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[ she'll wave back tentatively...and hand over the cake pop if she still has it. ]
What does it mean now that you're my Leader?
What does it mean now that you're my Leader?
[ they take it. ]
You didn't need to, but thank you.
[ they pause, thinking it over. they hold up one finger. ]
You're under my care, so my presence helps protect you--your memories, in particular. You can think of the participants being divided among us as equal to the price for that protection being divided as well.
[ they hold up another finger, counting off. ]
And whichever group under a Leader gathers the most nova is granted a wish at the end, for their efforts. So, you're sharing that effort with anyone else assigned to me.
You didn't need to, but thank you.
[ they pause, thinking it over. they hold up one finger. ]
You're under my care, so my presence helps protect you--your memories, in particular. You can think of the participants being divided among us as equal to the price for that protection being divided as well.
[ they hold up another finger, counting off. ]
And whichever group under a Leader gathers the most nova is granted a wish at the end, for their efforts. So, you're sharing that effort with anyone else assigned to me.
It's only fair that I do, right? Since you're taking care of us.
[ something something being polite or the other. though with them further elaborating what their role is with her and whoever the others are— ]
About that competition—what happens to those who don't win? Is it a winner take all?
[ she'll get to that part about their memories... here she thought that they were fine but were they not? ]
[ something something being polite or the other. though with them further elaborating what their role is with her and whoever the others are— ]
About that competition—what happens to those who don't win? Is it a winner take all?
[ she'll get to that part about their memories... here she thought that they were fine but were they not? ]
[ izumo is a good kid. ]
Think of it more as a bonus? Nothing in particular happens to those who don't win. Once we're done, everyone will be sent back home.
[ they shrug, their tone light. ]
Provided all goes well with gathering nova, I imagine it'll be as if nothing had happened, except now you'll have memories of a very incredulous adventure in another world.
Think of it more as a bonus? Nothing in particular happens to those who don't win. Once we're done, everyone will be sent back home.
[ they shrug, their tone light. ]
Provided all goes well with gathering nova, I imagine it'll be as if nothing had happened, except now you'll have memories of a very incredulous adventure in another world.
[ she may also have a huge soft spot for foxes, we just don't know. but as fox gives her more information, she'll just hum along. seems too wholesome to be true, but she'll lengthen that chain everyone's on momentarily. ]
Lucky us.
[ a beat. ]
Is there a known number of novas that we need to collect or do we just collect until we're done? [ so many things are so vague; it's not something that she's particularly fine with, honestly. ] And, what do you mean protect our memories? Aren't they safe?
[ did she miss something else? ]
Lucky us.
[ a beat. ]
Is there a known number of novas that we need to collect or do we just collect until we're done? [ so many things are so vague; it's not something that she's particularly fine with, honestly. ] And, what do you mean protect our memories? Aren't they safe?
[ did she miss something else? ]
[...
their tone gets more serious, and this is where it becomes obvious that fox has a very practiced Customer Service voice that they've been using all this time, because they almost sound like a different person now. ]
Not entirely. We managed to delay the loss--otherwise, your memories would've been completely shattered upon arrival--but some of them may still disappear over time. However, gathering nova will restore them, so it should only be temporary.
their tone gets more serious, and this is where it becomes obvious that fox has a very practiced Customer Service voice that they've been using all this time, because they almost sound like a different person now. ]
Not entirely. We managed to delay the loss--otherwise, your memories would've been completely shattered upon arrival--but some of them may still disappear over time. However, gathering nova will restore them, so it should only be temporary.
[ hm. that change in tone and this is unfortunate news given her situation with shima. now she's going to have to feel like reassess everything that has happened between the two of them since arriving. wonderful.
unless..? ]
Wait. Are you saying that we may have some memories missing already?
unless..? ]
Wait. Are you saying that we may have some memories missing already?
This morning?!
[ SOMETHING'S GONE NOW? GREAT!!! but she won't get too upset with fox by pure nature that...they're rep'ing a fox and she needs answers. ]
But there was someone else I know—they remembered things I didn't. [ she's totally committed to the fact that he's a dirty backstabbing liar but...? truth..? ] How do you explain that?
[ SOMETHING'S GONE NOW? GREAT!!! but she won't get too upset with fox by pure nature that...they're rep'ing a fox and she needs answers. ]
But there was someone else I know—they remembered things I didn't. [ she's totally committed to the fact that he's a dirty backstabbing liar but...? truth..? ] How do you explain that?
[ a beat, before they speak again. they're somewhat back to Upbeat Professional Voice again, for the record. ]
Ever heard of alternate timelines? I realize it sounds fantastical--even to me--but that's probably what's going on.
