realityshifted | (no subject)

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saiyuki (d1) cho hakkai

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[This guy looks way too cheerful for someone who’s just abruptly found himself in the middle of a starry blackness.]

My, my, this looks like it might be troublesome. [He looks around.] Gojyo? Sanzo, Goku?

...I guess I’m here on my own. [He smiles blandly into the darkness.] ...Well, I doubt that, actually. It’s awfully rude to leave your guests waiting in the darkness, you know. I have dinner on the stove, so I’d really prefer to get this over with, if it’s not too much trouble. [The smile turns dangerously cheerful, and his monocle glints ominously.] I might even let you go, if you make it quick!

[The darkness does not respond, and Hakkai shakes his head in disappointment.] I suppose it was too much to hope that it might be over with so soon, wasn’t it? Ah, well. [His hand reaches up to stroke the furred crest of the little white dragon perched across his shoulders, and it emits a soft ‘kyuu’.] I guess we should see if there’s something more interesting in those buildings, shouldn’t we, Hakuryu?

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[Jacqli is about to walk right by this man (and dragon - huh, interesting...) she's never seen before on her way to the kitchen, but she slows when she gets nearer to him, and she even offers: ]

Most of them really aren't that interesting.

[She's so helpful.]

[He turns to her, his smile frozen in place for a long moment while he processes this new turn of events. It's less likely that he's been kidnapped by someone targeting Sanzo's sutra if there are other people here not involved in the fight. An illusion, perhaps, or a pocket dimension?

After the moment passes, he seems to come to a decision, and the smile gets a little more genuine.] Is that so? I'm afraid I'm new here, so I can't say I know my way around.

[She stops walking. She studies him, not quite sure what to make of his seemingly perpetual smile, though she does note that said smile is not always necessarily sincere. Puzzling. She meets that smile with an entirely neutral expression.]

I'm still new as well, relatively speaking. However, it seems the general consensus of those here is that we need to stick together to find out the truth, so most of the people you find here will answer any questions you have.

That's surprisingly helpful. [He has his doubts about the true value of the help, but he also thinks there's a better than fifty percent chance that she's an illusion. Also taking note that apparently there are enough 'others' here for their opinions to be called general consensus.

And he still hasn't quite stopped watching her like she might at any moment sprout fangs and claws and rush him.] I suppose the most pressing question would be where, in fact, we are.

[Given the way she behaves, that's a valid way to watch her. Jacqli is mildly impressed by his caution.]

This is the Astral Plane. It's a place at the center of many different worlds. People can come here from many different places, even some you've probably never heard of.

Is that so? [It sounds vaguely plausible, if he had any reason to trust her, which he emphatically does not.] And what do they do when they come here?

That depends on who you ask. Some people are just here to catch a break from their own worlds, since while you're here, time won't pass for your own world. Others... well, I'm sure they have ulterior motives. [She shrugs a shoulder.]

You should probably get a brochure. [She points in the general direction of the information kiosk.] It's pretty good as far as a starting explanation.

I suppose I should. [He looks over toward it, but doesn't much feel like turning his back on the first living thing he's met here.] ...Is there a ruler or...creator, of this place, that I should be aware of? Or is that also listed in the brochures?

['s cool. She's gonna start walking that way, and she motions for him to follow. She's not keen on leaving him be just yet. He seems interesting. If nothing else, he has a very pretty dragon friend.]

Whoever it is that mde this place, or discovered it, or is otherwise responsible for us being here is going very well out of his or her way to stay unknown. And, for all we know, the creator and the ruler could even be different people. [She sighs. Clearly she hates the lack of answers.] The brochure will give you names of people who seem to be important, anyway. It's a start.

You're also not trapped here. If you want to go home, just think about it.

[He can sympathize with the frustration. That last bit of news does bring him up short, though, and he immediately tests it out by blinking off the Plane.

He returns a moment later, having successfully worked out for himself that it works both ways.] Well! That makes this situation either a great deal less sinister, or a great deal moreso.

[When he returns, she has her arms crossed and is wearing the faintest of smiles, clearly amused. But when she answers, the smile goes away and she's back to being serious.]

A little of both. We're subjected to experiments. Those experiments don't have to end with us - they can affect our worlds as well. You don't seem to be someone I'd need to warn to be careful.

