the o.1st shot

[usedhat]

[the Gear feed displays a young adult, somewhat androgynous, leaning more towards male than anything else. he? has a serious look on his face, hat pulled up slightly to show exactly how serious said look is.]My name is Naoto Shirogane. I'm a detective from Japan, and I'm curious as to know how many other people have been kidnapped and brought here

Comments

[video] 1/2

[restardom]

[ for just a brief second, Rise stares at the screen uncomprehendingly. Because that's Naoto. A Naoto who... doesn't remember being here.

Which doesn't make her feel any better about possibly committing this place to memory, but right now, it's beaten down by the bubbling joy that continues to rise up into her throat. ]

[video]

[restardom]

[ and then with a happy squeal that might possibly blow out the eardrums of her tennis travelmates ]

Naoto!! You made it!

[video]

[usedhat]

[she very nearly takes a step away from the Gear, but instead silently searches for a volume button without letting it show on her face too much]

Hello, Rise. I'd heard you were here.

[video]

[restardom]

[ Rise seems to realize she might have been a little too vocally damaging, so when she speaks again, it's at a normal volume. Stop being so discreet, you. ]

... What, really? There goes the element of surprise.

[video] 1/2

[bakaitoukid]

[Now this is a face he hasn't seen on the network in a while]

Nao--

[video]

[bakaitoukid]

[But he cuts himself off before he says anything. From her demeanor... it's clear she doesn't remember.

He pushes that thought aside and shoots a friendly grin at the camera]

I don't think you'll find a single person who remembers how they got here.

[video]

[usedhat]

That's certainly the impression I'm getting. It's hardly unusual not to remember arrival in situations like this, but it is unusual that there doesn't seem to be any sort of common denominator in the actions and situations people can remember, immediately preceding arrival.

[video]

[bakaitoukid]

Johto doesn't discriminate. I imagine it just picks people up and drops them here whenever it feels like.

Kinda like picking up pieces from a gameboard and putting them down wherever it wants.

1/2

[usedkunai]

[Whoa you're here! But... it doesn't sound like you remember last time, so.]

video;

[usedkunai]

Hehe, it's about time you showed up, Naoto-kun!

video;

[usedhat]

It seems I've been substantially late. My apologies. [the most serious face.]

video;

[usedkunai]

Hey, you don't have to apologize. It's not like you can control it or anything, you know?

1/2 - [Video]

[10yen_idol]

[OH MY GOODNESS IT'S NAOTO] Ah-!!

2/2 - [Video]

[10yen_idol]

[-- and she... doesn't look like she remembers anything.]

-- I! ... um, don't remember anything about... how I arrived!

[Video]

[usedhat]

[that's becoming a common reaction. She's going to have to start asking about it. You remind her of Rise.]

There was nothing unusual of your day prior to your arrival?

[Video]

[10yen_idol]

[Well, they ARE both energetic pigtailed idols!]

Um, I don't really remember, because it's been about a year since then, but I don't think anything strange happened...

voice;

[ofmywill]

Inaba...?

[ That sounds oddly familiar! ]

voice;

[usedhat]

Yes. Are you familiar with it?

voice;

[ofmywill]

Heard of it. I'm from Port City.

voice;

[usedhat]

I see. It seems there's quite a few of us here from Inaba-- are there many people you're familiar with, here?