subnautica | first

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action; island

[ it's the cries of the skylarks that get her the most. noise unsettles her, any sort of it - it puts her on edge, and even though it's hard to tell, homura is ready for just about anything to strike. from atop the tower sits the princess, a damsel in distress, unaware of the dangers below and -

just jokin'.

when homura realizes that an unconscious madoka isn't in her arms and she doesn't know where she is, there's only one thing she can focus on. she doesn't waste time in transforming, because she has no reason to. there's a flash of purple light from the tower, and then a loud sort thumping, as if several metal things have just been spat upon the ground.

but if you investigate, you'll find her. a girl in a cream colored school uniform, tiny and pale, with long dark hair. she looks like she's searching for something, among the skies, the barest hint of frustration etched into her features. she's on the ground, away from the tower, because she has no business there. not anymore.

several feet away, in the grass, you might notice something of her's that's been dropped. maybe it's a dark headband, or maybe it's a ring, or maybe it's a packet of 9mm ammunition. either way, it's probably her's. maybe. ]

locked to dave; time freeze shenanigans

[ time stops.

there's really no denying that time isn't moving at all, that it's frozen by someone's will. furthermore, it's easy to tell something, at the very least, has happened, because the world is suddenly devoid of color. it still into a monochrome mess accented with the telltale ticking of a clock, a distant sound, as if coming from a specific clock. noise is easy to follow. a clock can be found if you know where to look.

above the water, on the island, inside a tower, you'd expect a princess. you'd expect someone who looks frail and afraid, a girl with a sweet but elegant air that she was taught to carry. instead, there's homura, standing in front of a massive dump of weapons. it's large enough to climb on top of and tower over... everything, arguably. maybe if you jump down and look, you can see the very top of it. it's not out of the question that he'd recognizes a few weapons; there's guns, bombs, rocket launchers: a plethora of items that look alarmingly dangerous.

and the supposed princess is slipping a pistol behind a shield. it's metal, and a pair of red ruby eyes are staring back in it.

the ticking is loudest here, but it's hard to pin down where it's coming from - but one thing is for certain, she probably shouldn't be moving if time is stopped. ]

text;

It's October... That's new to me.

When I think about October, I remember there's a holiday centered around ghosts and things of that nature. I don't celebrate it, but I have seen it in foreign movies. :) Sometimes they sell candy and cakes themed after Halloween, I think it's called. Am I right? :?

I have a question. Something synonymous with things of that nature... it'd be a witch, wouldn't it?

What do you think of when you think of a witch? I'd like to hear your thoughts. :)

action; mural

[ homura is almost fascinated by the concept of a mural for those missing. presumed dead, perhaps, until further notice. it's alien, and surely a bit uncomfortable, but she's here for a specific name. it's hard to read her expression; you would be forgiven if you thought it rather void of emotion, in fact. she doesn't show any of her frantic thoughts as she peers into the mural, though her fists are balled at her side.

eventually, homura speaks up. it's soft, airy - almost so lightly spoken that it gives the impression she's ill, or doesn't speak much at all. there's a demanding tone to her voice. she's small, but her back is straight and her head is held high. ]

Madoka Kaname.

[ she peers up, still searching. maybe it's only a trick of the light, but there's something in her eyes that reflect pain, a hesitant sort of gaze as she looks away. ] Is that... a name you can see?

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[ thankfully homura has literally no desire to make any kind of impression, good or bad, on anyone, so she's not even touching the fact that karkat basically just insulted her? it's cool. whatever. she's dead inside and doesn't care about anything. #emolegend ]

That is helpful.

[ she can say thank you but she's not done yet. whoops. sorry.

but that doesn't calm her or make her feel better, knowing that everyone else is in the same situation. it doesn't show on her face, the fact she's unsatisfied, obviously because homura clearly doesn't feel things at all ever? but that doesn't sound... good at all. because three years ago for her was still the same april. uh. well, it's a valid question, so.

biting the bullet here, but: ]

What of other timelines?

What kind of "other timelines" are we talking here?

[ he starts listing them on his fingers... ] Alternative timelines, timelines that were reset, shit I don't even know I'm not a Time player.

