[Jackie Maradona]

[attr="class","susurrus"]

[attr="class","jikan"] [attr="class","hiraeth"]私は世界を変えたい

[attr="class","achee"] [attr="class","castleonthehill"] ❝ Jackie had, until this point, preferred to keep her life separate from her work. Not in the absence of her personhood necessarily, but rather, in the division between a civilian identity and her vigilante persona who, despite its designation, was perhaps closer to her truth than the former was. With that said, Jackie found herself in a position where her blacks and whites blurred into a pool of grays; she'd unintentionally come into the responsibility of another person, a reality she'd never wanted or expected of herself. For the longest time, she'd dedicated herself to remaining detached from everyone and everything. Not that she enjoyed this isolation — she'd be the first to state the contrary — but that her duties prohibited her from indulging in such things. Before anything else, even including herself, this mission was everything she was staked upon. Even if it meant she was washed away in the end. But in this instance, her moral mission stacked a new obligation. In her path towards a better, kinder world, it was the responsibility of all to take on those who were lost and alone, to take on those who'd fallen between the world's cracks. To leave anyone — whether they were a man, woman, or child — in such a state was the antithesis of her beliefs. So, she had acquiesced to that conviction, bearing the responsibility she'd saddled herself with. She didn't fully understand this person, though. Quite frankly, she didn't believe she could comprehend all that they'd endured, especially when considering the circumstance she'd found him. Despite her ideals, Jackie wasn't well-equipped in handling such a delicate situation; truthfully, she wouldn't even call herself equipped in handling most people, and her seclusion left her without the support system necessary to have someone more capable. It was such that brought Jackie to her current decision; she called upon The White Queen, Ishtar, and hoped in the seemingly infinite ways she was perfect. Though the two had found one another in... less than preferable circumstances — the night at the bay still weighed on her mind for a number of reasons — the vigilante didn't know a soul better capable than the wish-granter. Though, that might have been more a result of Jackie's failings. But, as one of Loki's directors, it wasn't an issue of clearance to contact her; through the ENKI system, she called upon Ishtar. "Look," she had said, "I've come across something — someone — 'trange." It was still odd to realize the former cryptid as a whole person, something the vigilante still needed to remind herself of. "They're 'tashing at my place for the time being, but I can't always be watching them. Or, well, I can't alwash be hovering around them — I don't know how to explain it, but shou'll under'tand once shou see." Sent along with her message was an address — an apartment nested near the heart of Tokyo — indicating the place she called home. Jackie would have preferred to keep her place of residence a secret from her colleagues, but given the circumstance, she wasn't inclined to be picky. "Ju't please don't draw too much atten'ion; I'm not trying to live that public life li'e shou." ✉ tag -- Yukine Kobayashi Sonya Chernovna ✎ 528 words ※ Unprepared Responsibility

[attr="class","ache"]

MADE BY MIZO

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[Sonya Chernovna]

Even if i become The vehicle arrived in the dead of night, the lights in the alley dimming before going dark just as it pulled in close. The car was finished with a matte black paint that seemed to absorb the light around it, giving it a hazy appearance, difficult to discern its shape, make, or any details for that matter. Moments later, a pair of utiltiy vehicles moved into position at either end of the block, creating an obstruction. The wish had been, in part, for discretion, and so it was granted. A man in a respirator mask and hood got out of the front passenger door of the car and moved around to the rear of the driver-side. He opened the door and bowed low, allowing an ethereal being to step out. Her glow tightly restrained and dimmed down to the lowest degree she'd tolerate, Ishtar stood in plain view, what looked like shopping bags in her hands. Behind her, a pair of men in white, high collard coats and thin black glasses over their eyes fell into step. She entered the apartment building from the rear, as she did, one of the spectacled men held up a device. The cameras set up on the building buzzed once before settling into their normal cycle of recording. Again, she did not break her stride until she'd ascended the steps to her destination. The guard opened the door ahead of her and stepped out to check if the coast was clear before she strode down the hallway and to the door. She didn't knock, a single message came through the ENKI system to the device on the other side. "I'm here. You have one minute to let me in." the devil himself Jackie Maradona Yukine Kobayashi

made by eden @ gs and thq

[Yukine Kobayashi]

Yukine sat upon the floor of the apartment, his back to the sofa and bulbous head inclined slightly back. From here, the room rose up around him to swallow him up– even the seat of the couch was above the level of his head when he sat. Was this what it meant, to die? To be converted into pure energy and then… reborn as some pale-haired foreigner’s robot-son? It could have been worse, he supposed. He could have been reincarnated as a toaster– or a toilet. That was infinitely worse than having free room-and-board, and an almost-human body. A fan sputtered on in his chest, keeping the inner workings of the armature cool.

There was a lot the young lad still didn’t understand, and much that his mind couldn’t make sense of. And try as he might to pull information together, all he had were specters of what once was, floating around in his mind, without context. Sometimes he forgot who Jackie was– forgot where he was, or how he’d gotten there– or even who he was. That was okay, though. Jackie said it wasn’t surprising, since Yukine had been alone for so long. Maybe things would start to make sense as he rejoined society– at least, as much as one tiny robot could.

