1 ~ when did I stop believing in Santa Claus? [audio/action]
[action]
[A teenage boy is extricating himself with some difficulty from having been dumped, or appearing, in the middle of the fountain in the center of the village. He's muttering to himself and clambering out. He's dressed in the generic-enough North High uniform, but of more interest may be what he's saying -- which is picked up by the split-open journal next to him.]
...Really, Haruhi? After all of that, I'm in some other time and place again?! Oh, boy. She really just doesn't stop... Where the hell is it this time?
[Once he gets up and brushes himself off, he can be found staring with slightly less bewilderment than you might expect at his surroundings.]
[A teenage boy is extricating himself with some difficulty from having been dumped, or appearing, in the middle of the fountain in the center of the village. He's muttering to himself and clambering out. He's dressed in the generic-enough North High uniform, but of more interest may be what he's saying -- which is picked up by the split-open journal next to him.]
...Really, Haruhi? After all of that, I'm in some other time and place again?! Oh, boy. She really just doesn't stop... Where the hell is it this time?
[Once he gets up and brushes himself off, he can be found staring with slightly less bewilderment than you might expect at his surroundings.]
[action]
[He pauses.
'I don't even know what to say about this all. Sad as it sounds, I don't particularly want to part from you, as my only anchor to a world where things made sense--or rather, made no sense in an orderly fashion. It's like a security blanket. God, Koizumi would eat that phrasing up, wouldn't he?
Still, I've got to face it. And look for some clue that someone's left me. Am I really supposed to bumble through again? Is this kind of world-changing thing going to become a semiannual ritual?
The worst thing is, if it isn't, the situation is even worse than usual. Which means I have to cling onto the slender reed which is the changed Brigade leader. Someone just shoot me now, huh?
But... Anyway... There must be something I can say here. Something to help smooth things over, at least... I don't know. May as well try, though... There are, after all, certain phrases loaded with meaning.']
...Uh. Please take good care of me in this shaken-up world.
1/3
She turns back]
2/3
[action]
Yeah, that's what the Leader does, right?
[A beat]
I'm not going to tell you to take care of me too though, that'd be stupid in this sort of situation.
[action]
['...Yeah, I don't know what to say. If it worked or if it didn't work. What that would even mean.'
But -- he also gives a slight affirming smile.]
Later, then.
[action]
[And now it feels more awkward. She bows, actually, before leaving this time. but she does leave in quite a hurry]
[action]