caughtinanetwork

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...taking the "sea of my soul" thing a bit too literally, isn't it...?

[Someone is fiddling experimentally with the SFC, although she doesn't seem to realize immediately that she's succeeded in activating it. Instead, Minako holds it up in front of her to study it thoughtfully, with several hairpins sticking out of the corner of her mouth and a towel draped over her damp and tousled hair, looking back and forth between the SFC and something a bit to the side of it that she seems to be holding up in her other hand.

Then abruptly she brightens.]

Ah, it's doing something!

[The hand that's not holding the SFC quickly drops - there's a brief flash of a blue key in it before she stuffs that into a pocket to free up a hand long enough to get the hairpins out of her mouth.]

Igor? Theo?

[A beat, and then a shake of her head and a rueful smile.] --as though they'd use something like this when he can just call my phone whenever he wants.

[She sighs a little, still wearing that lopsided smile, and begins looking around her again.]

It'd be nice to hear someone's voice, though...

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[Naoto, as per usual, makes sure that the voice manipulator is on on her comm before speaking.]

Miss, are you alright? Is there anything that you need to know?

[Minako perks up immediately at the sound of a voice, even if it's an unfamiliar one.]

Probably a lot, although I really don't know yet what to even ask. I read the welcome brochure, but it's a lot to take in.

Do let me know what you would like to know. I know that the brochure can be a little vague on some things that are around...

I guess mostly what I'd like to know is, what should I do now? [A little bit of a laugh.] Which probably isn't something you can answer very well.

I get that this isn't anyplace in the world I'm from-- [a fact which she seems to have wrapped her brain around fairly quickly, really] and the brochure made it sound like nobody knows why we've been brought here... but there must be a reason, right?

What to do now? If you can, find those who may be from your world. [Might they be from the same world? She feels she's heard the name before. Maybe she had heard of it while on the trip to the other school? Perhaps they'll find out in time.]

Also, you can find a place to stay while you live here. They also have various stores here to get things for the place where you live, as well as some clothing stores. Everything is free except for in the Nostalgia Nook. That uses the special currency that you may or may not have found yet.

A reason? To be honest, no one knows the reason. The only one who knows the reason why is the giant coral. Last I checked, it wasn't talking.

I see... it must be something very complicated, then.

Well, it can't be helped. Maybe if we're stuck here long enough, eventually we'll start to figure it out. [A smile and a little shrug; what can you do?] For right now I should probably stick with things like what you suggested. On the bright side, I've found out that at least one of my friends is here, so that's not a bad start!

As I said, only the coral seems to know and the coral does not speak. People have been trying to figure it out... Some of the non-natives have been here for at least a few years, perhaps you could ask them if they know anything?

Ah... You have a friend here... Good... Hold on to them. [The voice coes soft, but it's still audiable.] You never know when they could go away. Then you'll be left alone... again.

That's true no matter where you are. [Sympathy, and a trace of wistful sadness, soften Minako's reply.] Although it's always hard to deal with when it happens.

[Oh, if only she knew what Naoto's been through.]

You're right... Last I saw someone from my world... It's been nearly half a year...

[Naoto clears her throat, though it's still heard as a male.] Forgive me. My manners must seem atrocious. Naoto Shirogane, detective in my world and member of the local Defense Force.

[Minako knows a change of subject when she hears one, and decides not to say anything more on that subject right now. Better not to assume too many things.]

You don't need to apologize. I'm very grateful to you for greeting me and helping me out like this.

I'm Minako Arisato... ah, although you probably already knew that from this thing. [She lets out an embarrassed little bit of a laugh. She's been figuring out the SFC as she goes, and she's only just noticed the caller ID tag.] It's nice to meet you, Shirogane-kun.

[Perhaps she'll find out later from Naoto, but for now the young detective is just glad she let it drop for the moment.]

It is not a problem to help out someone who needs it.

I'm sure it's a pleasure. And just because the communicators may indicate who you are, does not mean that it is not welcomed for an actual introduction.

Haha, that's true. It would seem a bit rude to just start using someone's name without having them tell it to me.

Anyway, whether it's a problem or not, it's still kind of you to help me, so thank you. I'm sort of used to relocating, but this is a little too drastic. It's good to know I'm not on my own!

[Yukari's jaw nearly drops.

This would be the week someone important would show up, wouldn't it? Jeez . . . even if she doesn't remember her as lucidly as she does Minato, the girl deserves a better greeting than this. Yukari nearly responds with video before remembering that she hasn't been able to speak for a good day or two now.

