01 - [Video]

[primordial]

[There's a scrambling sound and a few mutterings of "you turn on the video over here, don't you?" before the video finally turns out, showing the somewhat morose face of one (1) Sam Erstwhile, disheveled brown hair almost covering his eyes. He glances away with a slight frown.]

Um, right, what was I going to say here...

[And then a nod as he looks back up.]

Right! Right. Erm, yeah. Hello to all of you, I guess. I'm Sam and...I just arrived a few days ago, so I'm sorry if I'm still new to all of this.

[He tries his best at a smile, but it's kind of a pathetic try, at best- his mouth just quirks upward for one second before dropping down to it's usual position.]

I...I just am a little confused, honestly. I mean, people have told me about the Persona thing and the fact that we have to fight monsters and all, but, I mean, why were we chosen in the first place? I know plenty of other people who would be way better at this than me. And it's not like I applied or anything, so...what's so special about me?

[He sighs, scratching the back of his head.] Somebody I talked to before talked about how they choose us based on our souls, but...I just want to hear what other people think. I'm not really interested in why we were chosen, more like how we were chosen, if that makes sense. What sets us apart from all the other people from where we come from?

Because, I dunno...I think they made a really huge mistake when they chose me.

Comments

[trulyworthit]

Hm? Oh! Yeah. The government has it, for some reason... [She laughs, letting the gloomy mood vanish.] But- thanks. For worrying about me.

[primordial]

Do they? Wonder what else they have up there...Hmmm.

[Oh, worrying about her? What a thing to say... He seems to be flustered, as if the very words are too much for him to hear.]

T-that's not a problem. I was just asking.

By the way, I don't think I got your name...

[1/2]

[trulyworthit]

... Oh- Goddess, did I go and say all that without introducing myself? I'm so embarrassed! O- One second!

[2/2] [video]

[trulyworthit]

[She switches to video, still a bit red in the face.]

Luca! M- My name's Luca Trulyworth. Sorry, for going on and on...

[voice]->[video]

[primordial]

No, no, it's fine, I'm sorry or not introducing myself earlier, it's my fault, it is...

[And oh, he gets video! How nice. He turns his own video, looking ever so worried.]

Really, no, you're the one who should be upset, I'm sorry...[But then he eventually looks up, edges of his mouth slightly twisted up in a very tiny smile.]

Ah, Luca Trulyworth. I like that. It's fun to say...I'm Sam. Sam Erstwhile. A pleasure, Luca.

[trulyworthit]

[With video she can fully exploit her cuteness let him put a face to the name, that's all!]

Eheh... Really nice to meet you, Sam. [She tucks a strand of hair back behind her ear, still looking a little embarrassed.] Thanks for listening to me.

[primordial]

Mmm...yeah. Um. Not a problem. That's alright.

[He mimics her action by putting some of his hair behind his ear as well, as if not really conscious of what he is doing.]

I just...listen to people, really.

[trulyworthit]

Listening is important! And... [teasing smile] Hey, maybe it's one of the reasons you're here.

[primordial]

What? No. No that...I'm not even the best at listening, sometimes. Things just go through one ear and out the other...

[He seems flustered, shaking his head.]

Really, no, I'm pretty sure that's not why they chose me at all...

[trulyworthit]

Eheh... well, it was just an idea. Try not to worry too much about why anyone "chose" you. Just do your best! That's what I'll be doing, too.

[primordial]

But what exactly is my "best"? I don't think I have that at all...

[trulyworthit]

Hm? It can be anything. If you wanted to do your best working, or fighting, or helping people out... Anything you can do.

Even if you think you're bad at it. The more you try, the better you get.

[primordial]

[A long awkward pause. He doesn't seem to know what to say, a nervous expression on his face.]

What if...w-what if the thing you're the best at just something that only hurts people in the long run. I mean, I don't want to hurt anyone, I just...do.

[trulyworthit]

[She pauses, giving that question the degree of seriousness it deserves.]

If it's not something you can control, then... I guess, you'd just have to work at something you're not as good at. Then you'd make that one your best, without hurting anyone.

[primordial]

[His expression softens somewhat, and he nods.]

Alright. That's good advice, that really is.

...

Thank you, Luca.

[trulyworthit]

[Luca's smile is very sincere.] Any time, Sam. Good luck.

[primordial]

Yeah.

[Again, it's like he's attempting to smile, but his mouth only goes through half of the expression and sticks there, like something he's painted to go on his face in order to show what he's feeling.]

You're...you're going to be around, yes?

[trulyworthit]

Yes! I mean, I don't know if I could go back even if I tried. And there's plenty of people to take care of things at home.

You can always send me a message or stop by. I'm in the Pisces Apartments, 10th Floor, Room #4.

[primordial]

[Somewhere, in the back of Sam's mind, there's a little list being mentally written, with the names of people's he's met so far. And oh, does Luca zoom up to the top of the list, but...that is not a necessarily good thing for Luca, really.]

[Not at all...]

[But Sam looks relieved, happy in a pathetic way, like a mangy dog that has just received a pat from a kind hand on the street.

Oh, really? Oh, gosh, that's...you're being really nice, you know. I don't think anyone has ever been that nice to me before.

[trulyworthit]

[That's not ominous at all! ... let's focus on the poor puppy that needs a treat...]

I love helping people! It's one of the things I worked really hard at... so, hopefully, I can listen if you have problems or help you out around the city.

[primordial]

[Sam: EVILLY LAUGH]

[except how do you do evil laughs again FORGET ABOUT THAT time for cute awkward conversation with a new friend YAAAYYY]

[He lets out an amused huff.]

Well, looks like you know what you're the best at.

But yeah...if I have any problems, I'll definitely come to you. For sure.

[trulyworthit]

Only after lots of practice!

[Her teasing smile quickly grows into a laugh.] Hehe. Good!

[primordial]

No matter about that, you're certainly better at practicing than I could ever do, to get to a level like that.

[He glances away, as if embarrassed.] You really wouldn't mind, though?

[trulyworthit]

Of course not! My door's always open.

Or, well... I guess I'd be kind of grumpy if you came in the middle of the night. But if you were really in trouble, it'd be fine.

[primordial]

[A quick shake of the head.]

Oh! Oh, no, I'd never do that! I...I wouldn't want to inconvenience you in any way, for sure.