Golden Age: Revival

*Allina shrugs just after Euryale does.*

Allina: <And they didn't even freak out grandpa too much. I'm so proud of you guys!>

*She runs out after them just as a maid comes running into the dining room carrying a pile of at least ten white towels. She looks around for a few seconds, panting, before noticing Taiyo.*

Maid: <I'll... leave these here.>

*She puts them down on a couch at the corner and walks out. Allina walks back in and sits down next to Taiyo, glancing at the pile of towels nearby she didn't remember seing there earlier.*

Allina: <I almost forgot we didn't get to finish our talk in the chopper, what with the rich lady beating up Euryale and all. What's wrong?>

*Euryale, not knowing what else to do, is lagging behind them.*
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*Nero is in another hallway, looking around.*

*Her eye twitches at the mention of Thiera beating up Euryale.*

"Nothing."

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Mimiru:<You ever get the feeling you're being followed?>

"Yes, but whenever I bring it up you tell me it's not following if they're beside you."

Allina: <Oh, c'mon! You don't sulk. Tell me what's wrong. I know we haven't talked much, mostly because you're usually busy stalking...(someone else), but I meant it when I said I'd never leave anyone behind.>

*She looks around, obviously having a hard time finding words to comfort Taiyo, and then turns to her for the first time, tilting her head a bit to stare into her eyes.*

Allina: <Do you like seing your friends sad? I don't.>

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*A black cat comes walking out of a room and stops in front of Nero, staring at him with its calm pinkish red eyes.*

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Ari: <...A...A wh-->

*He shuts up, afraid to sound dumb, and sighs.*

N"Hey, kitty-kitty. I'm sure you've seen where they keep their valuables. You want to help me? Of course you do. You're a pretty kitty. A good kitty. C'mere."

*He kneels & holds his arm out, rubbing his fingers together.*
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<An archaeologist. I study cultures that have long since died out. Such as Camelot. And Rome.>
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*Euryale puts on a guilty face & heads down a random hallway.*

"I don't."

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*Azuma glances over his shoulder at Euryale.*

"See what I mean when I say we're not merry?"

Mimiru:<Do you suppose we should try talking to her?>

"Well I'd say wait and see if she's willing to talk first, but that probably may not be the best course of action, so why not?"

*The two turn to follow Euryale, Mimiru letting out an exasperated sigh.*

Allina: <So you know how I feel. Well, me and the others. Euryale. And I'm pretty sure Mimiru. The guys are just heartless. (No. Brainless.) You can talk to me.>

*Allina smiles, tilting her head lower.*

Allina: <Okay?>

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Ari: <I ... I see. Do you know if anyone else survived? Besides me and Sir Arthur.>

*Euryale's just standing at the end of the hall, staring at the wall, because it's a dead end.*
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*She counts off on her fingers.*

<Roatha Arelaz, Ywain the Bastard, the Green Knight, Sir Gallahad, & the Frank, but he is dead now. The girl with I Can't Believe They're Not Implants is also much older than she looks. As well as her sister.>
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<Hello, Nero.>

"Holy shit, a talking cat!"

<...No.>

"I guess."

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"(I'm not liking this sight at all.)"

Mimiru:<(It's your idea, you start talking.)>

*Mimiru pushes him forward.*

"Uhhh... Hello?"

Allina: <So. Let's start over. What's wrong?>

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Ari: <W-What?! So the Roatha that girl was talking about... I-I need to find him, please...!>

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*The cat jerks its head towards one of the doors and slowly walks in.*

*She jumps a bit & turns around.*

"Umm...hi."
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<What makes you think I know where he is?>
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*Nero follows the cat.*

"Euryale doesn't like me."

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"How's it going?"

[This is weird. I feel like an IM conversation.]

Ari: <You...y-you seem to know everything.>

*He looks away, somewhat embarassed.*

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Allina: <What? That's stupid, of course she likes you. Especially when you're your usual cheerful self, I bet.>

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*It's a second door leading to the dining room. At the far end of the room, Allina and Taiyo are sitting talking, though they can't really hear much from where they are. The cat stares at Allina for a few seconds, then at Nero and then back at Allina.*

N"Damn it, cat, why are you dumb?"
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<I see. It depends on how he got here. I assume they forwent using airplanes, so with various magical methods of transportation, he could be anywhere by now.>
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E"Oh...you know."

