[video] 01

[fortheworld]

[this video opens up with... an ordinary schoolgirl in an ordinary uniform. She's sitting in a rose garden, from the looks of things, and addresses the camera directly:]

Good evening to you; my name is Oriko Mikuni. I have an important question.

When connected to this community, is it normal for certain abilities to be lost or rendered otherwise inactive? It's quite an urgent matter.

Comments

[fightbymoonlight]

Sorry about that. I'm afraid the community has a habit of connecting at inappropriate times. It's annoying like that.

[fortheworld]

No choice but to make do, I suppose. Would you mind if I asked a few questions?

[fightbymoonlight]

Not at all. Go right ahead.

[fortheworld]

I've... only flicked through things a little, but is this really a multidimensional... device?

[fightbymoonlight]

Yes, that's right. I know it's a little unbelievable... well, very unbelievable. But it's definitely true.

[fortheworld]

...I suppose it's telling that, even given precognition, I never saw anything like this coming.

[fightbymoonlight]

I'm pretty sure no one would. You get used to it surprisingly quickly, though.

I'm Yuri Tsukikage, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

[fortheworld]

A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I take it you've some experience with all this?

[fightbymoonlight]

Not as much as some people, but I've been a member for a couple of months now. The community decided to take over my homework, so that was very surprising.

[fortheworld]

...I beg your pardon?

[fightbymoonlight]

The community likes to take over whatever it can to force you to become a member. Computers, books, whatever it can get to.

For me, it popped up when I was trying to type my homework and wouldn't go away until I accepted being a member.

[fortheworld]

[most schoolgirls would have called its bluff on taking their homework hostage. This person must have a very studious nature.]

That sounds quite unfortunate; I hope I'm not interrupting anything myself?

[fightbymoonlight]

Oh no, not at all. I saw your post on my own. As long as you post every now and then, the community doesn't force you much.

But if you stop posting for long enough, it will go back and take over again. And if that doesn't work, it might broadcast events from your life for everyone to see.

[fortheworld]

...Ah.

[...what has she gotten herself into]

[fightbymoonlight]

It's a lot to get used to, I know. But I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice in the matter.

At least everyone else has to deal with it too, so you're not the only one.

[fortheworld]

[...this has rather spectacularly spannered just about everything she'd been considering or thinking of working on, but she's hardly about to just mention that to a stranger on the... sentient internet contraption.]

It could at least have done the courtesy of asking.

[like the Incubators]

[fightbymoonlight]

Yes, the community isn't very polite about it. We're not really sure why it picks the people it does, if there's even a reason at all.

[fortheworld]

...I'd be correct in assuming it is sentient, then.

[fightbymoonlight]

That's the main theory, yes. It would make the most sense... As far as anything can make sense in this situation.

[justforyou]

You sure 'bout that? I haven't been here long either but, man. That'd be annoying.

[fightbymoonlight]

It is annoying. The community doesn't care much for privacy. I've had an event broadcast that I would have preferred to keep to myself. Suffice to say, it's not a pleasant experience.

[justforyou]

Do you know if it's preventable or not?

[fightbymoonlight]

Posting a lot seems to help, but it's not foolproof. The community is too unpredictable, I'm afraid.

[justforyou]

That sounds like it could be trouble.

[fightbymoonlight]

It is, especially if you have something you'd rather not reveal to the community. I wish I could help you out more, but I haven't figured out a way to stop it myself. Sorry.