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So more people have been seeing or hearing weird stuff across the pendants, right? I know some of you have mentioned it.

For those of you who haven't shared it yet, it might be useful to do so. Maybe all of this can be put together into something.

For the record: I saw a few people talking together about getting stuff from 'home.' I imagine they mean from their own worlds, considering someone talked about getting a car, and this place isn't exactly highway central. I don't think I recognized them, so it's entirely possible there was a different group of people just like us somewhere around here before us-- though they didn't look like they were here in town exactly.

You know, unless these pendants are just showing us weird illusions rather than past events. Guess both possibilities are equally ridiculous, just like everything else in this place.

Does anyone also have a clue why some of us are seeing or hearing stuff like this in the first place?

Serious answers only.

[ N-No, Ange, never say that last part.. That last part always jinxes it, girl. ]

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It's fine.

[ Not the situation back home, that part is definitely not fine. There's a reason why Ange is always so desperate to find out more information about this place, after all, why she really just wants to find a way back home.

But it's not like she's going to get upset with Ken for what he said. Especially when it's way more sympathy than she'd used to receiving, people often just sensationalising the story, treating her as nothing more than part of a fun mystery story, rather than a grieving kid. ]

It just means I'm equipped to deal with this situation. As soon as whoever is in charge here actually shows their face, I'm going to tear them a new one. [ Okay, Ange, may slow down a little with that one where said entity could potentially read it.. ]

[Ken wanted to say that no, it is not fine! She just lost her parents to a supernatural entity all for the sake of amusement! How can she say that? Of course, he was not one to say that as he knew better.

Instead, he kept his mouth shut before giving a sigh on his end.]

...Well, if you need any help, I'll be here too. I know a thing or two about beating a couple of Gods too. Hopefully, they wouldn't be too hard to beat.

[Because all he could do was try and support her somehow.]

[ ... ]

You've fought a god? Multiple gods?

[ That sure is what his text implies, after all. And though Ange knows better than to judge people by their age - plenty of powerful witches in her world looked way younger than her, after all, and though Ken sure isn't a witch, he could still yield quite some power - she can't help but want to make sure.

M-Maybe because she's worried about putting Ken into an actually dangerous situation otherwise, sue her. But Ange feels a lot better when she doesn't have to make that worry or reason public, able to neatly tuck it away inside of her, hiding behind text. ]

How did that go?

[Ken didn't know how to respond at first. Did he wanted to go with something more positive to balance out what she experienced back home? As he debated to himself, he shook his head. No, it wasn't fair, he had to be honest.]

It went well as we managed to beat them. Although, we know that they would always come back, we just hope that there would be a moment of relief to know that we can always fight back.

[.....]

And yet, we always need to be mindful as there could be tragedy involved.

[As much as he wanted to be honest, he also knew he could say much. At least, not without letting his leader know.]

That sucks.

[ .. okay, maybe it's not as thoughtful as Ken worded his own sentiment before, but it means the same thing from Ange's point of view. She doesn't fake sympathy, after all, so the fact she's expressing some here at all means that she means it.

Even if it's in her own sort of way. ]

That they always come back, I mean. That sounds like you'd have to keep fighting, over and over.

[Does he tell her? As he pondered, it seems that there was no harm in telling. With that, there was a pause before he wondered just how much he should. Hopefully, his leader wouldn't mind saying a few things...]

You have to when you fought against two gods of death. Especially when there are people out there who truly do wish for it.

[ Thankfully Ange is used to so much weird stuff happening back home that she doesn't even blink anymore at the idea of having to fight two gods of death.. Like, sure, that could probably happen in some world out there.

She's willing to believe it. ]

Not even just one, but two gods of death just came down upon your world?

It sounds like you have some shitty luck.

[ Sorry, Ken. :( At least Ange does genuinely mean that last part. She feels for you. She'd sure be annoyed if she had to fight two gods of death. The witches back home are bad enough by themselves. ]

[Ken wasn't one to be blunt, it went against very aspect of his culture. That said, as he read it?]

You got that right. My friends and I do have really bad luck.

[Because what else is there to say? If Ange could see it, he couldn't help but chuckle a little.]

But I guess that's what happens when I signed up to save the world, right?

Even when people are stupidly heroic, that doesn't give fate an excuse to shit all over them.

[ Sorry once more, Ken. Though this time for calling you 'stupidly heroic', even though Ange does mean it. Only truly stupid people throw themselves into that sort of thing - and by 'stupid' she actually means 'way too sweet and selfless.'

Who else would be willing to give their life to do something as idealistic as saving the world, right? ]

Though that's usually what happens, I guess. The people who are the nicest are always given the hardest time. [ Do you have an idea why she might be trying so hard at all times to present herself as cool and emotionless, Ken.. Presenting herself as someone who is definitely Not Nice herself.. ]

...You got that right too. And sometimes, the people who are the nicest end up making the biggest sacrifice too for the sake of others.

