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 Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:26 am
~::The Nekata Clan Okina Estate::~A fairly luxurious estate situated in the residential areas of Okina City but near the outskirts, this multi-bedroom abode was once the property of Master Summoner Nyssa Nekata and her beloved husband Nakamori Nekata-Kushida. Forced to move out after several years of marital bliss, raising their daughter Nova together, Naka stayed here alone as his wife moved to Kobe for some time, until recent events required Naka to move to another location in the nearby town of Inaba. Now mostly empty, the house is a welcome location for recreation and relaxation for members of the entire Nekata Clan, with the key located in the family's traditional secret hiding spot for any Nekata to find and use as necessary. Has also been used to lay low once or twice, but mostly, is a vacation location for Nekata looking to get away for a little while...primarily a certain Banchou of Yokohama...but now, Evie Nekata and many of her allies form the Future.
The house itself has several bedrooms, including a King-Sized bed for the husband and wife who used to live here, and a children's bedroom for the daughter they had. There are numerous guest rooms, a fully stocked kitchen, and a beautiful koi pond in the back that is tended to by neighbors when the Nekata Family members are not around. It is a spacious, but not ostentatious estate that could house a dozen people with relative ease, and more with a little less.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:54 am
Eve "Evie" Nekata  It had been a strange morning. A strange night, really. Nightmares didn't plague the cheery girl usually, and whenever they did, Evie would usually brush them aside, knowing that they were just fragments of her overactive imagination, and probably because she had taken something too greasy for dinner the night before. This time, she was almost certain it hadn't been the case. They had arrived in this time and space not so long ago, and there really wasn't much to eat without money or a map to know where to go. Apples and a few energy bars she had taken with her from the future was all she had had... and that certainly wasn't something that caused nightmares. And as much as she had tried to brush this nightmare aside...this one clung to her like an annoying mosquito that buzzed in her ear without end. Well...if the mosquito was huge and terrifying. It was more like...really scary. Not annoying. Yeah.
Anyway, she had woken up startled, and even if she had continued with her morning ritual like usual -stretching and dressing and doing her hair and beaming at everything that passed their way, wishing them a good morning- the images still flashed at the front of her mind. A lot of people had died. Lael... Lael had died. A knot tied at the pit of her stomach at the memory, and for once, her smile faltered. His words echoed in her mind, and her heart ached. She didn't want this to happen. She didn't want...to be alone. She didn't want this to come true. Even if she repeated to herself it was nothing but a dream, there was something nagging at the back of her mind. As if...this was more than just a dream. Hopefully...she was wrong, and the apple she had had last night was rotten and had upset her stomach.
The ashen haired girl shook her head energetically, almost as if wanting to untangle the rotten thoughts out of her mind, before looking back up with a bright smile and sparkling eyes. She hadn't mentioned anything related to the dream to her companion, acting as sunny as always as she explained she wanted to find a house where they could stay instead of the little spaces they had been camping at for the last few days. "It's my great aunt's and great uncle's house. I don't think there's anyone staying there though. My dad used to tell me there were Nekata homes all around the country. And if a Nekata was ever in need for a place to hide or stay... they were always welcomed! You see..." she neared her companion, in an almost surreptitious manner, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper, "there's a hidden key in a super secret place!" The girl bounced back expectant, hoping for a reaction from her dark haired companion. "I am a Nekata too, sooooo... we will have a place to stay!"
Evie giggled, taking Lael's hand as she hurried down the path. "We are close, I know it!" And sure enough, the estate appeared on the horizon. It was a nice place. And it was big! She was surprised to actually see it in person. She had heard only stories... and while her home back in the village had also been huge, she was excited to step on a house that had been her family's. Not that she was hoping to find anyone inside, but still... maybe she could find a thing for two that would let her understand how these people were like back then. Or well...right now, she guessed. It was still so weird to be back in the past. How bizarre would it be to see her dad way younger... and the planet not consumed by the Corruption. And she'd see her aunts and uncles and cousins and... ah! She was getting too excited.
Evie opened the gate, and waved at Lael to follow her. "It's okay, I promise!" It looked bad, she knew. But she really wasn't breaking in! She promised! Her big, violet orbs turned here and there, looking for something in particular. The girl paced around the estate, all the while looking and feeling like a little girl again, until finally she found it. Or she better say... she found them. "There! Can you keep a secret, Lael?" She giggled, approaching the little, ugly garden gnomes by the entrance of the luxurious estate. They almost seemed out of place in this traditional home. "Aren't they cute?" No, no they weren't cute.
