said it's a culmination of a story and a goodbye session

[innocentralized]

[WELL, THAT ALL ENDED WELL.

As usual (why is this usual, again? Damn it, London), people have to resume their everyday lives. Time waits for no man, after all. No man, no woman, no one inbetween. This is exactly why Michi can be found hitting the books outside at her usual cafe! ... Or more like. Sitting there, staring death into the book until its information sticks in her brain. She plays with her hair idly and watches as the people pass by, head sort of lolling off to the side in a very unladylike fashion -- she couldn't look any more bored if she tried to.

But if that's not your cup of tea, feel free to head on down to the Thames, where you'll see a young blonde girl, approximately age sixteen, washed up on the shore. Her clothing is a good 61 years younger than "today's" fashions, for anyone that would notice. A cute, yellow dress. A-line, floral print. Very 40s.

She doesn't scream. She doesn't even try coughing the water out of her lungs. All she does is sit up and look around the area, with wide eyes -- one blue, one a brilliant gold.]

Comments

MAYBE I WANT TWO CUPS OF TEA HUH?

[inhumanity]

[A friendly person stops by Michi.] This is a waste of a beautiful day. Let's head outside to enjoy this limited-time second-edition gift from Mother Nature.

DRINK THE WHOLE DAMN POT, BIRTHDAY GIRL

[hairpine]

Ah --

[Her head suddenly snaps back up upon hearing his voice, and she smiles, cheerfully!]

Mr Christopher! It is a pleasure to see you -- yes, yes I agree, today is quite lovely! As I walked on my usual route to this place, I saw several cute birds. I can scarcely recall the last I saw a wild bird!

THEN I AM GOING TO BE SENDING YOU ANOTHER TAGGG

[inhumanity]

Don't you ever leave the city?

YES GOOD AWESOME

[hairpine]

The world outside London is one familiar to me only through the books that I've read -- are you familiar with the Nautilus, Mr Christopher? I would one day like to travel in such a ship, though only if I were permitted a happy ending.

[inhumanity]

If we can't make one, we could always climb into the belly of the whale and pilot it under water. But forget that. You need to come out with me to Epping Forest. I visit it at least once a week.

[hairpine]

[Started to open her mouth to ask if they could legitimately pilot a whale, because hey, it makes sense, but then she gets distracted. Sitting straight up with rapt attention omg!!]

-- The People's Forest, Mr Christopher? Could we truly?

[A sliight pause, while she thinks. She'd really rather not have anything turn out like that time with the corpse :(]

... If I would not be a burden, could I possibly accompany you when you next visit?

[inhumanity]

We could go now, if you're bored. [He is going to avoid the places where crooks bury corpses!]

[hairpine]

[> Michi shouldn't you be studying
> Studying is boring but outside is exciting]

Yes, I would love to!

[inhumanity]

[Excellent decision-making.]

I'll hail a cab.

[By letting his hair hide his eyes and keeping his mouth closed, he is able to call a cab in before they realize they probably shouldn't be giving rides to him. He opens the door to Michi with a bow.] After you!

[intellectualrapist]

[Oh, Erika hadn't expected to see that girl again. Well... may as well say hello. She has nothing better to do. Anyway, she has an important question Michi.]

Good afternoon. Have you managed to see a corpse yet?

[hairpining]

[She flinches very noticeably at the word 'corpse' -- if it were the original one, it would've been less noticeable, but it's Erika so she would've seen it anyway. With an uncharacteristically sheepish smile, like she's trying to hide something:]

Good afternoon, Miss Detective Furudo Erika -- I did.

[intellectualrapist]

[Oh good, something interesting for her afternoon. Erika takes a seat across from her and smiles, head propped up in her hands.]

It must have been exciting. And a stroke of good fortune, too.

[hairpining]

It was --

['Awful,' she begins to shape her mouth to say, but stops. Mr Christopher, her friend, was there, he took her there to smile magnificently at a corpse, which she failed very spectacularly at doing.
The least she could do is do it properly this time.]

-- yes, it was very exciting! I had until that point not seen a human corpse.

[intellectualrapist]

[She raises an eyebrow just slightly but her smile remains.]

How did you manage that anyway?

[hairpining]

... I simply found a man and waited for him to die. I am afraid that my memory is somewhat fuzzy. Tense with anticipation as I was at that time, Miss Detective Furudo Erika, I'm unable to remember many details.

[intellectualrapist]

That always makes unreliable witnesses. But I couldn't help noticing you don't seem very excited about it anymore.

[hairpining]

-- Ah...

[Fuck
She pauses for a bit, very clearly surprised! She is not good at hiding these things. :(]

... Is that so?

[inhumanity]

[Christopher remembers washing up on that river. That's probably what brings him over to Ada's side to offer her a hand.]

Hello. Would you like to be friends?

[innocentralized]

["Ada, don't talk to strangers," said her father. And most of her friends.
This was not at all helped by the stranger in question having very strange eyes, she thought, and because she thought it she just went on ahead and stared at them, directly. Ada is not one for subtleties.

Her ears are full of water, so it takes a few to process his question -- not the thought, just the realization of what he's asked. The answer is simple anyway.]

Okay.

Who are you?

[inhumanity]

Christopher. [His smile is gentle, despite the eyes. He briefly takes note of hers.] Welcome to London.

[innocentralized]

I'm Ada.

[Seemingly satisfied with that explanation, she takes his hand and stands up! Then, like it only just now occurred to her:]

... This isn't Anne Line.

[inhumanity]

The river? It's the Thames.

[innocentralized]

... The Thames?

[Certainly not a river she's ever heard of no 8| Taking a good, long clearly dazed and confused look around, before she starts talking again.]

Is this a dream?

[inhumanity]

Hm, is it? Potentially. But I couldn't deny all the beautiful flowers by calling them just a part of my imagination.

[innocentralized]

I like flowers.

[A looong pause, as she blinks, rubs her eyes, and looks around again.]

But I have to go home now.