HEADLESS RIDER

@serutee

“You know, I get that those are called catsuits, but wearing a helmet with cat ears is going really far for a pun.”

Blue bangs bounced on his forehead as he walked over to the other. A half-eaten bun was in his hand, a bite of it currently being chewed in his mouth. He swallowed softly, taking another bite and chewing it before swallowing again. Then he continued.

“If that’s the pun you were trying to make, I mean. If it was unintentional, I can appreciate another lover of cat aesthetics. If you’re a biker, where’s your bike?”

Celty tilted her helmet in confusion, unsure what to make of the person who suddenly began talking to her.

A pun? I never considered it that way...

She thought for a moment, surprised that the man picked up on something she had never noticed herself, despite having been wearing this particular yellow helmet for some time. As for his next question... Celty practically sighed as she drew out her note pad and pen.

[ I didn’t mean it to be any sort of joke. I just like this helmet. ]

@serutee

There’s a sense of anxiety as he spots her. A feeling of dread and insecurity. It’s been awhile since he’s laid eyes on her form, her figure, or her falsified head. And even though reunions should be met with an embrace of sunny nostalgia, he finds nothing but the sensation of his saliva catching along the inside of his throat. It’s not that he fears her– being what she was, he could never come to terms of finding anything scary about her presence. But it was that he feared who could be in the city accompanying her. As he knew it, Celty was always shielded by someone in one way or another, whether it be Shinra, the kids, or the unspoken force he didn’t want to face. Any of the prior mentioned above could ruin his chance at blending in with the society he shrouded himself into now. Granted, she too could easily resort back to old times– though the knowledge that her temperament was more passive led him to believe she wouldn’t. Not unless he provoked her to.

Still, old habits died hard. Despite his growth and his maturity, he remained the same person he had been before and always would be. Only now in present, he had come to accept many things that he could not before. One being conquering fear. That being said, he makes his way across the street, carefully coming up from her side rather than her back. On his features, a piqued brow of interest and curved lips of curiousness, though not quite yet a smile. “You know, I’d recognize that blaring yellow color from anywhere.” Is what he starts with, cool and collected. “Long time no see, Celty..~” A flick of edge on his tongue, involuntary to his planned approach. “Care to indulge me in some casual, re-connecting and catching up talk?” 

As soon as she saw a familiar sight of black hair, Celty felt her body reflexively lean the other way. If she had a mouth, it would definitely be frowning.

Of all the people...

Of course, it had to be him, a man she found even odder than her own self. For some reason, she didn’t find the notion of someone like him being in a city like this all that strange. Perhaps he fit in more in Hive City than in Ikebukuro, but, that was merely a hunch of her own.

Despite her immediate disdain, she did pause and draw out her note pad and pen, coming to quickly write something in response.

[ What do you want, Izaya? ]

Atalanta tilts her head to the side in confusion, unable to understand why the lady is using this obscure way of communicating. Well, she does understand, vaguely. She obviously can’t speak – but the huntress would like to know the reason behind this.

‘Other people who aren’t human’, ah. She gets it now. A spirit of sorts, perhaps cursed to have no voice. An ill fate. Atalanta pities the stranger. It’s only natural, she connects with people who could not escape misfortune in their lives.

“You may call me Archer. It is a pleasure to meet you.” And so, she smiles for the first time upon being summoned into this strange place. “I don’t mean to disappoint, but I arrived not too long ago as well. It would seem we share the same fate.”

Archer-- that seemed like an odd name to Celty, but she thought nothing of it. She herself was an oddity overall, so it wasn’t like she had any room to judge. So, she simply moved her body forward, as if she was giving a nod.

Oh, so we’re the same...? It was a disappointing revelation, but, Celty tried not to let it show in her body language. Instead, she tried to think of an upside to the situation.

After a moment, she began to write once more.

[ That’s alright. At least we’re not totally alone in being new here. ]

[ It’s nice to meet you, too, despite these weird circumstances. ]

“Celty, there’s something important I need to tell you.”

Shinra said as he adjusted his glasses. The glare in front of his eyes made him look quite serious. Even though he was a silly person by nature, he was capable of changing his mood on a flip of a switch. That’s because it was all a performance for his dear celty. He leaned in to look at her writing now with a smile. 

“Your handwriting is absolutely terrible! Ah, but in a cute way! You’re like one of those clumsy girls that are attractive for their clumsiness.” 

He found every quality of Celty’s attractive just because they happened to belong to her, but that was neither here nor there. He looked at Celty’s confusion for a moment, and wondered if he should play the one to comfort her and hold her in his arms.