And just like that, Evie picked the ugly red cap from one of the gnomes...a key sitting on its ugly bald head. "Aha!" There was nothing containing her excitement now. The girl bounced on her feet as she held the key between her small hands. "It really was here! Wow! I am part of the tradition now! I found the secret key!"
The nightmare...the nightmare could wait. She wasn't even faking right now. She really had pushed it to the back of her mind for the time being, her shining smile turning to her companion. "Now, come on. I'll give you a tour. Not that I know what it looks like inside, but...you know what I am saying!"
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:38 pm
Lael Sonoda, the Voice of the Dusk
"She walks in beauty, like the night...Of cloudless climes and starry skies"It was the colors that really stood out the most.
Anybody who looked at the world from which he had come and the world that they were in now, they might not realize it, but the biggest difference was undoubtedly the change in the colors of the world between them. His world had been dying, muted mixtures of blacks and greys and whites and browns on the better of days, but this world, the world that had existed before their own had been Corrupted...it was kaleidoscope of greens and reds and blues and yellows and all the colors of the rainbow and a thousand other shades, all blended together in a way that just felt right in a way that his own world's muted palette never had. It was full of energy and life, growth and the changing of life from old to new, young to mature, and the very blue of the sky spoke to a world that was not ruined in the way that the darker days and nights of the Bad Future had been. No, there was nothing that stood out quite so much as the color, and amidst this new world his beloved companion Evie seemed so much more at home...swathed in her whites and rich blues and starry, night-colored cape. She belonged in this world of life, her shimmering eyes practically beaming as she took in all the sights that had always been denied to them by the opaque sickness of the corruption. She was bright, like life itself, and she fit into this place so very well. This world, a living world, is where a star like her deserved to shine.
He could not have felt more out of place here. And thought he wanted to shine with his pale moonlight skin alongside her, something about his muted character and the darkness within him seemed so wrong in the daylight, in this living world, in this place where Evie Nekata belonged so completely. Was it...right for him to still be here with her now?
His red eyes, ringed in the black of countless sleepless nights and his skin devoid of the light of the sun beneath washed out black locks, did not seem right next to the brightness that she embodied. They were night and day, star and moon, a celestial body and a pale reflection. And even as she tried with all her might to implant within his spirit the optimism that she radiated with, he could only reflect her own excitement and joy in many ways. But that wasn't to say that he didn't appreciate what this world offered, that he didn't bask in the colors and the beauty of this world, and in his heart he felt like poetry, words stringing together to describe a sight that only a handful could ever fully appreciate after having been in a world like their own. It was just that...his life was complicated, and he was something other than the people who had always tried to support him, the person who stuck with him through all of his life and forgave him his vast and unforgivable sins. He didn't belong with them...not really. And even when he wanted to help, to stand beside them, even in that dream that had seemed so very real...in the end, he had proven himself to be beneath the trust they placed in him. He did not embody life, no...he tainted life, corrupted life, ended life.
Still he couldn't find the will within him yet to leave her behind again. Not yet...not when she tried so hard to put her concerns behind her, to make him forget the morning when he had woken up before her feeling so certain about all that they had seen...to ignore and reinforce him after she had seen him curled up and looking like a ghost wrecked with the guilt of condemnation for sins that he had never really intended. She smiled and she took his hand and hurried him down towards the estate that she had described, her family's home, but even as they stood outside of the impressive estate he wondered if he really belonged in this place. This house that was hers, not his, and this life of good people, of decent, hopeful folk that he could only...inevitably...corrupt and upset with his own twisted demons. He offered an unsure smile as she waved him inside of the gate of the home, and he momentarily considered making a break for the treeline there and then, disappearing so that she would never have to worry about what he might do to hurt her ever again, the way he had in that awful dream. But she would only pursue him again, he knew that...she had risked the Corruption to find him, she would not hesitate to search in this more forgiving and beautiful world that was now their home. It wasn't the time to be selfish, to leave her behind. And he didn't want to...not really. Even if he knew that it was the right thing to do.
"Evie, are you sure this is..." he trailed off timidly as she moved towards the unusual little gnomes and lifted a hat, causing him to pause and raise an eyebrow at the family's "traditional" hiding spot...and was that entirely safe to hide it there? He didn't have much time to think, because she was already bouncing, clutching the key between her small hands and thinking about the tour she was going to give him of this home that was now...in a strange way...her own as much as anyone's. Her home...and he was there alongside her. Somehow, even though he knew it wasn't true, it almost made him feel like he...belonged. In the back of his mind he registered that word and felt the fear and panic it sent through his body. He couldn't afford to get comfortable, to let his guard down too much, to rest. Because he knew that if he did...the moment he believed he was safe...
