Jump 15: Bayonetta - The Moon? We Can't Even Fly Yet.

It was a day not unlike any other, or so I’d like to believe that’s how it started. I woke up, and proceeded to earn my keep same as any other day. For you see, I don’t know who I am. I’ve been stricken with a strong case of amnesia and not even my own name is known to me. It was quite a shock when I awoke in the middle of a park, surrounded by flowers. There wasn’t anyone around, and as I slowly came to realize that I couldn’t remember anything, an understandable panic begun to arise within me. I rose to my feet and began to wander around rather aimlessly, hoping maybe some passerby would recognize me. Sadly, that wasn’t the case in the slightest. By the time mid-morning arrived, I was left tired (mostly from my own panicking) and hungry. Everyone here in Vigrid dresses in a similar fashion for the most part, robes and hoods one wouldn’t find out of place in a religious ceremony. As such, it was extremely difficult to make out any faces of those around me. I was dressed in the same type of clothing, the only difference being that I have a plethora of feathers attached to my sleeves. I have the sense they aren’t for fashion’s sake, but I can’t remove them no matter how hard I try.

            Back to the topic at hand however, I was alone in a strange land, surrounded by nothing but strangers with not even my name to offer me any leads. It was through some miracle that I was lucky enough to encounter a sign in front of a café. They were hiring and even in my disoriented state, I was able to realize that I could likely acquire food and money here. It was quite the nerve wracking experience talking to the owners, an elderly gentleman and his wife, about my particular situation, but somehow they were convinced to not only give me the job, but allow me to stay in the upper levels of the establishment until I could remember who I was and where I belonged. I was almost brought to tears by their kindness, and persuading them into letting me help out immediately.

            Through this, I learned that I was quite skilled at tasks such as cleaning, setting tables and remembering orders. A quick glace in the kitchen also helped me learn I could cook as well, albeit, with much more trial and error than the other tasks. That, is how my life here started, and also why on that particular morning, I was cooking breakfast. I had convinced the owners to allow me to prepare them meals in the morning and afternoons as my way of thanking them for taking in a stranger like me. I hope they’re doing alright now that… No, no, I’m getting ahead of myself here. This journal is meant so that I have a record of events in case I forget everything again. So it wasn’t long after I was finished making their meal and preparing the café for the day’s business that I heard the telltale ring of the door opening. Assuming it to be one of our usual early customers there for morning coffee I stepped out to greet them and was greeted to a new sight after the past two months of my working there. This man was not anyone I had ever seen in the shop before, and certainly not around town whenever I had gone out. He had this dangerous air about him as I took in his oddly colored hair. It was white, and stood out against the red scarf he had draped around his neck. Looking at me, he raised an eyebrow, then proceeded to shrug his shoulders and take a seat at a table. He rudely propped his feet on the table and that’s when I knew I didn’t like him. But, I had a job to do regardless and approached the man, asking what he’d like.

            “You know, I could really go for some pizza, but you and I would both agree it’s still too early for that, right? I’ll just have a strawberry crepe and a coffee. Blend the coffee the way you’d enjoy it.”
            I wouldn’t have pegged this guy to like strawberries, but you can’t always judge a book by its cover. I made his order and gave it to him, asking if there was anything else I could do for him.

            “Nah, I’m good- mmmhh. That’s one good crepe. Just the right amount of cream. Glad you can still do this much. The coffee’s for you. I’d recommend stepping outside after drinking it though. This place is too nice to get roughed up.”

            I wanted to question him immediately after that. I should have questioned him after that, but I was left speechless as he dropped much more money than his order was worth and left through the door. I started to give chance, but when I stepped out the door he had already blended in with the morning crowd. I was left to retreat back inside the café and not let the coffee I made go to waste. Downing it in one go, I pondered what to do with the sizable amount of money he left when a loud crash reminded me that he had also advised I step outside to spare damage to the shop. Before I rushed outside, something on the seat that man was in caught my attention. It was a **journal**, although most of the pages seemed to be missing. On the cover it read “Tony Redgrave”, who I assumed must be the owner. Whether or not it was the man I had encountered was another question entirely. I couldn’t think on it for long, as another loud crash drew my attention outside. Clutching both the money and the journal in my hands, I rushed out to see what all the commotion was.

            People were running in every direction from a large crater in the ground, screaming and pushing past one another in a hurry to escape whatever had caused it… But it was as if they couldn’t see it. I mean, how could they not? The thing was gigantic, massive, and holding onto a giant battle-ax. It’s face looked like that of a child’s only made of stone, and what I can only assume was something akin to a halo was floating above its head, but the rest of its rather grotesque body was a sight to behold. I’m amazed I didn’t collapse in fear on the spot, but my examination was cut short when it let out a loud bellow that I seemed to be the only one to even hear. The giant statue-thing was making its way towards me. I locked eyes with the monster for a brief moment, and knew that I was the target it was seeking. Without even thinking about it, I was running away as fast as my legs would carry me.

