countermeasures | chroma | catchall for vin

[that would be very funny

but she pauses for a moment. she read over some of the messages, but...]

You couldn't see what might have caused it?

No... he was gone too quickly.

[she frowns]

There one moment, gone the next. And I don't think... [she pauses] I'd been trying to go through a different archway. But I ended up here instead. It was like something wanted us to find him.

...The Prism itself, or something that has a way to control it, then?

[bad.]

I don't know.

But... it felt intentional. [...] The other beds were all empty. And it was difficult to focus on anything but the pods.

I can see that both ways, I think. If there was some kind of force or presence leading you to him... It is a good thing that we found him rather than not knowing what happened, so it might have been intended to be helpful. But it might have only wanted you to see something that would distress you, too.

[after a moment, she sighs.]

Though, I guess that's if it intended anything at all. The residents say that this place can react in unpredictable ways, don't they?

They do, yes...

[...]

I know... a lot of us were feeling like we wanted to find out what happened yesterday, after all of you returned. So I wonder if perhaps guiding us to him had something to do with that.

["what happened to ryunosuke and the others" turning into "hey, here's ryunosuke's dead body"...]

...I do not think we'll be able to figure out why this happened with the information that we have, as of yet.

[which she sounds frustrated about, but.]

We will have to keep looking before this happens again to more of us. [...] Forgive me for being bold, but - how well do you know how to defend yourself?

Yes. We will.

[...she looks away.]

I've been able to defend myself in certain situations, but... usually when I've managed to catch someone by surprise. I think if it came to a fight and someone was aware I was trying to defend myself from them, I would struggle.

[she hesitates for a moment, but:]

I would teach you, if you wanted to learn.

[ !

she looks surprised by that, for a moment, and then touched.]

...I'd like that. Thank you, Miss Vin.

[she nods.]

It seems pragmatic. I wish we had better weapons to show you, though...

We all have those strangely-colored knives, at least. It's probably better to start me with something light and easy to carry.

[...]

If we're able to get ahold of the residents again... maybe I can do Steel a favor and ask for a weapon in exchange. Of all of them, they seem like the most likely to have one, don't you think?

Oh... That is a good idea. I'll try as well, if we're able to see them soon. I'd be able to teach you the most about using daggers or knives.

...I really appreciate that you're willing to teach me, Miss Vin.

[she shrugs.]

It is not such a big deal...

Maybe it's not, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating it.

[huff.]

You are very persistent, aren't you?

I hear that a lot.

It is... typically not a bad thing.

[unless she's being persistently thanked.]

Only "typically," hmm?

Mm... When it does not involve gratefulness for things that are only common sense.

[she laughs a little]

Maybe it's common sense, but... it's not always so common for people to be that willing to help. At least, it hasn't been in my experience.

[usually she has to identify something they want from her in exchange for their help first.]

Nor mine. But...

[a shrug.]

Perhaps I would like to change that.

[she smiles]

...that's a very nice thought, Miss Vin.

[she almost says "thank you," but catches herself. they literally JUST went over this.]

...I imagine most people here would say the same.

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