Atlantis

[Apollymi]

Miki's new familiar was being petted and lavishing in the attention. It even seemed to be responding to the words spoken to it. "Ku, ku ku..." chimed the little creature as it aimed to hold onto the lad's finger and keep it next to its body. It was obviously not going anywhere so long as Kou was within its radius. The shared gesture between Hikari and Seriri was also missed by Miki who was contentedly looking at the little creature on her shoulder and having a good time petting it. "It's alright. You won't up and change sides on me right?~" she questioned the little thing doting on it as well.

Eventually though they'd be brought back to a more normal set of conversations which included what was going on in the Kingdom at present. Seriri looked up and smiled. "Everything is going really well. Thanks to you two of course. I have a pretty good sitting Parliament and we're organizing a week of celebrations for everyone. You know, something good to follow up all of that craziness from before. Giving the whole of the Kingdom a chance to celebrate on even terms for the first time," she said happily. "The only thing I really need right now is an opinion from you... Kimi...." she said looking to the lass. "What kind of things should I look for in someone to head the treasury and what kind of percentages should I use for it?" she asked which gave the lass a bit of pause though she didn't really stop petting the creature on her shoulder. "Oh is that all, pick a moderate to lead it. Not too old, they are misers who won't spend. Not too young, they spend stupidly, a few exceptions apply. You should pick the person who's got the best idea to grow funding while also being willing to invest in new ideas," she said as a function of the kind of government that was created a moderate money manager was best. "As for Treasury Taxes. The same 10 percent I am charging them right now would be fine, more than enough to grow the economy. With a special exemptions for apprentices and former slaves, applied to the first few taxable seasons of their working. Can't have them starting behind and staying behind. But I am sure a person with a moderate stance on finances will tell you the same thing..." Miki explained carefully. Seriri looked at the lass and blinked three times consecutively. "Alright... that's pretty solid I guess. I had a guy pitch that kind of idea to me already... I was just making sure he was the right choice. Arigatou na~" she said happily. This made Miki quite happy as her friend had obviously come along way from her inaction. "Hai hai... vetting processes are important. I am glad you found someone," she said happily. "Well you didn't give me much choice in the matter or anything..." she said of Kimi who'd basically not giving her much to go on as Tatsuki and who'd already claimed she didn't want any part of rebuilding for the most part. Hikari managed to stare at Miki for the entirety of her speech, she'd obviously missed something important about the lass given the amount of financial advice she was handing out at this junction. What all had she done here? Why did she speak with such authority on matters of money? The raccoon girls' ears and tails twitched as her face got pouty. She gone to get them medicine but she definitely hadn't contributed much to the overall status of Atlantis.

[Bloodedge]

The small... whatever it was on Miki's shoulder, would brush itself against the girl's hand as she petted it. "Fou!" it yipped again. Meanwhile, Kou continued attending to Miki's Familiar... mostly due to the fact that it wasn't letting his finger go, though he didn't mind at all. He found it somewhat cute, the little thing. As such, he'd continue petting it as the others had their discussion about funds and the like in Atlantis.

As for the status of Parliament, Kou decided to chime in once the other discussion reached a pause. "Celebrations are good for bringing a new nation together. You might even want to consider instating some national holidays exclusive to Atlantis. Now that you have the bridge to the outside world, it would be great for tourists to get involved with the community. Keep that in mind, and run it by your Parliament for a little brainstorming. You'll do just fine."

[Apollymi]

Hikari watched as this pair of individuals basically sat around giving comfort to their partners souls. She was near the point of exploding due to this entire situation, but it seemed like it was progressing a fair bit. She was left more than a bit curious as to what happened while they were alone together. Between them and their Dragonoids it seemed she was about to get her 'Big Sis' figure. There was one final push that was needed though. Strangely, Seriri was on the page, and when Kou piped up, claiming that Celebrations were good for bringing together a nation she could only smile widely. "Yep bringing together the nation is what this whole thing is about... it's gonna be pretty fun. Make sure you all participate..." she mentioned. "I'm going to have Diva help me make a bit of an announcement about it. I'm sure the people will be ready for it," she said seemingly pleased by the input. But that wasn't it, Seriri was up to something very specific with her week long celebration and it was for her Kingdom, but it was also for this pair of individuals before her. "Hm, Hikari-chan, could I get your help for a bit?" she asked of the lass, clearly she meant to scheme a bit, and the girl would be her point in this activity. "Hai hai, Seri-nee!" she said before looking to both of the people on the bed she scooted a bit further up and placed a hand on each of their heads. "I'm glad you're both okay. Don't scare me anymore okay?" she said to the pair. Such a sentiment caused an embarrassed blush to appear on Miki's face. "Gomen, I didn't mean to worry you at all... Arigatou," she said softly. She was technically very thankful for the girl's apparent desire to save the both of them, even without knowing or really being attached to Miki in anyway.