He knew the truth of this situation, because he had been in this city before but how much could he tell it. He did not want to worry Celty above all else, even though those months without her had been horrible for him. 

“Hmm? I dunno! I don’t mind being in Ikebukuro though, because you’re my world Celty. So even if I’m transported to another world, as long as I’m with you I’m fine. My world is portable! and sexy!”

Celty’s helmet drooped, and her shoulders did the same. Was her handwriting that bad? She supposed it might be-- she had began dependent upon her PDA for some time now...

Even so, she did note the fact that Shinra was in high spirits. That could only be a good thing-- usually, anyway.

[ My handwriting’s fine so long as people can read it. ] She wrote.

Celty would have continued to write, posing more questions to Shinra, had he not answered her so... well, so like himself.

[ Don’t say stuff like that so loud, we’re in public. ]

He could at least try and save that sort of talk for when they were in private, but, she knew him better than to expect that.

Really, she had been minding her own business-- especially this time. She wasn’t even speeding, or causing any sort of mess with her line of work. Celty had only been walking down the street, trying to get from one place to another. So, why was she running?

Only moments prior, she had sensed a few presences, as well as a disturbance between them all. One in particular was quite chilling for some reason, and Celty had crossed the street in order to avoid whatever altercation was unfolding nearby. She didn’t want any trouble, even if she heard the word ‘investigator’ from a distance. Assuming it was the police, Celty’s desire to get away from the scene only strengthened. So, she naturally began to move faster.

Yet, that only seemed to draw attention to her, as she suddenly heard foot steps behind her.

Oh, great. 

     He was definitely being stared at.

Izou wasn’t sure why, but whoever this person was had been staring at him for a a little while, now. What, did they have something to say? It’s not like he was doing anything too particular, just having a drink at a cheap bar. And if she had been interested in him or something, she’d have approached, right? … Something about her gave Izou an odd vibe, however.

And that helmet of hers stood out way too much for a public setting. The hell was her deal? Turning fully now, cocking his head slightly to the side, Izou scowls.

“You gonna keep lookin’, or you gonna say somethin’, huh lady?”

@serutee​

Celty hadn’t meant to stare-- or rather, she hadn’t meant to be rude with her supposed staring. Of course, she couldn’t actually stare at the man, but... he didn’t need to know that. She was simply curious, that was all. 

This city had so many odd people, maybe even more than those she had known back in Ikebukuro. Despite being a supernatural being, she didn’t think such a thing was possible...

She tensed when confronted, and was quick to pull out her note pad and pen.

[ Sorry. ]

Upon entering Sector Three, Celty quickly noticed just what sort of streets she was walking on. She had seen the same sort plenty of times back in Ikebukuro, and they were hardly much threat to something of her kind.Even with the whispers of gangs running about, the Dullahan went about her business. Rather, she seemed to be in search of something, or perhaps someone.

Surveying the various passersby that she encountered, Celty suddenly stopped the other person. She had been in search of someone who didn’t seem too disturbed by this particular Sector.

She held out her notepad to stop the mand, before flipping it open to write a quick greeting with her pen.

[ Excuse me, I don’t mean to bother you. ]

[ I hear there’s quite a few gangs hanging around this area. Do you know if there’s one called the Dollars in this city? ]

@serutee ✧ LIKED FOR A STARTER

      ✦ Pyra wandered around with unusual posture, hands cradling something as she slouched over with a somewhat concerned look on her face. In her arms was a ginger kitten that seemed to either have no mother, or have been separated from it. The Blade didn’t know what to do, she just knew she couldn’t leave it there to die. 

     “Excuse me? Do you know if there is a shelter for animals somewhere nearby?” She eventually stopped upon encountering the first person she could find. It was what seemed to be a young woman, though her face was covered with a helmet. Sheepishly, Pyra brought the cat up and into view. “I’m worried about her.”

To be stopped by a stranger would be something she would have to get used to-- back in Ikebukuro, most people either antagonized her or were afraid of her. Perhaps, this would be a pleasant change, though Celty could not be sure of it just yet.

Still, she turned to give the young girl her full attention. She looked at the girl, then the kitten in her hands.

Oh, how cute...

Celty took out her note pad, and began to write. [ I don’t, but, I wouldn’t mind helping you find one if you need it. ]

Finding herself being summoned without a Master and no sign of an ongoing Holy Grail War, Atalanta smells something foul in the air. Though she was given to understand that this was a summoning experiment solely for the entertainment of the so-called scientists, she still couldn’t help but investigate. The last time someone tried to pull a sly schem behind her back did not end well either.

