TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 9

[avalonmods]

✨ Greet new players on the OOC intro while apps are processed HERE! ✨

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ SUMMARY: New arrivals drop into the lake and have to climb up a cliff to the Rent a Ride, where they are given their device and some headphones and can retrieve their personal materials. There is a small earthquake during this (shaking, some things may fall off of shelves, but no structural damage) that upsets the normal arrival creatures, limiting cliff-falling rescues and sliming the water. They travel to Camelot, which is a multiple day journey, so they stop at the Red Springs along the way and stay at an inn there. A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival KERPLUNK, SPLASH! Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's still chilly, but not enough that you can't manage on your own. The Lady of the Lake is swimming around under the water, helping to rescue any wayward travelers who look like they're struggling in the water. This month's helpers are giant pillow jellies, a species of jellyfish that is capable of ballooning itself at the surface to create bouncy pads for characters to hop across to the shore, should they choose or not be able to swim. They come in a variety of bioluminescent colors, but do not seem to be very talkative even to animal magic users. Those who try may find themselves being ignored, even if they hear the jellies talking amongst themselves about this and that. In the middle of the new arrivals, there is a small earthquake that shakes the island and makes the waters choppy. The jellyfish are startled and release a glow-in-the-dark slime that may dye your characters' hair and skin until they can get a proper bath. The Lady of the Lake seems disquieted by the earthquake, but there isn't much to be done about it where they are now besides make sure that everyone is outside of the water as quickly as possible. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, as the earthquake has scared the cliff beast into hiding, meaning for July's arrivals, there is no safety net. They may need some serious help if a fall occurs! *Reminder: Your character's familiar may or may not be with your character in their initial plunge. If the familiar isn't partial to water, it may meet your character on the beach or sit atop their head while they swim. Or if they are, they might splash about and swim alongside your character. Familiars have different personalities and body specs and we leave those up to the players. B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, and a pair of ear buds and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go. These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk. C ⦿ The Red Spring The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies. If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out! The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there. SUMMARY: Camelot throws a carnival to combat the warming up weather featuring "cool" foods and contests, Queen Elphame sent gifts of aquatic mounts to practice in gratitude for the offering and peacemaking with Celliwig, and the clean-up for the carnival goes haywire as cleaning implements magically seek to clean everything. Thankfully, not every minute of Avalon is adventure and trials and rituals. There are moments of respite, and moments to have fun. This July, for example, locals have decided to invite everyone to what they're calling the "Cool Down Carnival"! A ⦿ Cool Carnival, Bruh Vendors of all kinds have taken to selling cooling goods throughout the carnival grounds. Shaved ice, frozen yogurt, gelato, ice cream, iced tea and boba drinks are everywhere, and each and every vendor is vying for the attention of customers. Whether it's coupons for free snacks if they fill out a punch card for all three days of the carnival, or trying out their new, more magical recipes of frozen slush that make you temporarily behave like a penguin and try belly-sliding down a slip-n-slide that's been set up to occupy the unfortunate victims of that slush (It wears off, don't worry.) Perhaps most notably is the Margaritaville Pair Challenge. If you and an acquaintance can down a giant schooner of frozen margarita in less than a minute together, you'll both get a free happy hour item once a day for the next month from the restaurant and they'll do you a solid and teach you (Recipe) Hangover Moveover, a recipe that instantly cures hangovers. The brain freeze caused by downing that much frozen drink is yours to deal with, unfortunately... B ⦿ Surf New Turf In the evening, the fae folk of the carnival crew lead the way to uproot the party off toward the docks near Camelot. The Elphame Traders came back this past month with good tidings from Queen Elphame, who was impressed both with the gift of a ship and the winning over of Celliwig's people. To this end, a second ship was sent with the Elphame Traders to provide a means of transportation to the faery Kingdom of Elphame without passing through the Forest of the Felled: aquatic mounts. However, they aren't exactly easy for anyone who isn't an animal mage and will require practice before anyone can set out. You'll need at least one person to steer and one person to act as a combatant, as the lake north of the arrival point is more than a little treacherous but that will be a journey for another day. (Maybe the 20th? Stuff seems to coincidentally always happen around then, huh... Weird.) For now, the fae who stayed behind from the Elphame Traders this month are sticking around to help you find a partner and an aquatic mount that gets along with the two of you. Most of the creatures who have agreed to be mounts are hanging out alongside he beach near the old docks, so you can go around and check out the different kinds of available mounts: Alpacapies: Cousin to the much more violent water horse fae the Kelpies, Alpacapies have been mistaken for baby loch ness monsters on more than one occasion given their penchant for sitting with just their hump and long neck above the waterline. They can be ridden in the water and tend to bond with people who are polite to them upon greeting. They will assist in combat by spitting water at their enemies or kicking with front legs, but they may shake you