why would my brain release a bunch of dolphins?

"Could I have had...a better future?" I prayed that I could. I felt my consciousness sink into a black abyss. Date Kaname | AI: The Somnium Files

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

“You really think so?” She glances at the photo again, wiping at her eyes with her sleeve. She always felt like she looked a little out of place in their photos, but to be told they look the same…?  “That means a lot to me. I want to be just like them when I grow up, you know. They’re… they’re really great people.”

Part of her worries that maybe they don’t miss her. That they’ve forgotten about her, or have stopped looking after all this time.

“Mr. Date…” she hesitates for a moment after he pats her head, but throws her arms around him, burying her face in his coat. Normally she wouldn’t act like this– she doesn’t want anyone to see her cry. But now that she’s opened the floodgates, it feels like she can’t hold the tears back anymore. After all, underneath all of that bravery… she’s still a nine-year-old girl who misses her parents very much.

“How do you keep being brave? When… you miss your friends from home, and your daughter?”

Oh, shit. He made a child cry. Nice going, Kaname, you stupid idiot. He opens his mouth, about to apologize profusely to her for bringing up painful memories—when she hugs him. 

Kaname hesitates for a moment before gently holding her back. It’s really no different from Mizuki, but Kaname can’t help but feel he’s just a cheap replacement for the real thing. Just like Mizuki.

“I...don’t know, really. I’ve been alone for a really long time. ...Or, I was.” 

And then he lost his memories. And after that, Aiba moved into his head, so he was never truly alone. Even though she was here...she was free to do whatever she wanted. She didn’t have to stick around as his eye all the time. And yet, it was...lonely, in its own way. 

“When I miss Mizuki...or Boss...” Kaname sighs. “I mean, I worry about Mizuki, but I know she has people looking out for her. And...Boss is one of them. But I guess I manage to keep being brave...so Mizuki doesn’t have to.” 

He rubs her back in what he hopes is a reassuring gesture. He hopes he’s doing the right thing. 

“But it’s also okay...for you to not be brave all the time. No one is. I’m sure even your dads get scared sometimes. So give yourself a little break, alright? I’ll be brave for you, whenever you need it.”

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

“Oh, she’s older than me,” Kay says off-handedly. “Maybe I’ll get to meet her someday. You know, lots of people end up finding their families here, so… she could show up, right?” Another smile, for Date’s sake. If she can’t be with her family… she wants to at least be happy for her friends.

“Um, I keep my eye out for my friends, but really I…” she turns her phone on, glancing down at the photo of her with two smiling humans. “Um. I was hoping my parents might show up.” She holds the phone up to show him the picture, trying to hold on to her smile and not give in and cry– she wants to be able to tell her dads she was brave about all this, after all.

“It’s been about three years since I’ve seen them. I… I miss them.”

Kaname stops himself from saying "actually, she's not really my family," because...they were, weren’t they? A bit... Also, that didn’t matter right now. Mizuki wasn’t here to kick his ass, so if she ever did show up, he’d just let Kay know in advance to maybe not mention that he’d said anything sappy. 

He looks at the picture Kay shows him, and he smiles. Her parents... They look happy, and it’s obvious Kay loves them. Hearing that it’s been three years since she’s seen them makes something akin to anger bubble up, but...if he was here unwillingly, away from Mizuki, he doubts her parents abandoned her on purpose. 

“You look like them,” he says, his voice and smile still gentle. It’s painfully obvious she’s adopted (unless she was really that committed to cosplaying), but she still manages to have the same smile as her dad. “I’m sure they miss you, too.”

He gives her another gentle pat on the head, hoping to be comforting (although he probably more of comes off as awkward). 

“Three years by yourself... That has to be hard for a kid your age. I know they’d be proud as hell of how well you’ve handled yourself without them, though.” 

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

“It’s not their fault,” she laughs, wiping her tears on her sleeve as she attempts to smile. “I can wait a little longer, I’m… I’m sure they’re working on finding me.” It was nice of him to offer, though… she gets to her feet, standing next to him as she continues to gaze out at the newcomers.

Just in case.

“Were you looking for your daughter, Mr. Date?”

His daughter. Right. He did call her that, didn’t he? 

“Ah...er, yeah. Kind of. I worry about her, since she’s only 12. I also keep hoping a couple friends of mine might show up, just...to help out with other things.”

Though if Boss wasn’t here, that meant she was probably watching Mizuki at the very least. 

“But...enough about me, who are you waiting for? Friends? Family? I don’t know how long you’ve been here, but it’s got to be tough for a kid to be alone for so long.” 

