kindaqueer | 2 n d . r e f l e c t i o n . v o i c e

[Of all the things Kaname expected upon waking up this morning, walking past Natsume's room to see the door ajar and the roon empty was not one of them. She stood there in disbelief for a few minutes, just staring. Then walking in and cheking the drawers, the mattress, the window... checking everything and anything as if there might be some trace to explain what had happened and where Natsume had gone off to. He'd been acting weird these past few days... did he spontaneously move out because of it? Was it part of the current shift happening?]

[Or was it...]

So, it's... when people go home, it's really just that? Everything they own disappears and it's like they weren't even here?

And this doesn't just happen because of the experiments... I mean, has that happened before? It's only going home? And... they really do go home, right?

[A pause. A deep breath. It's clear whoever's talking is probably having a hard time keep their composure. Another few breaths and they seemed to have calmed down, but the voice is definitely tinted with sadness.]

...sorry. I think I already know the answer to all of these, but... I just wanted to make sure.

((ooc: Replies will come from

kindaquaint! Kaname is still a girl right now in spite of what the initial post icon says.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It sure looks that way. [Even if Kaname already knows the answer, ~~Claude~~ Marie still feels bad. It was never a nice feeling.] I think it's important to hope for the best.

Hope for the best... I guess I'm still trying to figure out what the "best" is.

[It was better for Natsume to not be here right? He should be happy for him... and he is, but at the same time, it hurt to be left behind.]

I don't blame you. It's probably not as easy as it sounds, huh? Especially in a place like this.

Yeah. I know it's better not to be stuck here, but... it just feels weird, I guess.

I think I understand. One of my friends was here since before I got here, and I can't imagine being here without him.

That's not all that different from me. Natsume was here for a few months before I got here... I don't think it's really sunk in yet that he's gone.

Well, on the bright side, you'll be here for him if he ever comes back, at least.

I guess that's true...

[Even if the idea of Natsume coming back here was kind of a scary one. What if he came back and Kaname wasn't here anymore? Or Reiko-san? Would he be here by himself...?]

Does that happen a lot? People leaving and coming back, I mean.

I'm not sure. To tell the truth, I haven't seen a lot of people from my world here. [Or, well... universe.] It might happen more for other people, though.

I've heard there are a lot of people from the same world as me, but he was the only person I actually knew... [Reiko doesn't quite count - knowing her future grandson isn't exactly the same thing, after all.]

I wonder if it's really as random as people say it is. Bringing people here and sending them back...

I kind of wonder about that, too, really. It's hard to see a pattern, but it seems like some people end up with friends here more than others.

Maybe certain worlds are more popular with this place? That would explain why there are so many people from certain worlds...

[...maybe "popular" isn't really the right word.]

Yeah, you might be right. Maybe they're just kind of... tied here, somehow. So it's easier for people from those worlds to be brought here than others.

[ . . . ]

Do you like cake?

[...]

I... guess?

...why?

'Cus I'll make you one, obviously!

You-- what?

[Oh gosh, random offers of kindness from strangers, how does she deal with this.]

I... thank you. That's really nice of you to offer.

It's no problem1 So where do you live?

[Y E P ]

It's House 54. [...] Ah... and my is Kaname. Kaname Tanuma.

[Girl offers you cake, you gotta at least give her your name!]

O...kay. so give me like two hours, and I've got it.

I'm Rin.

Rin. It's nice to meet you.

I guess I'll see you in two hours then?

[Hopefully Reiko doesn't mind a guest... though if she's bringing cake, she probably won't mind...]

Yep, yep! Won't take no time at all!

[And she hums before setting off to get to work. Maybe... yes, a white with chocolate frosting. She'll be over later for it too, her tail wagging and the box in her hand-

...

Knocking with her foot]

2 n d . r e f l e c t i o n . v o i c e

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