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Who: Naoto Shirogane and anyone
What: Finally wandering the new location
When: Afternoonish to night
Style: Starting prose, but can go either way.
Status: OPEN

It had been half a month since Naoto Shirogane had arrived in Vatheon. The young detective had been busy in her own way trying to help with the investigation. However now that that was over, she found that she had more time on her hands than she knew what to do with. She had originally wanted to look for her friends, however she had only heard from Adachi and now she was pretty sure he was no longer there. She believed that he would have responded to her request for a shooting range because of the sheer fact that that had been the only reason why he joined the force in the first place. He had admitted this much himself in their battle with him.

No, she believed no one of the team was there. She was on her own once again. Sure she had made an ally early on, but she had had little contact since he had gotten hurt during the case.

She stood near the plaza currently. She was staring up at the coral, still wearing the outfit she had arrived in - blue jacket with white trim and white-gold buttons, plaid pants, black shoes, a brown vest, white button up shirt, blue ribbon tied in a bow around her neck and her hat. She still tried to keep her male facade. She hadn't been found out by everyone yet.

She gazed at the coral and wondered how it brought her here, as well as why. She also wanted to take a look around her new area, see what choices she had and where she could go.

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So much for peace and quiet - there's another female at the plaza, only this one is much brighter dressed, and noisier too. Selphie was swinging her arms as she wandered through the plaza. She was singing a song quietly to herself as she walked, an upbeat kind of song.

Then she noticed the person standing over by the coral, not moving, just staring, and Selphie figured that this person was new. So she strolled on over and stood directly beside the person, staring at the coral too.

"It's pretty, but weird too, right?"

Ky was as good as he was going to get for a bit, as far as he was concerned. Nothing but the broken arm were significant enough to affect his ability to fight. For the most part he was spending time guarding Riffael, or Riff, and trying not to let himself be discomfited by the man, by the fact that his face stirred no recollection in his head, even now.

Perhaps they had the wrong man? But before Kratos had broken his hands he had had no injuries, no signs of being drugged to confess, and then Rinoa had identified him as her captor. It was enough to make Ky a little paranoid, but he knew that he couldn't be overly cautious about walking the streets, now. He wouldn't be a very good police officer if he was, and with his arm in a cast walking is about the only thing that he could do.

He smiled at Naoto when he saw him standing there, pleased to see him. Certainly it had been a comfort to have someone else on the case, someone who knew more about detective work than Ky did. He let his feet fall heavily on the ground, to be certain that he didn't startle Naoto at his reflection. "How are you doing today?" Ky asked when he got close.

Naoto looked over at the arrival before returning her gaze up to the coral. The other reminded her of Rise. It made her smile a little at the memories but at the same time it made her a little homesick. She wondered how everyone back in her world was doing.

"What do you mean that it's weird? I suppose that it is strange that it created this place, but think that it made such a place as this? There is much that is difficult to understand, but I'm sure it's not as terribly so once some form of logic or science is applied," she responded, keeping her voice as male as she could.

Selphie turned to the boy - because he could only be a very cute boy, right? - and she smiled brightly, though she did look slightly quizzical. This kid had a very intellectual way of talking, and they seemed to be thinking hard. That made Selphie smile, and she nodded.

"Well, this whole place is weird. And it's kinda strange to think that our lives have totally changed just because of this thing." She stuck a hand out, pointing to the coral. "I just dunno how much science is behind that. Seems more like magic to me."

Naoto had heard the man as he walked toward her. She had also seen his reflection. She was by no means started. If anything she was surprised at how well he appeared to be. The only visible wound was the broken arm, but she knew that it would be a while before the psychological harm would be mended.

She turned toward him, her eyes still gazing upon him. He really did look much better, and sounded better, than the last time she had heard from him. Even though she had known he was trying to be strong while talking to her, She had heard the difference in his voice.

"I'm fine," she told him, "I suppose I'm more concerned about what happened to you."

Oh would Selphie be in for a world of a surprise if or when her true gender. She also didn't know about how she was raised, but she did suppose that eventually that would come out. After all she had already messed with her SFC enough so that she could put on a voice changer that matched her own male voice, just in case.

"Perhaps. Sometimes science and magic go hand in hand. There are several instances of this," she informed, "Animals can appear as plants and vice versa. There care liquids that can be solids at the same time."

Of course she knew of magic as well. If she didn't than she wouldn't understand her own abilities, as well as Yamato-Takeru's. She still sometimes wondered about the abilities of her Persona. Often times she would just stand back and tell herself that it was all apart of herself and there was no need to try and understand it.

"But yes," the young detective continued, "This coral has changed lives from many places. Your world, my world, really anyone's world."

