01. [Video]

[drivememercury]

[It didn't take much effort for Ami to figure out how to use the device she found. Honestly, it took more effort to come up with something to say once she realized that she had turned on the video function. In fact, the moment she saw that it was recording, she switched it off so she could think through what exactly she wanted to say. She turns the video back on. It was probably best if she didn't think too much on it. It would only over-complicate things, and the last thing this situation called for was confusion.]

Excuse me? Does anyone here understand me? I see a lot of English signs around, and...well...

[Her voice starts to fade off as it has habit to do. She looks off screen, once again taking in her surroundings. Maybe she was mistaken. She continues to talk.]

Be that as it may, I suppose it is what it is. I am Ami Mizuno, age seventeen. I am in my second year of high school, and my blood type is--uh--[She faces the screen again, and begins to blush. Ami nervously smiles with a soft chuckle.] I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself.

If anyone would be so kind to tell me...if...[There's that thoughtful look again. This time she brings a few fingers to her chin and starts to tap them.]

It doesn't necessarily look like an earthquake took place. Not to mention, for all the jostling that seems to have occurred, I certainly hadn't felt anything. [Her face draws closer to the screen, until only the upper portion of her eye and a furrowed eyebrow appears on the now-blurred camera. The voice is a bit louder, and muffled.] I wonder if this device as any analytical abilities...or maybe Internet to access the news sites? Surely if there was an earthquake, they'd have something up...ah!

[She pulls the camera back, and she blushes again.]  I'm sorry. I should probably turn off the camera if I'm going to have a
go at tinkering...I suppose...I will be near the high-rise you see in the skyline...I wonder if there are others? I wish I could be certain, since this isn't exactly my home-street I see before me...

Th-thank you in advance! [Ami does a quick bow before shutting off the feed.]

Comments

[1/???]

[buntails.livejournal.com]

[This would be Usagi staring right into the video screen, face written with shock. She barely dares to believe it.]

[2/???]

[buntails.livejournal.com]

[She needs you, Ami, so much. She's already quickly pulling on a coat that looks like it's seen better days. She's going to be running.]

[3/???]

[buntails.livejournal.com]

[She's missed Ami so much. She's missed everyone from home, and everyone who's been here and left - like Ami has twice - makes the hole open even wider. She's never been anything without them. Even if she can stand on her own, she'll never be her best without them.]

[4/4]

[buntails.livejournal.com]

Ami-chan!! [She finally speaks, and her voice is all but fratic.]

Where are you? Press that button on the side! It'll show me your coordinates. [When did Usagi ever learn to use tracking technology?]

I'll come to you right away! Just stay there! Please! I'll explain everything, all of it. I promise!

This is called Adstringendum and we were brought here and- I'll tell you everything! Just let me come see you!

[Of course she knows Ami will be relieved to see her too; but she's not thinking too clearly right now.]

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Ami's expression is initially one of surprise.] Usagi-chan? [It quickly melts into one of relief, though.] Thank goodness you're here. ...and safe.

[Ami's eyes drift to the side of the screen to locate the button Usagi was mentioning. Ah. There it was.] Like this? [Ami couldn't help but smile at the irony of Usagi telling Ami how to work a piece of technology.]

I'll be waiting for you, Usagi-chan. Just please be careful on your way here?

[buntails.livejournal.com]

[Ironic, indeed, but who cares about that right now? She can finally see her friend again. Finally. It's hard to remember to be as worried for Ami as she should, when she's so happy to be reunited.]

I'm coming right now. Um... You can ask me questions until I get there!

[Video]

[flameandpassion]

[ ... oh, Ami.]

I don't think your blood type is going to be of any use here, Ami.

[But Rei sounds amused -- and definitely pleasantly surprised. A certain sense of relief.]

[Video]

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Ami blushes, and blinks a few times.]

Y...you don't think so? [Holds her chin in thought.]

I suppose it needn't come up unless there were a medical emergency...?

[thelonegenin]

Uh-- Are you supposed to tell people stuff about ya when ya get here?

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Ami looks up in thought.]

Well, perhaps not too much, but I imagine it may be necessary for identification purposes. Like when there's an earthquake or other natural disaster.

[thelonegenin]

... There was an earthquake?

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

I can't be sure. It certainly seems like it.

[thelonegenin]

I didn't feel nothin'

[bestestfurrend]

But I thought all human blood was the same!!

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Ami giggles.]

Actually, not is not entirely the case. Human beings are all given a specific blood type, which is classified based on the type of antigens found on the surface of your red blood cells. It's inherited by one's parents, and can be one of any thirty different types.

[Oh no, you got her started.]

It is necessary to know one's blood type in situations that call for blood transfusion, as some blood types are incompatible with other blood types.

[bestestfurrend]

Ohhhh so it all depends on humans' purrents? But thirty kinds is a lot! It's still all the same colour, right? But I suppaws it makes sense that you can't mix it, I don't think mixing troll blood would go furry well either...

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

[What an odd speech pattern.]

Yes, it is all the same color.

[video]

[holdnovirtue.livejournal.com]

Miss Mizuno... There wasn't an earthquake. At least, not at all recently.

Welcome to Adstringendum.

[Video]

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Blink blink.]

Thank you.

[Pause.]

....as in "compression" adstringendum?

[Video]

[holdnovirtue.livejournal.com]

A fitting name for this city, I'm sure you'll find.

Has anyone explained the situation to you?

[Video]

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

Not entirely, no. [Isn't it obvious from the perplexed expression on her face.]

It sounds like you have a pretty good grasp of things, or am I assuming incorrectly?

[Video]

[012420.livejournal.com]

You are in a place called Adstringendum, Mizuno-san.

[Video]

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

It seems aptly named, doesn't it? Thinks definitely look squished.

[Video]

[012420.livejournal.com]

I don't actually know what Adstringendum means, I thought it was just the name for this city.

Things look squished?

[Video]

[aquaticbeauty.livejournal.com]

"Adstringendum" is Latin for "compression."