yumemigaoka | August catch-all ♫

Entry tags:

lisa imai

August catch-all ♫

⭐ Who: Lisa and you! Yeah, on your phone in the front row! Get up here!
⭐ When: August! Waterpark threads will be on that log, but she'll be busy the rest of the month too.
⭐ Where: Mostly in Koubai and Kihada, but maybe also Akabeni? All over the place, really. See individual top-levels.
⭐ What: After taking a bit of a mental health break earlier in the year, Lisa's ready to put her life officially back on track! Part of that's going back to school, but her social life seems to be developing too... If you don't see anything you like, swing by her plotting top-level and we'll hash something out.
⭐ Warnings: Probably nothing, but while Lisa's mood is more positive than usual it's also a little more swingy. Lisa-typical poor self-image, possibly.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A distraction is just what the doctor ordered. Her mind had been wandering more and more ever since the incident that saw so many trapped in the Dream Sphere, so being dragged away from her thoughts was a good thing.

Though she still suffered from a mild case of social awkwardness, she listened patiently, trying her best to put a warm smile on her face. Something felt familiar about this girl, it made her want to actually help.]

It depends on what you feel you need help with. If it is just directions, you can just ask any of the students. I didn't know my way around at first either, and I found people to be nothing but helpful here. If its with studying, there are frequently study groups right here in this library.

[Which she feels too awkward to personally attend, but she isn't about to admit that so easily.]

If its anything too complex, I am probably the wrong person to ask about it.

[Feeling like she HAD no one she could count on for help, at least in the Dream Sphere, was a large part of why she'd looked out of it.]

Well, that's a relief! I know what I'm doing well enough - and once I've gotten used to a place I don't normally get lost - but having people willing to help... helps a lot. Reminds me of Dreamer stuff, honestly, when I was still new to that. [A beat.] Er, sorry, I keep forgetting I'm not at Promised Morning anymore, where that's a given.

[But as Lisa sheepishly laughs at herself, she relaxes a little. At least she's getting honest information from someone that doesn't seem to be putting up a front.]

And hey, that's fine. Sorry, I don't mean to put you on the spot! I guess I'm just a little nervous about- [She gestures widely; she means university in general but how well that translates is debatable.] -and having someone that's willing to answer my questions but also isn't part of the welcome wagon helps a lot.

No, its fine. Don't worry. I wasn't doing anything important.

[After marking her place with a little pink ribbon, she closes the book she'd had in front of her, and gets to her feet.]

If you need help finding your way to the gate, I was actually going to be headed there soon myself. My classes are over for the day, and I don't live in the dorms so I want to get to the trains before they get too crowded.

[Her expression subtly changes as Lisa mentions Dreamers and their related school. Suddenly that familiar feeling had an explanation. This person was there at the very events that had her mind wandering. She feels a little temptation to start talking about it, but how do you open up to someone you've barely ever spoken to about your biggest secret?]

Oh, you're a Dreamer. I've met several since moving here.

[Both in and out of the Dream Sphere she thinks to herself.]

I don't mind you talking about it. Honestly, I find the whole concept of traveling into dreams fascinating. I'd love to hear about it while playing tour guide.

[At least she isn't causing extra problems! She'd feel bad then. So Lisa nods at the assurances, smiling more surely.]

I know how that goes... that'll be the hard part of the schedule, I think. That, and that I inevitably get into some kind of trouble whenever I need to take the train somewhere. So sure, I'll go with you.

[She does notice a little bit of a change when she mentions she's a Dreamer, but that could be for a number of reasons. So she'll narrow it down a bit more by running her mouth.]

Ahaha... well, it's kind of a wild thing to summarize. Yeah, sure, we fight monsters in people's Dreams. But it's more than that. You see amazing places, meet cool people, and yes, fight terrifying Nightmares. And Night Terrors, lately, too. Those Disturbances that have been cropping up are capital-D Dangerous. [She shivers, and it's definitely not manufactured for the pitch.] I'm a Sentry, so I help keep people safe while everyone else dogpiles the bad guys. But it's been getting harder, and the stuff we've been getting into is scarier. [A pause; she's let it get a bit too heavy...] Which isn't to say there aren't fun times, too! I've got a couple favorite spots to just hang out, between hunts. And the Slumbering City, our home base, is a fun place to rest, once we get it fixed back up.

