003 → video

[wrigurun]

I remembered! I remembered everything!

The shrine, the forests, the mansion by the lake, everything! And it was all dead!

[Wriggle falls back from the terminal with a sigh, having pushed her face nearly right to the screen while yelling her epiphany. With her upper half in full view you can see that she's wearing the hat of a certain gatekeeper and a pink scarf is wrapped around her neck]

You know I never thought I'd be happy to be back here but... No, happy isn't the right word. What was it? Relieved? Content? No! Argh, I can't think of it this is so frustrating! I don't know how I feel. I don't like it here but I don't wanna spend any more time in a Gensokyo that isn't Gensokyo.

[She runs her hands through her hair and looks away from the screen. Absentmindedly she starts to pull and fidget with her collar as she thinks about what to say next. If she carries on like that all that's going to come out is incoherent yelling but when she speaks again her voice is a notch quieter]

Hey... Um, listen. I know that even when I was here before there was stuff happening that was really beyond me. There are some people that know a lot, right?

[Again she pauses, swallowing her fear before finally asking]

Is there any way to make everything go back to the way it was? I know that's a lot to ask. I mean, to fix so many buildings and revive so many people and plants and insects... Even if there's no way to turn everything back to normal is there at least a way to start things growing again? Even if everyone I knew is really dead for good, if we can start again, make new friends, I think that'll be enough...

[For such a little youkai she's had a lot on her mind but when she's finally said her piece she feels a little better. Resting her chin in her hands she regards the screen with a somewhat distant expression]

So what happened when I was away? Something must have, I'm not sure how long I was gone but it felt like a long time. Is there anyone I used to know still here?

Oh yeah, and whoever left that scarf in my mailbox thanks a lot. It's a lot colder than I remember it.

Comments

[Video]

[oathshackledbird]

Welcome back, Lady Nightbug, even if that is not the best way to put it. Some things are even worse than being here, aren't they?

[Diarmuid's expression is a mixture of happiness at seeing a familiar face and sadness as he thinks about what she must have faced spending so much time alone on her dead world, especially since the Wiggle he remembers from their meeting during the stealing of the Yellow Collar Fluid container was much more laid back and in control.

Seeing everything one ever cared about or was connected to dead and destroyed can do that to a person, though. Diarmuid has seen it more than once.]

If it eases your mind any, a great deal has happened since you left, and I would be glad to meet with you to fill you in. While some of it can be talked about over the Network safely, the most important things cannot, including some things that are relevant to your questions about restoring our worlds.

[Video]

[wrigurun]

You! I remember you! You were with Mr. Fancypants!

[But for the life of her she can't remember either of their names. The moment she hears anything about the restoration Wriggle pushes her face close to the screen again]

What is it? Tell me! I'll meet with you anywhere right now!

[Video]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs softly at her name for Edgeworth and then bows.]

I was. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne at your service. How about we meet on the Meadow Floor? It sounds like it would do you good to have some life around you while we talk.

[Video / Action]

[wrigurun]

Got it!

[She doesn't even wait. The moment she has a meeting place she's off like a flash and as agreed she can be found in the meadow floating in circles, somewhat dazed]

[Action]

[oathshackledbird]

[Thanks to his own speed, Diarmuid arrives not long after her, smiling as he approaches.]

It's good to see you again. Thanks for meeting with me. Where would you like me to start? Is there a question you find more pressing than others? Otherwise, I can begin with the collar fluid. I did promise to keep you updated on it after all. Just make sure to keep your voice down. They are still watching us in most places unfortunately.

[Action]

[wrigurun]

[Even if she was restless she does seem happy to see him and smiles as she floats nearer]

No, thanks for coming too.

I just want to know anything you can tell me about having our worlds restored. You said you knew something, right? Can we do it?

And what about the collar fluid? Wait, wasn't it that yellow stuff we found?

[Action]

[oathshackledbird]

You are correct. The yellow fluid we found was collar fluid. Apparently, we weren't the only ones to run off with a container of it.

[Diarmuid crosses his arms over his chest loosely, so that he can still gesture with one hand.]

