THE TIME BETWEEN.

[lockdownmods]

Regardless of whether or not you've explored, you're pretty thoroughly stuck here. Which means... well, you'd best get acquainted with everything that's available to you. There are things to do, places to see... And maybe there are some surprises in store.

You won't discover them until you look for them, though.

And who knows when you'll get out of here? Or when new people will show up? Only time will tell...

Comments

>GREET.

[lockdownmods]

[ On Sunday evening, there's the sound of a mug breaking from the kitchen.

Investigate...? ]

[supportrole]

[ ...Yeah, okay, he'll peek in to make sure something didn't fall on Hollyleaf.

Man, he's still kind of sad that the cafeteria doesn't look like the diner in Shibuya anymore. ]

[coagmentatio]

...?

[ This place is weird, so he doesn't know what to expect. Either way, it doesn't take him too long to start towards the kitchen. ]

[photomode]

[did... did she do that?

So, uh, anyway, there's a woman looking a little panicked at the broken glass.]

[supportrole]

[ Well, that's. Not Hollyleaf. ]

Um... Hi?

[photomode]

[and then she jumps, and whirls around to face him.

she was totally unprepared, and quickly, loudly says,]

Hello and welcome!!

[she looks so frazzled]

[eggmobile]

She’s here! The woman who will run the Evil Race!

[where did eggman even come from]

[supportrole]

[ where did he come from ]

[supportrole]

[ kind of relatable tbh ]

Thanks, I guess? I mean, I've kind of been here for a while now.

[ Maybe it hasn't actually been that long, but it sure feels like it. Time goes pretty slowly when you have nothing to do but sit around regretting every stupid choice you ever made. ]

>ACT.

[newhire]

[It's a good fifteen minutes after the initial commotion that someone else comes running-- quite literally. Everything comes out all at once when she sees the other woman.]

I heard something strange, is everything alright?! You're not hurt are you?

[It's as though she doesn't see the other people at all until she's gotten that out of her system. Although... when does take in the crowd, it's with wide eyes that she takes a step back. She seems to process it for a moment. Everyone looks fine. Just a little broken china. That all goes through her head before...

...she laughs; a sheepish, cute little sound. The young woman scratches the back of her head and shuffles from one foot to the other; just a ball of nervous energy. But it's becoming less of the latter as the moment draws on.]

Goodness! It looks like everything's fine after all. And here I just came running in like a crazy person. Geeeeeez...

[The girl lifts a hand and waves.]

So. Um. ...Hiya!

[photomode]

Mom!

[She sounds a little embarrassed, her cheeks turning red just a bit. She hadn't meant to break anything, but. It had happened anyway.]

It's fine. It was... an accident.

[newhire]

Fuuuuuu.... you really had me worried for a minute. It's not like you.

[Which was why she couldn't help but fly off the handle. Ah-- but then...]

...are you nervous?

[She suddenly breaks out into a big smile.]

Don't worry sweetie, I know they're just going to love you.

[photomode]

I've never met others before...

[she folds her hands in front of her, and then raises the small fist to just under her chin, pulling her shoulders forward.

She's definitely nervous.]

I'll do my best, though. To make sure everything goes smoothly here?

[newhire]

Don't worry. I was really nervous at first too. But if I was able to overcome all that then... I know you can too! Besides. You still have me. I'm going to be working hard too.

[She puts a hand on the other girl's head and smiles softly.]

These people... if you open yourself up to them I know you'll be able to show them the wonderful person you are.

[photomode]

[honestly, that looks like it makes her feel a lot better, and her shoulders relax.

and she moves forward to hug her.]

Thanks. I'll do my best. You won't have to worry about me at all, so you can focus on what's important.

[newhire]

I'm always going to worry about you.

...but it's true, I might not be able to hover for much longer. At least not as much as I want to. But I know you'll take very good care of them all for me. Hopefully it'll be over soon so we can spend more time together-- no work involved.

[supportrole]

[ Wait, "Mom"??? ]

[photomode]

[did she stutter]

[supportrole]

[ What the hell, there's someone else-- Oh crap, she's cute.

He gives an awkward semi-wave in response. ]

Hi.

[newhire]

I'm sorry we're meeting you all so late. It's... gosh. A lot happened really fast you know. We weren't totally ready.

[She looks a little embarrassed admitting that.]

Oh! But don't worry. We've gotten p...reeeeetty much everything sorted out now! So you'll have our support from now on! Promise!

[supportrole]

[ is she implying that he fucked up and killed someone too quickly... ]

Well... thanks, but support for what, exactly?

[newhire]

Just because you're the Expelled, doesn't mean we've forgotten you.

Well... some people might have. But not us! You may not have passed the test, but you're still here, right? Not all is lost.

[supportrole]

What are you talking about? Aren't we dead?

[newhire]

I... suppose we are. In a sense. But... that's not all it is, right?

[To prove her point... she reaches over and pokes him in the chest.]

It's both very complicated and very simple.

You're here. This "you"... do you really feel like it's "dead"?

[photomode]

Mom's right.

And if you have to ask, then maybe there is a chance that the answer will be "no."