♪ EXEC_01/. ♫

[fallbythesword]

[Onto the plane walks a short young woman, with black hair falling over her shoulders and a few strands even carelessly fluttering into her face. She's thin - probably too thin. Malnourished. Her bright red eyes are narrowed into a glare as she looks around the Plane, taking in every inch of it that she can see from her position, trying to figure out just what's going on here...

.. Oh. And by the way? She's completely naked. Completely. Naked.

She puts one hand on her hip.] This isn't... [Another look around... and then a sigh.] I'm being stalled again. All of these hangups are getting in my way. ... Whatever.

[She takes a few steps forward, but then stops to look yet again... And when she speaks, it's a bit louder: addressing anyone who is around to hear her.]

Unless the person I'm supposed to meet forgot to mention an excessive amount of stars, I'm in the wrong place. There's even been a change in the laws of physics, it seems. At least on a few certain scales. [And a change within her - she shouldn't be alive. The Tower isn't here. And now that she thinks on it, she does feel just a tiny, infinitesimal shade different.]

Is there anyone here that can answer my questions? [beat.] I'd prefer someone with a brain, but I guess anyone would be better than no answers at all.

Comments

[grand_gaia]

[There was an answer here. It has been replaced by silence and mad blushing because oh. Those are boobies. Oh dear.]

A-ah!

[fallbythesword]

[.... Eyebrow quirk.]

What's the problem?

[grand_gaia]

Um...Aren't you....cold?

[fallbythesword]

Not really. I've been in colder places.

[She sees no problem with this set-up, dude.]

[grand_gaia]

But....your clothes!

[fallbythesword]

Oh. [Beat] I don't have any.

[grand_gaia]

Uhm...I might have something spare at home if you'd like...?

[fallbythesword]

[She gives him a considering look.] Does it really bother you that much?

[grand_gaia]

[It's not the boobs themselves (he's seen them before, after all), but normally girls have a little more....shame?]

Doesn't it bother you?

[fallbythesword]

Should it? [She quirks that eyebrow again.] I'm not ashamed of my body.

[grand_gaia]

Most girls I know don't like to be seen naked...that's all.

[Listen closely, Jacqli. You might hear the sound of his brain slowly breaking apart.]

[fallbythesword]

[Don't tell her that. She might find it amusing and make a point of doing it every time she sees the poor guy.]

Maybe not. [But that clearly doesn't concern her~] But if you're so worried about it, then I'll take your offer.

[grand_gaia]

Alright. I'll be right back.

[Isaac drops from the Plane and returns a moment later with a light tunic that looks like it would fall to about Jacqli's thighs, which he hands to her.]

I can get a belt, if you want to bring it in at the waist at all....

[fallbythesword]

[She takes it, giving him a small nod that's probably the closest thing to a "thank you" he's going to get. She slips it over her head, and it practically swallows her whole with how big it is on her thin, starved-looking frame.]

This will be fine. I'll return it to you later.

[grand_gaia]

Take your time.

I guess you're new here, huh?

[fallbythesword]

[She nods.] I guess I am. What sort of machine is this?

[Yep, she can hear that mechanical hum.]

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies is near enough to hear--and see--the woman's entrance. she sighs. this place really does attract all sorts, doesn't it? she approaches, looking annoyed but not particularly bothered by Jacqli's state of complete undress]

I see you know 'ow to make an entrance. So I take it this is your first time 'ere?

[fallbythesword]

[Okay, that actually makes her smirk a little bit.] You're not the first person to tell me that.

[She pauses then, looks around, and nods as she pushes a loose bit of hair out of her eyes and behind her ear.]

It is. This machine... [Yes, she can hear that turning and grinding. And feel the damp metal beneath her bare feet, no matter how much it certainly looks like nothing.] It must be massive. What's its purpose?

[grip_on_reality]

[she snorts] No? Can't imagine why.

Making our lives interesting, mostly. [she purses her lips, her expression sour] We're 'ere for some sort of experiment, but nobody's exactly chatty about what it's for.

[casually] So, do they just not do clothes where you're from, or is that more of a personal style?

[fallbythesword]

[Sarcasm~ her favorite! Two can play that game.] Neither can I. I'm just a girl, after all.

[The word "experiment" makes her twitch, just slightly. More humans thinking they can do what they'd like with her? -- No. The owners of this machine might not necessarily be human. Not that it matters. No matter the species, she'll end them when she can.

But that's certainly not right now, so keeps her anger in check and addresses Menzies again with the same calm she's had since arriving.] There's always at least one talkative fool in a bunch. Maybe his superiors wised up and keep him away from here.

[Paaaause.] There are clothes where I come from. ... I don't own any.

[grip_on_reality]

[she laughs disbelievingly] A natural talent, is it?

Could be. [she shrugs] Don't know yet. But we're trying to find out.

[she raises an eyebrow at that. then she sighs, mentally working through how to tackle this problem] You'll need some 'round 'ere. Want me to get you some?

[fallbythesword]

[Faint smirk~] That's a good way to put it.

[Trying to find out? Well, at least there's that. She'll keep her comments to herself for now, so she just answers with a single nod.]

If I really will need some around here... Then yes. I suppose.

[grip_on_reality]

Right. Give me a mo'.

