thebastion | Pre-Day 61: pre-game threading

[At the name, Crona's head snaps up, eyes wide, irises going from black to pale blue like liquid color draining out. Then they go black again, pools of ink.]

Maka's here? Where?

[... wow ok that was freaky, but more importantly--]

You know Maka? That's... fortunate...

[There's a weird feeling in her chest, like a nagging uncertainty as to whether or not this person can be trusted. She's hoping they can, because this is not a place for fights to break out amongst survivors.

Still, if trouble starts, they've got the makings of a decent fighting force so far...]

I'll go get him.

[She doesn't leave time for an argument, jogging off to the apartments to go knock on Maka's door.]

Maka... ? Uhm. We found some one on the skyway. They say they know you.

[A survivor? From his world?]

Really?

[Oh no, he's feeling optimistic.]

Well--geez, I feel like a jerk for not going out on the skyway, where are they?

[Rin has gained +1 party member.]

[/triumphant music!

Rin motions with a hand for Maka to follow.]

Don't feel bad, it was Bon who found them first. Uhm... sorry, I didn't get a name [mostly because she was busy interrupting Bon being a jerk B|] but they're kinda thin, pink hair, really skittish... ? Sound familiar?

[Please sound familiar and please don't be some crazy stalker who wants to murder Maka]

...Ah...

[Right. Right...that sure was his stomach doing flips and his heart wrenching.

Crona...the last time Maka saw them...]

That's Crona...they...they asked about me?

Yeah-- well, after I mentioned your name...

[Ok Maka being nervous is making her nervous. She stops just before they're out the doors of the apartment building, turning with a concerned look.]

They're not... some one bad, are they?

...No.

[Crona is his friend.]

No, they're not.

[If Crona had the frame of mind to ask about him...]

They're one of my best friends.

[And there he goes walking ahead to get to Crona as soon as possible.]

[Rin would have apologized for the assumption, had Maka waited another second. She still has her worries - Maka is still a fairly new friend to her as well and trusting everything he says at face value until they've known each other a while longer would be reckless and stupid.

But still... he didn't seem upset. Just sad.

Something must have happened, to warrant that kind of reaction.

There's nothing more to be said really, so she just follows quietly, intending to watch the reunion from a slight distance.]

... him? [But then Rin runs off before Crona can ask what's going on, Rin runs off.]

... if it's a him, it's not Maka...

[Crona mutters the words at Rin's retreating back, but it's no use, and Crona's left alone with Bon.

... being alone is probably better than being with Bon, so Crona starts walking after the girl with the tail.

And then... that's Maka, isn't it? That's Maka. Short hair, pants, but Maka.

A boy Maka?

Ragnarok pops out to investigate.]

[It's Maka, even if it's not the Maka Crona knows, he certainly knows Crona judging by the look of surprised recognition on his face. Ragnarok draws his attention as he gets closer and stops short.

The thorny insanity isn't clogging up the area, Crona looks as meek as they ever were...]

Crona...

[He's so relieved he might cry.

Except that would be lame, so he just settles for hugging Crona instead.]

I'm so glad you made it.

[Boy Maka.

That is a boy Maka.

There is a boy Maka flinging his arms around Crona and holding tight and Crona goes stiff, shoulders rising and arms pulled close against the torso. The meister's shaking, breath coming quick and shallow. Panic. Panic because this is not Maka. This is not Maka.

A few terrifying seconds before Crona shoves Maka away, eyes wide in terror.]

No! You're not Maka! You're not!

--What--what are you talking about? Of course I'm Maka...

[Maka holds up his arms so Crona can get a better look at him.]

What do you mean?

[This time it's Ragnarok who responds, reaching out and grabbing Maka's shirt.]

Damn, tiny tits. Nobody told me you were a tranny!

[Crona twitches, cowering slightly in a preemptive attempt at dodging a punch. Ragnarok's attempts at groping Maka in the past have ended badly.

Seriously Rangarok why does Crona hang out with you????]

...Eh?

[Ragnarok's...pulling on his shirt...uh...tiny tits? Sorry, he's not going to find anything, no bra, nothin--just a shirt]

What the hell are you talking about? I'm a boy, I've always been a boy.

[Are they implying that he's supposed to be a girl here???]

Tch, you hit your head or something?

[Crona whines, curling up slightly, voice a rapid mutter. Unstable.]

"Always been a boy"? No, that's not right. Maka's a girl. I don't know how to deal with girls. Maka's a girl, with long hair. It's pretty. I know that, because Maka is Maka and no one else. Who's this? It's a boy. [Then those dark eyes shift to stare at the stranger, voice getting slightly louder.] Maka's not a boy, you know? Since Maka's not a boy, who are you?

...There's been some mistake here.

[The Maka Crona knows is a girl? So this isn't the Crona he knows?]

Listen...all kinds of different worlds were swept up in the Calamity. Maybe I'm not the Maka you know, but I am Maka. I'm Maka Albarn.

[This is weird. There's seriously another world out there where he's a girl? Does that mean the people he knows in his own world are switched too?

...Soul as a boy, terrifying thought.]

I guess the world I come from isn't yours, then.

[So there are no actual survivors from his version of the world...huh...]

[Crona's head tilts down, considering the situation.

No, this isn't Maka. It's some kind of lie. Maka isn't a boy. There can't be a boy Maka.]

... Ragnarok.

[The weapon knows exactly what Crona means, and with a swirl of blood, Ragnarok becomes a sword. He grins, showing his teeth.]

...[So that's how it's going to be.

Maka doesn't flinch or back away, he doesn't prepare himself for a fight, he just stands there across from the other Meister, staring silently.

Crona will really kill him if he doesn't try something--

Fine, this will be settled the only way a Meister can settle a disagreement. Maka's soul flares up, wings unfolding and reaching--reaching out towards Crona. It's not the form or the shape that matters, it's the soul, and the soul undeniably feels like Maka.]

[Maka's soul (Maka's soul) touches Crona, and Crona drops Ragnarok, who barks out an angry what the hell are you doing?.

That's Maka. That's Maka's bright soul reaching out for Crona's and the meister gasps, bringing up hands to shield the fact that Crona's crying. Emotional overload.]

I can't... I can't deal with this. I don't know what to do with a boy Maka.

[But the soul that reaches out for Maka's isn't quite the same soul Maka might remember. It's a stronger soul, a soul that (despite the confusion and panic) is far more sure of itself than it was the first time they met.]

...I'm sorry, Crona.

[But it's the truth, the souls embrace like old friends, relief is evident in Maka's when he doesn't feel the insanity that came from--

Well, the business back home.]

I know I'm not the Maka that you know, but...you're still the Crona that I know regardless. Can't we be friends too?

[Crona nods, face still hidden behind pale hands.]

It's.... it's not the form, it's the soul, you know?

S-s-so Maka is Maka.

[It's just going to take Crona a while to adjust.]

Pre-Day 61: pre-game threading

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