[008]

[grip_on_reality]

[today there is a nine-year-old girl on the Astral Plane who, perhaps surprisingly, doesn't seem that bothered about her sudden presence in a multi-dimensional nexus. she has long brown hair and is wearing a plain T-shirt and jeans that are a little tattered and dirty, as though they've seen quite a bit of exploring. but her hair is neat and she doesn't look like she's been in anything particularly dirty today. being a curious child, though, she's made for the most interesting place she could spot--the black hole. currently, she has a hand in the gravity field around it and is attempting to see how far she can reach into that]

That feels weird! [she pushes her hand a little farther in, making a face at the sensation of the gravity fighting back] What is this thing?

[anyone listening might notice that the girl has a clear Mancunian accent. in fact, she may even look a bit familiar. but on her end, she's too busy poking at the field to notice anyone who might be approaching]

[ooc: Menzies is currently under her first experiment! For the time being, she has been regressed to when she was nine.]

Comments

[grip_on_reality]

[he does look rather intimidating, admittedly. she pulls her hand out of the gravity field, taking a few nervous steps back and watching to see what he does] I won't.

Who are you?

[darkercalling]

[Even her voice sounds vaguely familiar, but he still can't place it... hm.

He can tell she's wary of him, but there's not a lot he can do about it right now... oh well.] I'm Riku. I didn't mean to scare you, I just didn't want to see you get hurt.

What's your name?

[grip_on_reality]

[she stays where she is, looking him up and down, but her tone is defiant] I'm fine. I'm not scared.

Patricia. [nervously, she adds:] Are you an alien?

[darkercalling]

My mistake, then. [Hah! He likes this kid.]

[... Nooo way. ... Maybe that's a common name, though. dfjaslk]

Alien? Me? [He shakes his head.] No. I'm human. Why? Are you looking for one?

[grip_on_reality]

[she's starting to feel a little more at-ease about him, too--though she still keeps her distance for now. she shakes her head] But we're in space, so there must be aliens.

Why are you dressed like that? Is that what people wear where you're from?

[darkercalling]

It's not exactly space. It's the Astral Plane. But yeah, there are probably aliens somewhere. [Faint smirk] There are all kinds here...

... Some of them. [He shakes his head] It's a disguise. I don't want some people to find me, so I'm dressing like them. [There's that smirk again~] Don't tell anyone.

[grip_on_reality]

[she's not sure what to make of that answer] What's that?

[but her eyes widen at that explanation. secrets are a sure-fire way to catch her interest] I won't! [she takes a step toward him, lowering her voice conspiratorially] Are you hiding 'ere?

[darkercalling]

It's like a world between worlds. All of the different worlds in existence connect through here. You could think of it like a crossroads.

[He nods!] They can't come here. [Well, one of them can. But he's not sure about that one right now... so he just won't bring that up.] So, as long as I'm here, I'm safe. If I go back home, though... it's back to trying to stay hidden.

[... Okay. So Menzies is a cute kid. He'll have to tease her about that later.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she's rather awed by that description] So we can go anywhere from 'ere?

[glancing around to see if anyone is listening, she takes another step forward and keeps her tone low. clearly this is a very secret conversation now] Why are they looking for you?

[while she won't appreciate it if you do, Riku, her younger self is oblivious to this problem. call it blissful ignorance]

[darkercalling]

Not quite. [He shakes his head.] You can get back to your own world easily enough, but if you want to go somewhere else, you’ll have to get someone from there to take you.

[He glances around too -- playing along is kind of fun, okay! -- and keeps his voice a little quiet as well.] Because. I’m trying to stop them from ending my world. And hurting my friends.

[grip_on_reality]

Oh. [that's a little disappointing--but she does perk up at the mention of being able to go home] Where's the way out?

[her eyes widen] How are you gonna do that!?

[darkercalling]

You just have to think about it. And once you're home, you can get back here the same way. Just thinking.

Well first... I'm going to talk to them. Maybe they'll see reason. And if [more like "when," but he's not gonna say that to a kid] that doesn't work? Then I'll just have to stop them by force.

[grip_on_reality]

[surprised] Really? Like the Wizard of Oz? But whenever I want?

[she nods severely, looking perhaps more serious--and showing better understanding--than Riku might expect. her expression is pained and worried] You gotta be careful. Sometimes when people start fighting, they don't stop.

[darkercalling]

[The reference is entirely lost on him, but he still nods.] Whenever you want.

Yeah. I know. And really, they might have already started fighting. [A bit of a pause, while he carefully keeps his expression from turning dark.] But hey, it’s still worth a chance.

[grip_on_reality]

Wow... [she wants to try it now--but their current conversation is more important]

[she shakes her head at him] No, silly, you're gonna start fighting, too! How are you gonna stop? [she looks right into his sunglasses as she asks. no easy escape from this question, Riku]

[darkercalling]

[Damn.

He pauses, considering... then smirks juuust a bit.] I guess I'll just have to win, won't I?

[grip_on_reality]

[she pouts at that] Yeah... So be careful! [but her expression is clearly dissatisfied at this solution to the problem. she thinks for a moment before adding:] Are your friends gonna help?

[darkercalling]

Don't worry. [Though he can tell by the look on her face, she probably will anyway. Well, until she finds something more interesting to think about.]

Yeah, they will. Whenever - and however - they can. But first, I need to help them.

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods, accepting that answer, though she still looks worried] Do you 'ave to go soon?

[darkercalling]

[He shrugs a shoulder.] That’s the thing about this place - as long as we’re here, back home, time doesn’t pass. That makes it a great place to come and plan. Or just rest.

[grip_on_reality]

[well, that's a surprise. she blinks at him for a moment, trying to grasp that impossible concept] Wait. You mean, when I go 'ome it'll be like I just left? Mum won't even know?

[darkercalling]

Your mom won't even know. [He'd wink, but the sunglasses are in the way. Have a slightly mischievous smile instead~]

[grip_on_reality]

Wow! [she brightens at that prospect, her worry disappearing and excitement taking its place] So what do you do 'ere? Are there other places we can go?

[darkercalling]

There are, yeah. [He smiles a bit more. That excitement is so freakin’ cute jafkdlsj] A forest, a beach, a coliseum, a theatre, a ballroom...

[grip_on_reality]

Really? All that in space? [she's rocking on her heels now with her excitement to explore] What's your favourite place?