Who: Kimiko Miyashiro & Annie January What: A reunion of sorts Where: Near the fountain When: Saturday Evening Warning: some language Status: Closed/Completed Gdoc
Kimiko was suddenly in a place she didn’t recognize. She didn’t understand how this occurred. Perhaps it had been the work of a Supe that could teleport people? She didn’t know. The one thing she did know at the moment? Frenchie wasn’t here. All she did was walk outside for some air…and she stepped into a new world.
When a man approached her, she tensed up. She kept her cool, though, and did not immediately try to destroy him. She was confused when he handed her a smartphone, a credit card, and a set of keys. He started to explain where she was, but she had mostly tuned out, too busy looking around at her surroundings.
That was when she spotted one familiar face, someone she considered a friend. She started waving about, trying to get Annie’s attention.
Annie had been out this evening after her final shift at the dance studio. She had planned to do some grocery shopping for herself and Hughie. That plan was sidelined when she saw someone frantically waving at her.
“Kimiko?” she said, rushing over to her friend. She thought about giving the other woman a hug, but she knew sometimes Kimiko didn’t like that.
“Were you given a phone, yet?”
She also knew this was the best way to communicate with her, as Annie didn’t know Kimiko’s sign language.
Kimiko nodded vigorously, knowing exactly what Annie was hinting at. She grabbed the phone and quickly started typing.
Where are we? I was just with Frenchie, and then I was suddenly here. Did a Supe do this?!
She didn’t like feeling so unsure. It reminded her of the time The Boys found her when she felt like she didn’t belong anywhere. She hated this feeling and did not want to revert to that part of herself again. At least she found someone she trusted.
Annie softened, wanting to be reassuring. She knew how strange this whole situation was. She’d been through this herself.
“We’re in a place called Madison Valley, Indiana,” she started to explain. “No one knows exactly how we got here, but it is not because of a Supe or anything like that. It’s like an alternative Earth. I’m sorry I don’t have better answers, but I promise you it is safe here.”
This was a scary situation to be in on first arrival. But it didn’t always have to be. Annie tried to make it better for her.
“Homelander isn’t here.” That had to be a plus, right?
Kimiko wrinkled her brow in disbelief. How could any of this be? Supes existing was one thing, but alternate universes? And no Homelander? She wasn’t sure she could trust that. He always seemed to be around and always seemed to win.
What the hell?! she typed, following by making a gesture indicating a brain explosion.
Annie might not know Kimiko’s sign language, but she could figure that one out with ease.
“Yeah,” she said with a crooked grin. “It’s a mind fuck. But you kinda get used to it. At least some do.”
Annie had gotten used to it a little bit. It helped a lot that Hughie was here, too. She really wished Frenchie was here for Kimiko’s sake. He was the only one Kimiko seemed to fully trust.
Kimiko didn’t feel as in control as she liked to be. How could she ever get used to anything like this. She still had so many questions. The most important one?
Is Frenchie here?
She had a strong feeling she was not going to like that answer.
Annie frowned, knowing the answer she had to give. “I’m sorry Kimiko. He’s not here. There are other people here from home. It’s entirely possible Frenchie might arrive at another time.”
She really hoped so. She liked him, too. The place would be just a little more interesting with him around. “Hughie’s here,” she said. “And…Butcher.”
Kimiko glared daggers. Butcher was here, but Frenchie wasn’t? How was that fair? She furiously typed this time. Fuck my life.
He better not even think about telling her what to do here. She wasn’t going to be anyone’s hired gun anymore. From now on, she was living by her own rules.
Annie nodded. “Pretty much, yeah. But hey, I’m here. And Hughie. And a whole bunch of people from all sorts of worlds.”
Including other Supes…but none like those from home. At least not so far. Even the guy who was the most Homelander-like power wise was a good guy.
“Look, I’m headed home right now. Why don’t you stay with me and Hughie tonight and then we can figure things out. We’ll do our best to answer any questions you have.”
At least there weren’t any clowns.
Kimiko had no idea of the nightmare situation she had missed out on involving clowns. If she’d known, there would probably be at least one less clown painting on a wall.
For now, she was grateful to her friend. She broke out into a warm grin before pulling Annie into a big hug. Sometimes, hugs were nice, especially from people she liked. She didn’t have to type a thank you message.
The hug was all that was required.
Annie smiled, glad she didn’t have to initiate a hug on her own. Kimiko did so on her own accord, the ultimate message of trust.
She did her best to answer more questions as they headed toward the apartments. There were many more to come.