His attention waned, slipping into that all-too familiar fuzziness. He supposed it was kind-of like taking a nap, as his mind was still very human… but without eyes to close, he just kinda faded out of awareness instead of totally shutting-down.

A metallic voice jarred the robot from its reverie.

< “I’m here. You have one minute to let me in.” >

Yukine sat-up, optics swimming towards the front door. Funny, he hadn’t heard the doorbell, or knocking– nor did he think Jackie was expecting guests. Well, she could have been. He may have just forgotten. The robot rose stiffly into a standing position, its little rubberized feet squeaking against the floor.

“Coming-!” he called-out, as if by memory, “One moment! I have little legs-”

The diminutive robot ran for the door, looking towards the knob with trepidation. It was just out of reach, even if he jumped. And he definitely couldn’t reach the lock. Yukine retrieved a chair, using all of his might to push it. The feet of the chair groaned with protest against the tile, announcing his route towards the door like heralding trumpets.

Another great feat was scaling the chair to its seat, then striding across it to flick the lock and pull at the handle. Yukine battled briefly with the chair to get it away from the door, dropping to the floor as the door swung open. From his almost-meter off of the ground, he inspected a woman with even paler hair than Jackie’s. Everything about her was pale, except for the vibrant pink eyes that stared back.

“Is… Jackie? Expecting you?” the small robot inquired. His keeper’s name had almost escaped him, but Yukine had held it tight at the last minute, against all odds. Whether or not the woman answered him, Yukine would begin to tug the chair away from the entryway, followed by more protesting squawks of chair legs-against-floor.

“I can’t… let you in… unless Jackie expects you…” Yukine explained, “...regardless of your self-imposed time frame.”

Having returned the chair to its table, the robot trotted back to the entryway, ready to halt– or at least hinder– the woman’s advance, should she be uninvited.

[Jackie Maradona]

[attr="class","susurrus"]

[attr="class","jikan"] [attr="class","hiraeth"]私は世界を変えたい

[attr="class","achee"] [attr="class","castleonthehill"] ❝ The sight sat before Ishtar was a bizarre one, even beyond the appearance of the being this whole meeting had begun because of. Just beyond the entryway was a clear view of the living room, with its spacious design directly conjoined to the kitchen. The only markings of their division were the island between the laminated wood and tile floorings. Though, likely as was to be expected from the vigilante, her coffee table and countertops were littered with a number of blueprints and other electronics. Then again, it was an odd sight for someone who preferred to keep their affairs away from prying eyes. Turning the corner came Jackie herself, with her hands working to pin her hair into a bun — a loose one with her attention towards it (or lack thereof) — while her focus fell onto Ishtar. Should she think of her by that title at this juncture? Was that even a relevant question at this juncture? Jackie wasn't sure — she'd rather her thoughts be anywhere else but the tension of having the villainess in her home. Even if Ishtar had no intentions of making the Argentine's life troublesome, she couldn't deny the anxiety that came with the power that stood before her. That alone clung to the back of her throat, growing in its grasp as it snatched her breath away from her. Even as she continued forward toward the admin — forcing from herself an air of calm — she felt the unease biting at her. Even further, Jackie dressed herself rather casually; her coat had been hung in the living room and her bracers remained in their inactive states, and thus, her only means in the worst of scenarios were away from her. Her attire was equally restrained, with her donning a simple pair of jeans, a white undershirt, and a thinner jacket with a pattern of tridents along its entirety. She'd have liked to attribute this apprehension to the sheer force of presence with which Ishtar held herself. But, from an understanding of objective fact, their lone ability as a force beyond her pricked at her mind. To someone such as Jackie, whose strengths lay in the immaterial and abstract, it was impossible to imagine the capacity that lay behind even the villain's whims alone and what they might result in. Had they so desired, the vigilante could have already disappeared from this world during the later hours of Babel — but, to her relief, she'd been spared. But now, she'd invited the force with such capacity into her home, asking for their help. "It's okay, pibe," she'd start, stepping to his side. "She's our gue't for today. Plea'e be poli'e to her, shes?" She'd have liked to reassure him of his safety, but she couldn't convince herself to do so. Not in good conscience. She'd just have to hope that being well-mannered would suffice. As her gaze shifted forward to Ishtar, her view would inevitably fall to the bags in her hands. With a raised eyebrow, Jackie's gaze would flick back and forth between the items and their carrier, unsure as to the meaning behind them. She hadn't recalled asking for material help. Was this some part of their game? An elaborate ruse, perhaps? "...Ju't coming from a shopping 'pree?" She'd inquire with a tilt of her head. "Come in. I'll, uh... Well, I'll ma'e some 'pace if shou want to set those down, okay?" ✉ tag -- Yukine Kobayashi Sonya Chernovna ✎ 568 words ※ Come in, come in.