Lightfooted and unnoticed by most mortals, Atalanta sneaks through lone alleys and busy intersections all the same. She can tell this is at least a setting close to the year she was summoned to for the Greater Grail. It’s still too strange, she thinks, and decides to try and scout through the city some more.

–That is, until she notices she has gained a follower. A presence she cannot sense through magical means, but rather the light footsteps she hear slowly approaching her. It doesn’t seem to be a Servant, but until she finds out the exact situation she’s in, she cannot blindly trust anything.

“If you were trying to catch me off guard, you will have to come back another time.” She scoffs, knowing it’s almost impossible for someone to get near her unnoticed. Though upon turning around she is met with yet another really strange sight– and a note pad. She blinks. Knowing the word ‘Servant’ likely means nothing to a non-magus, she doesn’t quite know how to introduce herself, but the woman’s get-up also suggests she may not be mortal.

“I used to be. Now I am a heroic spirit.” She answers plainly. Polite, but not offering too much information.

With her notepad in one hand, and a pen in another, Celty faced her palms towards the other woman in a show of innocence-- she carried no ill intent, and even shook her helmet from side to side. 

A heroic spirit? Is that like a ghost?

Celty thought for a moment-- this woman didn’t seem like a ghost, or at least what Celty assumed ghosts were like. Either way, she clearly wasn’t human...

Well, neither was she, so maybe this wouldn’t be as awkward of a conversation as she feared.

[ I didn’t mean to be nosy. ]

[ I don’t meet too many other people who aren’t human beings, so I was just curious. ]

Flipping her notepad to a new page, Celty continued to write.

[ I just arrived in this city, and it’s kind of confusing to be honest with you. ]

She hoped that this woman could relate, and wondered how long she had been in this city as well. Was she another new arrival, or someone who’d been here for a while? She had no way of knowing, but supposed she ought to go through the usual pleasantries, if only to be polite.

The largest parking garage of Sector Five was not a well lit place, however the Dullahan searched it regardless. Any passersby would have noticed that she was obviously looking the area for something, it was merely a matter of what.

After searching for a few hours, Celty finally stopped the first person she came across; even without a word, she was clearly exasperated by her body language alone. Writing on her note pad, even the quick words she wrote gave off her annoyance.

[ Have you seen a black motorcycle here? Or anywhere else? ]

“Ah. I”m in this city again without Celty. The scientists sure are cruel keeping us apart. Well perhaps this is the story of how I become an old man in this city, waiting tragically for Celty to return home, and then on my death bed she returns to my side again and takes my hand and she’s the last thing I see and hold before I depart. Then in that case the waiting would be worth it!” 

“Even if that’s a romantic dream though, I can’t stand even being five minutes apart from Celty. How about this time she’s the one doing the waiting. I work a really long day, but even though all I do is work with scum and lowlives I come home in a good mood because I know there’s a good girl waiting for me. The moment I walk through the door, I say ‘Honey I’m home’ and she says is the softest voice “Welcome home.’  I hear it, even though she dosn’t have a head to speak with because we’re connected by the heart. The language of love transcends the auditory capabilities of the brain. Then, when I turn the corner following her soft voice I see she’s waiting for me in a naked apron!”

Shinra continued to indulge his fantasies now that he found himself in this worthless city again. He had no judgement at all or particular attachment to his world, or even Ikebukuro, but any city that did not have Celty as a part of it was entirely worthless to him. He rolled around on a park bench muttering these fantasies to himself in order to keep going. This is how he made it through the last several months he had been in this city. 

He rolled off the park bench, and stood up dusting off his pure white coat. He decided to walk back to his apartment now so he could at least write some of these fantasies down. He took a deep breath and muttered to himself along the way. 

“Celty and I have not seen each other in a long time. I’m terrified of seeing her again, maybe she’s moved on, maybe she’s forgotten me. However, the moment we lock eyes, even though she doesn’t have any eyes, we instantly know that our feelings have remained the same all this time. She rushes at me, and we spin around in each other’s arms the world going in slow motion like in the movies. Relative time, einstein can be so romantic.” 

As he finished his third monologue for the hour, suddenly he was grabbed from behind and turned around just like he predicted. 

“Aaaaaaaaaah Ceeeeeeeeltttyyyyyyy.” He did not even need to see her face (though she didn’t have one) . However a moment later after reading her notepad, Shinra blinked. “Wait, where is your naked apron?”

My what?

Celty tilted her neck, and in turn, her helmet, in curiosity at Shinra’s words.

