♢ — LIONHEARTED.

“Noel-san…Noel did you happen to be given a piece of paper or anything with words on them when you woke up in that room?” When she arrived she had a list of info that declared what her power was, her weapon and her living quarters. Did Noel not receive that?

“Uhhh...I think so.” Scrounging through his pockets, he searches for the texture of paper, a sign that a note was peacefully hiding within his clothes. Though, to no luck -- there wasn’t. “Must have gotten lost in the wind, or somethin.’ I only remember them telling me I lived in delta and got some crummy wooden sword with it.”

          Utena had completely forgotten about the rumours however, how the strange oddities on the walls were the supposed link to figuring out the scientists secret behind Hive City. While figuring it out would indeed be a splendid thing–to go back to Ohtori, back to where she belonged with Anthy and Wakaba–she did not think of these things that were so far off from her grasp. She had never seen something quite like this before, there was nothing in her mind she could even compare this to. It was just something all on its own, millenia and galaxies away from her comprehension, and that thought excited her.

          “ Amazing… ” The word found its way effortlessly past her pink lips, eyes still dazzling as she glanced along the aging wall of the cave.

          She imagined herself reading the strange carvings in her own language, the odd shapes and squiggles turning into word and at the thought her heart began to pound in her chest. It was so incredible how the prospect of something literally hundreds of years old being solved seemed to be so thrilling. The only unfortunate thing was that Utena knew that she would no doubt be the last person in the universe to ever figure out something of this caliber. Yet still, the thumping in her chest did not still.

While exploring past the boundary of delta, his thoughts were empty – drawing a blank at his surroundings. Due to his hunter’s instinct, he automatically proceeded towards the mysterious, dark cave. Caves were always an interesting sight and held something hopeful within it. In his eyes, the world felt and looked bare thus far. Once he entered, a distracting vibrant hue strings his sight. A strong pigment of pink was calling out his name, an abrupt sense of curiosity flew through his system. ‘Could it be?’ Hesitant letters posed at his tongue, threatening to come out. ‘If she was here…that means…Serah…Hope…’

Before Noel was able to further speak out, the woman appeared no less than a stranger. He wasn’t mad nor minded because if Lightning was to return – what would happen? What would the consequences or solutions be? “Uh..excuse me miss. Are you lost, by chance?” A stupid question for sure. Anybody with a brain could figure out that she was exploring, likely due to the other’s genuine surprise and floating hands that relaxed against the surface of the cool stones.

“There is no need for you to do that… I was planning to observe as I wandered around here.”

Clearly stating that for him, she watched him insist, attempting to hopefully win her over with his words. Peer pressure and influential streaks affected poorly on the deity, usually having her own mindset and opinions ready to either agree or object. Fortunately, she also was someone that was open minded to the voices of others’. It was utmost important for a god to let themselves be open to one and all, after all. As prior stated, with no schedule to follow along, she supposed it wouldn’t have hurt to change routes for today.

“However, I won’t decline your offer. If you insist on going together, then there is nothing wrong with that.” Beckoning targeted at her to make her move, she gradually followed beside the man, while names were being exchanged in between.

“Bishamonten- my name is Bishamonten. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Noel.” Crossing her arms as she glanced at him dubiously, she added, 

As expected, his words flowed harsher than he intended it to be. Despite the anxiety dwelling within -- ears perked at her words. He crosses his arms, nodding. “Look, it’ll be fun, promise. I’m not all that bad, miss.” The man chuckles at the thought of envisioning him as an evil individual. Even if he tried, Noel was truly too ‘protective’ for his own good.

“Bishamonten?” ‘That’s quite the mouthful.’  Even so, there was something unique about her name, he hasn’t heard of it before but then again, the names Hope, Snow and Noel weren’t labelled as ‘common’ either. “Pleasure’s all mine, Bishamonten. Hey, uh...” It was a stupid request, but might as well ask. “Do you have a nickname, by chance? Maybe something a bit...shorter? If you don’t have one, it’s no big deal. I was just...nevermind.” Embarrassed by his abrupt commentary, the hunter shifts on his heel, beginning to follow a random path, a direction that’ll hopefully be a smooth recovery.

“The train is available for all the people living in the city and you don’t need money to pay for a pass or ticket. It is free, though it takes about thirty minutes to get through each sector. As there are six sectors in total, it takes three hours to go through the entire city by train, and it is a one way trip. It does not go counter clockwise, but it is the main transportation of the city besides a taxi, scooter, bicycle, car or motorcycle.” She explained in detail as the light for the street turned green, allowing the pedestrians to cross the street.

