CALL ME OUT - The Return

[meatery]

【the ❝CALL ME OUT❞ meme】
a roleplay meme to inspire muses.

♛ refer to the list above for active muses. Second row are ones I'm not used to playing but would like to try! ♛ post "calling" one of them out — you can do so by putting their name in the subject line! ♛ can be informal/formal/comment spam/crosscanon/explicit/whatever tickles your fancy! ♛ feel free to make up a scenario at the start, or wait to see where things go. ♛ Some memes for ideas: Random Scenario, The Fighting Meme, Soulmate Fuck Up, Secret Agents Maiden and Monster, Kinda Stuck, Should Never Be Together, Big Fat Crush, Completely Pampered or basically any AU you've ever seen. For my characters with CRAU, feel free to do something with that too! meme code.

Comments

GI-NE!!

[bywolves]

[ It's already been a busy week, because the King of the Elves, Ruler of Erivan, is supposed to visit for the first time since he originally left to supervise the elves. Arista and Hadrian have been arranging all of the honors, taking care of the feast they plan to have and the celebration that will take place. Both of them know huge, lavish parties aren't exactly Royce's thing, but it's not really for him. It's for the excitement the human world is buzzing with, the fact that there is peace, real peace, that the elves are bringing things for trade rather than for war, invasion. There will be tension, but Modina is far ahead of that anticipation - she's looking out for the city.

It's been a year, since the duel. A year since Royce lost Gwen, found Mercy. It's been good, he thinks, he's - trying. And he thinks there's a lot that's happened to him, both in this reality and another, that have helped him be able to shape what he wants the elven race to be like. Sometimes he laughs, though, quiet, and shakes his head - when Mercy asks him what he's laughing about he just mutters that sometimes, he'd like to have a bit more muscle on his side. Maybe a lawyer.

She never understands, but it's how he keeps them in his memory. One day he'll tell her about it.

Or maybe he won't have to wait. Because as luck would have it, there's a tear in the universe outside of New Percepliquis. The elven king isn't the only one who will be visiting the city this week. And really, all that visitor needs to do is walk to the bustling and busy town square to figure out where the person she's seeking may be. ]

Royce!! also got carried away with tl;dr sorry

[meatery]

[She can't just leave a tear in the universe uninvestigated, of course. You never know what they might mean. Gi-ne slips through the gap that's opened up just outside the city walls and looks around curiously. It looks a lot like Earth, which is reassuring, but not quite and after a quick look around Gi-ne quickly joins a party making their way into the city to subtly figure out what's going on. Her clothing attracts some strange, judgemental looks- a white, silk, chinese blouse and black silk pants aren't common garb for any woman in Elan, let alone a peasant, but at least the black cloak she's wearing hides her tail pretty well. As always she doesn't have much trouble making friends by smiling and laughing and before too long everyone is happy, if bemused, and answering her questions. Where are they? ... Can you answer that in broader terms? What's all this fuss about?

Eventually Gi-ne gets a name she recognises ("Elan". The merchant she's talking to is rather confused how that narrows it down for her) and grins. When she gets the second ("King Royce") she laughs and explains she's looking for a friend with the same name! A funny coincidence, her companions laugh as well and point out that it is indeed a common name. They cheerfully wish her luck once they get inside and Gi-ne makes her own way, exploring the city and keeping a look out for a familiar face. She'd fly, but there's no rush and she doesn't want to attract attention just yet. Instead she relies on her nose. It's been a year but she still relishes having her abilities back in full force. Now her nose is back to being as good as any real foxhound and it's only an hour or so before she picks up a familiar scent.

Gi-ne smiles. Maybe she should have brought Kakarrot, it would have been nice to introduce him to someone. As it is, he's home with his "Grandpa" Gohan. Her nose leads her towards where King Royce's party is making it's way through the city, but she doesn't pay much attention to the regal figures on horseback and instead focuses on the crowd eagerly watching them.

Now where is that bastard...]

also tldrs

[bywolves]

[ Even after all this time, Royce hates being seen. Or - well, not necessarily that, just that he hates being seen by a huge crowd of people like this. He's also not super sure he's into being a leader or political figure either, and it makes him massively uncomfortable for all these people to be watching him as he rides through the city.

