video for always;

[friendcontracts]

That party was pretty crowded.

[Like usual, Reiko is outside--the basic surroundings looks like some kind of meadow. She's looking somewhat thoughtful. The fact that there's cut on her cheek that looks like it just stopped bleeding doesn't seem to bother her at all.]

That's not what I wanted to talk about today, though. Just half an hour ago I met this strange old woman. Her eyesight was pretty bad--she must have tripped because I heard her yelling that she couldn't find her walking stick. Of course I gave it back to her.

The weirdest part was after I helped her up...she wanted my cosmetic mirror! She said it was important that she needed a mirror. Didn't say why only that it was very important. Even after I told her that there was a shop just down the road that sold mirrors.

[She pauses for a moment before shrugging.]

Obaa-san got her mirror in the end. I didn't need it anymore.

[Reiko briefly touches her injured cheek.] She really was such a strange old woman...

Comments

[voice]

[kitchenknives]

Wait a second... did you just get mugged by a grandma?

[friendcontracts]

[She giggles.]

Nah, I just felt sorry for her.

[kitchenknives]

Well, aren't you generous.

[friendcontracts]

It was really embarrassing. Obaa-san didn't even consider the fact that she could buy a mirror.

[kitchenknives]

What, is it a special edition or something? [. . . ] Do they even have special edition mirrors?

[friendcontracts]

No idea but if there are special edition ones, my mirror wasn't one. It was just a plain worn hand mirror. Old women can be pretty superstitious.

[Pause.] Even if her eyesight wasn't the best she still managed to notice this. [She touches her cheek.] She seemed kind of worried about it.

[The reason why said old woman found out about it was because she ran her hands all over Reiko's face. It...felt nice. That a stranger would care even a little.] I'd already decided to give the mirror to her but I guess I shouldn't hold her being a little strange against her.

[kitchenknives]

Wait, so did you get that scratch somewhere else?

[fearleads]

That's just kinda weird... was she some kind of monster who likes mirrors?

[friendcontracts]

No, I'm pretty sure she was just an old woman. There are a lot of superstitions about mirrors. Maybe she wanted to ward something off?

[fearleads]

Maybe she needs one for fang shui! *Yes, that's another pun.*

[friendcontracts]

She might have! Though, I don't think she would have been that desperate if it was just for decoration.

[fearleads]

She could really think she needs it.

[friendcontracts]

Maybe but even though she was a weird old woman... I don't really think Obaa-san meant any harm by pestering me about it.

[spiritually]

Hmm, well.. I'm sure that mirror was very important to her if she needed it that badly.

[ Except he already knows wtf is happening. ]

[friendcontracts]

It probably was. Obaa-san seemed pretty strange but it's not my place to pry.

[spiritually]

[ He feels like he needs to clarify something.. which is probably good since he needs to change the topic anyway. "Strange" about covers it. ]

Just so we're clear, I'm not a-- [ Ah, public. ] I am human.

[friendcontracts]

[She knows that... that weird moment a few days ago when she had taken his name. Well. Uh.]

Don't worry. I don't think either of us were thinking then. Sorry.

[spiritually]

It was a virus.

[ Which begs the question.. ]

You don't still have it, do you? [ HE'S REALLY HOPING ONCE THE VIRUS ENDED IT'S GONE.. ]

[friendcontracts]

Let me check.

[She pauses and goes through her worn pack. There's some names written on loose paper...and she stops.]

...I do.

video;

[selfished]

.. Ya usually give your stuff away to strangers that easily?

[ Not that Kyouko wouldn't. But then again, not like she'd admit that either.. ]

video;

[friendcontracts]

I really didn't the mirror. She could use it better.

[AKA: Yes, but don't tell anyone.]

[selfished]

Hey, before ya know it, you'll be saying that 'bout all your stuff. And then you'll find yourself with nothing in the end.. ya wanna live like that?

[friendcontracts]

I really don't need much to live. Just some clothes, food, and my project and I'm fine.

[selfished]

.. Man, you're such a simple person, granny! Don't ya like to even play games at an arcade or whatever? [ Kyouko, think about time differences.. ]

[friendcontracts]

Sometimes I save money for a movie or a train ticket. ...what's an arcade, anyway? [Kyouko, she's from 1961. The first arcade game was invented in 1966.]