retrospec | forward-dated to 2/5

Yeah it's only twelve feet tall. It's...one of three demonic...I dunno, I guess they're demigods? that my other self controlled. I sorta...regained them.

[She awkwardly turns around and lets her hoodie drop a little lower, revealing the crest of three tattoos across her upper back.]

They kinda live in tattoos?

[well, if it weren't made of demons, it'd be some pretty sick ink. she's quiet for a second; clearly it went on a rampage. but that was months ago. she should be able to control it by now. right?]

Damn. So you and Frey are some of the best people we have if this goes even deeper into war than it already has.

[Rampage is a strong word...even if it's what she said. Most of it's anger was direct at her, and it had tried to turn her friends against her. Minato had been taken in enough that he'd attacked her...and then gone off the app before the relationship could ever be fixed. You don't just get over someone pointing a bow at you in earnest, less so because of the influence of a demon.]

If you really, really want something taken down, I guess so? Mateus gave me, Minako, and Freya a hard time of it in January. Cu-Chulainn, the next one...well, it held Ragnarok back when Freya transformed.

Ultima, the other one, didn't even fight me. It...agrees with me, I think? And the other two are scared of it. [A pause.] Sorry, her.

[damn, this was back with Operator and his sister, or whoever she was to him. she misses Minato. but she recognizes the name Cú Chulainn even if it does take her a second to realize that's what Pen said—Gaelic, man—and that sounds like exactly what the Hound of Ulster would do.]

Didn't think these were the kinds of things that did much thinking on their own. [shows what she knows, though.] So what's Ultima agree with you about? Just your whole thing in general? Like, who you are as a person.

Oh, no. They are. They're a gajillion years old. And they are kinda like...fallen angels? I guess? Rebelled against the gods.

[Which, that's a whole weird thing.]

But anyway, she just seems to like me? She didn't fight, she just gave up. Said our goals align. She's kinda like an angel, and I think maybe I sit well with her because I'm not going out being evil.

But I'm willing to bet she's got a long game planned, and not having to fight me probably serves her interests. [Inside, the spirit rumbles a laugh, because yeah...Pen has her pegged, but unfortunately only Pen can hear.]

They obey me though. And they're really, really powerful. Plus they can't die? so, if a fight breaks out, yeah I can just let them loose, and if they die they just reform inside my tattoos. Like...shock troops, but mostly pretty ugly.

Damn, Pen.

[it's all she can think to say, really, after a moment's contemplation. what else is there to say? her friend's got warriors inside her, and she wasn't much of a slouch on the warring side to begin with.]

If this is what you were bringing to the table against Ragnarok, I'm not surprised it backed down. Looks like I wasn't the only one getting better. [a pause, and a wry grin.] Guess you missed the chance to fight me when I was all ready to be a real swordswoman. Now I'll be missing shit left and right all over again.

Should've seen me down against the brain. That thing never stood a chance.

Honestly, Anna? I don't wanna fight anyone. But I understand the sentiment, at least. I just...hell, this is all a lot, since I'm just a nerd with a computer at heart.

[But, she grins.]

Doesn't mean I'm less proud of you for beating up that brain though.

Well, at least we've both got computers at heart.

[Anna cannot help but grin back. it's more of that dark humor, but it's what she's got to work with right now.]

I just did what I had to do. Same as you, yeah? We're all just fighting to keep the people and places we care about safe. Guess you... missed that little revelation I had, too, huh. [and the grin gets a lot weaker.] It's nice feeling like I have a purpose, I guess. Takes some of the weight off when shit like this happens.

Yeah. Purpose is important. But don't let that be your only thing. Find time for enjoying yourself, even if you have to seek out new hobbies.

[Is this a subtle way of saying drink less?]

What, like not getting fucked up anymore? [she gives Pen a knowing look, or at least as much of one as she can give.]

I don't have blood. No alcohol, no THC. I can still do them, but they don't do anything for me anymore. I was going to the gym more, but... [sigh. she really doesn't want to say what's on the tip of her tongue about going out in public.]

I get you. Maybe...try something new, for real. And I don't mean dreaming of electric sheep.

[Heh...]

Maybe it's dorky, but I got a spot in one of my tabletop games.

Tabletop? Like, roleplaying?

[Anna's eyebrow raises. it's not entirely her bag, but she might as well give it a shot if it's being offered. right?]

I've never done tabletop before. Kind of feels like my life turned into an RPG. What's, um. Who's the game with? Other app people?

Yep.

Former app people at the moment. My cousin, Orihime. And other old friends.

[And because it should come out at some point:]

Sometimes Freya.

Freya? Really?

[okay, imagining Freya trying to be... Hrothgar the Abominable or whatever, that's comedy.]

I mean, just because there's an opening doesn't mean I should be the one to fill it. [phrasing.] It's a lot of numbers and dice rolling and storytelling, right? I'm really bad at improv.

You should. Because it's easy. Even if your character just grunts and smashes things with a giant hammer.

[Just do it.]

I'm imagining you playing a gnome with a giant hammer, now.

[ha. okay, that gets a grin, and one that stays on her face and in her tone while she talks.]

What made you go to giant hammer? Do I really come off like a barbarian to you? And isn't every weapon giant to a gnome?

No, I just figured you'd like that more than a sword.

And everyone likes gnomes with giant weapons. Duh.

Swords are, like, the one thing I'm good at, though. I don't get it. Wouldn't I want to roleplay something I actually know how to use?

[she considers what she's saying for a second.] I guess hammers aren't too complicated.

As someone who's learned to use a...lot...of weapons, yeah. Hammers aren't too complicated.

[Uh. Yeah. She's got that on her character sheet.]

Oh yeah? What kind of arsenal are you working with? I don't really think I'll be diversifying anytime soon, but maybe I won't have to.

[after all, she's only ever gotten memories back of A2 using one-handed swords. surely there can't be any other weapon types in that world.]

Uh. My parents taught me how to shoot, but this is...a bit of a long list. I remember how to use knives, spears, airship cannons, hammers, Dalmascan martial arts, and a shillelagh. Retrospec's also given me a magic knife, a magic spear, and a magic rifle. So, all that?

[Yeah. Just. Yeah.]

[her eyebrow raises again, and she leans back against the wall.]

God, Pen. The list of shit you don't know how to fight with is shorter. Well, cool. Now I don't have to worry about you defending yourself when Zee starts sending all of us on these missions down there.

Were you worried?

[Real talk...she'd be surprised if she was.]

It's a figure of speech. [there's a confident look on her face.] You're one of the people I'd expect to see leading the charge.

Hah. Maybe if I had an army.

[...that wasn't little creatures...]

I dunno, Anna. We'll see. Hopefully there won't need to be many more expeditions.

forward-dated to 2/5

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