I am not sure the exact day that you were taken from here, so if I mention anything you already know, I apologize. After a massive infiltration down into the Administrative levels, we were able to get our hands on some real tools which were used to study the fluid. We studied it for months and finally, in December, a way to remove whatever is caging our true powers was found. Even now, there are people who are getting the new fluid at their collar check ups and having their powers come back. Just think of it. Real powers. Not glamoured up illusions.

[wegotlucky]

Wriggle?!

[He looks surprised. There's a mix of guilt and surprise on his face before he gets his composure.]

I hope we can restore our worlds.

[wrigurun]

Ah! You're...!

[She cuts herself off and tilts her head to the side. What was it? Nate? Ned? Nick?]

Monster guy!

[Close enough]

Yeah, I hope so too... What I want more than anything is for everything to go back to the way it was but that seems like a lot to ask and it was such a long time ago.

[wegotlucky]

[He winces at the name, but nods.]

Yeah, it's me.

There must be a way to do it, I know it.

[wrigurun]

Wait, is that actually your name? Did I get it right?

[Wriggle knows her memory isn't that good so she highly suspects that he just isn't asserting himself]

D'you really think so? I mean, it seems like a pretty big task for just me but maybe if it's all of us...

Yeah! A single ant can't do nearly as much as a colony!

[wegotlucky]

It's Neal. You can call me Neal.

[He smiles. It's not the sad smile he gave her months ago, it's much more bold.]

Yeah, that's what I think. If we all do it together, we can fix this. We can get home.

[wrigurun]

Neal... Neal... Okay! I'll try and remember that! You should have told me right away if I got it wrong.

[Wriggle gives a confident smile]

Mm, we will! So you have to do your best too and I'll do whatever I can. I'll get back Gensokyo even if it kills me!

video;

[chainsawn]

...

I'm here.

[ Urotsuki looks just as calm as ever - or maybe calm isn't entirely the word, it's more just that she's still entirely blank as she raises her hand and waves it a little at the other person. As if it hasn't been quite a while since they saw each other last. ]

Hi.

video;

[wrigurun]

Urotsuki!

[Wriggle's face immediately brightens up. The fact that she managed to remember her name just goes to show how excited she is to see her again]

I'm so happy you're okay!

Uh... You are okay, right? They didn't do anything horrible to you while I was gone?

[chainsawn]

[ The girl slowly shakes her head about them doing something horrible to her. It's true though, Urotsuki does look like she's fine for the most part - she looks the same as ever. It was mostly just boring for her, having to hide out and all.. ]

Uh-huh. I'm okay. There were these things though that tried to fight us but we couldn't do anything back. It was pretty annoying.

[wrigurun]

Really? There were even things like that? Well, as long as you're not hurt...

[A familiar face calmed her down and she rested her chin in her hands smiling]

So did a lot of stuff happen? You should fill me in.

[chainsawn]

.. Hmm.. when exactly did you disappear..?

[ That might find a point for her to start talking about. Since Urotsuki is so oblivious that she doesn't even miss the exact moment people disappear unless it's someone she sees all the time. ]

[wrigurun]

Um... Uh...

[That was actually a very good question. Her mind was filled with the images of her destroyed home so the memories of her time just before she left were hazy at best. She did a lot of moping, she remembered that much]

I don't remember. I think... Huh. Was there a time when some of the walls caved in so we had to move a bunch of rocks, or did I just make that up?

Text

[frilliance]

[Edgeworth tries to ignore the terrible nickname that Wriggle referred to him as in her conversation with Diarmuid. And manages. Just.] So, you are back, Miss Nightbug.

( video )

[wrigurun]

[Wriggle spends a few seconds staring at the screen before nodding and knitting her eyebrows together in confusion]

Yeah... Who's this?

Text > Video

[frilliance]

[Hmm. She's not going to know him by typing alone. So the video switches on. Recognise the cravat man now, Wriggle?]

Video

[wrigurun]

Ah! It's you!

Di...? Wa...? Wor...?

[Nope, can't remember]

Fancypants!

Why didn't you just use the video in the first place? It's easier than reading!

Video This conversation is getting better and better.

[frilliance]

[Ugh, not again.] Mr. Edgeworth, please.

[Thank god he isn't in a horrid mood like when they first met.]

I can read perfectly well, thank you.

Video

[wrigurun]

Yeah, well I can't so cut me some slack!

But Edgeworth! Right, got it!

[It'll probably be gone before their next conversation]