001 ✤ video

[coordinatroll]

[ Now that she's gotten a better understanding of how things work here, it feels like the right time to address her fellow captives as a whole. The video opens to show a bright, teenage girl, smiling fondly at the charm in her hand ─ and, by extension, everyone who views her message. ]

Hello, Aldrip and all surrounding areas! My name is Mitama Yakumo, 17 years old, and I have officially joined the ranks of the Chosen as of last month!

[ She lets out a small laugh at her own description of the situation ─ it's not as though she, or anyone else here for that matter, had any say in all this, but at the very least she seems to be taking it rather well. ]

I'm sure everyone who shows up here must ask a lot of questions ─ and I admit, I'm no different. I hope you can spare some time to answer me the following.

[ She clears her throat and raises a single finger in front of her face as she moves on to the point. ]

First: have any of you encountered beings referred to as "Witches" or "Kyubey" while in this world?

[ Mitama is perfectly aware that the answer to that is dependent solely on whether there even are other magical girls among the people here, but that's quite alright. Negative answers would be enlightening too, that's for sure. However, on the chance it is confirmed neither of the above are in this world, she needs to ask a follow-up question. For that, she raises another finger in front of the charm. ]

Second: it's a little embarrassing to admit, but there is a certain item back in my world I really need the access to... I realize this might be a long shot, but is there any way for us to obtain things from different universes while here?

[ That would be entirely too good to be true, and to be perfectly honest, her expectations for this one are almost nonexistent; not that one could tell from her expression, as she gives the audience another warm smile, waving her hand as a goodbye. ]

Your cooperation is appreciated! Thank you for your attention, and I'll talk to you soon~

Comments

voice

[scythedance]

Well, I must admit, I would be considered a "witch" of sorts... I happen to use magic, but I believe there's a different title for me back home. But unfortunately, I have not heard of "Kyubey". If I run into such, I will be sure to tell you, Miss.

As for items... Yes. I do not know how, but a few months ago, I received a picture from home. So, I do believe it is possible to access things from home, I just do not know how.

I am sorry if I cannot answer all your questions, but I do hope that has cleared some of your questions.

[coordinatroll]

[ Ah yes; she probably should have considered the possibility of the term "witch" being used in a different context than the one she knows from back home; still, even if it's not exactly what she's looking for, it's still fascinating to learn about other people and the universes they come from. And to think there is some way of getting the items she has in mind... that is definitely worth pursuing, even if that person in particular doesn't know the specifics. ]

Oh no, not at all! It's all very helpful, thank you very much~

[ She replies in a singsong tone, making it obvious she's not disappointed in that answer. ]

If you don't mind me asking one more thing, does that mean using magic is considered a common ability in your world?

[scythedance]

I do not mind; yes. In my world you are born with magic at birth, so it is quite a common thing in my world to see.

[Considering she's looking for something called a Witch... He has to wonder what that entails. Obviously it was someone that could use magic...]

Are you a magic user as well? I must admit, it is rare for me to come by a magic user, so I am interested.

[coordinatroll]

I suppose you could say so, yes!

[ Many, if not most magical girls would hesitate to reveal themselves as users of magic, but at this point in her life, Mitama simply doesn't care about that anymore. Plus, it seems like a lot of people here have their own special abilities, so it's not like she's sticking out that much. ]

Really, it's the same for me! Magic is largely considered to be nothing but a fantasy back where I'm from. Most people go through their whole lives without ever learning of its existence~

[scythedance]

[There's a hint of curiosity in his voice as he speaks. Something in particular coming to mind, as he tilts his head to the side in thought.]

If that is the case... How did you learn to use magic? It must be special in your world, to be able to have such abilities.

[coordinatroll]

[ Mitama taps her chin with her finger thoughtfully, considering what approach she should take with the answer to that. ]

How should I explain it... It's not that so much that I "learned" to use it, but rather, this ability was bestowed upon me.

[ And all she had to do in return for it was give up her soul! But that's neither here nor there. ]

There's actually quite a number of us, even if the public isn't aware of that!

