maskormenacelogs | i think i'll follow the sun

[ Please... please have pity on the poor fool, for he knows not what he does, Karen... ]

From what I understand, Matoi has also recently returned home. I lament missing the chance to speak with Senketsu in person. It would have been a unique opportunity - the kamui weren't generally heard by anyone on our world. Matoi and Senketsu's relationship was largely unique.

[ A nod. ]

I heard something about that. It was definitely something to process, what with... alien fabric and all.

[ Her attention trails to the shelves once more, moving down the aisle in search of pre-cut white fabrics now. She knows she had seen it earlier when she began roaming the store. ]

It was exciting for him to have a humanoid form. Probably would have shown off, too.

Life fibers are closer to threads, really. The percentage of them woven into different fabrics had a... range of effects on things, but for the most part, they was inert and stitched in instead of comprising the entirety of any fabric.

[ ... Iori ends up keeping pace, indirectly watching Karen instead of scanning the shelves for himself. He already knew what his interests were here. Right now, he's continuing to converse until he hears a dismissal. ]

It would have been an interesting development for both him and Matoi.

[ It's not too long before she finds what's left of the white fabric. She carefully picks one out, checking it closely for any loose threads before depositing it into her basket.

Then she grabs another one. ]

They sounded pretty dangerous from what Uzu and Senketsu had told me. Alien invasion...

[ She rolls her eyes remembering that. ]

Seems like some things don't change across the universe.

[ What an interesting sweater-pancho you're designing, Karen.

For his part, Iori shrugs, watching her pick out fabrics with... a kind of curious abandon. ]

They were incredibly dangerous. Their function was parasitic. Infect a host, multiply, then kill the host to help spread them further through the universe.

[ Standard parasite behavior for ones that attack and kill host bodies. ]

You had your own alien invasion to contend with?

[ Quite clearly she's trying to recreate something similar to this. ]

Where I'm from we've had a number of invasions. Maybe more we don't know about. Aliens are just sort of normal.

[ She says with little to no inflection, like she isn't from another planet herself. ]

Then you've got your villain of the week, gang of petty criminals, genetically engineered animals, etc. Something is always going on, whether you're in Manhattan or Metropolis.

[ Clearly. Just avoid blue... okay... ]

Sounds like living in a comic book.

[ Even more so than a manga, though there are anime more episodic like that... and he's nerd enough that this is the way he draws parallels. We're so sorry, Karen. ]

Is it worldwide, or primarily focused in the United States? Presuming Metropolis is an American city where you're from... Manhattan is, on my world.

They actually make comics about our superheroes. Plus merchandise.

[ She has a Wonder Woman mug! It's the loveliest. ]

There are superheroes around the world. I... guess we have the highest concentration? I'm not sure if you've noticed, but our news is very American-focused so worldwide news can slip us.

[ She wishes she can go into details about the heroes around the world. The ones from South America, Europe or Africa... ]

There are a few cities that don't exist here. Gotham, Metropolis, Star City...

I've noticed.

[ But noticing here doesn't make it true for where she's from. He's aware of that, too. ]

Interesting to note which ones stay the same.

[ Goth...am? Really... Metropolis is common enough in various mediums that it's only when he starts listening to her list that he really quirks up his eyebrows. Huh. ]

Are you from any of those yourself?

I guess it's not earth without the Big Apple.

[ She laughs a little. ]

I... moved around a bit, though I'm living in Manhattan nowadays. Needed a fresh start.

Turning over a new leaf has certain advantages.

[ Some of them are in second chances. Most the E4 would know about that; not all, but the majority. Including Houka. ]

I hope it's been what you needed.

It's been an eye-opener, thank you.

[ Iori is so... different in comparison to the other Honnouji students. They were a spirited bunch and it often showed when holding a conversation with them. Iori is polite and poised with his responses. ]

How long have you been here, by the way? Settling in alright?

[ She just hasn't seen him worked up - it's easy to seem less spirited when he really doesn't need to be hitting those notes of seriously invested fellow student or calling out direction and handling the details of his own work and pursuits.

Everyone at his school knew the worth in being able to yell when they needed. For... some reason. ]

The start of the month, and well enough, thank you. Being in the United States is an adjustment. The different context of world events has been more fascinating than anything else.

