[It's after class hours and she's on some errand, before stopping at the new face outside of the Post Office.
...
The last guy she saw coming out of it last week was missing an arm, an eye, and some internal organs. She wasn't interested in seeing a repeat. If he looks up, he'll see her looking back with crossed arms and a small frown.]
Just games? It's not worth it. The last person that I saw coming out of there had an eye and an arm missing, as well as some internal organs. The Post Office is really a last resort, so please don't think of using it for something trivial. You're aware of the prices, aren't you?
[A small nod.] Though being new would explain your ignorance. That would depend... What do you already know, so that I don't repeat myself?
Likely to fill the blanks, and the drones for some reason aren't enough. The reason is still unclear, but if such a basic illusion was sufficient, then there would be no need for us. ...As for the trades, that seem to depend. The more important the things are to you, the more you are likely to lose. You could try to bargain, I suppose, but please keep in mind that it may not go as smoothly as you'd hope for. The upside is that exchanges are reversible, but that's still a poor reason to experience what it's like, to lose a limb. In the case of memories... Well, it's even more sad to be unable to remember what you've lost, isn't it? Of course, there can be exceptions where it may be better that way, but caution is nevertheless advised
( ... )
Keima takes several moments to evaluate his predicament.
"Are there any clues for our purpose here? To fill in the blanks, but where did these blanks come from? Where are people going if there are new people like me coming in?"
He pauses again for a few more moments, folding his arms against his chest and closing his eyes, meditating on this dilemma.
Some, but they're sparse, few, and each seem to only bring up more questions. [He seems quiet and thoughtful, at least. That's good.] It's theorized that this setting takes place after the Cold War. Are you familiar with that period of world history? It's possible that this world presents an alternative and more devastating outcome, contrasted to what's generally known to others also from Earth.
"Have there been signs of nuclear fallout? Radiation poisoning? If this were a global catastrophe with nuclear weapons it's strange how this town is unaffected. Simply put there must be a greater power at work here, to protect this town and its inhabitants if it were such the case."
Keima cocks an eye open, giving you a strength-measuring gaze.
"However as you have said, the setting seems to be around the time of the Cold War. The introductory letter mentioning about the bombed out other town does raise some validity."
Keima smiles broadly, suddenly. His idea of him being in an alternate world from the get-go of arriving on Mayfield seems to hold tremendous validity.
"Alternate world, hmm? I find this to be the most probable conclusion of where we are. Have you met anyone from your world? Do you come from the same point in time? If you are connected have there been events in your life with those persons with different outcomes?"
Not inside the town itself, no, but during October last year, there was a radio broadcast that suggested Russia being bombed. Shortly after, that injured citizen of Maipole strayed into town. His real name may have been different, but he was referred to as Sergei.
[She blinks once, but doesn't look away. His sudden change of mood as if he's made a huge breakthrough is... curious, but she saw no reason to comment, so she held her tongue and maintained her casual demeanor.]
I have, several even. Those familiar with the same town as I seem to all be from the same point however, with possibly one exception, so our timeline and reality appear consistent for the most part. What you're saying does apply to another group of people I know, but how is it relevant to the situation at hand?
"T-There is low relevancy, but I want to obtain as much information about our captors. I came here with someone else from my world, and she is a more qualified candidate than I am, if we base the criteria of selection on the supernatural."
There are definitely people with supernatural abilities, demons, angels, spirits, even Gods and such here, but there are also completely ordinary humans in town. The responsible don't seem to discriminate at all. Your being here is proof, isn't it?
"Correct. I am an ordinary human. I cannot fly, cast magic, stop time nor am I blessed with superhuman strength or speed. I cannot read minds, yet here I am. The selection criterion is not based on power or extraordinary abilities, which is why this makes it much harder to determine the motive."
If you want to look at it that way, there's also age group and gender to account for. Men outnumber women, but you don't see many elderly, do you? Probably because a nuclear family consists of two to three children, a mother, and a father, though beings with inhuman forms are humanized upon arrival too. ...It may not be of much help, but it's what we also know.
...
The last guy she saw coming out of it last week was missing an arm, an eye, and some internal organs. She wasn't interested in seeing a repeat. If he looks up, he'll see her looking back with crossed arms and a small frown.]
You're not really thinking of going in, are you?
Reply
Keima is standing up again with his arms crossed along his chest. He turns to you.
"What can you tell me about this place?"
Reply
[A small nod.] Though being new would explain your ignorance. That would depend... What do you already know, so that I don't repeat myself?
Reply
"There's much to be answered. The motive we are here. What exactly we trade in for my games. How and why we have extra lives when we die."
Reply
Likely to fill the blanks, and the drones for some reason aren't enough. The reason is still unclear, but if such a basic illusion was sufficient, then there would be no need for us. ...As for the trades, that seem to depend. The more important the things are to you, the more you are likely to lose. You could try to bargain, I suppose, but please keep in mind that it may not go as smoothly as you'd hope for. The upside is that exchanges are reversible, but that's still a poor reason to experience what it's like, to lose a limb. In the case of memories... Well, it's even more sad to be unable to remember what you've lost, isn't it? Of course, there can be exceptions where it may be better that way, but caution is nevertheless advised ( ... )
Reply
"Are there any clues for our purpose here? To fill in the blanks, but where did these blanks come from? Where are people going if there are new people like me coming in?"
He pauses again for a few more moments, folding his arms against his chest and closing his eyes, meditating on this dilemma.
Reply
Reply
Keima cocks an eye open, giving you a strength-measuring gaze.
"However as you have said, the setting seems to be around the time of the Cold War. The introductory letter mentioning about the bombed out other town does raise some validity."
Keima smiles broadly, suddenly. His idea of him being in an alternate world from the get-go of arriving on Mayfield seems to hold tremendous validity.
"Alternate world, hmm? I find this to be the most probable conclusion of where we are. Have you met anyone from your world? Do you come from the same point in time? If you are connected have there been events in your life with those persons with different outcomes?"
Reply
[She blinks once, but doesn't look away. His sudden change of mood as if he's made a huge breakthrough is... curious, but she saw no reason to comment, so she held her tongue and maintained her casual demeanor.]
I have, several even. Those familiar with the same town as I seem to all be from the same point however, with possibly one exception, so our timeline and reality appear consistent for the most part. What you're saying does apply to another group of people I know, but how is it relevant to the situation at hand?
Reply
Reply
She lets her skepticism show.]
There are definitely people with supernatural abilities, demons, angels, spirits, even Gods and such here, but there are also completely ordinary humans in town. The responsible don't seem to discriminate at all. Your being here is proof, isn't it?
Reply
Reply
Reply
"What about robots? Are there any robots that went through that?"
Reply
Reply
Keima starts walking off, away from the Post Office, as if he had better things to consider. He stops.
"What is your name?"
Reply
Leave a comment