a way, is not. He misses him. It's ridiculous, seeing as they've officially been together for little more than 24 hours, a good portion of which was spent fending off Camille. ]

Oh, your....your boyfriend does archery? Graham-san has been teaching me. Though I'm still nowhere near as good as he is.

[That is because he is the Huntsman. Lived off of his skill with the bow, to some extent, as long as he can remember. Well, with the mixture of the memories of both his lives. His time at the Enchanted Forest and his time at Storybrooke, before coming here. Regardless, Sakura does seem curious, even amid her sheepishness and empathy.]

I'm sure you miss him a lot. I....I miss my friends too. Syaoran-kun and Tomoyo-chan, Yukito-san. All of them. But he must be someone very special to you, to be your Number One. I hope you find him again soon.

[ The name Graham sounds vaguely familiar, though he can't tell if it belongs to someone he met recently here or a distant fling he had decades ago. Or both. ]

I'm sorry to hear about your friends. [ Not for the first time, he wishes he could help portal everyone back home. It would normally be a simple task, but now it's frustratingly out of reach.]

Well, he certainly has potential. [ There's a wry little quirk of his lips, his words deceptively casual. The one. She says it as if it isn't even a question, as if Alec won't inevitably pass somewhere he can't follow one day, his immortality lingering between them like a gap that can never be bridged. ] We haven't managed a proper date, though. It's complicated.

Mm, it's okay though. I mean, I know I'll see them again. And at least I know they aren't worrying about me while I'm helping ALASTAIR.

[Still, that's what she tries to hold on to. That she will see them again. Either here as fellow recruits, or once she makes it back home.]

I'm sure you will! If he comes here to help ALASTAIR too, or once you get back home. I think that'd be wonderful.....

[She almost gets a little 'floaty' just thinking about it. A date. With Yukito-san....but ah. Then of course the more recent revelations kick in again and she remembers about Yue. His true identity as one of the two Guardians of the Clow Cards.]

Didn't you hear the girl~?

[There was a cry as one of the Nalawi fell to their knees. They didn't have the same joints as humans, but Ban knew where the balance fell for bipedals of most flavors. Hitting the right joint at the right angle with enough force could essentially mess up someone's day. The first Nalawi went down with a cry, clutching their leg before Ban drove his fist into the side of their head, knocking them out.

Others turned to him, stone knives and spears hoisted up as they realized an outsider joined things. Even with his warning, the first one to rise up to him had their spear stolen from them in a gesture that was too casual to be considered a proper disarming. He drove the butt of the spear into their chin, knocking them out by bouncing their brain around in their head.

Ban didn't look to Sakura at all. He was ragged and tired looking, bloodied in places and looked as if he hadn't shaved in a great deal of time.]

Why don't you listen a little more closely?

Edited 2016-05-10 02:56 (UTC)

E-eh....? B-Ban-san>

[Sakura blinks, at the other's seemingly sudden appearance and assistance. She simply watches, wide-eyed as Ban tries to encourage them to listen to her, knocking some of them out. She could never be so calm and casual about this. Not so skilled in fighting to pull this off like he can.]

Are they going to be okay? Are you?

[Not exactly the best entrance, appearance wise, at least. Of course even knowing he can heal and all, she's been fretting. About everyone she has had yet to see, the ones that seem to have been separated.]

I'll be fiiine~. [He didn't feel great, but he was definitely in betting condition than the locals he just kicked the crap out of. Ban shoved his heel against one's shoulder before pushing them onto their stomach.

Just so they wouldn't choke on their own vomit if that was how things turned out. Ban looked to Sakura, frowning tightly.]

Didn't I tell you I'd handle these things for you for now?

[She's about to protest that Ban doesn't quite look it. But well, none of them are exactly at their best, are they? The way this place, something about it, seems to sap and restrict their powers. It's a wonder Ban still has the natural strength and ability to do this much.]

I.....y-yes, but they probably get the idea now?

[To stop fighting each other? Hopefully it's enough. Of course she appreciates him watching out for her, she just still and probably always would be hesitant on others getting involved in such things for her sake. Regardless of whether they are older and more powerful than her.]

Do they?

[For a moment, Ban's presence was nothing. He didn't read as a particularly dangerous person outside of his narrow, observant eyes and his height. The moment he turned to properly face the Nalawi that had been scuffling and fighting, they saw his eyes and felt the weight of danger emanating off of him.

It was a presence that suggested to them that remaining close would result in their deaths. He projected that hostility for a fraction of a second--a moment of spliced imagery and sensation that stole their collective breaths awhile.

They fled, forgetting their previous paranoia and terror as it was replaced with something new.]

Looks like they get iiiit~.

I think so....

[Yup. There they go. Sakura herself can't help watching them flee at the sight and presence of him. She's still not quite sure exactly what Ban just did, but the result is what matters, isn't it? That the Nalawi stop fighting and don't get hurt any more than they already have in all of this.]

Yes. They do. Are you okay? [Sakura he was barely touched in all of that. But of course she has to ask.]

[His shoulders relaxed. Ban's scowl hadn't quite vanished at that point--until he looked directly at Sakura. For the life of him, he didn't have an ounce of potential in him to show her any malice. It was gone by the time he set his eyes right on hers.]

Again. You ask me a stupid question when you're in a rut, worrying about someone other than yourself.

E-eh? Ah, I did it again....I know you can heal and all, but you....everyone, we're not as strong here. Not as powerful. So I can't help it.

[It's not like it had quite escalated to her getting directly involved and potentially attacked, after all. Ban stepped in before that happened, before the little deer people focused more on her and her protests.]

There're times when even people with a lotta strength can't do anything. Power isn't everything. Sometimes, I'm the weakest guy around.

[Whenever it came to issues where one had to be emotionally grounded or helpful to others without a sharp weapon handy--Ban was useless. When it came to saving others, Ban assumed that he could at least be handy if it were a physical confrontation. Otherwise--]

You'll have your time later. For now--just avoid poking your head into things. If good kids like you get hurt at times like this, we'll be in trouble later.

No....I know. There are a lot of things my Clow Cards can do, but....not everything. Not everything can be solved using them.

[The cards can't cure someone who is sick or injured, for one example. So she understands what he means by that. Certain situations using their powers is just not viable. Won't help.]

I'll be careful.

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A bird all alone on the wind

Dead bodiieees

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this war's not over

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