one! [PHONE]

[telepervtation]

Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Unnacceptable! Absolutely unnacceptable! I can't be expected to use this- this- archiac- barbaric piece of junk to communicate. It's heavy and unwieldy- it isn't even cordless! Have we traveled back to the dark ages?

Furthermore, my power has disappeared. Something is going on here, and it smells rotten.

[

Comments

[beamiracle]

[Yeah, Lion definitely heard that. It must be a new arrival. So he'll head down to where the phone is to find Kuroko.]

Ah, excuse me...

[telepervtation]

[Oh. Another house member.]

Yes?

[beamiracle]

[Okay, she doesn't seem as crazy right now. Good.]

You just arrived here, yes? I'm Lion Ushiromiya; I live here as well. Pleased to meet you. [A small bow.]

Did anyone explain the situation to you yet?

[telepervtation]

[She's not crazy all the time. Come on, now.]

Yes, that's right. And you, Lion-san. I'm Kuroko Shirai.

A few bits and pieces, such as the name of the town and the fact that people from other worlds are present, some with access to their powers and some without. Viktoria-san also mentioned we're under constant surveillance.

[beamiracle]

Yes, that's right. If we go against the town's rules, we get turned into one of the town's native inhabitants, called drones, for a certain amount of time. Although sometimes that can happen if you haven't broken any rules...

[telepervtation]

What? [OUTRAGE.] That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! I don't even know what the rules are!

[beamiracle]

[Eep.] W-well, they're mostly along the lines of "go to school or work or you'll get droned". Although school is out for the summer, so you don't have to worry about that. But usually if you just go every three days, you'll be alright.

Also, I think trying to break into city hall is another rule...and of course, currently you can't leave this place no matter what you do.

[telepervtation]

What is in city hall? Has anyone managed to look before they were...droned?

I need to know more about the drones as well, if you would be so kind, Lion-san.

[beamiracle]

I think some attempts have been made to break in, but they haven't ended well.

And as for the drones...for the most part they're harmless. They basically act as though they've known you're whole life and are happy all the time, which tends to be off-putting, but nothing many of us can't handle.

[telepervtation]

I see. [of course she's not planning to try, herself. nope.]

...Do they all share the same personality?

[beamiracle]

They do, yes. Always smiling, always nearly sickeningly cheerful.

[telepervtation]

Ah...hence 'drone.' And this is how the people in charge mete out punishment. By overriding our own personalities and putting us in a drone state.

Formidable.

[beamiracle]

That's right. And it is. But hopefully we can find a way out of here.