(GS3) Field: Destroyed Shopping District

[Cherry]

"The manor. You can head over whenever you find it convenient. The gatekeepers will let you in."

[Beryl]

Satoshi sat, having his usual cup of late-night coffee. He should have been wearing gloves, but the double-ringed mark actually burned when he covered it, so he had to expose it to the world. It felt pretty terrible to have this mark, and yet all the same...

He sent a text to both Yukino and Haruka.

It's on my hand now.

A very vague message, but at least one of them was likely to remember. Probably Yukino. He wasn't that concerned about them showing up, though, because if what Cheru said was true...things just had to run their course.

Fortuna had something very worrisome to disclose at the next Cray Council meeting regarding her champion's hand, but she knew nothing of the true nature of things. Soon, very soon, a new dawn would rise...

[Hope]

Neu ordered 50 pounds of hot chocolate. Them lonely nights hit hard. She doesn't want to hit any caffeine though, because she still wishes to grow taller. What a sad existence. The coffee shop seemed silent for the most part, nothing out of the ordinary other than the guy who had black rings on his hand, whatever that was. Reminded her of Link Joker. Boy, did she miss them.

[Beryl]

Someone else was in the coffee shop. Someone familiar...was that...

"Neu Edelweiss?..." Satoshi said in a low voice, almost a whisper. Of course, it was quiet enough that it was likely audible. Shoot.

[Hope]

Seems like the dude with the cool marks on his hand was actuwlly someone she knew. Great reunions are great, thought she found it kind of weird that he had it. A bold fashion statement, some might say edgy, but she was pretty sure that if she were in his position, that kind of body ink would be the last thing she would get.

"Hey Satooshie man, something. Sick tat and all, but I'm wondering why you got it. Do you like being reminded of when I locked your avatar or something? I dunno seens like a weird choice unless you're into that kinda stuff."

[Beryl]

A...tattoo? Is that what she thought the mark was? Weird.

Satoshi touched it to check and see if it actually felt like a tattoo. At first glance, it sure looked it, but to the touch, it felt like the markings were actually a part of the skin.

"A...bad decision from a night out drinking, I guess," he fibbed. "How've you been, though? You seem well. Did the hospital take care of you?" He was aware Neu had been admitted nearby, but totally didn't notice she had been along for the camping trip.

[Hope]

"Hospital didn't kill me in my sleep so that was good. It was better than your average cheap motel and I got fed almost a square meal a day. It was the best" Neu gestured with a thumbs up.

The 50 pounds of hot chocolate were taking so long to make, she wonders why. That's when it hit her that the worker thought she was just joking around and told her to "get a job" which really puzzled her because she worked as the Messiah 24/7. Just not right now when she's messing around.

"You seem well too, just don't drink too much or something. I guess."

[OverDrive]

Having returned from the camping trip, Tsubasa took this chance to visit the shopping district to get a beverage or a snack but generally he just wanted to get back in the city feel after the camping trip. He entered one of the coffee shops to hopefully get some extra energy for the rest of the night, though he was not gonna get anything extravagant or out of bounds for his own sleep.

As he walked towards the counter he noticed some familiar faces, Satoshi one of the champions of the War of Liberation, and Neu. Aside from being surprised he simply gave Satoshi a wave, as he was not sure if he still remembered him, and walked up to Neu, as he gave her a hug, "It's good to see you're doing better and better every day Neu." he said, with a smile on his face.

He gestured to the counter as he made a quick order, "Hot chocolate please." he said.

[Hope]

"They're still not done with my order..." She closed her eyes and reminded herself in frustration.

Ney went over to Tsubasa and hugged him back, "Okay so I fixed up my apartment annnndddd..." She leaned over to him and whispered to him. "You can stay over tonight, ok?" After that she pulled up a chair in front of Satooshie and sat down. Standing up was still kind of draining as is.

[OverDrive]

Tsubasa was initially surprised about Neu's request but he did not complain, being able to spend the night at her place was something grand and exciting. In his mind he was happy and ecstatic, he went to the clerk and asked him to speed up the order a bit for her and him with a somewhat serious look in his eyes. At that moment he ran into his station and came back with both orders ready...