[He wanted to tell her so badly about what he went through in hopes. Instead, all he could do is make inferences and implications about what happened. He just wanted to know that his leader was cared for.

She did all that for the sake of protecting her teammates and for the others.]

And sometimes, people don't even know it. That's the worst part too.

[ At least Ange isn't stupid.

In fact, despite not necessarily being book smart, she is pretty observant. Just like right here. Even if she can't determine what exactly Ken is trying to say, she can easily tell that there's something more to the boy's words, especially when he adds that last part. It's just something that's way too strange if there wasn't more context to it.

On the other hand, he's probably being vague for a reason. Ken didn't strike her before as the type of person to be unnecessarily vague. Is he trying to hide something? Then, does that mean the slips are accidental, or is he trying to hint at it?

.. she doesn't know. So.. ]

But you know.

[ Whatever he's hinting at. He knows, or he wouldn't be saying any of this. ]

Isn't that enough?

I know that they would say the same thing, As long as they believe they lived a life worth living, that is enough.

[While there was a little bit more to it, he'll just leave it there. He had to accept Kotone's decision to keep Erebus away from them, it was her choice to make sure that her friends stayed safe. And yet...]

It's just a little hard to accept that I couldn't see them again.

[He could understand how Yukari felt, he wanted to see their leader too. But he also knew he couldn't when there was a chance they would be fighting death again. Not to mention Kotone would probably be upset at rejecting her choice too...]

It's always like that when people die.

[ Not that Ken used the word death or anything like that. But.. when he's talking about the greatest sacrifice, there's only one possible thing it could be, right?

There's nothing you can give more than your life. ]

I couldn't accept that idea either. [ It's.. a little more than she'd usually open up about, though even this is just a peek compared to the sheer depth of Ange's feelings when it comes to this specific thing.

But if Ken is giving her some information here, it's only fair to give him at least a tiny bit in return, Ange thinks. ]

I still think I can't accept it.

[ The idea that you could never see specific people again. Ever. ]

That's why I learned to treasure life as much as you can. Even when things get terrible, you just have to keep moving forward no matter what. Otherwise, you don't get another chance.

[He didn't mean to go into a rant but he couldn't help it. After everything he been through, he just hoped Ange would understand how much he values life. As he gave a pause or two, he wondered if he said too much but it was too late.

But he had to add in something else too.]

And to spend as much time as you can with the people you care about.

[ Ange reads those words, thinks about them in her mind. There's a lot of things she could say here. Like that she has no one she cares about to spend time with. That there's nothing left to move forward towards anymore.

That she really just wants it all to end once she's accomplished her one last goal.

But she can't write that. Of course not. How would it help her? It wouldn't change a single thing about her situation, and she would've awkwardly bared her soul to someone else.

So Ange carefully tucks that away, putting it with the rest of the feelings she plans on never sharing with anyone, and instead just writes: ]

Sounds like you've thought about this a lot.

[If only he knew what Ange was thinking of. Instead, there was a long pause on his end before responding.]

I have, I spent a lot of time thinking for the past two years about everything.

[As he wondered what else to response back with, he didn't know. Again, there was a long pause as he stared at what was before him. Shifting his weight around, he probably should say something encouraging.]

...But anyway, I know there isn't a lot I can do but I'll try my best if you ever need help.

[ ... ]

Right now the only thing I need help with is finding a way out of this place.

[ Because what is ever actually opening up about your feelings, right? Is that something people actually do? No way, Ange is just going to continue to keep hiding all of this behind her usual walls, thanks. It's easier.

Even though Ken's offer is kind, but.. well, Ange has never really known what to do with this sort of kindness either. Not that she wants to fully reject it, but how.. does one accept this..?? ]

You'll help me with that, right?

[ A-An attempt was made? ]

[Well, at least he tried to get her to somewhat open up. While he was somewhat disappointed, he knew that he had to wait. But at least the offer still hands.]

Of course, I'll do my best to help you out. Will you do the same for me?

[Although, all things considered, he would much rather know that this place was safe. Knowing that his leader could no longer return back home, she had no choice but to stay here. If he had to leave, he would rather fight knowing whoever was in charge was gone.

She could live here in peace.]

Of course.

[ This is at least something she can easily agree to. She's asked more people to do the same, after all - sharing information, most of all.

But Ken.. Well, she likes him so far. Maybe it's the fondness Ange has for people younger than her, tending to trust them more easily than people her own age, but he's got a good head on his shoulders. ]

If there's anything bothering you, just let me know whenever.

[ .. That offer of help goes a little beyond just sharing information or helping find a way home, huh.

Don't mention it, she's just trying to brush this off this way so she doesn't seem openly nice. ]

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cw: mention of suicidal ideation in narration

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