"No she doesn't. Especially after I..."

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"No I don't, that's wh-"

Mimiru:<Goddamn you're dumb.>

*Mimiru grabs him by the collar and pulls him back.*

Mimiru:<Why are you wandering about gloomily?>

Allina: <Especially since you... what? It's okay, you can trust me.>

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*The cat glares at him in a very creepy manner and walks backwards a bit before turning around and running off down the hallway.*

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*Ari stares at her for a while like "Well, that doesn't help me at all."*

Ari: <I...I'll stay. You m-might need my help.>

N"Stupid fucking cat."

*Nero walks back the way he came. Behind him, the door swings shut & locks.*

<Are you sure that was wise?>

N"I was assuming you were a butler or some rain water. Now, yeah, definitely gonna die."
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*She hangs her head.*

E"Because Roatha's upset, Taiyo's upset, Nero's a jerk, Thiera won, & it's probably all my fault."
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<I can take care of myself. I'm a big girl. It's you that you should be worried about. You can't go running off in the modern world without a guide. Or money.>

"I... (Tried to kill Roatha...)"

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Mimiru:<I don't know about Roatha & Taiyo, but Nero has always been a jerk. And who said Thiera's won?>

[Won what?]

*The cat peers out of a door at the far end of the hallway, watching Nero.*

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Allina: <Wha--(What? Are you serious?! I mean--Hum--Are you sorry you did it? Maybe you should just apologize. That often works wonders. Have you told Euryale how you really feel about her? It's like pretty much the only way you can find out whether she feels the same way or not, judging by how stiff she usually is. And just forget about Roatha for that part.>

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Ari: <...>

*Ari walks across the office and sits down on the floor near a window, staring out.*

[...Mother... Father... Master Lilith...]

*He glances at Thiera.*

[...And Thiera...
Thiera: <Why are you always staring at me?>]

<Yes, you are. I assume you've deduced who sent me?>

N"No."

<Oh. Well, I'm sure you've at least come to the realization as to who your assassin is to be?>

N"Senthose's ghost?"

<Senthose's body was burned. He cannot come back as a ghost.>

N"He can with magic."

<No he can't.>

N"Yes he can. It's fucking magic."

<No. He can't. That's like saying you can move faster than light with science.>

N"Prove you can't."

<...I do not enjoy killing, but in this case, I shall make an exception.>
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E"She easily beat us all. She broke my ankle. She still has Taiyo's lance. It's all because I lashed out at her like an idiot & you guys had to rescue me. I can't do anything right."

"I don't think that'll work. She already turned Roatha down, so why would that make me any different? Even if I do tell herit won't make any difference. She probably thinks I'm some kind of loon anyways."

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[Technically we didn't save you, but okay.]

Mimiru:<I'm sure any of us would have did what you did. Thiera's a real bitch.>

[Not sure how many of us would do what Taiyo did, but we're not talking about her.]

"You've done better than the rest of us. Take me for example, I've been poinsoned."

*Mimiru gives Azuma the death glare.*

Allina: <Oh, c'mon, that's not true. You're great, I bet she does like you back. Besides, even if she doesn't, just sitting here feeling sorry for yourself without even trying first doesn't make sense. It'll be okay eitherway, we're all friends. Weird friends, but still. You should tell her.>

*Allina smiles awkwardly.*

"It looks like the poison worked itself out of your system, though. I guess Manticores use their venom for weakening prey."
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*Taiyo & Allina hear Nero yell from the hall.*

"I could try. Probably wouldn't do me any good, but I can still try."

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"Interesting. But my point still stands. You're not the one who woke up one morning puking out your guts because of an attack that could have been avoided easily."

*Allina gets up.*

Allina: <Hold on for a minute, did you hear that? What do you want now, Nero?!>

*She hurries across the dining room to the door, but realizes it's locked.*

Allina: <What? Uh, oh. Taiyo, help me here, something's wrong!>

*She runs into the door as a light barrier bursts from her body, pushing against the door.*