off if they need to deep dive to gain speed for an attack. They do not have back legs, only a dolphin-like fin. For some reason, they're really impossible to take photographs of. Mossatees: You're familiar with the mossatee already. A special breed of manatee that grows flowers and moss on its back like a miniature garden. They blossom in the spring, and their backs can be very comfortable. They're a little clumsy and tend to run into things, both accidentally and on purpose, so it may be a bit of a derpy ride if you and your partner choose a mossatee. They also just had a lot of children, so part of riding with them will mean protecting their young on the journey. They're not good in combat and will prioritize defense. Deinosuchus: A Cretaceous crocodile that gets up to about 10 meters long. It's huge and carnivorous and very well could eat you if you piss it off. It is fast, but has to take a lot of breaks. It will also terrorize in a fight. The fae recommend bringing it a goat or some other similarly sized meal to get it on your side if you want to go for this one. This pack is the only one left, transported by fairies to Avalon long, long ago, so you'd better not let them down. Once you've found a mount that seems right, try to practice balancing on its back. They don't much like saddles so that may be a challenge, but if you hold onto your partner it might be easier! Once you're settled, try racing against another pair or going through a Survivor-esque obstacle course with your mounts. C ⦿ Clean Up Chaos As people head out for the second day of practice with their mounts or recover from a crazy carnival experience, things around town... seem a little off. It seems like someone tried some experimental magic after competing in the Margaritaville challenge feeling particularly benevolent. All around Camelot, cleaning utensils have taken on a life of their own. Brooms are sweeping customers right out of restaurants, sponges are scrubbing up dishes and chasing down patrons for the most public sponge baths of their life, and the local woodland creatures are assisting in picking up and taking away anything that touches the floor that ought not to be there. Some are even hopping up on residents to do their hair! Whatever the source is, the only solution is to either destroy or scare the cleaning supplies off to the woods before they take over the whole town! A little magic should help, so why not test out the magic you've been working on since arriving in Avalon? SUMMARY: The earthquake busted some of the Land of Rot wards and zombies are attacking Camelot's farmland. Save the farm, restore the wards, fight a giant worm, and then find a mysterious marsh before getting transported back home just as mysteriously. The earthquake on arrival day was a little frightening, but ultimately didn't seem to cause too much trouble around New Camelot. That is, until a few days later when the farmlands seem to be under attack.. by the undead!? It seems like the wards surrounding the Lands of Rot were disrupted by the earthquake near Camelot's northeast farmland. ' A ⦿ The Farming Dead Step one is to fight the hoard of zombies spilling out into the farm and stop them before they contaminate Camelot's food source. Use whatever means you can to dispense of the undead, keeping the following in mind: death mages are going to be the most effective combatants against the undead, but anyone can follow the basic rules of zombies to clear a path. Loud noises attract their attention, they shamble during the day and can move more quickly during the night, they don't feel pain so if you hurt the they won't be deterred-- you have to kill them, and always double-tap if you aren't sure. Just be careful not to set them on fire. Flaming zombies can spread fires to buildings and other surroundings and are just generally worse than regular zombies! Once the zombies are cleared out, farmworkers will bring out gifts of fresh lemonade and some extra mixed herb seeds they gathered throughout the year. They're still good, please take them as a thanks for helping save the farm! B ⦿ Of Wards and Worms After searching the perimeter of the Land of Rot, sources have found that the wards were damaged on the west side, so the zombies haven't fully penetrated any areas but the farm. Pair up with another person to draw the attention of the zombies away from wards while the other person resets the wards. While doing this, you'll find the earth is rumbling again-- a little heavier this time since you're much closer than back in the Bay of Avalon. Rather suddenly, a huge sinkhole opens up in the desert landscape of the Land of Rot nearby... and out leaps a thousand-toothed worm, flying through the air and diving back toward the ground teeth-first... with your character right in its target location! Maybe you're lucky and get out of the way only to get knocked down by another huge tremor, or maybe you've just been swallowed whole by a giant worm and really, really need to find a way out for you and your partner! Maybe you'll find something interesting while you think... Is that a broken boat in here? Hopefully you find your way out (or.. if you don't, you find someone to resurrect you, but that would really suck if you just arrived!) C ⦿ Wake Me Up Before You're Go-Gone First zombies, then a giant worm... today's been exhausting! And now you're.. somewhere in the middle of the Land of Rot and you seem to have run into some kind of marsh that you don't remember passing on your way in. The water itself is murky and the only creatures around seem to be bugs, bats, snakes, and frogs. Everything seems sickly, rotting, and is pretty awfully stinky. But none of it is quite as terrifying as when you and whoever you wandered into the Land with stumble upon what appears to be some kind of old hag. What happens next? Who knows. She screams and both you and whoever you're with pass out and wake up snuggling in an inn room. You were definitely in that marsh though, because your pants are still sopping from trudging through it... Well, enjoy the panic, maybe interrogate your neighbors, and try to find out where in the Land of Rot you were! It sure doesn't seem to be on the map... What a mystery! MOD NOTES: • All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. •If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

