If speed dating was new to him, it was more foreign of a concept to Yukina. For all she knew, dating was something not allowed in her village. She didn't know what the first thing she was supposed to do. From what her friends have told her, it was simply a way to get to know someone and see if there were some connections two people could have. Right now, she was curious to see what would happen.
Might to her surprise, she saw one of her friends. "Ah, I didn't know you were doing this too!"
[Fandaniel hears the question echo back to him his mind, spoken by a voice as melodic as birdsong, and as sweet as honey. Something about it makes his heart collapse into his stomach.]
No... I think not. My most recent memory of you is my murder. Not an unwelcome moment, to be certain, but a poor ground for a friendship.
[Slowly, he sits back and levels a silver stare at Viktor. He remembers a brief conversation held at the library. Certain things the Warrior of Light had said then were too much to think about and absorb when he was losing his sight and attempting to mend broken ribs. There hadn't been time to think on it then. There's time now, he supposes. Time enough to watch his sanity rend apart.]
[It might just be a coincidence that the description on this particular gift matches someone familiar, and unique enough to recognize immediately. So, it's with a bit of unearned confidence that he finds Kurt, presenting the package with a faint - but friendly - smile.]
[Fauna may be the first person in this place that he's actually spoken to before, and at the very least she lacks the haunted vaguely covered up sadness of his previous "dates" so that much is a relief.]
It's tradition.
[Or, so he thinks. Kurama doesn't really know anything about Aldrip's traditions to speak with any authority.]
At least, it is for Valentine's Day, which- this whole celebration seems reminiscent of. As with many holidays here, there seems to be a considerable overlap between what occurs here and what one might be used to from home.
[ There is no joy in watching Fandaniel's pain. Never has been. But neither is it particularly easy to dig fingers back into the soil settled over his own hurt, the loss of his own body, however temporary, the souls burnt to aught by dynamis by that infernal song, the friends who'd sacrificed to ensure the ceaseless walk of their warbanner could continue to the very edge of their universe. All because of this one man.
One ear tips, flopping to an angle. The rest of him, hands and eyes, busies itself with that list. Anything to not drift back into those moments. He reads the same word again four times before he finally mumbles a response. ]
You'll hear no disagreement from me there.
[ And at that name, the buzzing midge swarm of his attention consolidates back on Fandaniel. ]
[By now, Kurama's met quite a few people on these little 'dates' and Fandaniel is right that they don't necessarily feel like a firm five minutes. While the fox has seen him around here and there, they hadn't actually met before now, but he doesn't bother to protest - or speak at all - as the list is smoothed out for a question. The response to said question gets a reaction, though, head tilting slightly before he speaks.]
The holidays here are treated as if they are traditions of this place, the locals behave as though they've been celebrating them right along since before any of us arrived here.
[which sounds like bullshit, but he's learning not to go into full advanced AI simulation speak with just anyone, these days.]
It's a more believable cover story if the holidays are given unique names and concepts to keep them just shy of recognizable to most. Considering the variety in homes to rip off, I can only imagine that parts unfamiliar to some of us may be familiar to others. Rather than pretending it's anything new, if I had to guess... I think we're just witnessing a mix of loosely related experiences.
[Fauna furrows her brows, trying to understand what Kurama's saying.]
It's taking what everyone knows... Like, reading everyone's mind and taking everyone's experience, then making an average new holiday out of those experiences?
Something like that. If I had to guess, information about our worlds would have been researched before deciding just who to "choose" to bring here. With that in mind, it's entirely possible that the holidays and traditions of these places were known without having to read anyone's mind, at least.
[Mind reading seems like a potentially volatile topic, even if he did think that was the case, but studying them seems more realistic to him, anyway.]
... Well, can't say I really get it anyway. Valentine's Day is just for kids at school, right? To give chocolates or whatever. What's food and cards got to do with it?