[Oliver is staring at the creature on Hakkai's shoulder] Hey--is that a dragon!?

[Hakuryu lifts his head and kyuus at the newcomer, and Hakkai laughs faintly as he reaches to pet the dragon, although his smile still doesn't quite stretch to his eyes.] He is, indeed. [Well, most of the time. Oliver, you are now getting watched carefully while Hakkai tries to decide how much threat you pose.]

He's so small! [Oliver is approaching with an excited smile, but after another moment of dragon fascination, he turns his attention to Hakkai] Hey! You said you just got here? I'm Oliver. Nice to meet you.

I...did. [He smiles in friendly fashion, clearly more than a bit bewildered. This young man is not giving him even the slightest indication that he is dangerous, or that their situation is dangerous...but if this isn't a youkai attack of some kind, then what else could it be?

Well, handing out his name can't hurt. It's not like it hasn't been spread around halfway to India already.] My name is Hakkai. I'd say the same, but...I'm afraid I'm a bit puzzled at the moment.

Nice to meet you, Hakkai! [he smiles--except it's about now that he gets close enough to get a good look at Hakkai's expression] Oh, nobody's gotten you a brochure yet, huh? The kiosk is just over there. [he points] If you want, I'll go with you. Has anybody told you anything about the Plane yet?

[Hiccup's passing by with some rope, trying not to get into the man's business. He knows that smile, he got a it a few times from Snotlout too and it only promises pain, and headaches... But hey. Hey, what is that!]

A dragon! [The nerd in him exclaims before he could stop himself. Then he just stands there being absolutely terrified because the man seems dangerous, but... dragon...] I mean, not you, you're not a dragon, you just, uh, have... a dragon. That's... great.

[Well Hiccup might as well could just hang himself with his rope if he so badly wanted to cease to exist, doesn't he?!]

[Hakkai laughs softly, because that is awfully cute, no matter what the situation around them is, and strokes Hakuryu's head.] He is a remarkable creature.

[Now watching you to see if you're going to grow claws and jump him. He's not getting any danger vibes or youryoku sense, but that doesn't necessarily have to mean anything...right?]

He seems so. [Alright, then have some awkward silence. Hiccup clears his throat then, but not saying anything for a while, nor moving anywhere.] Can I... Can I see him closer? Or she... Is he a... Uh, I mean... [AWKWARD.]

[Christopher's attention swivels in on one particular part of the speech, setting aside everything else.] It's so exasperating to be separated from your cooking. Even if time doesn't stop for it, what about you? You can't get interrupted in the middle of a work of art, even if it won't burn while you're gone. It's not like Michelangelo took breaks when he was painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Sorry, that's wrong. He did. Inspiration is so fickle. You can't blame him.

[He waves it all off with a hand. Now his blood eyes turn to really meet Hakkai's, and his mouth of fangs opens to welcome Hakkai with a gentle smile.] That's right! You're new! Lost! I'd even say you're in need of a friend! I'll help a fellow culinary artist out. [Ignoring that Hakkai never even said he enjoyed cooking, let alone that he was good at it] There are papers around here that explain everything, but you can't trust what you read in papers, can you? It would be my honour to tell you everything.

Edited 2012-08-20 22:10 (UTC)

[Oh, okay, see, this is more like what he was expecting. This person is clearly the talkative type of insane. Really, didn't they just finish dealing with this? Only this one is more manic.

Still, information is information. He can decide how much of it to believe later. Carefully maintaining his distance~] I'd be much obliged if you could provide me some explanation, certainly.

[Just wants to make you feel at home!]

[Christopher doesn't approach, but he doesn't back down, either. He starts counting off attributes on his fingers.] Free trips home and back to the multi-world train station as many times as you like, lots of supplies in the kitchen, it's an experiment so don't go damaging the raw materials [sings the last part of that like a cheerful host's warning], and the plants live forever as long as they're here.

[There's a fair amount of information in that, with varying degrees of usefulness - now how to prioritize his questions...]

An experiment, is it? I don't suppose we've been informed of what they're trying to discover.

Can't imagine why they'd say. Doesn't that bias the results? How could we expect scientists to compromise their work for the sake of ethics or our peace of mind? It's positively counter-Enlightenment. It's Luddite. It's Philistine. You would have to be from the Dark Ages to expect it. I'm not.