His party isn't just his guards - he doesn't need a whole lot. In fact, Royce thinks he doesn't need any but they insist. At least two. He tells them to watch the little girl on the pony next to him, and true to his orders, that's what they're doing. Royce himself has a brand new cloak with the hood pulled up, but that doesn't stop him from constantly scanning the crowd for danger.

They pass through. Behind him are the four or five caravans of elves that have brought goods to trade. None of them look especially happy to be here, but they've been ordered on the threat of death to be civil and polite.

Unless someone tries to harass them. Then they are to come to Royce personally.

On the steps of the Cenzarium of the town square, there are a few people waiting for Royce to arrive. Here, there are less of the common people - except for the exceptionally persistent ones who want to see what the elven king might look like. They're held back by guards, who have closed off the town square for the arrival. Hadrian, with his arm around Arista, grins and waves at Royce, and beside them, Modina and her newly adopted daughter Allie stand patiently. When Royce and Mercy hit the bottom of the steps, Allie races down them to catapult herself at Mercy, and the two of them collapse in a heap, giggling.

Royce gets off his horse, barks a few orders in elvish to his soldiers, and then slips his hood off, smiling small at Hadrian. Arista gathers him in an abrupt hug, which... he allows, begrudgingly.

For someone like Gi-ne, he should be easy to spot. ]

[meatery]

[Easy, yes, especially when she gives up being inconspicuous and starts hovering above the head of the crowd outside the town square. She can't see anything otherwise! This attracts some curious looks and some panicked ones, but after a moment's hesitation, Gi-ne decides to ignore them and pulls her cloak's hood up over her head. She's not sure why that helps.

When she finally looks in the right direction and sees Royce's face, she's shocked. Royce, the king? That's... Unexpected. Clearly she's missing some elaborate scheme here. Cute kids though. A woman hugs him. That's probably Gwen, Gi-ne thinks, and briefly feels a now familiar stab of jealousy. She used to welcome Bardock home the same way. Not anymore.

Well, she should probably get this over with. Maybe she could wait until a more private moment, but Gi-ne hasn't put that much thought into this. Instead she leaps up from her perch on thin air, rising about thirty feet in the air before landing at the foot of the Cenzarium steps. Her cloak blows in the wind quite dramatically as she does, to her amusement, and she lands with her knees bent. She can see how someone like Royce would appreciate the dramatic flare, she just wears it to keep warm.

After a pause, Gi-ne starts to straighten up, bright eyes peeking out from under her hood playfully.]

Hey. Miss me?

[bywolves]

[ Well, of all the things he's expecting, he's not expecting this.

Though maybe he should have. Of all the people he'd met on that island, Gi-ne was the stickiest. He should've known she'd find him as easy as this. Her dramatic entrance, once he's realized who she is, just makes him smirk - he waves a hand dismissively at the elves readying to shoot her, at Hadrian and Arista's startled readying for a fight. ]

You're lucky nobody tried to kill you. [ Royce remarks, amused. The others, including Mercy and Allie, sort of just stare. They're all sort of used to weird things from Royce, but a woman jumping thirty feet in the air and then landing at the foot of the steps, completely disregarding any and all security - well, okay, maybe that's not so weird for Royce's friends. They're all also waiting for an introduction, which Royce doesn't give.

Instead, he takes a few steps down to push her hood back off her face with that same amused look. ] And no. I didn't miss you. [ He did. It's evident in his voice. ]

Maribelle | CC CRAU | http://bakerstreet.dreamwidth.org/1086409.html |

[ladyofthehouse]

[.24]

[Austria wasn't quite sure where exactly Wriggle had procured this chinese finger trap toy from. That was probably for the best though, given how Austria's thumb was currently stuck at one end of it with Maribelle's at the other with no sign of either end giving way. Perhaps if it had just been Austria's thumbs trapped, whoever who was responsible for this might have survived the ordeal-- but no one would ever want to face both Maribelle and Austria's combined wrath. Oh no.]

Is honestly a children's toy or simply a cheaper alternative to handcuffs for those waiting to be incarcerated?

[We're two very intelligent women. Why is this so difficult.]

[wearesuperior]

[Maribelle is still trying to tug her thumb free, twisting it and trying to get the right angle. Getting more and more frustrated as she does.]

It's obviously some devious, execrable mind's idea of a foolish prank! Someone is no doubt very amused right now!

