Report 002 [Voice/Written]

[semper_cogitans]

[Everything was utterly insane. It was more insanity than Robert could have ever theorized in all of the twenty-four years of his existence.

The first thing he had done after getting into his new apartment was read the "journal", one of the communications devices that were distributed by the Malnosso, the scientists - scientists that did not adhere

Comments

[Voice]

[no_use_running]

I seem to be alright. I wonder if it means I haven't been exposed to the source of the change yet.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Thank heavens. [His voice is full of genuine gratitude, or relief. Or both.] I'm glad that you are fine, Doctor Mizuno... I was worried that I would perhaps have to track you down. And there are an abnormal amount of blizzards, lately - not that I know the typical weather for Luceti, but the sheer concentration is quite odd.

[Robert's tone shifts to something more introspective.] It is strange. Neither you nor I have been affected... But there appears to be no constant as to who becomes affected and who does not.

Re: [Voice]

[no_use_running]

No; usually there isn't. [Can he hear the self-deprecating smile in her voice?] You remind me I should have been trying harder to find the common threads in the occurrences before this as well.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Perhaps it is simply difficult to find them. [He caught that tone, just barely.] Don't become discouraged, Doctor Mizuno. The fact that you are trying at all means you have the mind of a genuine researcher.

Re: [Voice]

[no_use_running]

Mm...

[She makes a vague sound that passes for agreement, but the truth is from what she's seen in her old journal... it seems like she missed some opportunities - largely her own fault, if she touches the parts where she was her darker self at all.]

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[Ami seems troubled. Robert wonders if perhaps it's something he said.] I didn't mean to be a bother. Really, I'm certain that you're doing well.

There likely are only a few people who are even trying to unravel these mysteries, and for good reason - they seem complex.

Re: [Voice]

[no_use_running]

[It's not his fault, and she tells him so.]

No. You didn't do anything wrong. A lot happened before, that's all.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[This intrigues him. But Robert isn't sure if he should ask.]

Ah, I see... I suppose that subject is a rather personal one. I won't inquire into it if it is something you'd rather not discuss... Especially so soon. After all, we have only met once.

Re: [Voice]

[no_use_running]

It's nothing, really. This place just tends to do a lot of things to us. And if I think back on it, there are things I'd have done differently.

[That's the version she can say without worry, at least.]

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Understandable. We all feel that way at times.

There are things in my life that I would have rather done in a different manner, myself. [There's a sad tone about Robert's voice that Ami may pick up on. A regretfulness, lurking just under the surface of his words.]

Re: [Voice]

[no_use_running]

I think... maybe everyone has things like that, like you said.

But I still want to improve myself, a little.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Improving yourself? [The sentiment makes Robert somewhat... sad, somehow. There doesn't seem to be anything about Ami, to him, that merited improvement.]

There is nothing that I have seen so far about you that I would deem as needing an improvement in any way. You seem like a perfectly fine example of a person, to me.

Re: [Voice]

[no_use_running]

Thank you. You're very kind. [She accepts the compliment gracefully, with only the barest twinge of that self-doubt reminding her that she really isn't that good.]

But I think everyone should work their hardest.