Comments

Rika Furude | Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni | Healing Magic

[miiraculous]

[One moment, Rika is peeling that forbidden date off of the wall calendar. July 1st... It's July 1st 1983. She's made it. Finally, after rerolling the dice for 100 years, she's taken a step into the future! She giggles, turning over her shoulder to wave the page triumphantly at Satoko.

Then wakes up underwater.

A ten year old girl pops to the surface, coughing out the water in her lungs. The cold of the lake has her briefly stunned, halting a mind that would otherwise be racing. Though dazed, Rika notices the floating jellyfish that pushes her out of the water. Glowing ink coats Rika's hair and hands, but that isn't what has her mind reeling. This isn't Hinamizawa? But how? Where is she? When is this? How is this possible?

Rika angles her head slowly, following the cliff trail. Unmoving on the jellyfish, as she still isn't sure how to move in this situation. This is hardly her first time awakening in a new world, but it's never been this new.]

This can't be... Did I... die? [The voice to leave her lips is much lower and more mature than her appearance might suggest. After receiving no answer, Rika swallows her nerves... then starts a quiet journey to the cliff.]

(01 a) The Caravan to Camelot

[Every step up the White Cliff was physically difficult, but reaching the top presents a psychological difficulty. Rika is not sure how to react to this situation. Sure, she has an inkling of what 'she' would do... But is that the same as 'Furude Rika?' Where are her friends? Surely they're here. Once she finds them, she'll be okay.

She tries to quietly sail through the situation with only a smile and soft 'meeps' in response, until she hears about her world;]

That can't be! [Her outburst is not in the cutesy child voice that has been nya'ing and mii'ing for the past hour. Rika pales, eyes wide with fright.] How... Why! I... We worked so hard for that world!

(02 a) A Carnival Unlike Watanagashi

[It's so easy to fall into a depression, isn't it? Rika had known that she couldn't peel her sadness off like she did that calendar date, but she had hoped it might be possible. She still holds the page for 'June 31st' in her hand, having been wrinkled and smoothed by tense fists many times over now. Standing at the carnival, the reality begins to sink in. This isn't Hinamizawa. Her home is in danger. That happy ending that she fought so hard for... It may be gone forever.

Her eyes dart between the more Western carnival stalls, reminded of Watanagashi. She can imagine her friends rushing between them, making up contests at each new attraction. Her feet know that pattern of walking between stalls. Before Rika can comprehend her own actions, she's standing at a stall with boba tea. She can hear her friends' voices in her mind, each of their silly reactions to this weird drink warming her paralyzed heart.]

Mii~ What a funny looking drink, isn't it? [A children voice slips out naturally in response to the imagined voices of her friends. Rika beams up at the person next to her.] It looks like frog eggs! Ribbit Ribbit~!

Arrival

[juzubeads]

[Kyo for his part is. Not thrilled. He's willing to endure water, being wet but mostly? It just tends to exhaust him. Part of the whole Cat spirit thing that comes along with his particular part to play in the zodiac curse of the Sohma family. He scrambles to the surface and the shore of the lake, immediately attempting to dry himself off.

But it's hard, if not impossible to notice the kid. Especially given what she says? Kyo pauses in making some attempt to wring out his jeans and t-shirt at that, glancing to the other with a raised eyebrow.]

What makes you wonder that? Seems more like some weird dream or something to me.

[miiraculous]

[Rika flinches Kyo speaks up. She had been so focused on the cliffside that she didn't realize another person had pulled himself to shore. She only remembers to wring out her own skirt and shirt after seeing him do so himself, but she's hesitant. It's embarrassing...

And moreso, she's troubled to realize that he heard her. An anxiety cuts deep: Normal kids wouldn't respond like that, would they? She needs to recover from this swiftly.]

