kibounotenshi

[kibounotenshi]

Now that he was fully dressed, Nanami led him out of the room and into the courtyard. She took him through the window, of course (without bothering to explain she was only doing so because the patient was not technically supposed to leave his room yet) and found a shady spot beneath a secluded oak.

Nanami was unsure what to do from here. Her intention had been to get the patient some fresh air, but...now that they were outside, she was at a loss.

Nanami was...bad at socializing. And although it was somewhat comforting that the patient was not a chatterbox, she also wondered whether or not he found her boring. She had never worried about something as trivial as being boring when she was a program; it seemed almost ridiculous to her now.

To make matters worse, Nanami felt her eyelids getting heavy. It seemed narcolepsy was a carry-over from her virtual life to this one. She jolted herself awake when she felt her head lolling against the tree behind them, and turned to address the patient directly.

"Ah...Do you...enjoy the outdoors, Mister...?"

And with that, Nanami's head promptly flopped onto his shoulder as she fell asleep.

(ʀᴇ)ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ [ᴏᴘᴇɴ]

ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ minute spent in the twee company of this one, it feels to be becoming only more difficult for him to care that he truly is here, being cared for. By Chiaki Nanami herself, needless to say, but also by those before her ─ however manner in number. To begin with, somebody must have known that there was some semblance of life within him still, hence his being here in some resthouse rather than in the ground; he’d remained unconscious for most of his care thus far, so to be awake for all this now…

Solitude might suit his sort well enough, but nor is he without gratitude. At the very least, he has to thank her upon her triumphant return, a change of clothes in hand, for her concern.

He turns away from her then, so that he might have some privacy as he pulls gown off and tunic on. For one without any name, let alone anything more— intimate, perhaps, the prospect of receiving a by-name of sorts - so soon into an acquaintanceship, at that - is a strange one. Not an unwelcome one, however: it occurs to him as much as to her that he cannot go without any name whatsoever until his returns to him. So, once more, he’ll humour the girl.

“‘Mr Grimm’, you say. Hm. It is as good a name as any.” There’s a moment’s silence as the contemplative fellow pulls fussily at the tunic’s loose arms, each in turn. It’s no better a fit than the nightgown, really, and some breeches and footwear would have done nicely too. At the same time, there can be something said here about beggars not being choosers, but what he has will suffice for a simple wander. Once satisfied (or as much as he will be ─ a mental note is made to inquire about his own wear later, certain as he is that he couldn’t have turned up in only his braies), he turns back towards his company— and seeing her swaddled in the blankets for the first time only now, he can only smile.

Not in a dry, barely amused manner, but actually smile, however much of a ghost it is. What queer company they make for another.

"…No, I rather fancy it. I fear your…’authors' are lost on me,” (they are after his time, alas) “but it sounds rather pleasant on the tongue nevertheless.” He frets one last time with his wear before announcing plainly, “You may look now ─ I am modest once more.”

[kibounotenshi]

"...I've been here for...Almost a month. It feels like...it's been longer than that, but...I really haven't been here much longer than you, I'm sure."

"Besides...I learn pretty quickly."

Nanami dabbed a little at the most obvious wounds with a kind of salve she had been given as a gift by a tier three healer. It wasn't as good as a healing spell but it would do the job. She eyed the man somewhat reproachfully before introducing herself.

"My name is Chiaki Nanami. It's...a pleasure to meet you."

She paused for a moment, unsure whether or not it was appropriate to say what she wanted to say, when her patient was easily a few years her senior.

"What exactly did you do...to get these wounds?"

[Wilson Pickett Voice] Mustang Nagi (Open/Intro)

[kibounotenshi]

Nanami could hardly believe it was so easy. Just show him around? She had expected much more out of the...man (she made a mental note to ask him about his species) than a simple tour. Perhaps because she was used to people taking advantage of kindness by now, Nanami had really expected this man to ask her for something...bigger. 

CHIAKI NANAMI: Oh. Okay. CHIAKI NANAMI: I mean...yes...I could definitely do that. I think. 

She nodded up at the person's face before turning to gather her things and lead him out of the courtyard. She made it a few paces down the road before pausing, realizing she had forgotten to collect some vital pieces of data. She turned back again. 

CHIAKI NANAMI: First...I have some questions. CHIAKI NANAMI: Where, exactly, would you like to go? I...know a little bit about this area, but...There's a lot to see. CHIAKI NANAMI: Second...what is your name? CHIAKI NANAMI: And third... CHIAKI NANAMI: ...What kind of person are you?

