REVERIE TERMINAL [inbox]

[mapsio]

TEXT ❤︎ VOICE ❤︎ VIDEO ❤︎ ACTION

Comments

un: @skull

[ryuji]

Hey, this is a kinda weird question, and don't get too freaked out about it or anything

But you didn't wake up this morning with a wire in your face, did you?

un: noir

[mapsio]

A wire in my face, no? Though Ren-kun...

[She had helped him to the infirmary earlier with a similar problem.]

I have an equally weird question, if you don't mind. Did you experience an earthquake earlier? With explosions? Sparks? Almost like the station was falling apart?

Re: un: noir

[ryuji]

[Stop the presses?]

What's wrong with Ren?

[Sorry, he'll answer your question, but... man does he have a one track mind.]

[mapsio]

I had to take him to the infirmary earlier. His face was bleeding?

[She didn't want to worry Ryuji but, also. They are always honest with one another!]

[ryuji]

Did he trip or something?

[He's getting worried. Of course he is. He'd feel the same about Haru, Makoto... any of them.]

I mean... you know this already but... we gotta take care of each other up here. We're all we have left.

Damnit, that's so depressing.

Thank god you were there though

[mapsio]

He had the same problem you just asked me about. Which... are you okay Ryuji-kun? Did you make it to the infirmary?

[She will absolutely get up from her room and come drag him all the way to the infirmary too,]

As long as we have each other... we will be fine.

[She's kind of glad Ryuji isn't with her at the moment, she's certain the look on her face would give away her fear.]

[ryuji]

[This is a hard text to reply to, for someone like Ryuji, who takes everything as simply as water off his shoulders. But no, deep down inside, he was terrified of what happened to him. To look at yourself in the mirror, and then to feel something burrowing into your skin, to know that shit like that can happen out here.

He doesn't want to admit he's paranoid.

Or that he's terrified something will happen to his friends.]

Nah, you know me, I get by with scrapes on my knees all the time! I got bandaided up.

Looks even more punk than before!

[He's really, really trying his best. He's kind of glad Haru isn't with him at the moment, he's sure the look on his face would give away his anxiety.]

Yeah, we'll be okay. Look, we've been through crazier shit, and I'm always here for ya. Always.

So yeah, what about those earthquakes?

[mapsio]

[She's pretty scared of what she's witnessed already. She won't tell Ryuji how scared she was to find Ren doubled over in the hallway, blood running down his face. You think that the Metaverse and fighting in Palaces prepares you for seeing your best friends at their worst— and it doesn't.]

If you are sure.

I can come look at it later to make sure it's bandaged properly?

[Read: She's worried about him and needs to see him with her own two eyes.]

I was exploring the area and all the sudden it felt, and looked like the station was falling apart. There was enough force to knock me into a wall and have sparks and debris flying everywhere.

... but it was gone as fast as it came, and it looked like nothing had happened.

[ryuji]

[Ryuji wearily eyes the thin piece of chrome wire that was extracted from his face. He put it down on the desk, refusing to throw it away for... god knows whatever reason. Maybe it's a reminder. Maybe it's a puzzle piece. He doesn't think about it, because thinking about it just makes him wonder if a second one is somewhere inside him. But he needs to know it's there to remind him that this isn't a game. This isn't a heist. This is reality now.]

Hahaha, you're gonna kiss it and make it better or somethin'? Count me out!

But yeah, door's always open. I'm glad we chose rooms close together

[Roughly translate to: Yeah, make sure it's not infected, will you?]

Wait, what?

That's like... impossible unless the station was moving, right?

WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?

[mapsio]

[She can't imagine what she would have done if she had woken up with the same piece of wire in her own face. She can't imagine how freaked out Ren and Ryuji must have been either.

She doesn't want this reality. The one where they don't know what is going to happen to them on a day to day basis.]

I am too, Ryuji-kun.

I'll come over in a little bit, I'm waiting on Makoto-chan to get back.

[Don't think for one minute that she isn't going to be checking Makoto for wires.]

I wish I had answers. A gentleman stopped to help me in the hallway where I fell, but he looked like he didn't believe me.

[ryuji]

When all the dust settles, we should hold a meeting and get our facts straight. Never know what's gonna get thrown our way.

[Ryuji recoils a bit when he reads that text, sitting straight up in bed, brows furrowed.]

Doesn't sound like a gentleman to me

Why the hell would anyone think you're lying?

Don't they know this place is effin possessed?

[mapsio]

That sounds like a good idea. We need to find a place to have our meetings too. I'm not sure I would suggest our rooms. Makoto-chan and I have a roommate.

[She frowns.]

Would you believe me if I said there was an earthquake and there was no evidence of one?

[ryuji]

I'm gonna say yeah, I believe ya. But I don't know if anyone else will.

I mean, we've seen some really effed up shit that didn't make sense until we figured out what was goin on behind the scenes.

Would anyone have believed us if we told em we were taking a catbus down below the subways in Tokyo?

[mapsio]

What about Ren-kun and Makoto-chan? Surely they wouldn't think I'm lying.

They have seen as much as we have, some of you even more.

[The comment about Morgana makes her laugh, just a little.]

No, I don't think anyone would believe us for a moment. That's why we're a team.

[ryuji]

Oh... yeah, I mean it goes without saying.

It's really an us vs everyone else kinda thing, huh? Looks like even out here we're still outcasts.

[After a moment of thinking about that---]

Yeah, I'm still okay with that. Looking back, if you could change anything, would you?

[mapsio]

It would seem that way. Though at this point I think we have all grown accustomed to the feeling.

[She smiles, but behind the screen.]

I wouldn't have it any other way.
I don't need the approval of strangers around me. Even if I doubted myself and my own sanity for a moment.

[ryuji]

[The urge to type "THAT'S MY GIRL" is so strong, but it's a touching, nice moment, and he resists being the typical shitheel that plagues him at the corner of his conscience.]

As long as you're waving the flag of rebellion, it doesn't matter what the hell anyone else has to say anyway

That's punk facts, yo

[mapsio]

Hey now! I prefer something more dignified than "punk".

[She's pulling his leg, definitely. And she enjoys every minute of it.]

[ryuji]

[At least it's the good leg she's yanking at]

Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to upset your delicate sensibilities.

What works better for you? M'Lady miscreant?

[mapsio]

That does have a nice air to it.

I'll take that and leave punk to you! :)

@CROW

[uragiru]

There is a post that just appeared on the network which is relevant to the discussions we had, about the nature of this place.
I'm sure you would have seen it eventually, but I thought I would draw your attention to it.

[mapsio]

[What a strange message to receive.]

Akechi-san, you realize you texted this to me, correct?

[Don't mind her, she's just used to him going to Ren more often than not.]

[uragiru]

?
Yes?
Did you... want me to avoid contacting you?

[mapsio]

No, it's just that I know I am not the person you would normally bring this kind of information to.

[uragiru]

You all share information with each other.
There's no reason not to bring it to you rather than any of the others.