WEEK 1

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 1

[You now know why you're here, Titled. The question now is, is there a way to get out of here without invoking the rules? What will those who brought you here do to get you to kill?

Time will tell.

There are fifteen strangers in this place.]

Comments

[foolishjustice]

Yes, it's not all in blanks. There's more minor inconsistencies...both in memories of clothing, and profile details.

[theirmagic]

... That's... very strange. I was definitely wearing what I always wear. My teacher's uniform. But Croix... she doesn't exactly adhere to dress code at Luna Nova, and they kind of... well, let her. You'd know the outfit if you saw it, believe me, she had a cape.

[foolishjustice]

[The way his eyebrows lift at the mention of a cape doesn't exactly seem...judgmental. More like he'd have loved to see it.]

Have you noticed anything in your profile that seems unusual?

[theirmagic]

Ah... well, let me think about it...

[ She'll pull out her phone again, read it, and then shake her head. ]

... No, it's all fairly correct...

[foolishjustice]

Then either you've somehow managed to escape the memory alteration, or very little has changed in the time you've forgotten. Given it would break the pattern with no established reason, I'm afraid Occam's Razor suggests the latter...

[theirmagic]

... I don't know. That... concerns me. Oh, if only I'd spoken with Professor Woodward for longer, or read the stars more before coming here...

[ She sighs. ]

[foolishjustice]

It's of concern to me, as well. I have reason to doubt all of my missing memories are before what I currently remember, and the idea that I could have forgotten vital events that occur after the date I believe it to be is...not one I'm pleased to consider.

[theirmagic]

... If I had my wand, I could try to restore our memories. I know a spell or two, at least. Croix certainly does as well.

[ The glance she gives Croix as she says this is... strange. Like something is unsaid, but she doesn't say anything else. ]

[foolishjustice]

Which means it would be a major oversight for them to leave it with you. They confiscated my sidearm, as well...given the fact that firearms are seemingly the only weapons unavailable here, I'm left to wonder if they might fear we could use such things against them.

[theirmagic]

... I must probably seem very weak, but I assure you that when it comes to my spell-work, I am one of the best teachers for it at Luna Nova. If they were foolish enough to leave me my wand, I would have already found a weakness in their keeping us captive here.

Of course, I don't mean to sound like a braggart, or anything of the sort, it's simply... you don't get to be a teacher without mastering your subject.

[foolishjustice]

Not at all, I'm quite aware that strength comes in many forms. And you certainly don't seem like the pushover sort, more...self-sacrificial to a degree that could be taken advantage of. But far from weak.

Regardless, it's clear that we've been deliberately disarmed. If they know what we're capable of, then it really is no surprise that they'd strip us of what we might use to fight back.

[theirmagic]

... S-self sacrificial? N-n-n-no, I'm certainly not!

[ ... She really is. Wow. Complete strangers have figured her out. ]

Their disarming us is really getting to me. I've never gone so long without magic before. It's less inconvenience and more... ah, well... how do I put this... lifelessness?

[foolishjustice]

[He just. Raises an eyebrow a that first part, Ms. No Let Me Hurt Myself to Test Your Power.]

Hmm...perhaps akin to relieving someone of a limb they often relied upon? Not something that couldn't be managed without, but rather...a feeling as if something important is missing?

[theirmagic]

Yes, actually. It's a lot like that. Most magic is related to the natural world, after all. And this place being so artificial doesn't do well for a witch like myself. Professor Croix feels the same way. We just do better surrounded by trees, I suppose.

[foolishjustice]

You probably shouldn't visit Tokyo, then. Well, you might enjoy Inogashira Park. I find it quite relaxing there, myself.

[For one thing, fangirls rarely find him there. And he can hide in the trees if he really has to.]

[steelmagnolias]

[ Well, he's managed to parse enough from this exchange to bring up this point. ]

I brought this up at the meeting with Coach-chan yesterday, but...my profile said I was a few years older than I actually was.

I thought at first that was a mistake, but I woke up wearing this.

[ Once again, gonna flash that ring. ]

[theirmagic]

... That is most definitely a wedding ring.

[ Frown. ]

You must have a partner, then. A wife or a husband... do you remember anything at all?

[steelmagnolias]

I remember I was on a plane, but that was definitely for a business trip.

[ Nothing that comes to mind about where he could have met any actual partners. ]

[theirmagic]

Oh, dear... well... perhaps the trip was after your wedding and they removed the memory? In which case... why do Professor Croix and I happen to be the only ones without these gaps?

[steelmagnolias]

Or before. I still remember most of what happened then...

Maybe you just haven't realized what yours are yet.

[theirmagic]

... Or they're from after what we both recall.

[ She's positing a theory, here. ]

Perhaps... it's the future we're missing, instead of the past. At least, that's my best guess.

[steelmagnolias]

Plus, we're not even sure if everyone lost exactly the same amount of time, even if they're from the same world. I'm gonna assume those kids [ he gestures over at Akira and Akechi ] are from the same place, and I guess you guys were also comparing notes.

[theirmagic]

We were, yes. And I think it's safe to say Mister Kurusu and the detective are from the same place, yes. They do act quite friendly.

[ She has seen this in passing!! ]

[steelmagnolias]

You checked their profiles? They've even got the same person in their dislikes, and, well...

[ Akechi's got a boyfriend... ]

[theirmagic]

[ A slight smile. Oh, you got that sense too? She didn't want to be rude but... ]

It really is quite obvious they're... very good friends, Mister Sanzashi. Much like Professor Croix and I.

[ Is she hinting she might have a thing for Croix? Or is she trying to give Akechi a break? We just don't know. ]