He would know, wouldn’t he? 

[spiderstaff]

“Not today, either, huh…?” She lingers for a moment to watch the last few newcomers get in their cars and to make sure no one else pulls up, resting her head on her knees. Her eyes follow people running to hug newly arrived friends and family members, and her ears droop.

“Maybe they’ll be here next time.”

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

It's not like there was anyone for Kaname with the latest wave of new people from however this city worked. But it looks like he isn’t the only one. 

He pats her head a bit, attempting to be comforting. 

“Someone keeping you waiting? That’s awful rude of them. I’ll give them a stern talking-to.” 

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

fatedatonement​:

“A pleasure, Mr. Date.” There’s equal measure practiced politeness, and a genuine admiration for this man’s boldness in Regal’s tone. It takes a lot of nerve to approach a complete stranger like this.

To be fair, he’s used to social engagements, but they’re not his favorite either. In fact, he usually finds them dull and performative, but this one has taken a turn for the interesting, hasn’t it? Somewhere in the back of his mind, Regal has the nagging feeling that he wouldn’t normally do this, or that he might regret it later.

…but that’s a problem for future Regal, isn’t it? For now, it’s at least worth hearing the guy out.

“It’s Regal,” he says, extending his hand for a handshake. “Regal Bryant. And I have to admit I’m curious– what exactly did you have in mind…?”

Regal? That's an interesting name. Especially for someone so...fancy looking. Man, it makes Kaname wonder if this guy picked is own name too. Not that...Kaname actually picked his own name. 

“Regal, huh? Alrighty, Mr. Fancy Pants.” 

They were, admittedly, very fancy pants. 

“Oh, I don’t know. Just a little wining and dining. Go somewhere...suitable for your tastes. Maybe a little something...extra if you’re up for it. Get a bit...hot and heavy.” 

Kaname finishes it off with a wink, hoping the guy will get the hint that he’s really that fucking desperate. But if this guy was willing, Kaname won’t say no! Also Kaname’s idea of “wine and dine” was a bottle of wine at some hopefully less than sketchy bar. 

“Are you into karaoke? Or do you just want to get so drunk we admit illegal things we’ve done before y’know maybe moving on to the other shit.”

Truly, a master of flirting. It was a wonder he hadn’t had a date in...several years. 

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

Kay assesses her options. She could call his bluff, but she really has no way to prove she is who she says she is without taking the mask off… and that’s not something she wants to do right now. She’d lose her height advantage! And is there a chance he really doesn’t know…?

“Oh, accusing an empress of scamming? If I’m innocent, that could be considered treason, you know.” She thinks so, anyway, but she doesn’t know the laws as well as her dads. I sounds like something her emperor dad would say, right? And it’s not like he’ll triple call her bluff…hopefully.

“In the interest of keeping the peace at a party, though, I guess I can give you more time on the money you owe until the soiree is over. I think that’s fair, don’t you?” She doesn’t take her arm off his shoulder, but yawns, looking down at him.

“You do keep your promises, don’t you Mr. Date? I think you promised me 100 yen for my help. Unless you’ve really forgotten already?”

"A fucking what?"

Empress? She didn’t look anything like the emperor...Had things in Japan really changed that much? Man, he really needed to keep up with the news. 

“You don’t look like Emperor Naruto, I’m going to be honest.” 

He raises an eyebrow, giving her another cursory glance. Man, she was really milking the scam, huh. ...Unless she was a member of the imperial family that liked wearing cosplay outfits...? But that seemed extremely unlikely. 

“Uhhh...sure, I keep my promises. But I don’t remember ever asking for help from someone who looks like you...someone so tall, y’know? So if I did owe you 100 yen, I think I would remember, to be honest.” 

Kaname takes another sip of drink. 

“So...how about it. You have any way to prove you are who are you say you are?” 

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

Kay accepts the chips with a confused blink– he’s just gonna give them to her after all that trouble?

“Why don’t we at least share?” She opens the bag and takes one, offering the bag toward him. At one point in her life, she probably would have taken off with the whole bag, but he had to have gotten them because he wanted them, right? Maybe they can find another vending machine somewhere that’s less hassle and she can return the favor. (This does not erase his 100 yen debt, but she thinks everyone should have chips if they want them.)

“My dads aren’t here,” she shrugs. “They’re at home, I haven’t seen them in a while.” She pauses, nibbling on the edge of the chip. “I’m OK on my own, though– I’m good at taking care of myself.” She doesn’t have to steal food as often these days, so life is actually pretty good… not that she’s gonna go telling her life story to a complete stranger.

