04--video

[shatterings]

[ The video flickers on and Naminé's looking incredibly unsettled. She's quiet for a while until she opens the door of her room. There, standing in the hallway, are two Meowstics--one female, one male--and a lone Espurr. Kind of like this, with the Espurr right in the middle. Standing. Staring.

Quietly, Naminé turns the camera toward herself. ]

When we woke up, we found them like this. I... I'm not sure why they're doing this.

... Is this normal?

Comments

[video]

[shatterings]

I suppose so... Hope and Ellie don't seem too aloof. [ But maybe her Meowstics are just weird.

Strex? So she's from Kevin's world, then. ]

That doesn't sound too bad... [ There must be a catch...! ] Are there any... downsides to them?

[video]

[stocksavvy]

Perhaps they are! They could very well be different. Just another downside to biological lifeforms as companions. So unpredictable.

Absolutely none! [Said with a cheery smile.] We haven't had a single complaint yet! We don't even have a complaint department!

[Just don't ask a certain Cecil G. Palmer.]

[video]

[shatterings]

Well... unpredictable isn't always a bad thing, is it?

[ She can't exactly argue with that. Probably. ] They must be very successful, then. Are there... other things you make?

[video]

[stocksavvy]

Oh, of course it is. [Lauren tsks, and shakes her head.] Why waste time with the unpredictable when you ensure success by repeating what has been successful before? Of course, there may be a time and place for trying new things... but always after careful calculation and a guarantee of success!

They are! We at StrexCorp strive for the betterment of life of all our residents and workers in the Greater Desert Bluffs Metropolitan Area. We own grocery stores, supermarkets, pony petting stations, the tourism board...

Everything we do is for the good of the people, and for the good of our company.

[video]

[shatterings]

[ It does make sense, but... ]

Does that get... boring, after a while? [ It seems like it should; Riku and her friends seemed to enjoy being surprised every so often. ]

It sounds like you have a lot of responsibility. Pony petting stations? [ In a... desert? ]

[video]

[stocksavvy]

How can you feel bored when you don't feel anything?

[Emotions come in short supply for Strex employees. Sure, Lauren had access to some, but for other workers, like Kevin...]

Yes, there is a great deal of responsibility on my shoulders. But I like to take it in stride!

There's simply too much to do to let the constant threat of failure and death weigh me down!

[video]

[shatterings]

[ Well, if that doesn't hit a bit too close to home... ]

You don't... feel anything? Not even when you accomplish something important...?

[video]

[stocksavvy]

Emotions are simply a waste of time! They keep you from working to your full potential!

Of course, knowing how they work can be vital to doing good business with those that do. Others, though, have no real need for that information, do they? Not if they're just supposed to listen and do their jobs.

[video]

[shatterings]

I don't think emotions... are that much of a waste of time.

[ Naminé pauses, unnerved by the direction this conversation has gone. ]

It's... that's a bit dishonest... isn't it?

[video]

[stocksavvy]

Lying by omission? Dishonest?

[She practically cackles.]

We are a company. Transparency, well...that's just not something we really specialize in!

Besides, everyone has secrets! Don't you?

[video]

[shatterings]

Secrets... I-I guess I do.

[ A lot of them, actually. ]