caughtinanetwork

...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!

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