Event || The Answer

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All characters who signed-up for the event.
Where: South Continent of Balance (Imperial Territories)
When: April 20th to April 30th.
Summary: The Heroes of Light have lost consciousness and now find themselves in the middle of nowhere, without their Moogles and away from everything they know. They will have to get back home, but what awaits them on the path? For more information, please check the First OOC Post and Second OOC Post.
Warning: Bad things.

Group 01: Team Hijinks House
Group 02: Team Brigands
Group 03: Team Discovery Channel
Group 04: Sephiroth's (In)Sanity Squad
Group 05: Team (Bad) Shipping Advice
Group 06: Team Blue-Haired Lords on Fire
Group 07: Team Mom and Late Sleepers
Group 08: Nothing Bad Will Happen
Group 09: The Hellhounds
Group 10: Loftwings, A Working Title
Group 11: Team Oni
Group 12: Team F.N.T.I²
Group 13: Team Name-In-Progress
Group 14: Team The-Mods-Couldn’t-Brain-A-Name
Group 15: Seraphim Shenanigans

Comments

[damn_juicebox]

[This results in nearly bumping straight into Rukia. She was moving at an unhurried pace, however, so she's able to draw back in time once she realizes he's there. She thought she'd recognized his shouting. What really surprised her was the fact that she recognized the other shouting voice also. She looks at Ichigo's face, then past him. Hmmm... Same height and build, same hair...only the clothes are different.]

So you've run across doppelgangers as well. I wondered what the commotion was about.

[Considering the doppelganger she'd encountered an hour ago left a powerful impression on her, she does wonder if Ichigo had undergone a similar effect. She regards him again, her expression serious.]

...Are you well?

[blackmoonreaper]

[He looks at Rukia for a moment, not liking that serious expression before shifting his gaze to the side. Doppelgangers? They seemed like normal people to him but the similarities to his father and younger sisters is uncanny. He really isn't sure what to think about it. It honestly felt like he was having what passed as a normal conversation in his household.]

I'm fine.

[Ichigo grows quiet as he turns slightly to glance at the retreating backs of those he thought he knew. Just normal villagers going about their day, nothing more.]

...What do you mean 'as well'?

[damn_juicebox]

Most Heroes of Light encounter them sooner or later. They do seem to be thicker in number here, however.

[Rukia holds her chin, her thin brows furrowed in thought.]

Flynn has seen at least one, and I saw several as well. None of them recognized us, but the appearance and mannerisms were uncannily familiar.

[She gestures for him to walk with her, since it's easier to explain when they're in motion.]

From what I understand, they were summoned as Heroes of Light in a previous time cycle, before being resurrected as natives of the planet. They do not share our memories, but their souls likely resonate the same.

[blackmoonreaper]

[He gives her a bit of look at her explanation before he starts walking with her. Summoned? It almost makes it sound like they're monsters but as far as he knows none of them have done anything wrong. As for the similarities... well, he could only imagine. Hell, all of them were brought to this world in the first place so maybe something thought it was doing a favor to have familiar people around.]

It's just weird to see them like... that.

[His sisters older, Karin--... Kayo a little sharp like any teenager would be. Not that he'd know anything about that.]

'cept the old goat, he didn't seem any different at all.

[damn_juicebox]

There are definitely some stark differences at times. My doppelganger was a mere child.

[Her expression sours as she says it, because that's the least strange part about the little gang she encountered.]

It is curious, however. That so many of us were brought here at different points in time, both in our world and this one. How is it possible? The explanation eludes me.

[And she could probably go on and on, talking about that, but there's probably something more important to discuss. She glances up at Ichigo, remembering what he'd said before about being homesick. An encounter like that might have only worsened his feelings.]

Are you all right?

[blackmoonreaper]

I don't think it would make sense even if we found out how.

[People just don't have sudden duplicates showing up at any moment, looking and sounding like ones they knew. Whatever explanation there is it's likely something completely out of his depth. As far as he's concerned they seem like normal villagers just getting on with the lives. If they were in any sort of danger then they're no different than anyone else who needs help.

He scowls a bit at Rukia's question but he doesn't look at her.]

Quit asking that. I said I'm fine.

[damn_juicebox]

Hmph.

[Liar. Of course it bothers him, it's only natural that it would. He doesn't need to be rude about it.]

We rented a large room at the inn, which we'll all be sharing. Gather whatever supplies you need before the market closes. We'll meet for supper later.

[blackmoonreaper]

[He knows he shouldn't take it out on her, not Rukia of all people but he feels both keyed up and drained at the same time from the confrontation. He knows better than that but this feels different.]

Sorry, just--... I know I'm not the only one seeing familiar people. Just knowing what's still going on at home is...

[Too close to his heart than he'd like. She said before that everything should turn out but it didn't change the fact that he's here and they're not. Not really.]

It's too--

[Much?]

How is anyone supposed to react to something like that?

[damn_juicebox]

I don't have any good advice for that. I'm sorry.

[And that's harder for her to admit than she could possibly imagine. She's always been the one to dispense wisdom and instructions to her protege, and she doesn't like being unable to do that. She bows her head in frustration, rubbing the back of her neck.]

Some encounters are pleasant, some sour. It differs for everyone.

[The ones she saw were incredibly stupid to the point where she sees no reason to share the experience with anybody.]

It's not just a coincidence. Doppelgangers are those who were brought to this world in a previous cycle, who died and were reborn into a new life with no memory of their previous existence. So in a sense, you did see your family. They just don't know you.

[blackmoonreaper]

... Looks like they're fine anyway.

[Rukia likely saw people that were close to her too and who knows, maybe she's feeling a little disjointed like he is now. Ichigo doesn't mean to put her on the spot as if she had all the answers yet he feels out of his depth like the others. He has to push his irritation down and he takes a breath in an attempt to refocus.]

... You managing to hold up with all this?

[damn_juicebox]

Yes.

[If she can manage a smile when she responds, then she probably means it. She's never really told him about Kaien, though he's likely wondered more than once about why so many people have told her that Ichigo looks like 'him.']

Perhaps I should be upset, or emotional, but I can't bring myself to feel that way. I was simply happy to see his face and hear his voice once more.

[And it helped that it wasn't a horrible villain or monster just using Kaien's appearance to lure her into dropping her defenses to attack and kill her.]

But that doesn't mean you have no right to feel differently.