Present Day; City of Japan ; 2028

"I was training with a friend when I passed out, and then I woke up here..." Mikasa explained. "I don't know what's going on but, I honestly don't think this is a coincidence. Everyone seems a bit off too."

"Oh..." Ian muttered. Ian looked around, and saw that these strangers DID seem a bit... off. "You're right about that...

"However... I was still in a mission... I remember shaking and rumbling from where I was camping out. It was somewhere in the arctic- and I looked up to see an avalanche coming down. Then a flash-bang blew up right under me... and that was what I remembered until I woke up here." Ian explained.

"What sorcery... what sorcery is this... what form of illusion..." "What the Hell is going on here?" A voice sounded from a far off direction.

Ian couldn't help but turn his head to the source, which was one of the members of the group looking out an open window. Sighing, Ian walked to the window to see what was going on. A whole city was laid out in the view. It was daytime, and the light revealed all the tall skyscrapers and roads. Reaching to his sniper rifle, Ian detached the scope and put it to one of his eyes to get a closer look.

The roads were on the ground. Cars ran on gasoline and on 4 wheels. People wore more fabric and carried less technology than what Ian was used to- then again, this was coming from an ex-shut-in. However, the fact is, the state Ian saw the city in... was 2 things: peaceful (thankfully for him) and primitive. Ian had seen better days for technological advancements. Cars, cell phones (touch-screen or not), and even more green than what the soldier was used to seeing in a city. They were all clues that the human race's advancements... just went backwards. "Indeed..." Ian muttered. "Everything looks so... old and ancient."



"So it would seem." The red-haired girl responded. Judging by her appearance, Asher speculated she is just an ordinary fellow, so hopefully this isn't some kind of kidnapping for powers. She seemed a bit sarcastic from her response to Asher's... well, a bit obvious comment on her dilemma. Then again, the sarcasm might be because he deserved it. Other than that though, she might be a cheery person. Looks can deceive, however.

Asher pulled the girl up after she just stared at his hand and waited until Asher said his intentions. Hm... Slower thought processing and realization... She's most likely sleepy. Asher thought. "Thanks." She said, dusting herself off. "I wish I could say this kind of stuff doesn't usually happen to me, but I think I'll keep wishing."

Asher shrugged in response. Of course, here comes to worst case scenario. "How old are you?"

Asher opened his mouth to respond, but lucky favored him for once. Out of the corner of his eye, Asher saw a male coming, one that looked almost like the girl in front of him. "Riye. There you are, please don't wander off like that it worries me." The boy said. Ah... so her name is Riye. Nice name. Asher thought.

"You worry too much, you're going to be old way before me." Ryie responded. Eyeing the boy, Asher did see hints of fatigue- and possible hostility towards him. "You're tired, right? Give m-"

"Not now, Riye. Come, they've found an exit we should quickly escape the confines of this rather rundown abode." Oh? What was she going to do...?

"It must be exhausting having to be polite all the time."

"Not really. No." Obviously, they speak to each other as if they knew one another- which is the likeliest. The boy turned and motioned for Ryie to follow him. Of course, she did, but she turned to Asher once more. "You coming or would you rather stay in the abandoned building?" Ryie asked. Definitely, definitely sarcastic. Asher thought.

"Yeah. I'm coming." Asher responded as he began to move his feet. "And to answer your question, I'm eighteen." The lie was said in a seemingly truthful tone. The Immortalis had no regrets in lying about his age, really. After all, he had said it so many times... It was all too easy for him now to say a false age. Hm... this might be an interesting experience...

Mikasa was listening Ian when she got distracted by a far off noise, she heard a female voice, "Everyone quickly, the window's open we can finally get out of here!". Without thinking twice, Mikasa headed out where Ariana's voice came from. Apparently, the window Joshua had claimed to see prior their meeting was indeed where he had said it was. The window was now opened and Mikasa did not want to wait any second longer to get away, however when she remembered everyone that was still inside she let out a sigh and returned where she had left the group.

Mikasa was not used to socialize with others, neither was she easy to make friends and she didn't know anyone besides Ian, that much was true. Even so, that did not mean she would allow herself to leave them to possibly die from the collapsing building. Most if, not everyone, seemed to be unharmed civilians in her eyes, though she knew they were more than probably normal humans and they were far from helpless seeing from the energy that the gave off. Even so, she went back in case they had not heard Ariana.

