maskormenace | [video]

[When the video begins, Manaka is seated, hands folded neatly in her lap. Her appearance is pristine and tidy, without even a drop of blood on the cloth covering her chest, because why would there be? Her smile seems vaguely tense, though, and where they rest in her lap, her fingers fidget here and there. All in all, she looks...like a young girl who has been thrust into an unfamiliar situation, alone, and is nervous about it.]

Um... Pardon me! My name is Manaka Sajou. I was told I can talk to other people like this, and I have some questions for...the populace at large.

[She hesitates briefly, seeming unsure, then starts to speak again.]

We're supposed to be heroes, right? They even branded us to say so. [She lifts one arm, her fingers curled into a loose fist, at the elbow. It's bright enough that the tattoo can't actually be seen, of course, but she taps the place where the words had glowed with the tip of her index finger.] But I've always thought a hero was a special person who had done special things! I can't really claim to have done anything like that, so I don't know if they should be calling me that at all.

I guess what I want to know is, are there others here who feel the same way I do? Or... How many people think they are heroes? [Abruptly, she giggles, sounding a bit sheepish.] And if you do think you've earned the title, would you tell me your secret? If they're going to call me that, I want to deserve it, too!

And... Oh, one other thing! [Again, she lifts her hands, fingertip indicating the inside of her pale wrist.] I was wondering about these, too. They don't really seem like regular tattoos, do they? So I was wondering if anyone has a good idea of how they work. [She follows that question up with another light, uncertain laugh.] I guess I was just curious about what would happen if our skin was damaged there, if anything!

[She really, really does not like having her body marked like this, after all—not that her expression gives as much away.]

Mm! That's all, though, I think. Thank you for your time, and have a good afternoon!

[Alternately, if anyone would rather interact with Manaka in person, she can be found exploring Heropa during the afternoon. Notable activities include: standing uncertainly outside buildings and wandering in circles, looking lost; scoping out the church she has been assigned to work at; and staring sullenly at Valentine's displays in stores.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Don't buy into their garbage. [ Registration, etc. ] How old are you, Manaka?

Oh, and don't pick at the skin where the tattoo is. I know it must be tempting, but you'll hurt yourself. At the moment, we can't remove it.

I'm fourteen.

[CLOSE ENOUGH]

[When the tattoo is mentioned again, she automatically looks down to her wrist, but all she does is tug her sleeve over it more firmly.]

Mm, okay... Have people tried?

You don't need to worry about this hero business. Besides, heroes are not just people who wear masks or capes.

[ She shakes her head. ]

I asked a doctor about it and he said he can't remove it. Probably not allowed to.

["Not allowed" isn't the same thing as possible, and it's not like she'll die if she cuts away the skin there, but she doesn't say that. Instead, she asks with earnest curiousness:]

Is it really so bad? Wanting to get involved in all that.

I think you should think on it, rather than jumping into the fray. Heroes are everywhere: teachers, doctors, firemen, police... I'm sure you know quite a few already.

I guess so... [But that kind of mundane heroism doesn't interest her at all. It just feels like a platitude to her; the word "hero" should be reserved for someone rare and vibrant—a gemstone, rather than a pebble.] I did think about it, though. I thought about it all night.

I think you're going to need more than a night.

[ A short laugh; it's soft and kind. ]

They didn't enroll you in school?

Oh! [She seems a little surprised, like she hadn't expected the topic to be brought up.] No, they did. Why?

Edited 2014-02-14 19:02 (UTC)

You could always focus on your studies. I don't think there's any rush on this hero stuff.

I could, but that'd be boring. I've never needed to struggle or exert myself to keep up with school, so I can do both without any trouble.

Talk about an eager beaver.

Well, I've always been taught initiative is a good trait to have!

It is, but in a completely foreign situation you should be careful.

Don't worry! I know my own limits.

[She definitely sounds self-assured as she declares this. Self-assured and stubborn.]

[ A bright smile; kid seems smart enough. She hopes she uses her brain. ]

I'm Karen, by the way.

It's nice to meet you, Miss Karen! [A brief pause, and then she asks:] Mm, is that an okay thing to call you?

[ A nod. It's been a while since anyone called her that, co-workers aside. ]

It's nice to meet you, too. And it's fine. Manaka, right? I hope I'm not pronouncing it wrong.

[ The first two As in her name she pronounces as "ah" while the end of her name is "kuh". ]

—Mm, almost! [She responds good-naturedly enough, then repeats herself.] Manakah.

Manakah. Got it.

Japanese?

Yes, that's right! [She pauses briefly, then says:] Hm, I guess this where I'd normally say I haven't spent much time out of the country before, but that doesn't seem so important now.

[You know, different realities and all.]

You're taking this in stride. You doing alright?

[ She's not masking her fears and concerns, is she? ]

I don't really have much choice but to take things in stride, do I? [She shrugs, still smiling.] Getting upset won't help the situation at all. So, I'm fine.

Well, true... but it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by all this.

I'm glad to hear it, though. You sound like a tougher kid than I pegged you for.

I have to be tough. [But she says this with a note of childish pride.] Thank you very much!

Just... if you need anything, ask someone for help, okay?

(no subject)

beastofasister - 2014-03-09 01:40 (UTC) - Expand

boobwindow - 2014-03-09 05:03 (UTC) - Expand