niteo_nix | [text] and then [accidental video]

l5jgv-'

[ One might easily identify this as a sign of a new user -- and new arrival -- given the extended period of slow, confused exploration of the PDA's miniature keypad conducted in almost pitch darkness. But if one were to guess who, in the midst of a baffled adjustment to one's unfamiliar surroundings, would have time to sit down and play with a weird piece of technology, those who know the white-haired arrival might not have guessed Allen Walker.

But really, messing with this peculiar thing and indulging his passing curiosity is all that's standing between him and panic. It's a fine distraction, really.

One that loses its sparkle when what amounts to a very fancy, miniaturized typewriter offers absolutely no answers.

In his frustration, Allen vents his opinion where he thinks it won't matter. ]

clever, but it's still rubbish

[ And presses something that he'll later learn is called 'enter' in a unique method revealed by a brief clip of unintentional video recording; by way of the toe of his boot connecting with the device as a white-haired young man kicks it in a fit of pique.

He can't have kicked it too hard, nor has it landed against anything too unforgiving, as it's still running a few moments before the video cuts out. ]

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You don't remember...

[Poor Allen. This stranger is sympathetic, at least, and fairly quick on the uptake.]

In a way, but it's a strange story, I'll warn you. My name is Okumura Yukio.

[ And he feels guilty where some might have felt suspicious, not just because he seems a nice fellow but because it surely hurts to be forgotten and yet handle it with such grace. ]

Can't be stranger than waking up in--

[ Pausing, he darts a glance around himself and amends: ] --I had better hear you out before I finish that, I suppose, Mister Yukio.

[Yukio offers the exorcist a calm smile. Normally he would forward the introductory video at this point, but seeing as a different Allen is in it... that might be awkward.

First thing's first.] Have you met Libitina yet? A small girl with white hair.

[ Allen's expression waxes troubled, if only briefly.

Yes. They've met. Sort of. ]

Is that her name? She said something about '302'.

[ Not particularly chuffed to be referred to as a toy, Allen's going to leave out the part about that and hope it goes unnoticed. He's had quite enough of that from another little girl, thanks. ]

That will be your room number. There's one inhabitable apartment building in this city. Sixteen of us live here. Seventeen now.

[He pauses, gathering his thoughts. This is never a very easy explanation.]

She's not a normal child. She has the ability to reach into different worlds, different universes, and pull people from them to stay here as her "toys" [actual finger-quotes included]. Time doesn't seem to matter. People have been brought here before, disappeared, likely back to their proper homes, only to reappear again at a later date with no memory of this place.

[His expression is serious, but he's doing his best to remain calm and open for Allen. This part sucks.]

You've been here before.

[ We have rooms?! starts to crawl out of his lungs in what he knows will be an indignant squawk and he swallows it down with the cold recollection of what that strange little girl had said:

Where toy stay. ]

Seventeen, and she's captured them from--

[ Different worlds?

It's clear, by the way he stares hard at the PDA, about to speak and can't, that Allen's having a hard enough time simply getting around that matter.

Throw in that he's been there before and can't recall, and he's already denying, shaking his head. There's even a little giddy laughter. ]

Now you're just pulling my leg.

[The most serious serious face. Seriously, this guy suddenly became, like... thirty years old.]

I wish that was the case.

[ Oh.

Oh. He was... really hoping that it was a joke. ]

But that's impossible.

How could I have been here before, and just--forget?

I'm afraid I can't answer that. Many of the things that happen here should be impossible, but that's just not the case.

[ There's a slightly frazzled suggestion: ]

Like the worlds thing.

[ And that other word he didn't recognize. Universes. Look, his education was delivered to him by an eccentric clown and a womanizing boozer. ]

But people have left before, haven't they? Then that means there's a way to free everyone!

[He shakes his head a little.] I've only known people to leave under Libitina's power.

[Well, that sounds depressing. Let's fix that.] I'm sure there's a way home, but we haven't found it yet.

[ That first part does, and Allen looks ready with an answer--

--which just might have been similar to the amendment Yukio makes, because the white-haired exorcist silences himself with a nod in agreement. ]

That's right.

...Since we're in this together, I hope you don't mind my help.

Of course not.

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