here we go again

[iwasrussian]

Who: Natasha and OPEN!
What: Getting settled
When: First week after returning
Where: Various
Warnings: Will update

It was like déjà vu, only of another world and not her own, though she knew exactly what the fate of her outcome was there. Now she was caught in some kind of middle plane that no one quite knew a lot about. Even the ones who'd been there years and before that somewhere else that had all of the same uncanny similarities.

Natasha woke up in her old suite at Magnolia and found the basket at the end of the kitchen island. In it were the same items from home and the same invitation to a party at the Tower. Everything was so damn reminiscent of the last time she had arrived that she had to look at the date on her phone to understand why she felt so unsettled. And that's when she saw it. The date. Last she remembered, it was February. Now it was July 1st.

So, where the hell did five months go?

She spends her first week passing through each of the districts, refamiliarizing herself and taking note of what was still there and what wasn't, all the while keeping an eye out for a certain Atlantean King who she steadily lost faith would be returning as days wore on. But, she spent time at the shoreline down at the end of Chicory Way where she had her modest-sized bungalow kept waiting for her.

In the second half of the week, Natasha connects with other Chosen and willingly engages with anyone she remembers or with those who look slightly out of sorts. If she's not dining in at one of the various restaurants or stops in to grab a drink at The Blind Beggar or The Lounge.

Comments

[abeautifulgame]

"Red Lantern District," Damien answers after a glance over his shoulder at the building at his back. "Think like every little red light district you've ever seen on TV."

There's no shortage of brothels and (probably) opium dens, he's noticed. He's also a little disgusted by it, if the tone of his voice is any indication. Sex, drugs and rock and roll have never really been his vice. He's only hanging out here because he lives here, apparently. One of these days, when he regains some of his resources, he'll need to find somewhere nicer.

[iwasrussian]

Natasha isn't ready to assume he's a Chosen. She's already run into a few demons who tried acting the part and done a pretty good job in almost having her believe that they wanted to help a damsel in distress. But lucky for her, she'd had her fair share of run-ins with villains and alien things alike.

"I've visited a few myself," she looks off, then brings her gaze back to him. "It has that same running theme of being creepy."

A shrug.

"Are you one of the recently arrived?"

[abeautifulgame]

"No argument," he agrees, a wisp of cigarette smoke following his hand as he waves it dismissively. He takes a moment following to take a drag off of it, then on the exhale, answers, "But yes.

"I've been here -- however long I've been here." Come to think of it, he's not entirely sure. The Void didn't have much of a concept of time, so he's stopped trying to keep track of it. It's a habit he's going to have to get in the, well, habit of again. How odd. "A week, maybe?"

Yeah, let's go with that.

"You?"

[iwasrussian]

"Same. Long enough to figure out where the best places are to get a good Reuben and espresso." Because that's clearly what is important when you're visiting a new city.

She gets closer and extends her hand for a more formal introduction. "Natasha."

[abeautifulgame]

"You'll have to share. I haven't had a good espresso since I left home." It's absolutely important.

Regardless, though, he passes his cigarette from one hand to the other so he can reach to take hers in the shake. When he leans back, he passes it back, takes another drag off of it, and on an exhale of smoke answers, "Damien.

"You'll forgive me for not getting up." His fingers drum against the brace, drawing attention to it.