1st ♥ [ video / action ]

[rewindingly]

[ Action ♥ Residents of Room 02-05 ]
[ Homura woke with a start. Last she remembers, she was going to sleep and expecting to attend her new school tomorrow. Fresh from one timeline to the next. Her determination is worn plainly on her face, overtaking the confusion that comes with waking in a new environment. Adjusting all too quickly, she slips out of the bed and snatches up the letters. Reading the first one, rereading those simple words over and over, before finally lowering the paper. ]
This can't be.... [ Her heart drops like a rock. That can't be. It makes no sense!

... But it does, actually, doesn't it? After seeing Madoka's soul gem taint again, it makes sense. Homura covers her face, sobbing into her hands for only a few seconds before drawing in a deep breath. ] Madoka... Everyone... [ She has yet to notice her roommates as she tries to wipe her eyes and get a grip. ]

[ Video ♥ ]
[ A calm facial expression betrays Homura's feelings. True, she's gathered some courage to keep herself relatively calm, but her heart has been ripped to shreds by this possibility. Even so, there's still hope. She reminds herself, over and over, that it's not over yet. ]
I am Homura Akemi. I am a new arrival. I have read both of my letters and have an understanding of the situation.

 [ A pause. Debating. She never properly "started" her last timeline beyond being released from the hospital, so if the other girls are here then they might not recognize her. Calling out their names would be strange. ] I am from Mitaikihara in Japan. I'd like to know if anyone from home has also been 'saved'.

[ She brushes her hair behind her shoulder, a seemingly confident gesture that is actually just a nervous tick. ] How long have you all been here? And how many of you believe that letter?

Comments

[Video]

[fusedstars]

[He is used to seeing those types of faces, having trained himself to keep a constant calm or blank expression his face. As such, it was simple to detect small hints as to what can betray that. However, he also knows that everything is not what it seems, even hints; detecting someone else's thoughts was always a confusing matter.

There is at least one thing he is sure of, mostly: this tower.]

The situation is not entirely what it appears to be, even with the letter.

[rewindingly]

Please elaborate. [ It's hard to keep her tone neutral. This is exactly what Homura wanted to hear. She wants reasons to doubt the letter. ]

[Video]

[cutestprogrammer]

I am from Japan as well... And I don't really believe int that letter as there are people here from the same place as me and some are from my past while others are from my future. That doesn't really seem possible if our world has been destroyed...

[rewindingly]

I see. Mm, you're right. That does seem very strange.

[ More reason not to lose hope... good, good. Homura can feel her willpower returning to her. ]

As I said, I am Homura Akemi. What is your name?

[Video]

[moontothetide]

Two months? Or, um...I-I think it's two months. It's, um, kind of hard to tell here. [She has a few landmarks she relies on in terms of days of the week, but they all tend to blur together after a while. Especially lately.

On her end of the feed, Tara looks decidedly uneasy at the second question. She also doesn't look entirely focused.]

...my world, um, i-it almost got destroyed a lot.

[rewindingly]

Two months? That's a long time.

And... I see...

[ Homura's really sorry to hear that. She wants to offer some help of guidance, but scolds herself and focuses on her own mission for now. ]

That's unfortunate. Do you believe it to be the case here? That your world has been destroyed?

[text]

[beknightedheroine]

<sub>[Sayaka waits until other people have actually responded to the post before going to reply to it herself - it's hard keeping the line straight between who's here and what she's rationalized is just her imagining people from her world popping up. Her brain wouldn't be so scrambled as to make up other people conversing with each other, right?

..even with what Mami told her about Homura, it's hard not to be a bit scathing. And what kind of gushy would she have to be to answer straightforwardly?]</sub>

looks like you got up and transferred to the tower too, transfer student.

hah.

..yeah, okay, it's not even all that funny.

[text]

[rewindingly]

Sayaka Miki?

[ Homura's initial response is quick. Only Sayaka refers to her that way, so it seems obvious enough. However, this Sayaka knows Homura transfers to her class. That hasn't happened yet in Homura's last timeline.

This is a past Sayaka, she reasons. One who will eventually die. ]

Mm. It seems that I have.

[ She wants to ask about Madoka, but resists. It's more important to see what 'stage' Sayaka is at. ]

How are you?

video;

[ofdewandglass]

It's been about two months, for me. I - I don't know if I believe everything in the letter, but I do know that they do absolutely terrible things to people in this place. It's awful...

[rewindingly]

Terrible things, is it?

... Sorry. I won't bother you if you don't feel like talking about it.

video;

[sageprincess]

... Seven months, almost.

[The response is slightly delayed, if only because the woman on the other end has to have a moment of incredulity that it's been so long, and yet it hardly feels long enough.]