Tact wasn't exactly the first thing that had been programmed into her.

little fish, big hypothetical body of water || closed

[kibounotenshi]

He called her "Chiaki," and it occurred to Nanami that many non-Japanese people introduced themselves with their family names second. She tilted her head a little, considering his question. She had been programmed never to refer to people by their given names if she could help it; it was simply bad etiquette.

However, Ringabel here was obviously not Japanese...So maybe, then, it would be okay...

"...Yes, I think that would be fine, Nanami mumbled, nodding briefly. You can call me Chiaki...if it's more comfortable than using my family name."

Nanami almost laughed at the term "family name," as Nanami had never had family in her short life. There were no other Nanamis in her line, unless, of course, you counted Alter-Ego.

Nanami turned her attention back to the posting board, examining the quests available.

"Ringabel...I think, perhaps, it would be wise of us to gain a little experience...I'm...just a healer, unfortunately, so I can't really achieve that on my own."

She turned back to the young man, a look of determination spanning her delicate features.

"Could we, perhaps...go on this quest together?"

Her finger landed directly upon the "pillow quest," which had been widely mocked by the other adventurers. She looked up at Ringabel with bright, inquisitive eyes of deep, dusky pink.

Cushioned Blows || { Closed }

[kibounotenshi]

By the time it registered with Nanami that she was actually being helped out, the two men who had been harassing her had already hightailed it out of there. She blinked, slow and even, as the...man? who had saved her handed her the backpack that had been stolen.

"...Thank you."

The man before Nanami certainly didn't look human, and by the look of his features and the sound of his voice, he also appeared to be an adult. Nanami had never met an adult human before, period, let alone an adult...whatever he was. She stared at her savior for a few moments, assessing him, before sighing heavily.

"Humans are...really useless in the beginning, aren't they?"

She was speaking more to herself than the person who had saved her. She couldn't defend herself. She couldn't heal wounds. What use was she to anyone if she kept getting herself in trouble? At least while she was a program, she was directed for a specific purpose. As a human, she just felt...adrift.

Still, Nanami knew that human custom bound her to offering more sincere thanks to her savior, so she bowed slightly and fixed him with a more determined look.

"I can make it up to you, sir. My name is Nanami Chiaki. My friends call me Nanami-san, but..."

She hesitated. Was it...respectful to allow elders to refer to you by your given name? She wasn't sure. Either way, she didn't know how nice "Chiaki" would sound in that warbling, rich accent, so she cut herself off.

"...Anyway, I might not be useful for much, but...I'm determined to show gratitude. Any favor you need...I will grant it."

She was really lucky she hadn't fallen into more lascivious hands.

little fish, big hypothetical body of water || closed

[kibounotenshi]

x

[kibounotenshi]

Nanami was wandering through town, making her rounds with a first-aid kit and teaching herself how to patch up more serious wounds than she was accustomed to. Things were going well, relatively speaking. She had tended to a few fractures by now, and even assisted in splinting a break, but...she couldn't help feeling like she'd made a big mistake.

Of all the skills available to her, Nanami just had to pick one that didn't actually allow her to heal wounds. It was, of course, of utmost importance that adventurers be inspired in the heat of battle, but...honestly, now that she had seen the havoc those monsters were capable of wreaking, she was fairly certain healing wounds was more important.

She trudged along with her sad little medic bag, drooping a little under the weight of the realization that she might never live up to her full potential as a healer. That scared her a little, to be honest. And, just when she was beginning to consider throwing in the towel and attempting to re-class herself as a mage, a walking medical disaster presented himself to her.

Nanami blinked a few times to register the surprise of this...profusely bleeding wreck of a man. After a moment's pause, however, she nodded sharply and gestured for a nearby stump.

"Of course. I'm a healer, sir. I can get you patched up in no time."

It was a pretty standard script, really, but the more Nanami recited those words aloud, the more she began to believe them.

[Wilson Pickett Voice] Mustang Nagi (Open/Intro)

Talk about an interesting turn of events. He’d only really been…non-possessed for about a month or so, and now he was being dragged out of his world and into some weird, new one? Not that he minded - it was a lot like Mundus Magicus, what with the strange creatures and interesting people. The magic here was different, that was for sure, but otherwise…well, he didn’t mind it so much.

