[Video]

[unfadingdragon]

[So there is a very worried looking young man staring at the camera. They said other people could see him with this. That he can just talk and they'd see it. It's still strange to him, but he's supposed to deal with being told he's a 'fictional', right? Right. So after a few long moments, Ryu speaks.]

Um... I'm Ryu... I'm new here, I guess... uh...

[He shakes his head. This is too hard to take in.]

I don't understand any of this. How could I not be real? I just need to get home. I need to find him. I need to go back.

[No one's here that he knows. He'd asked.]

I don't know what to do...

[... He's not sure what else to say, so he reaches over and turns the video off.]

Comments

[Video]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

[He seems far too cheerful.] Nice to meet you, Ryu. I am Itsuki Koizumi. Welcome to New Moore.

Unfortunately, we are trapped on this island. It seems nobody can intentionally leave this place.

[unfadingdragon]

Has anyone tried just... taking a boat off of it? Or... something?

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

They have - that is how we discovered that there is a seemingly impenetrable forcefield surrounding the island. They ran into it, destroying their ship in the process.

[howsketchy]

It's okay to be confused, Ryu.

[maiditoutalive]

First, wait out the existential crisis. Then, decide that it doesn't matter and go find where you're supposed to live. Maybe then you should eat cake? It all comes together sooner or later.

[unfadingdragon]

... But why?

[unfadingdragon]

I don't understand how I could be something other than real.

And this place has a lot of things I'm not used to. Nothing looks familiar at all.

[unfadingdragon]

Cake?

[Guess who has never had a proper cake ever.]

What does existential mean?

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I'm afraid I have no answer for you. They appear to be few and far between on this island.

[howsketchy]

Well... do you believe that you're real? Despite what this place says.

[twicecharmed]

You all right there?

[maiditoutalive]

Of or relating to the state of existing?

[unfadingdragon]

There's no one we can ask?

[unfadingdragon]

[... That's a good question. He's quiet for a long moment.]

As real as I can be.

[unfadingdragon]

Existing... that's 'being', right?

[unfadingdragon]

I don't know what to do.

[twicecharmed]

Oh, that's okay sweetie. Why don't you tell me where you are and I'll come pick you up. How does that sound?

[rescuerdownunder]

You're as real as you think you are, kid.

[howsketchy]

Then trust yourself. There's no real proof that whatever they're saying is true, so hang onto that belief.

[unfadingdragon]

[He nods a little bit.]

I just wish he were here too. The person I'm searching for, I mean.

[unfadingdragon]

I think I'm still kind of near the hospital...

[unfadingdragon]

Does that work if you're only half a person?

[twicecharmed]

I'll be right there.

[unfadingdragon]

... Thanks.

[He's suddenly aware of how lost he feels without his friends with him or an objective to go after.]

[ time for action!! ]

[twicecharmed]

[ she's knocking on each door helpfully ]

Hello?