yumemigaoka | open 🕊️ june of arc

open 🕊️ june of arc

⭐ Who: Jeannette/Dreamer La Pucelle, possibly her little brother, and YOU!
⭐ When: First week or so of June + 2 backdated Dream Sphere jaunts
⭐ Where: Matsuba and the Dream Sphere
⭐ What: The Lives of the Saints. Okay it's just Jeannette, joansing.
⭐ Warnings: None right now, but there will be fight scenes, so who knows!

[ OPEN - First week of June ]

[ Jeannette d'Arc does not exactly truck with Literature. She has nothing against it, she supposes, it is marvelous that people's minds can think up such things, but she frankly has never quite understood the point. All the daring, incredible stories she's ever needed, she has found in the Lord's word and tales of Dreamers, real accounts of those striving to improve the world.

But her cousin has come, and her cousin is always in a foul mood, and Jeannette wishes to improve their relations. So she has gone to a bookstore, in hopes of finding something her cousin might like that they can read together. Angel-sama says that she and one of her comrades bonded over studying the same texts, so this strategy MUST be sound. Perhaps she will even select something Angel-sama has read, for Angel-sama seems to have read everything - ah, but that is not the objective!

Her cousin likes....."manga" and "light novels"....she believes. Those are over here...? My, how many of them, and their titles are so long---

A cover featuring a picture of a cross wreathed in lilies, however, seizes her attention. What is...Ah, it's a novel, and it looks to have a manga adaptation, as well. ]

"Saint Catherine's School for Girls....."

[ Delighted gasp, when she opens the book and sees a statue of a woman next to a wheel. ]

It is! It is the Saint Catherine!

[ HER BELOVED AND MOST FAVORITE SAINT! Jeannette begins to read, swept up in the story of refined young ladies learning to sort out their differences and draw closer to their bosom sisters within the confines of a private Catholic school. She does not remember the last time a work of fiction excited her so. These girls - they're like her, their concerns, their worries! And the older girls who look after them....oh, they are so noble, so elegant....!

Before she knows it, she's being That Person who's sitting in the middle of the manga aisle blocking everybody else's path. Please call her out, she has no idea.

Just as soon as she's done nearly swooning over this illustration of a tall girl straightening a shorter girl's tie. With a hand lightly, unconsciously placed against her own collarbone. ]

[ OPEN - Matsuba World Market, during the Big Sale ]

Pierre!

[ Jeannette has her head up and her shoulders back, striding through the market. She cuts quite an....interesting....figure, between the bag with French baguettes sticking out of it in one hand and the basket of...plastic bottles and other trash?....in the other. ]

Pierre, where did you go? In God's name!

[ She turns to you. ] I beg your pardon. Have you seen a thirteen-year-old boy? He is in a gray shirt.

[ Or maybe you're on the other side of the market and you round this potted plant to find, surprise, a thirteen-year-old boy in a gray shirt huddled behind it with earbuds in and his cell phone out. He's got it turned sideways like he's playing a game, and when he notices he's been discovered he scowls, blue eyes sharp beneath his mop of brown curls.

"Ssh!" ]

[ CLOSED to Dreamer Rhodonite - Backdated to finals week ]

Ah - aaa aaahh...

[ So "La Pucelle" means "The Maiden" in French. The Dream Sphere is a place formed by the collective human unconscious. The collective human unconscious asserts that a certain mythical animal is instinctively drawn to maidens.

In short, La Pucelle and Rhodonite have arrived in an ~enchanted forest~ area of the Dream Sphere, and every time La Pucelle turns around, she's being approached by Yet Another Unicorn.

They come in all shapes, sizes, and, frankly, materials. (Thanks to the Internet for that robot unicorn over there.) Rather than beings with wills of their own, they're set dressing - but this set dressing knows what it's about. It's about the NAME PUN.

She throws a somewhat sheepish glance at Rhodonite - she is so sorry about this - before returning her attention to HORNHOMMSE CENTRAL. ]

Everyone, take your turn.....!!

[ She keeps almost reaching out to pet, and then stopping. This is - this is temptation! She is here to help Rhodonite gain confidence, and to determine if they are well-suited to being in a Unit together!

