[ 1st | Text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

[Once Haruka finally decided to take action, googling the mystery number in her head had been her first move. She couldn't guess at what she'd find, if she found anything at all, but result of typing that last number into the search engine was mind-blowing. What on Earth was this?

 

She went back to the very beginning to try and find out.

 

And quickly starts writing down a list of names under 'Google them', along with a bunch of observations both on the people and the network. She doesn't trust any of this, but she needs to know who to trust even less than usual because it looks like she's been pulled into something dangerous and unstable.

 

When that's done, she sits, thinks, and processes. What's her move now? Looking over nearly two month's worth of their stories and adventures, she can't help but feel a little endeared to them. She wants to introduce herself to the others; she wants to learn more about them.

 

She settles for this. Her interest is genuine, but she words it to resemble concern. Everyone will read and interpret it differently, and she can respond as the person they believe she is.]

 

How are you all adjusting? You've all been pulled into another world, you know, and I understand how difficult the transition period can be.

 

I should clarify: No, I'm not saying you've literally been transported to a new planet. What I am saying, is that you've been introduced to an entirely new way of looking at the world around you, and the way you feel about your life has changed for it. Think of it like experiencing a terrorist attack - the fear of almost losing your life while going about your daily routine, the sight of those dying around you. Your entire world been irreversibly shaken up, and yet no one from your old life truly understands.

 

I hope we're all on the same page now.

 

My name is Minamoto, and I'm interested in how you have been doing.

Comments

( text: tablet. )

[jests]

Is that the voice of experience?

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

...You know, I've never thought about it that way before, but... I guess so. Enough to be helpful to others.

[jests]

You hope.

Still, that's very kind of you, Minamoto.

[Text | Handwritten]

[scramasax]

Hello, Minamoto.

I'm Anthony.

[He's used his name here more than enough to have no conflict returning like with like.

The message itself, however, he wishes he could be absolutely sure what to make of.]

How long have you been using this network?

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

Hi, Anthony. It's nice to meet you. I haven't been using this network long... I felt like I should try out my number maybe a day ago? It was convenient, because I had some time on my hands.

[Keeping things ~vague~ while she attempts to suss him out a little, yup.]

[scramasax]

It is nice to meet you, too.

You write like you've been seeing things happening for much longer than that... Have you?

[text | cell phone]

[reckless_fire]

To tell the truth, I'm kinda starting to get used to it. Mostly.

Of course, now that I've said that, something even more fucked up is probably gonna jump out and bite me on the ass.

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

Oh, that's good. It's a little terrible to say, especially given that I don't know how bad the things you've seen are, but it leaves me with high hopes for your survival. So long as you're not the type to keep it to yourself when things do get too much?[because they always do.]

My condolences for you jinxing yourself.

[Text]

[reckless_fire]

Yeah, I suppose you can get used to anything eventually. It's not so much my survival I'm worried about though. I mean, yeah, I worry about that too, sometimes, but mostly I'm worried for my family.

[Text | Smartphone]

[shiromadoushi]

No, it's nothing like that.

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

[She wants to snap back "You're wrong." because boy does she not like being disagreed with but obviously that isn't an option. At this point.]

Oh? How have your experiences differed, then?

voice {iphone}

[ursoreckless]

Umm, no, not really anything like that. [he's got a deep voice with a Japanese accent though he doesn't have as much trouble with most sounds as other Japanese people would have. he also sounds a little tired.]

It might be close but I think a terrorist threat would include a lot more warning levels and less Cousin Itts.

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

[Hopefully he won't find it presumptuous but when she responds, it's in Japanese.]

I didn't mean literally. It was just an example that worked for me, in terms of 'things that would cause you to look at the world differently from then on'.

...How would you describe it?

( text, phone )

[argents]

[ Even though it's just text, it strikes a particularly loud chord with him. The hope of billions, lost in an instant. ]

That's what made me believe it was real. That the things I was remembering actually belonged to me, no matter how crazy they seemed. Experiencing something is totally different from just reading or hearing about it.

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

Yes... Exactly. You understand. Do you carry it all on your shoulders? Or have you been able to form camaraderie with people in your new life?

[text]

[acequeen]

A terrorist attack? I'm not sure I exactly follow you, but I've only been skimming through most of the archives today.

But hey, I could be missing something for all I know.

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

No, not like... a literal terrorist attack. Unless I missed something as well. It's like I said to someone else, "it was just an example that worked for me, in terms of 'things that would cause you to look at the world differently from then on'."

[text | computer]

[caosgo]

[he hasn't spoken to anyone much yet, but something about this message strikes a chord.]

If enough people experience something, does that make it real?

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

Even if only one person were to experience it, it might still very well be real. Like those people who can see 'extra' colors that the rest of us are blind to. They're so rare, they could go their whole life without ever meeting another person who experiences their condition... but that condition would still be real.

More people experiencing something only adds to the likelihood that there is not a delusion in effect.

voice;

[hollowleg]

... You sure are taking your induction to the Secret Number Club really well. What's your secret?

[ text | iPad ]

[hoennmaihime]

You never know - I could be freaking out in real life. [she's really not.] But really, plenty of people lead exceptionally turbulent lives.

...Secret Number Club. I like that.

[steelettos]

Out of concern or out of curiosity, if you don't mind me asking?

[hoennmaihime]

[...Haruka both kind of likes you while her wariness levels shift to a higher state of alert. I hope you enjoy misdirection.]

I do not. It can be both, correct? That's what it is to be a friend: experiencing interest and concern towards the people important to them.

[Texted]

[espigeonage]

Interesting way to look at it! Very negative, but that take isn't exactly without backing.

[hoennmaihime]

[hey don't you judge her]

Would you honestly recommend an optimistic approach? Because that doesn't seem conducive to staying alive.