savetheearth | {001} Video

Wow, a secret network! This whole story keeps getting more and more mysterious!

[She had never imagined finding something like this so soon after arriving in the States. Though nearly breathless with excitement, Misa attempts to keep herself in check and remain at least a little bit professional. Beaming at the discovery is impossible to cover up, but she manages to avoid blurting out the first question that comes to mind in favor of a thought-out response.]

Hello, my name is Misa Amane! I’m new here and I’d love to have a conversation with anyone who has been here a while, or has information about what’s been going on. The news has been pretty crazy, but if you want to share your stories then I’m here to listen!

[There, that sounded pretty good, right? She hopes that no one too weird answers, but at least with this number she doesn’t have to meet them face to face right away. Besides, an insider scoop is definitely worth the risks. This is going to get her name on the map for sure.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And I'm a giant bug with a thing called trust issues.

I can write up a contract for us to sign, just don't give me false information!

But contracts mean getting lawyers involve. I trust lawyers even less than I trust reporters.

I wasn't going to get a lawyer... I don't trust them either. Besides, that would be expensive. Isn't it good enough if I promise not to make anything public without your permission and sign it?

I'm telling you I have trust issues, this is the first time we've ever even spoken to each other, and you're not seeing my problem here? Like I'm just supposed to take you at your word? What makes you different from anyone else?

I'm a good person! I- I've lost people I love, I know that there are bad people out there and that people in the justice system can't always be trusted. But I have a number too now, so I'm one of you and I came here to be on your side. And besides, if I broke a contract you could sue me.

And I don't want to lose people I love.

Which is why I'm not going public with any actual details.

I don't want to put anyone in danger either! That's definitely not what I came here for! But it's easy for people to turn against a scary looking group that they don't understand, especially with the papers spreading lies. That's why it's important to set the record straight, and make them see you as people!

[Well, bugmen. He presents more of a challenge than the other Numbered on that front.]

I'd rather be seen as a bug. People don't think giant bugs have families they could bother.

[He has good reasons for all the idiot posturing, at least.]

You know, the aliens believed I'm the Lord of the Bugmen. And they bought the High King of the Avians too, back when he was on the network.

The aliens...?

[Misa has the distinct impression that he's making fun of her again, but if he is it's going over her head.]

You know, the ones on the news? Hanging around Locke in their spaceship?

We went on board their spaceship and stuff. Talked to them a little bit. They didn't seem to mean any harm then, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful about stuff.

Are you saying that's real? I thought it was a hoax!

Yes, it's real! Totally real--there's no way that wasn't a real spaceship we went aboard. There's stuff on that thing that I don't even think humans have words for.

Gee, I wish you hadn't started with a bunch of lies, so I could actually trust you!

Hey, I guarantee the alien stuff isn't a load of crap.

Cross my little green bug heart.

We'll see if it checks out with my other sources.

Hey, anyone else is gonna tell you the same thing--there really are aliens involved in this crap.

We'll see, Mr. Bugman.

... Sorry, what's your actual name?

[There's a long pause as he tries to decide whether or not to tell her. But it's common enough knowledge if one were to dig through the network's archives enough...]

Hajime. But it's a secret off the network.

[And he wiggles his antennae in emphasis. He figures a first name can't hurt; there's a large enough Japanese population in town that it's a common enough name.]

Oh!

[Misa can't help sounding a little surprised at the Japanese name; it's hard to tell race, what with the bug appearance. He could have been born in America of course, but if not that would make him the first person she's met here from back home.]

[She tries very hard not to blanch at the antennae wiggling, focusing her attention anywhere else.]

It's nice to meet you, Hajime. I'll make sure not to mention that to anyone else. Are you from around here?

Where else is a giant roach going to be from if not from New Jersey?

[Really, he's got a little bit of a Jersey accent, and it's too good consistent to be an act if his previous bull-spouting is any indication.]

[Misa is just going to assume there's some sort of New Jersey roach stereotype/association she hasn't heard of. It does not bode well for her staying here.]

Did you grow up in Locke City?

Just somewhere in Jersey, let's leave it at that.

[Even if Locke's a big city, he's still a little cagey with personally identifying information...]

Alright, alright. You'd awfully private for someone who's... pretty easy to identify.

[And he'd be even easier to identify if she did a little archive diving; he's only being deliberately difficult because she's a reporter...]

Call it keen roachlike survival instincts.

[Video]

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