[001]

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[There's a high school-aged school wandering on the plane today, her schoolbag clutched tightly in both hands, dangling in front of her while she examines her surroundings. Her neck is craned backwards at an awkward (and possibly somewhat uncomfortable) angle so she can stare up at the star-patched sky, bushy hair falling haphazardly down her back.

Her facial features are contorted in curious confusion, brows furrowed together and nose wrinkled, and she releases one hand from the strap of her bag to brush a few strands of her bangs from her eyes.]

This isn't right...

[It's mumbled, mostly to herself, and her sneakers squeak against the metallic ground as she turns on her heel, shifting her searching gaze from the sky to the stars underneath her feet.

A few more moments of silence pass, before she straightens. Without ceremony, she lifts her free hand up to her arm and pinches it-- hard.]

Ouch!

[That plan certainly didn't work.]

Mou... so much for that dream theory.

Comments

[misplacedsword.livejournal.com]

No, dear girl, I'm afraid this isn't a dream. Or if it is, it's certainly the strangest one I've ever had. The first one I've ever had, as a matter of fact.

[He seems to have gone off on a tangent there, which is far from his original intention. He'd been planning on offering her assistance. Aziraphale offers her an apologetic smile.]

This is your first time here, I imagine?

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[She stiffens in surprise a bit, turning on her heel again and whipping around to face the man who addressed her. He didn't look menacing-- in fact, he looked more helpful than anything-- and so she lets out a relieved breath and nods, indicating that yes, this is her first time]

And it's not yours?

[misplacedsword.livejournal.com]

No, it isn't, though my first visit here wasn't very long ago.

If you have any questions, I'm more than happy to attempt to answer them for you.

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

Not very long-- um...

[Well, she was right about him being helpful. With a nod, she relaxes her shoulders and takes a hold of her bag again]

I visited the information kiosk and read one of the brochures, so I know what this place is. I guess my question is-- [a beat]

How is this even possible? You read about this in science fiction books, you don't actually live it!

[misplacedsword.livejournal.com]

[He smiles brightly at hearing she's read the brochures. Oh, excellent, that does make his job easier.]

Ah. I suppose this means you don't come from a universe that has such things as time travel or the occult?

[It has been a bit easier for him to accept, as reality altering isn't particularly new to him.]

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

No.

If we did, I bet people would be fighting over it. This is a really big thing!

[misplacedsword.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Yes, quite.

[He can't help but agree there; people sometimes seem to need very little incentive to fight over something. And that's not limited to humans.]

Not to worry, though, very few seem to be aware of its existence. There's little chance of people fighting over the knowledge.

[He pauses, frowning a bit.]

This must be rather overwhelming for you, dear girl. Would you like a cup of cocoa, or perhaps some tea?

[mirakill.livejournal.com]

[ Have a quiet observer. Another person from that kakera...? ]

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[She blinks a few more times at the offer, before bowing forward just a bit]

T... thank you. It is a little overwhelming.

[But when she straightens again, there's a small smile playing on her lips. This guy seems to know what he's doing, so she might as well stick with him.]

But hot cocoa sounds like a really good idea.

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[She almost misses her at first, too busy trying to make sense of the sky and ground. But when she does, she turns on her heel to face this quiet observer, curiosity still lacing her expression.

A little girl?]

-- hello!

[mirakill.livejournal.com]

A true newcomer, then.

[ That voice was far too deep for just a little girl. ]

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[It is, and it makes Aoko start once in surprise before she continues]

Mmm, I think so. You aren't?

[mirakill.livejournal.com]

I've had my time here, certainly.

[ Judging you quietly to see if you'll affect her 'game' any... ]

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[oblivious!]

How long?

[mirakill.livejournal.com]

Three months, give or take.

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

You must like it here, if you keep coming back after three months.

[mirakill.livejournal.com]

It's interesting. That's all.

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[She cranes her neck backwards to stare at the sky again]

... that's a good word for it. Unexpected is another, but I'm really not used to these kinds of things.

[mirakill.livejournal.com]

The average human wouldn't be. For a witch, this is merely extravagant wallpaper.

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

-- a witch?

Like you?

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[Have a pretty mage who is very amused at her reaction] I suppose it would be slightly easier to deal with if it was a dream.

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

[She lets out a light huff]

I wouldn't be stuck here wondering what the heck happened if it were.

[flawless-genius.livejournal.com]

[Still amused] I assume this is your first time here then. This is the Astral Plane, and you were brought here just as the rest of us were, but don't worry. It's not like you're stuck here, at least not totally.

[ticktocktower.livejournal.com]

I read the brochure at the kiosk, so I know what's going on, but...

[A beat]

That still doesn't make this any less weird.

[misplacedsword.livejournal.com]

[His smile returns once again when she agrees to some cocoa.]

Oh, excellent. I've often found that much can be improved with a lovely, warm drink.

[Er. Well. It's comforting, in any case, which is bound to cause something of an improvement, right?]

The kitchen is this way, if you don't mind following me, miss...?