０１： ｖｉｄｅｏ

[positivethinks]

[ when the feed cuts on, a young woman is displayed, appearing both parts intrigued and introspective. when it looks as though she notices that the video is recording, she shoots the network a smile and launches into an energetic speech without any sort of hesitation. ]Hello to anyone who can hear me! My name is Maya Amano and I'm a reporter for

Comments

[freed]

Hello, Maya Amano. Welcome to Zodion. I'm sure you will find that there are many people here willing and able to answer your questions, but if you still require any assistance, I would also be happy to help you. My name is N.

[positivethinks]

N-kun, huh? It's nice to meet you! Everyone here is so easy to talk to... it's nothing like you'd expect a kidnapping to be.

[freed]

It was somewhat frightening at first when the first group of us had arrived here a few months ago, but the waves of people are proving to be pleasant. Most everyone has been kind here from what I have seen thus far.

[positivethinks]

That's what it seems like. In the face of a common struggle, people usually tend to band together pretty well from what I've seen. As long as we're all trying to reach the same goal, it'll be like this...

Let's hope that we just keep that positive attitude when it's all over, too!

[freed]

Is that so? That's a very reassuring thing to hear. There will always be some individuals who try to be contrary, but to know that in general, most humans would seek to help each other is a very comforting thing.

Such positivity in the face of adverse situations is a remarkable quality.

[positivethinks]

There's no use in being negative about things, right? As long as I have a starting point, there's always a way to move forward-- even when it's such a weird place.

Now that I'm thinking about it, can I get a statement from you?

[freed]

That is a very good outlook to have, and I only wish the others here could also keep such a thing in mind. We musn't succumb to defeat.

A statement?

[he wasn't allowed to read magazines or newspapers or...much of anything that wasn't a literary or scholarly textbook. oops.]

What sort of statement?

[positivethinks]

Mhm! [ this is a nod to both his agreement to her positive thinking and to his question about the statement. she elaborates. ]

Oh, just anything you'd like to share about your situation! Comments, facts, rumours... anything you think is relevant!

[freed]

Anything about my situation...

[a small smile.]

I have quite a lot to say, actually, but simply put, I have enjoyed my stay thus far. I have learned many new things that I would not have been able to learn back in my own world, and I have made many wonderful friends as well. Overall, I think despite the negative aspects of the situation, I find Zodion rather pleasant.

[positivethinks]

That's a different outlook than what I've heard so far! It's good to know that someone can find something good in their stay here. Do you have any friends from your home here, too?

[freed]

That is unsurprising, though it pleases me to know that many still hold out hope that we will someday escape.

[he pauses for a minute, making a thoughtful noise. would he consider touko a friend from home?]

It's actually rather complicated. I assume it is another magical property of this world. A friend of mine, her name is Touko... She knows me and claims to have met me back home, and yet I have no recollection of ever meeting her prior to arriving at Zodion. However, she recalls events that only Touya, a boy that I know from my homeworld, would know of. I do not know what to make of it.

[positivethinks]

I see... that sounds similar to a situation I'm in with my friends. We've all come here from different points in time. So, things that have happened for me may not have yet happened to them and vice versa. Pretty strange, huh?

I guess by this point there's no doubt that something supernatural is going on here.

[freed]

Different times, you say? How perplexing. While time travel was possible in my world, I have never heard of such a thing before happening to humans. I wonder if the Twelve truly are this powerful...

[positivethinks]

It seems that way. It looks like they have more power than I originally thought... and not just in political sway or money. That could make things kind of tricky if we want to get out of here.

[freed]

They did mention recently that our powers would be of great significance later, which I find easy to believe seeing as how they have left us with weakened versions of our abilities as it is. Indeed, leaving this place will be difficult for us since they can obviously control our power thresholds...