Edited (now with %300 more ramble!! and somewhat fewer spaces) 2012-09-01 06:05 (UTC)

I believe there are ethical questions to be addressed, but if they aren't asking our permission before engaging us, there really can't be much expectation of ethics in the first place. [He's actually kind of fun to talk to, although Hakkai certainly knows better than to relax.] You mentioned something about returning home - shouldn't that compromise the integrity of the experiment, too?

[His razor grin is lopsided.] Wherever it goes, the actions of a guinea pig are still nothing but a part of an experiment. [There's the way he says it, with strange certainty. They're words he has heard before, an idea he has had drilled into his head in different ways since he was created. Then he goes bright again.] Which would make our homes designated subjects as well! What an honour for... wherever you're from.

Edited 2012-09-01 06:31 (UTC)

[Ah. So that's the way it is, is it? Hakkai's smile widens - his teeth are human, but the sentiment underneath it is just as sharp. Experiments combining magic and science, affecting the entire world in their grip...it's all just too familiar.] I see. They seem rather impatient, unfortunately - it'd make things so much simpler if they would wait their turn, but clearly decorum is too much to expect.

[It would be too convenient to hope that those running the Gyuumaoh resurrection experiments might come into conflict with these people, whoever they may be. Speaking of which-] Do you know who's running the experiments, by any chance? I would like the opportunity to clarify a few things with them directly.

[Even with human teeth, Hakkai's message comes across. Though Christopher doesn't bother to attend to it.] Didn't ask. The people at that shop of theirs don't seem to have anything to do with it. But you could always call into the abyss. After all, if they're always listening, they already know you want to talk.

[Liza is always there when Christopher needs to a word with her, always, even if she is ignoring him. Christopher still has no idea how Sham, Hilton, and Liza do it, but he knows what it means when someone's always watching: "don't call us; we'll call you."]

[Roxas approaches shyly, staying a comfortable distance away. He's not sure what to think of this guy. He seems... nice enough, but there's something still kind of 'off'. Well, he's probably freaked out in any case.

He's prepared to give a speech, but then he notices the thing on Hakkai's shoulder is alive and all the words leave him.]

What... is that?

[SO ELOQUENT, I know. I can't handle it.]

[Not so much freaked out as...resigned to dealing with the situation as presented. Like he's been through this sort of thing before or something. Weird, huh? But he smiles pleasantly enough at Roxas.]

Hakuryu is a dragon.

[And now those sharp green eyes are watching you very closely, Roxas, although the man who owns them looks relaxed enough in theory. Your move.]

[It is weird. But Roxas isn't good at subtlety and he thinks the guy is nice enough.]

I thought dragons were supposed to be bigger. Not that I've ever seen one before...

[Something like pain darts across his features-- and he shakes his head fiercely to clear it. What the heck was that?]

Oh, are you new here?

Are you kidding? They always do the darkness shtick here. It's like they have nothing better to do than present themselves like tools. [A boy is leaning against the entrance to the bar. His shock white hair is offset by his gold rimmed shades but matches the red and white shirt plus black pants thing he has going for him.]

They leave it to the rest of us to do that. First thing's first, you can leave at any time. Just will it to happen and you're gone. But, the Plane, I can't believe I finally called it that out loud, has its hooks in you. You'll be able to come back here and it might just yoink you back if it feels like it.

There's some out of date info hanging around if you want the readable version of the shit going down here.

... [Well. That's interesting news, and if testable, puts all of this in a considerably new light.]

That seems deceptively simple. You mean if I simply...

[And then he vanishes abruptly off the Plane.

A few moments later, he returns, adjusting his monocle slightly as he reappears. The ability to escape makes it unlikely that this is a youkai attack after all...] Well, that does make the situation rather more convenient.

[Dave only smirks when Hakkai returns. He doesn't feel the need to comment and nods once.] The only people who will get where you're going are other people plugged into the system.

Every reality is different but, that remains the same. Sometimes you go back for a while and follow your time stream for a year or more then return. Here only a day or so passed. Shit like that is common. There's no time here, at least nothing concrete. Any way all this is covered in a couple of packets. [He pushes away from the doorway and takes a few steps to the left, pausing only to speak.] It's over this way.

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