[Another beat.] Uh, stop me any time if I'm rambling too much, by the way.

Edited (HTML fail) 2024-08-21 02:59 (UTC)

[With the girl on her feet, its obvious she is very much not the type to dress up. She wears an extremely plain outfit, with a white short-sleeved t-shirt with no design on it, and a pair of jeans. There isn't an ounce of charm at all.]

I'm afraid I can't help with train troubles. They are normally punctual, though. So if you do decide to attend here, I'd recommend not cutting it too close.

[She seems to listen intently, not interrupting as the other girl speaks. There are a lot of terms coming up she has never heard before. She can, however, put the pieces together and know what word refers to which event she'd been in. That giant monster she helped fight had to be a Night Terror. And the city she'd been sneaking around had to be the Slumbering City.]

No, don't apologize. I find it all interesting to hear about. I'm sure it would take far longer then a trip to the gate to hear about all you could tell me, so I'll try to pick out a handful of questions. First, I didn't know there were different categories of Dreamer. If you're a Sentry, what does that make someone who concentrates on offense?

[She wants to know what her own category is.]

[Hey, Lisa's not going to judge - if she's comfortable in casualwear, then let her rock the T-shirt and jeans. It's a classic for a reason. There are definitely days she feels like that herself. Today's just special, even if it means they look like opposites at a glance.

Speaking of special, she feels like she's the one giving the tour all of a sudden - if of the Dream Sphere, while she's not even in it. She's happy to have the rapt attention, though. It's good for her confidence, and while she talks, she seems to get a little less nervous, posture straightening and voice strengthening. The question, then, makes her grin.]

If you want more information, I'll be happy to keep talking - either a café somewhere, or we can exchange numbers. But for now... think of them like classes in a game. You have the people with the shields and the armor, like me; the people with the healing magic or the boosts - Savers - and then the people with the big swords and the guns and the explosions. Those are Strikers, and that's the one you're looking for. Oh, but new Dreamers don't have those classes yet. It'd be weird to decide your entire image and job when you only have a little bit of power, right? As your power grows, you get an idea of what your strengths are. And it's not like you only ever have one kind of power.

[She raises a hand and counts on her fingers.] I've got the shields, sure, and that's what I use the most. But then I have the one that lets me take the spotlight, and the one that lets me shoot at Torments, and then the one that makes us stronger when someone else is singing with me... aaaaand the big murder-axe. [She glances back at the young woman.] You could make an argument I'd fit in as a Saver, since I have a couple support powers too. But I think Sentry fits my personality best. I could help you out if you're in trouble... but I'd really rather you just not get in trouble in the first place.

[Her expression is honest and easy; yes, she's talking about fighting for what really does feel like her life. But protecting people is important to her, and that comes out in her bearing.]

[In Karen's case it is more that she is thoroughly convinced she would not look good in anything too feminine. She hadn't worn anything resembling a dress or skirt for years at this point. But of course she wasn't about to start going on about that with someone she, sort of, just met.]

Why not both? The trains will be running for hours still, and I can just catch the next one. Though I suppose a good starting point would be introductions. Kohiruiumaki Karen is my name. I moved to this city to attend this college. It was convenient for me because one of my sisters owns an apartment complex here, so I didn't have to worry about finding a place to stay.

[All that info about Dreamers is tucked away in the back of her mind, including the fact that she definitely qualified as a 'Striker'. Comparing the various classifications to video game classes was particularly relevant in her case, since her Dreamer form literally looked like her video game avatar.]

I have to admit, though, I was just as interested in coming to this city because of it being a gathering hub for Dreamers. I've already been to their base of operations once.

[Where she almost managed to give herself away pretty quickly. Thankfully her mistake was made in front of someone with a single brain cell, though.]

