001: spaaaaace

[supernova1006]

[Onto the Plane steps a weirdo. But I bet you're used to that, huh?]

[The particular weirdo looks to be a young man with bright orange hair and green eyes. He's wearing a long, pale blue scarf with a cloud print, sandals, and what looks like some kind of weird shackle around his wrist. He's in mid-stride when he appears and it takes him a split second to realize that he's not exactly where he's supposed to do. He gives a squeak of surprise and promptly trips and falls flat on his face.]

Ow...

[He's not down for long, though. In the next instant he's scrambling up to a sitting position and scooting backward, looking every-which-way, obvious panic mounting in his eyes.]

No no no no no, this can't--where the hell--how? Holy crap how did I get here oh stars what's happening!

[After a few failed attempts he manages to get back to his feet. He's still looking up and all around.]

It's like space, it almost feels like space, but... [He looks from a nebula to a galaxy to a star cluster. Then he takes a few steps back.] This is wrong, this is so wrong...I can't be here...I have to...

[Cue him turning and starting to walk briskly as he searches for the nearest living person, still muttering to himself.]

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

[The nearest living person happens to be on his way to get something to eat, but Jin's little display is rather attention grabbing.]

Calm yourself. There's no cause for panic.

[supernova1006]

[He's so startled to actually find someone that he almost trips again.]

Oh, hi, excuse me, I'm sorry but--I'm not--I'm not supposed to be here, how do I--where's the exit?

[lamb_of_gold]

None of us are, but we're here anyways. If you'd like to leave, you must only think about doing so.

[supernova1006]

Think--? I don't--I don't understand, where even is this place? This isn't... [He looks around nervously.] This isn't actually space...

[lamb_of_gold]

It's easier to understand once you've done it, though you may wish to calm yourself before you try.

This is the Astral Plane. Come with me, there's information not far from here.

[supernova1006]

Info...info is good. [He runs both hands through his hair.] Who are you? You didn't--did you bring me here? I really can't be here...

[lamb_of_gold]

If I had that kind of power, I would not harass strangers with it like this. My name is Mu, follow me.

[supernova1006]

Oh. Uh. Good to know.

[He follows, fidgeting with his shackle the whole time.]

[lamb_of_gold]

I'm not as malevolent as some, don't worry.

[Mu leads Jin to the info kiosk and yanks out one of the well-written information brochures.] This is somewhat out of date, but the bulk of the information within is still accurate. It will answer most of your questions, and I will try to answer any that remain.

[supernova1006]

O...kay...pamphlets, really? [Still, he starts reading. He's silent as he reads through the whole thing as fast as he can, though his face gets paler and paler as he goes. When he's finished he sets the pamphlet down.]

I can't--I can't be in an--there has to be a way to leave here permanently. This--this is too much.

[lamb_of_gold]

There is, but I do not know it - some people simply stop arriving from time to time. Otherwise, you'll be drawn back here before long, despite your best efforts.

[supernova1006]

Drawn back here? Then...some kind of tether...

[He's silent for a bit, clearly mulling things over.]

But I can...come and go for now? Just. By thinking it.

[punkblaze]

[Oh look, someone panicking! Must be new. Eithan shakes his head, smiling a bit, and approaches.]

Hey, uh, you okay, man? [He kind of leans forward a bit, red eyes trying to catch those green ones just to be sure this guy knows there's no reason to panic. His smile is friendly... if a little amused.] You just got here, I'm gonna guess.

[supernova1006]

You! ...Er--sorry, I didn't mean...I'm surprised to see people here? I don't... [He looks around.] I don't know where this is and I'm definitely not supposed to be here, I can't be here, so if, if you can help me get out...?

[punkblaze]

Nah, don't worry about it. This place is pretty weird. [There's a pause, as Eithan thinks about something...] ... You know? I don't know that any of us are supposed to be here. [... ... Shrug!] Eh.

Anyway, yeah, no, goin' home's easy. Just think about it. And no, I'm not bein' a smartass, I mean it. You can come back here whenever the same way.

[supernova1006]

But what--what even is here, I mean, it's like a planetarium on LSD or something, and I really, really can't be here, I'm not--I'm not allowed to leave--

[He trails off abruptly, staring at the guy.] Just...think about it? I don't understand...

[punkblaze]

[He has no idea what LSD is! But context is enough to tell him it's probably a drug, so he snickers anyway.] It's called the astral plane. And don't worry about bein' allowed to leave wherever you're from or whatever, it won't matter. Trust me. You'll see what I mean when you get back there.

[Because honestly, explaining it will just launch him right into another long monologue about things, and obviously this guy would prefer to get back right now. So.]

Yeah, just think about it. Really that easy. [And to demonstrate, he shoves his hands into his pockets, closes his eyes and... poof!

.... Poof!] See?

1/3

[supernova1006]

Nnnnnoooooo, it'll matter. [He twists his shackle around on his wrist.] It'll definitely matter.

I don't under-- [HOLY HELL WHERE DID THAT GUY GO.]

[HOLY CRAP NOW HE'S BACK WTFFFFFFFF. Just gonna. Stare for a moment.]

How does...how does thinking just...?

[Abruptly he frowns and looks around, tapping his chin with a finger.] It's like a telepathic/empathic kind of control system? Like a...holo system or something...? Okay...that makes more sense. Let me try.

[Okay! Gonna try to establish a mental link with--]

[--and instantly he is home.]

2/3

[supernova1006]

[Give him a minute or so to freak out, calm down, debate what to do next, and decide that being suddenly linked to some kind of transdimensional planetarium astral plane thing warrants further investigation.]

3/3

[supernova1006]

[Okay he's back. He's relieved to see his helpful new friend is still there. Now that the fear is mostly gone he's just looking astonished. And extremely impressed.]

This technology is amazing. It is tech, isn't it?

[punkblaze]

[He's not following the whole holo system explanation bit. He was with you up until that part though! The telepathic thing could totally be plausible. So he just kinda makes an unsure face, tilts his head from side to side while he thinks about it... Ehh--

And then the guy is gone. ... Waiting for it...

And of course he's still here when the guy gets back! He's even grinning.] Uhh, I think so? Maybe it's both. Dunno. Some people call this place a machine, or somethin'. Don't really get it myself, but I guess somehow it kinda makes sense?

But yeah. That's what I meant about not worryin' about it. You can come here whenever you want, and while you're here, no one's gonna know you're gone. It's pretty great.

[supernova1006]

A machine...right, that lady...that weird shop...

But I'll know I was gone! That's bad enough. But what--I don't understand why I'm here. I didn't do anything...

/punches real life in the face!!!

[punkblaze]

Well, yeah you'll know. Why's that matter?

[But he waves a hand dismissively at that second part.] Yeah no, you didn't do anything. It's just somethin' that happens, people just... get dragged here. I think it's random. Gotta be...

/real life explodes into fragments of magical colors!

[supernova1006]

Well, I'm--I'm not really allowed to leave, where I am, and this--this place definitely counts as leaving.

If that's the case how come I've never heard of this place till now?

\o/!! /confetti~

[punkblaze]

Yeah, but... they don't know. And technically, it's not leavin'. I mean, it's not like you can come here, and then go back to your world in a completely different place. It's always right where you were before. Yeah?

Dunno. Same way none of the rest of us did, I guess. [He runs a hand through his hair, offering a sheepish, apologetic smile. He does kind of feel bad that he doesn't have any decent answers for the guy.]