video (fortitude);

[traces]

[ Dahlia looks nervous and unsure of herself as the video begins. ]

G-good afternoon... My name is Dahlia, and I've been chosen by our esteemed headmistress as one of this round's Players. I'm not sure how good of a job I'll be able to do, but I'm certainly going to try my best.

All that said, however... I-I will need a Weapon or two. And even then, I have no experience fighting. If there's anybody who would be willing to help me, I would be ever so grateful.

Comments

[traces]

All right. I'll be there shortly.

action

[catpaw]

[ She waits by the entrance, sitting in a chair and flipping through a book. She plans to approach Dahlia as soon as she sees her. ]

action

[traces]

[ Once Dahlia arrives in the library she looks around, eyes wide as though that will help her more easily spot... the person whose appearance she doesn't know. ]

[catpaw]

[ She puts the book aside and stands to meet Dahlia. Looking away from Dahlia's face, she speaks in a very small voice: ]

... Hi.

[traces]

Ah-- h-hello there. Are you the person I spoke with?

[ This girl seems shy. Is she really, or...? ]

[catpaw]

Yeah. ... I told you to come meet me, so... yeah. [ She hesitates; she needs to ask Dahlia for something if she's to become her player, but she doesn't quite have the nerve just yet. ]

[traces]

[ Dahlia smiles gently, in hopes of putting the girl at ease. Can't have this little weapon be terrified of her if she wants to get on her good side. ]

I'm so very grateful for your offer. Oh... but first, would you be so kind as to share with me your esteemed name?

[catpaw]

[ She freezes. She doesn't know what to tell her. 'Nekoko' isn't her name. But she doesn't remember what it actually is. She looks away to a nearby bookshelf and twists her shirt anxiously. Her voice is level. ]

I don't... remember. I just know the name "Nekoko". ...So, you can call me that. I'm sorry.

[traces]

Oh... I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to offend you... You know, I can't remember my surname, myself.

[catpaw]

Ah... I see. So... it's not too weird...

[ A long, awkward pause. ]

Um. If you're going to be my player... if it's okay... I need you for something. [ And she meets Dahlia's eyes. There is desperation there. ]

[traces]

For... something? What is it?

[catpaw]

I need your permission to buy something from the store.

[traces]

Oh! Is that all? I don't mind at all. I suppose I'll need to go with you, though, won't I...?

[ Maybe she can squeeze some extra money out of this girl if she plays her cards right, too. ]

[catpaw]

Yes. Yes, you do. Thank you. Do... do you want to vow now?

[ She's so relieved she feels like she might cry, but manages to keep herself level. ]

[traces]

[ She nods, and looks downward shyly. ] I... As your Player, I promise to protect you, Nekoko.

[catpaw]

[ She nods her consent, and immediately the mark appears. She looks at it for a moment, unsure. ]

I... I guess that's that.

I don't know what weapon is inside of me. D-did you want to check?

[traces]

Er, I... Um... I-if you'd like me to.

[ She takes her glove out hesitantly. ]

[catpaw]

It... might be better if you know what my weapon is. Will you battle a lot? ... I need raks...

[traces]

Ah, um... I don't know. I need them too, but I'm not very good at fighting. I don't want to hurt you.

[ But she reaches out with a trembling hand to pull the weapon from Nekoko's chest. ]

[catpaw]

Don't worry about hurting me... We both need the money, so don't worry about something so little...

[ And then she shudders at the sensation of it being pulled out. It isn't painful but it's just plain weird. The gun is in its folded state; like this, it looks to be a pink metal box. ]

[traces]

[ Dahlia turns the box over in her hands, looking at it in confusion. Just how is she supposed to win a fight using this? ]

Er... You wouldn't happen to know what this weapon is supposed to be, would you?

[catpaw]

I don't...

[ She glances at her feet, then back to the box. ]

Does it open...? It looks like it opens... maybe there's something inside.

[traces]

Open...

[ She goes to open the box, and when she does, she's surprised to see it... unfold. Into a gun.

A pink gun. Well, she could probably handle this. ]

Ah! It's almost... cute, for a weapon.

[catpaw]

[ She looks at it curiously, surprised as well. That came out of her? It's bizarre. ]

Can you use it...?

[traces]

I've never used one before. But if I practice, then... maybe I might be able to.

[catpaw]

Then... then let's practice. You have to win a lot... please. I don't want to go someone new... you're nice...

[traces]

All right! I don't want to lose you, either. You're very kind. So... I'll do my best.

[catpaw]

Thank you... thank you. There's... probably no one in the arena right now, if you want to go there. It's big enough.

[traces]

That's a wonderful idea. Let's do that.

[ She steps toward the door, and turns to wait for Nekoko. Yay, friends! ...or, well, a minion she can take advantage of. Those are even better. ]

[catpaw]

[ She hesitates a bit before following after. ] O-Okay. [ AND OFF TO THE WIZARD OF OZ THEY GO ]