[It was cute at first but they're still stuck here]

[ladyofthehouse]

Obviously-- [Austria doesn't resist much to Maribelle's twisting and tugging, getting pulled along with each furious yank.]

Although I think all this strenuous tugging would merely be fueling their enjoyment of our poor fortune. [Of course Austria's just as frustrated too and if she'd been alone probably would have resorted to gnawing at it with her teeth by now. There's got to be a dignified and ladylike way out of a chinese finger trap.

... Probably.]

[wearesuperior]

[Huffs and stops pulling, at least. They are intelligent, dignified ladies, there must be a way out.]

... I don't suppose you carry a knife on you, do you, darling?

[Maribelle, at least ask for scissors.]

MARIBELLE craven castle aftermath blind date

[hopefragment]

[This is such a bad idea... why Kuzuryuu of all people thought it was a good idea to set him up alone with a princess or... something from another land is completely beyond him. Something about his sister getting on his case about it, and using Hinata as a good distraction? Really, he hadn't been able to follow the logic. All that he knows is now he's waiting against a wall within easy view of where Natsume usually sets up her dice. Supposedly Kuzuryuu told her who to look out for... he can only hope.

Once someone who vaguely matches the description Kuzuryuu gave him passes by, he lifts his hand in a wave.]

Uh... it's Maribelle, right?

[Be confident, Hajime! She definitely looks like some kind of royalty, but Sonia liked you just fine-!]

[wearesuperior]

[Kuzuryuu is lucky Maribelle likes him so much otherwise she would be even more annoyed over this than she is. Who does he think he is, trying to set her up with suitors? Her father? It's only the reassurance than any friend of Fuyuhiko and Chiaki's is bound to be of stellar character that makes her agree to the date. She arrives at the agreed meeting point on time and looks around the area with a stern expression on her face. The only person she can see is Hinata and she immediately dismisses him as far too plain.

Maribelle wrinkles her nose. It seems her date is late. Strike one. She glances over at Hinata again when he waves, however, and forces a tense smile.]

Yes, it is. I'm sorry, darling, I really cannot chat. Apparently I am supposed to meet someone here.

[Someone who obviously isn't Hinata!]

[hopefragment]

...

[He definitely didn't tell her who to look for!

Hinata just... sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose for a moment, wondering (not for the first time) what Kuzuryuu is up to with this. There's a pause as shifts his hand from his nose to run awkwardly through his hair, then answers,]

Uh... if you're talking about the person Kuzuryuu and Nanami wanted you to meet... it's probably me. I'm Hinata. Hinata Hajime.

[wearesuperior]

[Blink. Pause.]

[Does Fuyuhiko really not know me at all?

Well, at the very least, Maribelle does have the sense to at least look a little contrite.] Oh! Yes, of course, darling, I recognise you now! Darling Chiaki's friend.

[What's with all that touching his face and hair, how undignified...]

My name is Maribelle, as you are aware. I'm certain it's a pleasure.

[hopefragment]

Yeah, that's right.

[At the little bit of recognition, he offers her a quick, genuine smile -- though it quickly grows a little strained at the corners. She's "sure it's a pleasure," really? Must be some kind of royalty, or at least, someone very used to getting what she wants.]

And you were with, uh... Lissa, right?

[It's more a question of politeness than anything else; he's well aware, thanks.]

MARIBELLE if you ever get the urge again (this is lucy) (this is a fe:fates chara)

[tomefairest]

[ The outrealms, the deeprealms, whatever you wanted to call them - they were a scary place. It was far too easy to get cut off from the party, which was...technically what happened to Ophelia. Sort of. It was more like she'd seen a shiny rock off to the side and gone to get it and sort of, uh, gotten herself lost, but. ]

Hark! I fear not the dark [ ignore her shaky voice, she totally doesn't fear this...wherever she is??? ] for it is I, Ophelia Dusk, maiden of the twilight hour! The darkness broils within my veins, so the dark without is of my kin...