            I will first note that I can run much faster than I expected. If I ever need to outrun someone on foot, I think I’ll be ok. But it didn’t matter how fast I could run through the streets of Vigrid, that monster took a short cut by climbing atop the buildings and jumping down from them to cut me off in an open area. In my best attempt to halt all of my momentum and run the opposite direction, I ended up tripping and falling right in front of the thing. None of the people around me even noticed I existed, choosing instead to run from the monster I’m convinced they couldn’t see nor hear. I frantically tried to crawl away but it seemed like my fear had finally started to affect me. I think a saw a flash of a red scarf before I turned so that my back was to the ground and I was face to face with the… creature. It was hunched over, taking what I presume to be a good look at me with its closed eyes of what I thought to be stone. I feel like if it had enough time, it would have started speaking to me, as crazy as that sounds. It seemed intelligent, at least as much as any human, and clearly had an agenda that I was a part of.

            Before it could do anything besides look at me, I heard the bang of a gunshot and saw a bullet bounce off the stone face of the behemoth, leaving a crack in what I had once thought to be skin. Shocked at this sudden new development, I looked around for the source and was met with quite the sight. Stunning long blonde hair, a white skintight jumpsuit with pick accents, a pair of stylish sunglasses obscuring the eyes and four grey colored guns – one in each hand and underneath each foot attached to what appeared to be heels. A woman was flipping over me with such grace and style it was as if time had slowed down as I watched her spin in the air before landing next to me with a much softer clacking of heels than one would expect.  As I stared at her form from the back I was left in an even more intense state of speechlessness than before. She seemed to smirk at me before nonchalantly turning her head in my direction and giving me a command with a harsh tone.

            “If you’re done gawking, I’d appreciate it if you took off before you get hurt. Wouldn’t want that pretty face of yours to get scratched up like his.”

            She motioned towards the monster that I had somehow had forgotten was still there. It was bringing its ax down to cleave this strange woman in two, but she not only moved away at the last second, she even knocked it away with a swift kick so it wouldn’t have a chance to even land next to me. I suddenly found the strength to move again and quickly got up and ran for my life. The last I heard of that confrontations was an angry roar from the monster. I don’t know how long I ran, but eventually I found myself back in the familiar embrace of Vigrid’s crowds. Things seemed normal again. But I knew… I know this isn’t the last of it. This chain of events is only the tip of the iceberg, and I can’t see it getting better anytime soon. It was too risky to go back to the café, so I ended up writing the owners a letter filled with lies about going off to meet with someone that says they recognized me and an apology for leaving the shop unmanned and forgetting to lock back up. I convinced a passing guard to go visit on his next break and deliver my message to the couple easily enough. I’m still in shock at how easy it was, but that’s not important.

            Currently, I’m writing this in the back of an alley by a restaurant I was able to grab a quick bite to eat at. This journal and my writing utensils, I bought from some store I passed by on the way to my current location. It’s been two days, I’ve slept on park benches and I’m sure I’ve started to smell a bit foul. So far, I haven’t seen sign of the man from that morning, or the woman that came to my rescue. And no other monster sightings have happened either. The notes in this Tony Redgrave’s journal don’t seem to be of much use to helping me understand what’s going on, but perhaps they’ll be useful later on. I’ll have to write more when something substantial happens. I can’t allow what I’m experiencing to be lost to time like my other memories.


            Hey there everyone, it’s your favorite witch with stunning blonde hair, Alice. It’s already been two months and of course our leader hasn’t even had a meaningful encounter with an angel or a demon. Pretty lackluster start right? Well, without his memories I doubt he’d see it that way, but luckily we’ve been watching over him for the most part. It’s pretty annoying that we can’t just go up to him and just catch him up to speed but what can we do? Karen decided we’d either be spying on him to keep him out of too much trouble or free to take a vacation. No in between unfortunately. I know she’ll see this, but I still don’t understand what that girl is thinking sometimes. I guess I’ll let things play out for a while longer though. There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing him this helpless. Anyway, today’s journal entry is brought to your eyes thanks to my magic. Karen’s tackling the next big update he decides to make, so don’t expect to be graced with a message by yours truly next time. I’ve got a lizard to find, so don’t be mad if you say something and I don’t respond. I can’t watch this and make sure things go smoothly here all the time.

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