TEST DRIVE #1

[collectedmods]

TEST DRIVE #1

Hi shoppers! Welcome to the first Test Drive Meme for COLLECTED. A few things before we get started:

» For the time being, our TDM’s are closed to those eligible to apply based on our invite system. This means that you must be on one of the mod’s plurklists, or invited as a +1 by someone on those lists. Thanks for understanding!

» TDM Threads will NOT be canon.

» Because of that, feel free to assume/handwave CR, and assume your character has been in the setting for a little bit.

» When the game opens, characters will be able to try their hand at going outside. But, during the TDM, all doors and windows to the outside will be locked, and characters will be unable to venture out there.

» These prompts are not exhaustive - feel free to make up your own within the setting of the mall! Anywhere on the Second Floor of the mall is free game. And if you have any questions about what you can and can’t do (or about anything else) reply to the QUESTIONS comment below, and we’ll get back to you soon.

Most importantly, have fun! And thank you so much for your interest in Collected; we’ve been so stoked over the turnout!! 🧡

PROMPTS

I.

There’s one big problem about getting around the Mall - and no, it’s not the bottom floor that’s flooded.

The other huge problem that the dilapidated infrastructure causes aside from making everything smell weird and leaving tons of crumbled debris around is that at some points in the mall, it’s impossible to get across large gaps in the flooring where it’s fallen through to the waters below. In fact, to access the side of the mall across from where you are right now, there are no paths that are safe for walking across. But there is one way.

One attraction of the mall has stayed (mildly) in tact - and that’s a Hi Wire Bicycle. The one way across to the other side of the Mall is this rusty, dusty bicycle attached to a thick wire, with signs around the attraction describing how much the fare used to be to ride across - if you were daring enough, that is! Obviously, no one’s ridden across this thing in years - much less for the overpriced payment required.

More than that, it seems a little… less than safe. The net that probably provided mall-goers with some degree of self-assurance has aged, sagging and unraveling at the junctures of some of the knots. If you were to fall onto it, would it still catch you…? The wire affixed to the bike doesn’t seem too steady, either, not to mention how hard you’ll have to push against the rusted pedals to get them to move. As it stands, though, it’s the only way across to get to the Second Floor’s other half of stores. Luckily (or maybe unluckily?) there’s a seat for you and a friend. So, at least you won’t go down alone.

To make it across, you’ll have to be brave, be creative, and most of all, be lucky!

II.

A.

Near the heart of the food court, decorations for what used to be Santa’s village are still laid about. How many Christmases ago were these left here? By the looks of things, a lot. A thick coating of dust has settled on the nooks and crannies of what is supposed to be the elves workshop, alongside the seat where Santa must have sat to take pictures with children.

In the Elves’ Workshop, you’ll find a massive amount of animatronic elves. They’re all positioned to be working on toys, putting up decorations, or singing from carol books - it looks like these little guys were put here to perform for kids, not unlike an interactive (and more Christmas-y) version of It’s a Small World. There’s even un-opened (and therefore okay-to-eat!) boxes of chocolate chip cookies that must have been for the Mall-goers around Christmastime stashed inside an open cabinet, which was most definitely only for employees to access.

The only problem is that once you enter and make your way inside the workshop… something strange happens. Is something grabbing onto your clothes? Your hair? Maybe a stray finger? It’s the little wooden hands of one of the elves. Your first thought is that you just brushed past it and got caught on it - but, on the second thought, it’s not letting go. In fact, it’s grip is getting tighter. Painful, even. All while it smiles blankly ahead, eerily still aside from it’s tiny hand squeezing you. Take your eyes off these cheery boys and girls for too long, and you’ll realize they’re not staying put like good little elves - they’re moving closer to you only when they’re out of sight.

If you’re unlucky enough for several to latch onto you, you’d better ho-ho-hope someone can break you free.

B.

