[video]

[beastofasister]

[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.]

Comments

[slightlyoffchilt]

Well, you're adorable and young. [Tellin' it like it is.] I would be incredibly surprised if some heroic individual didn't step up to secure your health and happiness.

Especially around these parts.

[beastofasister]

Oh, that's not the problem! I don't need other people to make me happy. [She smiles apologetically, as if to apologize for giving him the wrong impression.] I'm just a little sad, since I was supposed to be meeting someone I hadn't seen in a long time. That's all.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Independence is an admirable habit. [Of course he'd say that, however, he's used to loneliness. Hard to find worthy peers, isn't it?]

Oh? Might I inquire as to the relationship of your old friend?

[beastofasister]

Oh! [She starts at that question, but then a silly little smile creeps across her face, and her cheeks color.] Oh, he's just... He's someone really special to me! The most special person in the whole world. That's all.

[She lifts her fingers to her mouth, as if to stifle herself, but a small, strangled giggle slips out regardless.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Ah. Young love. [Yep, Chilton totally bought it. Though this isn't much his forte, you know, the concept of healthy human relationships.]

It's possible that your friend might follow you in -- I've seen it happen.

[beastofasister]

[She isn't great at the "healthy" part herself, but at least it isn't immediately obvious so long as she is separated from the target of her affections.]

Mm! I know I'll see him again someday, so... It's okay if I have to wait a little bit longer! I have faith, so I'll wait as long as it takes.

[She's already waited eight years. What's a little longer now?]

[slightlyoffchilt]

That's some dedication. [His tone is a touch dry -- he can't help it! Manaka appears so sincere, and anything this apparently adorable invokes some dour reaction in the man.]

But in the meanwhile, what are your plans? New world, new universe -- or are you the type who's already used to such things? Some people are, here.

I find it a bit annoying.

[beastofasister]

[Directing her away from that line of conversation before she becomes too wrapped up in it is probably for the best; already, forcing herself back to the subject at hand seems to unbalance her some, Manaka blinking as her expression dims.]

Mm, plans? [She takes a second more to collect herself, then chirps:] Oh, I don't know, really! I guess the best thing to do would be to get acquainted with my surroundings. That seems like the most immediate concern, anyway! I can't say I've ever experienced anything like this before — it'd be exciting, if the situation weren't so...

[She trails off and gestures with the flick of a wrist. Surely he can understand what she means.]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Ah. Yes. [His tone adopts a suitable measure of sympathy -- they're all in this together, aren't they? That's what he wants to communicate, anyway.] But there's no reason why you can't make the best of it, whatever that may entail.

[She sees precocious enough, after all. Surely this peculiar girl can forge her own way.]

I doubt many of us are content with our respective lot. [He says in a way to suggest that he, at least, is not.]

[beastofasister]

Right! Really, I'd say there's not much we can do but make the best of it, at least for right now. You shouldn't get hung up on things you can't change, since that'll keep you from moving forward altogether.

[Though that's not to say she isn't keeping her eyes open for ways to change what she doesn't like.]

[She picks up on the suggestion easily enough, chuckling faintly in response.]

Mm, what would it take to make you content?