If anything he was more worried about the verbal and physical beatdown he’d get from his wife, if he ever managed to get back…or if she ever managed to get here.

Not a pleasant thought. Not a pleasant thought in the least.

But now that he’s here, he might as well enjoy it, right? After all, he’d already met his roommate - and what a beautiful lady she was. Friendly, too. Way nicer than his wife’s whatever-many-greats-grandfather. At least he didn’t have to worry about getting possessed while he was here…probably.

Either way, he figures he should at least test out his significantly weaker powers, right? After all, he had to see what he’d be working with here, and if he needed to push himself to become obnoxiously strong like he was back home or not. So what does he do? Well, he does what any reckless, overly self-confident man would do. He finds himself the nearest, most intimidating looking creature in the area…

And he casts Fire Bolt on it. The creature - a rather bulky, moose-looking thing - turns to face him, its fur aflame and air blowing heatedly from its nostrils as it paws the ground with its hooves, angels its head down… and charges him. Now, he hadn’t quite considered the fact that he wasn’t going to be nearly as fast as he normally was. And so, before he can dodge, the moosebeast-type-thing’s antlers are already hitting him directly in the gut. And he’s being trampled over.

"Shit. Bad idea." He manages to grunt, eventually rolling his way out from under the beast and jumping in the air, then flying as fast away from it as possible, watching in mild horror as the beast - still on fire, at that - chases him until he’s nearly in town. He lands not far from town, limps a bit, and watches as the moosebeast-type-thing slows down, seemingly uninterested in him now that he’s a walking piece of bruised and battered meat.

Nagi vowed to himself then and there that, one day, he’d find that damned thing and get his revenge. For now, though…

"Anybody got a med kit? Some ibuprofen? I think things are broken I didn’t know could break."

[kibounotenshi]

My Chemical Romance - Dead! (8 bit)

[kibounotenshi]

little fish, big hypothetical body of water || closed

Chiaki Nanami was not accustomed to being harassed.

She had, prior to Pyli, lived out her existence as an A.I., programmed to instill hope in the hearts of her friends. For that reason -- and because her friends generally respected each other (with some minor slip-ups on Souda-kun's part) -- she had never gotten and sort of flack for her odd behavior, blunt tendencies, or appearance. In fact, while Nanami knew that harassment was a very real and serious thing, the idea that someone might do it to her was frankly unfathomable.

So, she sat alone on a stump outside a tavern, placidly chewing on her rabbit stew. And while the two young men at her side grew increasingly pushy, scooted increasingly close to her, and continued to exchange leers behind her back, she remained unfazed by it all.

That is, until the taller of the two men grabbed her backpack and teasingly held it over her head. Just out of her reach.

Nanami got to her feet and fixed the man with a stern look.

"That...doesn't belong to you," she said.

"It's my property...and...it's filled with important things. I would appreciate it if you put it down."

When the man demanded a "smooch" in exchange for her property, Nanami's expression shifted from seriousness to anger. She made a bid for the bag, only to have the object thrust even higher into the air.

"Give it to me..."

But it didn't seem like that was going to happen anytime soon.

[kibounotenshi]

By mery ※Permission to upload this was given by the artist

[kibounotenshi]

"Something...suitable..."

Nanami realized with a jolt that the person was only wearing pajamas. That wouldn't do at all. She nodded once to herself and left the room without saying anything, jogging down to the laundry room and rummaging briefly in the pile of folded, dry tunics that probably belonged to someone else. When she returned, she placed the clothes gently on the corner of the bed and nodded once, decisively.

"I...hope they fit. I guessed your size."

Nanami proceeded to strip the blanket off the empty bed and wrap herself in it, cocoon-like, so that the stranger would have no doubts about whether or not she was attempting to peek at him while he undressed. It was a little stifling, being wrapped up like that, but Nanami didn't mind. Anything to make this strange, strange person more comfortable.

She only hoped she was doing it right.

While Nanami was half-suffocating within that cocoon, however, it occurred to her that it wouldn't do to walk around calling this person by...what? Anonymous? Patient-san? No, she had to give him a name, even if it was only a temporary one.

"If you don't mind...I'd like to give you a nickname. Just...something to call you, until you remember your name."

Nanami squirmed a little in the oppressive heat of the blankets.

"You seem like...something out of a fairytale."

Albeit a dark one.

