[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]

[she grins] I'm gonna do that!

[but at that, she takes a quick step toward him] No, wait--Mu! Thank you. But who are you?

[lamb_of_gold]

Just Mu. I was hoping you'd tell me your name, however.

[Sneaking suspicion is sneaking, after all]

[grip_on_reality]

Oh, I'm Patricia! But where are you from? You look...different. [she nods at his hair. she was definitely expecting him to be an alien before he said he wasn't from space]

[lamb_of_gold]

[Suspicion confirmed. Oh dear.]

I grew up in Tibet, which is close to India. I'm aware my hair is somewhat unusual, but it is what it is.

[grip_on_reality]

[thankfully, she has no idea what she's just revealed to him. she's too busy being surprised about his origins anyway] Really? But you speak English!

[lamb_of_gold]

Do I? Or do you speak Tibetan? Because that's certainly what I hear.

[grip_on_reality]

What? [she gives him a look because he's clearly trying to have a laugh at her expense] No, I don't!

[lamb_of_gold]

[He does get a chuckle] This place has a habit of translating our words so that others may understand us.

[grip_on_reality]

[her eyes widen] Ohh, that's neat! We can talk to anybody?

Hey, Mu? Which way's the kitchen?

[lamb_of_gold]

Anybody.

Follow me, I will show you. [He gestures that she walk along side him]

[grip_on_reality]

[she claps her hands in excitement at the idea of being able to meet all sorts of people in space] Fantastic!

[she nods, jogging over to join him] Can I try the going 'ome trick, too? You're sure I can come back?

[lamb_of_gold]

Unless the Plane is up to it's tricks, there shouldn't be a problem.

[grip_on_reality]

[she gives him a curious look] Tricks?

[but, being a rather impulsive child, without waiting for a response, she closes her eyes and takes a step, dropping from the Plane. a moment later, she returns--though her expression is troubled now] That wasn't home!

[lamb_of_gold]

It likes to keep us here some--

[He sighs, but looks up with a frown forming.] No?

[grip_on_reality]

[she shakes her head] That was somebody else's flat! How do I get to mine?

[lamb_of_gold]

I'm afraid I don't know. You return to point where you left.

[grip_on_reality]

You mean I can't go home?

[she's starting to look worried now. unfortunately, she doesn't know enough about the situation to realise that the flat where she appeared is the one that she'll own when she's more than 20 years older]

[lamb_of_gold]

It may be best if you don't, for now. The Plane likes to play tricks, you see - it could be affecting where you appear.

[Or, you know, she's in the apartment she'll own when she's a grownup, but Mu really doesn't want to try and talk her through that.]

[grip_on_reality]

So...maybe I can go home later? [she can't keep her nerves out of her voice. she's quiet for a moment after that, considering her situation and what Mu has already told her. finally, she asks uncertainly:] But you said it's like being on holiday 'ere? There's a kitchen and stuff?

[lamb_of_gold]

Things such as this rarely last very long.

There is. There is a mansion, and a bath house as well, to sleep in.

[grip_on_reality]

Okay... [she's still nervous about not being able to get home, but the mention of a mansion distracts her] A mansion!? And anybody can just go in?

Um...can we still go to the kitchen?

[lamb_of_gold]

Anyone so inclined, yes. There's nobody living there any more, after all.

We may. Are you hungry?

[grip_on_reality]

[it is almost inconceivable to her that someone who lived in a mansion would just leave it for anyone, so she might be staring a little] Really? Where they'd go?

[she nods, smiling eagerly] Yeah. What sort of food has it got?

[lamb_of_gold]

I don't know. Sometimes it happens that people leave The Plane and never come back.

That's a difficult question to answer - It changes every time I look.

[grip_on_reality]

[she frowns] Why do they do that?

[but his description of the kitchen is exciting. in most ways, this place is sounding better by the minute] Do you think there'll be food from Tibet?