[ Yet. But if all goes well, that will change soon. ]

[scythedance]

[MITAMA... Don't tell him that or else he'll start fretting for her. For now, however, he can only nod. Some part of him understanding being bestowed power, since the tree back home did that for everyone. But he figures that it must be much more complicated than that.]

Is that so? Would it be a bad thing if it got out to the public...?

[Magic is so. Normal in his world, that he tries to understand the repercussions of telling people that magic exists or not.]

video

[baldrshand]

Welcome, Mitama!

I'm afraid that while I know what witches are, I haven't heard of any in this world--nor have I met a Kyubey.

What is it that you need?

[coordinatroll]

Thank you~ Please do not concern yourself with that, I appreciate any and all answers!

[ Mitama went into this with absolutely no expectations, so she's honestly not surprised nor disappointed by that information. ]

Mmm, how should I put it... It's a special kind of item that allows me to replenish my magical energy!

[ And, by extension, stay alive, but that's a detail she won't be disclosing at this time. ]

[baldrshand]

Oh, really? I use magic myself. What sort is yours?

[coordinatroll]

I suppose you could call it a "support" kind? I can strengthen the powers of other people!

[ That's a very simplistic way of describing what she's actually capable of, but it'll do for now. ]

[baldrshand]

Ah, yes! So something like a cleric? I've used staves that can assist others in that way.

[Or she's heard of them, at least, even if not all of them have come into her hands.]

[coordinatroll]

Oooh, I like that comparison!

[ Mitama lets out a small laugh, amused by how both accurate and completely wrong that assumption is at the same time. ]

I think that's close, although I have to admit my handle on healing magic leaves something to be desired.

[ And that's putting it lightly, considering her skills are mostly destructive in nature. Now, the question on her mind is, is this woman an avid tabletop fan, or does she come from a world incorporating what are essentially fantasy tropes to her? ]

If I may ask, are clerics common back where you're from...?

video;

[entreats]

[ .. sure, this person seems entirely too social for her. Most people do.

On the other hand, this other girl is actually bringing up witches, and that means Ange can't ignore this message. Sure, she doesn't recognize the name that follows it, but it's just possible that she's been dealing with a different set of witches than Ange herself has. It's still worth replying.

She just hopes she isn't making a mistake by opting to reply. ]

Why are you looking for witches?

[ Apparently she's holding her cards close to her chest for the moment, huh. But it's mostly because she's trying to figure out what Mitama's experience with witches is first. ]

[coordinatroll]

[ Thankfully, Mitama is fairly used to dealing with people who aren't nearly as... extra as she is; as such, what Ange lacks in her social interactions, this girl will return with double the energy! ... For better or worse. ]

To defeat them, naturally!

[ She replies with a bright smile, like the notion of literal witch hunting is completely normal ─ and to be perfectly fair, it really is to her. She makes a small pause, and then elaborates further on the idea, still as upbeat as ever. ]

... Or, more specifically, have someone else defeat them for me! I'm a lover, not a fighter, you see~

[entreats]

Could've fooled me with that energy.

[ Yes, of course Ange isn't going to pass up an opportunity to make a deadpan remark, thank you very much. Especially when she did get her hopes up there for a moment, thinking that maybe she wasn't the only person in this place eager to fight a witch that might be in charge of this place..

Only for Mitama to shoot it down mere seconds later. You're breaking her heart over here, girl!! ]

Either way, I'm also looking for witches. [ At least Ange will offer up that information. ] I'm pretty sure they're in hiding though, if they're here at all.

[ Ange still feels like there has to be some - either that, or some other supernatural entity - but it's not exactly like she has concrete proof. ]

[coordinatroll]

Oh, but Miss Coordinator has other things to offer~ I may not be able to fight, but I can support those who do!

[ She winks, leaving it up to her imagination what she means by that or why she's referring to herself by that title. She doesn't mind being asked about it, but there's no point in just revealing everything straight away, right? ]

They always do, don't they?

