[Saying they don't have to mind them much only makes them mind the wings more--at least for a moment. But then they force their gaze back to the girl herself. They know more than anyone how rude it is to stare at unusual body parts.]
< R-Right. Sorry. > [Best to bulldoze on through and hope the awkward feeling goes with it.] < I don't think I've seen you around. Are you new? >
[ One day she'll learn that clock is an actual head and will eventually be eating her own words, but until then, it's simply nice they don't have any noticeable eyes for her to notice how much staring is happening here. If it helps, she doesn't seem terribly bothered by it; really, it's more the thought of them asking about her as if she has anything interesting to say about herself. ]
I—think so?
[ It isn't the most confident of responses; new here invokes the same connotations one would ask a resident who just moved into the area, yet Koharu would prefer to be anything but. ]
I came to in a cage earlier, so I've been trying to find out where I am.
[ By the power of timebending threads and reducing redundancy, she's able to list off a few things: ]
It sounded pretty weird, but I was told that we're here to atone for some kind of crime. But also that we're in some kind of—simulation? And that everyone seems convinced there's not really a way to get out of here.
< I'm not convinced about that myself. It may take awhile, and it's definitely more complicated than anything I know about, but that doesn't make it impossible. >
[They don't know that for sure. But it's best to keep her hopes up, right? Especially since they want that to be the truth too.]
["Virtual reality..." That's a new term. Based on the name alone, they wonder how close it is to what they're living now.]
< I do. It's just a matter of finding the right approach. Besides, the system's looking for "rehabilitation," right? If that's the end goal, it wouldn't make sense to keep us in here forever. Otherwise it wouldn't be rehabilitation. >
[Though, once again, they have no idea how true that statement may or may not be.]
[ A beat follows, then something of a soft, but exasperated, noise slips from her. Though she hadn't gone through its contents until later after coming to, she eventually did skim through a tablet found on her person, and one particular discovery within has left her feeling...
Well, even someone like her can feel weary over the sheer ridiculousness of something, and the answer to their question counts as today's "something". So, when she answers, the tone comes out a touch flat: ]
[ Comparatively, next to something like "ignorance", maybe. Though she can't see a face, she can imagine what sort of expression they're taking on right now. ]
W— well, it's not exactly right. Though, maybe it's not entirely wrong, either... But it feels like something that's being taken out of context just to paint me in a bad light.
[ There's a reluctant pause where she has to think about this. A part of her feels she really shouldn't be saying anything, but from everything between "waking up in a simulation" and all that entails to knowing everyone around can now see her anyway, she's bound to need to explain sooner or later.
It's... probably okay. ]
I'm—a cupid. They're known for shooting humans with arrows that make them fall in love, so it isn't lethal or anything.
[The word is completely foreign to them, nevermind the concept itself.]
< How does shooting someone make them fall in love? >
[The only thing they can think of is some sort of chemical or syringe. And the image that paints feels much more sinister than she seems to be implying.]
[ They sound unfamiliar. That's... strange; humans should know about them, even if only as myth. ]
That's, erm. [ A good question goes left unsaid. Perhaps if her mentor were here she could better explain, but as things currently were, Koharu's still too much of a novice to really understand the logistics of 'nonlethal love inducing bullets'. ]
[ Oooooh they're not buying this. Oh no. She was not prepared to explain her way out of this one. ]
No, no, it isn't a coincidence, promise! Our ammo is specifically designed to ignite the spark of love within a person! I just... don't know what they're made of... or why that works...
[Okay... They're still not convinced, but it's clear she doesn't know how they work either so it's not worth pushing her too hard about it. Otherwise they'll just start feeling bad.]
< Well, uh... As long as it's just a misunderstanding. I'd probably just stick with normal matchmaking without the bullets while you're here. >
Koharu does take a moment to genuinely think about this, but given her lack of immediate response, it seems it isn't an easy one. Silence lingers, but it isn't for terribly long. ]
Is that something we can do here? It seems strange to be given that sort of free time.
[ Like okay, they're standing around on carnival grounds, but for all she knows this is some rare special occasion to give them a break from... whatever you're supposed to be doing during "rehabilitation". ]
[ To put it lightly. So far, nothing really adds up. ]
I'll—think on that one. I've just been really focused on my job, so I haven't had room to think about other things lately. But I think I might have to know this city a little better, too.
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< R-Right. Sorry. > [Best to bulldoze on through and hope the awkward feeling goes with it.] < I don't think I've seen you around. Are you new? >
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I—think so?
