006 ✿ Video

[flowerette]

One year ago today, I arrived in this world. One year ago today, I shared a fateful drink in De Chima with the man who would become the love of my life. One year ago, there were different faces in this world -- different people to greet me upon my arrival, but many are and have remained the same.

[ Raina smiles a sappy smile. She is genuinely happy for the experiences she's had here and people she's met. ]

There have been a lot of ups and downs, especially as of the past few months. But I would be lying if I said that being in this world hasn't been a largely positive experience for me. And while it's sad to think all of it can be gone and forgotten faster than we can blink, that just means we should try to appreciate what we do have here all the more, doesn't it?

[ She leans forward, warm and inviting. ]

So I'd like to hear about your positive experiences. What are some of the best things that have happened to you here? What opportunities have arisen for you here that you would not have gotten back home? What friends did you make that you never would have met otherwise? And for people who have ported in recently, what opportunities do you hope this world will bring you?

We're so focused on the bad things or getting back home to our responsibilities or the people who aren't here that we often neglect to stop and appreciate the little things. Even if it's something as simple as getting to taste strawberry ice cream for the first time. So let's take a moment to share our experiences with each other.

[ A pause. ]

Also while I have you here -- a few months ago I was speaking to a friend of mine and we were talking about how it's possible to port out and return without memories of ever having been in this world. I brought up the idea of writing a letter to ourselves detailing our time here and he proposed that we try to see if the government would include those in the files we're given upon our arrival. If people overall think it's a good idea, I can talk to a few representatives to see if it can be done. I just know that there are people and things here that I would not want to forget, and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same.

And I think that's about all I have to say. I look forward to hearing your stories. Even if we can't have our letters included in our files, maybe this post could serve as a little something for our future selves to look back on and see how happy we once were if ever there's a time when that is forgotten.

Comments

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[huntergames]

[ She's going to finish it eventually! ]

Oh, but if they aren't here... [ She scratches at her cheek idly. ] There are some things I think my friends would want to know if they ever arrived here.

[ Wouldn't they? Armin and Jean especially. ]

Hm? Yes, I am fine.

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[flowerette]

If you know them well enough and you think they would want to know, then I don't see where it would be a problem. Especially if they trust in your word.

[ She frowns, trying to decipher how 'fine' Sasha really is. ]

You look a little under the weather, that's all.

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[huntergames]

I think... I want to do that. [ Armin had — it only feels right if she leaves something, too. ] Our world is so different from this one. There are things they should probably know right away! Like how you shouldn't drink water from the ocean.

I do? [ She reaches up to touch her forehead, assessing herself for a fever. ] I'm fine! I did stay up late?

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[flowerette]

Perhaps that's what it is.

[ One more scrutinizing look before Raina lets it go, deciding not to press. She lets out a soft laugh. ]

Well, yes. I would say they should definitely know those things. If these are people from your world, then I think it would be fine to leave them notes. It would help them integrate better into this world knowing you were once here. But I hope if they ever do show up, you'll still be here to greet them. Are you alone from your world currently?

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[huntergames]

Um, just right now, yes.

[ It's a bit surreal to think about how she's somehow the only one from her world. There were so many of them before. ]

What about you, Raina?

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[flowerette]

I have someone from home. But our relationship is complicated at best.

But I don't feel alone. I have a lot of people in this world that I care about.

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[huntergames]

Ah, I think I can understand.

[ Annie, Reiner and Bertholdt... they had been here and their relationship was definitely complicated. ]

So do I. [ She pauses, reaching for her sandwich. ] I have family and friends here and they matter just as much.

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[flowerette]

[ SPEAKING OF. ]

How are things between you and Reggie?

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[huntergames]

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[huntergames]

[ And her face begins glowing. ]

Fine? [ She'd almost forgotten Raina knew. ] We're okay.

[ Unless... ]

Did he mention something to you?

[flowerette]

Oh no. We haven't spoken since the Russian occupation.

[ A beat. ]

We talked about Frederick porting out. He admitted he would be heartbroken if you ever vanished.

[ Because that's what he really meant when he said he would get over it and move on, right??? ]

[huntergames]

I heard about Dr. Chilton getting ported out for a while, but it must have been for the better then?

[ She has no idea what happened to him back home was just as bad, if not worse. ]

He — [ Her eyes widen slightly and her face is hot. ] He said that?

[flowerette]

It was good timing. He missed the seminar entirely.

[ Raina smiles. ]

Maybe not in so many words, but my women's intuition has never been wrong about these sorts of things.

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[huntergames]

Oh, I didn't...

[ She has to avert her gaze shyly, but as soon as she looks back she opt to lock the conversation. ]

I wouldn't want him to be heartbroken...

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[flowerette]

You can't help the matters of the heart, unfortunately. But you do seem to have Lachesis's favor. You've been here for quite some time, haven't you? I have a feeling you're not going anywhere in the immediate future, so there should be no heartbreaks.

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[huntergames]

It's not like that. We're just dating, not in love.

[ A beat. ]

Um, well... I — it was only for a little while...

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[flowerette]

How do you think love happens, Sasha? It often starts with dating. And often one person cares just a bit more than the other...

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[huntergames]

[ Why does that sound daunting? "Love" seems too strong a word... ]

I... I don't know. I don't think that will happen since —

Um.

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[flowerette]

Because it's Reggie?

[ That's what she's guessing here! ]

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[huntergames]

Kind of? That sounds too blunt...

He ah, doesn't like to talk about feelings so...

[ She feels guilty for mentioning it at all, like she's giving away an important secret. ]

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[flowerette]

I think it's largely a man thing. I often have to twist Frederick's arm when it comes to opening up to me. You'll learn how to approach and get him to talk about these things the longer you're together.

I suppose that's part of the fun of relationships -- learning how to become the key that unlocks their honesty about their feelings.

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[huntergames]

I don't want to force him either.

[ She's not so great at admitting her feelings either and that's getting more and more obvious. It's easier to let teenage hormones do the talking. ]

... we have been dating longer than I expected.

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[flowerette]

How long have you two been an item?

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[huntergames]

Since mid-December?

[ Saying it aloud surprises even her. ]

... haha, wow!

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[flowerette]

You're almost at your four month mark. And how do you feel? Have your feelings become stronger? Did you find yourself becoming more tolerable of his less favorable traits?