As for the letter, no, I do not believe it. Though I do think the administrators of this place are not telling us everything about the status of our home worlds.

[rewindingly]

Is that so? Has something happened to give you that impression?

[text]

[sukeban]

A couple weeks. If anyone believes it, I haven't met them yet.

[rewindingly]

I see.

That is good. Believing that can do no one any good.

Video

[hero_of_smiles]

[Cross was sitting at the terminal seeing if he couldn't try and hack into something worthwhile in the place, when suddenly, boop a video.]
Oh, Hey I didn't know these things had video.

[Oh wait this girl's talking. So he's going to listen for a few minutes before it seems okay to talk.]

Hm, yeah I read those letters too. I think they're trying to trick us though. It seems like a giant, awful prank to me.

[He huffs a cheek.]

But, sorry I never heard of that city. But I've been here for maybe a couple of weeks. I've been hearing some terrible stuff about this place, and I'm not surprised. There a monsters everywhere!...Oh I didn't even introduce myself!

I'm Cross Blanchard! Nice to meet you...you know under better circumstances.

[rewindingly]

You have an interesting idea of what qualifies as a prank.

[ She can't help but comment on that word choice. Not sure what she thinks of it, or the boy she's talking to. ]

You've been here a few weeks and are only now realizing that videos are an option?

[Video]

[kungfubomber]

I'm relatively new myself -- less than a month here, I think. As for believing the letter... [He snorts.] Yeah, right. I just saved my world from being destroyed. No way am I going to believe that it was all for nothing unless there's some serious evidence proving it. [And judging from some of the other responses on this post, it looks he's pretty justified in his cynicism, even if he doesn't yet understand the full breadth of things. So Bomberman's not worried about the fate of his world.]

[rewindingly]

Good work, then.

[ Saving your home world, she means. ]

I hope you never find evidence to prove your efforts worthless.

video

[riflesandtea]

[ oh! it's just a lucky day that she's decided to check the network, really ]

Akemi-san...so you're here as well. [ well, at least homura missed the 'contest' that had been held between the tower-holders, that's something. she's pretty glad that homura is all right. ] Are you doing well?

I've been here for about two months, and I think Sayaka-san has been here for more than that.

[rewindingly]

Mami Tomoe.

[ Who seems to know her... and is acting oddly pleasant. Homura can't immediately tell if this is just Mami hiding her mistrust under a sweet tone of voice. ]

I'm well enough. Yourself?

[ video ]

[chainsawn]

[ .. This girl.. She seems so calm - even if Urotsuki usually does too, but that's more something natural than something she actively does - despite everything, so cool, so strong.. for a moment she can't help but just stare before answering. ]

Are you saying you don't believe the letter..? [ slowly she speaks up though, her voice pretty blank. ]

[rewindingly]

You're correct. I do not, and will not, believe the letter.

[text]

[bloodbrothers]

They claim to have saved us but I doubt that is so, as I needed saving from naught and the end of the world was not fast approaching. [ Not while many still lived, the All-Father would have foretold of such destruction. ]

They claim our home to be gone but I know this is not so, it would not fall so quickly or easily. While I have just arrived I have no doubt that this ploy is a simple one of dishonesty.

[text]

[rewindingly]

I see.

Good.

That is a good mindset.

video

[keybearer]

It's been a few months now, and I still don't know what to make of that letter. Even their 'proof' could be fake, but I can't completely ignore the possibility.

[He sighs, shaking his head.]

Still, I don't trust the guys in charge.

[rewindingly]

I see. Then trusting oneself is really the only option that makes very much sense, I suppose.

Video

[superlvldots]

[A moment of silence. Perhaps prompted by being able to notice the meaning of her gestures. Perhaps simple time to think.]

Given witness testimony of those who have returned to their worlds, it seems it is real.

There is a chance it isn't, however. We're left with little to lose by pursuing that possibility.

[rewindingly]

Witnesses? May I ask you to elaborate?

[video~]

[death_awaits_you]

[ Ryoji is sure to smile brightly at the newcomer, even if she's all calm and serious. It's amazing how many cute girls show up here! ]

Hi there, Homura-chan! [ Why yes he's going to be that familiar right away! Though he'll back off if she asks... ] I'm from Iwatodai, Japan, and I've been here only a few weeks. I definitely don't believe the letter.

Anyway, my name's Ryoji Mochizuki, and it's a pleasure to meet a girl as pretty as you~!

[rewindingly]

[ Homura's a bit flustered. She's used to being complimented, but that's usually behind her back and she's too srs bsns to care. She's never been told to her face, where she can't ignore it. ]

Y-your kindness is appreciated, Ryoji Mochizuki-san. [ She breaths out, to retain her composure. ] I am glad to know I am neither the only Japanese person here nor the only one not to believe the letter. Your words are reassuring.