minglingworlds | katherine in streets ( katherine

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katherine in streets ( katherine | open )

(( Choose a scenario below or write your own! I'm flexible o7
She's new, so please bear with me. Apologies in advance for the slow. ))

a. rain & coffee

[What a relentless downpour.

Sure, she was expecting rain, but this hadn't exactly been what she was hoping for when she dragged Vincent out today. It came on so suddenly, too... but there's still so much to do. They can't afford to lose any days, especially with the both of them working so much lately to pay for it.

Their wedding...

Katherine sighs, shielding her face (and glasses) with her hand as she presses forward in a dash. She knows there's a coffee shop up ahead -- maybe they can at least wait out the storm there...? Something sweet...

...]

Vincent. Hey, be sure to keep up...

[She shouts sternly over the rain, glancing back for just a moment. Hearing no response and not seeing that familiar goofy face, though, she slows -- her expression hardening.

But it's too late.]

Vince --?

[Wham.

She slams right into someone in front of her. Her glasses loosen and nearly fall off her face, and she hears the clattering of that person's belongings all over the pavement.

Damn it.]

b. night circus (cloud maze)

[Okay... so there's a circus in town tonight. And for some reason, Katherine isn't questioning whether she's too old for this (she definitely is). She wanders around what is apparently a maze made of clouds, which makes he feel extra childish, but... isn't that just fine?

Isn't this supposed to be fun?

Something nags at the back of her mind: like why hasn't she heard about this place on the news? Why is it only here now that the sun's gone down... and why didn't she notice anyone setting up at all?

If someone looks like they could possibly be an employee of the circus, she may approach. Otherwise, she'll wander blissfully by herself, trying not to fall...

And anyone near by may catch an occasional rare smile of hers.]

c. zombies?

[First it was all over the news. Something about a deadly virus. Of course, Katherine didn't want to believe it herself -- she was far too busy to get involved. Isolated incidents becoming more frequent, they said. She questioned the newscasters' sanity for reporting such a thing. She questioned her own sanity.

But then it happened.

The smell of blood and exposed flesh, when she so happens to stop at the store for a gallon of water -- preparing for this so called "emergency" coming. The hungry snarl that gets louder as she approaches the check out counter. The feeling of foreboding when she realizes it's entirely too quiet, and she hasn't seen a single other customer.

...Nor anyone on the street.

The cashier turns, revealing the ugliest face she's ever seen in recent memory. Katherine's eyes widen in fear and disgust, as the thing opens its mouth, looking far too interested in her. If it was once human, it isn't anymore.

She screams. The only thing she can think to do, despite the fact it's likely to make it worse.

She remembers she has a knife for protection -- she reaches for it in the purse at her side, but it's too late. Her legs have already made the decision for her, and she starts to back away.

She's running, and the sound of the store bell rings in her ears as she bolts out the door.]

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[He's not supposed to be here. He's supposed to be protecting Prince Zen, he's supposed to be forever by his side. He can't watch his back like this, nor can he watch Kiki's--

But here he is. His hand is on the hilt of his sword already as he tramps down step after step with his boots; he's out of place in his medieval garb, but that doesn't seem to matter, not when it's already practically a ghost town.

He doesn't want to know why that may be.

But when he hears a scream, his knightly instincts kick in, and he runs, drawing his sword--and upon seeing a woman running from a monster creature, Mitsuhide acts automatically, sweeping his blade around in a perfect arc to behead the thing. He's not usually one to go for the killing blow, but when things are this serious, there's really no time to waste. And that creature was horrifying.

Even with his sword still held out at the ready, he has the time to glance over his shoulder.]

Are you all right, miss?

[She might just be cowering, hands over her ears as the killing blow is dealt, because it's all a little too much. Her eyes are closed, like maybe she can wake herself up somehow, if she concentrates hard enough. Maybe Vincent had been right about the nightmares all along. But when she opens them again, looking for the source of the voice she'd just heard, there's only the face of a stranger.

Friendly though he may seem.]

I... [She's about to answer that she's fine. She is so close to regaining her composure, she can feel in her grasp, but then she catches sight of that thing's head. She looks away from it, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth -- though luckily she isn't so far gone as to actually throw up.] It's... It's disgusting, I can't believe...

[Her voice rises in pitch, and she can feel her breathing and heartbeat steadily quicken. She wills herself to slow down, now that the immediate threat has passed: She's fine. She's fine.]

[...ah. Of course. A young woman who isn't accustomed to things like this shouldn't have to see them. He quickly sheathes his sword, moving to step closer to her with his hands up in a clearly non-threatening gesture, speaking as soothingly as he can.]

I don't know what is happening here, but...we should get away from this place. Everything will be fine, but--it isn't safe here.

[Perhaps not the best thing to say to someone hysterical, but he sure is trying.]

[The soothing tone does help. She counts her breaths as she listens to him, pointedly looking away from the remains of that thing, and after a moment, she's almost back to normal.

She isn't about to throw up.

And she's going to be fine.]

You're right. I... [She swallows, correcting:] We'll go.

[Let's go. But where? Her eyes start to wander, her head swiveling and it looks like she's trying to think.]

[At the very least, now that she's a bit more calm, he has no problems taking charge. This is his job, after all (after taking care of his prince, but he can't worry about that right now, he just has to trust that Prince Zen can manage on his own for now)--and so he nods determinedly, taking in the lay of the land before gesturing towards the edge of the town. Better they get away from all of these nooks and crannies.]