Oh, he’s just being weird... thank goodness.

Her body moved, as if she was giving a sigh of relief.

[ I’m glad that you’re alright. ] She wrote on her note pad, only to put it and its pen within her pocket after Shinra had read it. 

Her hands now free, Celty reached out and cupped Shinra’s cheeks between her palms. Gently, she tilted his head from side to side, as if she was inspecting him for injuries. He seemed physically fine, and was spouting his usual nonsense-- so, he had to be fine, at least for the moment anyways...

Even if Shinra was fine, he was surprisingly calm given their situation. Was it just because they had found each other again? She paused, fishing her note pad out again, and idly lamented the loss of her PDA...

[ Do you know what’s going on here? We’re not in Ikebukuro, are we? ]

She hoped that someone as odd as Shinra could make sense of such an odd situation. Really, none of this made sense! It was almost like...

Her body tensed, and she flinched at her sudden thoughts.

[ Shinra! Were we abducted?! ]

i’m going out of town starting tomorrow night and lasting until sunday night. im not 100% sure that i’ll have both internet and laptop access during this time, so i took tonight to prepare in case i don’t. i’ve queued all of my current drafts here on celty, and have both posted and queue’d replies on other accounts of mine.

i’m pretty sure i checked diligently, and that i’ve got all of my drafts-- however, if you don’t see a reply of mine i owe you on any account of mine (eto, toga, robin, medb, hairu, and celty here) by this sunday, please feel free to shoot me an IM!

The Dullahan had been minding her own business, standing in front of a store front’s window to observe a series of television sets. Each one displayed a different news station, and Celty hoped to gain as much information as she could from watching them.

Of course, as she did so she happened to ignore those that passed her by on the street-- that is, until one of them bumped into her. 

It was an accident, she assumed, though was more surprised to hear the clatter of her helmet fall to the ground rather than the presence of the stranger.

Oh, no.

Celty was quick to grab her helmet and re-position it atop her neck, now turning to face the boy. Ah, he saw...

She quickly grabbed her notepad and pen, scribbling a word to show him.

Walking around a city versus driving through it had become a strange adjustment, one that Celty was still getting used to. She felt slower, weaker even-- yet, she found herself being more free to look around at her surroundings at her leisure. In doing so, she could even take note of the fellow citizens of this city with much more ease as well.

“...”

Looking about as she crossed a busy intersection, Celty took note of something particularly strange; it was, in a way, a familiar feeling, the sensation and aura of someone... similar to her. Someone who wasn’t human, or at least, had the presence of something that didn’t seem human.

Without warning, Celty followed the presence, soon finding the center and person she had noticed. Well, if her hunch was right, then those ears atop the women’s head were a dead giveaway. If not... well, then, this would probably be awkward. It was worth the risk.

[ I’m sorry if this is rude. ] She wrote on her note pad, holding it up quickly to get the person’s attention. [ But, are you a human being? ]

Turning her helmet from side to side, she decided to stop the first person she saw. There were all sorts of unfamiliar sights and people but, there seemed to be little that she could do about that.

Celty stopped the person with a gloved hand, in order to attract the girl’s attention. She held up a notepad, which she pointed to, and then began to write on it.

[ Excuse me. Do you know how to get to a place called Ikebukuro from this city? ]

Upon entering this city, two main questions had plagued her thoughts: just what in the hell was going on, and just where was Kishitani Shinra? The former question was far too loaded, and far too confusing; so, her focus soon turned to the latter.

Where was Shinra? Was he alright? Was he in this strange city, too? Questions upon questions; anxiety upon anxiety.

She walked and ran, unable to stop her feet from moving as she searched for that doctor. If he was here, where was he? She couldn’t imagine being separated from him for too long, not after everything they’d been through.

Shinra...

Celty stopped in the middle of a busy intersection, pausing in her thoughts. Where was somewhere that Shinra, odd as he was, would head to first in a new city? 

Paused with her jumble of thoughts, the Dullahan didn’t initially notice someone approach, not until she had suddenly been grabbed. Tendrils of smoky, black mist seeped from the bottom of her helmet with a start, and she reflexively reached to throw whomever it was away from her with her afforded strength. 

Oh, that man was in a white coat, just like--

Shinra!

Only a moment after she had thrown him to the ground in her surprised anger, Celty lurched forward to embrace the doctor, both concerned and relieved all at once. It took a moment of grabbing at Shinra, and bumping her helmet against his face, before she could remember to fetch her new notepad and pen from her pocket and scribble upon it.