[attr="class","ache"]

MADE BY MIZO

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[Sonya Chernovna]

Even if i become Ishtar stood on the other side of the door in silence, not a sound coming from her save for the faint rasp of her breathing through the mask. There was a sound of movement from the other side and her eyes narrowed, then another sound. A small voice. The words were so... Ishtar's breath caught a little and she dropped the bags, anticipation building as the two guards on either side of her looked on in confusion. She could hear the chair being dragged over, slowly, with every ounce of effort, oh it must have been so difficult. How small was this being? Then there was some clattering on the other side. Ishtar checked her watch, fifty five seconds, but the door swung open. Ishtar was relieved, her word was her bond, she would have left. However those thoughts were blasted from her mind when she saw the tiny creature standing in front of her on the chair. The little fellow moved the chair again, the guards looking at Ishtar's still form, she didn't move an inch since she saw the little fellow. It was only after several more heartbeats and Yukine's adorably defiant stand that Ishtar finally couldn't bear it any longer. Her hands went up to her face.  "Oh you are so cute!" Ishtar started, delight clear in her voice despite the respirator making her sound like a dying person. She reached down and wanted to pick up the little thing when she spotted Jackie step from around the corner. Her eyes went up and she offered a pleasant smile with her eyes, inclining her head, "Something like that dearie, oh you didn't tell me this one was so cute! That's not fair at all! I would have come sooner!" She sighed and got a bit closer, "Can I pick you up, please?" She asked as the guards moved in with the bags to set them inside. the devil himself Jackie Maradona Yukine Kobayashi

made by eden @ gs and thq

[Yukine Kobayashi]

Yukine stood with his hands upon his hips, his LED-eyes thinned to a third of their normal height, and his LED-mouth nonexistent, which made the screen of his face appear to be scowling at the woman that loomed above him. He may have come up to the woman’s knee, but he was doing his best to be intimidating. Jackie stepped-in beside the diminutive creature, reassuring him of their guest’s presence.

Be polite to her? Was she someone important?

“I’m always polite,” Yukine said primly. Both he and Jackie knew that this was not always the case. And, as evidence to the contrary, the woman wheezed-out a more amicable greeting. Optics winked uncertainly.

“This body is cute, I suppose,” the robot agreed, “But… thank you.”

At least he’d thanked her for the compliment. Yukine began to move away from the pair, allowing them to talk about… whatever women talked about. The silver-haired guest was fixated on Yukine, though. She crooned after the orange-plated robot, pleading to pick him up.

Yukine’s optics blinked again. How embarrassing, to be held like a baby just because you were small! He was a man, darn it! A man with dignity! At least… he thought it was. Would it be impolite to say no?

“Alright,” the robot agreed. He held his small, infantile hands up towards the lady, indicating that he was ready. They might as well get this over with.

“Are you… a friend of Jackie’s?”

Already, the woman was demanding to hold him, and he still had no idea who she was. She was just a stranger, demanding to hold him.

[Jackie Maradona]

[attr="class","susurrus"]

[attr="class","jikan"] [attr="class","hiraeth"]私は世界を変えたい

[attr="class","achee"] [attr="class","castleonthehill"] ❝ Jackie couldn't grasp what pulled on the villainess' sensibilities. One moment, she fit the bill of a calamity — descending upon the world like a lightning storm — while she squealed with delight, like a steam cloud's hiss, the next. Jackie's fingers only passed through the wisps of what she was, never taking hold or even touching her. Though she hid a contented sigh, Jackie's body loosened, swinging her balance on a leg and placing a hand on her hip. For whatever monster Ishtar might be, or for what kind of saint Sonya was, the vigilante couldn't imagine an interest in harming the little guy. Frankly, she couldn't imagine anyone thinking to do so. She should have figured his toy-like shell, with its simple shapes and even simpler functionality, would draw towards it the wisps Jackie couldn't herself hold — but was it not her who built this vacuum of whimsy? "Try not to infanti'ize 'im," she'd muse, stepping away from the door, with her rhythmic steps dancing through the hall and towards the living room. The laminated wood, a bright sheen of rich mahogany, made no creaks beneath her. "'e's no' a doll to be tossed a'ound and plashed with." With a flick of her index and the tapping of her steps, she'd beckon for Sonya — and her guardsman, should she so desire them — to follow. Whether or not Yukine did so independently or within Sonya's cradling arms, she didn't decide. "If shou're going to 'ave shour men inside, plea'e 'ave them keep their hands to themselves, okay? I don't want them accidentally brea'ing my work." As the sight of her living room came into view, the vigilante's many unfinished projects would be left on full display, many of which still had their nerves and organs exposed for all to see. Their creator had yet to give them their flesh, and now, with the presence of her new roommate, they awaited whatever new home they'd be given. Passing by the island countertop, with hands rolling up papers she'd yet to find space for, Jackie tilted her head towards the living space. Its main couch, with its deep velvet cushions and assortment of colorful throw pillows, as well as the two wing chairs on either side, gathered themselves upon a black roundtable, turning about the barren centerpiece as their focus. A little stepladder had been placed at the couch's foot. "Ever tried maté?" ✉ tag -- Sonya Chernovna Yukine Kobayashi ✎ 405 words ※ Lil Fella

[attr="class","ache"]

MADE BY MIZO

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