[ Is that what father would say about now? Well, it's probably something like that. The late hour and her lack of orientation as to where she is has done nothing for Ophelia's nerves, and her usual cheer and confidence has taken a blow...Though it's hard to tell from all her dramatics. ]

Alas! My path is a solitary and treacherous one, as befits a chosen heroine...will she conquer this trial? But of course she will! [ The chosen heroine is a little too busy posing and monologuing to notice someone else coming from one of the darkened paths, but when she turns just enough to catch sight... ]

EEEEEK! - I-I mean, tremble with fear, villain, for my special move, glimmering uppercut, shall shake you to your core! [ Congratulations, Maribelle. You've found a girl who looks a hell of a lot like Lissa, but who seems to talk like someone else entirely. ]

I NEVER... SAW THIS........ forget me if you want

[wearesuperior]

[Getting cut off from the party in the dark, unfamiliar forests of an outrealm is the last thing any young lady would wish for. Not that Maribelle would be familiar with such a thing, of course. She would never dream of getting lost in such a fashion. But she had started to dawdle behind Robin and the rest of the group, quite accidentally, and when she heard the calls of a maiden in distress... Well, it was only natural that she should rush to the rescue of a fellow woman, of course, though she rather wished that she had thought to notify one of the others before cantering off on her horse.]

Hello? Who goes there- oh! [That girl does look a lot like Lissa, though of course Maribelle isn't fooled for a second. She would know her darling best friend anywhere and she recognises that speech.] Oh, er- don't fret, darling, you're quite safe with me. You may save your... glimmering uppercut for some other cur, I... assure you...

[... weakly:] Owain, darling?

[Look, the outrealms can get weird sometimes. Though not normally that weird. Maribelle doesn't judge.]

MARIBELLE... WHENEVER YOU FEEL IT

[candybag]

Hey, Twinkles. [ Everything has been peaceful as lest--Grima gone, Risen gone... Gaius is almost disappointed there's less action in his life. Just kidding, the world will always be his candy land as long as there are those that make sweets (to steal). He's glad that things have quelled, especially his and Maribelle's differences and misunderstanding.

Aside from that, he has been hovering over the Troubadour for a while now. It's almost out of habit at this point. Lollipop still in his mouth (like always), he strokes his chin with a rather mysterious but mischievous smile. ]

I have an offer for you... Hear me out? [ Even if she's a noble, he talks to her as casually as ever. They are comrades in arms after all. There is also a pitch of playfulness on top of it all. ]

AFTER A MILLION YEARS....................

[wearesuperior]

[Differences long since resolved (for the most part) Maribelle no longer glowers at Gaius' voice, nor does she stand up and walk away in a huff. Indeed, she's grown quite fond of the thief, in a way, but she can't help but roll her eyes a little at the familiar nickname. She's sat studying and had been ignoring the man, determined to finish this chapter before tea time but...]

Am I going to regret doing so, darling? [She doesn't move from her spot or look up from her book as she speaks.] I do hope you would not distract me from my book for something less than pressing.

there is a red carpet for you

[candybag]

All right. Listen up! [ Gaius gives her a smirk. He's more than sure this is important compared to whatever boring book she's reading. If she takes a look at him, he doesn't have his giant bag--so it isn't about a heist gig. Also, he isn't really a thief anymore!!

He gets closer to her, as if to add anticipation (because he definitely feels him). Putting his weight into his hands that are placed on both armrests of her chair. ]

I need you to try out my teacakes. [ IMPORTANT! ]

[wearesuperior]

[If he had been trying to involve her in illegal activity, you can bet he'd find her parasol shoved somewhere very uncomfortable... Also wow, books about Ylissean legal history aren't boring at all- okay they are a little dry.]

Your... what? [Leaning back when he leans in, looking rather cornered.] You made cake?

[candybag]

Yes. Teacakes. [ Emphasis. Teacakes are supposed to be elegant, regal, and noble! He's basically patting himself on the back because he's the opposite of those things, but took up the challenge of making a royal treat. He stops leaning in and returns to standing straight, now hands on his hips. ]

I don't know anyone that knows teacakes as well as you, Twinkles. [ Is that an insult? A compliment? Does Maribelle host too many tea parties? ]So are you in?

Dad :C

[fighting4afuture]

[Trunks wasn't altogether sure how he'd gotten in the time machine and back to the past. Everything after...after Mai, was just a haze of fury. Exhausted as he was, losing her so soon after his mother had just made him...snap.

He'd gone Super. He knew it wouldn't help, of course he did, he'd fought Black before and that had done nothing, he'd barely escaped that time too. And that was before they'd spent a year on the run, hiding and just barely surviving on what he and Mai could scavenge. After this long, he didn't remember what it felt like to not be hungry and tired anymore.