SHE CANNOT STOP TO PET THE HORSSSSSE. ]

[ CLOSED to Dreamer Chaosbringer - Backdated to Golden Week ]

[ La Pucelle's heels click against the glossy stone of the Reverie Necropolis. She's frowning into the darkness as they explore. This is a test, she knows, of her ability to command an army - she has to show Dreamer Chaosbringer that she is capable of what her angel claims. She has to give the right orders, and also do her best. These are the two requirements for any victory. ]

The Torments here prefer ambush. Let us prevent that.

[ A flash of her sword, she draws a little circle in the air, and - pop! She's got a little glowing halo that now floats over above her head. So long as it's a "holy" motif, La Pucelle's "Redemption Coup" can take any shape! It's meant to be an attack, so she'll have to fire this sooner or later, but hopefully that can wait until they find a target... ]

Stay close, please.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Bored.....That is still a good hint as to the twin's likely whereabouts! Jeannette seems more relaxed now. They will find him. ]

Then we must seek him around the most interesting activities. Let us see. There are free samples at the food market, and objects from around the world at many vendor stalls....

[ It is the World Market, after all. ]

[Amane's about to open his mouth, and correct her on her assumption, but he thinks better of it and holds his tongue. "Interesting" for his brother would be more racing a shopping cart down one of the aisles and seeing how long he'd last before he crashed, or seeing how many things he could stack on a display until it fell over or broke. Jeannette's suggestions were downright wholesome in comparison to what Tsukasa could be getting up to right now.

But! Her ideas weren't without merit-- so far, Amane's had zero luck tracking his sibling down, so maybe going the unexpected route might pay off after all.]

He does like snacks... let's try the food market, then.

[He pauses for a moment, a thought nagging at the back of his mind, and he muses on it briefly before finally deciding to ask:]

Um... this other boy you're looking for, though. Is he a relative of yours, too?

[ She nods. ] My younger brother. Pierre d'Arc. The crowds separated us...

[ Jeannette does not appear to have gone through a rebellious preadolescence. ]

[Some kids ditch their siblings while shopping, others take on whole new personas while fighting monsters in a metaphysical realm and make themselves other people's problems.

...not that Amane could relate, of course.

It was a bit of a relief to know that Pierre was, indeed, her brother and not just some person she was babysitting, because boy, it would be pretty messed up if he got her into trouble for losing somebody else's kid!! Siblings, on the other hand... well, that was a whole other story, and if the glimpse Amane got of him was any indication, he didn't seem particularly torn up about their separation. (And frankly, he didn't blame him, either) Still, he feigns a look of concern at her words, not wanting to look too unsympathetic when she was genuinely worried herself.]

Well... maybe he's making his way back to you? If we're lucky, we might meet half-way.

[A likely tale if THEY WEREN'T HEADING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION]

So... you guys are French? Your Japanese is really good.

[Much better than his English, anyway!]

[ Jeannette is keeping an eye out for Pierre - or any boys matching the description of the errant twin - as she answers the question. ] Our mother is Japanese. Aside from visits to family, I have lived in Japan all my life.

[ She thinks, then decides to add: ] We have an elder brother, and his first name is Japanese; but it confused his classmates and troubled him, so our names are both fully French....

Ah, but I have not told you mine! I am Jeanne. You?

[Amane's not slacking off on his end either, keeping his eyes peeled for his own brother (or any trail of destruction in his wake), which... has been thankfully little, but it was also a bit disheartening. Just how far could Tsukasa have gotten in this place, anyway? He does have the decency to blush over Jeannette's correction, though, feeling a little embarrassed over jumping to conclusions.]

Oh-- okay then. Sorry, I-- I didn't mean to assume. There's just a lot of foreigners who live in Yumemigaoka, so I thought...

[Maybe he should just... stop there, before he digs himself into this hole any further. When she asks for his name, though, he grabs onto it like a lifeline, relieved for a change in subject.]

I'm Amane! Amane Yugi. [Yes, with the exact same kanji for the word "normal" too, and because he's so used to people commenting on it, he adds:] It's... a weird name, I know.

There is no such thing. Names are precious gifts from our parents, and yours is very nice.

[ She bobs her head in greeting. ]

Good to meet you, Amane!