Outside the Workshop, more towards where the line to meet Santa would be, there’s a big snow machine. Unluckily for you, the machine’s sensors, which would have known to start putting out snow whenever people walk by, seem to still be working despite the Mall’s run-down state. As soon as you get near the thing, it starts spewing out tons of fake snow. It’s completely unlike the delicate sprinkling you’d find in a shopping center: it’s plain blasting you with the stuff, more like a hose than anything else. Too bad that the part of the machine that broke was whatever controlled the volume and speed of the snow instead of the sensors, right?

The fake snow is sticky and old, and will stick to you and the floor the more you get caught in it - better hurry and stop that machine!

C.

There’s a huge, luxurious chair that was most certainly reserved for the Santa employee in the center of the village area - tall and wide enough for at least a few people to clamber onto. Even though the paint is chipping off parts of the throne, and the wood is decaying in places - it still doesn’t look too bad, all things considered. Even the camera is still sitting in front of the chair, balanced on a tripod as though there were kids coming to take pictures with Santa today.

You’ll find that walking into the frame of the camera with more than one person causes the camera to go off. The camera will even print your picture, and never seems to run out of film - no matter how many times it fires. Did it catch your bad side, the first time? Feel free to try again! Dress up, find props, take pictures with your newfound companions to your heart’s content!

The only thing to be wary of is that in every few photos, someone else is in the photo. It’s a smiling, bright-eyed child, despite their transparency compared to you and your companion in the image. Judging by the sitting pose, and the performative smile, the added kid is none other than a reflection of a child who had taken pictures here with Santa long, long ago.

III.

With the size of the mall, and the variety of the stores inside, it’s only natural to think to forage for items that might be of use - there’s got to be something left behind here that will help you, right? Or a portal home?

Not too far from the department store you’d wandered in from, there’s a clothing store with an… interesting problem, for lack of a better word. The store has been overrun with rats. Big ones, too, scurrying about the floors and what’s left of the shelves, gnawing on what remains of the carpet and the remnants of cardboard packaging. Anyone sane would steer clear of this mess!

But, there’s something off about this store. Not only do all the rats somehow stay mysteriously contained within the walls of the store, never scurrying out of it, and with no signs of other stores being infested at all, but there’s also something that’s very familiar to you in this store. It could be a weapon, an item of clothing, or something as simple as your most favorite phone charm - point of the matter is, the rats have a hoard akin to a dragon’s behind the cashier’s counter, full of trinkets and belongings to all who have come through this place. They’ll work to keep their paws on what they have, too.

If you want your special something back, you’ll have to brave the vermin.



NAVIGATION

Comments

Wataru Hibiki | Ensemble Stars!!

[regale]

II. A

[ This place was found when he was scavenging for clothing in his size—which might explain why he's wearing the grumpy elf shirt and has another one tucked under an arm. It doesn't suit him at all, there's nothing even remotely grumpy about his face, but there's an argument that could be made for "elf-like" at least, what with his shiny hair fade and purple eyes.

In... a Christmas shirt... and going eye-to-eye with one of the animatronics. It's unmoving, but it has a tendril of his hair in a grip of iron. Weirdly enough, it looks like the piece of hair is also gripping the elf's hand? Like, the world's strangest handshake. ]

Mmmm... ♪ Ah, I've got it! Your Hibiki Wataru has deduced that I must answer a series of puzzles and riddles for you! Only then will you be satisfied, surely. [ Declaring to no one but the elf. ] To start with, perhaps I need to guess the password? Could it be... open sesame?

[ ...

... it's not letting him go. ]

II. C

[ Wataru has abandoned the elf shirt this time. Or perhaps it's pre-legacy of the elf shirt. What you need to know is that he's found several things that could be used as costumes and props and has spent a fair amount of time tidying them up. Surely there are more important things to do in a situation like this? He's aware of it. But at the same time, there's something routine about this kind of thing, and it... helps.

