genessia | 3rd Chapter | Video/Action

[When Mikoshiba turns on the screen, he looks pleased with himself. His hair blows gently over his face in the wind, while he looks out to where the Bay used to be.] I've finally gotten sick of hearing everyone complain about the Bay missing, so I can explain what's going on. Just this once, so don't make me repeat myself!

This is what you would call a challenge event. You wouldn't collect just one ball in sports, so why would you bother to catch one star? [Because sports are normal. He's not comparing it to something to happen in a video game, not at all.]

Just like you'd get extra points at the end of a...sports...thing, if you manage to collect all the stars, or at least a certain amount of them, you'll probably get something cool. Like a sword or something. I was already here so I might as well try. [He shrugs, trying not to look nearly as excited as he actually is. This is his chance to get a legendary weapon! Which he will then keep in his room and never use.]

[That hole looks unsettling though. He stays away from it while he tries catching one of the lights. He has his sights set on one, but when it keeps evading him, he finally gets frustrated and puts his hands to his face to think. There's one nearby, so he runs after it, splashing through the water and trying to look as cool about it as he can. He finally manages to catch one, letting out a victorious shriek. But his excitement is short-lived when this memory (up to 2:26) plays. He falls down and seems to stare at nothing in particular, overcome with an elated feeling once it's over. Slowly, the euphoria fades, returning him to the present. He tilts his head down to look at his phone, otherwise still and mortified. It wasn't a bad memory, but it had been so real, enough to make him lose his composure in public. Realizing this, his eyes wide, and his face pales before brushing brightly. He scrambles to turn off his phone, his words equally rushed and panicked.]

Never...nevermind! Just stay away, it's a waste of time to try it!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Like when I collected arrows for Cupid? Was that a ...uh challenge event? I got chocolate, a rose and a charm for that.

[ He never had chocolate or seen roses before arriving in Genessia.]

Looks fun!

[What? Someone's asking him questions? He's excited, but more apprehensive. He pauses, looking down at his hands when he speaks.]

Probably something better than chocolate. Unless it was magic chocolate... Did the charm do anything?

[He frowns uncertainly.]

What's that supposed to mean?

Chocolate's great, though. I can't get it where I come from.

I heard you could make a wish if you collect four charms.

[ He doesn't actually care about that.]

Catching stars looks like a fun game.

Where are you from? [Does he even want to know? He's seen a lot of horrifying things lately, what if Joruk is from some post-apocalyptic future?]

You should try to collect the rest! Don't you want a wish?!

[Oh. Okay. When he puts it that way, it does seem fun.]

It's pretty much impossible to beat my high score, but sure, I guess it's kind of fun.

Earth.
[ He mentions where he's from and the year,in Central Asia during the Great Game. He's from a violent past.]

It's in Asia, south of Russia. Russians seem to disagree with the "south of" part.

[ The Soviet Union is a bleak future to him.]

Dunno. Don't wanna mess things up.

[ He doubts the wish can rewrite history, or bring people from home.]

High score? Did you catch a lot?

[History's not his best subject, but he knows enough to figure out it's bad for him.]

...Wow.

But you won't mess things up if you wish for something that doesn't mess things up! Like...all the chocolate you want!

What...of course I caught a lot, what did you think I meant?! [He doesn't want to catch a lot. He's scared.]

Yeah.

[ Joruk figures he doesn't need to elaborate. Mikoto would not want to see any of his memories.]

What if that leads to like everything being covered in chocolate? Maybe, I'll just save it for an emergency.

How much?

Then-- I don't know, try to word it carefully so it won't backfire. Or you could do that.

[He frowns and replies too defensively.] Thirty four!

I'm not that good with words.

[ He actually believes him.]

Wow! I'm not even gonna try to beat that score. Too much to see.

Write it out first?

[He laughs awkwardly, gesturing to himself.]

That's right, I'm an expert. But you shouldn't feel discouraged. I'm sure you could have fun with it anyway.