Wallace was just staring up at the sky as he often found himself doing that last few weeks while being here at Vatheon. It was such a magical and mysterious place. Milotec was there next to him eating a berry that he had purchased from one of the many shops. They had something similar to a Pokemon berry in one of the fruit shops. He was pleased about that.

He spotted the young man dressed in blue just a few feet away from where he was. Was he new here? Walking closer, he smiled at the boy.

"Greetings."

Naoto looked over at him. She was shocked at his appearance, but she did suppose that everyone had they're own way of dressing. After all she was standing there in a bit of an outfit herself. She did, however, still try to keep herself looking as much of a male as possible. She didn't know what to call his outfit though.

She nodded to him.

"Hello, sir."

"Greetings, friend. Are you new to Vatheon?" He looked for the tell tale signs such as wet hair and clothing. That was the usual attire for someone who had just come from outside the bubble. He studied the young man and smiled. He was rather good looking and Wallace couldn't help noticing that.

"I am Wallace. It is nice to meet you."

She crossed her arms as she looked to him. She raised her head slightly. "I've been here since the the start of the recent arrivals, I suppose one could say," she answered, keeping up her male facade.

"I didn't have much time to look around as how I was trying to assist with recent events that have occurred," she continued, "Since the culprit was located and is being dealt with, I have found myself lacking in any assignments. Thus why I am out here now, taking a look around at my new environment."

She had yet to let her guard down. She didn't know if this was somehow another trick pulled by Izanami, and yet the world was clear even without her glasses on. However she knew to be polite. Her grandfather and detective training had taught her as much.

"Naoto Shirogane. A pleasure."

Ky studied Naoto for a moment, as if to check the truth of that statement. He knew how it could feel to have people hurt after he'd been put on a case, and he didn't want Naoto to suffer any guilt on his own behalf. Which was why he was careful to smile, to show what confidence he could in the face of what had happened him. He hadn't been very well off when he'd called Naoto, which he knew and should be careful to make amends for now.

"What happened to me is over," Ky assured him. "I'm still recovering, but I am recovering. Since we have the criminal apprehended there really isn't a lot to say beyond that."

She nodded. It did hurt to know that after being put on a case that more people got hurt. She also knew that she hadn't officially been on the case, so she shouldn't have been effected as much as she had been. What was wrong with her? His voice from when he had just been hurt still echoed in her mind. Rinoa's had too.

"No, I suppose there's not much to say about that, is there?" she finally spoke.

Of course, they had found the culprit. That meant that she had no real reason to be on the case anymore. Well, no reason unless they wanted her to interrogate the man. But then they didn't even know she was on the case.

"But then, they didn't even know I was on the case, I'm sure," were the words that left her lips.

Angelina is wandering by the coral, going home from the clinic, minding her own business so much that she almost bumps into Naoto. She remembers meeting the girl via the SFC and later at the clinic, but she doesn't quite recall her name. And yes, since that day An is pretty certain she's dealing with a girl.

"Oh, I am sorry, I was not paying attention to where I was going, Miss."

"You mean the other Defense Force leaders? I suppose...that I didn't get around to telling them, and then it kind of slipped my mind. I'm sorry." Because he did believe that he should have, even if he gave himself a bit a break for while he was recovering he still should have thought of it when he was back on his feet.

"If you'd like to talk to...Riff, I can make sure I talk to Serph and he knows to expect you. But, of course, I don't need to ask you to do that if it's not something that you're comfortable with. I know that in my own case it hasn't really changed anything... Although I was there when his hands were broken and I wasn't able to stop them, so..." Perhaps Ky owed him. He didn't really know.

"I know there's some stuff with alternate personalities, but he doesn't seem like a man who would hurt someone. Not the way I was hurt. It's like there's...not really resolution to it all."

She shook her head. He shouldn't have had to tell anyone. It was her request to make, not his. "No apologies are needed, Kiske-san. Your mind has been per-occupied with taking care of the culprit and recovering. The request should be mine to make. If you wish to be a reference or something to the extent, that would be most considerate."

She heard what he said, gazing at the ground for a moment. The thought was there. And she did have some questions for him. However, once again, she was still an outsider and she was brought in at the middle of the situation. She was not sure what she would be able to do.

"I'll question him if they'll allow me to," came her reply, "I have dealt with split personalities somewhat before, however not quite like this. I'm sure it would be strange to them for someone who is new to want to question him. I am correct in believing that there will be another officer of the Force there watching over the proceedings as they will be his guard?"

Naoto freezes in her gazing at the coral. She feels her heart race. Someone already knew her true gender. She prayed that no one heard the woman that said it out loud. She's not sure what to say or how to respond to this as how this is the second time this woman has called her out on her gender.

She looks over at the woman, gray-blue eyes hard as she does so. She remains quiet, analyzing her and trying to figure her out.

