NEXT CYCLE - The 1st Day of June; [action/voice]

[flower_of_hell]

[For those of you walking by the plaza today, there's a New Feather the midst, though you wouldn't know it by the behavior. She is neither confused nor panicked by the sudden situation, choosing instead to perch herself quietly on the edge of the fountain, journal open beside her as she listens to the voices trickle through from it. Despite the

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[kakeravoyager]

[The first thing you get is a scoff. So welcoming, right? Well if that doesn't sound pleasant here's an added bonus - the camera is obscured so that Rena can't see anything in the camera but the white wall of Bern's apartment complex.]

Welcome back, Ryuugu Rena. [Seriously what is with all you loser pieces getting stuck in death traps all the time.]

[flower_of_hell]

[...The voice is familiar somehow. Like many others, Bernkastel gives Rena the impression of someone else completely, and there's a flashing, panicked thought of "Rika-chan-?"

But no. Something was different about this voice.

Something wasn't right.]

...Who are you?

[kakeravoyager]

[A few moments after that Bern moves the camera to show herself. She looks like Rika, but her face is clearly different. A lot more blank.]

I am Bernkastel.

[flower_of_hell]

[There's a another fleeting thought of Rika before her mind registers the look on her face. The dull tone.

...No. They may look alike, but Bernkastel and Rika were entirely different people.

Yet somehow this person knew her name.]

...I would say "Nice to meet you", but it sounds like we've already met.

[kakeravoyager]

No. We have never met in person. I just know you.

[flower_of_hell]

[This is unnerving and she doesn't like it. Her fingers twitch nervously at the voice. Know her. Know her. Bernkastel knows Rena. But Rena doesn't know Bernkastel. A thin, paranoid haze of panic threatened to overtake her senses and her hand grips at the thin material of her dress...

...But Luceti was always volatile. Even if this person had met her before, it wouldn't be a cause for alarm. Perhaps "another" Rena had been here before. Perhaps her friends were here.

Perhaps Keiichi was here.

So come on, Rena. Suck it up and smile.]

...I see. Rena never knows here, you know? You know?

People are always coming and going.

[kakeravoyager]

Wrong.

[Because she can already tell the girl is getting unnerved. She's observed her for enough cycles to be able to tell.]

It does not matter if you do not understand. A piece cannot transcend the grounds of the gameboard to see the players. So, do not dwell on it too much.

[flower_of_hell]

...

...Don't treat it like you can see the gameboard? [It makes sense, but the arrogant tone was grating.]

...Fine.

[Private 100% unhackable]

[kakeravoyager]

Good.

[She'll throw up a filter for your sake. She quite frankly could care less about Takano, but might as well make it look like she's friendly.]

Keiichi Maebara and Oyashiro-sama are both here. I'm sure they'll be glad to see you. [She won't mention Takano. Lets make that a bit of a surprise.]

[Private 100% unhackable]

[flower_of_hell]

[Keiichi. The sound of his name was encouraging. He was here. Here. A warm, bubbling feeling that could only be happiness fluttered in her stomach...

...And reaching out to stab in in the back was the name that followed.

Oyashiro-sama. She shouldn't be afraid.

But she was. A cold grip of fear settled around her heart at the name.]

...Oyashiro-sama.