prismatica | [Video]

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[Video]

[It's a video post, mostly because he won't be assed to try to write anything down right now. The man in the video looks like hell. Those who know him know he's always kind of grouchy and terse, but now it's much, much worse.]

So what the hell happens to people when they leave this hellhole, again? Does anyone even know?

I swear, if she isn't safe, there won't be a single...

[He stops himself before he gets himself more worked up. That's not a goddamn thing he can do right now, and he knows it.]

Right, whatever. My partner's gone.

The apothecary's closed until I figure out what I'm doing. If you need anything that badly in the meantime, just find me.

[And with that, he shuts off the camera.]

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[ She went back and forth on this for a bit, trying to decide if she really wanted to talk about the fact that she went home recently. In the end, she decides it sounds like the kind of thing he might need to hear. Her voice is soft, wanting to be of comfort for him. ]

I went home recently and I returned to the very moment I'd been taken from.

[ There's a short pause before she adds ] I'm sorry your partner has returned home.

[He'd heard that was how it worked, but personal experience was more valuable than hearsay.]

She was safer here than she would be there.

[There's a sigh. He's gone past his original incandescent rage, and now he's slipped into a dry resignation.]

Thank you for telling me. At least I know she's not scattered to the winds.

I don't doubt that's the case for many here. [ She wouldn't say she's any safer her than home, but her life might actually be better here. ]

The magic of this world is strange but at least she's alive.

And, um, I know we don't know each other but if there's anything you need help with I don't mind lending a hand. [ She always feels a little awkward putting herself out there for complete strangers and it certainly shows in her voice. ]

[There's a pause. As a rule, he doesn't trust strangers. Least of all strangers making offers, even if it's just for unspecified 'help'. On the other hand, she doesn't know who he is, so she's probably not actually angling to take anything from him...]

I'm Naofumi Iwatani. The Shield Hero. [A shortcut. If he introduces himself, he can see if she has a reaction to the name, and if nothing else he'd be less of a total stranger.]

It's nice to meet you Naofumi. I'm Persephone, Goddess of Spring. [ He can't see her smile but maybe he can hear it in her voice. ]

Though I have to ask, what's a Shield Hero?

[Good. If she doesn't know what it is, she isn't pre-judged against him. That's been the norm in this world, but it's always a small relief.]

The short version is it means I was taken against my will to help save a world I never heard of.

Oh. That's terrible.

[ Though is that not a similar situation they've found themselves in here? ]

Still, that doesn't really tell me what a Shield Hero is.

It's part of the legend.

Four legendary weapons, four summoned heroes. Mine is the Shield, so I'm the Shield Hero. It all sounds great, but it was basically hell.

I see.

[ She'd like to know more but it doesn't really seem like the kind of thing she should ask.

Instead, ] How long have you been running an apothecary?

One of my abilities lets me compound medicines. I sold them to get by in the other world, so as soon as I had the chance, I started doing it here, too.

Oh. That's really neat. I just know how to make a few things by hand.

Oh? That's practical experience, then- the real deal. I'm basically just cheating.

That’s okay. I cheat when it come to growing plants.

You control plant growth, too? You're starting to sound a little like competition.

Goddess of Spring, remember?

Don't worry, I don't know enough about making medicines to be much competition.

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[Video]

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