Open Log || Doki Doki Beginning Club

[peninhand]

Who: Monika and ~~YOU~~
When: Early February, before the event starts
Where: In and outside her house, the library, and the network!
What: Getting started with her new life, but is this reality of another game?
Warnings: N/A


1b. Personal Residence (Awakening - February 01st)
Monika was sitting on the edge of her new bed, holding onto a framed picture she'd taken from the wall. Still in pajama, she looked amazed and befuddled in equal part. Was it reality? The voice she heard screaming for help, the darkness and now this place... She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be anywhere. Yet here she was... It defied reason and logic. And what about the conditions of her awakening here...? Well, perhaps she'd imagined the voice. Perhaps it was an echo of her own screams for help. But it wasn't what bothered her the most.

"How..."

The framed picture represented her in a wedding gown along with a man whom she'd never seen before. Why, he didn't even look human. But they both looked so happy! So happy in fact, she found herself silently crying while staring at the frame. Where did this picture come from...? Oh, surely there was a rational explanation behind it, but... It was everything she'd dreamed of. It was something that looked so real, and yet she had no memories of having ever lived through it.

Was this picture a kindness or a cruel mockery of her dreams?


1b. Personal Residence (Exploring - February 01st)
Regardless of what the picture was, she had to see what awaited her in the rest of her new home. And why if it wasn't delightful! Well, she wasn't particularly fond of the 60s aesthetic and the themes that went with it, but... Given her predicament mere moments before and what her heart longed for, it was like heaven. It was so wonderful! Too wonderful. How could any of this even be real?

It had to be... A game, right? But she couldn't manipulate any code. She couldn't sense anything. So... This couldn't be a game. Right? Now fully clothed in one of the dresses she'd found, she tentatively stared and poked at the things all around, trying to determinate if any of this is real. Also trying to see if there were other people around.

Of course, she was still holding onto that framed picture, as if that was the most cherished of her possessions.


2. Santa Rosita's Streets (Making Friends - February 02nd - 04th)
A night's sleep later, Monika would be found walking the streets of the city on the lookout for more people like her. By now she'd established two things: most of the people in this place were quite literally NPCs. The question was, were they brainwashed people or literal NPCs in a video game? The former she could do with as it meant this place was real. The later though...

Hence why upon seeing someone sticking out from the Robbie, Monika immediately rushed to them. It wasn't too hard, the Robbies were so stiff. Even if everyone shared similar style of clothes, it was easy to spot someone not being stupidly happy for no reason. And of course, that someone is you.

"Hello!" She paused and took her breath, she'd sprinted upon seeing them after. "Ah... Er, sorry. You— You're not one of them, right?"


3. Wild Card (????)
[ If there's anything else you'd like, feel free! ]

Comments

2

[thotsandprayers]

“...one of them?”

A small smile crosses her face, picking up immediately on what's meant. She's amused by the idea of herself being mistaken for one of them. No, she's definitely not like them, but that doesn't mean she considers herself like the others either. But it'd be rude to go into that with someone she's just met, so she won't.

“No, I don't believe I am. I'm more like you, having found myself brought here after being somewhere else and made to play house like everyone else.”

She's not too upset about it though. She's not happy about it either, but even with the last round of unpleasantness back in December, it's far from the worst thing she's been through. Reindeer monsters and other assorted horror is a far cry from some of the stuff that happens back home. ...though come to think of it, there's usually reindeer monsters in December there too.

“Kiara Sessyoin. I would say it's nice to meet you, but if you're newly arrived, that understandably might not be the case."

Since who thinks it's nice to meet anyone trapped in...whatever this all is. Especially when they're still adjusting to it.

Re: 2

[peninhand]

Well, off to a good start. That woman was speaking like an actual human being, it was a pleasant change of pace. Of course, perhaps she was just a more important NPC with more about her than the others. Or she had been taken from another game like Monika. But hopefully, just maybe—

She was real and so was everything else.

"Monika. Just, just Monika."

The downside of being a video game character, her creator hadn't even come up with a last name for her. Technically, his last name would likely be hers... A funny thought if only depressing.

"I am a new arrival, yes. I've been trying to find other people like, er, me I guess." Probably better not to mention the part about judging whether they're characters from a video game nor real. "It's disorientating to say the least. I can't begin to imagine why anyone thought it a good idea to kidnap and put me in this sort of place."

[thotsandprayers]

“It's quite all right, I understand what you mean.”