'Bael...'
He shook his head. No, now wasn't the time to worry. Not when they were here, in this beautiful place. Not when she was trying so hard for his sake. He wouldn't take this from her. He wouldn't dream of it. For once, and for the first time in years, Evie Nekata was home. And even if he didn't really know what that word...meant to someone like himself...he knew that it was something that mattered. So he nodded and curled his lips into a faint smile, moving closer to the door but not fiddling with it or making any specific effort to get inside more quickly, his eyes more distracted by the beautiful flowers, the garden, the luscious koi pond, and...
"Oh, Evie..." his lips curled faintly, a smile that was tiny but not at all forced, perhaps a result of soaking in all of her light and reflecting it in his own visage...the way the sunlight reflects upon the surface of the cold, pale moon, "Why don't you take a look inside, first? I'd hate to...trespass, should the house not yet be empty."
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 5:52 pm
Eve "Evie" Nekata She was home. She really was home. And as she slid the key into the lock and it clicked, Evie felt her heart fluttering. Her gaze turned back to her companion, excitement barely contained in bright smile and glimmering orbs. He smiled at her, and told her to go on ahead, and the girl with ashen haired just shook her head, laughing lightly. "Don't be silly, Lael! Of course it's empty! Besides...I want to show you around. Maybe, if there are picture frames inside, I could tell you who is who! Maybe some other day, I could visit the village and meet my parents." She trailed off, stepping away from the door and closer to the tired looking teen, a softer smile on her expression. "Besides... I want you to come inside with me. We could explore together...share the excitement, you know?"
There was something about him, though. Even if he smiled at her just then -- the tiniest of smiles...but still warm, sincere-- there was something bothering him. Evie, despite her flitting personality, could see and know when someone was feeling uncomfortable, sad. Specially Lael. They had been together for so long now... and she had always been there for him. Even...after those incidents, she couldn't leave him behind. Lael was good...he was a gentle soul, struggling with inner demons. But she was sure...she was absolutely positive that he would succeed in the end. And she would be there to help.
So when he got that look in his eyes, Evie knew he was thinking about him. He was thinking of the nightmare. The nightmare that she had been trying to hard to ignore and keep away thoughts from, to keep Lael comfortable. Now she knew it wasn't the correct way of going at it though. As much as she wanted to forget... He had woken up before her, and when she found him, he was curled up, a haunted look in his eyes she had never seen in a long while. It had hurt her, her heart squeezed, seeing him like that.
"Lael..." Her eyes lowered, and she fidgeted with her rich blue cloak. "Are you still thinking about that nightmare? I can't...stop thinking about it either." the girl admitted, turning big amethyst eyes his way. She was troubled, but she wanted to tell him... he just needed to know... "After you...died there, Lael..." the girl gulped, almost as if the word send shivers down her spine, "I was sad. I can't lie. I had never cried so much. You were gone, and I couldn't do anything to bring you back. I ... hadn't been able to help before. I didn't notice you were sick...I didn't know how badly you were struggling." The memory made a knot tie up in her throat, but still, she managed a little smile. They said...if you smile when you are sad...eventually you won't feel sad anymore.
Without warning, the petite girl threw her arms around the taller, lanky teen, burying her face against his chest. She hugged him tightly, and stayed there for a while, letting the silence fall over them for a moment. "I don't want that. I want to know what is going on...I want to be part of your world...I want to help. Let me help." Her voice sounded muffled, but she couldn't stop right now. "I know it wasn't you. It has never been you. You are a nice person, Lael. It was his fault. You were sick and tired...that is why he..." again, she trailed off, biting her lip. "...took over. He was the one who did those awful things...the one who said all those awful things to hurt me and you and the others. But..." she looked up at him, never releasing him from the embrace. "But he lost... In the end, he lost. And I forgive him for making me cry. I know you would never hurt me, Lael...and I don't want you to die." The ashen haired girl smiled, the energy in her eyes. "And we are here, alive and well...so let go of that guilt. If...if there's anything bothering you...anything at all. If you feel awful thoughts swimming or hear him whispering... tell me. I'll hold your hand very tightly! And I'll hug you! And we will talk about happier stuff...and you'll see! You'll see we will win over him. Just...let me in. Please?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 10:21 am
Lael Sonoda, the Voice of the Dusk and ???