So that's why he's got his hair brushed out and pulled into a ponytail and has gotten into the costume that he's calling "Young Pet Mom Taking Her Small Pony To See Santa For The First Time" and consists of what used to be an elegant black dress and a slightly eaten toy horse. He's sitting in the Santa chair trying to look at his face in a tiny plastic mirror before addressing you. ]

You! Holiday shopper, with the hat! Please, allow me but a moment of your time...! [ He's saying that even if you don't have a hat. His voice is also softer, to accompany the specialized role of Horse Mom. ] I would ask you for your assistance, if you have the heart to lend but a moment of your precious time to a young maiden!

[ The toy horse probably also has pleading eyes. Acting. ]

WILDCARD.

( This can be used for anything your heart desires, but also, consider: Wataru can, and will, pop out of literally nowhere to greet you. Even if someone who is 5'11" should not reasonably fit there. Also, consider this: he can pick locks, and will be happy to help you get into anything with... locks to pick. He's got a plethora of other skills too, but this is naught but a wildcard prompt... alternatively, you can leave me a comment and I'll come up with a starter for you! )

iia

[glorification]

[I guess this makes him Boss Elf.

Eichi was very enthusiastic about wearing this and entering a Christmas themed section of the mall, but it's actually more gloomy than he thought it would be, to see it all run down and eerie. He'd taken his time poking around the rest of the area to be sure that there wasn't anything useful to bring along, but by the time he's caught up here... he finds this? Dust, decay, a snow machine that he narrowly dodges out of the way of spraying all over him, and Wataru—

Caught by an elf, it seems. That, at least, earns a small laugh as he approaches, leaning in slightly from behind Wataru to peer at the elf.]

Have you gotten stuck, somehow, Wataru? I could give you a hand, if you'd like.

[Get it, a hand?]

[regale]

[ I absolutely made sure to leave Eichi the boss elf shirt. ]

Fufufu, that's quite clever of you. [ Look at him, making puns! Offering to help his clown! Wataru, to his credit, doesn't look at all like he's under any duress at the moment. There's plenty of hair between his head and the elf. ] But not to worry... I only need to apply my-elf.

[ He gets an even worse one in return. But in the brief moment Grumpy Elf looked away from the elf to address Boss Elf, there was a sharp tug and his hair is now an inch further into the creature's grip. It's enough that it stings, but he doesn't particularly care about that. ]

...rather, I think perhaps you should avoid them until we find out a little more.

[glorification]

[At the very least, Eichi laughs at the pun, one of his usual soft chuckles, before he returns to looking at it. He could swear it has more of Wataru’s hair now... Is that what he means, by saying they should avoid them? It’s not as if he has long, luscious locks that could get caught in them like Wataru does.

But, at least he trusts his judgement and doesn’t try to reach out to touch it or anything.]

I wonder how we can find out more with you caught in its grasp, however... Actually—

[He pauses and glances back, where at least two more elves have moved into a position that Eichi swears they weren’t in moments ago. Closer?]

Aren’t there more of them than there were initially?

[regale]

[ Are there? He makes a quick glance to the left to see if anything's different, only to feel the hair at his scalp begin to prickle. He knows what he'll see when he looks back down, but he knows that he has to anyway.

Indeed, the elf now has two hands on his hair, and the the grip has pulled the length of it taut between where Wataru is standing and where the elf is.

He smiles good-naturedly at the elf, not taking his eyes off of it as he returns an answer to Eichi. ]

Yes, much like a dazzling Christmas performance, our presence here is bringing some onlookers out from the woodwork! [ That is the least alarming way he can say they are being stalked by elves. ] Eichi. This is a workshop, no? Before Santa leaves for his journey across the globe every Christmas Eve, his helpers must wrap and decorate each and every gift that is to be delivered to the children of the world.

It would be quite disappointing to just find a gift strewn out across the floor with no flourish or fanfare. So, if you would kindly take a quick peek around and tell me if you find anything like a pair of scissors used to cut wrapping paper or to curl ribbons, I would appreciate it.