So getting a chance to talk to someone with experience is a small price to pay for lending you a hand here on campus. Assuming you actually decide to attend here, at least.

[Don't say that aloud around Lisa, she's going to drag you directly to the department store and befriend you by having you try on half a dozen things. Speaking of-]

Ah, I really need to get better about introducing myself before I start talking so much, sorry! Imai Lisa, but please, just Lisa is fine. And that's kinda cool to have a sister that just. Owns an entire apartment complex? [She makes a mental note to swing back around to that; she's the opposite, college will be an excuse to move out. But she shakes her head to pull herself back on track, hands moving animatedly as she keeps talking.]

What, the Dreamer Union? It's a great resource with a lot of stuff to offer, to be sure. But don't overinflate it - I did that, when I first became a Dreamer. I... made it out to be something way bigger and scarier than it was. And then I felt really silly when I finally started spending time in there and it was just a normal place for normal people. [A beat.] Well. For Dreamers, who are largely normal people. So I'm happy to talk to you, but you don't need to just take it from me, either. Ai-senpai - let alone Maki-san - would probably say I sound too much like a recruiting pamphlet. Don't be afraid to ask people about what being a Dreamer is like, especially in this city that's more or less Dreamer HQ.

...that doesn't mean I wouldn't appreciate the help, of course. And I'll still be glad to give you advice. Or hey, if we ever meet up in the Dream Sphere, I can show you the ropes more directly, yeah?

[Something like a cute shopping trip would definitely be good for the mental state of the tall girl. She's once had dreams of frilly dress and cute ribbons, but they died when she didn't stop growing and became too tall to be 'cute'.]

Its fine, I did encourage you to start talking. It would be weird of me to be annoyed with it. Oh, and you can just call me Karen as well. Its easier that way.

[Her interest doesn't seem fakes in the slightest, and she listens intently as the Dreamer Union was spoke of. If only she had the courage to just go there and admit that she was one of them, she could be one of those 'normal people'.]

Yes, I was curious about it and its just like you said. I met a few interesting people there, one of them kind of attached herself to me right away and we still speak. I think one was the janitor, and the other....

[The expression is difficult to read. Its not like she's trying not to frown.]

Well, I think he was trying to help, at least.

[But there's one thing that practically makes her heart stop, and its the casual offer to show her around the Dream Sphere. She stops walking, and an undisguised look of shock comes onto her face. She hadn't given herself away, did she? She HAD shown a healthy interest in Dreamers. Maybe it'd been too much? When she speaks her voice is calm and measured, as if nothing had happened mere seconds ago.]

That is an interesting offer, but I think you may misunderstand. I am not a Dreamer myself.

[She's a poor liar, but this lie is one she's practiced. Even still, there's a faint hint of nervousness to be heard in her voice.]

[Lisa nods; she's on a roll, so she'll come back to social niceties. Something's not entirely right about that last statement - she didn't offer something strange enough for a person to just freeze up in horror, herself possibly excluded but she's weird - but she's not going to call Karen on it quite yet.]

Just a fan, then? That was me for a long time, and it kind of still is. Ai-senpai - Dreamer Ai-Doll - was my idol growing up. I mean, beyond actual idol stuff. And now she's part of my Unit! Which I still don't quite believe, some days. And besides her, I've met a lot of wonderful people at the Dreamer Union, and I'm sure many of them would have been happy - will be happy - to show you around on this side. But... remember the offer if it ever comes up, yeah? Even if you're not a Dreamer now, there are many ways that can change. And it can be rough over there if you're by yourself and you don't know what's going on. [She grins.] I don't bite, though, I promise. Don't let me scare you off, okay?

[It was a pretty unusual way to respond to such an innocent statement for sure. Karen was much more used to speaking with other Dreamers as LLENN. Due to her stubborn attitude about making sure no one knew the connection between those two names, she had no real way to talk about Dream Sphere topics in the real world. That is, until someone she could talk to literally walked right up to her.

Now, if only she could find a way to ask the things she wanted to know without making it even more obvious she was hiding something. Thankfully, Lisa has given her a perfect topic to shift the conversation.]

