002 [Video/Action]

[swordprincess]

[Now that Karla has been here for a little while, she stops to reflect on what she’s seen so far.]

...This world is far different from my home. People gift each other with droppings, and monsters attack you at the bar.

[Yes, she is under the impression that everyone in Luceti gives each other poop like it’s a normal thing.]

At this point, it is clear that I won’t find my brother here. I also understand that there’s no way to get back home either. So, what does one do?

[In the meantime, Karla will do the one thing she excels at - practicing her swordplay. She’ll spend some time in the Battle Dome practicing her strokes and evasions within one of the empty rooms (no simulation programmed, because she doesn’t know how). Her movements, alternating between attacking the air and dodging imaginary attacks, almost look like a graceful dance.]

[She can also be found in the forest doing the same thing.]

Comments

[etudes]

I'm n-never going there now..! Monsters are just scary, t-too scary, they're like bullies..! [ That comparison is not exactly the best, Kotomi.. ] W.. what does he look like..? Or does he always stay in the bar..?

[swordprincess]

Well, he's big, brown...he had large bottom teeth, and he carried a big axe.

[etudes]

.. He does sound like a monster.. s-since he's so big and all too, probably bigger than me.. I'm sure he'll catch me if I don't pay attention..

[swordprincess]

Maybe if you don't let him see you...?

[She's not used to comforting little girls who are afraid of monsters. That was her first time encountering one as well.]

[etudes]

How am I supposed to do that..?

[ Her tone's a little unsure, but she's already thinking, really. ]

Should I maybe hide?

[swordprincess]

...Or you could squeeze into a small, tight space where he won't be able to reach you.

[etudes]

A small and tight space.. [ .. hmm.. she has to think about what that could be. ]

.. Huh, like a box..? But I can't sit in a box all the time, right..?

[swordprincess]

You won't have to stay there forever. Eventually he'll give up and leave.

Or if you can't get away, you can try talking to him. Again, he's really not so bad.

[etudes]

I.. I don't want to talk to bullies. T-they're really big and scary, and if I s-say something wrong they might b-beat me up..

[swordprincess]

[Why would bullies want to beat up this adorable girl?]

Then don't say anything wrong. Or it may be better to stand up for yourself. Bullies may act big and tough, but once you prove your strength, they'll become clumsy fools.

[etudes]

[ Stand up for herself, huh.. she's heard about that before, but she's not sure she can do it at all. ]

Ikki-kun told me I'm not allowed to fight.

[swordprincess]

...Why not?

You don't necessarily need to fight. You just need to tell the bullies that you're not going to let them beat you up.

[etudes]

.. If I just tell them.. [ she clears her throat and obviously tries to sound a little more determined, but completely fails. ] "I-if you bully me, I have to w-warn you that I'm r-really strong!"

[ ... ]

Then they'll leave me alone..?

[swordprincess]

...Or you can warn them that you'll scream for help if you can't fight.

[etudes]

I'm not sure if I can scream that loud though.. m-maybe nobody will hear me even if I call for help. That'd be sad..

[swordprincess]

...There are plenty of people around, and we have these journals. How can anyone not hear you?

[etudes]

Well.. Luceti is still a big place, so maybe something will happen where there aren't a lot of people all the time.. b-bullies can hide anywhere!

[swordprincess]

Then all you have to do is stay in the areas with people around. Or stay at home. You don't venture out alone, do you?

[etudes]

[ She stares for a little while at her journal, but then she almost sounds a little guilty. ]

I go to the library every day, so I walk there by myself..

[swordprincess]

...Are there a lot of people there?

[etudes]

.. Hm...

[ She actually has no idea. Kotomi is way too absorbed in her own little world to notice. ]

I'm not sure.. it usually is pretty quiet. Since it's a library.

[swordprincess]

Well, if you go there a lot, then it must be safe. I've never been there, so I can't really say for sure.

[etudes]

Maybe I should try to hide in the library.. .. between the books. [ Don't you think that'd stand out just a little, Kotomi. ]

[swordprincess]

Between the books? Can you fit in there?

[etudes]

I'll try. [ She really would, even if it's obviously impossible.. ]

I'll just have to squeeze a little.