[He can't help but color a little further at the compliment, and he's not sure whether to feel flattered or embarrassed... maybe the latter, to be honest. One would think he'd be happy hearing that from a girl closer to his age, but... all he was getting was the same sort of placating comments all the old people he grew up with would give him about it. Still, he did what he always did in said situation, and mustered up his most polite (albiet slightly awkward) smile in response.]

T... Thanks.

Um, but it's nice to meet you too, Jeanne-san!

[Before he can get any further into the conversation, though, his eyes spot... something upon the floor. At first glance, it looks like an innocuous crumpled up sample cup, left by maybe a careless shopper... but then there was another one a little ways away, and yet another one further than that. If Tsukasa was nearby, he was about to wind up in some serious hot water.]

... I have a feeling we might be getting close.

Oh, is there something here he'd li---

[ She sees the cups, and a little huff escapes her unintentionally. ]

In God's name! Refusing to litter is not difficult....

[ Bending down to pick the first one up, then head to the second. ]

[Amane blanches a little as Jeannette goes to start picking up the mess, and he scrambles forwards, hoping to beat her to the second bit of trash and beyond.]

Er-- no, wait, I'll take care of that, don't worry...!! This is kinda my mess to pick up, anyway, and you've already, uh... collected enough as it is.

[And the last thing he wants is someone cleaning up after his brother's disasters, especially when he was technically the one who was responsible for him.]

[ His mess? He did not drop the cups, at least not since meeting up with Jeannette, and it makes no sense for them to retread a place he had been in order to look for his brother, no matter how "close" they are getting -

Ah. She turns to look at him, bent halfway over to a piece of litter. ]

You think this was your brother?

[He's already scooped up one of the pieces of trash already, though he can't help but run an exhausted hand over his face and sigh at her question.]

... I'm fairly positive, yeah.

My brother... he isn't what you call neat.

[Nor mindful... nor considerate... it's made sharing a room with him a nightmare at times.]

[ What trouble little Tsukasa makes for his brother...

But, fear not! There is a silver lining to this habit: ] That shall prove his undoing.

[ She is now actively seeking litter, like following a trail of the world's most inconsiderate breadcrumbs....if they pick up their pace, perhaps they can catch the boy in the act....! ]

Wait-- waitwaitwait--!!

[He tries to double task in picking up the trash while also keeping up with Jeannette's faster pace, hastening to scoop up whatever bits and bobs were on the ground before she could get to them first. He didn't intend to throw his brother under the bus like that, but at the same time... it would be a legit miracle if she could get Tsukasa to actually listen to her.

And lo and behold, those metaphoric breadcrumbs pay off, as a short distance away, tucked behind one of the displays is... a boy! There's no doubt he's the one they're searching for, even without the Frankenstein shirt Amane mentioned, as he's practically a carbon copy of the boy trailing behind her. He seems to be blissfully unaware of their approach, happily munching through... is that a whole sample tray of cheese? Oh my god, Tsukasa.]

[ gasp ]

By my banner!

[ Did he take that whole thing for himself? Now others won't get to have any, and he will have a stomachache - she has to stop him! Jeannette marches over to address him in her Big Sister voice. ]

You are called Tsukasa Yugi, are you not?

[The boy that is Tsukasa Yugi doesn't even seem to acknowledge her presence until she sternly addresses him by name, and he looks up at her, those large eyes of his blank and uncomprehending. He stares at her for a long moment, clearly unruffled by the stern tone in her voice, before he spots his twin huffing and puffing a short distance away, trying to catch up.]

Amane!!!

[The boy's face practically lights up, his cat-like canines flashing as he widely beams and dashes towards his twin, outright ignoring Jeannette as he does so. Which... rude???? But there doesn't seem to be a care in his head as he leaps onto Amane's back, trying to latch onto a hold, much to his sibling's dismay.]

Ugh, Tsukasa! Mom's gonna kill you! You can't just be eating all that stuff before dinner--

[But Tsukasa's eyes finally fall upon Jeannette properly, and he tilts his head, like a kitten spotting something particularly interesting.]

You made a friend?

[... something about the way he phrases it sounds like that's actually unexpected??]

