[ Out of nothing, there's suddenly something.

That...isn't right. Before he can even so much as try to breathe, the wrongness of feeling, thinking, existing washes over him, cloying and unwelcome, after making his choice. Was it all for nothing, then? Did it even matter? Kainé, Yonah...

...Why the hell does it feel like he's drowning?

Because, as he opens his eyes, he realizes he is. He's sinking deep into dark waters, but there's light above. It only takes a moment before instinct kicks in and he tries to fight it, but it's pointless, anyway. He still can't swim worth a damn, and with his lungs burning, all he can think about is how Weiss would chide him if he were here.

Fortunately (probably) for him, one of the pillow jellies takes pity on his nearly-unconscious form, buoying him up to the surface so he can sputter for some air and blink against the harsh light of the sun.

A few minutes later, Nier has made it to shore, but is no better off for it, his heavy clothing waterlogged and hair in his face, looking like a madman as he charges up to the next closest person and asks: ]

Did you see a girl with white hair run by here?

[ There is more than one person he is asking about. He is, as ever, focused on them, not sparing another thought for himself. ]

[ The inn is so...comfortable. Extravagant, really, in a way that unsettles him, not to mention the technology that is somehow futuristic and ancient all at once. The bed seems way too soft and big for sitting on or sleeping in, so instead he sits on the table, cross-legged with his blade across his knees, a stone in one hand so he can sharpen his weapon, though it hardly needs it. There's also a very large wolf curled up near the foot of the bed, tail flicking as she surveys the room.

If you happen to be assigned to his room, this is the questionable sight that greets you, though Nier at least as the tact to acknowledge his roommate with a polite nod of the head. ]

Hope you don't mind I opened the window. Better to stay aware of our surroundings.

[ It's dark outside now, and it is a phenomenon he has never before experienced in his life. It's bewildering an army of Shades hasn't descended upon them already. Living here is going to take some adjusting to. ]

[ You know, after nearly drowning upon his arrival, he was really ready to be done getting into the water for awhile, but Nier is never one to turn down a request of someone in need. After helping to collect underwater mementos and raise the ship, he can allow himself a break, and procures a fishing rod from a stand on the beach to while away the rest of the evening on the shoreline.

Fishing, at least, isn't any different in this world, even if the sea life he hauls up on his rod is.

The problem is, after awhile, he really has way too many buckets of fish, even if he did want to take them home and cook them. And there's such an alarming and excessive amount of food already present — all from a little bit of magic, Weiss would have a few words to say about it, he's sure — that he doesn't see much point in cooking them over a fire right now.

Instead, he approaches nearby beachgoers, holding out a bucket of fish for them to take. ]

Here, they're fresh. Can't say how they'll taste, but I'll bet there's something good in there.

[ You're welcome???? ]

[ After days of waiting for the other shoe to fall, he's almost unsurprised that this happens, though being kidnapped isn't so rattling, which is saying something. Mostly, he's frustrated that he let his guard down long enough to let someone get the jump on him, even if he's still getting used to the way magic can be used in this world.

It's somehow more insulting when they tell him to get into the ring and fight. He would have done this willingly if they only asked, and paid him a little. Though he suspects that payment isn't on the table.

That's fine — he'll just have to take it from them when he's finished knocking them around a bit.

Now in the ring and armed with a ludicrously large sword, he faces his would-be opponent, sizing them up. It'd be better to work alongside them to get out of here if they're cooperative, but if they're only here to fight, then so be it. ]

Ready when you are.

[ He always is. ]

[ Got something besides these prompts in mind? Go for it! ]