Φ one

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

[Stepping into a field of stars isn't comfortable at the best of times, but considering Nikaidou had just turned to ask a question of someone who obviously wasn't there anymore... His entrance to the Plane consists of twisting, flailing his arms, and then falling face down onto what looks like nothingness. He stays that way, just looking downwards, for several seconds, before cautiously bringing himself to his feet.]

Ah... Hello? [He takes a careful step forward and relaxes just a bit when he still doesn't fall through the "floor"] Is there anyone here? I would very much like to go back to where I was. [He slowly turns around to look the other way, and is even more surprised to see what is apparently a forest just... existing in the midst of the stars. He backs off a step.] Maybe I fell down and hit my head. Shouldn't I remember falling, though?

[After a quick shake of his head, he pushes up his glasses and closes his eyes, not yet dropping his hand. He lowers his voice — both in volume and tone] Even if I fell down, it shouldn't feel this real. Someone could have moved me after I fell. But where would a place like this...?

[He exhales slowly and returns his hand to his side, opening his eyes at the same time. His voice returns to its higher, perkier tone, and he looks around again] Is there anybody there? I don't know how I got here, but I just want to go home.

Comments

[polarization]

[ ... what? ]

Just think about going back.

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

[blink... blink? That fizzing sound is Nikaidou's brain trying to restart.]

It's the black cat.

[polarization]

[ Good luck with that, man. Gooooood luck. Meanwhile, Sefton looks really confused. ]

The... what?

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

[He's stuck on repeating obvious (to him) information, in hopes that something will trigger reality kicking back in]

You're shorter than you were.

[polarization]

What are you—?

[ He gasps quietly. Not again...! In his mind flow several things: realism over petty optimism; a competetive nature; cynicism to bring him through a hopeless life. —a change of scenery: this man, sitting in a lush office with faceless people in front of him, ready to follow his orders. He's in charge now.

... what? Sefton finds himself simply looking on in confusion when it dissipates.That was... different than the others. Why? ]

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

[As if the conversation isn't strange enough, Sefton isn't at all acting like the blank face Ikuto likes to present.]

What's wrong with you?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

[Have a Marta, who just witnessed all of that.]

Are you... alright?

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

[Nikaidou laughs.]

I'm fine, just a little lost. Could you tell me where this is?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

Are you sure? You did just sort of fall over when you showed up...

[She nods.]

This is the Astral Plane. It's kind of like a place that's connected to a bunch of worlds, and you can get back to your world just by thinking about it. Then, you can come back here the same way.

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

I'm used to falling, so it isn't a big deal.

[He takes a moment to try and understand that.] Just by thinking about it? Really?

[formervanguard.livejournal.com]

If you're sure... I don't understand how clumsy people just get used to it...

[Nodnod!] Just by thinking about it! Try it, it really works! You'll also see that time doesn't pass in your world whenever you're here!

1/2

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

[He can't help looking skeptical, but disappearing—]

[pactum.livejournal.com]

!! Sir! A-are you okay?

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

[Nikaidou rubs the back of his head, the very picture of sheepishness.]

Mostly, yes. Being here was very unexpected.

[pactum.livejournal.com]

I-it usually is... I haven't met anyone who expected to be here. "Here" meaning the Plane. [He scratches the back of his head.]

[buckingbronco.livejournal.com]

[Well, that made Dino's entrance onto the Plane look positively dignified]

This is the Astral Plane. You can go home but thinking about it, and no time will pass there while you're here.

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

Is that so? Do you know how I got here? [The question sounds stupid, but Dino's already answered the other things he was confused over.]

[buckingbronco.livejournal.com]

You were brought here by the Twins. Apparently this is all some sort of experiment to them.

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

An experiment? What are they trying to find out?

[buckingbronco.livejournal.com]

No idea. They seem to like keeping us in the dark about a lot of things.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{Laughs}

That's quite a fall for such a surprise!

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

I've had worse... [He laughs, too.]

Do you know anything about this place?

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Oh, a good bit, though not as much as I may like! It is quite the odd place, is it not?

[twistedsensei.livejournal.com]

It seems like it, yes. I've never seen anywhere like it.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

And few have. It is an extraordinary place, but not without its oddities. Ah, perhaps the most important, for example--Time does not pass while you are here, and you're free to return with a thought.