Speaking of the bridge into the Kingdom, the sounds of a motorcycle could be heard. The humming of an engine and a fast moving blur with blue hair was heading down the bridge of Atlantis. She was baring down on her engine at maximum speed, flying all the way into the city square. Strangely though she didn't hit anyone her eyes were glued not to the road, but instead to a radar seemingly mounted to the gas tank of her vehicle. There was a double blip. Such a thing was unheard of, on top of the fact that Atlantis would likely contain some technological advancements she was looking for. She stared her eyes hidden by the reflective surface of her goggles. 'TWO!' she exclaimed seemingly excited for reasons unknown. She pulled up to the palace a screeching donut to be performed right in front of the throne room. She came to a stop and parked her bike. The beeping still being heard. "OI! I am here for the Dragons. Where are they?" demanded the lass as she pulled out a single cigarette and lit it. Obviously she was looking for something here and she intended to find it.

[Bloodedge]

"Hai. I'm willing to participate in whatever you have planned," Kou said. Little did he know what the celebration would be for the following week. Whatever the case, he'd given his word to participate. That may have been a mistake, but he'd find out eventually. Moving on, there were some parting words from Hikari, involving her worried state due to the pair of Kou and Miki contracting the Devouring. "Hai hai. You know me; I won't do anything you'll worry over... on purpose," he said, letting his tongue protrude from his mouth toward the lass. With that out of the way, and Hikari and Seriri leaving the room, Kou continued to offer his attention to Miki's Familiar.

Meanwhile, Karna happened to be on his way out of the palace when... someone very new arrived via motorcycle. It was a 'sweet bike' as Karna would have called it, but more importantly, the blue-haired female atop it caught his attention. "Good luck finding Dragons here," he said plainly as he stepped closer to the young woman. "They're back in the bodies they belong in. I'm sure you know what I mean..."

[Apollymi]

"Hai hai, I'll do my best..." these were Miki's words to Seriri. The Queen of the Merfolk had a wide grin at the agreed participation of both of these individuals. Knowing by how they acted that they'd keep their words. Granted there were platonic activities set up for the next week, her overall push was for love declarations and she already figured out the order they needed to happen in, and as such she'd have a very easy time manipulating the kind of outcome she wanted. And with that the pair of females left to join the group within the throne room, Hikari more than satisfied by what both of them had to say. While Miki and Kou continued to pay attention to their inverted familiars. Miki giving the most of her attention to the little squirrel? Dog? Fox-thing? That belonged to Kou. In the meantime the Direwolf spoke again for the first time in a while. He'd been content to watch the girl interact with her friends. "I... still have things that belong to you. I assume you want them back..." he mentioned standing up on his hind legs he revealed a pouch tied to his forepaws which held within them, two other pieces of the Lich King's Obelisks as well as a couple of legendary creature drops which could be used for different forms of Necromancy. Miki to her credit, pulled at everything with the use of Mana Zone keeping her hands to pet the little creature only to have her eyes widen when she saw them. Then an almost sinister grin spread across her face and she began laughing almost hysterically. Today had been a very good day for the half-Druid, "Youko!~ You're such a good boy. Keeping these for me!~" she praised the Direwolf and watching as his tail wagged furiously.

