Video

[mangata]

[ The number on the network seems to be the same as a certain Marina Santana that people know - including a few newbies now. It's taken from a low-quality camera phone, and the background seems desolate, and the blue-haired girl the video is looking at has shorter hair than Marina and, quite notably, has both of her eyes intact.

She sighs, and waves at the propped-up camera. ]

So it looks like we're getting new additions to this network for the first time in a while - and from what I've caught looking over the network, it coincides with a new wave of oddities.

[ Not-Marina leans in closer, eyes narrowed. ]

To everyone new, if you notice that I look identical to a certain Marina Santana, there is a good reason for it. Over a year ago, our planet created copies - doppelgangers - clones - what have you, of some of the reincarnations. Mirrored selves... and some of us are still alive. You may call me Umi Ryuuzaki, the name of Marina's past life, because I was in a hurry to be my own person and the name stuck well enough.

[ Yeah Marina, she doesn't really care how you feel about people talking about your past life. Just sayin'. ]

To everyone else, if this trend of strange occurrences continues, you'll be hearing and seeing more of me than you have for the past year or so.

It's... a pleasure. Goodbye. [ Although she'll chat with anyone who wants to.

Comments

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

Umi... [Rakka would never be very certain about the Doppelgangers, some of them anyways. But there were some that deserved some peace and safety. Umi was one such person.]

[Video]

[mangata]

Hello, Rakka. [ She's not glaring, but seeing Rakka hasn't improved her mood or anything. ]

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

Um, hello. It's been a while.

[She hasn't seen her own doppelganger for some time now either. She had to stop looking, after a while.]

[Video/private]

[twobirdsonestone]

[See Reki's face.

See her looking mildly concerned in her usual way; an odd mixture of glaring and watching with hesitation.]

[Video]

[mangata]

That's intentional.

...not that I hate you or think you're terrible or anything. We... I... have just needed it.

[Video/private]

[mangata]

Reki.

[ It's not like she's not used to it by now, and just nods back at her. ]

It's not as though I plan to get involved with the rest of them, but we can only wander like this for so long.

[dictator_ko]

Wait, you're a copy?

[She isn't sure what to think of that.]

Well, you're still a person after all.

[She's still trying to make up for the bad first impression she made. And now she's thinking about what it'd be like having a copy of herself. It actually seems quite fun.]

Video

[callmeryuzaki]

Another "Ryuzaki?" How strange. Confusing.

It could be interesting.

Video

[mangata]

Confusing. Make sure no one gets the impression that we are related.

...you have nothing to do with dragons I bet.

[mangata]

A copy of sorts, yes, and a person as well, yes.

[ Being Marina's copy blows, because Marina's life is swell and Umi's isn't. ]

Very astute.

Video

[callmeryuzaki]

Dragons?

That depends on who you ask.

Video

[mangata]

The original Umi Ryuzaki teamed up with a dragon god, you know.

Text - Private

[willdareanything]

[What's this? A private text from a previously unseen Number?]

It seems you've fallen on hard times. If you're interested, I may have an offer for you.

Text - Private

[mangata]

Explain your offer.

[ Hello mystery man, what do you want to use her like some kind of minion for? ]

Video

[callmeryuzaki]

Why would I know that, and why would I care?

[dictator_ko]

[Well, this Umi's cute enough Mina wants to be friends with her. After all, cute girls should band together.]

Well, that's quite nice hair you have. ♪

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

Uh... thanks. [At least the former antagonism seemed to be water under the bridge. Fighting the Doppelgangers hadn't been on Rakka's mind for some time now, merely searching for them.]

I-I understand, though. I just spent a lot of time wondering if, well...

[If she died. If Reki died. Come on, Rakka, use your words.]

[video]

[jasminebloominginshadow]

[oh hey, look who it is]

... Hey. I'm, uh, glad to hear you're doing alright...

Text - Private

[willdareanything]

Straight to the point. I'll do the same.

What I'm offering is a job. You are in a unique position and have a number of abilities that I may have a use for. I'm willing to pay you very well for your services, and even offer you a home. Give you the chance to build that life of your own you want.

Video

[mangata]

'Dragon' is in the name.

[mangata]

[ ....they should. Sure. ]

Th-thank you? It's quite the unnatural color, I realize.

[Video]

[mangata]

Both Reki and I are alive, at least. I decided that neither of us were going to die, and that was that.

[ There's no reason to fight them for now, at least. ]

Don't spend so much time worrying about us.

[video]

[mangata]

[ There. That's what gets her to tense up. ]

Jasmine. ...th-th-thank you.

Text - Private

[mangata]

Always.

You make a very good offer - a proper life in exchange for you having access to both myself and my powers. I will have to ask my traveling partner how she feels about the situation, because I will not leave her behind. More details, about yourself, about where this home will be, and about the nature of the expectations, would be welcome, so that I may make an educated decision.

[dictator_ko]

It looks good on you! And I wouldn't say that just about anyone who dyes their hair.