[ It isn't the most confident of responses; new here invokes the same connotations one would ask a resident who just moved into the area, yet Koharu would prefer to be anything but. ]
I came to in a cage earlier, so I've been trying to find out where I am.
[ And, preferably, how to get out of it. ]
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[They thought it was for atmosphere, but to think people were actually inside those things...]
< Okay, yeah, I can see why you wouldn't want to stay after that. >
[Not that they want to stay here forever either.]
< I only just got here a couple months ago myself, but if you want information, I can see what I can do. What do you know so far? >
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[ By the power of timebending threads and reducing redundancy, she's able to list off a few things: ]
It sounded pretty weird, but I was told that we're here to atone for some kind of crime. But also that we're in some kind of—simulation? And that everyone seems convinced there's not really a way to get out of here.
... But I'm hoping that isn't true.
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< I'm not convinced about that myself. It may take awhile, and it's definitely more complicated than anything I know about, but that doesn't make it impossible. >
[They don't know that for sure. But it's best to keep her hopes up, right? Especially since they want that to be the truth too.]
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I only know about simulations from things like movies—and... virtual reality stuff? Not that I ever owned a VR headset.
[ She's casually played some games at the local arcade at best. ]
So I think that's all out of my wheelhouse, too. But if you think there's really a way...
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< I do. It's just a matter of finding the right approach. Besides, the system's looking for "rehabilitation," right? If that's the end goal, it wouldn't make sense to keep us in here forever. Otherwise it wouldn't be rehabilitation. >
[Though, once again, they have no idea how true that statement may or may not be.]
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[ It makes sense—or would, but there's still one glaring issue that's been bugging her (to put it lightly) since she heard the news. ]
But I wish I knew what I'm supposed to be repenting for. I've never hurt anyone or stolen anything... So what do we do about that?
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[They silently weigh their options and come to a decision, nodding to themselves.]
< You mind if I ask what they accused you of? Mine was "ignorance." Not the easiest thing to fix. >
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Well, even someone like her can feel weary over the sheer ridiculousness of something, and the answer to their question counts as today's "something". So, when she answers, the tone comes out a touch flat: ]
"Frequent shooting of unsuspecting civilians"...
1/2
2/2
[They shouldn't be surprised. Somehow, this seems to be the sort of person that's naturally drawn to them.]
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W— well, it's not exactly right. Though, maybe it's not entirely wrong, either... But it feels like something that's being taken out of context just to paint me in a bad light.
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It's... probably okay. ]
I'm—a cupid. They're known for shooting humans with arrows that make them fall in love, so it isn't lethal or anything.
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[The word is completely foreign to them, nevermind the concept itself.]
< How does shooting someone make them fall in love? >
[The only thing they can think of is some sort of chemical or syringe. And the image that paints feels much more sinister than she seems to be implying.]
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That's, erm. [ A good question goes left unsaid. Perhaps if her mentor were here she could better explain, but as things currently were, Koharu's still too much of a novice to really understand the logistics of 'nonlethal love inducing bullets'. ]
... Magic?
[ Yeah. ]
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She doesn't know either.]
< Are you sure you're not just shooting them and they fell in love as a coincidence? >
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No, no, it isn't a coincidence, promise! Our ammo is specifically designed to ignite the spark of love within a person! I just... don't know what they're made of... or why that works...
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< Well, uh... As long as it's just a misunderstanding. I'd probably just stick with normal matchmaking without the bullets while you're here. >
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[ She doesn't want to imagine the consequences of pulling out a gun on someone when everyone can see her now, anyway. ]
I don't even know if it'll be needed here. It doesn't feel like the ideal conditions to be falling in love.
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< Maybe there's something else you could do? Is there anything you wanted to do back home but couldn't for some reason? >
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Koharu does take a moment to genuinely think about this, but given her lack of immediate response, it seems it isn't an easy one. Silence lingers, but it isn't for terribly long. ]
Is that something we can do here? It seems strange to be given that sort of free time.
[ Like okay, they're standing around on carnival grounds, but for all she knows this is some rare special occasion to give them a break from... whatever you're supposed to be doing during "rehabilitation". ]
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[It sounds more... poignant than they meant to be, but it still carries a ring of truth to it that they can't deny.]
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[ To put it lightly. So far, nothing really adds up. ]
I'll—think on that one. I've just been really focused on my job, so I haven't had room to think about other things lately. But I think I might have to know this city a little better, too.
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