Let's head this way. I don't trust all of these dark spaces. [areas for them to hide--and while he can fight, he doesn't want to put her into any more danger.]

I'd feel better having a better view.

[She should've thought of that first. She's not a fighter, not really, but she is used to taking charge in other ways, and she isn't thinking like a leader now.

Now that her life depends on it.

She nods, agreeing with him -- allowing him to lead, until she can get a hold of herself.]

Me too... [This is the best course of action. Yes.] Okay. Let's see how things are over there.

[At least if they try to sneak up from behind, Katherine will be able to see them. She can be useful, taking up the rear. She hopes.]

[He just takes a deep breath in response, nodding once easily. So long as he stays calm, she will too, hopefully. It's unfair to expect too much of a civilian in a situation like this, but....well, they have to survive somehow.

So even as they walk, he offers her a bit of a smile, because it's the best he can do for her.]

I'm Mitsuhide, by the way. I hope we'll get along--you can count on me for anything, just so you know.

[Katherine's head had been swiveling, trying to keep track of what felt like too many things at once. Dark spaces, trees, hiding spots, alley ways, places she didn't even think about --

When she hears Mitsuhide's voice, her attention returns to him.

Things are quiet now.]

Huh? [......introductions, right.] Oh, yes... I'm Katherine.

[And because she doesn't remember saying it before:]

Thank you.

Ah--

[He wasn't really expecting thanks, so he's a little surprised, though he recovers quickly, smiling at her.]

You're welcome. Let's try to get out of this mess in one piece, all right?

[It's quiet, and he's glad, but he's still pretty tense--not that it'll stop him from giving her those smiles, because it seems like she could use them.]

Do you know of any safe places around here?

[It feels natural enough to her, to give thanks. She's finally starting to feel a little bit like herself when she nods, cracking a small smile; she will definitely make it through this.

She has to.

She takes a deep breath.]

My apartment isn't too far, and we're going in the right direction. It... should be safe. [But Katherine admittedly isn't sure about anything anymore. She lets out a sigh.] I... I haven't been back since this morning.

[workaholic, this one]

[...he's really not in any position to judge, seeing as how he works just as much, usually. MARRIED TO THE JOB...it's a good thing.

But he nods simply.]

Let's try that first, then. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, so I trust your judgement.

[LET'S GET AWAY FROM THE ZOMBIES...]

Lead the way.

R...Right.

[The idea of home is enough to motivate her. Not that Katherine makes habit out of inviting over strangers, but he did save her, and things are apparently more dire than she'd realized...

She sighs. She never did get the water she stopped for, but hopefully there would be enough left.

She'll worry about it later.]

This way, then. It'll just be a couple more blocks.

[And so they go, turning a corner first thing.]

[OFF THEY GO...

Despite his smile to put her at ease, he's pretty tense. Monsters could be lurking anywhere, and it's impossible for him to tell. So he keeps a hand on the hilt of his sword, eyes peeled for any hint of danger.

They turn the corner without any problems, but honestly, the silence just makes him more tense.

... ... ...]

It's a good thing we're not that far from it.

[Ah, yes. Making conversation, how does she do it again?

... ... Katherine nods with ease. It's a small thing, but the reminder that they don't have very far to go does help somewhat. She knows this route like the back of her hand.]

Yes, it is. I don't tend to travel very far, unless my work requires it...

[She sighs quietly, as if trying to keep focus.]

Sometimes I stop by that store on the way home, when I don't have time to shop for groceries.

[TODAY...was apparently not that day.]

[Conversation isn't easy when the situation is as tense as this, but...hey, they have to do their best. Or at least, he thinks so.]

I see... Haaa, I suppose those monsters ruined your shopping plans?

[He shakes his head.]

I'm sorry to hear that.

...It's all right.

[She's a big girl. She generally knows how to adjust herself when her plans go awry, but she hadn't been expecting undead corpses. Zombies.

... ...

They keep going.]

Listen. I hate to ask, since it seems like this is your first time here... but have you ever seen those things before? Or... anything like them?

[That's a very good question--and unfortunately, the answer he has isn't great, and he knows it. He sighs, shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck.]

I'm afraid not... it's the first time I've ever seen them. They're pretty horrifying though, aren't they?

They... They shouldn't even exist.

[She hadn't been expecting much from his answer, though maybe a part of her had hoped. Hadn't he been pretty skilled with that sword, after all? Still... maybe if they talk about it more, she can work something out about them...]

It's like something you'd expect to see in some second-rate horror movie. Our town isn't usually like this. [Obviously.]

[...obviously. He just laughs quietly at that, shaking his head.]

I understand that. And honestly, I'm glad to hear it. That sounds like it'd be a terrible place to live.

[zombies would make real estate prices go down so far.]

[Katherine laughs a little too, in obvious agreement--for the first time since this fiasco started. They turn another corner as the quiet streets continue to haunt.]

What I mean is that I never even believed in them before today. But you're right.

[She pauses then, realizing how little she knows about him yet still.]

What kind of place did you live in, before coming here?

[...never...believed in them? He tilts his head curiously at that, pausing.]

You've heard of them before, then...?

[...oh.]

Ah--but I'm from the Kingdom of Clarines!

[Does that mean he... hasn't heard of them... She's just going to tilt her head as well, keeping up with the mutual confusion going on here.

Particularly when he answers the question.]

It must be a pretty secluded place if you haven't heard of zombies.

[btw that's what they are. Also probably a nice way of saying "what rock have you been living under" -- don't mind her.]

Just think of them as undead monsters.

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katherine in streets ( katherine | open )

c because why not

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