Yep, that's me! [ and at her surprise swan leans forward a little ] Right? It's such a weird method of contacting us. We can text you guys all we want, but you guys have to wish for it? I don't get it. But at least it works!
Thanks! [ they grin at her ] And, well, yes. We'll only get our memories back once we fix things, but the same goes for you guys if you lose any. And that's a lot worse since you didn't even get to agree to this.
You're right about that! [ she puts her hands on her hips. ] I know it wasn't strictly your fault, but honestly, you really couldn't have picked a worse time to bring me here.
[ rather than blaming Swan, Fiora sounds more like she's just venting. ]
Memories are all I've got, so let's win this thing, okay?
Sorry! But if it helps at all, time works differently here than it does outside, so it should bring you back home at the time you left once we're done.
[ but they perk up when fiora talks about winning? ]
Yes! We're going to kick everyone's butts and take it for ourselves! [ a beat ] In a friendly way!
Right! Whichever team collected the most nova at the end of all of this gets to wish for anything they want. No limits! It's not bad for an incentive, right?
I think so. It feels real. [ they put a hand to their chest for a second ] And-- Doesn't everything here sound fantastical? Besides, we're going to be working towards this anyway, for the good of the universe and to get everybody home. What have we got to lose by working our hardest to maybe also win a competition?
[ once again, they're right about that. Still, for some reason, the idea of any wish coming true seems far more outlandish than anything else to her. Maybe she's getting cynical... how terrible. ]
Don't get me wrong, I'm going to try to win either way. I'm just still trying to wrap my head around all of this. [ why her? maybe there is no reason. Fiora shakes her head. ] Sorry. I've heard you've done a lot for me already, and here I am, grilling you with more questions.
[ they put their hands on their hips, beaming at fiora's more real smile, clearly proud of themselves ]
Of course. I want you guys to be able to come to me about everything. You're my team, so I'd like us to be friends. [ a beat before they start talking. a little fast: ] Also, I'm so sorry I left you guys alone with Fox and the others at first, but having Tiger as part of the welcoming party was a way worse idea and no one wants Tiger and Wolf at once in a week, that's way too much... attitude in one go, so I couldn't let Goat go instead, and Rabbit and Fox volunteered first and it was a whoooole thing.
Swan's fine. We don't remember our names, so we just... kind of went with these, instead. [ they gesture at their mask ] Which is fine! It's sort of like a nickname until I get my memories back!
Well... We don't have the memories associated with them, but we kept our skills and general knowledge of things, like our likes and dislikes or just things we probably knew from home. We just don't know why we know them. Does that make sense?
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[ this one seems friendlier than the other three, which is somewhat heartening. ]
So... I'm on your team. Did you pick me yourself?
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[ they can't disagree with that. things do be weird. but they shake their head at her question; ]
No, all the teams were totally random. To make things fair, I guess? But I'm still happy with who I've got! And that I finally get to meet you guys.
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Well, I like your attitude. I'm not really sure what I can do to help, but... I'll do my best. Your memories are on the line, too, aren't they?
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[ rather than blaming Swan, Fiora sounds more like she's just venting. ]
Memories are all I've got, so let's win this thing, okay?
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[ but they perk up when fiora talks about winning? ]
Yes! We're going to kick everyone's butts and take it for ourselves! [ a beat ] In a friendly way!
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What is "it," exactly? There's some kind of prize, right?
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[ what would she wish for, anyway...? to protect the peoples of Bionis, maybe? ]
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Don't get me wrong, I'm going to try to win either way. I'm just still trying to wrap my head around all of this. [ why her? maybe there is no reason. Fiora shakes her head. ] Sorry. I've heard you've done a lot for me already, and here I am, grilling you with more questions.
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It's fine, don't worry about it! It's what I'm here for. And it's a pretty intense situation, of course you'd have questions! I'm just happy to help!
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... You're a lot more understanding than I expected. I'm glad.
[ the other three seemed... unreliable. ]
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Of course. I want you guys to be able to come to me about everything. You're my team, so I'd like us to be friends. [ a beat before they start talking. a little fast: ] Also, I'm so sorry I left you guys alone with Fox and the others at first, but having Tiger as part of the welcoming party was a way worse idea and no one wants Tiger and Wolf at once in a week, that's way too much... attitude in one go, so I couldn't let Goat go instead, and Rabbit and Fox volunteered first and it was a whoooole thing.
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It's okay. We're talking now, aren't we? [ a nod! ] Oh! Do you have a name I should call you, or just Swan?
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[ Fiora tilts her head, processing. ]
You mean something like... you know you don't like the rain, or you love pasta, but you don't have any memories of either? That sort of thing?
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Yeah! That's exactly it.