realityshifted | 001: spaaaaace

[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.]

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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...?

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.

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...

[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?

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.]

[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.]

[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?

[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.

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...

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...

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?

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.]

Like I said, I'll know... [He sighs heavily.] But I don't really have a choice in the matter, right?

Well, unless they're psychic or somethin' - whoever "they" is... [Shrug?] And yeah, no, not... really. That's kinda how this place is. You could try not comin' back for a while, but most people say they eventually end up here again eventually. I'm not sure how or why.

No, I--I mean I'd know and I'd feel guilty! It wouldn't matter if they found out or not. And--I mean, technically they are psychic, so--never mind, it doesn't matter I guess.

I still say it's not your fault. [Buuut, with a shrug of one shoulder, he lets it drop, since it seems like this guy doesn't really want to talk about it.]

Oh, right. Name's Eithan, by the way.

O-Oh, I'm so sorry, where are my manners! It's nice to meet you, Eithan, thank you for your help. I'm Jin, Jin Tian.

Hey, no problem. If you need help or somethin' later, just find me. I come here a lot. [Nod! ~~he's totally not avoiding home. Nope. No way.]~~

Y-Yeah, thanks a lot. I'll. Definitely come find you if I have questions or something.

001: spaaaaace

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/punches real life in the face!!!

/real life explodes into fragments of magical colors!

\o/!! /confetti~

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