['It's one of the most powerful things there is.' Well, that much he could agree with. There was value in physical strength and in money, neither of those should ever be overlooked at. But without knowledge and information they both were all in naught, leaving one vulnerable to the predators who were seeking to manipulate the others. The information was the key player in the game that Richard and his kingmaker would play. It's what had earned him the crown.]
In my world it is common knowledge that God knows all and sees all. But there are ways to fool even the divine, if one is daring enough and ready to wage everything. And just like with God there are some things that our captors can't reach. [And that was something he fully believed in. Sure, those who run this place had authority and power over so many things regarding their life. Their bodies, memories and perception of reality. But as far as he was concerned the council, AI or whoever was responsible for their presence in this world could not reach for their souls.] We might be nothing but slaves in this place, but we are not completely out of power. That is what I try to inspire in others with my attempts to organize The Chosen and have us come together.
Ah but, [He hums and reaches up to pick yet another card.] Such talk is not suitable for this game, hm?
[They don't pry (he's choosing his words carefully for a reason, they can tell that much), but they don't ignore the statement either.]
< You could always try now. Think of it as a test run for when you get home. >
[Because, truthfully, they're not sure if it's possible for something like that to continue to exist outside the simulation. At least it means he won't lose out if it turns out not to be his thing. >
Could it be true? Had Viktor seen Meteion, heard her song, and lived? Could the Final Days have really ended?
He remembers reaching into his breast as Zodiark and crushing his heart, the part of him that was still Fandaniel. He, as both the Dark God and as himself, faded. Had that been for nothing? Had his magnum opus failed?
The Ascian draws a breath, prepares to say something, but the words die on his lips, drowned out by an insane cackling he can feel ready to sweep over him. He fights through it by gently straightening out his paper and reading with the air of a man determined to carry out his duty despite having been shot in the chest.]
[ He echoes in confusion and for a brief moment he hastily examines his ring closer, silently fretting he might not have cleaned it well enough after the last battle and there might still be visible blood on it somewhere. There's not though. 'Cleansed' is also a very particular word choice and coupled with the way she'd been glancing around in search of something before, realization is quick to follow.
His surprised gaze snaps back to her, eyes wide and curious now. ]
Obviously not. We are cumulative of our respective parts, mind as the question puts it, soul, spirit... body. They are not mutually exclusive, but combine to make us who we are.
[ .... No, never mind, he's thinking better of it and cutting himself off. Saying Rika's not his date might upset her and although he has her under control enough that she won't do anything harmful, he'd rather avoid upsetting and potentially drawing her out again. Much better the boy just keep pointing and yelling at him instead.
Even if he's at a bit of a loss as to how to reassure the poor kid further when he has no answer to that question because... ]
I don't know, I'm pretty new to this place. [ His interest is definitely piqued though and he can't help but ask, expression still wry and apologetic: ] Have you seen a lot of monsters here?
I admit, I don't have much experience with it, myself. However, I hardly think it's just for kids, even with the tradition of sharing chocolates with classmates.
[Not that they're from the same world, maybe it's different for her.]
Perhaps that's part of some other tradition neither of us are familiar with? Honestly, I hadn't really thought about it. Parties here typically supply some sort of food and entertainment, though... Even if it might not be of the highest quality.
[Pressing his lips together Richard actually does look down at the little robot. He might not greet the mechanical wonder but he does take the offered gift. That's at least some recognition, right??
He turns the paper decoration in his fingers and raises his gaze to look at the ghost -- or what is he supposed to call him at this point?]
I see that you have been practicing dark arts. [Surprisingly enough? There's no judgement in his voice. Just an observation.]
[She shifts her weight, one leg to another, a slightly sullen look on her face]
I think it'd be impossible to miss that. [She nods towards his ring, or maybe just him, in general.] But yeah.
[She sighs deeply, a sort of worn thing of one too used to being questioned or made fun of for such a thing.] I always have, don't be weirded out about it. Yes, I can see ghosts, yes I can speak to them, no I'm not insane.
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