The rush of energy was heady, but it was borrowed from reserves he simply didn't have. He'd attacked, wild and uncontrolled, simply wanting to make Black hurt for what the monster had taken from him. He might have drawn blood. He couldn't remember. His vision had been tunneling around the edges at the time.

He did distinctly remember Black's mocking laugh, as he'd collapsed, the mockery of Goku taunting him, calling him pathetic. Trunks had screamed, cursed, snarled as the creature's hand wrapped around his neck, as the other came up with a ki blast in hand. Then nothing.

Except nothing had eventually resolved into something. Kind, worried voices, the feel of a hand taking his own, his hair being brushed out of his eyes.

He didn't remember death hurting so much. So he'd stayed asleep, not wanting to face the reality yet, that he'd somehow survived. Again.]

Son 'A'

[keepshispride]

[He'd been lightyears away, further than any ship could travel, when he'd suddenly detected a familiar ki on the edge of his senses. He'd paused mid-punch in the middle of a spar with Goku, much to the other saiyan's concern, before suddenly demanding he teleport them back home. When they arrived they found Bulma fussing over an unconscious teenager, the younger Trunks and Goten running around shouting questions that went unanswered and a compound in chaos as people ran around arranging medical care and getting the time machine off the front lawn.

Things are calmer now. Trunks is safe and secure in a bed. The children have been sent outside with the promise that all will be explained soon. Vegeta just leans against the wall, staring at his son with a blank expression in complete silence. Bulma continued to fuss, brushing Trunks' hair and kissing his forehead until it was clear that it was going to be a good while before he awoke. She mentions a concern for his time machine, what state it's in, and mentions she's going to her lab to make sure it's okay. Before she leaves, however, she gives Vegeta a look asking him to stay and watch over their son. After a few silent minutes, Goku also dismisses himself saying he's going to check on the children, patting Vegeta on the shoulder comfortingly as he walks out. Vegeta doesn't respond.

The second the door closes behind Goku, Vegeta grits his teeth and clenches his fists, barely resisting the urge to growl. He hasn't seen Trunks this badly beaten in years- if ever. It's not just the obvious injuries from battle, Vegeta can also see the clear signs of starvation on his son's body. What was the boy thinking, failing to take care of himself like this? How weak had he become that someone had been able to defeat him? That he'd been forced to run away to their timeline?

How dare anyone put his son through this pain? Vegeta doesn't have the slightest clue who their enemy might be this time, but he's already imagining tearing them limb from limb. Someone is going to pay for this.]

wow dad's gonna kick some ass

[fighting4afuture]

[Trunks had no idea of the chaos his arrival had started, he'd been thoroughly unconscious for all of it. For a while, his sleep had remained blissfully dark, and he didn't dream.

That never lasted long, anymore. They start with swirling grey-green clouds, casting a dark pall over a city that's been blasted to hell and back--first by the androids, then by a force far stronger, more sinister. Red eyes, glowing in the murk. A stretched, inhuman shadow that had his mother by the throat.

He chokes in his sleep as the memory replays, seeing her turned to ashes before his eyes. Chokes, shakes, and then his eyes fly open and he rolls violently onto his side, very nearly retching onto the floor beside the bed. There's nothing in his stomach to throw up anyway.

He only notices that the floor isn't cracked and filthy and that there's light streaming in the window after a few moments.]

Oh God.

[He must have...somehow...made it to the other time. He'd been so sure he was about to die again, permanently this time, that there was nothing he could do...

He's injured, definitely, but he's had...well, probably not worse, but very close, and he can fight through the pain and the weakness to try to sit up, casting his senses out because he needs to know, he can't afford not to know where he is and who is around him.

Vegeta is the first one he senses. Trunks can't even be embarrassed that his father is seeing him in such a state.]

...Father?

dad's gonna go on a killing spree

[keepshispride]

[When Trunks rolls onto his side, Vegeta quickly strides across the room to put his hand on the boy's shoulder and steady him before he falls out of bed. He forces his rage back down again for now, instead just settling into his usual glare as he stares down at Trunks.]

I'm here, son. [and watching Trunks carefully as he sits up, considering making him lay back down again. But no, Trunks can manage it.]