kaisou | Open log

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Open log

WHO: Ritsuka + anyone
WHERE: just some random street corner
WHEN: 1st of July
WHAT: Ritsuka found herself whisked away to another world? Must be Tuesday...
WARNINGS: Probably none, this time

There's a new face in town! Or at least, there's a redheaded young woman who, while not appearing particularly bewildered or confused, most definitely is spending some time looking over the surrounding buildings and cityscape. As one does when trying to figure out where one is or how to get where one needs to go. In any case, it's definitely true no one here's seen her in town before!

Should you approach, though, she'll promptly swap from that evaluating stare to a friendly grin.

"Oh, hi there! Are you from around here?"

If you're especially observant, though, you might notice a set of red marks on the back of her right hand. But that's probably not important, right? Right.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Takame visibly tensed. Force of habit caused a hand to cling to his left flank hiding a massive scar covered by his clothes. A bomb. Sabotaged. Command room, all of these things were so familiar to him it made him sick to his stomach.

How many people must have been killed in that incident that caused there to be only one Master left? Seven hells, what has this girl seen?

"... And so they threw everything onto you? Because you were the only one left?" He's only assuming this, but that's how things tended to go.

"I wasn't in the room when it happened."

Which is a bit of a story unto itself, but that's another matter.

"But Mash--someone I met when I first got to Chaldea--still was, so I went there to try to help her. We were going to be trapped, but then the rayshift system activated and sent us to the first singularity instead. After that, the only way to fix things was to keep going, so..."

In a way, nobody had truly forced her into it, other than circumstances. She could have chosen to give up hope and quit then and there. But Ritsuka's desire to live had been too strong to allow that, so she'd fought, even if it meant taking on such a massive burden by herself.

"So you continued your journey and it has taken you as far as this realm." Takame knew how it was. Sometimes you take something simple up and revelations upon revelations build up to the point you know nothing else but to forge ahead.

That you need to forge ahead no matter how heavy the weight became.

"I understand. At least to some degree."

"It's not just that I was the only Master, but if I wanted to live, I had to keep fighting."

At least, that's how it started out. Sure, there was the grand goal of saving all of humanity, but that's just an abstraction. What really drove a sixteen year old to make her way through all that was simply the will to live, herself.

Maybe things are a little different now, but... Well, it's complicated.

"I see. From the outset there was but one option for you, then. Anyone would want to keep their life. To the bitter end we fight and live and learn." In one fleeting moment thou must live, die and know. She is young, of course she would want to live her life. She had the spirit.

Takame didn't know the extent of her circumstances, but even someone as emotionally inept as him could sense strength of spirit. She had that in spades.

"Ah, I've asked you so many questions but answered few in return. Please, if there is anything else about this realm you wish to ask I'll be glad to answer." Said pulling something from his pocket. It's a smartphone.

"Did you receive one of these when you arrived?"

"A smartphone? I'm not--"

Actually, hang on, let her check her pockets quick. Funny thing is, when you're so used to getting whisked away to other worlds with little to no warning, you don't stop to check and see if anything else is weird.

And look, sure enough, a similar phone is produced!

"Huh, when'd that get there?"

There it was. Same place Takame found his all those months ago, in a random pocket. Right, this was where he could make himself useful.

"When you entered this city, that phone will appear on your person somewhere. I don't know for sure how, but regardless it is how the rest of is in this realm communicate. At least those of us with awareness of magic.

The Libra app is used for that purpose, run by Zodiac. I'd advise placing your faith more in the users than in Zodiac itself, though twice per month they make themselves known with announcements." Through their conversations, Takame had maintained a mostly neutral tone. But when speaking about Zodiac there's a subtle but noticeable sourness that accompanied it.

So it definitely sounds like this Zodiac is something to investigate, is what Ritsuka's getting out of this.

"And only people who know what's going on have the app?"

Did she understand that right?

Maybe if they were as bad as they were before Mid-April. Takame's perspective was very biased given what he went through that month towards both them and the Black Order. Still, he nodded.

"Mm, precisely. As a whole, app users are more than willing to help one another be it asking a question or providing advice and conversation." It got... weird sometimes but he wanted to list off the good.

"We are all in the same situation, so something of a community has been built. The other Master I mentioned is a vital part of it. If I may, I'd suggest getting into contact with him if you can. But please feel welcome to rely upon me as well."

It still sounds plenty sus to her, and that at least gives her something to focus on.

But there's another thing that, as someone from the modern world, Ritsuka's picking up on here.

"So if only people who know about magic are using it, that means it isn't available to people normally somehow..."

Very sus.

"Indeed. This city's Spirit Vein and an individual's compatibility with it determine whether or not they can access the app or even perceive the supernatural around them. However, those of us from other worlds seem to always gain access to it."

A very oversimplified explanation, but it was the easiest way.

Right, right, but that's not quite how it works, being magically gifted a free smartphone aside, a person still has to download and install and--actually, you know what, Ritsuka's going to make the wild guess that the dragon-man might not be from the modern world. And therefore doesn't know how app stores and such work.

"Well, if someone just gives you a smartphone, then it's easy for them to have stuff pre-installed on it, you know? So it's people who are already here and already have their own that it'd be strange for it to be there."