Mii. But a dream would not be so spooky. [Is that a good save? Rika tries to brush passed the topic all together.] Do you dream of cold lakes and squishy octopus often?

[juzubeads]

Spooky? Ah, no. I don't. But a dream seems more likely then assuming we died or whatever.

[At least. Kyo figures. Not that it would likely be that surprising if Akito did attack him in realizing Kyo did in fact have feelings for Tohru. That he'd liked to Akito about it. He runs a hand through his damp hair in some sort of attempt to dry it out enough to not be dripping.]

[miiraculous]

Yes... That is for sure. I must have been sleepy headed when I thought that.

[Besides... There's no one to kill her anymore. She's finally safe... She's made it to July 1983.

So why is this happening again? Rika laments, I was finally free from that maze... Why am I trapped in another one?]

At least the water has woken me up. That was surprising!

[juzubeads]

Yeah.....Ugh. I hate getting all wet. Now I'm gonna be all tired the rest of the day at least.

[At least. He has no reason not to assume this. That those traits he carries in being the Cat of the Zodiac won't still apply here. Kyo sighs, running a hand through his hair in some attempt to dry it still. He pauses then in watching the others head to the cliffs and all.]

I guess from up there we can get....wherever we're supposed to go though. I guess we should follow. Come on.

[Yes, 'we' because he isn't about to leave some kid out here alone?]

[miiraculous]

[Rika also catches that 'we,' realizing that she has been included in his plans. For him to subconsciously include her like that, without any hesitation, seems to imply that he's a good person. Too good to leave a child behind. Not just that, but he's an ally that she can lean on for now.

Rika isn't stupid. She knows that being a child in a strange world is going to put her at an immediate disadvantage.]

... Yes! Do you think we can make such a climb? [She quickly throws back the 'we' to solidify this relationship. Slipping into her more childish persona is meant to encourage him to 'keep' her.] It is a very steep climb~

Carnival

[wolfhunted]

[Robyn doesn't think anything of Rika's childish voice. If anything, the other girl must be around Robyn's own age, as far as she knows.]

It does sort of look like frog's eggs, doesn't it? But it's still pretty tasty. I think the person at the stall said it's...tapioca, or somethin'.

[Robyn's never had boba tea before, but part of the fun of being in this place is trying all these new and different foods.]

[miiraculous]

[You would think that Rika might feel at ease around a girl her age, but she doesn't. Not immediately, anyway. Seeing a 'normal girl' reminds Rika of how strange she still is.

She lets the topic of food pry her mind away from anxieties for now.]

Tapioca? Are you supposed to eat it or drink it? [Rika tilts her head curiously,] They are not handing out spoons with it.

[wolfhunted]

[Robyn isn't exactly "normal" herself...but that's not something to get into with someone she's only just met.]

I think you just drink it up? These straws look big enough for it.

[Straws are also a relatively new concept to Robyn, but she's had time to learn how to use them since she got here.]

[miiraculous]

Hmm... [The moment that she takes to consider whether or not to drink it? That's for show. Now that she knows this drink isn't literal frog eggs, Rika is beginning to find it exciting. How long has it even been since she tried a new snack? 100 years?

And yet, there's a soft pang of pain... She would have loved to try new things with her friends... Alas, they are not here. She shakes her head and smiles.]

Would you like to try it together? New things are more fun with friends!

[wolfhunted]

Alright!

[Robyn's been fortunate enough to make some friends here already, but there are some people from home she wishes she could experience this with right now. Like Mebh, or even her father, despite her relationship with him becoming a bit more strained.

Still, she doesn't mind doing this with someone new. She'd had trouble making friends after she and her father moved to Ireland, so any potential new friends are welcome.]

I've never had this before. They don't make drinks like these where I'm from.

[miiraculous]

I've never seen a drink like this either! We are both first time drinkers!

[And it advertises as tea, so Rika is expecting it to be a slightly bitter drink. She even orders a green tea for herself, thinking she can handle the taste. It doesn't cross her mind that they might sweeten the tea.]

They have many kinds. Do you recognize the flavors?

[notemergencyfood]

Woah, it really does!

[Paimon simply replies while hovering a few inches off the ground, enough for her to take a peek on the stall's table, eyes beaming curiously. Her kinetic magic acts from impulses or craving desires most of the time. Paimon is roughly about two feet tall.]

It's like something Lisa could conjure up. So... [She turns her head slightly to the other small child.] What do you think its for?

[miiraculous]

[Rika's eyes widen. What a small child... shorter than Rika herself.

Finally, something good about this world. She almost dares to think.]