[ ....She knew she'd had the right boy. Jeannette silently thanks God for reuniting this pair of siblings (God gets thank-you notes from Jeannette on the regular), and she smiles for a moment. ]

I helped Amane look for you, so it is good to know you are safe. My name is Jeanne d'Arc.

[ There. Now everyone knows everyone's name, and Tsukasa is no more at a disadvantage. This sort of thing matters to Jeannette. ]

[Jeannette is a dang near saint for letting Tsukasa's behavior roll off her back, and for all of her... odd quirks... Amane wonders if he could learn a thing or two from her in regards to patience. Tsukasa, on his part, merely looks confused, angling his head so he could get a better look at his twin instead.]

But I wasn't lost...?

[Amane can only let out an irritated sigh, reaching up to gently (but firmly) tweak his brother's cheek to maybe try to discourage him off of him back.]

It doesn't matter, Tsukasa! She spent a lot of time trying to find you, especially when she had other things to do, so you better apologize for being so rude to her!

[Unfortunately, Tsukasa is not one easily dissuaded, and he glances back over to Jeannette instead, her words only now finally clicking in place in his head. His face brightens up once more, and he bolts upright on his brother's back (much to Amane's spine's dismay), smiling broadly.]

Oh, wait, you're Pierre's sister! [A beat, and then:] The one he says is really cringey!

[TSUKASA NOOOOOO]

[ Happy gasp. ]

You know Pierre?! Have you seen him?

[ She is cringe, but she is FREE. ]

[JEANNE....... YOU ARE TRULY A SAINT....

Though if anyone's going to get mad on her behalf, it's gonna be Amane, as he openly gawks at his brother for his brazen lack of filter.]

TSUKASA!! You can't just say something like that to somebody--!

[But Tsukasa just blithely ignores his sibling's rebuke, as usual, cheerfully kicking his legs in the air as he hangs off Amane's shoulders.]

Yeah, I've seen him!

[Amane shoots his twin A Look, hoping that the solid he tried to pull for Pierre wasn't about to be undone due to his brother's loose lips, but Tsukasa merely just tilts his head again, looking amused.]

You sure he wants to be found, though?

[ The question perplexes Jeannette. She draws herself up in confusion, pert and puzzled. ] Why should he not be?

[ Tsukasa still needs to be reminded he has behaved poorly today - do not think you have gotten off the hook, sir, not after worrying your brother and littering - but if he has a lead on Pierre, she must also pursue that! ]

I dunno, maybe he doesn't want to be seen with you? [Said innocently enough, but also??? TSUKASA???] OH, Amane, he said that he saw you earlier--

[But before he can speak further, Amane hastily puts a hand over his brother's mouth, hoping to prevent any further rudeness... aaaaand also maybe trying to maintain the cover he tried to put together for Pierre, too.]

--Saw me wandering around trying to find you before, you mean? It was in home appliances, right? I thought I spotted him there.

[He shoots a brief, silent look at his sibling-- "Play along, okay?"-- and Tsukasa finally gets the hint, nodding without a moment of hesitation.]

Myep.

[ She has a direction to head, after all...! These brothers are being very kind. ]

If you saw him recently, that is of great help. Do you think he might still be there?

["Kind", more like going straight to hell for lying straight to her face about where her brother is.... but while Amane's a kid who likes to generally follow the rules, he sure isn't a narc!! Jeannette's question seems to be something more appropriate for Tsukasa to answer, though, so he shoots another pointed look at his brother before uncovering his mouth again.]

Yeah, probably!! He was really into his game-- he didn't even want any of the snacks I found!

["Found" is sure a word for stealing it outright, Tsukasa]

OH, right, I should get back to those! [He moves to hop off of his twin's back, but not before peering over at his sibling.] You want some, Amane? They're good!

What-- NO, you've been making a mess, Tsukasa! Where did you even get those in the first place??

Edited (oops html how do I do it) 2023-06-28 23:47 (UTC)

[ Oh, excellent. She has somewhere to head, then....

....but do NOT think she has forgotten you, Tsukasa. ]

It is kind of you to share your snacks, Tsukasa. But I hope you paid for them, and plan to clean them up after.

Edited 2023-06-28 23:50 (UTC)

(no subject)

hanamane - 2023-06-29 00:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

darcangel - 2023-06-29 11:26 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only