this might be a cdc setting thing who knows

[starblazes]

[She hadn't turned them down when they recruited her. She didn't have much of an opinion one way or another, even though these people are dealing with the living instead of the already dead. But what is a Black Shooter if not a doll to be used for the agenda of others? Rock had listened compliantly and said little (nothing, actually), which they had taken for agreement.

The planet doesn't surprise her that much. There isn't any familiarity to it, but she's used to that from the phantasmic worlds stagnant souls create for themselves. Urban cities, small European towns, jungles - this is just another in a long line of curious places that need to be dealt with before she can move on to the next.

There is something that's begun to nag at her, though. Curiosity. It might just be from the fish raining down from the sky. It could also be the result of being thrown into such a bizarre situation, no Ron to guide her (just a nonsentient weapon to resemble him, looking like a huge black metallic snake currently coiled around her upper arm), no stagnant souls to purify, only the orders from these new people to follow.

She isn't sure, as she passively watches the fish from underneath a giant spire.]

((Using this setting.))

Comments

[starblazes]

[Rock glances over and....

Oh, dear. It looks like this girl has been through the wash. And the dry. Followed by a very thorough roll in the mud.

She raises her eyebrows slightly before stepping to the side to make room. After a moment of hesitation she's stating very simply:]

... Rock.

[barkthenbite]

[Shelter, yes good.

But sorry, Rock, she couldn't hear you over her own undignified whining as she tries to untangle a fish from her hair. That and some mumbling about guts and buns. Finally:]

What.

[Just a bit snippy right now.]

[starblazes]

[Rock watches for a few more moments, raising a hand, unsure if she should try to help. More hands might untangle that fish faster.]

My name. It's Rock.

[barkthenbite]

[................................Okay, what?]

You poor girl, what a horrible name. [Astera honestly pities Rock, even if her expression reads as exasperated as she gives her a once-over. To be bestowed such a name must be ill-fate. It doesn't flatter such a pretty face.

...But then again, maybe it's the state of her brain that her parents named her after. Oh well.]

Luna is a much better name. [Now back to work on her hair.] My name is Astera, Luna.

[starblazes]

[Wait

What?

Rock looks flabbergasted, to say the least. She's never given any thought to her name before, and sure, a joke would be one thing. But this girl seems serious.]

Ah....

[What is she supposed to do?????]

Nice to... meet you?

[barkthenbite]

[ACCEPT IT, ROCK, THIS IS YOUR NEW NAME.

Also, she's being totally serious, which is why Astera looks...somewhat pleased that Rock isn't fighting it.]

An unpleasant experience, yes, but it is...nice to meet you too. [The fish is the unpleasant part, but she's finally managed to untangle the irksome fish and toss it to the side like it's nothing.]

Now, Luna, would you mind checking to see if I missed anything? [She turns around so that Rock can get a good look at her hair. The last thing she needs is to walk around like a fool with something else stuck to her.]

[starblazes]

[She's still trying to figure out whether she should speak up or let it go.

Somehow, it seems less important than removing those couple of tiny fish still stuck in Astera's hair. She'll close the distance between them and carefully pluck them out, then drop them on the ground.

One last once over and everything looks good!]

Okay.

[barkthenbite]

Perfect, thank you. [The help is appreciated, and in return her hands are suddenly grabbing at one of Rock's ponytails to begin braiding.

Yup, just going for it. Not even asking for permission.]

You're lucky to not have gotten any in your hair, but this is for preventative measures. [She's pretty sure she has a few elastics on her person.]

[starblazes]

I see.

[This... is far better than getting yelled at or having her name changed. Yes, Rock is Very Okay with this. The only small downside is that she can't ever remember braiding hair herself, so her eyes are locked on Astera's hands to see how it's done.]

I'll... do yours after.

[If she doesn't mind.]

1/2

[barkthenbite]

[Astera pauses at the offer. Now that she thinks of it, no one else has tried to work with her hair aside from her mother. This is what she gets for surrounding herself with only her creations.

But still. Not sure...how to...feel...]

[barkthenbite]

[No, wait. She's totally got this. Oh-so-cooly while she continues her work:]

Just try not to tug. There will be punishment if you try something weird.

[Although she doubts Rock would do such a thing considering how she seems so empty-headed.]

[starblazes]

[She doesn't want to mess up a nice gesture, especially when it's her first time doing it, so Rock inwardly decides this is something she should take pretty seriously. She doesn't nod, making sure to keep still, but her expression can almost be construed as determined.]

Okay. I'll try not to.

[barkthenbite]

[...Empty-headed but still somehow cute, especially with how she seems so earnest. If Rock keeps this up, Astera may be interested in keeping her around. What was that old term again? A maiden-in-waiting...? Oh well, details.]

Good, good. And once we get a chance to clean up, I can show other ways to style your hair. Taking care of your hair should be a top priority for any girl.

[Done with one side, so Astera switches to the other once she snaps a rubber band in place.]

[starblazes]

[Top priority for a girl...?

That's causing Rock to perk up thoughtfully. She can't quite explain why, but somehow that makes haircare seem... interesting? Important? She had gotten annoyed when Ron teased her about that makeover Io gave her.]

I'd... like that. I think.

[Thankfully her pigtails are uneven. Her second one is much shorter, less to braid.]

[barkthenbite]

[.............A really cute, empty-headed girl. This is almost confusing for Astera. All the feelings bubbling up are ones she'd have for her creations.

Ah, maybe it's because Rock is simply pitiable. Right, that must be it! She can't help but want to pat her head and become a senpai look after her. It's also nice to interact with another girl without any conflict--

FFFFFFFFFfffffffff]

This won't do at all. [She's combing the other side with her fingers as if trying to lengthen it. This unevenness is going to bother her so much.]

Before styling, I will have to even-out your hair. What happened for it to be like this? [Which hair stylist does she need to send her children after for punishment?]

[starblazes]

[Unsurprisingly, Rock has hardly ever given much thought to her hair. The pigtails, while cute, are also practical in keeping her long hair out of her eyes. The fact that one has always been far longer than the other has... well, always just Been A Thing.

But not Astera has her unsure of it. She can't remember her hair ever being different and that has her more concerned than anything else.]

I don't know. It's always been like this.