[ He figures that like the elf in front of him, the others will move if Eichi looks away but... it's got a little too much hair in it's hand to quickly tear free from. So, they'll just have to dance around the subject. ]

[glorification]

Scissors?

[Wataru can dress those words up however he'd like, and it's true that Eichi hasn't picked up on the elves being able to move, but he's quick to realize the implications of that. Still, he does turn and begin to search through the ransacked area, peeking under boxes and peering around displays to see what he can find. He's right, scissors would make sense, but...]

...Wataru, you don't mean to cut yourself free, do you? Are you truly so stuck? If that's the case, then I'd rather do something to break that elf away.

[How much of the shuffling is Eichi, and how much are the elves moving closer to the both of them? It's hard to tell when they only move when no eyes are on them.]

[regale]

[ There's something ridiculous about being held hostage by a small elf. However, horror movies have proven to him that touching the elf in this case is probably not a good idea; his hair is just that. Hair. It can be done away with. ]

Other substitutes could work if they were sharp, such as a box cutter, for when they have to tear into their storage at the beginning of the season. [ More ideas. He can hear them moving and when he blinks, he notices that a second elf has just edged into his view. There's likely many more behind him, considering what Eichi has said, but he'll deal with those as they come. ] Or even a box of matches, which they may use to light a fireplace.

[ ...well, after all of that, he might deserve a proper "answer" too. There's a pause as he feels something brush against his leg. ]

This elf has put in quite a fight to claim the hair it holds in it's hand! I'd like to offer it to him as a gift, rather than snatch it away. This is their territory, after all.

[glorification]

...They're merely toys, so I wonder why you're speaking in this way.

[Still, he spots something just on a shelf past the rest, pulling it free. It's a boxed candle that's advertised as being able to light itself. Like a lighter you can stand up? Patterned like a candy cane, in "pine and peppermint" alternating scents, to give your home that Christmas feel.

He'd be delighted by this if he didn't know handing this to Wataru meant that his beautiful hair could be damaged. The candle had been standing right next to one of those little elves, in fact, and Eichi gives it a long frown like he's holding it personally responsible before he turns to look his way.]

I've found a candle, and nothing sharp at all. I imagine anyone who's passed through here would find sharp objects rather useful, but a gaudy box like this might be skipped. Still, I'd rather...

[He slows his speech as he steps forward, and two things happen at once. First, he realizes how much more of Wataru's hair is grabbed, by both hands. He wouldn't be doing magic in an attempt to scare him, right? More than that, there are a few more elves nearing him, one that Wataru had already spotted, another two behind him, as if they'd been moving forward. Eichi doesn't remember them being there. The second thing is that he feels a small tug at the pant of his legs, and turns to find his own grabby elf clinging onto it, bright smiling face unmoving. Because it's missed his skin, he's able to yank the pant leg free, keeping his eyes on it as he makes the next couple of steps forward.

Of course, that frees the other elves to move closer to Wataru... He thinks he understands the urgency now.]

Will this work?

[regale]

[ He's fairly silent about the first part; possibly a mistake, but he thinks this is better so far.

Eichi is right that he's not behind this—spooking people has it's merits, but he would like to think that he'd go about it a different way. Anyhow, he's a bit relieved to have Eichi back, not just to be saved by him but... it's just better that he's back. ]

...well, it's certainly fitting, wouldn't you say? [ It's a little bit of poetic irony, somehow. He's holding his hand out, palm up, so that he can pass it to him. There's an elf on his left foot, but he'll deal with it after he's free of this one. ] It'll work. Fufu, if you didn't sound preoccupied over there, I'd ask you to do the honours for me. Your Hibiki Wataru won't be a damsel in distress for much longer, though.

[glorification]

Ahh... What a terrifying situation. It's just like out of a horror movie, isn't it?

