Open Complete Reality vs Fantasy 2

[Lady N]

Saint Joann's Cemetery

New York

"Miss Nexon. You have a meeting in 2 hours. Wouldn't it be better if you head back?"

"Yes as always please head back first. I want some time alone."

"Of course. Just please be careful Miss Nexon. The last time you were far from security detail you brought back that girl.."

"...a curse or blessing? I am independent Gregory. I'm not 10 years old anymore."

Her bodyguard left her.

It was mid-afternoon. The graveyard was built in a circular structure. It had a side for normal people and a side for celebrities and the wealthy. There was a central area where the two could be buried in close proximity so that those who made it but still wanted their less fortunate relatives to stay close could be buried together. This was the area Ryoko Nexon was buried. Chelsea still remembered her father debating her about it before she died but while she was successful and this wasn't even her homeland. She still chose it this way.

Nexons were all stubborn.

"Okaasan. I was weak and lost myself. I don't remember exactly how, but I apologize. Your daughter failed that day. I don't know why, but recently it's playing me like a fiddle. Was I getting close? I don't know. I don't know when I will see father again. ...if it wasn't for Hitomi's encouragement I probably would have just moved on to begin with. Now... even she isn't talking to me as much anymore. I still have Gregory. He tries to protect me just like he did for you and father. He can't always be there. He couldn't stop me from...sigh. I met someone else though. I.... don't know about her either. A stupid as usual, but a unique one. She can challenge Nexus tech. Surprising right? Yes, father would demand a full redesign if someone made the smallest progress haha."

A laugh. Chelsea's rarest activity was laughing. She barely knew how to. It was stiff even now, but honest. Checking the time she knew she had to go. Standing she placed a flower on the grave and headed back to the car.

"Ey you. Yeah, you. Midget. With the kiddie hairdo."

Chelsea turned slightly. Her paranoia suddenly came back as she saw a man standing under a tree. Besides him was a grave. He gestured at it, with one hand, his other still in his pants pocket.

"You have something important to do? You look to be in a hurry. See these folks? They aren't going anywhere. My son isn't going anywhere either."

The blood drained from Chelsea's face as she reached for her tracker bracelet just in...

"Did you come here to headcount some of your kills... Nu?"

"That wasn't me... um, actually I ... I don't know what you're talking about! You have the wrong person. I'm sorry for your loss sir. If you'll excuse me. Yes, I have somewhere to be."

Chelsea turned away and briskly walked. She didn't touch the tracker to call anyone. She didn't feel it was right. If he lost his son because of something she did. He had a right to be upset and she needed to handle it alone. He surely, would just go away right?

He was behind her now easily keeping pace with his longer legs even if she moved faster. Chelsea heard him but didn't turn back.

Thus she missed his hand going for something in his jacket...

 

[Ash Vargold]

Click!​

The sound of a camera shutter was, of course, completely simulated. In fact, it was something Aisling normally kept muted. But in a situation like this, there was nothing more powerful than the audible reminder that you were in public, and thus could be recorded. She lowered her phone, but kept the lens glinting the man's way.

"Oh, Shelby! What a coincidence."

With her plain blouse and khakis, she was about as unassuming looking as she could get. She put on a smile as she approached, only briefly glancing back at the person accompanying her.

After all, Chelsea might not have seen the man reaching, but Aisling sure as fuck did. The last thing she needed was to set him off.

"I guess that explains why you weren't answering your phone. I was getting a little worried." Her heart was pounding, but she'd done this before. She'd learned long ago how to weaponize the ineffable power of a middle-aged white woman. "I should have guessed. Doing alright?"

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

When Aisling had caught his attention to an unexpected encounter, Brian was surprised to see that girl that was nearly 1:1 to her in game self.

The man that approached from behind sounded like bad news, but between the click of his friend's camera, and the voice that disrupted the brief interaction between her and the man, Brian was sure they could sound and look like even worse news than that meddlesome guy wished to be.

"Yeah girl, c'mon. You should answer that phone for once."

In game, he was used to having to do everything to make his presence very clear, considering his small stature that wasn't as intimidating as his real life self.

Brian spoke with a strong voice, taking a firm step and tucking his hands into his pockets, straightening his posture and raising his chin a bit, glancing down only with his eyes, looming and taking all advantage of his size to be a clear sign that whatever second thought the guy would have regarding Aisling's camera, turned into a third thought.

The more he thought, the easier it would be for him to realize what he wanted to do was a stupid idea.

@Aisling @Chelsea

 

[Lady N]

Saint Joann's Cemetery

New York

"Oh, Shelby! What a coincidence."

"Fucking karens."

"...huh?"

The man halted in his tracks. His hand stayed hidden as he eyed Aisling with a look that hinted at violence. Chelsea had no choice but to pay attention to her surroundings now. She didn't expect...

"Yeah girl, c'mon. You should answer that phone for once."