[she looks Jacqli up and down briefly and then drops from the Plane, disappearing for almost 10 minutes. thankfully, she's at work, so it doesn't take her long to get to lost property and start sifting through it. the harder matter is finding clothing that will fit someone of Jacqli's slight stature. Menzies manages, though--you'd be surprised what all people leave behind and never claim. she returns to the Plane with a tank top that probably belonged to a teenage girl and a pair of jeans, offering them out to Jacqli]

Here, these should do for now. But there's a ballroom with a dressing area you might want to take a look at later.

[fallbythesword]

[Hey, that totally works for a flat-chested, short chick who looks like she's only 14 or 15! Awesome. She takes the clothes with a nod.]

Thank you. [It's said abruptly - like she forgot that it was proper to actually say it instead of it just being, you know, established fact that obviously she would be grateful for clothes if she apparently has to have them. ... So complicated. Anyway, she begins dressing as she continues her conversation with Menzies.]

There's a ballroom? What for?

[grip_on_reality]

[she shrugs, not minding whether Jacqli sees the gesture or not] Probably somebody here at some point had a thing for costumes.

[but she is trying to be helpful, so she adds:] Most of the stuff you'll find 'round 'ere was brought in from people's 'omes. All of it, maybe. You could do it yourself, if you wanted.

[fallbythesword]

I see. I know some people like that. [Entirely off-handed comment, that~]

This place wants nothing my world has to offer. [And after pulling that tank top over her head and pulling her looooong hair through it, she is now fully dressed! She looks down at herself, somewhat satisfied, and then turns her attention back to Menzies with a single nod.] Well, that may be a lie. But I can't think of anything I'd need to bring here. Maybe in the future.

[She looks around briefly, considering.] Did you bring anything here?

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies snorts at the thought, shaking her head] Nah. I think the Plane's interesting enough already. And what do you want to bet, if I made a building disappear from my city? I'd be the one stuck investigating the crime.

[and now that the clothing issue is taken care of...] Detective Inspector Patricia Menzies. You are?

[fallbythesword]

You work for the law then? I see. [But she doesn't let on whether she thinks that's a good thing or a bad thing. ... Probably because it really makes no difference to her~]

And, from the sound of it, we are not from the same world. You also helped me, with the clothes. So... I guess I could tell you my name. [... But she's still a little hesitant.]

[grip_on_reality]

Yeah, that's me. [and that's fine because Menzies doesn't care what she thinks of it]

Probably not. [she raises an eyebrow at that hesitance--and then shrugs, casually] That's up to you. But 'ow 'bout you give me something to call you, at least? Unless you like being you.

[fallbythesword]

[Jacqli was listening, but was mostly just spinning things over in her mind as Menzies spoke. Just before the last word leaves her mouth, Jacqli speaks just slightly over her:]

Miwa. [She shrugs a shoulder.] Miwa Togasaki. [But she’s not trying to fool Menzies, by any means: it’s clear in her tone that this is her name only for now.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods, acknowledging that she knows--although she does wonder why she chose such a long name for a pseudonym] All right, Miwa. You're gonna want to see the brochure about this place; it'll answer some questions, anyway. There's a kiosk over this way. [she gestures, starting in that direction] Anything you want to know on the way?

[fallbythesword]

[It's a name she's had in mind for a while, that's all.]

A brochure? That's convenient. [Bit of a smile as she follows Menzies.] This place has been here for a while then, and someone felt the need to field all of the questions?

[grip_on_reality]

[she nods, leading the way] Sounds about right. I only met the bloke who wrote it once, so I'm not sure he still comes 'ere. But I do know a fella who's been coming 'ere for at least three years, so this place 'as definitely been around for a while.

[and it's not long before she stops at the kiosk, gesturing] 'ere we are. You're, ah, gonna want Broderick's version. It's got actual information. The other one's more like somebody's idea of blowing off some steam.

[fallbythesword]

[Well, the kiosk's technology level is roughly on par with what she's experienced in her own world - better in some senses, worse in others. Either way, she very quickly navigates her way to the proper brochure, opting for holographic presentation (whee, tech scrolling!) - but she doesn't start sifting through it just yet. Menzies is still here, after all.]

Maybe it made him feel better. I may listen to it later, just out of curiosity.

[She nods to Menzies.] You've been kind to me. Thank you. ... I have one more question, though. [Slight hesitation] This place is going to directly interfere with my world and my life. Isn't it?

[grip_on_reality]

[Menzies shrugs. after all, Jacqli can do what she likes with the kiosk's brochures. to Jacqli's thanks, she says off-handedly:] Don't mention it.

[at the question, she makes a face] In a word, yeah. Basically, some of the experiments they run change us--literally. And can follow us 'ome. A little while ago, I got to relive my childhood for a couple weeks--and it can be a lot worse than that.

Plus, sometimes things from this place just...get into our worlds. That doesn't 'appen often, but it's never pleasant. [and from her expression, that might be an understatement] And there are also mergers. If you get close to people 'round 'ere? You might see bits of their world popping up in yours--and vice verse. [she gestures at the kiosk] The brochure 'll explain more. And since we're all in the same boat, most people 'll answer questions if you've got 'em.

[she turns to leave Jacqli to it] I'm sure I'll see you 'round. Good luck!

[fallbythesword]

[And that's all the information she needs from Menzies, now that she has a brochure to flip through. So when she turns to leave, Jacqli only nods once again before turning her attention to the hologram.]

See you around as well, detective.