[ dave would be better at explaining this shit than him. since a) dave understands it better and b) karkat hate explaining timeline nonsense HE IS SO. TIRED OF IT. ]

But if you come from somewhere where other timelines are a thing, like doomed ones or what the fuck ever, I'm guessing there is a good chance this Madoka person or anyone else you know might show up from one of them?

I don't know what a Time player is.

[ homura manages to get that out in response to the first half, but then it really sinks in what he's said, and it turns out that maybe she's not so stoic after all. her expression contorts enough that it's plain to see distress worrying her features and when she turns to him, the budget goes up, which is plain to see, because her long dark hair sways to and fro.

the idea of a madoka from a reset timeline showing up clearly disturbs her, and she thinks back to a timeline where mami completely flipped her shit after learning the truth and tried to kill them all. that, she assumes, is just as much of a possibility, and that is terrifying in a different way. if a previous madoka shows up, there's a possibility of this entire base being laid to waste. ]

Have you seen this happen? I absolutely cannot allow it. I cannot.

[ homura's sudden change in expression is definitely game changing... or it would be, to karkat, if they have known each other for longer than five minutes. what he can understand, however, is how shitty it would be to have someone you know from an alternate timeline show up instead of the person you actually know from yours. for a multitude of reasons, really.

not that he knows hers but. in the most basic level, he Gets It. ]

So far no one from where I'm from who's here came from a doomed timeline? Dave can sense that weird time bullshit and he says we all feel "right" or whatever the fuck that means. [ he realizes that homura might not know who dave is or what the hell karkat is even talking about but it's too late to explain now (no he can definitely still explain) (he just won't) ]

But I know there's a lot of people from alternate versions of Earth because for some goddamn reason that planet is popular. So going by that, it shouldn't be too out there that someone you know might show up but from a different timeline iteration. Not really sure how you'll stop that, but okay.

[ she's never called it a doomed timeline, but she gets the idea immediately - or maybe she's just back to her pokerface. either way, "doomed timeline" isn't a concept she can't figure out, apparently, because she thinks of all the times she fucked up and made an even bigger mess and... yes, a doomed timeline. got it. she gets it.

the name does seem to catch her attention, and she can only think back to the term "time player." that makes sense, and she puts two and two together. she's stubborn, but not stupid; the blonde boy comes to mind. she doesn't touch on the subject, though, because she is above asking about people. what if this 'dave' finds out about it. she can't risk it. no... no one must know.

so once she's made that decision like the fourteen year old child she is, homura nods.

for the record, she has no idea how to stop it, either, karkat. you're in that boat together. with homura. for the long haul. ]

You needn't concern yourself over what I'll do or what I won't do. [ why would he, homura... she just wants to draw a line in the sand. "this is my business, not your's, do not think about me ever again after this." ] Why do you specify Earth?

[ ... wait. ] You are- [ not an alien, because technically isn't she also... an alien in this situation. ] Not of Earth. Is this correct?

[ karkat had no plans to concern himself over her decisions but now that he isn't allowed to he wants to be nosy? it's a sickness, being contrary as fuck, because karkat never wants to do a thing until someone tells him not to do the thing. and then suddenly he will pretend as if it was his plan all along?

the point is, he is 100% not going to mind his business now. because fuck you, homura, that's why.

also he is thankful that she made the distinction that they are all technically aliens while on this planet. the amount of times karkat has had to point that out to... literally fucking everyone on this base... is a lot. he is Tired. ]

I swear to fuck if you also thought I was a cosplayer. [ other things he is tired of: that. ] But no, I am definitely not from Earth and have never stepped foot on it. I'm from Alternia. You've never heard of it.

No. I thought perhaps you were a fish of some sort. [ at least she's honest?

way to be a hipster, though. where's your la croix and salmon pink button up, karkat? regardless of where his coke bottle glasses may or may not be, homura can appreciate the fact karkat cuts to the chase. he's right. she never has heard of alternia, and frankly, if she never heard the name again, she wouldn't care. ]

Thank you. You have been helpful.