“My name’s Kay! Um, weird question, but are you new here? If you want I can show you around, I explore around here all the time, so I know the area.”

She offers to share, and Kaname hesitates for a moment. Shouldn’t she eat them herself...? Has she even eaten yet today? Something akin to parental concern is nagging at him, and he shakes his head. 

“Nah, it’s alright. Have you eaten yet today? I can make you lunch if you want. Or dinner, or...whatever...and by back home you mean...they’re like? Not...here?” 

Like how Mizuki and Boss weren’t here. Not that they were his family, per se. But...never mind. He had way more questions for this kid and to answer some of her own. 

“I...am new, yeah. I don’t really know much about...”

Anything, really, says a voice in his head that sounds annoyingly like Aiba. Kaname grimaces.

“....Anyway, yeah sure. If you want to show me around, I’d appreciate it. I’m not entirely sure where I’m going like...half the time. Have you been here like...long? I feel like your dads are...uh... Have you been in contact with them at all? Like...I’m...sure you miss them, huh. My daughter—uh...kind of daughter, is...back home.” 

[minimeteor]

@hotchupacabrasinmyarea​

“Um… are you alright?” Though Seles didn’t mean to get involved in anyone else’s business, she couldn’t help but notice that this man seemed… perplexed? Was that the best word to use? It looked like he’d been speaking with the pixies, but maybe he’d been getting his fortune told… was it a bad one?

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

Kaname is about 3 seconds from swearing in one of these weird flying thing’s faces, because they keep insisting he wear a mask, and he’s already told them it doesn’t work and now they’re trying to tell him his fortune or something...? 

“I’ve told you before I don’t need my future read or whatever, I—”

A voice asking if he’s alright interrupts what was likely going to be a swear fest, as they’ve already told him more than he wants to know about his future. (Futures...rather.)

“Uh...yeah. Just...fine. These...pixies or whatever keep bugging me about crap.” 

One of them giggles before saying something about his best friend dying, but Kaname glares at it to shut up. Half the time he can’t even tell what the hell they’re saying, and he’d honestly probably prefer to keep it that way. Instead of giving them any more attention, he turns to the girl.

“...Anyway, are you here alone, or are your parents around or something? Or guardian...or a friend...or. Whatever...y’know?”

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

aibal​:

aiba://      oh. it’s just a normal prosthetic. rudimentary. somehow that makes it a bit sillier to be territorial… but aiba hasn’t spent much time beyond her partner’s proximity. should she not feel a little coarse? but for her to be threatened by some generic prosthetic was beneath even her, so she felt adequately comforted. besides, aiba had no doubts that date was telling the truth: he couldn’t survive without her care. whether it was medically or… whatever else.

“it is as i ALLUDED: i don’t know the specifics of the situation. i ONLY know that i am not currently inside you, as you’ve just discovered. but you’re right. boss and pewter would NOT permit you to go without oxytocin so carelessly, so perhaps this EYE of yours does have some ESSENTIAL functionality. in any case– HEY. earth to date. are you even listening??”

she may not be connected to his thoughts– and surely that was something of a relief to even her– but she knew him well enough to know… he was probably in his own head. so this must be what it was like for everyone when they were talking. aiba puts her hands on her hips, shifting with annoyance.

hmm… but he brings up a valid concern. mizuki was a strong child, but a child nevertheless.

“we CANNOT go home, date… but mizuki is TWELVE. she is more than capable of stealing your money and buying herself lunch. but, mizuki is ONLY twelve. she’s still young to be left alone for too long, and after everything she’s gone through…” it wasn’t advisable. “… boss would not allow it. neither would iris or hitomi.”

"Wh—steal my money? Has she been doing that?? Did you know and just not tell me?? Her dad was rich as hell he can at least pay for some things, I swear to god—"

Kaname sighs. Despite their differences...which there were...a lot, to be honest...it felt. Natural. Even if she wasn’t acting as his eye right this moment, and they were far from home, it still felt familiar. And comforting, in its own way. 

“Okay, so...I’m pretty sure this...other...prosthetic eye at least...handles the oxytocin. Or...I hope it does. We’ll be kind of fucked if it doesn’t. Actually, speaking of which, would you be able to like, I don’t know, ki—” That was a bit much to ask, even for Aiba. “Er, stop me before I do anything truly terrible? Like...I don’t know, kill someone?” 

She’d stopped him from doing far less, but that was when she had a constant connection to his thoughts and could tell him off like his mom or something if he was about to act on his more...violent impulses. 

“Does this place have a name, even? Do you know? Also what the fuck is up with that huge pit? It kind of seems like a safety hazard, to be honest.” 