She first noticed the main group where Naomi, Yuu, and... 'wait a minute... there's a new one' she thought as she saw the new blonde addition. 'you better not give any trouble' she thought seriously giving him a look. At the end she simply told them in an order-like fashion, like she always did, "The others have found an exit, I suggest you better follow it." Before anyone could give her attitude or question her or all the above, she continued. "We do not know if there is another exit, however as you may have noticed the building is about to collapse. The window is already opened, go straight all the the way through the hallway, turn left and go straight again. The last room to the left". she finally said before finding out there were still others missing. 'great... she thought before she was on her way.

She continued walking until she finally heard distant chatter, "You coming or would you rather stay in the abandoned building?". Before she continued listening, or put any attention to their conversation they were having, she moved closer finally seeing the girl with the orange hair, her brother and... yes a new addition. "And to answer your question, I'm eighteen" the new male said.

Mikasa simply spoke again, making her presence noticeable again, "They found an exit" she said before turning to Kei, he seemed a bit weakened, almost as if he was hurt. Also, he seemed the most civilized for the moment being. "A window nearby, the one Rowan mentioned, we weren't able to find another exit yet and we are running out of time. I suggest you leave before that time comes." She finally said before taking her leave.

Without making further delay, she headed towards the window. She hastened her pace when suddenly someone bumped into her, the girl named Naomi. "Gomenasai~! the girl said a bit frightened and surprised.

Naomi was still waiting for Kei to answer when he reassured her, "Thank you for your worry, but I am quite alright. I just received a slight bump to the head earlier during the earthquake. Nothing life threatening I assure you." after Ariana said she had found the exit he spoke again, "You should quickly make your way out of the building. I'll follow as soon as I locate my sister, so please don't wait up for me."

He left as soon as he finished talking, not letting Naomi to answer to his suggestion. "Wait~!" she said but he was already out of her sight. Not too later after, someone else entered the room, it was none other than Mikasa. Naomi didn't know what to think of her, but she felt somewhat intimidated by her. As soon as she finished telling them again about the exit, she disappeared again.

Naomi didn't know whether to wait for the others to leave so she could leave with them, but at the end she decided to go help Kei to find his sister. After all, he was the person she trusted more, alongside with Yuu and Aria, besides she was worried about his injury. She walked through the hallways not being able to find anyone, she felt strange from the atmosphere and having a horrible
sense of direction did not help either.

She suddenly heard a loud noise, a piece of wood from the upper floor collapsed almost crushing Naomi, it was obvious it would not take long before the structure finally collapsed.

She let out a cry as the wood only stood a few inches away, and she started running where she oped would be the window. 'Maybe the others are already there' she thought as she started walking faster. It was then when she bumped into something, more like into someone. It was nonetheless than the girl who had warned her to leave, suddenly a little scared, not knowing what she would do as she learned that she had ignored her command/suggestion. "Gomenasai~! she said quickly.

"What are you doing here?" Mikasa said a bit annoyed. Naomi was about to explain herself when Mikasa spoke again "it doesn't matter, we need to get out of here" she said walking towards the exit. Naomi trembling a bit remembering her strange armor put herself in front of her with both hands in front stopping Mikasa, she bowed her head saying, "Please... wait..." Naomi hesitated a bit before speaking again, but at the end she finished almost yelling, "I think someone is hurt, I also don't know if everyone is out yet!"

Mikasa starred at her seriously, "look, we don't have time to waste here. I assume the person you say that is hurt is none other than Wakahisa, however we cannot do anything if he doesn't evacuate can we? I have already said what I had to say. That is all." she said before she moved her hands away and kept walking.

---

---

---

"Yeah. I'm coming. And to answer your question I'm eighteen." Kei immediately felt the jolt of realization that coursed through his brain whenever someone within earshot told a lie. He turned his head in order to glance back at the boy, his eyes narrowing in the process. It was strange to him, why of all things would he lie about something as inconsequential as his age. Unless, that is, his true age was unnatural for the human race. At which point one would have to question his true heritage. Of course, as it is now, Kei was simply speculating for the reason why the boy would lie. The best way to figure out the truth was to gather more information without letting the boy know that Kei was aware of the lie, otherwise he would put his guard up.

Looking forward once again Kei saw a newcomer, or rather he saw the woman called Mikasa again. He nodded in her direction as she spoke, "They found an exit." How aggravating, to be told that which he already knew. He himself came to find his sister for that very reason, but alas, Kei being as polite as he was would hold his tongue. Riye on the other hand was not as wise.

"No...really?" The sarcasm that was dripping from her mouth was noted by her elder brother who simply sighed in defeat. He really couldn't change that about her, nor did he wish to, after all he loved every aspect of his sister. Even her overbearing sarcasm, of course there was a time and place for it. Fortunately, Mikasa took the higher road and completely ignored Riye's comment.