Meanwhile outside in the Throne Room the smoking female was approached by Karna who made the claim that the Dragons she'd sought were back where they were supposed to be. "Goddamnit. I am in this for Wish Gems how did I miss both of them..." she griped. She supposed it was fine, since her trip wouldn't be wasted regardless, she still had time to research the objects of Atlantis while she aimed to advance her tech. "No, better question why are they both Dragonoids reading on my radar so hard?" she asked herself. She picked up the little console and began tinkering with it, cigarette hanging from her mouth. In the meantime, Seriri and Hikari were coming out and having a conversation which needed to be had among them. "So, I'm setting up a Valentine's Day and White Day festival with random other stuff in between so they can't feel like it was made for them..." she said to Hikari. The raccoon girl's eyes widened. "That's a great fucking idea! In that order right?" she asked of the plan. "Yep. Kimi first... him second. That seems to be better off for the both of them... and I ship it so I need to see this happen." she explained in hushed whispers as they looked up to find Karna in the Throne Room with a random woman on a motorcycle.

[Bloodedge]

If only the pair of Adventurers knew what they were signing up for when agreeing to Seriri's celebration idea. No matter; they would do eventually.

Elsewhere in the very same palace, Karna stepped even closer to a strange woman. This one wielded a technology rivaling, perhaps even surpassing, that of Atlantis itself. It seemed a bit more rustic, lacking in magic, though impressive nonetheless when considering her ability to track down a pair of Dragonoids from wherever she'd come from. Typically, only the senses of the magically-inclined could trace a Dragonoid from a distance, yet this woman managed to follow two of them simultaneously. "It's because they're Players, like us," Karna said simply. A simple beckoning gesture of his right forefinger would lay claim to the cigarette this girl smoked, bringing it to Karna's mouth for a quick drag. "Huu~. You're interesting, though. You could serve me, instead of following through with that stupid plan of collecting Wish Gems in this era."

[Apollymi]

"Shush..." this was the only thing said by the blue haired lass for a moment. She didn't need to be told about what was going on here, she'd already figured out that the pair was players, she'd just hoped they were the type to have those as their main characters. What was more this lad managed to steal a cigarette out of her mouth without her consent. The magically-inclined beings in this world were rather annoying, as were player characters with high opinions of themselves, as judging by this white haired lad's general disposition he was. "Ugh, I don't serve people," she said with a casual roll of her eyes. "You sound like one of those internet pervs from the dark corners... I don't need that shit..." she mentioned rather firmly. "I don't even work for people who could pay me. So, unless you happen to have the blueprints for my bike's upgrade... or scrap parts you have nothing to say to me," she said with a bit of acknowledgement. There wasn't anyone bonded so magically with this world that she could talk tech with... because of this, she had absolutely no interest in conversing further with this lad. "Keep the smoke... I don't expect you to get what I'm doing anyways..." she finished speaking and tinkering with her radar, making only minor adjustments to it, so it could more directly tell the difference between Dragonoids and True Dragons. She couldn't have direct contact with the Dragonoids, but she could always just follow this pair until they turned back and acquire her Wish Balls then. Until then, she'd go plunder the Library of Atlantis since it was now open to the public, with that in mind she situated herself on her bike and started the engine once more, content to leave this place and find what she was looking for.

[Bloodedge]

"Nobody serves people, until they change their mind about servitude," Karna said prior to dragging more smoke into his lungs. Oddly, his existence outside of this world never partook of a cigarette. This Avatar, however, inhaled as if smoking were a long-term habit of his. "It looks like that bike needs more than some upgrades," he quipped ever so casually. This woman offered him the remainder of the cigarette, not that it mattered; he was going to keep it regardless. The woman claimed that she didn't expect him to know what she was doing... though he had his ways to know what anyone happened to be doing, at just about any time. Another puff of smoke, and he was speaking again. "You're not going to be able to differentiate those Dragonoids from their ancestors. Those two are Emperor Class."