I'm guessing our sushi does not compare.

[ Karen... there's more to Japan than its fine cuisine, especially sushi. Still, she can't resist a joke to lighten up the mood. ]

I know it's not exactly easy being in a different universe, but I am kind of glad to hear Houka's got you and his other friend around.

[ What she wants to say is it seems he lost so many of them in such a short amount of time. She might want boot his rear sometimes, but he's still a kid in her eyes and someone who could probably use all the friends he can get. ]

... Among other things. The fish selection is different.

[ Sub-par, and the sushi here is a joke as far as preparation. Not like he has strong opinions on it or anything. (Even if he did, he wouldn't be vocal in the voicing of them.)

What's more curious and easier to focus on is that someone who doesn't claim to care for Inumuta much at all is a little glad that he has more of a support system than before. Then again, Iori knows he's here after most the rest of the E4 and even Matoi Ryuuko's own support network had been here. It's all a curious mix when viewed as a whole. ]

It's to most people's benefit to have a system of support in place... for personal and professional reasons. He'd be appreciative to know you agree.

[ More like he may be a little surprised and still a shit about it, but that doesn't make it less technically relevant or true. That Iori can say so with a straight face has more to do with his sense of humor than anything else. It's sincere... but also aware of various of the E4 flaws and failings. Inumuta Houka does not make friends easily, but he's loyal, doggedly so, once he has made them. ]

[ She can huff and puff about Inumuta and kids like him as much as she wants, but for all her threats about sticking someone to a flagpole or throwing them out a window she could never do that. (Well, so far he hasn't managed to drive her into literally kicking his butt as punishment for something stupid.) ]

Not everyone is so fortunate. There's plenty who are brought here who seem to be the only ones from their world.

[ You're a good woman, Karen. It's actually making him more interested in you than he had been before - not that he'd been uninterested. One looked at all available avenues of progression when washed up on foreign shores. ]

It's almsot more startling all of us aren't in that position. From what I've been told and discussed with others - [ mainly Inumuta ] - there are times where one person arriving might foretell several they know arriving as time passes, but as frequently, and more so, that hasn't been the case. How long people stay also has little consistency.

I count myself among the fortunate knowing it easily could have been otherwise. Or could be, in the future.

[ For all Inumuta has said he's more worried that Iori, too, will leave, just as suddenly as he's come. ]

[ Which is what makes it so difficult sometimes to help soothe anyone who's demanding to know when they'll get to return home. They don't have a solid answer beyond "It could be any time". ]

The Porter picks at random... at least that's what I've gathered so far. There's a number of people from the same world, but I'm not privy to how that works. I've seen people suggest some sort of... radiation trail. I don't know; it's not something I think I'll ever understand.

I don't know if we need to. Accepting something as it is and learning ways to work with it is different from an intimate understanding. Any work with the technology and... essence of whatever drives the Porter is probably better approached from that angle.

[ Understanding being impossible where acceptance will simply need to do. ]

[ Sometimes it is the better option; the one that won't keep you up at night, driving you mad trying to figure out how it works and why it defies everything you've ever known.

She shrugs her shoulders, a hand on her hip. ]

It would be nice to know how to send people back.

I agree this would be nicer if any of it were by choice. Coming or going.

[ But it isn't, so they'll have to deal with it on that level instead. ]

Yeah.

[ It's somewhat tempting to inquire whether he would choose to stay or go, but it's also an invasive one at that and Karen has manners most of the time. She leaves the question aside, shifting her focus to her basket and the counter at the very end of the aisle where a bored cashier sits reading the newspaper quietly. ]

Anyway, I should get going. I've got a mouth to feed in a bit. [ And so he doesn't get the wrong idea: ] Cat.

It was nice meeting you, though.

Likewise, Ms. Starr.

[ And he bows again, this time more deeply than before. It's a sign of respect... for her attitudes, if nothing else. ]

Have a good day... and good luck with the cat.

You as well. Thanks for the advice about the machines. I'll definitely look into a proper on.

[ Using her free hand she waves, then walks down the aisle toward the cash register to check out of the store. ]

i think i'll follow the sun

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im so sorry if random icon betrays us

have you been using random icon this whole time

when tagging at work about half the time i have to /face in hands

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