( ɪ ♛ ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ )

[girlybruiser]

[ Opting for the text function is definitely a less daunting prospect compared to airing a live video for strangers to see, but to Haru, first impressions are important. She can feel her hands and chest warming up, though a part of that could be attributed to the fact she's wearing that thick pink sweater. Still... she's not unused to addressing a large audience, it's just finding yourself in a world that isn't the cognitive one even with your friends here is somewhat unnerving.

But that's why video it has to be. She needs to convey a friendly approach and demeanor, otherwise it will be much harder to ask anyone for help should she ever need it.

There's no fumbling of the communicator once the feed starts up. Haru is seated close to the table it's propped up on, her hands laid neatly in her lap. She smiles at her unknown audience, a touch shy, but it's warm and friendly. ]

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Haru Okumura. [ A beat. Does she mention her family? No. ] It is very nice to meet you all. I've heard there are many of us who have been brought to this world. Um, I suppose some of you have been here long enough to hear the same questions over and over, but if you would indulge me I would very much appreciate it.

[ She shifts closer, speaking a bit more clearly. ]

I have heard that superheroes are real in this world ― something that government actively encourages. [ It's difficult to mask the intrigue. Her eyes seem to light up. ] There must be superheroines, yes? I can hardly believe it myself... but that sounds amazing! I wonder if they are anything like the ones I admired on TV as a child.

[ An abrupt pause, followed by Haru's shoulders rolling back and a whimsical smile settling onto her face. ]

Ah, my apologies. I seem to have gotten a bit distracted for a moment.

Comments

[girlybruiser]

[ That's curious. ]

What do you mean exactly?

[ Ryuji doesn't have his memory, so something similar? ]

[aboveand]

Well, like I said, I'm from "the future," but the people I know of here, they're more or less from this time period. I'm not used to seeing some of these heroes in their prime.

Or, like, some of them have different costumes, or they act a bit different from how I'm used to seeing them. Apparently the people that I know of from here are from different universes, which frankly gives me a headache just thinking about it.

[girlybruiser]

That does not bother you? That they are different than you remember?

[ He doesn't sound distressed, but it seems disheartening to Haru. She actually looks at him concerned. ]

[aboveand]

Well, I mean... [His expression changes for the first time since he started talking about it. Something is definitely bugging him, but he's trying to hide it.] It's not like I really knew them back home. And the ones that I kind of knew... It's not like it's their job to try and get to know me anyway.

[girlybruiser]

[ She can pick up on his hesitation, but for now chooses to not pry into it. She only just met the boy after all. ]

I do not think it would hurt if you got to know them a bit better.

[aboveand]

I've... tried.

[He forces a smile.]

Sorry, didn't mean to make this a downer.

[Time to change the subject.]

My name's Terry, by the way. Terry McGinnis.

[girlybruiser]

It's quite alright. I believe it's important to be able to say how you really feel.

[ A small smile. ]

It's good to meet you, Terry.

[aboveand]

You're not from Gotham then.

[Because what is talking about your feelings?]

Nice to meet you too, Haru.

[girlybruiser]

[ She cocks her head to the left, trying to place the name. ]

Gotham... hm, is that your hometown?

[aboveand]

[He nods.]

Yeah. It's in Jersey.

In some places and not others, apparently.

[girlybruiser]

I have been reading Ken Kaneki's notes and it mentions something about that.

Isn't that weird?

[aboveand]

I've been here just over a year now...

There's much weirder things for me to worry about.

[girlybruiser]

Is that so? It seems a bit startling that our homes do not exist here.

[aboveand]

You too, huh? Where are you from?

[girlybruiser]

Well, I'm from Tokyo, but it looks like my school doesn't exist.

[ Or her family's company. ]

[aboveand]

Yeah, that is weird.

Maybe it has something to do with the cold war? Where I'm from, this ended like, ages ago, and a lot of the decor and stuff is waaaaaaaaaaaay retro. Like, even for this time period. It could be like an alternate history thing.

[girlybruiser]

The decor and clothing is interesting! I actually kind of like the clothes here.

[ She's a modest dresser, so the style works in her favor. ]

But that makes sense, I think. If the timeline is different, then some things happened and some didn't?

[aboveand]

Some of the stuff's not bad, not gonna lie, but guys here wear way too many vests for my taste.

[How many sweater vests does one guy need?]

Yeah. And whatever's different in the timeline here is why your school doesn't exist. Or Gotham for me.

[girlybruiser]

Are there any other major differences?

[aboveand]

Not major. Just stuff that I gotta get used to using again, because it's not something we really deal with where I'm from, time-wise.

Like cash.

[He's grown to hate cash. So much. Working with creds is so much easier.]

[girlybruiser]

Cash? I suppose coins are a bit annoying to carry, but paper is so much easier to maintain, even when they're thick stacks.

[ Hello, rich girl who carried lots of bills here. ]

batman icon but the expression works too well

[aboveand]

...How rich are you? Jeez.

[Terry is poor and just a little jealous. He's never even seen a "thick stack" before in his life.]

In the future everything is creds. Like credit cards.

[girlybruiser]

Haha, I never carry thick stacks, but I've seen it!

[ Especially with those who like to show off how much money they have. ]

Just cards? Hm... you know, that probably is a lot easier.

[aboveand]

I mean, I guess you could have a thick stack of creds, but I don't know why you'd want to.

[Still jealous.]

It's so much easier. And less gross, too.

[girlybruiser]

Is anything else different? Maybe the food? Oh... cultural norms must have shifted, too!