✿ Investigating time

[upcard]

[The voice that prods at everyone is so quiet and tentative, it's probably pretty easily ignored, even despite being a voice in everyone's heads. Mai's just that bad at this psychic network thing.

She's trying, though.]

U-um... excuse me, everyone... Er, everyone that can hear me...

[focus, Mai]

I-it's just...does anyone know what we're supposed to be doing? I mean, everyone's wearing such spectacular masks and costumes, but... it's a little lonely...not being able to tell who everyone is...

[You're rambling, Mai.]

Ah! I don't want to take up too much of your time, everyone...I was just wondering... and if there's anything I can do, I definitely want to do my best...! Is it important to figure out who's who...?

...Thank you...for listening.

[She just feels a little alone, with everyone masked and hidden as they are.

ooc: this is a totally open psychic network post, feel free to use it to communicate about identities or what-have-you!]

Comments

[undefine]

[He doesn't think it's strange in the least, because it is a lot to handle. These jaunts usually were, and the masks... they probably only made it worse. There was a sort of feeling of isolation that came with all of this. If Saitou were capable of it, he'd probably feel nervous, too, honestly.

...hmm.]

Have you found anyone you know?

[bottomless_pit]

[ perhaps it's because of the masks that Hei's voice comes across more tersely then usual, eschewing his "Li" persona under the anonymity of his mask. ]

There's more then one secret here then a mask; have you considered the doors?

[ Especially since almost every investigator should be able to guess at who each other already were as it is. ]

[tailforbrains]

I guess if you wanna help look for Sabetha, I won't stop you. I haven't seen her anywhere yet, or heard her on the mind-melding chatter, either, so I'm guessing she's all infiltrated again.

[knightceties]

Those are pretty neat, right? I bet there's something interesting behind them.

[notinthecards]

Hard to pick a lock you can't find, no?

[upcard]

...Eh? Really?

Who is it?

[upcard]

You don't sound very serious about this...

[......for better or for worse.]

Um, but... I'm not very good at dancing. I didn't realize it was so important...!

[upcard]

Sabetha...?

Um, I don't think we've met...what is she like?

[upcard]

[Well, he doesn't sound irritated with her, though she doubts Saitou would if he was anyway, because that's just...how Saitou is.]

Not exactly... um, I'm not a very good dancer, so I didn't dance much. [and now she's hiding in some corner, great job, protag-chan]

But I do feel a little better hearing everyone's voices.

[upcard]

[...IS IT??? that's news to her.....]

Um, but... but I don't know how to dance, Inigo-san...! [she doesn't want to make a fool of herself, dance or not.]

[upcard]

The....doors?

[He sounds terse....... she feels bad for having to question it further, but she's a little dense that way.]

Um, I'm sorry, but...what do you mean?

[knightceties]

I'm sure you can find someone who doesn't mind helping a beginner out. You just gotta ask around!

[flatteries]

[ THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM.. for once something is not a problem with Inigo, let the angels rejoice from the heavens.. play the trumpets.. ]

I do not mean to brag, but I know a few steps.. perhaps I could teach you? [ He's pretty embarrassed about dancing in front of other people, but it won't be as bad at the ball, since.. well, masks and all. And he feels a little bit more comfortable with Mai, since she said they're friends.. (dokis for friends..) ]

It would truly be no effort for me whatsoever, I assure you. And I would wish for you to be able to have fun here as well.

[fridgeninja]

Have you spoken to Shirogane-san yet?

[upcard]

B-but.... won't that just be causing them trouble?

[...]

I'd feel bad...

[upcard]

I'm not sure...

[Whoops, didn't get Naoto's name...]

I suppose not. Maybe I'll see him...?

[knightceties]

They could say no, can't they? If you ask them then no one who dances with you can say you didn't warn them!

[upcard]

[Inigo can dance...?? As may well be expected, when she hears that, her first thought is--]

Amazing...! You're so talented, Inigo-san!

[...but...]

Um...if it isn't too much trouble, I'd...appreciate it! I don't want to stand out...

[upcard]

You don't think it'd be strange...for us to not know how to dance and be at this ball?

[She's trying really hard to blend in, okay. Really hard!!!]

[knightceties]

You could say you never paid attention to your dancing lessons and that's why you don't know what to do!

[upcard]

Oh...! That's...true.

[Wow, she hadn't even thought of that...she'd gone straight to panicking territory.]

You're good at this...

[knightceties]

It's not that hard if you don't panic.

[How...reassuring?]

[upcard]

[...she's doomed. So weakly--]

Oh... right... of course.

[fridgeninja]

I could set up a meeting if you wanted...

[flatteries]

[ .. oh, she thinks he's talented for being able to dance?! Maybe he gave her too high expectations after all, his shyness definitely is kicking in.. but his desire to not leave Mai alone in her time of need is greater, so he forces himself to suck it up and just swallows the feeling down. ]

Of course it would not be trouble! I can't say I am too familiar with the dances here, but I could improvise if you would let me lead. [ Yeah, because Mai is like the only person who'd trust it enough to let him lead.. let's be real here. ]