"But isn't that a good thing? To know others that you are smart and that you can get a good job in the human world?" That was how it was supposed to go, right? Humans had to go to school, do some tests to show that they know what they're supposed to be learning, and then get a job in order to have a good life. It was unlike what Yukina had heard growing up. To her, it seemed like a might better life compared to all that fighting.
And yet, she had to take a pause or two. Indeed, it seemed rather fruitless when they were stuck here and not doing much. Regardless, she leaned back against her seat as she pondered to herself.
"I don't want to think it is. Even if this isn't real or not, I like to think that it's still worth thinking about." Regardless if they don't remember, she didn't want all of this to go to waste. "...But I think maybe that I'm being optimistic..."
Wow! Um, we don’t have to rush things. Let’s take it easy, okay?
[Okay, first this looks fun! Second, oh gosh lovey-dovey! Ahh- March is trying to contain herself, lacing her fingers together on her lap after brushing one hair behind the ear.]
Um, I’m March. Nice to meet you!
ii. Secret delivery
Excuse me~!
[March is waving a hand to said Chosen. She’s not exactly sure what’s going on, but she’s carrying a preset on her arm.]
I’m suppose to give this to.. someone? But, there isn’t a name. Weird, huh. Instead, I think I got a riddle? Are holidays suppose to be filled with puzzles or chocolate?
Oh! I-I didn't...I mean I'm sorry!! [ Shigeru flusters and looks away so quickly. There is a faint blush on his cheeks as he does this. He wasn't really...thinking this was an opportunity?! Since it's really just been a Q&A session! ]
It's not that it's not...I'm just bad at it! And-and you're handsome and probably have a lot of other prospective people to-to go out on dates with!! [ Shigeru, stop!! ] So, I didn't think you'd want to-to be bothered with me! I've just been asking questions that someone my age should know and it's probably been really boring for you.
[ Have a sheepish laugh as he rubs the back of his neck with a gloved hand. Good ol' self-deprecation!! ]
But that's not good at all?! Do you think the AI would ever let one of us help with maintenance?
[ haruhi nods, as if she completely understands. well, she kinda doesn't, but most of it made sense. ]
I kinda figured it'd be like that! Most of the time, a double can't help but show off how they're different, you know. It can be a test of how well you know your friends if they can't tell you apart from someone who just looks and sounds like you.
[Clark doesn't fail to notice that tremor, so for the time being he lets Meryl drag him down the path she's chosen for them. It's not like there's any immediate danger so far.
Still, it doesn't hurt to have some caution. As they make their way through the tunnel, Clark takes the time to use his x-ray vision to look through the walls, his eyes glowing almost white for a moment.]
We may want to take a left here. [He may not be able to see all the way to the exit yet, but at least that's a start.]
They try shaking their hand, as if that will somehow dislodge Vincent's from their own, to no avail. All they succeed in doing is popping a joint in their arm (ow).]
< Okay. Guess we're doing it like this, then. >
[Just gotta go through this tunnel and find the treasure.]
< Maybe... we will have to find whatever treasure they have around here, then? >
[Probably made of plastic if the rest of the festival is anything to go by. Although...]
< Is it just me, or does it look like the majority of the budget went to this tunnel? >
[ He's not really relieved by it either, but you know, compared to some of the other forced situations he's been involved in so far? This one's not so bad. At least not yet. He can't deny that some trap could be waiting for them further ahead, but... ]
I don't know. We might as well see it through now, don't you think? Chances are they've already barred off the entrance to us at this point.
[ Whether literally or just because some invisible barrier will stop them from stepping through, the same kind of sorcery that keeps ensuring their alone time with each other.
Miller sheathes his knife, giving her arm a gentle pull as he steps back to look out the mouth of the little cranny they'd discovered. ]
Though I do wonder what else they're hiding in here.
[ Miller relaxes an elbow onto the bar, crossing one boot over the other, and takes a drink from his whiskey. To be honest, he's not exactly sure where she's going with this. He's not exactly the studious type, so the likelihood of having familiarity with presumably long dead books written in other countries is incredibly small.
But since it seems like it's important to her, he's inclined to entertain the path she's taking. ]
Oh? Let me see. [—and immediately just reaching for Charles' wrist to pull it closer and get a good peer in at this bracelet. That's not entirely the same gift from on high as his temporary body, but then, it could be a midpoint. A step in the overall process. His and Charles' relative ghostliness differences aside, let him peek and see if he can spot anything on this bracelet that shows how it works...]
That is very lucky. Though I am surprised you pried yourself off of your young man long enough to come and see me.
[Ha ha. He's earnestly very happy for Charles, ghost2ghost, so naturally he must tease about this.]
[ She's not going anywhere in particular with this line of thought, she just feels oddly inclined to talk, and talking directly about Hanna is deeply against her natural instincts. Coming in sidelong, though... ]
It's the fictional journal of a man named Charlie with a severe intellectual disability. He undergoes an experimental procedure to raise his IQ to genius levels, only to find being smarter hurts his relationships and makes him miserable.