"Would you mind if...I called you Mr. Grimm? Like...the fairytale authors? I always have had a soft spot for them."

(ʀᴇ)ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ [ᴏᴘᴇɴ]

ʜᴇ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ sᴀʏ precisely what he had been hoping for in response to his confession ─ if, indeed, he had been hoping for anything in the first place. At the least, however, he knows he had not been hoping for any grand fuss to be made: her as a mere stranger (however kindly), to have had pity would have been…peculiar, in a word. Perhaps not something he would have wholly deserved, and instead something he’d have felt - he suspects - a margin uncomfortable about receiving.

Still, even if he considers what could have been only with himself, he’s guilty of presumption. Her admittedly rather lacklustre reaction actually suits him well, and the amnesiac contents in distracting himself elsewise while he has the company.

The throwing-open of the room’s curtains - and the sunlight which subsequently fills the place - ironically does less to brighten his day, figuratively speaking. While she beams at the prompt lighting of the otherwise dingy room, his own instinctive reaction is to grimace. His eyes are not those accustomed to so sudden an exposure to light, understandably enough, but that he is left squinting gently even after having allowed a few moments for acclimatisation has him doubt that they take kindly to the daylight at all. It’s a queer thought, and doesn’t bode well for his time ahead, yet he can’t not continue to appreciate the girl’s gestures: here she is, visiting him as one might a socially-impoverished, bedridden child.

It’s almost endearing.

Of this, too, the male says nothing ─ let it be another aside to the audience. The prospect of a meal does nothing to pique his interest, and he momentarily thinks of noting so much aloud; instead, for the time being, energy is owed to first swinging his legs around, then to standing from the bed to his full height and stretching his long-rested limbs. He catches himself shortly afterwards, retroactively sparing some reserved excuse for his stretches, before once more turning to face his guest. All at once is he made aware of the ill fit of what bedwear he’d been dressed in, accommodative as it is of his height but not his frame, but no shame shifts his expression.

"—A walk would be…rather pleasant, I should think. All the more so if I have been here for some days already." There’s then a couple of bleary blinks, another tug at the loose neckline of his clothes, "A pity if I cannot change into something more suitable, but no matter."

[kibounotenshi]

Cushioned Blows || { Closed }

Nanami had resolved to become stronger. However, as a Tier One healer, she wasn't likely to do this without a little...extra assistance.

So, she sat by the quests board for hours at a time, sizing up potential questmates who could lend her their strength. Most of the people who approached the board seemed to have coupled off with someone else. Nanami felt her patience wear thinner and thinner with every passing second.

She was a great gamer. Practically a pro. But even a novice would know that a healer needs offensive assistance if they want to gain any experience for themselves. So, Nanami waited. And waited, and waited.

And finally, when she couldn't wait another second, she hopped to her feet and strode toward a promising-looking figure. 

"Excuse me."

The young man carried himself proudly, with a certain swagger that could either be harmless self-confidence or sheer arrogance. Nanami didn't really care which. She needed a blade, and if this stranger had one, she hoped he would lend it to her.

"My name is Nanami Chiaki. I'm a healer. If you don't mind me asking...what's your class? And...I suppose...your name?"

Clearly, her priorities were straight.

[kibounotenshi]

Somewhere along the line, it occurred to Nanami that she couldn't even heal anyone yet.

She and Clear bounced around from inn to inn, attempting to tend to more and more wounded soldiers; but as they progressed, they were repeatedly (and gently) assured by the Tier Three healers in earshot that they could be of no use until they leveled up. Nanami hated to sound defeatist, even in her own head. But the more she heard she couldn't do anything, the more she felt... 

"...Useless."

Nanami hadn't meant to voice the word aloud, but found she didn't even care that she had. She sat with Clear on the rim of a fountain, while a nearby tavern emitted raucous sounds of celebration. Nanami ran her finger around the rim of her tankard full of water, and was surprised to find her own reflection in the darkened liquid actually looked...melancholy.

"I...I don't know about you, Clear-kun, but...I have to get stronger. I have to level up. Otherwise...what will the point of me even be?"

Nanami tightened her grip on the handle of her tankard until her knuckles went white.

"I know I'm not...the most important player in Pyli. I know nobody depends on me. However...I would like to be of some use to someone. If I make friends, or...if I become important to somebody someday...I don't want to just sit idly by and watch them get hurt."

Nanami fixed Clear with a stern look.

