[Yep, it sure is filtered away from Bowen.]

What makes a good birthday gift?

[Wait, let her amend that.]

What makes a good birthday gift for someone you really like?

[Hm. Could still stand to be a little clearer.]

What makes a good birthday gift for someone you really like that will leave them with no doubt of how much you like them?

Hearing new voices used to bother me. They don't anymore. Or at least not as much.

So...if you are a new voice, I guess this is me greeting you. And I'm sorry for the voices you're going to miss while you're here. And I understand if there's one that you won't miss. If you'd like to tell me about either, I'll listen.

[Pause]

If my voice isn't ( Read more... )

[Yeah, she's totally hiding her face. Maybe that's why she thinks her PORTAL is on Voice instead of Video.]

Oh.

Forgotten everything that was real and remember everything that wasn't. I've done both now. I wonder which is worse.

[She's quiet for a moment. There was even a little extra insult added to the injury.]

...You would think that in an ( Read more... )

[Naoto's staring down at her jacket, seemingly oblivious to the PORTAL's broadcast. She lifts it, smells the fabric...frowns.

Her voice comes out in a murmur.]

...Everything smells like gunpowder.

[The video shows only green leaves at first, before the PORTAL is readjusted and settles on Naoto. It's obvious that she's outside, not only because of the tree behind her, but also because of her simple white mask.

After a few seconds of silent broadcast, she blinks and looks away.]

I'm still alive. Just in case...

[She trails off, a hint of ( Read more... )

There's been so many reunions over the past few days. Even if a lot of people wouldn't wish for someone they care about to be stuck here with them, it's easier having someone you know by your side.

[A hesitation.]

In theory.

I guess I'm still waiting? There's only a couple of people that I even want to see again anyway. I think I probably have ( Read more... )

No regrets.

[Naoto slides her plain white mask off now that she's inside. She sits down, and for a moment it seems like she might've been talking to herself - she has a habit of that.

But then a smile touches her lips, even if it doesn't quite reach her eyes.]

Then again, isn't having regrets part of being alive?

[At first all that can be heard are quick footsteps. She's running along the street, turning a couple more corners before she finally speaks.]

Has anyone seen a small dog around house twelve? He's dark in color and appears to be a few months old?

He may also be a she. But you'll know him if you see him.

[A skidding sound, a near collision with ( Read more... )

I know it's nearly impossible to remember things that you've forgotten.

[Better than most, actually.]

But...how do you make yourself forget something that you need to forget?

I once found a spider in my shower and a fly in my soup. Both were more pleasant than that. Not to mention things that I didn't want to be reminded of.

[Speaking of which.]

Heine. It's your shift.