[ Finding Witches can be pretty troublesome, even back in her world, where there were no other traces of magical energy other than them and fellow magical girls. Here, on the other hand? There are tons of trails of weird magic she'd never experienced before, and tracking one of them could be difficult. Not to mention a lot of effort that she'd prefer to avoid unless absolutely necessary.

With all that in mind, Mitama claps her hands together, still smiling at the other girl. ]

So! Is it safe to assume you're a magical girl as well?

[ Unlike other responses, Ange seems to have an idea of what a Witch is that's closer to Mitama's, so she figures she might as well cut to the chase and ask directly if that's what's going on here. ]

[entreats]

[ .. well, there sure are a lot of words being thrown around here, huh. Words Ange isn't entirely sure she knows the exact meaning of. Sure, she can guess, but why would someone call themselves 'Miss Coordinator'-- probably something Mitama was doing back home? And supporting people in what way?

Ange's brain sure still is busying itself with thinking about that one, even as her mouth is already moving on to reply to Mitama, not really letting much of a pause drop here. ]

I'm a girl who can use magic.

[ Look, that's.. close enough, right. Ange doesn't want to be caught dead calling herself a magical girl, thanks. This is clearly the superior version. ]

Unless that's not what you're looking for, Miss Coordinator. [ That title couldn't have been said with more deadpan... ]

[coordinatroll]

[ Oooh, isn't she an edgy one! That's kind of cute if you ask her. Mitama either doesn't notice the deadpan or ignores it completely, the warm smile never leaving her face. In fact, she's perfectly happy to be called by her title! ]

Hmm, that depends!

[ The girl taps her chin thoughtfully. It seems like the mention of "Kyubey" didn't ring a bell for Ange, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's on the wrong track ─ for all she knows, it could go by tons of different names. In fact, the Tokime Clan girl refer to themselves as "shrine maidens" rather than "magical girls", so even her refusal to call herself that doesn't prove anything! ]

Let me put it this way... Have you acquired your magic by making a contract?

Video;

[lightthedarkness]

Nice to meet you, Yakumo-san! My name is Usagi Tsukino!

I have experience with witches back home? But not here, I don't think? And definitely not anything called a Kyubey either here or back home.

[coordinatroll]

Aw, no need to be so formal with me, Usagi-chan! The pleasure is all mine~

[ Some girls do insist on calling her by her last name, or just refer to her by her title, and Mitama doesn't mind! But she wants it to be known that she's not that stuck-up of a character. ]

I must say, I'm a little surprised! I didn't expect so many people to have personal experience with Witches... but there again, perhaps each world has its own type of those?

[lightthedarkness]

Ah! That's great! [Usagi is just as quick to drop formalities because, well, she's not the type, but she's trying for other's sakes.] Are you settling in okay, Mitama-chan?

It is a bit surprising, to be sure! The witches I'm used to are aliens from another nebula who were trying to help their leader take over Earth and the solar system as a whole.

Oh, and they use magic.

[coordinatroll]

Very well, thank you~ Fortunately, everyone is really kind and helpful!

[ The mention of aliens, unexpected as it is, does not come as a complete shock to Mitama; after all, Kyubey is an alien, too, and while its kind does not seek to take over the planet per se, their influence on it is undeniable. Although not surprised, Mitama's expression changes to show concern. ]

Oh my. That sounds dreadful... I hope they failed.

[lightthedarkness]

Aww, good, I'm glad. Yeah, I've noticed most everyone here is super nice!

They did! Fail, I mean. Really, every alien invasion that's tried to take over Earth has failed, thankfully.

[coordinatroll]

[ ... Well! While the existence of aliens alone isn't unexpected, the idea of multiple attacks on Earth is... pretty outlandish, so that definitely catches her by surprise. ]

Ah... That's good to hear! Although I have to say, it's quite remarkable that alien invasions have become so... normalized in your world.

[ At least, that's the impression she's getting from the girl. ]

Back on my Earth, we still haven't made contact with any extraterrestrial life forms... at least, not in any official capacity.

[ She adds that last clarification, because again, Kyubey exist, but magical girls are the only ones who know about their existence. ]