Both times I've been there I found people very welcoming. The second time was during some manner of anniversary festival, so there was a lot to do and a lot of people to see. I really didn't get to speak to anyone personally then, there was such a big crowd even I was able to blend into it.

[But then comes the subject change.]

You're partnered with an actual idol? I know I probably don't seem the type, but I am a bit of an idol fan myself. Good music does a lot to keep me calm. The thought of actually working alongside a famous idol is just sort of amazing. But I really don't think I could do it. I'd be too overwhelmed to concentrate.

[A little smile touches her face.]

Try not to be disappointed, but my personal favorite isn't Ai Hoshino. I'm more then familiar with her, I listened to her growing up as well. And I'd definitely be too nervous to actually be able to work alongside someone like that. But there is someone I like more. I'll introduce you to her music sometime.

[She actually sounds mildly enthusiastic about it, for her it wasn't just a chance to distract from her little social misstep but a genuine desire to share with someone who could probably appreciate it. As she finishes speaking, the two finally reach the outside of the main building, with the gate in view.]

Well, here is the main gate. But if you were serious about finding a place to sit down and speak more, I am not in any rush. There's a small cafe nearby I like to go to when I have extra time before heading home.

Oh yeah, the festival! That was a great time, and I'm glad you had fun. I... ate way too much ice cream. [She laughs, before a bit of a shadow crosses her face.] We had another celebration in the Dream Sphere, that night. That's when a few of us got stuck over there - you probably heard about that. That was a long four days, and we had a heck of a fight at the end of it. But hey! We made it back without too much trouble. So it's fine.

[Deflect, deflect... oh hey, Karen's an idol fan too? Exciting!]

There is more to life than Ai-senpai. She's my favorite, yes, but we can't have just one, yeah? It helps keep me calm, too. Well, when I'm not screaming my lungs out. [She grins.] It took me a while to control myself trying to fight around her. It's like having a show only you get tickets to. Well, you and the Torments. I'll be interested to see what you have for me, though!

[They reach the university gate, and Lisa lets out a breath, realizing she's found the outside world again. She won't be trapped here forever! She... she can go home!

She's not doing that, but she could if she wanted to. That's the important part.]

I'm okay to talk a little while more! Now that I know how to get home, I'll be fine. If you don't mind, we can hang out a little longer?

[If only Lisa knew just how well Karen knew about what happened during those days in the Dream Sphere. She'd happened to overhear that there was going to be a dream celebration while at the festival, and as it turns out the combination of being extremely fast and small enough to easily hide made it simple enough for her to sneak in. She hadn't expected to be stuck there, however. Explaining where she'd been when all was over with had been wonderfully awkward. Thankfully the fact that she had been 'sick' the same days so many Dreamers had been trapped hadn't seemed to attract too much attention.]

I don't mind at all. I know a couple of other people who are Dreamers, but I've never really chatted with them about it before. Truth be told, I kind of have a hard time talking to people the way it is. It really helps when other people start the conversation.

[A small smile touches her face.]

Honestly, you remind me a little of a close friend back home. We met kind of the same way. We didn't even know each other, and she just walked up and decided we were friends now. Turns out she was right. Oh, and if all my questions about Dreamer things drag on, feel free to change the subject.

[She's doing her best to milk Lisa for as much info as she can get about things she really has no one else to talk to. There isn't much time to do that, though, as the cafe Karen mentioned was so close it only took less then a minute to get to. It clearly catered to the college crowd, as there were a few other students scattered throughout.]

Order whatever you want, my treat. I normally just grab a coffee before heading home, so I don't know if the food is any good.

[She'll find out eventually, Karen, and then she'll ask why she didn't just open with that. But for now, she'll prattle on until you ask her to stop, not counting if her mouth is full.]

I've... Dreaming has kind of become important to me? As soon as I Awakened I just kinda leaned into it and made it part of who I am. So I have a lot to say about it, ahaha... But if you need befriending, I'm here for you! Or if you just need someone to chat with, I'm good for that too. Well, as long as we don't end up with another Disturbance or something. Then I'm gonna be a little less chatty.

