[The video shows a man of about eighteen, with a sheathed sword and a puzzled expression.]

So this is an app to create records for future samurai? And I just... say whatever I want?

Well. My name's Flynn, and I just passed the Gauntlet Rite. I'm from Kiccigiorgi, my best friend is Issachar, my favorite color is white, and...

This seems a little silly.

[A teen's face suddenly appears on the video options. He's clearly new, if the confused expression is to gauge. Plus, who would have such a strange demon-print jacket?]

You know, this kind of site is the stuff people on the Ayakashi Monthly Forums would love to see. 'Fantastic Duck Site that infects your computer and forces you to talk to it!' Real chain e-mail kind of stuff. But that's not really the case here, is it? Magic, demons, gods, alternate worlds, sentai and magical girls and more...

[His face cracks a gleeful grin]

This is so cool.

I think moogle search is broken.

I mean how'd I put in replacement sitar strings and get ducks? that's just weird.

It's cool though, you guys look like fun. so hi, name's Demyx.

What's up? Play any instruments?

[ by this point, now that they know about it, people might be starting to pick up on the differences between the two yuugis - and the one sitting in front of the camera right now is all angles, sharp-eyed and rigid. his hair is different. he holds himself more proudly. he also seems to be, despite his serious expression, kind of awkward, and he spends a while drumming his fingers on the desk, clearly unsure of what to say. ]

... Everyone got out of Kaiba's Death-T alright. [ starting was apparently the hardest part, because he shifts and continues, now in a strong and confident voice with no hesitation: ] Grandpa is home from the hospital already, and Honda-kun wasn't hurt after we lost him, thanks to Kaiba's little brother. I won the final game, and everything is back to normal. [ a small smirk. ] Well, aside from this latest virus, I guess. But it seems that I'm not affected, and I'm glad for that.

[ he picks up a piece of paper and stares at it for a moment, frowning. ] My partner... wanted me to say this, instead of him. He also wants me to introduce myself to the people of the community. I don't see much point in it, but... [ he puts the paper down and stares, dead serious, into the camera. ] I'm Yuugi Mutou. I am the presence that lives inside of Yuugi's heart. I believe my partner calls me his "other self", so if you want to call me the "other Yuugi", I don't mind. If we haven't already met, it's a pleasure. Any friends of Yuugi's are also friends of mine.

... [ he sighs, eyebrows furrowing. ] I'd like to switch back to my partner now, so that he can talk to you all again after the Death-T incident, but according to this [ waving the piece of paper ] he wants me to be the one to talk. I can't lie to him, which means I'll have to do my best with this. My partner recommended asking a question, and so I've been trying to think of one...

After our duel at the end of Death-T, I shattered Kaiba's heart completely. I broke it so that he can rebuild it himself and be free of the darkness that had consumed him. I can't say for sure that he'll recover; but while he may have done terrible things to my friends and family, I truly respect him as an opponent, and I hope that he finds his way out of the darkness to face me again. He deserves that second chance.

... What I wanted to ask was how the rest of you feel about second chances like that. Do you think that everyone is deserving of them? No one? Or only those who you can see are worthy of it?

[It's Ellie again, looking a little scuffed up and with her jaw slightly swollen, sitting in front of a large man in what appears to be an office. She seems nonchalant as he reads off a list of old marks against her.]

Let's see....fighting, theft, running away...fighting. [Apparently that needed to be said twice.] Disobeying orders...[Nonplussed, she scratches under her nose.] And more fighting. Do you have anything to say?

[When she apparently doesn't, he stands up and walks around his desk.] Do you know what stands between the hordes of infected and all the straggles living in the city?

A giant concrete wall?

[Since this wasn't the answer he was looking for, his mouth opens wide to yell at her when the video cuts off, only to open again a little later. She has a bucket and wash towel in her hand, standing on front of a car. This time she notices the recording.]

That guy pisses me off! He didn't do anything to the people who started the damn fight! [She kicks at the tire. Sniffing, she rubs a hand under her nose again.] Now I have to clean this fucking car.

