♥ video ♥

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Hey, can you hear me? Am I coming through?

[ Monika's eye appears on the screen briefly, then disappears with a screech of static. The screen flickers, and after a few more odd noises, she clears her throat and appears fully, smiling cheerfully as ever. ]

Hi there, everyone! I'm Monika! Uh, if you couldn't tell already, I'm new here. But I'm sure you're always hearing people say that, right?

[ People. That's a thought. Her face warms. ]

Anyway, I know we're in a weeeird situation, but I hope we can all make the best of it! I've found that the easiest way to brighten up a bad time is to get creative~ So I spent a little time writing this. It's always nice to write your thoughts out, you know?

[ She helpfully holds up her work and lets it fill the screen for everyone to see. Go on, take your time! ]




[ The poem disappears and there she is, still! Smiling! Yay, poetry! ]

Ahaha, I got a little experimental today. I hope you don't mind. [ She looks sheepish. ] I'm usually only good with free verse, but I'm really proud of the results!

Anyway! I'm glad to get to know you all, because I love making new friends! [ She holds up a finger. ] In honor of the occasion, here's Monika's Writing Tip of the Day! Sometimes, you'll have to make very hard decisions about editing your work. You might even end up having to start all over! But don't let it discourage you. Writing is a dirty process, so getting your hands messy is inevitable. Let it help you grow!

[ Monika gives another smile, softer this time, and waves as she shuts off the feed. Time for a fresh start! ]

Comments

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[eatsyourscience]

[He takes in the feed and considers the poem before responding.]

That's a good tip. Not just for writing.

video

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[ Monika giggles. ] I'm glad you think so~

[ Smart! And handsome! ♥ She's already enthralled! ]

What else do you think it could apply to?

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[eatsyourscience]

Relationships, maybe. They can be tricky and messy, too.

[255000255000255]

[ She gives him a knowing smile. ] How true!

I guess you'd know, wouldn't you? I'm sure you can't keep the girls away.

[ You know. Because he's so handsome and all. ]

[eatsyourscience]

[He smiles and shakes his head.]

It's not like that. All relationships can get complicated.

[But yes, the girls are all upons.]

[255000255000255]

Aww, you're so modest~

[ Monika leans forward with a smile. ] Still, you sound like someone with a lot of experience. Maybe you could share some tricks with me!

[eatsyourscience]

[Well, social links do help with getting experience with relationships.]

I'll try to think of some. But it seems like you don't really need any.

[255000255000255]

Really?

[ Monika lets out a coy little laugh. ] I dunno. Seems like no matter what I do my relationships don't go too well . . .

[ It's a conspiracy or something. ]

[eatsyourscience]

Maybe things will be different for you here.

[That might be some consolation for being stuck here at all.]

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I hope so.

I mean. [ Her mouth quirks up into a sinister satisfied smile. ] If there are people like you here, I'll be just fine.

[ He could be a nice distraction! ]

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji is whatever he needs to be for the person in front of him. He what Monika needs is a distraction, Souji can be that. ♥]

I'm sure you'll be popular since you're such a good poet.

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[ Hear that? It's the gentle doki doki of her heart. ]

Are you always this charming, Souji?

[ She's bypassing some formalities here, but she doesn't care. She likes being bold. ]

[eatsyourscience]

[The use of his name trips him up a little, since he never actually introduced himself. But then it occurs to him that she might be able to see his name on his...account or whatever it is the network's assigned him.]

I try.

[He smiles.]

Can I ask your name?

[He's old-fashioned and technology is hard, okay.]

[255000255000255]

[ She laughs softly. ] Monika.

[ Her face gets slightly closer to the screen. Probably a liiittle too close. ] There's not anyone who'd be mad at me for complimenting you, is there?

[ Social links can get so complicated! ]

[eatsyourscience]

[They can!

...And yes, that's pretty close.]

No. There's no one who would be.

[He smiles, not leaning away or anything. Partly because it would be silly since she's not physically there, but also partly because he's just not too bothered.]

Feel free to keep doing it. [He's joking, though his tone is a bit dry.]

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[ Huehuehue that sounds exactly like something a person who's being watched would say!! She'll have to be much more subtle. ] Ahaha, I'll stop.

[ Monika leans back. She wouldn't want to be creepy! ] I'd rather get to know you better first! Where should we start?

[eatsyourscience]

[He makes a quiet "hmm"-in sound.]

I'm a second year in high school.

[That's a place to start.]

I'm from Tokyo, but I lived for the last year at my uncle's in a town called Inaba.

[255000255000255]

[ She gasps in delight. ] I'm kind of from Japan, too! That's amazing!

But don't worry. I won't make you call me your senpai or anything. I'm not that Japanese! Besides, it might send the wrong signals.

[ Her smile is ever so sweet. ] I'd hate to feel superior to anyone!

[eatsyourscience]

[He smiles back, but...]

What do you mean you're "kind of" from Japan?

[255000255000255]

Mm, well. [ Snort. ] Someone got a liiittle lazy when it came to the setting.

[ She shrugs, still smiling. ] I like to think it's where I'm from. It makes the most sense. I'm used to having to fill in the blanks here and there.

[eatsyourscience]

[What.]

You don't remember?

[The way she talks, though, it sounds like it's more than that. "Got a little lazy" with the setting? It sounds like a video game or a book.]

[255000255000255]

Not . . . really, no.

[ She shrugs again, giving a "what can you do?" look. ] A lot of my life is pretty hazy. It's not a big deal, really.

[eatsyourscience]

I see....

[...]

Speaking existentially, I guess where you are now is more important than where you've been before.

[255000255000255]

[ Monika looks surprised. Then she's quiet for a while. ]

...I guess I never thought of it that way. [ She chuckles softly and looks down. ] I'm definitely not as lonely here. I felt like I was going crazy.

[eatsyourscience]

Being here isn't all bad. You get to meet a lot of people you wouldn't have had the chance to meet at home.