She knows those first few days are a bit rough, trying to figure out who's real, or more real than others and who's not. Plus the whole getting used to being in a new situation and adjusting to the weird forced family dynamic and the townspeople's expectations of it. And that's not even getting into things taking a turn for the worse every other month or so.

“Unfortunately, I can't really say the why will become clearer with time. I don't think anyone here has figured out why any of us were brought here yet.”

Kiara'll try and make that answer a little less Monika centric. They're all in this together or something like that anyways. Though admittedly, the thought has crossed Kiara's mind a couple times, why her of all people? But it's natural to think of their selves first, so she doesn't think much of it.

“Though admittedly there hasn't been much opportunity for investigation, at least not that I'm aware of.”

October was poorly remembered, but happened. November didn't exist apparently! December had snowstorms (and everything else), which makes it kind of hard to investigate. January was...fairly quiet actually. But Kiara also hasn't been super super interested in investigating things. She'd like to know why, sure. But she's also fine with letting things sort of play out. So she hasn't been the most proactive about the situation.

[peninhand]

No prospect of finding the truth, heh...? No, Monika didn't believe it. That place, it was all too limited. It wasn't a place of infinite possibilities. Sooner or later, they'd find out everything there is to know, and then hopefully break out into the rest of the world. Knowing everything and being stuck in that reality...

Now that was hell.

"Hmm, I'm sure it will become clear eventually."

She marked a pause.

"It's a small town and we can't get out of it, right? There's only so much that can be hidden here." Perhaps she was revealing a bit too much about her experiences with how excited she was to finally speak to someone. She was good at hiding the truth, but not as good as Kiara. Like for example, if I had to guess... I'd say we all have something in common. Those who were taken here, I mean."

What they had in common, that's the question. Clearly it wasn't humanity, given she'd met a non-human. But this place was way too strict to allow for unknowns in the equation.

"I'm not sure what it is, but this place is too organized for our "kidnappings" to have been random events."

[thotsandprayers]

“On that note, I completely agree. There must be some reason behind it.”

Though she really hasn't the faintest idea. It's hard to see any sort of commonality beyond no one seems to be from here, which can hardly be it.

“After all, why choose me and not someone else from my world? Or you instead of someone else from yours? It can't have been random. That would leave far too much to chance for such a controlled environment.”

Kiara might have...some kind of related experience in this line of thinking. Not similar enough to be entirely handy, trapping people in the past isn't her deal. But still some of it.

“After all, it's all far far too elaborate to allow some poorly chosen captive to throw a wrench into things. Oh, but I don't mean to sound completely hopeless or anything like that”

An apologetic look crosses her face there. She knows telling someone that hey we don't know anything and by the way who or whatever's behind this is really on top of things isn't the most pleasant news to be greeted with. But she does think there's an eventual silver lining to this. Probably?

“I'm sure that eventually some sort of headway will be made towards figuring these things out. Hopefully sooner rather than later. We can't all afford to stay here for months or...ah, however long it could be."

She can, but she knows others have important things to get back to.

[peninhand]

Why her and not someone else... Well, there was a reason she could think of, alright. But if that was it, what did it mean about everyone else in this place? Were they also video game characters with sentience? Perhaps they were all somehow special in their worlds? Perhaps they'd all fought against the very rules of their worlds?

"Maybe we should do something like a very extensive test."

Of course, a lot of people wouldn't answer honestly. She certainly wouldn't... Perhaps if there was a way to ensure the anonymity of the people answering the test.

"Have like a hundred or so questions, maybe even more, with multiple choices for answers... Then cross-reference all the results and see what are the most recurring answers!"

That was a flawless plan. Which would, in all likelihood, fail.

"Ahaha! Don't worry about being negative. You're actually the first person I've talked to who seems to have given this some serious thought."

[thotsandprayers]

Okay, that's not a bad suggestion and it does get a small smile from her while she thinks about it. Though she can think of an issue with it.

"I'm not certain a hundred question survey would go over well with most."

She'd probably fill it out because it's not the worst thing to do with her time, but she can't see everyone doing it. Some people here...well if pressed, she would probably say they don't seem very survey oriented. Though on the plus side, she doesn't think too many would just answer whatever or check random boxes.

"Though I am glad to hear it's not too off putting. I try to consider everything, even if everything is sometimes...unpleasant. Sometimes it's the best way to find a new way to look at a situation."

awakening

[hoshikiri]

With the change in the month, Takame was up earlier than usual. He didn't expect to gain anything else, but after his scales returned last month he wanted to see if anything had been taken away. Not only that but the hole in his memory made it harder for him to sleep without an explanation, not that he was one to sleep through an entire night anyway.

