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

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

It...makes sense. We're both experiencing it so it's got to be--unless it's mass hysteria? [That'd still be terrible, though, wouldn't it.]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I don't think this is how mass hysteria works... But I'm only a gir.. No. That's not right. That's very not right."

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

But it's...what's more possible? What's more likely? Mass hypnotism or mass hysteria?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Given as you can't avoid television and radio in this place, the hypnotism is a more plausible hypothesis. Mass hysteria I'd think involves more screaming."

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

Then again,television and radio's prone to give people flights of fancy. Maybe we've all just had too much television.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Well golly... I don't know I've been practicing so ha... No... That's not right. Too much television would make us afraid of other people, not ourselves."

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

I...yeah. You're right. This has happened before--hasn't it?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I... Think so? Its so hard to know."

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

It...seems like it, but I could be imagining it.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I know. I wish there was better reference materials to confirm with in town."

[dimensioncannon.livejournal.com]

Maybe if we keep looking we'll find...people who share our memories--or no one, and we'll know. We'll...have made it all up or not have.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I.... I hope so. Maybe with time. I just.. I'm not sure."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"You don't have a crush on anyone? But there's so many cute guys. Some are silly, too, but...~"

[ Again, she kicks gently at the water, looking down at it before looking back to Ruri. ] "I won't tell anyone if you do. I can keep a secret."

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Maybe Mordred... I don't know... But, I don't think he'd ever ask me."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

[ She claps her hands. ] "You never know, Ruri! He could! You know, we should make sure he comes to your birthday party."

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I don't have the courage to ask him... Especially now with... Maybe I do just need sleep."

[bridesearching.livejournal.com]

"Aww, Ruri..." [ She gives her friend a squeeze on her arm. ] "Know what, Ruri? Leave it to me. Why don't we head back? You can go and take a nap so you'll be ready for the picnic later and the firework, and I'll get to working on my magic!" [ With that, she gives a wink. ]

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

R-Ruri? Are you there?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[After a moment there's a rustling heard]

"I... The droning tried to reassert itself, its... For every step forward I take, it tries to beat me back three. I'm sorry."

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

Maybe you should stay the night here. I can watch after you.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"All right. I was just going to go swimming for a little bit in the... No, not in the afternoon. That's not right... Just.. The drone me is really stupid."

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

Do you need me to come over or can you make it over here alright on your own?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"If I'm not there in 30 minutes, come to the rec center. That's where the other me wants to go."

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

Of course, I understand.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[Some 30 minutes later there is a knock on the door with a confused and paler looking Ruri standing there]