video;

[makoinfused]

[ The D-Terminal turns on to show Zack sitting on the couch, fiddling with his cellphone. He flips it open and closed a few times, looking more than a little exasperated when the screen remains blank. After a few seconds, he addresses the network; ]

Hey, did anyone else wind up bringing their cellphones here with them? I tried to check mine and it won't even turn on. I figured I'd at least be able to see my messages, even if I can't make any calls.

[ He flips it open again, pulls the battery out and then shoves it back in and still it won't work. Great. ]

So, am I the only lucky one having trouble here?

Comments

[makoinfused]

I hear you. [ He kind of did the same thing. That, and he may or may not have noticed he had his phone on him for a while because he's dumb. ]

[ Zack watches, his smile fading just a tiny bit, ] Any luck...?

[brandnewday]

[Well, dumb people can be dumb together. She's holding down the power button, and her enthusiasm pretty much vanishes from her face all at once.]

H-huh? That's strange, it's not even turnin' on...I'm pretty sure I had it charged, though. Do you think there are phone chargers in this place?

[makoinfused]

[ WILTS. ]

Don't think so. It sounds like you're having the same problem the rest of us are -- so far everyone I talked to with a phone can't get theirs turned on.

[brandnewday]

Huh? [She presses it again, and again, then looks back up at Zack.] You mean...I can't even get my music or photos off of this thing? Everyone's pictures are on here, though...

[makoinfused]

[ Sighs. ] This is getting ridiculous. [ and irritating, ] Don't give up just yet, okay? We'll figure something out.

[brandnewday]

I never said anything about giving up! [It's a bit disappointing, but...] Just because they don't work right now, doesn't mean that they won't later. Or maybe some sorta machine expert can do something with 'em.

[makoinfused]

Yeah, exactly. [ he nods, ] Might be someone in the city that knows something. I'll be keeping an eye out.

I'm Zack, by the way.

[brandnewday]

Mm! Just because neither of us are good at it, doesn't mean someone else won't be! We gotta keep lookin' forward!

[Big words, but oh well.]

I'm Hibiki! Hibiki Ganaha! It's nice to meet ya, Zack.

[makoinfused]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[ big words that he wholeheartedly approves of, apparently. He grins. ]

Yeah, likewise. I haven't seen you around - how long have you been in the city?

[brandnewday]

That's 'cause I'm new! I've only been here for three days. It's not as bad as I thought it'd be, but...there are some things I'm still kinda getting used to. How about you? My friend Iori said she's been here a lot longer than me.

[makoinfused]

It's been about a week and a half-- [ He looks surprised for a second, ] Man, time sure flies when you're dropped into digital worlds, I guess.

You said you have a friend here, though? That sounds nice.

[brandnewday]

I'll have to take your word on that one! The last few days have been kinda weird.

[But not horrible...which worries her.]

Mm, Iori! Iori Minase. We're both idols back home, from the same company and everything. It makes things a lot easier!

[makoinfused]

Weird...? [ this place is pretty weird in general, so who knows. ]

Idols? Are you really well known or something?

[brandnewday]

Yeah, really weird! I've never been kidnapped so politely before. It's...not really what I was expectin'.

Hehe, that's right! I have my own television program now. I also perform on stage with the rest of my company! It's a lot of fun!

[makoinfused]

Huh... didn't even think of it as a kidnapping, really. [ but it really is far better than the last one he was a part of. ]

Whoa, seriously?! That's awesome!

[brandnewday]

I don't really know what else to call it, but since I didn't choose to come here...whatever, it's too complicated to worry about now!

Yep, seriously! Iori's a really good idol, too! She was even more famous than I was for a while, but now we're all really well-known.

[makoinfused]

So what do Idols do exactly? You said you performed on stage, right? Are you an actress?

[brandnewday]

We do a bit of everything! Radio shows, photoshoots, movies, concerts...so, yeah, I'm an actress, too! ...but I got killed off first in our last movie.

[makoinfused]

Whoa. Is there anything you don't do?

[brandnewday]

Nope! I tackle everythin' head on! In my last talk show, I even got to ride a shark! Nankurunaisa!

[makoinfused]

I'm starting to think I went into the wrong profession-- [ wait what ] Nakurwhat?

[brandnewday]

Nankurunaisa! It's Okinawan. It kinda means..."Everything's gonna be fine!" or "Just leave it to me!"

[makoinfused]

[ Zack just sort of stares for a second, then a smile creeps up on his lips. That is the best saying he's ever heard, ] I'm going to have to remember that! Nankurunaisa... huh. [ he may have horrifically butchered that but he'll get it eventually. ]

[brandnewday]

Hehehe! That's close! Naaaankurunaisaaa! [That gets her smile even bigger, too. That's the spirit, Zack!] It means a lot of things, so just be careful not to use it wrong, okay?

[makoinfused]

Naaaannkurunaaaiisa. [ oh man he's so pumped about learning new words. ] Got it. You can count on me.