[She nods as they walk into the café; her standards are getting kinda high with all the time she spends at Camellia, but it's definitely serviceable, and knows who it's catering to. This is fine.]

Hey, you helped me, but... thanks. I could definitely go for a drink now that I've been running my mouth for a bit. [There's a brief pause as she scans the menu, but she's a simple girl, so after a second, she looks to the expectant barista, and in a bright, service-smile tone-] Hi! Um, can I get an iced coffee, maybe a... medium? Yes, room for cream please. Oh- [She turns to Karen, tone shifting back to the friendly, natural voice she'd been using up to now.] Karen-chan, you gonna grab anything? I'd feel a little bad if it's just me.

[And Karen will eventually learn that her worries matter more to her then they do to anyone else. For now, though, she's a little too nervous to start a conversation with 'hey, how do you feel about pink machineguns?']

I suppose I was just a little paranoid you might be annoyed being asked so many questions about being a Dreamer. I know a thing or two about people only noticing one part of you and nothing else, so I try not to do that to other people.

[Thankfully, she doesn't seem like she's going to just go into her personal trauma and drag the mood down.]

Don't worry about it. The sister I was talking about doesn't charge me for my apartment, so I don't have much in the way of bills. An extra coffee is a small price to pay for an afternoon of conversation. Speaking of which, I think I will take the same. [She gives a faint smile to the barista.]

So, if it really doesn't bother you, then I won't hold back my curiosity. Are these 'disturbances' you mentioned common? I was always under the impression it was entirely safe in dreams, but you're starting to make me think I might be wrong. People unable to awaken, giant monsters destroying cities, it all sounds too dramatic for me.

I'm happy I know enough to be able to answer your questions. This time last year I didn't know anything about anything! So... I don't mind. Even if Dreaming is my one thing - and it isn't! - I'm happy to be of help. I'd do it for free, even!

[She's happy to have someone else to talk to - about this stuff or otherwise - so she's not complaining at all. And she'll keep her own trauma... mostly in the box? There's some tied into Disturbances more generally, but she's doing a good enough job for now.]

Anyway. Disturbances aren't super common. We've had... what, three? I won't promise it's safe - even in normal Dreams, the Torments can get frisky, and Nightmares can absolutely throw you for a loop - but it's not so much that you get hurt as... well, sometimes it's a rough day at the office. Regular Nightmares are easy enough, you're just fighting monsters in the same kinds of dreamscapes we see often. But Disturbances are inside someone's head, and that makes all the difference. They can really get under your skin if you're not careful. [Which she usually isn't.] The last one, a few months ago, really pushed my buttons, and I had to take a break for a bit to get my feet back under me. That old schoolhouse had some stuff in it.

[There were a lot of complex thoughts going on inside of Karen's head at the moment. Disturbances took place inside someone's head? And here she was with near constant worries and stress in her own from her desire to keep LLENN as her secret. Who knows? If she doesn't do something, she might end up being the next one to go crazy!]

I...see.

[There's a distant sound to her voice, and she doesn't even seem to notice the coffee arriving. She has the same sort of glazed look on her face as she did when Lisa approached her in the library. Dreaming seems to mean a lot to Lisa. It means a lot to her, and she, as LLENN, said she treats it like a game. In the middle of something which bothered her so much she had to mentally recover from it. More then a little bit of guilt makes its way into her mind and, without putting much thought into it, she begins to speak.]

Hanako, I think you said the name was. But you managed to help them in the end, right?

[It was something that Lisa definitely had NOT said, at least today. But it was no mistake. Worry about her own mental state and the guilt she felt for turning something so important to this girl into nothing more then her own personal adventure had finally put a crack into the walls she'd put around herself.]

A...and you called yourself Rhodonite, right?

