AUDIENCE FOR: marie amabuki

[saturations]

Comments

[saturations]

I think so. Nature's sort of always spoken to me. I like helping it along. But it surprises you, too. Even if you put your all into it, your crops might still fail. Or they might grow better than you expected. All out of your hands. There's something kind of peaceful about that.

[they watch as she does this, ready to step in if she's overdoing it, but they seem alright with her decisions.]

How've you been settling in, by the way?

[classmate]

[ She extends her arm, sprinkling the water to other parts of the soil. ]

You cook, you grow food... You've taken really good care of us, as well, it almost feels like I have an older sibling looking after me.

[ She brings the watering can back, reaching down to check another stretch of soil for whether or not it's dry. ]

It's a bit different than what I'm used to, but the company here makes it easy to feel comfortable... which is probably the strangest part? I honestly thought that if I were to be anywhere outside of Redo I wouldn't be able to talk to anyone -- let alone walk.

[saturations]

[oh. something about what she said seems to bring the impression of a smile to their face, a bit wistful. you can make out something different about the features, something a bit inhuman to them still but kind.]

Thanks. Never had any siblings before. Well, maybe Riff or Bass, a little bit. But I'm happy you feel that way.

[they listen to what she says.]

Outside of Redo?

[classmate]

Hehe, I can see where you'd think that way about Bass-san. They can't clean after themselves really well, it's like taking care of a younger sibling -- even if I never had one, either.

[ She stands back up, determining the soil before she begins watering it. ]

That was the world I was in before this one -- a virtual one.

[saturations]

[a rumble of laughter at this description of Bass.]

I can barely figure out how to use a phone. Except this week, it's a little more manageable for some reason.

So I have to admit I don't really know what a virtual world is.

[classmate]

I'm always a little worried texting people here because it seems that being unfamiliar is... common, haha.

Have you ever heard of video games?

[saturations]

[oh, they nod.]

Because of Riff and Bass.

[classmate]

[ She finishes watching the next patch of the garden, repeating the same process for the next. ]

Then it's something like that. The body I have right now is from the video game world, while my real one is... well, it's been in a hospital for the past four years.

[saturations]

[they don't understand video games and virtual reality, but they seem to understand what she's explaining on sort of a deeper level.]

So it's a way for you to be able to live outside that hospital, but you didn't think there was anyplace else you could go. And now you're here, walking around just like in the game?

[classmate]

Exactly!

Honestly, I had thought that if I was outside of that world then my body would... just revert back to what it is in the real world? But I'm glad that isn't the case.

[saturations]

I'm glad it isn't, too.

Does that have something to do with what happened at trial the other day?

[classmate]

Um...

[ Yeah, they would've seen that. Suddenly she feels awkward... tries to focus on watering. ]

That's a long story.

[saturations]

We don't have to talk about it. [easy enough, dropping when she hesitates.] I just wondered if there was anything you needed that might help out.

[classmate]

I honestly don't know if there's anything "helping" it.

[ Her lips curl into a small smile, looking over at Shale. ]

As much as I want to separate myself from the person I was in the past, even if all of those memories were erased at one point in time, it's still me.

If I ever were to return to reality, even if I may not be able to walk or speak, that's something that I'll have to recognize.

[saturations]

[they look back, although their face is eroded and they don't exactly have eyes.]

That's good to recognize. I won't pretend I'd be able to change any of that, either. Even if I could, it's generally not great to try to cut out parts of a person.

[on the other hand.]

I meant more small ways to help out. Topics to avoid. Things that would be helpful, if it happens again. Everybody was kind of fussing over you, bringing you water, because they care, but is there a different way you'd like us to handle it if you get sick like that?

1/2

[classmate]

Hm...

Would asking you to kill me be too much... ?

[classmate]

[ Oh... she's done this with the president before, and of course it's only after she speaks so casually that she catches herself. ]

Ah, um --

Honestly? I think the best way is to bind me. [ She's coming up with this on the fly. She doesn't know what the fuck to do. ] Just... please... no more kissing.

[saturations]

Huh. I guess that's one way to treat it, but it doesn't sound like a great plan.

[they don't seem bothered or upset by what she just said, they're just discarding it.]

Got it. I wasn't planning on it, but no kissing. A little time to cool off where no one gets hurt, instead?

[classmate]

Yes.

I think that once she’s gotten bored she will simply nod off. This world is different from Redo, I can’t connect with my catharsis effect which leaves her mostly unarmed.

[saturations]

So, she might be dangerous if that was different.

[classmate]

It's definitely possible.

[saturations]

[hmm. they stroke some of the moss growing on the bottom of their jaw.]

But while she's not so dangerous, maybe you don't have to be so worried. Suggesting people kill you and all.

[classmate]

Ah, that --

[ rip ]

... Yes, I apologize for that.

[saturations]

You don't have to apologize. I asked a question and you answered.

[it was just an alarming answer.]

I care a little more that you feel that way than that you said it.

[classmate]

Oh, that's --

[ Hm.

Back to watering! ]

In time... maybe.