[fatedatonement]

@hotchupacabrasinmyarea​​

“I’m sorry, what?” Though it’s in his nature to be polite, and he has found confidence a little easier since he was gifted a mask, he’s still a bit taken aback by this person’s conversation starter.

Is he…. hitting on him?

“I must admit I’m flattered, but I didn’t really come here in the market for a date,” he says with a raised eyebrow. Normally he wouldn’t even entertain such a thing, but he’s been in a good mood all night. Why not?

“I don’t even know your name, Mister….?”

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

"Well you're in luck, because it's Date. Kaname Date, at your service." Kaname has the gall to top it all off with a wink.

To be honest, Kaname had always been rather take it or leave it about blue hair (probably because he associated it most with Shoko), but this guy...he was a veritable beefcake. He looked all prim and proper, but Kaname could tell this guy would be fun to be around. Maybe he was just desperate, but 80% of his impulse control (Aiba) wasn't here to judge him, and the other 15% (Boss) and 5% (Mizuki) didn't even seem to be in the city.

"I'm not really one for social engagements, Mr. Blue, and honestly I think you'd rather blow this popsicle stand too and go do something more fun, right? So what do you say? I can show you a good time."

The guy might not know Kaname's name (until now), but that would absolutely never stop Kaname. After all, what was another "Hey you with the big tits?"

[spiderstaff]

@hotchupacabrasinmyarea​

“So. About that 100 yen you owe me.” They’re nearly the same height, but Kay still rests her arm on his shoulder as she comes up beside him. Perks of being tall is that now she can even reach his shoulder.

Hopefully he recognizes her– the scars are still in the same place, and there’s almost no one here who looks like her, right? Unless he thinks she’s cosplaying again. She’d have to have some pretty high heels to reach this height!

“Come here to pay up, Mr. Date? Or are you just enjoying the party?”

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

Kaname nearly chokes on his drink when a tall woman who seems to know him?? comes up and places her arm on his shoulder. He's not sure what to say or think at first, in all honesty, so he just...stares at her for a minute.

Do I know her? Do I really owe her 100 yen? That seems awfully low for a woman who looks like she could kill me and also possibly wants to...

"Wait...100 yen?" 

Saying it out loud makes him actually think about it, and take a closer look at her. That was...impossible, right? Or...

He takes another moment to weigh his options. She very much looks like she can kill him, but if she is the same tiny kid he owes 100 yen, then she must be playing some kind of stupid trick on him. And honestly? Kaname's down to play a trick back.

"Nope, sorry. Doesn't ring a bell. Are you trying to scam me? For shame, ma'am."

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

Kaname had never much been one for social engagements or the like. Drinking with a friend (or by himself, because Mama counted as company at least) had always been more than enough. But just this once, he could make an exception.

The life of high society had always been outside of his grasp. It wasn't meant for him. ...But that didn't mean he hadn't dreamed of something like this when he was a child. Hazy, still mostly forgotten memories that he's scared of inspecting closer for fear of what he might find.

When the...fairies? Pixies? Well disguised drones?? give him a mask, telling him that by wearing it he can become the ideal version of himself, he hesitates.

The ideal version of himself? What did that mean? Who did it mean?

If this mask was going to change his appearance...he would prefer it not happen out in the open. It wasn't even that he was really one to believe in magic anyway, but...just this once. An exception.

The mask in hand, Kaname slips away to a bathroom. He makes certain it's empty, and prays to gods he doesn't believe in that no one interrupts him until he's figured this thing out. His heart is pounding from uncertainty in his chest as he lifts the mask to his face, taking a breath to steady himself.

Whatever...whoever the outcome...at least he would know.

He puts the mask on, looks up, and...nothing. It's the same face that's been staring back at him for six years, looking just as uncertain in his identity as he did back then. Kaname lets out a tired laugh, pulling the mask from his face.

"So this is it, huh? ...The ideal version of myself is..."

He leaves the mask on the bathroom counter, just in case someone else needs it, and steps back out into the festivities. He feels...perhaps a bit relieved. But if anyone asked about it...he knows what his answer will be.