[There, he feels the candle connect with Wataru's palm. He's sure because a slight wiggle tells him that fingers have closed around it, and he lets go only when there's a small tug. Like a baton pass, without even looking!]

Still, I wish you would have told me that you discovered this a bit sooner. Were you attempting to keep me calm? If you're worried about my lack of medication, I'd like to reassure you that I'm feeling perfectly fine, even in conditions like these. It's a miracle.

[No problems ever, any time, he's great, 100%. And staring down an elf still, though he's growing incredibly nervous about the ones surrounding Wataru, and he steps backwards to try and get more of them into his view. He manages to catch one, even if the one centered on him moves a step or two closer to him in the process.]

There are more behind you, but you already know that, don't you?

ii.c

[prison]

[ the truth is, ren spots this very strange boy? girl? before he ever thought about addressing him. how could he not- with hair like that and dressed in something so- what would he even call that, a chewed up cocktail dress? they're hard to miss. ren only decides he would not approach because the amount of question he in regards to this character doesn't outweigh the looming, undeniable trouble this person must come equipped with. he just seems more trouble than ren's prepared for today, which has been a long, tiresome day filled to the brim with confusion. he doesn't need another added element of strangeness to that.

but he's in the process of leaving when he's called out. ren, the holiday shopper, with the hat. amusingly enough, he is wearing a hat- it's a santa cap he found lying around on a shelf that looked not too terrible enough to put over his head. he'll know for sure if he wakes up head full of lice the next day, but the point is, he's unmistakably being called for.

and ren isn't the type to continue scurrying away despite wanting to.

just what the heck is this speech pattern... who is he... why ren? he eyes his face first, then the toy horse. is this a part of his... costume? he feels a sweat prickle at his temple. ]

I'm... kinda in the middle of something. [ no he's not, but maybe if he appears more unavailable, this self-proclaimed 'young maiden' will be more desperate for his help- meaning, he can probably get a gain out of this. he rubs the back of his neck in mild contemplation. ] Guess it depends on what you need.

[ his brows quirk up, waiting. so, young maiden, what is it? ]

[regale]

[ His elbow drops to the arm of the chair and his chin follows, resting on the palm of his hand as he studies him with a half smile. Wataru's goal is simple, fairly easy, and doesn't take much time up. On the other hand, this boy—he looks like he may be headed somewhere.

He could also be doing nothing and just wants to escape Wataru's clutches, which is fair. ]

If you have somewhere to be, you shouldn't let me keep you. I only wish to play along with this camera setup, and it seems quite lonely to do so by myself. [ This is a weird act but that's actually pretty honest. ] Someone mentioned to me earlier that it takes quite interesting photos, but I haven't looked into it.

[prison]

[ at the end of the day, ren is a jrpg protag thus can't really say no to the calls of the needy. though, ren thinks, after some careful consideration, that this boy's needs are... particularly mundane. he wants photos? in an abandoned mall? considering the dreadful state of everything, however, he supposes that everyone needs a little bit of a distraction, ren included.

so he feigns quiet contemplation even though he's already decided on yes, and after a moment, nods firmly. ] So you want me to take pictures for you?

[ talk about vain... ]

[regale]

[ Ah, this poor boy... that nod has sealed your fate.

With an excited hop, Wataru is up (the illusion of being small is gone, he's closing in on six feet) and nearly in the blink of an eye, has bounded to his side, holding both of his hands up in the shape of a photograph above them. ]

No, no! Well, not quite. In a way, but I do not want you to take pictures of me, even though that may be what happens. [ What the hell is he even talking about... anyway... ] I would like you to take pictures with me! I don't particularly care to just have a photo shoot by myself; in order to see what's so "interesting" about these photos, I have taken on the role of a Young Horse Mother, but there's little enjoyment to be had if I'm just doing it by myself!