He carefully listens to her comments and explanations, genuinely intrigued. As they take a break between their jog, he nods -- subtly signaling that he was listening and appreciating her assistance. “Great, thanks for telling me. I think that’ll come handy in the future. I still don’t really know where I’m going.” Since she was the first person he met since his arrival, Noel finds himself a bit nervous in hopes he wasn’t coming off too unapproachable. Although, assuming what she was spouting were names of vehicles, it was difficult for him to picture any of them as they were unrecognizable. “’M not sure what most of those are. But, I do know what the train is so I guess that’s fine, right?”

moirasburton’s color meme: ↪ serah/noel + 1700s (pale blues & pale pinks);

Playfully punting the director’s shoulder, he laughed lightheartedly. “Hey man. Don’t worry about it, alright? We’re going to get through this mess together and find everyone, I promise!” An unlikely promise, but the grin never vanished from his face -- he was hopeful. Though, his ears perked at the familiar name recognition. ‘Serah’s here, too?’

The Hive Five’s Burger Joint? Now serving triple decker classics, or so the window advertisement says. Well, if anything it sounded better then tofu burger’s at the other joint. He sighed, stepping into the establishment and peering around before taking his time walkin towards the register.

His wooden lance dragged along the floor behind him as he looked at the girl standing behind the register, “Yeah..I’ll have what the window said” he stated, dropping the correct amount of money and moving along, not even listening to the girl at the counter yelling ‘it’ll be done in a few minutes!’

Foster, hoenstly did not care. It could be done in a year for all he cared and it probably would still be mediocre at best. Yet, just as Foster was allowing himself to get comfortable within a booth a call of his order rang out and he sprung to his feet as if going into battle. Yes, ah, a battle for his stomach to calm the fuck down. He quickly made his way to register, reaching for the bag the girl was holding just to be intercepted by another hand. This hand, however taking ahold of his own.

“Oh hell you, you twat, I don’t think so!” he grumbled, raising his eyebrows at the individual who was currently holding his hand. He narrowed his eyes at the taller lad, shaking his head as he muttered, “If this is your way of hitting on me, it isn’t gonna work, love. Food comes before men..and even women for that matter!” He brashly pulled his hand out from the other’s grasp, making a small 'hmph’ noise as he grabbed the bag, pulling it very dramatically away, and, just so happening to manage hitting the other in the face. “I am so not fucking sorry!” He stated.

And without a word, the hunter enters the food-joint ; aromas of fresh french fries as well as general -- meat filled the atmosphere. Here and there in the city, he would drop by and settle for a quick drink of coffee but, it was honestly his first time being at a place like this. ;

On the other hand, the line didn’t seem too long as he continued to follow the remaining people that were trailing behind. Observing peculiarly, the young gentleman had tasseled raven locks, and seemed like he was in quite a hurry to get his order completed and start eating right away. Interestingly enough, their fashion tastes were complete opposites while Noel was decked in his usual attire. It was a bit intimidating but the moment between them was over -- as the stranger waited for his pick up.Once it was his turn, he leans on the counter, pointing at the opaque sign outside the store. “I’ll take whatever picture was shown outside, please.” After all, these advertisements did seem to work as he was clearly attracted to it.

Quietly examining the others following the clear routine of things, a closed, wrinkled paper bag appeared on the table which by the way, was near to him. Without hesitation, the man took a quick glance before snagging the bag but surprisingly enough, another hand was already reaching towards it. “Huh, what? Are you -- ?”

Before any further conversation could have been built, a stinging collision met with his cheek, a bewildered expression crisply written on his features. This strange man just punched him -- out of the blue? Noting the stranger’s grip on the burger bag, he straightens himself up. “Well gee, thanks for -- that. Damn, I haven’t been in a fight in that long.” A small smirk curves his lips as he crosses his arms, glaring at the man. “Y’know, you could’ve just asked if I grabbed the wrong bag. Hey man, why don’t you get that temper of yours a fixing?”

“My apologizes, but I am not. I’m rather as clueless as you are as of where or what I should do now.” 

Reasons of why she came here was out of inquisitive nature, not having much planned other than taking a quick glance before her departure. However, she had hoped that there would be cherry blossoms here to commemorate a fellow family member. It was why she hadn’t left so soon, the goddess hadn’t given up in finding one just yet. 

Of course, she wasn’t inconsiderate to leave him be with an unsatisfied answer. Which was why she intended to suggest a different option.

Apprehension crossed his features as now he was unsure how to assist her in this point in time. Since he was the one that approached her first and (embarrassingly) mistaken her as an employee, it was only justified to attempt to search for a solution for their conflicts. 

“Hey, we could try to come up with something and maybe work it out together?”