He thought he sensed something in the room when he woke up, perhaps foolishly mistaking it for Koromaru before moving to the restroom to check his reflection. When he returned a fair while later to see a young woman at the edge of the second bed he immediately went on guard, standing his ground with clenched fists. A force of habit from days long gone, but with the incidents of the doppelgangers he'd heard whispers of the month before it made sense to be on edge.

"Who's there?" A long pause as he considered something. He hasn't noticed the tears, nor the changes in the photos around the house. Not yet. But this situation was too familiar. "... You. You've just arrived, haven't you?"

[peninhand]

Absorbed as she was in her thoughts, she had not even noticed him, not until she heard his voice. But then her eyes widened with surprise and bewilderment. That... Was him, wasn't it? He was the man on the pictures. But that didn't explain who was he? Was he the player...? No, no it couldn't be. He didn't even look fully human.

Still... She immediately shifted the framed picture, keeping its content hidden from him. She wasn't sure just yet, and she didn't want this person to think she was creepily staring at the picture! Even though, she was. And blushing too. So much for hiding her emotions.

"I... Huh... Er, I-I mean, yes..."

She coughed, oh god why wasn't she managing to speak properly? She was being just like one of her friends when they "confessed." That was pathetic, wasn't it?

"Hrm, sorry... Ahaha!" She forced a smile and did her best to hide the mixture of confusing emotions. She was pretty good at it— But unfortunately, now Takame had seen just how overly emotional and illogical she could be when she didn't have the time to put on her mask. "Who-Who are you?"

[hoshikiri]

The fact that she put the picture aside didn't raise any suspicion. He would have done the same given the chance, anything to avoid drawing more suspicion to himself. The way she stuttered made Takame concerned that he's frightened her and he dropped his guarded stance. A young woman newly awoken in a place she didn't understand and approached by the one Auri man in town with hostility. He didn't need much sense to consider the picture that painted.

Not very hero like of him, was it? Not was it very 'fatherly' for the image this realm forced him to portray. Or so he assumed in such a young lady's case. Somewhat sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, his tone shifted to one more gentle.

"I mean you no harm. My name is Takame. I arrived here some few moons ago with no recollection of how. I assume the same can be said of you?"

[peninhand]

She wasn't afraid, she'd seen things back in the game that made her quite resistant to fear. Takame, was it? The way he was reacting to her... He had no idea who she was? He was like her, kidnapped away from his homeplace? That made no sense, what about those pictures? Perhaps he was lying or trying to surprise her?

She nodded silently.

"You... You don't know who I am?"

For all she knew, perhaps he was her kidnapper. Not that she'd mind, she has nothing against scales. But it would be foolish for her to trust him on his word. Not when she couldn't peek into his files, I mean head, and see what's inside.

[hoshikiri]

"I do not." Said with a simple shake of his head, contemplating how best to explain the situation even he didn't fully understand.

"Someone or something pulled a number of others from their homes into this realm and within different homes." A slight tilt of his head, acknowledging the picture she tucked away. "These homes are filled pictures we do not recall. So was the case for myself as well and the other who is staying here. Among others." He has yet to get a head count, but whatever he initially imagined must be bigger now anyway.

"They expect us to abide by the roles assigned to us. The ideal of a family." He has yet to consider just how much information he's dropped so far, but he did stop briefly to give her a chance to take it all in.

[peninhand]

"I... I see."

For but a split second, Monika's entire facade collapsed. It was as if you'd just told a kid Christmas was cancelled this year. To say that this was disappointing would have been a severe understatement. He... Didn't know anything about her. He didn't care for her, let alone love her.

She was nothing to him. What'd she expect really? Just seeing a picture like that and immediately assuming her dreams had come true? That was just silly. She cleared her throat and immediately smiled. A seemingly genuine, gentle smile. Now that was more like how people expected her to be. She had shown too much of her emotions so far. No more.

"That's... Really weird to say the least, ahaha." She paused and looked down. "Why would anyone do this?

2

[ribticklers]

"That's a pretty vague description, y'know," Sans says, and honestly that alone is probably enough to confirm Monika's thought there, if the Hawaiian shirt and smoking jacket combo outfit wasn't enough on its own, but even though Sans can guess at what this girl means, that's not about to stop him. "Usually when somebody's saying somethin' like that, they're in one of those B-movie sci-fi stories about pod people or zombies. And I'm pretty sure I ain't a pod zombie, but that's what they'd say, right?"

