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Private Comms
The klaxons rang. The red lights flashed. The station sections slowly listed in the dark. Long past the edge of effort, long past the boundaries of hope, Stacy kept struggling, but there was no use to it; and in the end, even the static and the voices in her headset ceased to shout.
It was a jewel to her, the moment that she understood that it was over—
That willpower could not fix this. That effort could not fix this. That even “being better” could not have helped.
It was a jewel; it was an unfolding, glowing flower. It transfixed her with the simple beauty of it.
Her eyes no longer saw the console that spread before her. Her ears no longer heard the bells. Instead her eyes were fixed on that pure and clean and inner darkness, and the silver glow that burned within it; then up, beyond, and past it, to the beginning of the world.
- Glitch, by Dr. Jenna K. Moran
It was a jewel to her, the moment that she understood that it was over—
That willpower could not fix this. That effort could not fix this. That even “being better” could not have helped.
It was a jewel; it was an unfolding, glowing flower. It transfixed her with the simple beauty of it.
Her eyes no longer saw the console that spread before her. Her ears no longer heard the bells. Instead her eyes were fixed on that pure and clean and inner darkness, and the silver glow that burned within it; then up, beyond, and past it, to the beginning of the world.
- Glitch, by Dr. Jenna K. Moran
no subject
[ It's a cool line, but she feels exhuasted saying it, nerves worn raw by that appirition. She keeps looking behind Shin's shoulder to see if its following. ]
...But we haven't met before.
[ Not this Shin, not this person. Sou would say he was dead, and even if Sara can't say she understands his strange relationship with himself...she doubts anything she knows about Sou matters with this gangly teen in the same uniform as her. She's not even sure if this is really the person she's looking for, saving Shin Tsukimi of the past might not mean anything at all...
...Well...she can't leave him. What would Sou say if she did that? ]
Rescuing is hard work. I just...I'm not sure how I got here...or how I'll get out. Have you seen anything? Maybe someone who looks a bit like you with a red scarf...?
no subject
That's okay, we're meeting now, right? [He scratches a cheek nervously.] A r-red scarf? Um, no, I don't think so, sorry... I don't even have one that colour...
[His hand leaves his blue one as he says that, which only makes it's prior absence more glaring. It's comfortingly soft not... clutched onto like some kind of lifeline.]
Seeing another me... that'd be scary. That thing back there was kind of creepy, too. Where are we... this can't just be some big prank, right?
[It's clear he's really hoping this is just some... impromptu escape room thing.]
...I did see something but... I don't think- I didn't get a good feeling, looking at it. It, um... I'll show you! Maybe you'll have a better idea about it than me, ehehe. Err, f-follow me!
[He sets off at a fairly brisk trot; this Shin isn't a jock but he does get out and about and has more stamina than the counterpart she's more familiar with. She's still holding his hand... should he say something? Would that make it more awkward? Help... he ends up putting it off all the way there, turning blue corner after blue corner in seemingly random pattern until they arrive at the open end of a cul de sac, a dead end.
The dark blue fades into an obsidian black at door there, which will be familiar to Sara from the game's second floor, the bright blue lines becoming delineating white. A rectangular area in front of the door is marked off in yellow and black lines of hazard. The sign above it reads '01'. The actual doors look like those of an elevator, a line running down the middle; there's no sign of any buttons of any sort.
The entire thing exudes a heavy, waiting, watching air. Shin stops a good meter before the warning line, swallowing, eyes fixed on it like a deer.]
I-I don't know where it goes but... It feels kinda dangerous... you should b-be careful, Sara. Um... maybe we should go somewhere else, now you've seen it, ehehe... Some of these doors have to open, right?
[There's a weight in her pocket... it's probably been there for a while... probably. Vaguely key-shaped.]
no subject
[ It's cute and blue and soft. Even if Sara is tired, Shin's stuttering genuine demenaor tugs a grin out of her. It would have been nice to meet someone like this for the first time. She loosens her grip on his hand belatedly. ]
Don't worry. I'm...pretty experienced with situations like this! We should be fine.
[ He can take that however he wants. But this place is...well its not really a death game or a trial. It's someones heart. Nothing in here should really want to hurt them, so protecting Shin shouldn't be hard. She still has the gun...
...It's weird to walk behind Shin, but she lets him lead the way without much comment. Show her the door. ]
The door to the main game... [ She shakes her head. ] No, this has to be it. You can stay outside till I'm done, but...
[ She fishes around for the heavy weight in her pocket. There's no keyhole, but maybe if she holds it up to the number? ]
This is something important to you! Even if its scary, I think I should see it.
no subject
[Well, maybe he will then? If someone this cool thinks it looks cool. His hand pulls back to himself; he's resisting the urge to shake it out because she really does have a strong grip. It feels like he's lost circulation.]
M-main game, what's that...? You've seen this before, Sara?
[The key is a thick green one. The blood drains out of Shin's face as she walks forward, shoulders squared, holding it up.]
W-wait... Sara!
[There's an odd doubling to his voice; he catches her sleeve in his outstretched hand just as she crosses the tape border.
The heaviness in the air intensifies; there's an arcing flicker of light as electricity crawls up the walls, threading static into Sara's hair and clothing. The counter above the door ticks down to 00 with a sound that seems to echo way too loudly for what it is, with all the finality of a prison door. The elevator doors slowly, glacially begin to open but she's fixed, rooted to the spot. The electricity gathers... pounces.
Then it all goes black. There's no pain to any of it, beyond the way you know, as in a dream, that it really should be there; it's simply like a book has been shut on her existence. She's right about that at least. Shin's heart can't truly hurt her.
Waking up the second time is a little less disorienting. She's lying on grass, the smell of it, as well as the acrid smell of... scorched plant? Overhead, the sun filters through wisteria petals and lands on a teal head leaning over her, concern writ across it's corresponding face. It could be a twin for the Shin she'd been with moments ago, except there's no beanie to be seen and he's in uniform now; Yogen uniform.]
Err... hello, miss? Are you okay? I don't know if that was brave or stupid... Probably stupid.
[There's a chagrined look as the new Shin sits back onto his legs where he's kneeling, and then gets up to his feet, tugging his red tie into a better position before holding out a hand for her. The grass under her will reveal itself to have a magic array scorched into it in lines and circles. The key has returned itself to her pocket. The faithful gun never left.]
Ah, that's rude, isn't it... I got you out as quick as I could when I realized... Just don't make a habit of it, okay? Haha, this is new to me too... I don't know what will happen.
[He gives her a smile. It's warm and genuine, if a little harried, and like before, utterly without recognition.]
Listen, I promised I'd meet a friend... if I don't go he might wander off, or just forget. That's been happening more and more lately so... Can you make it to the nurse okay?
[Much as he's worrying about his mysterious friend, he'll go with her if the answer is no.]