[Apollymi]

"Not happening..." she said of choosing servitude, this was quite true. This girl had the same job she always had, and refused to work for the corporate machine. She wanted to tinker, so she tinkered. She wanted to invent so she invented. She wanted to see this games mechanics from the inside, she ended up in this world. Simple. As for what her bike needed or didn't need she could only chuckle. "Looks like, but I've been building it for years. I know exactly what it needs..." This lass stated facts. She knew exactly the type of upgrade she was looking for, and knew what would take her creations to the next level. As for the last bit after her bike started up, there was a claim made by this male that the Dragonoids found here were Emperor Class. He apparently had some idea of what she'd been doing, but she still didn't trust him. "Uh-huh? Hardcore PvP players couldn't even end up with Emperor Class Dragonoids. Two random kids ended up with it that happen to both be in Atlantis? Sitting beside each other even? The odds on that are cosmically unrealistic," said the lass. This world was magical, but even magic had limits, surely he was joking. He was lying? Trying to be impressive? Just a jackass? Didn't really matter, his words made her think and adjust the specs on her radar again. Because strangely those two hadn't stopped beeping on her screen. Should that even really be possible if they weren't currently in form as he claimed?

[Bloodedge]

"The words of most people." With this simple response given, Karna let the cigarette hang from his lips while holding his hands against his sides. The matters of her strange, self-crafted motorcycle, were of no importance to him. He was more concerned with the matter of her seeking Dragons to collect the Wish Balls. He crossed his arms, and rolled his eyes. Her commentary about the people capable of becoming Emperor Class Dragonoids made him scoff. It was obvious that she didn't believe him, and he didn't even have to peer into her mind to learn this. Well, there was a simple way to clarify the possibility for this odd woman. One of the two Players may have been less recognizable to the general public, but the other...

"Geno Killer?"

[Apollymi]

Apparently, this white haired lad thought that her words were the same as those of most people. She supposed unless he knew who she actually was, he'd have no reason to believe her when she said she had no intention of servitude. Perhaps he thought that this world changed her or would do? It wouldn't, there was a nary a thing that could make her do anything besides what she felt like doing. She had no sense of duty, no sense of obligation. She was a maker, so she'd make. That was all. "Hmphf. Whatever..." she didn't bother justifying her thoughts here. It was becoming obvious to her that this lad didn't understand how much she'd already proved herself of that point. 'Still, it's weird. This is perfectly calibrated, and adjusted for leaving and entering high density Mana Zones. It is completely unrealistic for a pair of not currently Dragonoid Avatars to be enough to still be blinking,' she thought to herself. She continued looking at her screen and thought of the extra research potential. Though not magically inclined a bit more research on the mechanics of magic as an energy source was necessary to create her source. While she thought this over there was a name drop which made her brow raise. "Geno Killer? Is here? The fuck!?" that was it, instant recognition and understanding. The lad responsible for breaking game mechanics was a bit more understandable as one who should be able to obtain the almost sacred Emperor Class Dragon. Beyond that, she was still yet more annoyed. When that lad had started dominating leaderboards in various games she'd looked into him quite a bit. He wasn't a cheater. He didn't use meta builds in anything. He didn't even use builds that were possible for other people to play logistically so it couldn't be copied and turned into the meta. No bots, no rolling of clocks... whoever that person was, they were one of the most earnest gamers in the history of gaming. Also worth having a look at for research purposes, it seemed like for the time being Atlantis was the place to be. There was still the other Emperor Class Dragonoid though... and that presented a different problem, was it someone who just got carried by the Geno Killer up to that mark? Or was it an individual who earned it? Would they also be capable of impossible feats... This was beginning to smell like a mystery equal to the fun of her bike building.

[Bloodedge]

For probably the twenty-seventh time this day, Karna scoffed. He was quite sure he didn't stutter when he spoke the name, yet this blue-haired girl questioned it regardless. "Yes, Geno Killer. Both of them," he stated plainly. He couldn't be sure who knew of Kimiko's identity, but surely the rumors had spread far enough to get across to most, that there was another supposed Geno Killer roaming the arcades. Considering who he knew this person to be, he had an inkling that she'd have the information. After all, this individual before him now was involved very directly with one of three organizations, who all had every reason to be well-invested in Age of Eternity.

In the meantime, Kou and his familiar were stepping out into the throne room next to Hikari and Queen Seriri, also looking out to see the woman at her bike. Upon witnessing her, his eyes widened slightly. He knew that face, that hair, that... literally everything. "Sou ka... Capsule Corp developed that sort of technology as well," he muttered.