[She dips the rag into the bucket before bringing it back up, wet and sudsy.] Is it like this everywhere?

[ooc: Italics are the principle, and normal text is Ellie.]

[At first there's only the sound of water lapping gently at wood, but it's soon joined by a woman singing. Her voice isn't the most practiced, but it has a pure quality, and becomes stronger as she continues to sing.]

Life is brief, maiden, fall in love
Before the crimson bloom
Fades from your lips
Before the tides of passion cool
For there may be no tomorrow

Life is brief, maiden, fall in love
Take my hand to the gondola
Press my burning cheek to your cheek
For no one will come here

Life is brief, maiden, fall in love
Like the gondola drifting on the waves
Place your tender hand on my shoulder
For no one will see us here

Life is brief, maiden, fall in love
Before your raven tresses fade
Before the flames in your heart flicker and die
For today will not return

[The video turns on revealing an old woman, dressed in a plain, grey dress, with a warm shawl around her shoulders. She is set in a chair, looking down at the recording curiously.]

Ah! There it is. I thought that it might work.

This must be the community of ducks my dear niece was telling me about. Great-niece, actually, but never mind that.

I thought I should inform you all that my niece, Miss Sophie Hatter, has decided to go forth and seek her fortune. She left her magic book in my care, you see so I imagine she will be out of touch for quite some time. She told me of her friends here, and wishes you not to worry. She will be quite alright, I imagine.

My name is Sophie as well. Old Sophie, that is. She is my namesake, after all. [She gives a wry smile.] A pleasure to meet you all, even if the method is rather strange.

If your world- or your country- had a legend about people with powers who would appear when the country was in danger, would you think they were heroes? Or would you think they were bringing destruction?

Why do they bother teaching us anything before summer? I mean, it's not like we're gonna remember anything when we get back...

So, um, how do you get people to listen to you?

So uh I guess by community standards it's White Day today. Being stuck where I am I can't really get anyone anything, unless we can get me out of the game for a day? It's not like I'm waiting for anything recently, considering people are still pointing at me and whispering behind my back.

I guess I'll have to wait for another few more weeks before the hubbub dies down, but they're starting to call me The Black Swordsman recently. I suppose it's better than "Beater" is anyhow.

Should at least get Sugu something... otherwise I'll probably be hit for forgetting later on.

[The last part was mumbled as he enters the shop and starts looking around for stuff to buy.]

So, ah, looks like people are acting odd again. Or maybe I'm just seeing things I'm still weirded out over that red string stuff...

Oh, speaking of people acting odd: hey, Tails - you think we can finally set Eggman back to normal? Not to be a party pooper and all, but him being nice and cuddly like that is really disturbing after awhile.

Not to mention boring.

( reach out to the truth of my life )

[Another view of this limousine...]

['Welcome to the Velvet Room', the man sitting across from the video's perspective says. He seems a little suspicious, but his voice and demeanor aren't hostile in the least.]

With your new bond, you have awoken to the Star Arcana. [The woman--Margaret--speaks, and as she does a glowing card floats down and disappears into the book on her lap.]

Now then, your story is drawing towards its climax. [Igor spoke again, hardly moving as he did.] As such, I imagine several surprises are lying in wait for you.

Your fate is at a crossroads. [Margaret continued, pensive and quiet.] If you fail to solve the mystery, your future may close before you. [She turned enough to look towards the camera--towards Narukami, in reality. Her tone grew faintly ominous, taking on a sense of warning.] No matter how thick the fog may appear, there is but one truth...Defeat is not the only thing that can bring your story to an end. You would do best to remember that.

[With those words of warning, the video faded to black.]

( Read more... )

[Once Kirito was out of sight, he hightailed it out of the dungeon into the next town, and its there that he brings up his access, having noticed the recording duck icon in the corner.]

You all saw that, right?

I don't know what to do anymore, except walk this road I've made for myself.

Suguha, sorry. Your brother made an enemy out of the whole game for the sake of the many.

<ooc: video starts at 11:00 to the end.)