The woman turned towards Kei and continued, "A window nearby, the one Rowan mentioned, we weren't able to find another exit yet and we are running out of time. I suggest you leave before that time comes." Again, it seemed to Kei that she was simply mirroring his own words back to him. He internally grumbled in unadulterated annoyance; this Mikasa woman was starting to rub him the wrong way with her comments. For what purpose did she think they were heading in that direction for? Did she not hear him earlier when he told the entire group it would be in everyone's best interest to leave, all the while she was have a reunion of sorts. Incredibly, however, his calm and gentle facade never disappeared.

"Thank you, Miss Clark. We are actually headed in that direction now." Bowing his head and placing his hand on the small of his sister's back he effectively excused himself and his sibling so that they could speed down the hall. Admittedly, as they 'raced' down the hall Kei felt himself grow dizzy from both his head injury and lack of sleep. He had expended too much energy earlier during that earthquake, and now he was nearing his limit.

Fortunately, it took a very short amount of time for the two siblings to locate the famous window. As proof that chivalry had not died quite yet, Kei pressured his twin to go through first, much to her chagrin. "You're the one with the head injury, you go." She declared stubbornly as she tried to shove him out the window.

"This is not a battle you will win, and we really don't have the time to argue about it." Riye stared flatly at her brother before grumbling and doing as she was told. Kei smiled, pleased that he had won this argument with Riye with a single sentence, before following her out.

---

---

---

Riye was fully aware that Kei had detected a lie. However, she figured she'd question him about it later. After all she hardly had the chance to do it now as she was hustled in the direction of an exit by her brother, who was obviously not feeling well. No longer did his aura alone tell her that he was in need of an energy boost, now he was even beginning to sway a little as he walked. However, he wouldn't allow her to make skin contact with her sibling, so, grumbling in annoyance, Riye opted to wait until later just as her sibling had order her to do.

When the two sibling finally crawled out of the window, Riye being highly ungraceful, dived face first into the ground on the other side. "Whoops." She mumbled as she stood up once again and wiped herself off. Then turning to her brother she quickly grabbed his shoulders to keep him from making the same mistake she did. The red-head didn't want the injury on his head growing any worse. "Careful."

"Thank you." Kei smiled at his younger sibling as he planted his feet on the ground outside the collapsing building.

"Who says chivalry is dead?" The red-head playfully smirked at her brother before smacking him on the back. He stumbled forward in response causing Riye to withdraw her hand, "Eh, sorry." Responding to her apology, Kei grinned fondly at the young woman and patted her shoulder before motioning towards the group that had gathered a little ways a way. Trailing after her brother they approached the group which was apparently speaking about a city a short distance away.

"Everything looks so... old and ancient." Riye gave a once over of the city before mentally deciding that it was in fact not old and ancient. Maybe a little on the aged side, definitely not the newest city, but certainly not the oldest either. That guy is nuts if he thinks that city is 'ancient'. She was about to voice her thoughts however, another lady did so first, Ariana, "Old and ancient?..." She paused. "You're Erian-san... correct? Don't you think you're over-exaggerating just a little bit? I mean yes I'll admit the city looks a couple of years older than what is the norm but I think "Old and ancient..." might be a bit of a stretch... don't you?"

Riye nodded her approval, finally someone was making a little more sense. Again, she was about to voice her own thoughts but she was interrupted once more. She shot an annoyed look in the direction of the boy who had opened his mouth to speak, Joshua, the boy with the cool eye she recalled, "That city, old, new or ancient is the only visible source of human activity...I suggest we await the others and head there post-haste... wouldn't you agree... "Miss" Kaizuke?" Riye coughed slightly, yawned, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She could agree with him on that matter. However, she had no plans to wait for the other. Mainly due to the fact that her brother was still injured and could use some medical attention.

"As much as I would love to stick around and wait for everyone else to show up my brother is injured, so I'm going on ahead to the nearest hospital," She turned to her brother. This worked out for her in two ways, first of all her brother really did need some medical attention; secondly, she could provide him with the energy boost he needs without anyone around to see her do it. Grabbing his sleeve she started to drag her brother in the direction of the city.

He went rather willingly, however, he didn't fail to turn around and look back at the group, "Sorry about this, it was nice meeting you all. Until we meet again then?" He stumbled a little as he was dragged but alas he allowed himself to be pulled in the direction of the city.

OOC: Don't worry, they'll be back with the group pretty quickly (if they do in fact get separated) Riye can find them again, and I'll be giving them a reason to go back and find everyone pretty soon. But Kei needs medical attention, and a hospital is a great way to figure out the fact that they went back in time.