Lost as the Princess of Darkness (50% Drone)

[hontobakabaka]

[Action]  2242 Steven's Road front yard

[Ruri woke up, she was of two minds and neither of them meshed.  It'd be easier if that other voice wasn't screaming things in her head like 'memory default' or 'faulty backup data, please express caution' then other loud thoughts about cheerleader tryouts for next year didn't scream in her head in retaliation.]

"I....  So many memories...."

[Phone]

"I....  I am having odd thoughts...  Bad thoughts...  Ones that would make baby Jesus cry.  Does anyone want to help me forget about them?  I turn 16 on Thursday so maybe we could plan a party, or you could help me train for the chee....  No.  Those are stupid.  Such a headache.  Omoikane is trying to run a system scan on me but it keeps coming up in fault.  Does anyone else have things like this going on?"

[Action]  Rec Center

[Ruri is sitting at the edge of the pool with a confused look]

"I know I prefer doing this but gosh, I need to practice if I want to make the team.  No.  Wait.  Still not right."

Comments

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Sun... Why... Why do I think that's a terrible idea?"

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"Huh? Um, we don't have to do that then... if you don't want to. But you're still coming for the picnic, right?"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I think so? If Sco... Dad doesn't blow up the back yard again."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

[ That makes her laugh. ] "Whaat? What's he doing?"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"There are fireworks invo... You know what. Lets go to the pool, it will be safer."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"Heehee, okay then. Should we meet there?"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Sure, give me 20 minutes."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"Okaaaay. See you there, Ruri!"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[She hangs up and some 20 minutes later will be at the Rec Center, looking much paler than usual]

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

[ Millie's already there, waiting with her feet dipped already into the water, sitting on the ledge. When she sees her, she gives a wave - ] "Hi! You made it!"

[ But seeing how much paler her friend looks, the smile lessens a little and she puts her hand down. ] "Ruri, you don't look so good. Are you feeling okay? Is your head still funny?"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I calculated Pi to the 30,000th number on my way here. Do I normally do things like that?"

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"Huh??? Pi? What's a Pi? You mean, you counted peas...?"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"No, the number 22/7. Its used in math."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"Umm, I'm not learning algebra yet..."

[ She kicks the water under her feet. ] "Annnyway, Ruri! Are you looking forward to turning sixteen? I bet you are. You're having a party, right?"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I was. Not on my birthday but the day after. I think Friday is a better day anyways."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"That sounds good!" [ And, after a pause - ] "Hmm, and will you invite a special guy to it, Ruri?"

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I... I don't think I have one..."

[She stares off wracking her brain]

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

That's correct. You are the captain of the Nadesico.

*IT IS YOU.*

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"....My ship of fools."

[There is the sound of the phone being dropped]

phone 50%

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

O-Omoikane? System scan? [Only one half of her understood only half of that.] You're turning sixteen?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"My birthday is on the 7th. Omoikane is... He's the computer that's in my brain, but, also... I... So many conflicting thoughts."

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

Sixteen's an important birthday, we should...plan it...[she didn't plan parties. Didn't she?] You've got a computer in your brain? You've--you've got two sets of memories?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"A computer in my brain? That sounds so squa... Wait, no. Yes, he serves as my Id sometimes... I... Yes, the party, everyone says to focus on that. Do... Do you have two sets of memories too?"

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

You're too young to need a--yeah. Yes. I...I've got two, too. One here in Mayfield, and one across th'universe but--it's got to be the stress of the holiday. They're...they're probably...[She winces, and massages her forehead a moment. Why can't she decide which side to fight toward?] it must mean something if we're both experiencing it.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I'm... I'm leaning towards... The memories that say this town is a horrible prison. Because that's what the other voice in my head that one set of memories thinks is my friend is saying. But several people have been experiencing it which means... I think something terrible is happening."