happy (?) birthday to her

[unseenvisions]

[Cassandra woke up in BC-era Domino, got herself horribly lost, and finally made it back to GX-era Domino, where she's now sitting outside a sweets parlor with a piece of cake. This still isn't Earth proper, as nothing's cost any money, but she can't find Sayyid no matter how hard she looks, and she doesn't want to think of him out there on his own....

Besides, it's her birthday. She's celebrating being sixteen with no idea where she is, no roof over her head, and no family. And there's a lost little boy out there somewhere - be it here or back in that hotel - without guidance.

Just when she thought they'd begun to accept each other.

Cassandra tries to take a bite of cake, but it sticks in her throat. She sits up straighter and lectures herself: this too will pass. She'll weather it, and find Sayyid.

She doesn't want to cry.]

Comments

I considered Rising for three seconds... and then decided to be nice.

[stackthedice]

[If she's caught up with her cake woes, Bones crossing the street with bags near as big as him in each hand? Probably not that noticable.

But Cassandra? She doesn't look like the normal breed the city spawns, hinting she must be another resident. And the fact she's near ready to cry, while eating a cake?

He stops a few paces away, stares in utterly blank inspection, before taking a step closer as he schools a perfectly concerned smile to his face.]

I hope it's not your dessert causing that face, but if it is, I'd be happy to find the baker responsible.

[unseenvisions]

[She looks up, surprised at being addressed, and offers a weak smile that she hopes covers her earlier distress. This will never do. Not in public. It helps no one and nothing.]

No, it's satisfactory. Just a bit wasted on me during a difficult day.

[stackthedice]

-I take it, that's not just from a missed appointment or trouble at work?

[He pauses to put down his bags on a neighboring chair- just because they're too heavy to hold, standing like that. Of course.]

I'd assume I couldn't be of any help... But in this place you can never be sure, so would it be worth asking?

[unseenvisions]

[She smooths out her dress where she sits and glances at the empty chair beside her. If he'd like to take that as an invitation to join her, so be it.]

Nothing so simple, I'm afraid. Though -

There's a boy who's vanished since my arrival here. I've reported to the police, but any information would still be of assistance.

[stackthedice]

[Well, not taking an obvious welcome would be rude, right? So excuse him as he lounges with a properly perplexed face.]

A boy? ...I think I've seen a few, but I might need more than that to go by.

-did the police seem of any help?

[Or manage the flexibility of reaction to imply they'd react to any crime realistically? ...not that that interests him.]

[unseenvisions]

[Cassandra returns to picking at her cake, in order to avoid meeting his eyes. It's - kind, she supposes, of this man to stop what he's doing and inquire after her, but it's also a bit suspicious. The world's a dangerous place.

And Sayyid is out in it, all alone. She's afraid.

For the world.]

Far be it from me to critique authority.

The boy in question is a few years younger than I. A - relative. His hair is blond.

[stackthedice]

[Ah, so they are at least not, satisfactory in their response. He'll have to check for himself if that will work in his favor or not.

But for her, he can only note that the description has a loose familiarity to it. And, since he sees no loss or gain in helping her, beyond a potentially helpful gratitude...]

That doesn't ring any bells, but if he's here at all, it might be back at that complex. A number of people have... moved there.

[unseenvisions]

A complex?

[You have her attention. Would he head to familiar-sounding surroundings? ....She would, but that doesn't indicate anything.]

[stackthedice]

Yes- An apartment building here in the city. My own room, shifted there, so that must be "home" now.

[Not that he plans to stay there long, if he can manage to shift the spot he's chosen into a perfect likeness of true home, but staying familiar with the spot a Yuugi or two might appear?

And where a lady like her might end up a neighbor?]

Does your relative like any of our, company? Perhaps he'll come following them home. Or look for you there.

[unseenvisions]

He's not especially social...

[She weighs the pros and cons of following a stranger to his apartment building. It's generally a Very Bad Idea.

But if there's even the slightest chance she might find Sayyid...that their room might still be there, and he's wondering where she's gotten to...]

But it's worth searching, all the same.

[stackthedice]

That's the spirit!

[And he's certainly a helpful stranger, right? Giving a possible Sayyid spot and showing where it-

He stands up and points down one street, leading to a major road.]

If you take that three blocks, and turn left at the jewelry shop, it should be a straight walk to it. Maybe, four roads on? It's pretty big, you can't miss it.

[unseenvisions]

[She leans forward to peer in the indicated direction, nodding. If she keeps her wits about her, it can't hurt to explore the place, can it? And if there are rooms, and it seems like a trustworthy area, that'll give her somewhere to stay....

Her load seems to lighten slightly as she offers him a smile.]

I'm certain I won't. You have my thanks.

[A beat.]

So you're - from the hotel, as well.

[stackthedice]

I stopped through for a while- But forgive me if I don't stick that close to the complex.

We have an entire city to explore this time, after all.

Complete with cake.

[Motion to said item?]

[unseenvisions]

Indeed.

[Another little smile, and she attempts to eat a piece of her slice. Happy birthday to her.]

I - do recommend this flavor. It's...the least I can do, after you've been such a help....

Thank you for dw access, phone. >.>

[stackthedice]

Hmm? Well, that's definitely something, miss. You've given me something new to try.

[And here he was setting a bunch of old endeavors for himself! But, a job half-done...

That explains his gall in wiping some icing off the edge of her plate to try, right?]

[unseenvisions]

[Ah....

She's not sure how she feels about that, and shifts away with a nervous smile.]

How - is it, then?

[stackthedice]

-delicious!

[Actually, he's not that fond of such an overly sweet thing, but he doesn't want to say that. If he can play at friendly with a Mutou, he can grin and bear some icing!]

You should relax and enjoy that, before you leave. No opportunity this place offers should be wasted, right?

[unseenvisions]

[He - is he trying to make her nervous on purpose? She doesn't know what to make of him.

So she sits up straighter and splits her cake evenly with her fork, almost smiling.]

That's surprisingly positive, for someone in your position.

Admirably so.

[And she takes another bite of her cake, now that she's determined not to be intimidated.]

[stackthedice]

[Now now, there's a difference between taunting and prodding people. He can't let this city fill up with glum people with cake! (Think of the patrons he'd end up with...)

So a little mood pickup just makes him look satisfied.]

Why not? No time passes back home, right? So this is free time to further my goals. I can experiment as much as I want without wasting time.

[unseenvisions]

[Experiment....She begins to eat more quickly.]

I suppose I've been more focused on the unknown element. Hence the admiration, for those with greater foresight.

-unlike this cake triangle right here, which just ended. *sob!*

[stackthedice]

Not a problem! I just, embrace surprises as a career.

[And someone's not the least bit reacting to her shift. Or trying to fight over the cake.

Instead he's standing with a long-suffering sigh, eying up his bags.]

Sorry, though. I can't let myself ignore my chore any longer. I have some supplies to deliver.

;o;

[unseenvisions]

Ah, then please - don't let me keep you...

[She stands, pushing her chair out, to bow slightly.]

And twice as many thanks, in that case, for stopping to encourage a stranger.

>x> At least there's totally no irony in this tag.

[stackthedice]

No need to thank me! I was curious, so I came over. To pass up a sad lady, just to rush a little work...

[How would that be, hmm? He lives for his father's vindication, but if he gives up the little things, turning up along the way? What life is that?

Well. Too bad he can't wave, with those bags in his hands.]

Later.

Small blessings. <3

[unseenvisions]

[She nods as gracefully as she can. It's unfair of her to be so suspicious. If he's told her the truth, then he's helped considerably...

And he did take time out of his day for her. But even so.]

Until then.