"..Am I getting good at intimidation...nah" he thought, as he grabbed both orders and sat next to Neu. "Here ya go babe." he said, handing her the order and smiling.

[Hope]

"Thanks." It looked like about a few pounds of hot chocolate, not the fifty that she ordered. Oh well, it was from Tsubasa so it was alright.

"Cute eyes though," she laughed in regards to the one that he gave the worker. She sipped the hot chocolate enthusiastically and flinched a little. Yes, there was a problem that she forgot to foresee, the fact it was well... hot. "Ow...." She touched her lips, she had completely forgotten about it due to her mind having so many other things, probably over complicated and unnecessary junk, like some random information regarding the origins of the universe as well the meaning of life.

"Anyways, let's?" She offered as she stood up. "Sorry Satooshie, we gotta jet."

[Beryl]

Satoshi had merely nodded in response. It was good to see that these two were in decent shape. Perhaps, one of these days, he'd get a chance to maybe take then both out on a dinner date or something. To catch up.

He looked over to his phone and noticed Haruka was the only one to respond, contrary to what he was expecting. He pegged out a couple messages.

First, to the responder:

Yeah, hopefully.

Second, to the Chosen Sword:

There's two of them now. Both on my hand. They burn when I cover them. Black and red rings. It's like it's etched into my skin now.

Maybe that would get her attention this time. He shrugged as he sat his phone down again and resumed drinking coffee. Actually, it didn't really matter if it did or not. It was honestly kind of fun having something that drove other people nuts trying to understand, but secretly, he just knew what it was in the end.

In a weird sense, Cheru was a side Satoshi had never considered engaging with at times. A rougher, noncaring side.

[Golden Sage NovaRaizer]

Weeks had past since the Camping Trip. Darren had taken the time to learn more about the city and what was around. He was now in the Shopping District looking for a place to relax, perhaps buy something. Darren had his deck in hand. He had been practicing with it for some time and he felt like he had more of a hang on what his deck was capable of. He also hadn't been worrying about his own ability at all, simply enjoying having fun with his heroes. Even with that, he did wonder about the two from the camping trip. The one that used Sealed Dragons who defeated everyone she fought until Seifer stepped in. He would love the chance to fight either of them again, but for all he knew, they weren't even from this area.

[Jello]

I can't believe I spent the entire day chasing down a little kid who stole a Mr. Invincible card from his little sister. Literally my entire day down the drain. Ughhhh...

Haruka trudged into work, dissatisfied with his last real day off from school. Or rather, self-imposed day off. He would be going back on Monday, so tomorrow was his legitimate day off, not like it really matters all too much. He'd be taking his leave of the Espoir Manor, as he was only promised a week. Then again, he really only asked for a week but...

He might impose longer, if the opportunity presented itself.

Walking into work, StarGATEBucks Cafe. Haruka got changed and took post at the coffee counter, polishing glasses. They were open for business and in about two minutes it would be swarming since evening, particularly around 6:30, was the bustling hour, so he was doing last minute checks before his shift went live. He brushed back the left side of his hair and bobby pinned it, leaving the left side of his face exposed while his bangs and fringes laid over the right mostly. He needed a haircut still, but hadn't had time to get one, so he often had to tie his hair back or pin it off so he could see things more clearly.

"Ah, another day, another check. I hope I finally get that payout I was promised..." Haruka was muttering to himself, as the door burst open with customers. Uncle Toshi owed him one for this. The ultimate night shift.

Let the rush begin.

[Cipher Izanagi]

After the time span between now and the camping trip, Seifer's hair had gotten a little bit longer, but was immediately cut back a bit so that it stayed around his ears. In any case, the brunette walked quietly into the StarGATEBucks Cafe, his hands in his pockets as he glanced around. It seemed kind of packed at the moment but instead of just moping about the crowd he walked up to the counter, waiting to be served. He had no idea why he came in tonight, just felt like he should. That and he really wanted coffee for some reason. That craving hadn't been going away since the camping trip ended.