[peninhand]

More than enough to say he was indeed not a Robbie. Trying to crack a joke at the first meeting...? Perhaps comic relief. Hopefully not, she's still holding on hope that people here may be more than mere tropes. Still, doesn't mean she can't try going along.

"Hmm, you're right you don't look like a pod zombie. Hopefully we're standing at their antipode."

Pod, antipode...! .... .... .... .... Okay, Monika's pun game has seen better days. She's just arrived in this place and being funny takes energy she doesn't have right now.

[ribticklers]

Sans appreciates any effort put toward playing along with him, so his grin widens. "Guess we're safe for now, especially if they're all the way on the other side of the sphere."

Antipode, antipodal points! Stupid math jokes are good for you.

"But seriously, I'm guessing you're new if you're running up to people like that. Not sure if I should say welcome, considerin' the circumstances."

[peninhand]

Oh thank god, she hadn't made a fool out of herself! She chuckled and then nodded.

"Hmm. I'd say this place is still better than where I come from. Not that it's really a compliment, ahaha."

Being better than her digital prison was the bare minimum that could be expected from anything in existence. Not a difficult bar to pass.

"I am! Well, apparently I've been there since last month but it kinda feels like a dream to me."

[ribticklers]

Saying the place she came from is worse gets a raised eyebrow from Sans, but he doesn't address it--none of his business. If Sans was from a place bad enough that Santa Rosita was better, he wouldn't want to talk about it, so he'll just assume she doesn't, either.

"Yeah, that seems to be a thing for people who show up here. Happened to me, too. Maybe it's some sort of weird transport sickness."

Since they have to be getting here somehow... Not that Sans has any idea how.

[peninhand]

"Hmm, I dunno. It seems we all come from really different places... My husband's species doesn't even exist back home." Unless the reality outside her game was radically different from what she'd thought... But based on what she'd gleaned from said "husband," he likely came from another world altogether. "I'd place my bet on a teleporter."

Yet again, perhaps teleporters did also come with transport sickness. Hard to tell when the technology only existed in science-fiction works as far as she was concerned.

"I'm Monika by the way, just Monika! It's nice meeting you!"

February 4th

[righthandstand]

Okuyasu stuffed his hands more deeply into this pockets when yet another person approached him. Can't he be miserable outdoors in peace?

Apparently not. At least he could guess what she meant by "them", but he wouldn't answer her with a fake smile. "No. What do you want?" His voice was rough, but the town-mandated clothing marked him as a "child" in a household.

[peninhand]

Oh damn, she'd thought Papyrus fitted the delinquent bill, but clearly that boy had just earned that title. But well, she knew better than to judge a book by his cover, even though said cover looked and sounded like a delinquent. A tsundere-type maybe, trying to look angry and grumpy all the time when really deep beneath he wants attention?

"Oh hrm, I'm sorry, I..." A pause. "I'm new here and I've been trying to meet more people, like... Well, like me I guess."

[righthandstand]

"It's anyone who acts like a normal human being," he answers. Though 'normal' isn't always reliable. "Unless they got possessed for a short time and act all weird. But I'm goddamn normal."

He's Okuyasu Nijimura, and no one else. He's from Japan, and that's one fact that he'll never deny is part of himself.

"Just ask your fake mom and dad and they'll point out everyone else. Why don't you ask now." Obviously, she had to be a teenager. She looked like she could go to his high school, maybe a senior.

[peninhand]

Okay, he finally sounds more like a normal human being. Still a hooligan though. Possessed though...? She hadn't heard about people getting "possessed," but it sounded like it could be worth investigating.

"Ahaha, well considering I am a mother here, I don't think it would be very good for my son's morale if I were to show how lost I am!"

Nevermind her son is one year younger than her, tops.

[righthandstand]

"You're-" His rage at his tranquilization had been forgotten as he re-examined Monika with wide eyes. Sure, her outfit could be worn by a mom, but people here were from different times, past and future. She certainly sounded young, but some college students didn't have mature faces. Just look at his friend Koichi, short and small but in high school.

"Uh..." He scratched at the side of his face with a finger. "You look...really good for your age." Perfect compliment.

[peninhand]

Considering she's around his age, she's not sure whether that's a compliment or an insult. When in doubt, she'll accept this as a compliment.

"Ehehe, thank you!" She'll have to speak with his mother, clearly he needs to be taught some manner. "Oh, I realize I haven't even introduced myself! I'm Monika. Just Monika, it's nice meeting you!"