"... Really?" He hummed, tilting his head lightly and looking at his phone curiously. Indeed, his world is considerably less advanced than this one.

"This isn't an app that can be removed, and there have been a number of instances where it appears out of nowhere along with other changes for normal civilians like Yusuke..." Again, he began to trail off into irrelevant topics and a name that Ritsuka didn't even know.

"Ah, but I did not know that, actually. Before arriving here I'd never seen a device like this before."

"Right, because if someone else had the phone first, they can install whatever they want on it before they give it to you. But normally if you own it, to put new apps on it you have to download and install them. If it appeared without that, then that might mean someone's hacking, or made some sort of virus."

Oh, wait, he probably isn't going to know what that means either, is he?

"Oh, and by virus I mean... it's a sort of program or app that does things you don't want it to, like making it impossible to use your phone, or always making you go to porn sites."

Ritsuka.

"Usually if you're careful and keep things updated and only download apps from places like an official app store you don't really have to worry about that though."

"Hm. That would explain how the app came installed on this phone the moment I arrived. Even in these matters there is malicious intent." Spoken like a disappointed brother. He wasn't fully aware of what hacking meant except for the kind you do with a sword.

But he couldn't help thinking that his leg was being pulled when porn sites were mentioned. Not that he was going to do anything about it.

"App... store? What's that?"

Porn sites absolutely exist and also absolutely have a very close relationship with viruses of all kinds. Kind of fitting, when you think about it, actually.

"It's a place where you can download apps, that's run by a company, usually the same one as made the OS for your phone."

Oops that was a lot of jargon but moving on. "Usually for someone to get their app listed in the official store, it has to pass a bunch of stuff to make sure it's safe for people to use, plus people can review and rate apps so you can tell by that if there's something wrong with it. But anyway you can get apps for all kinds of things there! There's ones to keep you organized, or help you with fitness stuff, things like dating apps, and lots and lots of games. Some you have to buy, but some let you play some of it for free."

Oh, Takame was aware of the existence of porn sites. He's dating an artist and knows several shitposters, he sort of had to be. The jargon only threw him off a little, he was a good listener and picked up at least a few things from this realm in his time that context clues filled in the rest.

Kind Of.

"I see. I was not aware of any of this. All I've needed in my time here was the Libra app and the Navigation app, after all..." Also that temporary Metaverse one but he is not prepared to think about April with anyone that isn't his therapist.

~~At least he has a therapist?~~ Oh dear, this poor man does not know the fun of cheap little phone games. Or gacha games. Or.... You know what just look here.

"Really? There's all kinds of fun and useful stuff. Sure, sometimes you might not need it, but that doesn't mean there might not be an app that'd make something easier, you know? And having some games to play can be fun!"

~~He didn't know what a therapist was until a few months ago.~~ Not a single clue, but nothing about Takame's demeanor indicated he knew how to have fun or relax.

"Hm. Perhaps if I have the time I may... look into it. I simply haven't had the time between my work and the Academy... and we moved just last month-- Ah."

He just remembered something kind of vital, actually.

"Have you found somewhere to stay? Zodiac offers housing to those who have come from other worlds... it is sufficient for a temporary stay but I'd recommend not relying on them for much." He did already, but he's emphasizing the point that he really fucking hates Zodiac without outright saying it. That would be rude.

"Oh, like dorms or apartments or something?"

Not that she really needs much at all. Heck, the weather's relatively nice, she could easily just camp out somewhere if she had to.

"Apartments, yes. Many of the others stay within them as payment isn't necessary. They're, ah, modest, but sufficient."

The weather was nice for now, but this month was going to bring on rainstorm after rainstorm.

"I only left them myself in April, but I have the means to support myself and Yusuke." And Cu when he decides to stay inside. Which is not often.

"I see..."

Modest definitely isn't a problem. You should see her tiny room on the Storm Border, for one. Nor is camping out, a rainstorm would hardly be the worst conditions she's ever dealt with.

"But they don't need to be paid for at all?"

That part is still a little sus, for sure. ~~And Cu is a dog so that's about right.~~

~~Bork Bork, and all that.~~

"They don't. I was initially suspicious myself, but even at their worst Zodiac did not demand payment of me for the time I stayed there." Knock on wood, but he doubted they would even now. For as useless as they were, they weren't debt collectors. Just demons that one time.

"I doubt they will given you... Hm. If I may ask, are you still in school?"

"Oh, I'm--"

Actually, hang on just a moment here. Ritsuka is suddenly having a very abrupt realization here about something she'd never really thought about before.

"Well, before I came to Chaldea I was, but..."

Does that still count? Would she be considered a highschool dropout even if most of the time she's spent humanity didn't even exist?

She might need a while to work out some feelings on this subject. Assuming she wants to think about if further.

"There is a High School here, as well as a University and a... Communication College?" Community, Takame. Community. You almost had it, and as if being aware he was just off the mark, he shook his head.

Unfortunately he wasn't fully aware that something might have made Ritsuka hesitate here but nothing he said was in bad faith.

"It's Summer, so classes are dismissed for the most part. But if you wished to enroll there are options for you to take."

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