[Coffee halfway to her lips, Lisa freezes. The look on Karen's face (again, she reflects) is concerning, but the words that eventually come out are... strange. No, Karen, she didn't say his name was Hanako. Not today. And she hasn't given her other's name, either. Why does she know that, then? She hasn't talked about that Disturbance too often to people that weren't in there with her, and she hasn't had to introduce herself much at all. As she gently sets her cup back down, she searches her memory for when she'd even told anyone that. Some of that Disturbance is a blur as a result of memories she didn't want to come back to, but... there are only a couple of people it could be, right? And does she even want to argue the point here? If she is right and Karen is a Dreamer she met in Hanako's Disturbance, does she need to call her on it? It's fine, isn't it?]

We did get Hanako-kun out, yeah. It was... a little touch and go for a while, and I didn't do great in places. But that was the important part. He's okay. [She takes a breath, pushing herself to smile.] Dreamer Rhodonite, at your service. If you end up on the other side, at least. [When they meet again, perhaps.]

[It had been a choice she'd made in the spur of the moment. To casually reveal something she'd kept secret from everyone she's known for a long time, just blurted out in a moment of clarity. And despite that, she didn't feel panicked or scared of what she'd just made clear. Maybe she felt Lisa was the trustworthy type. Or maybe she was just tired of trying to live two separate lives.]

That is good. And I suppose I can imagine the sort of things you are thinking right now. I apologize for not being more open with you, but I had a reason for it. It was one of the things you said that made me change my mind.

[She reaches into her pocket, pulling out something which makes it obvious she'd been being deceitful, her sandglass. She sets it on the table next to her coffee.]

More then one reason, really. But the one that convinced me I needed to change was being afraid. Afraid that if I don't stop trying to do everything on my own I might have something like....that happen one day.

[It should be pretty obvious what she means by 'that'.]

The other reason is.....well, how do I ask this? I guess just clearly is the best way. Have you ever known anyone with a dream form that didn't look anything like their real self?

[She'd suspected, sure, but the soft clunk of a Sandglass hitting the table between them completely resets her mental track. Lisa starts to consider this from a different angle. Who had she met for any length of time in Hanako's Disturbance that she didn't already know? That list was... vanishingly short. Maybe just one person, with a memorable hat, and a memorable color scheme, and a memorable weapon.

Still, she can finish connecting the dots in a second. Karen needs her now, and Lisa shakes her head as she pulls herself back on track.]

I had a feeling for a second, but... it's okay, Karen-chan, really. You don't have to feel bad about it. Sometimes it's scary to talk about other parts of ourselves to people we don't entirely trust yet, you know? But... thank you, for trusting me with this.

[She lets out a soft breath. Karen's been having these thoughts for a bit, huh? Not that she's one to talk, but. She understands that specific worry intimately. And so Lisa smiles gently.]

I don't think those just happen, but I get it. That's something I was worried about for a while too. I just... take things a day at a time. And I'm not afraid to ask for help. So... if you want advice, or even just someone to talk to, I'm always good for a chat. [She pauses at what should be a bit of an odd question, but if she's right-] As for the other thing, I've known a few people that don't quite match up on the other side with how they are on this side. But it all depends on what kind of dream you're chasing, yeah? I want to be the me that's confident enough to pull out her bass and put on a show, so I look like this, just in a fancy costume. Someone else... might not want to be the person they are on this side.

[Well, she had done it. Her biggest and, perhaps, only secret had been revealed to someone she barely even knew. It was difficult to imagine Lisa would not be able to figure out which otherwise entirely unknown Dreamer the overly tall girl was. There were likely not a lot of them in the city who hadn't registered with the Union. And even if there were, she stood out for a few reasons.

But it felt good to talk about. While she had no intention of bombarding poor Lisa with her life story, she wanted to at the very least give an explanation for why she hid it in the first place.]

I see...so there are others like this as well. Those that I have met here in the waking world have not had such drastic changes as I go through. I can guess why I become like I do. I definitely know what sort of dream I am chasing. When I think of what sort of pain someone has to feel to create something as dark and imposing as that haunted school was, I almost feel ashamed that I even feel bothered by...well, you surely saw it walking beside me. The way you had to look up to even see my face. Its so unimportant, and yet its always on my mind. And that is why...actually, I can just show you.