[Apollymi]

The blue haired young woman's eyes widened at Karna's words. She was more than a little aware of the secondary Geno Killer. The one whose name started appearing, on several different gaming boards. She'd taken similar actions and tracked the behavior of that one as well, and she knew that to be a rather earnest player as well. No cheating, all game times legitimate, using builds that made no sense on paper but somehow hitting top spaces in leader boards as well. The only name besides Geno Killer that appeared was MisakiNeesan. "WHAT?! They are together?!" the lass said seemingly more excited and surprised than anything else. These were two of gaming's most elusive individual players, in an alternate game world together. No wonder they both managed Emperor Class Dragons.

Queen Seriri and Hikari were still plotting their ultimate conspiracy when the door behind them opened and Kou stepped out with his own familiar. Their eyes widened and both stopped their hushed whispers. "Oh, right. Capsule Corp... Nii-san would be excited to meet her..." mentioned Seriri who simply shrugged. She didn't seem like a bad person so it wasn't worth looking into much. Miki also stepped out of the room lounged over her giant pillow with a white wolf along side her and a little kitsune seated in her lap, swatting at the Bones of Rathma as if it was its personal play thing. "I think you don't know the right meaning of excited... Tsu-chan..." Miki said. Still the knowledge that the greatest female technician of their Age was within the Kingdom of Atlantis made her chuckle. "Oi oi, you should be trying to make friends Tsu-chan... that girl is the foundation of human innovation," she mentioned. She knew that Tsukiko was a shut in so she hadn't gotten a chance to meet the girl who Kimiko knew in life as Hisakawa Hiromi. All the while blue haired lass pushed her goggles up from her neck and activated them while holding her Dragon Radar. She got confirmation of the identity of Geno Killer and then she looked to the secondary avatar that bleeped as Dragon and saw a username she didn't recognize but a face she did. "Ookimichan? What the bloody fuck is that username?"

[Bloodedge]

"Not in the way they should be." Ah, another absolute zinger from Karna, surely. Whatever the case, he had become just bored and/or annoyed enough to give up from there, walking deeper into Atlantis with his claimed cigarette giving him an occasional, peaceful inhale.

Kou was perplexed. What could have been happening in their original world, if the tinkerer of Capsule Corp had come here? "That's going to be strange back home. If she's here... the end of Kaiba Seto's vacation is going to turn Kaiba Corps into a monopoly, and quickly." Little did Kou know, the brother of the one called Tsukiko didn't simply take vacations. He was lost to their world, as they all were. In fact, that very man may have been stumbling upon the start of Atlantis's entry bridge as the group spoke.

At the gate, there was talk of a True Dragon...

[Apollymi]

There was a word from Karna which let the lass know that apparently the two versions of Geno Killer weren't exactly a couple. Maybe that was up for negotiation, whatever the case, Karna seemed content to exit this place and be done speaking to her, much to her own general happiness. "Uh-huh..." perhaps she'd have more fun observing the workings of this pair than she thought. She sat on her bike, goggles on observing the other group with wide eyes. She had much work to do but first she had to make sure the operating player of this realm knew she wasn't here to do anything bad to her Kingdom. This was simple courtesy among players, still she'd let them complete their conversation before interrupting.

In the meantime, Kou mentioned the likelihood of the domination of Kaiba Corp upon the return of its CEO from a vacation. This made Seriri sigh but she supposed she was among friends here, so she'd share a bit of news. "Ano, Seto-niisan, doesn't take vacations..." she said with her head tilted to the side as she rubbed her face with a single finger. "That was a cover story made up by my parents, Seto-niisan... went missing doing one of his experiments, a while before I did. They didn't want the investors to worry, so they told everyone he was taking a vacation, while they very quietly searched for him," she mentioned which made Miki's eyes light up. "Uh-huh... Well if Kaiba is missing the proper adults won't make that kind of decision. No monopolies. Both companies will hold their current positions until an upstart pops up," she said remembering the last time she'd spoken to Seto directly it had been him handing over the programming various prototypes for her VR system a few weeks before her exams. She hadn't gotten around to testing it until afterwards for the lack of her own free time. 'I want that to be a coincidence... but I feel like it's not...' she thought to herself. Little did she know, it wasn't a coincidence.