WEEK 2

[akudamods]

Saturday passes uneventfully save a little rain. It's on Sunday that you get a little notification of probation for new areas: Neo-Nipponbashi and Chuo. It'd be possible to investigate, to check out some anime, or to worship the defunct Shinkansen. But maybe it's hard to get excited about any of that when Friday’s events suggest that you have simply been provided some additional photogenic places to commit murder. Are you going to bother either overseer after their participation in some mockery of justice? Troll the internet? Get a bat out of Hyper Zone and just take out your frustration on everything?

Those of you who entered the pods will experience fewer “painful bursts of color” as your body is unaffected below the knees, though the same amount of “slight teleportation” glitches. Those of you who abstained from the pods will continue to experience all of the above as well as electric shock sensations occasionally when touching metal objects.

INTERNET | SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

((Internet investigations of any kind go here, and for all IRL areas, please use "investigate" in the subject line of your top-level comment, or link the thread to a moderator!))

Comments

[intimations]

Hehe, thank you. I wasn't sure what to bring at first, but when I saw this, I knew it was perfect.

...Oh, but I'm sure it wouldn't compare to anything you have prepared, of course.

[Just going to peer over curiously to see if she's also carrying some kind of offering too.]

[akudamods]

[She takes a step back; her eyes had been drawn down to the offering at first, and now she recognizes him. But in the end, his compliment is comforting. She fishes something out of her purse.]

Tada...!

[A little box of chocolate turtles.]

It means I want to live a long life free in the ocean full of love!

[intimations]

[The wariness is expected at this point, so the little step back isn't a surprise, although his eyes widen as if in awe at the box of chocolates. It slips back easily into an indulgent smile as he nods at the gift.]

That's a beautiful sentiment. After all, there's nothing more precious in the world than love. [He raises a hand to his chin, slowly and deliberately enough that it's obvious that he isn't attempting anything.] But it almost makes me feel a little inadequate. It wouldn't do to be disrespectful... hey, do you think I'd have the time to go and get something else?

[Just going to also make a clear show of looking around at the rest of the crowd too. How long is this line anyway?]

[akudamods]

[There are approximately fifty people, and with an extremely close look, two of them have shown up just since he got here. If he goes all the way back down the escalator and then to another store, it's possible to imagine this line cycling through and filling up all over again.

The girl sighs.]

Well, you can always come back tomorrow. I'll still be here tomorrow. It'll still be like this tomorrow...

[She's getting down the more it sinks in, and grips the box tighter to reassure herself.]

But we can't say for sure. Maybe today will be the day that we all fade away!

[intimations]

[Well, that's fine. It's not as if he particularly cared enough to go pick out something else, so the long line up is a fine excuse to stay exactly where he is.

Assuming it gets anywhere, that is. He does adopt a sympathetic expression in response to her despondency, although he stays put in case she's still wary of him. No need to scare her away when she's still willing to talk to him, after all.]

Hmm? That sounds rather masochistic... although the devotion's admirable.

You'll have to forgive me for my ignorance though. Are you expecting this city to disappear at any second now...?

[akudamods]

[As her one hand still holds the chocolates to her, the girl twirls a strand of hair around her finger uncertainly.]

Mm, I'm not sure, but I think the city would be left behind...

[She considers enlightening him, and decides there's no harm.]

I'm talking about the rapture. Shinkansen-sama already saved some people last year. It has to be soon. Who knows, maybe even as soon as Shinkansen-sama is back?

[intimations]

Huh... what an auspicious name.

And this 'rapture' can save everyone? Even unforgivable sinners like me...?

[If she recognizes him already, might as well play up the self-aware and pitiful angle.]