[ and usually she wouldn't do this, but karkat's good, in her opinion. she does not realize this sickness of his is potentially going to smack her upside the head eventually, so she assumes he's the sort of person she can ask questions, get answers, and then be left alone. great. homura does not want to make any kind of bond with anyone least of all aliens with orange and yellow horns that will probably go back to their alternia planet at some point, leaving her to ponder why it is that everyone she makes friends with leaves her.

anyway. ]

My name is Homura Akemi.

[ karkat understands. he also never introduces himself until maybe five conversations later once he realizes that he cannot avoid running into the other person because THEY LITERALLY LIVE IN THE SAME UNDERWATER BASE. or until the other person does it first because they, unlike karkat and homura apparently, have manners.

he makes a face at fish though... mostly because he is sick and tired of fish and does not want to be likened to them. fuck fish. full offense, sea trolls, but fish sucks. this is the worst planet of all time and he used to chill on one literally made out of blood? so.

wait he's supposed to say something back instead of glaring about the fish comment. ]

Karkat Vantas. [ there. perfect. ] If no one else has seen her you should probably ask URSULA. She's really fucking creepy and stalkery so she'd know if [ shit what was the name again? manboka? ] she showed up here with you or not.

[ look at these two idiots. completely NAILING this whole "conversation" thing. no one can tell them otherwise.

it's a shame karkat doesn't know how creepy it is that homura knows like, everything about ~~madoka~~manboka because of the amount of time she's rewound time, actually. ursula is probably not nearly as bad. ]

URSULA. That would be the the one watching us...? I see. I would rather not involve someone like that, but your advice is sound. [ at least she admits it. ] Do you work on land much? [ there's... a point here because VAGUELY she acknowledges he's useful. rude ]

[ karkat wonders if he should mention that URSULA is most likely listening in to their conversation right now, since there are technically only two rooms in the entire base she can't spy on and his bedroom is one of them. karkat decides to keep this info to himself because homura did not ask about it.

also, how the fuck would she be able to ask about something she does not even know is a thing. whatever. ]

Yes. Since I'm not a fish.

[ he's still salty about that. ]

[ that's fair, karkat. homura would agree that it is fair. good to see someone has some sensibilities on this base and is not a frothing idiot. ]

Do not go near the towers, Karkat Vantas. If you do, do not touch anything.

[ "stay away from my shit, vantas." when she gets around to putting them all in storage, it won't be that big of a deal, but for the time being, homura thinks that karkat is pretty valuable and thus does not want him to like
accidentally trigger all that c-4 and lose like every limb??

...look it's a form of self preservation here. ]

That is an extremely vague and foreboding warning. I'm not going to ask why because I get the feeling you wouldn't explain.

[ karkat's nosiness creeps back in but also like. the last time he touched something he did not understand, he made a giant spaceship turn into a disco light. it is still a disco light. look outside, homura, because out in the distance you will see a fucking disco light spaceship. it is his legacy. ]

It's advice, from me to you. [ take that as you will. ] You do not strike me as the sort to foolishly rush into a dangerous situation, so I trust you will heed my warning. Are you a fool, Karkat Vantas?

[ don't touch the c-4 karkat oh my god. the disco light spaceship is one thing but death is a literal 'nother. ]

[ um... the lights are annoyingly bright? also it's fine? unless he also gets stabbed, he will probably survive it. or something.

okay fine he won't touch the c-4, homura. are you happy. ]

It's not like I can answer with anything other than no with that question? "Yeah, sure, I am definitely a fool." But fine. I'll stay away from your ominous towers.

[ in an alternate timeline, karkat touches the c-4 and saves all of us from having to deal with the emo teen queen here. regretfully, this is not the alternate timeline.

tragic.

instead, there's a ghost of a smirk on her face, as if homura's face is really not used to doing that anymore. but it's there, even if you can't see it. trust me.

it's true, though, and that was the point. karkat can't say he's a fool, so he has to do what she says because she presents it as the right thing to do. what in the world, homu. what an asshole ]

Thank you. [ anyway ] You know Dave. What is your tie to him?

[ they've... met. and played time freeze tug of war. ]

[ that does not surprise karkat in the slightest because it seems 100% like something dave would do.

also, karkat's immediately response to getting asked about dave is to tell homura to fuck off and mind her own business. he manages to not do that, even though it was a very close call. people asking what type of relationship you have with others is normal, karkat, don't leap to conclusions. ]

We're from the same place.