{She pulls her phone out of her pocket and taps at it while she continues to speak.]

This is going to sound like a subject change, but I promise you its not. What I am about to show you is the character page for a well known character in a game called GGO, short for Gun Gale Online. She's known for being social and reliable, and having her on your team means your chance of victory is all but guaranteed....or so some people say, anyway. No one knows who she is offline....well, there is one person. Two, now.

[She turns the phone towards Lisa, where a cutesy, rounded and familiar smiling face was on display. The character's name and stats were displayed, most of it would be meaningless to someone unfamiliar with the game, but a few things stood out. The unusually high dexterity stat, the outfit, and of course, the displayed name: 'LLENN'. Somehow, it seemed this overly tall girl had turned her character from an online game into her Dreamer form.]

When I said that I treated the Dream Sphere like a game, its because of this. I regret saying something so disrespectful now that I understand the situation better, as well as how important it is to you.

[She bows her head in an apologetic manner.]

[Lisa feels bad that Karen is taking the full weight of that last Disturbance all at once, but... it seems like she's working toward getting something off her chest, so probably better to let the snowball roll. The seeming non-sequitur as Karen pulls out her phone confuses her for a second... then she sees the face she remembers from that nightmarish Dream and the last pieces fall into place. She remembered the pink girl, but this really drives it home. That makes her understand the somber feeling she's getting, too - LLENN, that day, seemed to be treating the whole thing like a routine adventure. There'd been a good reason for that at the time - it was a routine adventure to LLENN, GGO character - but now that Karen is starting to assert some more control over that persona it creates that strange tonal dissonance.

She doesn't remember seeing anyone playing much Gun Gale Online when she'd had streams on in the background, not that she entirely knows what it'd look like beyond a place where a pink submachine gun would fit in, but she understands the desire to be someone else to cover your insecurities intimately. Lisa smiles at the other girl, shaking her head.]

You don't really need to apologize to me for that. It did seem a little strange at the time, but it didn't really offend me... and I'm a little too serious over there anyway, so I'm not really in a position to complain. Please, raise your head.

But hey! The things you work on in your Dreams can help you on this side, too. I know we can't do much for short, but I can help with cute if you want, and you're already working on social and reliable! LLENN is part of you too, just like Rhodonite is part of me. So... I know it's easy for me to say, but I don't think there's anything you need to be sorry for. Ha- mm. Amane-kun is okay, and whether or not I actually took it personally, you owned up to what you thought was a mistake. That's more than enough.

[She's silent a moment. Then, with a quirk of her lips:]

I could use a good luck charm over there. Guaranteed victory, huh?

[Its more than a little surprising to Karen that she isn't freaking out now. She had been at least as worried about how she'd feel after admitting her secret as she was how the other girl would react. But all she got was positivity in response, and it did wonders for her mental state.]

Its funny. I've gone over in my head many times what I expected this moment to be like. I always knew I couldn't hide her forever. But I always assumed it would be some mistake on my part that would lead to it, not that I would just openly admit it! I also rather expected I would be judged more harshly. Its not like I am not ashamed of LLENN, don't misunderstand. But its very easy to fill my head with thoughts of how other people would think it was strange.

[She smiles sheepishly.]

Its more embarrassing admitting how much 'cute' actually means to me. It is part of the reason she is covered in so much pink. I always dreamed of wearing pink clothes, or frilly dresses covered in ribbons and bows. But the bigger I got, the easier it felt to dress in drab clothes. They are easy to ignore, and so are the people who wear them.

[The smile becomes embarrassed at the last bit.]

That is what other people say, not me. I suppose my win rates make it seem that way. I've got something like a 96% win rate in pvp, and I even won a team tournament without a team. I just entered on my own and came out ahead. Now everyone calls a high dex build a 'LLENN' build, and...

[She stops herself with a slightly embarrassed look on her face.]

But I am getting off topic. The important thing is that if you ever need my help, I'll try to be there. Its the least I can do for listening to me. And I don't just mean on the other side, either.

Edited 2024-10-15 02:13 (UTC)

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August catch-all ♫

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