[Video | Public]

[otakuro]

Hey.  Looks like I've got this working.

[Atsuro's face appears on the network under somewhat inadequate lighting.  An astute guess would place him in his room illuminated only by the backlight of his laptop.] 

Everyone get out of that first mission OK?  I can't speak for anyone else, but geez, I think I slept for a few days straight there.  If they, uh, wanted a report or anything, the research labs are fine.  ...Probably.

[He stifles a yawn before continuing on, the camera zooming out slightly to reveal a lot of bedhead and a conspicuously absent trademark floppy hat.]

Hnn...  Sorry.

So!  Anyway.  I've been thinking a lot.  About what they've told us and about... what they haven't.  Hah, I'm still surprised this place isn't some weird hallucination.  It's a little unreal, right?  Like they're asking us to act out a game or a fantasy novel.  But... even if it seems like it might be fun to stick around, I think we need to find out what it is we're really getting into.  ...There's something I want to say about all this.

You've all run into the monsters by now, right?  They talk, they cast magic, they do tricks.  Not all of them are bad, but they're things we've heard of in myths and stories from different cultures all across the globe - Cerberus, the hound of Hades.  British pixies and kobolds.  Nekomata and other youkai from Japan.  So... what gives?  What're they doing here?

...I'm not gonna get into details, but I should say that these guys - the exact same identical demons - have popped up in at least two other worlds that I know of.  And both times.... they showed up because the world was about to end.

I'm not saying this place is the same way, but... maybe that's why they need our help badly.

[addendum a few minutes later]

Ah, someone reminded me - if you guys want to see a database of all the demons I've ever met, you can drop by my room.  Libra 5-07.

Comments

[otakuro]

That would take talent. A lot of talent. ...Like, so much talent that it's probably even impressive, if you look at it from a certain point of view.

[endears]

... Kihara-kun, did I ever mention what an incredibly humble person you are?

[otakuro]

Aww, thanks.

Not that there's anything to be humble about. It's all totally hypothetical.

[endears]

Exactly! I mean, the fact I'm just about to knock on Kihara-kun's door isn't worrying at all, right? [He'd like to think he's at least somewhat better in the lying department.]

[otakuro]

Gah -- O-Of course not!

[Aoba suddenly has an excellent view of Atsuro's forehead as he smashes his head against something in his haste to roll off his bed. There is an audible clicking sound as he locks his door.]

But, uh. ...I'm in the shower right now so I can't come let you in yet! Sorry!

[endears]

[... He wants to laugh.

He really, really wants to laugh. It takes all his self-control to keep a straight face while he continues talking to Atsuro.]

You wear your hat in the shower, Kihara-kun? That's pretty dedicated.

[otakuro]

I... am stripping to take a shower. ...You should probably turn off your video now.

[endears]

...

If you say so! Then, I'll head over there in a couple of minutes. [Keywords here: 'head over'.]

[otakuro]

...What happened to being outside my door?!

[endears]

Ah, about that... Could you define 'outside' for me?

[otakuro]

...
...
...

And here I thought you were all innocent and uncorrupted by the world.

[endears]

That doesn't stop me from making jokes, Kihara-kun. [Aaaand since that sort of image is actually kind of useful to him, he'll suddenly feign this incredibly apologetic tone.] I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I really couldn't help it!

[otakuro]

Aha, don't worry about it. I'm joking myself.

Just come by whenever! I really do want to take a shower, though.

[endears]

Got it! I'm pretty curious about that database, so I'll be there in... an hour, I guess? I want to take care of some things.

[otakuro]

Sure. Take your time. I've got to fiddle around and try to get some of my toys working, too.

[endears]

Toys? [Aoba will start shifting around at this point; he needs to change the bandage on his hand right about now.] Did you bring something cool with you, Kihara-kun?

[otakuro]

I've just got my computer from home. ...A few gaming consoles, too.

[endears]

Ah, really? That's pretty lucky! Do they all work alright?

[otakuro]

Yeah, I think so! I've just been setting up the desktop, but it's not like any of the plugs here are different or anything - I think this was still a part of Japan, after all.

[endears]

Ah, is that so? That's good to know, I guess. [More importantly--]

So, does this mean we can play against each other sometime?

[otakuro]

Of course not.

It means we're playing against each other as soon as I get it hooked up.

[endears]

I'm liking it here more and more...

Can I call dibs on player one?

[otakuro]

Yeah, right. Player one's the player who owns the system. It's only fair.

[endears]

In that case...

I'll have to overthrow this archaic system! [Yes, this is very dramatic.]

[otakuro]

No fear. I'll hold the controller over your head.

[Low blow, Atsuro.]