It's a good thing text is good for something.]

...uh, minako?

[It's like a flash of light over Minako's face when she gets the text, the joyous and faintly relieved realization that there's someone here who knows her. She fusses quickly with the SFC in order to switch modes and reply in kind.]

yes! who is this?
I was just starting to feel sure there wouldn't be anyone I knew here!

[C'mon, c'mon, it isn't that hi-tech, is it? Ah, it's whatever though, wouldn't be the first time someone failed to notice the caller ID/name. She'd forgotten too how stupidly cute Minako is when she's excited.]

it's yukari ^^;; jeez i... kind of cant believe youre here!

how are you feeling..??

[It's shaped like a starfish, it's throwing her off! ...Or something. Besides, normally the only person she knows who prefers texting to voice is Akihiko-senpai.

She catches on fast, at least.]

I'm fine! what about you?
when did you get here?

too long ago

[She'd rather not sit there and type out the answer to that first question, honestly.]

[She sends the text a bit too quickly with no intention on elaborating, but that doesn't keep her from typing another one anyway.]

look i should probably come see you in person... youre gonna need a change of clothes

don't go anywhere okay?

OK, I'll sit tight

[But there's one thing that she has to know too badly to wait to ask Yukari in person, so almost immediately she's texting again:]

are any of the others here?

[Yukari's raiding her own closet. She figures it'd be faster than stopping by a store and trying to find something to Minako's tastes. Just when she thinks she's found something though, the SFC goes off again and she stares at the message, sighing.

She doesn't particularly want to talk about that either, but there was never any chance of avoiding it.]

not anymore. sorry|

[. . . Yeah, somehow that's all she can manage. After hesitating for a moment, she hits send, placing the chosen clothes in a bag before she heads on her way.]

oh

OK

[And then Minako waits, and thinks while she's waiting about the things that Yukari has avoided saying via text.]

[Yukari can almost hear Minako's voice trailing, or getting softer in that response. It's only two words -- only four letters, yet it still has a lot of impact. More than it should.

She stops only for a moment though. After reading it, she tucks the SFC back in her pocket again and keeps going.

Everything would be even harder to explain without her voice. But it's not like Yukari can hide from her for a week either; that wouldn't be fair.

She arrives in the plaza, where she assumes Minako is, having grabbed a towel too on the way (just in case it's needed). If you didn't know her, you might think she looks a little lost herself, but she isn't. She takes a glance around, and despite the crowds, it isn't hard to spot that head of red hair . . .]

[Minako is indeed not too hard to spot, especially not with her naginata propped up near at hand and that towel still draped over her shoulders. She stands there absently dabbing at her wristwatch with a corner of the towel, watching alertly for Yukari's arrival, and when she catches sight of her, she brightens and quickly raises her arm to wave her hand over her head.]

Yukari! Hey!

Edited (html fail!) 2013-04-13 18:56 (UTC)

[Ah . . . looks like she's already got a towel for herself. Not surprising, but having a second never hurts, so Yukari hangs onto it when she approaches, smiling. She waves back, and once she gets close enough, she will hand her both the bag and said towel.

This leaves her hands free to pull out her communicator, which she does quite quickly. Odd behavior, even for her, someone who texts a lot --

But pretty soon, she makes things clear.]

hey ♥ i probably shoudlve mentioned somethign earlier biut i...sort of lost my voice..

[She sighs a bit as she shows her the screen. Trying her best not to make this awkward.]

[The towel that Minako has is pretty damp by now, so the extra and the change of clothes are greeted with a bright and grateful smile.]

Thanks so much! I was starting to feel pretty gross.

[She looks a bit confused when the communicator comes out without Yukari saying a word - until she reads the text, and her expression immediately clears into understanding and concern.]

--oh, geez, I'm sorry. What happened? Are you sick? You didn't have to come out here, I could've come to you...

[Yukari shakes her head at that, trying to curb any of Minako's other oncoming speculations, too. She's always seemed like a bright girl with a good imagination -- good qualities in a leader -- but even she couldn't come up with this stuff.

Well, Yukari doesn't think she will, anyway.]

it's kiind of a long story ^^; but uh... they call it a curse.|

[. . .]

did you find a brochure somewhere on you?

Oh-- [Minako visibly stops herself, and takes half a second to redirect her thoughts.] Yeah, I did. It mentioned the curses. So this is the kind of thing that happens...?

But at least that means it's temporary, right? Once it goes away, you'll be able to talk again?

[At that, Yukari nods. To everything -- it happens, it's temporary.

