loyal_inferno

Hmm...

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...How are you feeling, Kirika?

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I'm okay now...

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You're feeling more like yourself?

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[Orz, sometime after.]

Yeah, sorry about that.

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There's no need to be sorry. I was just worried something else might happen to you. I'm glad you feel better.

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Yeah...

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I wonder what happened in the first place...

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Does this happen often?

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It's happened a few times before and it never leads anywhere good.

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I was afraid of that. It reminded me too much of a curse for it to be anything good.

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I don't know if it's the same as last time. My friend is actually behaving more...happy than usual.

Is it effecting you or someone else?

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A little, I'm afraid. Not as much as others though, from what I've seen through this device.

So it changes then?

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I'm not sure to be honest. A few months back everyone suddenly became really aggressive and angry. This isn't anything like that, but people are still acting unlike themselves. I don't think this is a repeat of that.

There's usually some factor though. Can I ask you, do you have your chip in?

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We can have them taken out?

[That's a bit of a surprise to her but then, she barely understood just what the chip was.]

I've only been here a week now.

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Oh, I'm sorry I didn't realize. Yes, there's a procedure. I had mine taken out almost a year ago. My name is Jackie by the way.

The friends I know acting unusually all still have their chips in.

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Oh no, thank you! It never occurred to me that they could be taken out. I'll have to ask about that, I don't much care for how it's silenced my guardian spirits.

Then it must be the chip causing everything. I wonder... well, I have been feeling more solemn. I tend to just force my way through sad times though until I feel better so I hadn't given it too much thought.

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I understand what you mean. The abilities the chip took away from me are a part of my identity. I hated being without them.

It's been a factor before at other times, and so far it seems to be one now. Be careful about being too sad on your own here. It's good to be strong, but in a place like this it's easy to get overwhelmed. If you need someone to talk to, I'd be glad to help.

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[That brings a smile to Maria's face that tinges the tone of her voice.]

Thank you very much, miss, I do appreciate the offer. Usually I'm the one cheering everyone up.

I'm Maria. And the same goes for me as well. I'm always happy to help where I can.

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It gets to be difficult to do that on your own here. It's not a problem.

Thank you, Maria, I'll keep that in mind.

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I imagine it does. Honestly, I'm used to doing things on my own in situations like this so it hasn't been hard to adjust.

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I'm the same in a way, but I have a partner at home who's my best friend as well. I look after her a lot, so I've taken to looking out for others here while she's back home.

It's something to do, for one.

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[She laughs lightly.] I have a sister and brother at home that I watch over. ... Well, sister and brother-in-law might be a better way to put it. And...

[Maria doesn't bother to finish that though. She hadn't looked out for or taken care of Alucard after all, she had merely went chasing after him before she wound up here.]

I suppose a lot about being here is finding things to do, isn't it.

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Sounds like you're used to being pretty busy.

It really is. There's a school and some other places to train and work here at least.

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Very. Typically it's a happy sort of business though that I don't mind in the least.

Ah, I see! I imagine it takes a lot to keep people safe and relatively comfortable in these conditions. I did hear there was a Watch but nothing about much else beyond that.

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I'm glad to hear that. My best friend and I recently started mentoring a little girl and it's been interesting.

Yeah, there are a few organizations like that. I used to be an instructor at basic martial arts, but the person I taught went back home.

I should probably try doing that again.

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Here? You mean there are children as well? [That idea hadn't occurred to her yet, since she hadn't seen any.]

You really should! I know some hand to hand combat but nothing of martial arts.

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Unfortunately, there are.

It's been hard since most of my sparring partners have left and we would teach together. [Not that it's hard to find another one as much as she's tired of having to.]

Maybe when whatever's going on now passes I'll look back into it.

Are you from a version of Earth, Maria?

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Mmm, I am. I'm from a place known as Translyvania. And you are as well, I take it?

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