[ The act has been put on intermission and the "real" Hibiki Wataru is here ☆ He's already turning the camera to a position that would capture the likeness of them both.

As well as the toy horse. ]

So please, say "cheese!" ♪

[prison]

[ what does this even mean. he speaking in circles and ren isn't really sure what he's going on about, but at the very least, he gets the general gist of it? ren's thinking hard. it takes several moments to process, but it sounds like this person - somewhat tall, as it turns out - wants a family picture. ren, this boy, and the toy horse. it's a little weird, but he's reminded of another eccentric person in his life- yusuke, in particular, and this is absolutely on brand with something he would request out of ren.

which is why it's easy enough for him to nod along and do it, despite the fact that they're not even rank one in their social link. he'll let it slide, just this once. ]

All right, [ he finally says, but it looks like the other boy is already arranging the camera. guess his fate really was sealed. ] But wait, if you're the Young Horse Mother, and your son is this toy horse... then am I the Old Horse Father?

[regale]

Mmm...

[ He's peering over at him, actually studying. Old Horse Father... married to a Young Horse Mother? That's quite the spicy relationship. It'd make for prime drama, but this is just a quick photoshoot so Wataru doesn't feel the depths of loneliness prickling away... ]

...Old Horse Father it is. How proactive of you, deciding your own role? Here, our child [ The horse, which Wataru is passing to him. ] has recently done very well at a show, coming in first place. We are in the midst of celebrating and are commemorating that success with a lovely family photo.

[ He's setting the timer on the camera and hurrying to stand next to him, aiming to put their... child... between them in the camera lens. He's, er, not giving him a whole lot of time for the first one. ]

Three, two... amazing! ☆

[ FLASH! ]

[prison]

I just figured that - [ the horse is now in his hands, and he holds it rather awkwardly. apparently, their child now. who knew he would make a passable father to a toy horse? ] - I should suit the theme. [ pause. that's quite a backstory, too. what the hell is going on in this boy's head? ]

What's our child's name?

[ the question probably comes a little too late. he eyes the camera as it's being set up, and the countdown barely gives him enough time to decide on a pose. it's not like he's ever been great at taking pictures, and within this intricate set up that this boy has come up with, he feels quite inadequate in that he's not dressed as the 'old horse father', married to young horse mother, together with their tiny toy horse child. he blinks the flash out of his eyes, and rubs it idly. ]

How did it turn out?

[regale]

[ A family can be an old horse father, a young horse mother, and their child, the horse, which is named: ]

Jasper, of course. Named after a horse of the olden days, and the story of how we first met.

[ That's absolute nonsense, by the way.

But he's only answering that one and not the second question, even though he's saying the name after the second question comes and the photo has been printed. It's because he's gotten up, caught the photo as it tipped out of the camera, and is in the process of being waved between his fingers as if to speed up the process.

It's... interesting! To say the least! There's Young Horse Mother, Old Horse Father, and where their Horse Child, Jasper, would be is... a real child. After a moment, he's holding it out to Old Horse Father to inspect. ]

Quite a lovely holiday portrait, wouldn't you say? ☆

[prison]

Oh, Jasper. How could I forget. Maybe I am getting a little too old?

[ because, yes, he will now have to also remain in character. it's absolute nonsense, but nonsense that ren can follow. not to mention that his life leading up to this point was peppered with all sorts of nonsense anyway, so this isn't too out of the realm of possibility of weird shit that happens to ren amamiya.

the photo is waved and handed his way. ren notices something awfully wrong with this right off the bat, and he eyes the 'mother' inquisitively, expectantly, as though to see if he notices also. surely he did? why is he still calling this a lovely holiday portrait? is this man fucking blind?? ]

Jasper... looks different. [ he hands the photo back, feeling the hair on his arm stand on its ends. it's really creepy, actually. ] Honey, [ he can call his wife that, right. ] Maybe he's sick.

ii c...

