VII.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

[Video]

[Souji is lying on her back in her bed in the Apartments, looking up at her right hand, mark of favor from the Incarnae clearly visible from the video.]

You know, I never did believe in wishes. A lot of people only go as far as wishing for stuff, and it never gets done. I guess the Incarnae girls have the power to grant them, but it still seems kinda suspicious for a reward. Especially since they aren't telling us what went wrong, or how grabbing those crystals helped it. What exactly are they, anyway? The stones, the phantoms, or the Incarnae? Anyone got a theory?

Comments

[yakuza-otaku.livejournal.com]

Between the phantoms and the crystals, I guess they're... something like... I don't know, manifestations of our memories, maybe?

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

That seems to be what they both do, but why?

[yakuza-otaku.livejournal.com]

I don't know...

... though, I bet the crystals were making the phantoms. Or something like that.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

More of them did show up when we got closer to the crystals...but the phantoms could have been trying to mess with the crystals, too.

[yakuza-otaku.livejournal.com]

It's just all guesses until we can ask somebody who actually knows this stuff, huh?

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

There are people who know, and I asked them. They aren't telling.

[yakuza-otaku.livejournal.com]

Y-yeah, they're not very helpful about that kind of thing.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

That's why it's important to figure things out ourselves. Even the Incarnae who seem to want to give us clues seem to want us to do that.

> That was way too many "seem to"s, but that's how vague the people in charge here are.

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

Maybe the crystals were sealing something that escaped when they were lost?

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

That fits. What exactly did the Queen have sealed up and why, though?

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

I imagine it was whatever caused all of the phantoms to appear. But, if something that powerful is sealed away here, it means the queen isn't really control of every part of this world.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

We could already guess that from the Labyrinth and the Wild Places. Not to mention how often her own schemes seem to get away from her.

She clearly had something to do with "unleashing" these things, too...I think it's another thing of hers getting out of hand.

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

[Tsukasa nods]

This is all getting kind of confusing.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

This whole place is one big mystery. I don't even know where to start, really.

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I really hope my life doesn't ship me to anymore supernatural messes after this.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

I got into this right when my first one was over, so don't count on that too hard.

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

I'll have to decide how to save the world when I get home, so there is that I guess.

This is kind of depressing... Has anything good happened for you lately?

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

Well, we did stop the phantoms, and we did get rewarded, sort of. That's worth being proud of.

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

It does feel good to have gotten through all that stuff.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

So...ah...

Did you...want to celebrate?

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

Sure, you have anything in mind you'd like to do?

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

Well, I was just thinking we could take a walk around tonight...

> You know, given this place's focus on romance, you'd think there'd be more "date" venues...or maybe the problem is you've never asked anyone out before.

[bel-donna.livejournal.com]

I'd love to Souji.

[Video]

[uberlikehermama.livejournal.com]

[Vivio pouts, looking into Souji's image with a frown, looking at her own hand.]

I... really have no idea, actually.

But well, this is a little weird. What are we even allowed to wish for anyway? Wanting to go home doesn't work.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

Obviously we can only "wish" for stuff the Incarnae want to give us anyway.

[uberlikehermama.livejournal.com]

... Yeah. And I'd feel really bad for wishing that Nanoha-mama or Fate-mama were here again. Especially if something like that would work too...

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

Having Chie or one of my other friends back here would be nice, but no, I don't think that's a good wish.

I'm probably just going to save mine for the next time it seems like our lives are in danger and call in a favor.

[uberlikehermama.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that definitely seems like it might be the best idea, considering everything...

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

If not that, if you need something without risking a random effect, I bet they'd make it for you.

[uberlikehermama.livejournal.com]

I think I'll save it for a situation like you described though. Seems a lot smarter.

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

You catch on quick. You remind me a little of another girl around your age.

Just, you know, with extra magical rainbow powers.

[uberlikehermama.livejournal.com]

Really? Who do I remind you of?

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

My cousin Nanako. She's also kind of a genius for her age, and you're both relentlessly cheerful most of the time. It's cute.

[uberlikehermama.livejournal.com]

Oh. I see!

Thanks!

[And then Vivio bit back what she was going to say. She almost was about to say "I wish I could meet her", but that really wouldn't be good. Especially if it brought the other girl here, after all.]

[sistagonist.livejournal.com]

[Souji can read people pretty well, especially kids.]

If there's any chance of visiting other peoples' homeworlds when this is over, I'd love to introduce you.

[uberlikehermama.livejournal.com]

[Vivio blushes a bit at that, but she smiles.]

I'd really like that. Thank you Souji!