[ Her voice is even and level, a factual recounting of a commonly assigned work of literature in high school classes. ]
They tested the procedure on a mouse named Algernon first. Over time Charlie discovers that Algernon has been regressing, and then rapidly physically deteriorates until he dies.
[ She shrugs one shoulder. ] It's a complicated book.
[ sorry for having been off the ground in the first place, no guarantees it will never happen again...
in any case, he is all too happy to let octavian look at the bracelet, not even blinking when his wrist is pulled closer for inspection. the bracelet is unadorned with any markings, smooth and golden, except for where it clasps together; that part looks a little like an ouroboros. it's also very obviously magic, not that charles can tell that much from anything else than its effects.
also, wow?? no, he's entirely correct, and it turns out the bracelet also makes it possible for him to blush, because he's turning red enough to match his shirt. ]
I mean, [ he starts, ] I did get that, uh, several hours ago.
[ he could have not said that, but in the interest of honesty... ] But I figured, if it ends up being just one time use, I should make the most of it. I thought about trying to find puppies to pet, but maybe just going round this party is enough...
[There's a soft, exasperated sigh at the situation. Not directed at Dante; it's hardly their fault that they're both in this situation. It's not as if Vincent or Dante could have predicted this goofy as hell situation.
It is what it is, and he could do worse.]
I'm expecting this treasure to frustrate me immensely, but yes. We should keep moving forward.
[Still, if nothing else, Vincent does gently squeeze Dante's hand. A silent way of expressing that he isn't annoyed with them.]
Mm. You're not wrong. It's well constructed, at least for appearances. [He tilts his head and looks at the decor.] Though I wonder how much needs to be "constructed" for a simulation. Is it just programming at that point?
[A sign of growth: sad vampire cosplayer sharing his Perfectly Adequate potato chips.
Vincent closes his eyes at the prompt.]
Hm.
[A beat.]
Sleeping.
[There's the telltale crunch of a chip, a solid 10 seconds of chewing. Silence, then he adds:] Maybe with pleasant dreams instead of nightmares. If it is meant to be a "perfect" day as in most selfishly ideal.
[A pause. You know, Yu is realizing now that he doesn't actually know as much about Tsuna as he'd like, does he? He keeps adding names that Yu's never heard. Maybe it's out of some desire not to think about himself, at least for now, but he lets curiosity carry him in the conversation.]
Kyoko-chan, [he repeats, eyebrows lifting.] A friend at home?
[Tsuna's face suggests maybe more, but he'll let the other boy explain whatever he feels like explaining without being prompted.]
[There's something so earnest about the way Kurama says that -- not as if it's a joke, but a fact. Under other circumstances, Yu might try to find some kind of joke to respond with, something weird or stupid or funny. It's not just for his own mood that he chooses not to -- it's because of that sincerity, too. Whatever Kurama means --and Yu is very curious to know, for sure-- it doesn't seem like a joke to him.
Still, he lets his response border on the absurd.]
I-- guess I was expecting fox ears or something.
[His expression at that is a bit of a smile, sheepish but otherwise superficial.]
For a moment... well. For the briefest moment, Yu is concerned, a bit -- did Minato leave and return that quickly, with no memories? It wouldn't be the first time someone had done so, forgetting everything and everyone they knew before. It wouldn't even be the first time Yu had worried about it happening to a friend, especially in the last few weeks. But the cut of this boy's hair, the way he carries himself...it's different enough to ease that concern.]
You're probably right, [he says, making a small, thoughtful sound.] They probably wouldn't let us out if we tried to just turn around and leave.
[Pushy, pushy. It could be worse, he supposes; many of the other games are way more uncomfortable and even personal. At least this one has them working toward a goal. He tips his head in the direction of the tunnel, offering as close to a smile --or at least a friendly expression-- as he can get.] Guess we'd better get to it, hmm?
[It was enough, just seeing a familiar face. A friend. Yu finds himself bolstered by her presence, a fact that is as palpable as it is difficult for him to admit. He doesn't know if he wants to feel that strength, the boost of a friend. He's not sure, anymore, whether it's worth the trade-off of losing them in the end.
(That's not true. He's sure, and it'll always be worth it -- but right now, he can't square that fact with the way he's feeling.)
Ange takes the paper from his hands, and his eyes widen a little bit at the assertiveness of it. He doesn't expect for her to be this direct. Then again...she was friends with Yosuke, too, wasn't she? Maybe she's feeling his disappearance, too.]
Ange... [Speechless for a moment, he takes in what she's saying. How she's saying it. Then, on a soft exhale, his expression upturns by just the briefest little tug. He looks at the nearest attendant, who's curiously looking on to see how their activities are going.] You hear that? She'll beat you up.
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