It's in a cup and has a straw... Do we drink it? [The tilt of her head is meant to emphasis her cutesy nature. Rika even taps the side of her cheek in thought,] I do not imagine frog eggs to be very tasty, though...

[notemergencyfood]

[Even Paimon is easily charmed by Rika's cutesy nature. It gives Paimon a solid moment as thoughts race through her head, she's almost cute as Klee~ Though not as good as Klee, sorry Rika, Klee will forever be number one.

Back to reality, Paimon nods happily as she descends slowly to the ground, on her tippy toe first before planting her ankle, then the next leg. Paimon even feels proud of herself getting the hang of this 'magic'.]

And look at that, perfect landing from Paimon!

[Oh yeah, back to the girl.]

Oh don't worry, a lot of these you barely taste frog or other weird stuff. Hn, not sure what kind of drink it is exactly. Potions are stored in bottles, maybe it's a sample?

[HNNNN. Paimon brings her fists closer to her, like she's about to cheer on to someone.]

We should taste it! Maybe it'll give us different magic or something.

[miiraculous]

[Rika is awed by Paimon's magic control. Her own magic is still something that she's adjusting to. Even having a familiar who is not Hanyuu has taken her some time. She doesn't comment on the landing, though, aside from a little clap;] Clap, clap for you, for sure!

[Giggling, she looks back at the drinks.]

A magic drink, do you think? I suppose that anything is possible here. I have been caught off guard every which way that I go!

[notemergencyfood]

[Paimon scratches the back of her head, tongue hanging out with a wink after being praised by Rika. She's been practicing much as she can with her new magic, and walking too much sucks.]

Yeah, this place is really unorganized, they drop us in a lake for starters. [Paimon reaches up, standing on her toes, for the strange floating bubbly drink and... well, she's not quite tall enough, yet she is stretching her fingers over the counter enough to brush the cup.]

Then.... [Still trying to grasp that damn cup!] --give us a one-time allowance! Get over here you---! [She's talking to the cup.]

[miiraculous]

[Rika watches Paimon's efforts. On one hand, she knows the satisfaction of being able to do things yourself... but alsooo...

It's rare that Rika is the taller one. It's hard for her not to rub it in a little bit when she 'kindly' takes the cup and holds it down to Paimon's level. This is kind of nice~.]

Mii~ Here you go. A reward for working hard. [She smiles, then settles into some subtle information gathering;] It was very startling to be dropped in the lake. Have they never tried organizing something better?

1a

[letmewin]

( The very sudden outburst is enough to catch Asriel's attention. Green-colored eyes look to her, a bit alarmed and concerned. )

Uhm -- are you alright?

( Obviously not. If she's new here, he's sure that there's a chance that she's confused-- and a little scared. In that case, he can't help but want to help. )

[miiraculous]

Alright?

[The words come out sharper than she expected, the sound of her own voice even rattling her. Rika brings her lips together firmly, muting any further outburst. Her emotions are bubbling up, steaming like a kettle of hot water even, and yet she tries to contain them.

But this can't be real... Her emotions get the better of her briefly, but she keeps her childish voice in check this time. Trembling though it may be.]

... How can any of us be alright with that? Our home worlds are in danger of being destroyed? That is not alright at all.

[letmewin]

I... I know that it's scary.

( Asriel quickly starts, a hand going to his chest. )

But... while we're here, time won't move in our worlds. When we go back, it'll be like nothing's changed.

[miiraculous]

Unless we... [No, no. She tells herself to stop those thoughts right there. Losing her world? Having to move on to a new fragment and start again? Rika can't entertain that thought or she'll surely lose herself to despair.

And yet, the fear lingers around the perimeter of her mind. It's searching for a weak point, a way to slip in and tear down her resolve...]

... You're very confident that things will be okay.

[letmewin]

( It isn't that at all. There's... nothing really waiting for him at home, so he's selfishly in no rush to go back. Still, he wants to protect his family -- his best friend, and... the people so important to them.

So, his expression falls - eyes downcast. )

I... I know there's a chance that we won't be able to do it.

But, everyone is fighting hard to protect everything here. And... my best friend held onto hope when things seemed really bad at home. It was because of that that... they were able to save everyone.

I wanted to be like that, too.

[miiraculous]

[Rika briefly falls silent. That story sounds all too familiar. Not quite like a knife digging into her, no... It's something kinder. More like getting a soft, scolding pat on the head.

It reminds her of Keiichi and her friends. The one who saved her, moreso than they could ever understand.]

... You're right. If I had been able to be more like that before, then I would not have the fears that I have right now.