[ sort... of... it's hard to explain that because dave is obviously not a troll? so he's not from troll planet. but saying they are from the same place is easier than saying "we are from completely different planets but we both played the same bullshit computer game that caused the end of the worlds and through a series of leveling up, murder, different timelines, and improbable intergalactic travel, we all met up and defeated the various final bosses and now we're here"

so yes. same place it is. ]

[ considering the fact homura literally cannot spit out that she has endured the same time loop nearly one hundred times for the girl she is searching for: relatable content. furthermore, while the insistence to mind her own business would be aggravating, it would also make sense. dave got under her skin, is all, hence the prodding. ]

I see.

[ karkat isn't someone homura has known for twelve years so any indication of there being more going on here is something that skids past her. she can be oblivious to other people - no one is perfect, as much as she tries to be. anyway, mostly she wants to apologize to karkat because dave's a thorn in her side but also someone she probably can't avoid, because time power shenanigans. (in actuality he reminds her a little bit of people she knows back home and is a little afraid of that. give her an hour and she will also be a little afraid of karkat for the same reasons.)

for the time being, there's only a vague sense of bitterness at his words. of course. why does everyone else get to have their friends but homura. the cosmos is laughing at her and simple plan is playing in her mind, this is a travesty. ]

You must not lose sight of the value in that. I will give you the same warning, in that case. Do not speak to white rats.

[ she hates them!!!! ]

[ karkat would comment on how mushy and gross "you must not lose sight of the value in that" is, because he likes to pretend that he is still a mean heartless soul to strangers until they realize he is the kind of guy who goes on picnics and raises robot crab children with his besties. he is ridiculous.

except then homura keeps talking, and she mentions. white rats?? most white animals that karkat knows of are the lusii, which he is pretty certain she is not talking about. okay so maybe she just has a thing about rats. ]

Is there a specific reason for this or am I just supposed to nod my head and say okay?

[ can the white rat like actually talk back or is he not allowed to monologue at these creatures or something ]

[ homura doesn't respond at first, because she has to size up karkat. that sounds ridiculous, and it is, but she has to consider what karkat might do if kyubey suddenly appeared before him. ultimately, she supposes, neither of them will know until the thing happens. ]

Conversation with it is unnecessary. [ which... confirms the white rat can talk... ] Don't be absurd. Contact me and I will handle the situation.

[ that's ominous??? homura ]

[ the worst part is that karkat is used to people saying cryptic bullshit at him and giving zero explanation whatsoever. like, it is his daily life? all he can really think is, "ah. fucking great. another one." except with more capslock because all of his internal monologue is with capslock. ]

I don't really care, so sure. I'll let you handle the white rat who talks apparently. That sounds like something I would prefer not to deal with so it's all yours.

[ she's literally just aradia, karkat. buckle in for a long ride. it's going to be terrible and full of shaft head tilts. ]

Then we will have no problems, Karkat Vantas. [ there weren't going to be problems to begin with, homura. he has literally done nothing but help you.

this is her way of saying she appreciates that you are doing this for her. ]

[ why does she keep saying his full name? is this how everyone feels whenever he either full names them or adds their species in front of their name, like a douchebag? it probably is. he'll still continue to do it though. ]

Okay then, Homura Akemi. [ SEE HE CAN DO IT TOO!!! she probably does not care. ]

Do you have any other questions about the base? I feel like I need to just write a welcome pamphlet and start handing them out. Holy shit, that would save so much more time?

[ if this bothers homura, she sure doesn't show it. the thing is, she doesn't use full names to pick at people or assert some kind of dominance - it's to keep distance between the two of them. so she's just being an asshole, karkat. ]

Hm.

[ she pauses to think, it appears, because she closes her eyes, turning back to the mural. opening her eyes to look at it, homura remains silent. there's a moment where she looks for madoka's name once more, and by the fifth name that comes up, she imagines it's a dead end. ]

No. That will be all.

[ and with a flip of her hair: ] Thank you.

[ she's turning to leave now, but the dramatic hair flip will probably remain in his mind for eternity. it will be seared into karkat's brain and possibly be the last thing he recalls when he dies. ]

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