[resting]

( ah, yes. with the hat. that isn't the part of the call that gets rei to pause, but it does make him smile. it's understandable that from this angle, his headwear of choice might make him a bit difficult to recognize— or maybe wataru is just that into his current role? either way, rei will be turning to see just what he's up to, exactly. )

Oho, the young miss is in need of aid?

( he figures he may as well play along, too. it seems more fun, at least for the moment. )

An old reindeer like me may not shine as brightly as he once did, but perhaps he can still be of some use to you... ♪

( does this count as some form of roleplayception, btw. )

[regale]

[ Yes, absolutely it does.

He might have recognized him after a moment or two, but even if he did, the result would have been the same... he still would been as ridiculous as possible when calling out to him. That said, Wataru is completely and utterly thrilled that he is going along with it.

Ah, but the grin he gives him is not just because of that; it's also thanks to acting. Who would he be if he entirely broke character just from seeing a friend? Even a friend in a reindeer hat? ]

Ah, but a reindeer is a splendid animal regardless of age! They are strong because of the wolves that hunt them, after all. [ Hm. ] Now, come sit next to me while I set up this camera...♪

[ Helpfully, he is moving the toy horse out of the way and making room for Rei(ndeer) on Santa's chair next to him. ]

[resting]

( flattery will get you everywhere, wataru. even the weird kind. their family portrait is sure to be the most popular christmas card of the year. rei only pauses to lay his fingertips on the arm of the throne, briefly testing the wood. once it fails to immediately crumble under his touch, he's satisfied enough to climb on. )

Though it may be a bit late, are you sure this is safe, young miss? I hear these sorts of contraptions have the power to capture your soul along with your visage...

( — said with the perfect timing for the camera to flash, as he's halfway to sitting down. hmm. )

[regale]

[ It's supported Wataru's weight all of this time, but that means next to nothing because Wataru can walk on water....... Rei might have trailed off there, but Wataru is answering him as he leans over to pick up the photo as it's printed out. ]

If someone wants my heart and soul badly enough to steal them away, who am I to deny them such a thing? [ That sounds like romance. ] If you see any impostor Hibiki Watarus in the future, please be sure to give them a big hug... ♪

[ Waving the photograph a couple of times, and then he's leaning back into the chair, then holding it out in front of them both, so that they can both see the contents of the oddly-timed capture.

...well, Rei is certainly between positions, but isn't there something else strange? Wataru is, unfortunately, quite fascinated by it. ]

Oh, doesn't it look like someone is climbing on the back of this chair...? Do you think we'll see them if we turn around?

[resting]

( alright, so they can drop character a bit, now. rei will take the opportunity to finish sitting, as wataru goes for the photo. no sense in hovering forever. )

Please don't be so ridiculous... I feel that anyone trying to take your identity for themselves wouldn't have our best interests in mind, you know.

( he will not be hugging your evil twin. more importantly, this photo... rei puts a finger on the extra figure, rubbing a bit to see if it comes off, like it's some sort of unfortunate and coincidental residue left from the camera. of course, nothing happens. )

Wouldn't we be hearing something if they were? ( ... ) Though if you have doubts, Hibiki-kun, the peace of mind may be nice for the next picture.

[regale]

[ There's a whole argument to be had about how his evil twin deserves love and happiness too! He's definitely going to speak up for this theoretical mirrorverse self one day... but for now, there's something more pressing to deal with.

You know... they could just look at the back of the chair...? Of course, Wataru is not doing that, though, and is reaching over to take another picture as he speaks. He poses with a big grin as the flash goes off for a second time. ]

A second photo, to clear up the mystery...! Perhaps there is a "ghost" remaining in the image; an imprint from a previous photo, left over top of ours. Well, I don't really know too much about that sort of thing to say for sure. The child certainly looks like he's having a good time, no?

[ The camera spits out a second photo, and Wataru is reaching for it, covering it with his palm. ]

What do you think we'll see?