... That or he's pulling your leg? [ because. he knows she's talking about shima. ] I'm afraid I don't know your circumstances before arriving here, so I can't say whether what he says is the truth or not.
Ever heard of alternate timelines? I realize it sounds fantastical--even to me--but that's probably what's going on.
... That or he's pulling your leg? [ because. he knows she's talking about shima. ] I'm afraid I don't know your circumstances before arriving here, so I can't say whether what he says is the truth or not.
[ she can't tell if she likes that voice better than the last. ]
I've heard of them.
[ if this is supposed to give her any kind of comfort, it really doesn't. if anything she wilts with a chuckle and looks down at her feet. they're a stranger and doesn't need to see her like this but sometimes... ]
...but if you know who I'm talking about. [ ... ] Are we allowed to share what team we're on? Or is it a secret for a reason?
I've heard of them.
[ if this is supposed to give her any kind of comfort, it really doesn't. if anything she wilts with a chuckle and looks down at her feet. they're a stranger and doesn't need to see her like this but sometimes... ]
...but if you know who I'm talking about. [ ... ] Are we allowed to share what team we're on? Or is it a secret for a reason?
[ their smile takes on a somber edge at the way izumo wilts, though they don't comment on it. ]
There are reasons for it, which were beyond our decision. In order to keep this world relatively stable, it doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution when it comes to following the rules, for now.
Though strictly speaking, I don't think it would cause problems if you told a close few.
There are reasons for it, which were beyond our decision. In order to keep this world relatively stable, it doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution when it comes to following the rules, for now.
Though strictly speaking, I don't think it would cause problems if you told a close few.
[ she'll nod at their suggestion. sounds reasonable enough and definitely something that she'll abide by. ]
Good enough for me. I just wanted to know that if telling someone would end up with getting into trouble immediately.
[ give her a moment to regain her composure and she'll clear her throat before standing straight. ]
Do you know if there's some sort of limitation on the kind of wish we can make?
Good enough for me. I just wanted to know that if telling someone would end up with getting into trouble immediately.
[ give her a moment to regain her composure and she'll clear her throat before standing straight. ]
Do you know if there's some sort of limitation on the kind of wish we can make?
[ she'll force a smile for her answer. ]
You don't have to worry about that from me, I'm not that ambitious.
Do you know why you're wearing the fox mask? Is there a reason that you can remember?
You don't have to worry about that from me, I'm not that ambitious.
Do you know why you're wearing the fox mask? Is there a reason that you can remember?
Not unless you want to be fired.
[ ... ]
Well, I'm glad you're a fox. It's...kind of comforting.
[ look, she made a fool of herself like a moment ago. she wants to put something else there. please forget how she had A Moment. ]
[ ... ]
Well, I'm glad you're a fox. It's...kind of comforting.
[ look, she made a fool of herself like a moment ago. she wants to put something else there. please forget how she had A Moment. ]
They weren't bad and I wouldn't have minded either.
[ probably? ]
But I...grew up around foxes. Fox demons. [ another beat as she tries to fumble through. ] They took care of me, so it's nice to be around one, even if it's a uniform.
[ probably? ]
But I...grew up around foxes. Fox demons. [ another beat as she tries to fumble through. ] They took care of me, so it's nice to be around one, even if it's a uniform.
[ izumo does not talk about her family...apparently it's fine to talk about demons but not your own flesh and blood?
and...while she doesn't exactly want to share, it might be good for whatever happens in the future. maybe. ]
There were a lot them and it was hard to move around sometimes for how many there were. Noisy, too, but they took care of the laundry and helped out around the house.
[ the next part comes out after a long pause and a bit awkwardly. ]
All of them cared for us.
and...while she doesn't exactly want to share, it might be good for whatever happens in the future. maybe. ]
There were a lot them and it was hard to move around sometimes for how many there were. Noisy, too, but they took care of the laundry and helped out around the house.
[ the next part comes out after a long pause and a bit awkwardly. ]
All of them cared for us.
Right! Isn't it ridiculous to imagine?
[ there's a bunch more that she was about to run off and say but she catches herself and clears her throat to address the "cuteness" factor. ]
There were small ones—less fox demons—that were no bigger than a baby rabbit. They'd help with the simpler chores. So, of course, they were cute.
[ for you, mods! ]
[ there's a bunch more that she was about to run off and say but she catches herself and clears her throat to address the "cuteness" factor. ]
There were small ones—less fox demons—that were no bigger than a baby rabbit. They'd help with the simpler chores. So, of course, they were cute.
[ for you, mods! ]
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