"Ma'am, if you would," she finally spoke, her tone low and still maintaining her male voice, "I would appreciate it if you would refrain from calling me 'miss' in public. I would rather people not know. You already know otherwise but unless noted, I'd rather my gender not be broadcast to this place."

And Angelina will look at her in confusion. Why would such a lovely girl want to hide her gender? Might she be an opposite of Grell? She doesn't really understand how people can be unsatisfied by their gender. There might be many drawbacks of being a woman in Victorian society, but that does not make her want to be a man.

"I will if you prefer it that way. Though I fail to understand why. I believe you could look beautiful if you dressed and carried yourself more appropriately." As a lady, she means.

The woman flattered Naoto, causing her to force down a blush. Lovely? Naoto was not insecure about her femininity. She was not unsatisfied with her gender anymore. The team had helped her move forward as not only a detective, but as a young woman. However the way she was raised still caused a small battle within herself.

"While I thank you for the complement, ma'am, my situation is a unique one," she spoke to the woman, "I do not wish to be a boy, as you have probably already assumed. However in the environment I was born in, I was raised that it was ideal to be male in my profession. I hide my gender by choice now, not from fear or insecurity."

Well, the last part wasn't exactly true, but it wasn't exactly false either.

Madame nods. That is something she can truly relate with. Except that she chose to flaut her feminity and do her best to become a doctor in Victorian society, where women were not well seen in the sciences. Or in any kind of profession, really.

"I do understand you in fact, M-... sir. The society where I come from frowns upon women who decide anything else than marry and [looks hurt for a moment.] -and have children... However, it was my dream to become a good doctor either way."

A dream to become a doctor... Much like it had been a dream and a goal of Naoto's to become a detective. She had read so many books and helped her grandfather with so many cases. But even so early on she had been called a boy. Even the media called her the "Detective Prince."

"I just found it easier to follow what everyone else said," she spoke softly, speaking low enough so that if her actual voice were to slip, no one would hear, "It was easier for me to hide who I am than to correct them and be looked down upon. It's bad enough that I'm one of the youngest detectives, but to be a girl on top of that? I may as well be signing my own resignation letter."

"Of course I'll serve as a reference. Or anything else that I can do." Ky studied the ground for a moment, then looked at Naoto. "Right now I'd like to help in any of the ways that I can. Since in some of them I can't do what I might normally." And it hurt, feeling useless, but he was still trying this best to manage.

"Certainly if you think you can learn anything I would love to have you question him. I'm one of the guards there, but there will be two guards at any given time. Three with me." Because Ky knew perfectly well that he didn't have the physical or emotional capability to handle Riff on his own. "Even the personality that turned himself in claims to not have good control, and we're not going to let him free.

"We have to be strong enough to at least prevent that."

"You do not have to do so if you do not feel like it either," she spoke to him, "It is up to you what you do. And do not put yourself down. Even though you may not be useful in some ways, there are others that you can be just as helpful." She didn't even have to ask if he felt useless, because of her observation skills - and the fact that she has known people like this - she already knew.

She nods at hearing the number. "Two to four is a safe number of guards for a somewhat unrestricted visiting holding area. It keeps both the visitor and the prisoner safe should there be an altercation," she replied, "And knowing that split personalities are involved, it's good to have the extra hand in case more assistance is required."

And if needed she would always have her Persona, her gun with a set of rubber bullets and a set of blanks - she had at least been fortunate to fine some sort of gun shop. She would leave the real bullets at her apartment.

Angelina doesn't see why this lovely young girl must hide who she is. "I believe you are a detective, is this right?" She had seen the girl concerning herself and doing her best to solve the mystery of the murders here in Vatheon. Plus the clothes she usually wore give her profession away.

"You do an honorable job, my dear. You should not have to hide who you are to earn respect. Nor resign. I am sure someone must be proud of you, or will be someday."

Naoto looks to the woman. If only it were that easy for her.

"I thank you for the complement. And I am not sure if my grandfather is proud - I would assume he is with how he helped to get me out of a time when I questioned remaining a detective or becoming what is 'normal' in my world."

She closed her eyes. Would her parents have been proud of her? Would the team? The questions ran in her head.

"When it comes down to it, I mostly leave people to figure out my gender on their own," she tells the red-haired woman, "You're one of the first who found out my gender so quickly. Not even my sempai figured it out until... something happened." Until she had been taken by her other self. Until she had nearly been killed. Until she had gotten Yamato-Takeru.

"A pleasure to meet you, Naoto Shirogane." He nodded in greeting. "You seem a person very particular in what journey you take in life. May I ask what you do for a living?" He was curious about the young man. Why was he being rather defensive? It seemed that way.

Perhaps, it was because he had just arrived.

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