"Fucking buffalo shit... You're a special one Miss Nexon. Have fun with your simps loser kiddo."

He pulled out his hand to reveal his killing pack of cigarettes full of carcinogens. Staring daggers at the two unwanted interlopers. The man headed the opposite way lighting up for a smoke.

"W-what are you doing here Miss Lane? Were you... wait. Who are you?"

Chelsea stared at, or more like stared UP, at the tall raven hair that quite possibly saved her life. Maybe...sorta kinda. Actually, forget it! She was never in any danger! Nothing she couldn't handle as a Nexon! She folded her arms and her concerned expression while followed was now replaced by an ice-cold pout of annoyance... as usual.

"Do you know each other? Tsk... never mind! This is a cemetery, not a Christmas party, sigh. Miss Lane, did you come here to talk to me about anything? Is there an emergency? Considering you were just stal... lurking around."

Chelsea knew who Aisling played and knew that she knew VERY WELL what Chelsea had done last winter. More so than the Nexon herself did. They had not really discussed that in any capacity since. Instead, their introverted natures helped them avoid having to face up to it. Hopefully, that could continue. Chelsea knew something terrible happened and that's all she needed to know. The fallout on the business side of things was enough to deal with...

As for the other guy, maybe he was at the party?
Yeesh!

@Ash Vargold @Hanno Futaba

 

[Ash Vargold]

Aisling watched the man pass, eyes briefly flickering down towards the pack of cigarettes. Part of her wanted to join the man, but this wasn't exactly the time for it. She doubted she'd let him bum a smoke off him anyway.

She tore her eyes away and turned back to Chelsea. "Would you believe me if I said it was an honest coincidence?" She shifted to adjust her backpack on her shoulder. "A family member heard I was going to be around here and asked me to take some pictures. They want to update some cemetery records."

As if she'd ever want to stalk anyone. Chelsea was an adult and had the money to ensure she had security around her. Though it seemed like she was alone again. That didn't seem like a great idea, considering what had just happened...

"And this is H-Brian. He has family here, so we carpooled. He was at the party too, though you might not have seen him..."

Aisling gestured towards Brian. It was up to him to introduce himself, especially if Chelsea hadn't immediately recognized his face.

@Hanno Futaba @Lady N

 

[Hanno Futaba]

The guy's reaction was enough for a smirk to cross Brian's lips, and when Chelsea began talking..?

Wow.

This woman was really 1:1 to her in game self, both on face and heart. It was rather amusing, but also quite dangerous considering what had just happened.

Brian really struggled to suppress a chuckle, though the small reminder to why they were there snapped him back to reality, making his quivering, pursed lips, to loosen for a bit.

"Yeah, it was all a coincidence. I was just visiting my old man."

His smile was faint at first, but it soon widened when it was his turn to introduce himself. "I am Brian Futaba. That party was great, buddy. We've met when I was small, maybe you will remember."

Maybe it wouldn't be enough for her to realize who he was, but it was an attempt. If anything, whenever they were in a more private space, he would make it clearer.

@Ash Vargold @Lady N

 

[Lady N]

Saint Joann's Cemetery

New York

So just a coincidence... hmpf!

It wasn't like she was relieved to have them show up. She could have just gone back to the car and Gregory would have dealt with that man. The Nexon noticed the tall guy mentioned the party. Then she was right. He was some nobody that used his connection with Aisling to go to extravagant events. Well, joke's on him because Chelsea didn't consider her party-throwing to be all that extravagant. So there!

...
...
...buddy?
Tsk.

"...It's Chelsea or Miss Nexon. Not buddy. Mr. Futaba."

Being 5'1 and a CEO always made people treat her like she's just some cute moron! She was the daughter of one of the most important people in the world! Once she found him he'd tell them!

Sigh... it took so much effort to even bother with being angry these days. So she would just do the thing she was really good at. Being a dull killjoy and keeping to herself. Of course, if this stupid man called her buddy one more time she would call him... FUBAR! That's not as embarrassing as Skylord, but it'll have to do.

Hmmm, Futaba. That was vaguely familiar for some reason. The way she had that blackout who knows? Maybe she was having them in the real world too now *shudder*. The thought of meeting stupids without being aware was certainly unpleasant.

"..."

Silently Chelsea passed them but stopped. They were here to see the dead. Losing family and friends was something she understood but chose not to relate to anyone with.

"Mr. Futaba. I assume your father was a good man for you to visit him? He died naturally right?"

Chelsea couldn't help it. She had to ask. The paranoia of everything always leading to IT lingered constantly in her mind. Turning back to Aisling she said it.

"A lot of people died. A lot of stupid but good people. I hope you continue to do the work I, er... VRS needs you to do for our bottom line. I...tsk.... never mind. Have a good afternoon and do whatever you need to do."

Chelsea headed towards the car. She already regretted talking to people for this long.

<Short but she's not the type to linger unless you find a way lol. Thread ends if not!>​

@Ash Vargold @Hanno Futaba