one.

[brightfuture]

[ Venturing right into the middle of the town square might have not been the brightest idea. With all those crowds, you really need to watch your ste--

Bump.

Wait, did somebody just punch you? If you gather enough courage to turn around and face your attacker, you will only find a short, distressed-looking Harvest Cleric who shoots you an apologetic glance. ]

Uh, sorry for that...

Comments

[brightfuture]

[ The lack of positive response should not come as a surprise, then. Each world brings different tragedies, but discussing them always hurts the same.

Having listened to her story, the teenager shakes his head. ]

I'm sorry... maybe some other time. [ If there even would be another time - for now, they are no more than nameless strangers to each other. Right. Strangers. Eventually, (and somewhat shyly) he extends a hand in her direction. ]

Hope Estheim.

[mercuryangel]

Mia. It's nice to meet you, Hope.

[She takes out her Relic from her bag.]

You have one of these, right?

[brightfuture]

[ He gives an acknowledging nod and mirrors her movement, placing his own Relic in his palm. ]

I thought it was just a communicator of sort, but it has all this strange stuff like status, or... [ now, this one is really odd ] our inventory. [ Just like in a game. He flips the device in his hand. ] I guess I'd better keep an eye on it.

[mercuryangel]

That's good. You're right about it being a communicator, though.

[Both devices emit a somewhat-soft *beep*. And now there's a confirmation box on your Relic's screen asking whether you want to accept Mia's member address.]

[brightfuture]

[ Aaand he's quick to press the 'yes' button. ]

... It says we're friends. [ What do you mean stating the obvious? ]

[mercuryangel]

And if you ever need help, you can use it to get a hold of me, and I'll help you.

And you can do that with anyone.

[brightfuture]

Okay.

[ He turns the device in his hand a few more times, and, unexpectedly, lets out a soft snort of amusement... or disbelief, take your pick. ]

... Who would've thought?

[mercuryangel]

...I know. Nothing could have prepared me for coming here.

[Well, just the being-whisked-away-from-an-inn-into-another-dimension part. The fighting... she knew how to fight.]

[brightfuture]

[ His point lies elsewhere, though, and he shakes his head. ]

I mean, that, too, of course. Nothing could prepare you for the real deal. It's just... I still find it hard to believe this is all true. That somebody actually managed to set this thing up.

[mercuryangel]

[A sigh.] It is a mystery, isn't it? A town like this, bathed in the setting sun... it's beautiful, but why was it built?

[brightfuture]

For somebody's entertainment, I'd assume. [ He stops, staring at the sky. ] I wonder if they're watching us now.

1/2

[mercuryangel]

...Who would be watching?

[It's an... interesting theory. Hey, wait, was that...]

2/2

[mercuryangel]

I think I see someone I know. Let's talk again sometime, all right?

[She gives a short bow to you before walking away.]

[brightfuture]

Uh... sure! See you later, Mia.