"She walks in beauty, like the night...Of cloudless climes and starry skies"He couldn't deny the way that he felt, neither about the events inside of that nightmare nor about the person standing beside him. Her excitement was contagious, but there were so many factors in play that it was hard for him not to worry about whether or not he was supposed to be here.
He was fortunate, perhaps, that Evie could see through him. Her arms wound around him and pulled him tight, burying her face in his chest as she tried to comfort him from the darker thoughts that plagued him. She could see it in his expression, in his hesitation, that he was haunted by the nightmare...and by the shadow of his sin that never quite left him, no matter how hard they tried to put him behind them. And no matter how resigned he was to the twisted fate that awaited him, she would never let him give in...she would never stop fighting to save him. His lips curled up into the faintest of smiles as she squeezed him, and even if he knew he couldn't entirely agree with the way that she passed the buck on his crimes to him, he was grateful that she tried...that she believed in him when even he struggled. If anybody could make him believe...believe that he was still human, that he was still a person, that there was goodness in him that could still be preserved...it was Evie Nekata, of that he was sure. His cheeks flared red against his pale skin as she continued to hold onto him, the energy and affection in her eyes as she asked him to let her in making him shrink just a little in her arms. He couldn't say no to those eyes, to that pleading look, and he knew that even if it was the right thing to turn around and walk away right now, to spare her the inevitable pain of being around him, he didn't want to leave her. He wanted to let her in. He wanted to.
"Evie, I..."
*SLAM!*
"Nyssa! You old hag, is that you?!"
The door to the estate flew open and not two feet from the hugging couple of future kids was a proud-looking woman with washed-out, orchid hair...clad only in a short tanktop and a pair of black panties, a bottle of Okina's finest beer in her hand, looking from side-to-side with ruby red eyes for the woman whose name remained on the mailbox in spite of the fact that she hadn't lived there in years. Instead, what she saw was those kids, her eyebrow raising in surprise as she saw them...mouth moving into an expression of amusement even as Lael's face blushed a fiery red at having been spotted in such a position.
"Hehheh...you kids are so forward these days," she smirked with a fox-like grin, chuckling to herself as she watched their cute reactions, "But you know, this is private property...if you aren't a member of the family, you really should do your neckin' somewhere el...se...?" Her voice trailed suddenly as she took another look at the girl, something...familiar catching her attention. Was it her eyes? Her look? Why did she remind her of...? "Uh, hey...girl? Who are you? ...Are you...Nyssa's kid? Nando's kid? I thought she was younger, but..."
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:34 am
Eve "Evie" Nekata His cheeks were red. Really, really red. The color stood out against his usual pale skin, and Evie found it adorable. Some color suited him, and the had to admit she enjoyed seeing him blushing, smiling at her. It could be said the same for her...she felt her face burning, but...she liked this. She liked hugging him, she liked holding his hand. She liked him. And she knew...that he must like her. A little, at least. That was why he stayed with her...why he let her stay with him.
Her eyes were expectant, waiting for his words. It was all over his face and body language, but...she wanted to hear it. And his timid voice reached her ears at last, and the girl began to smile... until the door behind them slammed open and a booming voice cut through the air like a whip. Evie jumped in her place, startled by the sudden noise and being caught by someone that shouldn't have been there. Huh...so the house wasn't empty, after all. It was a thought that crossed her mind for a fraction of a second, as she looked at the pantless woman in front of them. The ashen haired girl looked like a deer caught in the headlights, frozen in place at the sight of someone living in the house. Someone...that was her family! The surprised look melted into an excited, beaming face as she recognized the younger version of the woman standing in front of them. The orchid colored hair, the way she stood tall, the lax but strong air about her. It was no other than...
"AUNTIE NATSU!!!!" Finally, she let go of Lael, turning to look at him with starry eyes, and then back to the woman. "I ...I found the key! I know...I am..." the girl was almost vibrating with excitement, showing the orchid haired woman the secret key to the house,unable to contain herself from glomping her aunt. It had been so long! And to think she'd find Auntie Natsu here! This was...this was...AMAZING!
Evie cleared her throat, probably looking like a madwoman with her behavior. But it's just that...she was just so excited! "I am Evie Nekata! And this is Lael! We come from the Akarana Corridor. From the future-ish? Not exactly the future, but...yes! It's a long story! But it's so great to see you! Oh! I can't wait to meet Auntie Nana, and Auntie Nami, and Uncle Nagi, and Uncle Nito and Uncle Nala --he is super young right now, right?-- and and and...my dad! and-"
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