She doesn't really know what else to say, really. She could go into detail about how unpleasant they can be, but she isn't entirely willing to type it all out in text; nor does she want to scare her off so soon after getting here.

She waves a hand dismissively, then types.]

they cant shut me up forever - don't worry (:

lets jsut find you a place to change

Good idea. This whole thing will be easier to deal with if I'm not feeling squishy on top of it.

[She grins cheerily. Yukari may be forgiven for thinking Minako is not really taking this situation as seriously as she should. Then again, that may not be all that unusual for Minako.]

I'll try not to make you explain too much while you can't talk. I only really have one more question right now, anyway - this is one of those "time moves differently here" things, isn't it? After all, I just saw you back in Iwatodai less than an hour ago.

[She's figuring things out pretty quickly. Yukari supposes it really does make sense that in this "other timeline," that Mitsuru would've trusted her just like she did him.

She just can't wait for that topic to come up.]

yeah, that's exactly it
ive been stuck here for almost 2 yrs if you can believe that

[She shows her the SFC screen, and then begins to lead her in the direction of the marketplace.]

Two years...?

[Minako's brows draw together, concern shadowing her face as she follows along after Yukari's lead. It's a long time to be stranded in a strange place, and although Yukari mentioned that at least some of the others were here at some point in the past, she gave no indication of how long it's been.]

...That sounds tough.

[. . . She just nods.

And since she's a pretty awesome multitasker, she'll start typing and walking at the same time. Though this does mean that her responses come a bit slower.

A quiet sigh as she types:]

yeah... but its not always so bad. pretty sre im used to it by now

[. . . That, or she's just numb to everything.]

Isn't that because you're a strong person?

But I'm sorry that you've been stuck here on your own.

[She is pretty strong, isn't she? At the compliment, she can't help but perk up a little and grin. Rather than grab her SFC to type a response right away, she kind of basks in it --

And gives Minako a shake of her head, when she apologizes.

It isn't her fault.]

[Pretty soon after that, just as she's about to type something else, the marketplace comes into view.

So she points ahead. They're almost there.]

[Minako draws herself up a bit to look curiously in the direction Yukari points, as though adding a couple centimeters to her own height might somehow enable her to see any more clearly.]

Ah, is this it?

[Whatever "it" is exactly, aside from a place to change clothes. That's really the most relevant point for the moment, anyway; Minako's pretty willing to roll with things.]

...It's kind of funny how normal everything looks, considering.

[Yukari nods, and then starts typing on her SFC again. It's not just a place to change into the clothes she brought; it's a place to pick new ones, if she is so inclined. After all, she may be here for a while.]

it's a bit like walking through paulownia mall

the best part is everythings free (:

[She's about to show her the screen, but then pulls it back to add something really quickly:]

oh and there are changing rooms!

Ah, that's right, there was something in the brochure about that! [Minako grins at Yukari.] I guess if we're going to be kidnapped to this place, it's the least they can do.

The question is, is it more fun to go on a shopping spree when you can get whatever you want and not have to pay anything, or less?

[. . . Deep questions indeed.

Honestly, Yukari is rather used to the free stuff by now, so going back to paying would probably bite pretty hard. But she shrugs -- Minako can decide for herself!

Just a little bit more walking and they're there, and there are plenty of stores to choose from. Yukari has her own favorites, but she'll see what catches Minako's eye first before leading her anywhere.]

I'm not either of your friends. Will a stranger do?

That'll work! [She lets out a rueful little laugh.] I'm pretty sure they're not here, anyway. Whatever "here" is exactly.

You could search for your friends on the list of people in this device.

[A pause.]

Have you read the brochure you were given?

There's a list? ...I'm still figuring out how this thing works.

I did read the brochure, and it was helpful, but it seems like there are still a lot of things that nobody has the answers to.

There's a button on the interface.

[Probably squirreled away in some corner though. And probably looks the same as all the other buttons. Sometimes the SFC can be quite user unfriendly! Minako's guess is pretty on the money, though.]

You're correct.

[Nevertheless...]

I'll answer any questions I can; I've been here for over a year.

Hm...

[She thinks about it for a moment.]

The problem is kind of knowing what questions to ask. There are a lot of things I could ask about that honestly probably aren't really important.

Is it dangerous here? Just looking around, it seems... awfully normal, for being a bubble city under the ocean that steals people from other worlds. [She says this as though completely without any awareness of how absurd that qualifier is.]

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action forever c:

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voice; I hope it's not too late to tag in? :>

never! <3

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SUPER LATE TAG I am so sorry orz