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

aibal​:

aiba://      “OH. you didn’t NOTICE i was gone. hm.” the more he spoke, the more slighted she felt. date truly had the tact and diplomacy of an elephant wielding a chainsaw. that is to say, absurdly none. eyes narrow as to project her displeasure. “it has been exactly a MONTH today, DATE, since i found myself here. in that time, i have had absolutely NO connection with you. so whoever… THAT is, it is NOT me.”

she points to his left eye before hesitantly pulling her arm back. maybe she’s salty. but he…  then asks her how she is and… well… it doesn’t fix that feeling of being replaced but it is well intentioned. “oh, um… i’m not fully operational, but i am fully CHARGED. i also cannot establish a connection to WADJET, but i can secure a connection to spiraleNET as a… rudimentary ALTERNATIVE. it’s not… a great form of internet but… its something. CALM DOWN, i’ve not encountered anyone else. it appears for a time it was just me… and now YOU are here… for whatever reason.”

“How can I notice you’re gone if you weren’t gone??” he protests. Seriously, she had been there every second until just now! So why on earth...

“A whole month? That’s impossible, I couldn’t survive without you for a month!” Kaname can feel she’s about to make fun of him, so he hurries on. “I mean...a month without oxytocin...that’s not something anyone—let alone Boss or Pewter—would let slide.” 

He sighs at her accusations about his eye. Seriously, it was an eye, Aiba! And yet... He tries, briefly, to connect to whatever the hell AI is contained within it, only to find...

“I...don’t even think this is a who, I think it’s just...an eye.”

Is this what bliss felt like? To be able to think whatever thoughts he wanted without Aiba’s constant beratement? He takes a moment to bask in the silence before remembering she’s standing right in front of him. Right. 

“So we’re without Wadjet, without ABIS...” Without two of the hottest people Kaname knows... “I guess I should be grateful someone else isn’t here...though...do you think Mizuki will be okay on her own? How can I get home? Someone has to make her lunch every day!” 

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

“Dude, are you OK??” She didn’t. take into account that if he didn’t know what elves were, he probably didn’t have magic, either. Shoot. OK.

“Well, my name’s Kay, but you already know that much. And I’m a dark elf? And uh, what I did was a disguise spell.”

“See? Still me.”

Kaname stares at her for a very very long time. Either she’s an extremely impressive cosplayer, or there’s something else going on here. 

He...didn’t know what a dark elf was. Were they just nocturnal elves?? Besides of which, elves varied so much in the books and shows and games Mizuki liked, he had no idea what kind of elf she was supposed to be. 

“Is that like...a ShovelForge thing or something...?”

Gods he hated ShovelForge please don’t let it be ShovelF—

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

“What gave away that I’m not human?? Have you ever seen a human with ears like this?” She tugs on one for good measure– not going anywhere. Maybe… he’s from a place that doesn’t have elves? She can’t imagine something like that, but anything is possible.

“No way, I love humans!” She puts the disguise spell on when she’s sure he’s looking at her. This should be fun. “My dads are human. The weird round ears are kinda cool, in their own way.”

She admits she’s not human. And then she tugs on her ear to prove it’s real or something?? And then. AND THEN. 

“WHAT IN THE EVERLOVING FUCK DID YOU JUST DO?”

He tries to take a breath, to calm down for a moment. One. Two.

“SERIOUSLY, WHO ARE YOU??”

Nope, didn’t help.

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

aibal​:

aiba://     that’s… one way of disposing of the filth. how characteristically him. and of course he turns to her for answers, she’d expect as much. the ai opens her mouth as if to speak before finding that… she can’t speak with certainty on any of the proposed questions:

“UNCERTAIN. i have no recent cases of psync in my history logs, so it appears this is not somnium. still… this is most CERTAINLY not tokyo. i considered perhaps you had LOST me somewhere while i was charging–” nope. not the case this time. he seemed as lost as she, which was… unsettling. “–that would at least explain why you’ve REPLACED me in the meantime.”

Not a Somnium, not Tokyo...no idea where they were period. It wasn’t...typical for Aiba to not have an answer to his questions. Not unheard of, but when it happened...it was unsettling. 

“I see.” Or did he?

He blinks in surprise at her assertion that he’d replaced her—but how could he even do that if he hadn’t even been aware she was gone to begin with??

“Okay, I...didn’t notice you were gone.” Kaname braces himself for her to berate him for that, but he tries to quickly force out something else before she gets the chance. “How long have you been here? I don’t remember you not being in my eye, at least. But...are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you? Have you seen Mizuki or Iris or Boss?” 

[hotchupacabrasinmyarea]

spiderstaff​:

“I dunno man!! Is that rude? I just saw your weird round ears and assumed, I just wanted to know!!” OK, maybe she shouldn’t have asked that.

“Do you have something against humans, or…?”

“The hell do you mean my ‘weird round ears’?? I’m just human—of course I’m human, are you trying to tell me you’re not human??”

I mean, perhaps it’s an obvious answer, all things considered. 

“Of course I don’t have something against them, do you??”