"Clear-kun...do you have anybody here who's...important to you?"

A.I., Ai || { Closed }

[kibounotenshi]

Nanami completely sidestepped the final remark about cats making everything better, instead opting for leaning toward Roxy, narrowing her eyes.

NANAMI CHIAKI: You said RPG video game? NANAMI CHIAKI: Can I assume that means you're also a gamer? Like me?

Nanami appraised the other girl's appearance, pursing her lips. She...looked a lot like the person Nanami herself had been programmed to emulate. The hair, the stature, even the cat on the front of her shirt. It was all as if...As if Roxy Lalonde were the genuine article that Nanami Chiaki had been unsuccessfully modeled on. The only difference was, they had failed to program Nanami with any semblance of social grace. She crossed and uncrossed her legs under the table. 

NANAMI CHIAKI: Well then...Miss Lalonde...Roxy, I mean.

Oops. That was an embarrassing little slip-up. 

NANAMI CHIAKI: If you don't mind me asking...What kind of games are your favorite? Do you have a specialty? I'm pretty good at puzzle games myself, although platformers are pretty easy for me as well.

In actuality, Nanami was good at pretty much all kinds of video games, since she was essentially a walking computer program, set to Hard Mode. Still, she set a handicap for herself in an effort to appear more...human. 

NANAMI CHIAKI: I'm...worried about the fact that there are no consoles here...or even electricity. Although... NANAMI CHIAKI: I think...if I work hard enough, I'll be able to find some way of making consoles appear in this world. Perhaps...a mage could help.

Nanami trailed off into muttering, lost once more in her own head.

P R E S S S T A R T T O P L A Y || {CLOSED}

[kibounotenshi]

|| "...I see."

Nanami pursed her lips. It was...troubling, to say the least, seeing someone in such a state as this person was. He couldn't remember how he came to be here. He couldn't even remember his name. Nanami couldn't help feeling she was unique to Pyli, in that she had been granted a gift by arriving in this strange place; after all, had she never arrived in Pyli, she would never have been granted the gift of life. Real, human life.

Determined to brighten the stranger's day somehow, Nanami stood and threw open the curtains, smiling at the brightness that filtered in.

"We could, perhaps, take a walk? Or...if you're hungry, we could get something to eat. I know you aren't...technically supposed to leave this place, but...staying in one spot for too long never did anyone any good."

Nanami turned expectantly to face the patient.

"...It could be our little secret." ||

(ʀᴇ)ᴀᴡᴀᴋᴇɴɪɴɢ [ᴏᴘᴇɴ]

ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ the lost man bears no intention to inspire any discomfort, in spite of what keen interest he takes in watching even her slightest movement, and he is appropriately silent for one in his condition as she grants him the first of many answers to (hopefully) come). Already does he have a strong suspicion as to why his presence alone is enough cause for concern: particularly to those purposed with tending to the ills of the living.

However much of a tell-tale sign his pallor and rather sluggish manner are, he admits to nothing yet, and instead distracts himself elsewise.

'Chiaki Nanami'. She had introduced herself once already, yes, though it is this time around that he acknowledges her formality with a slow, almost cautious nod; the name is tried out on his own tongue shortly afterwards, a repetition which sounds admittedly clumsy in his accent. It is not one he recognises, whether generally or personally, and nor is hers a familiar face ─ this, however, he concedes to be fine. No matter their past together - or lack thereof - she appears before him now as a temporary ally of sorts, and even if they are to never cross paths again, he will remember her as the first company he has had upon waking. The thought alone is a vaguely comforting one.

Then it strikes him fully what sorry state he is in not: not only can he not recall his time prior, but nor can he recall himself. For the first time, his expression wavers to betray (though only fleetingly) a glimmer of dread.

And yet only a moment of silence passes as this sudden realisation is processed before he actually laughs. Granted that it is no chuckle, even a titter, the dry one-note hum that it is, but it remains some expression of amusement. That he truly recalls next to nothing of his past, identity included, is not something readily admitted even so, too intimate a snippet of information it feels to grant to a mere stranger: yet perhaps he owes this Chiaki Nanami this much at least, as gratitude for her apparent concern.

"—Pardon ─ I fear to admit you would do better in…in seeking such answers from another." A pause as he reaches up to tug absently at the loose neck of his wear, "I— cannot remember."

[kibounotenshi]

By mery  ※Permission to upload this was given by the artist

[kibounotenshi]

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