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

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

I can certainly try. Um, you're Ruri-chan... you told me you have younger brothers and you didn't know how to be a person until you were taught. Um, it seems like you're from the future... you've talked about knowing a lot about computers too.

Is this helping any?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"So... I'm not trying out for the cheer leading squad and struggling in history, but I'm the captain of the Nadesico?"

[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]

[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]

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

*Sakura puts an affectionate arm around the girl and leads her into the living room. Once Sakura's sat Ruri down she'll bring in a glass of water for her.*

How are you feeling?

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"The me that is a drone is trying to take over. I can feel her in my head. Omoikane is calculating how hard it would be to try and isolate and clean up that section of my brain but he can't get a lock on it."

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

Maybe you should try to sleep it off? You look exhausted.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I dunno... If I don't get some practice in, I don't think I'll make the squad this year though, last year I didn't."

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

I'll have time to watch you practice if we go tomorrow. I'll even get you a timer so I can time your runs. For now, you should relax and try to get some rest.

*It's pathetic how good Sakura is at this.*

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Well... Okay. I'm just doing it for mom cause she thinks I'll never meet anyone nice if I'm in the libra...."

[She blinks and shakes her head]

"....She was out again, right?"

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

Yes. But it's alright, I'll take care of her if need be.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry she's such an idiot."

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

I understand... You don't want to know about my drone self.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Truthfully I was a little curious about mine before, but now.... She can't be any worse, can she?"

[imaginenumbers.livejournal.com]

I do believe she could be a bit worse.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I won't ask, it looks like it makes you uncomfortable."

[She sighs]

"Do you have any ether here?"