Entrance Post

[seta-soujirou.livejournal.com]

A young man dressed in a strange combination of a blue haori, blue hakama, and a white, western, button-up shirt steps into the bar. He has a pleasant smile on his face, but it quickly falls into a blank expression as he takes in his surroundings.

He had actually intended to enter an eating establishment, and this certainly looks like some kind of eating establishment (although very Western), but it's chock full of foreigners, not to mention a number of people with odd enough appearances to rival the members of the Juppongatana.

Last time he checked, the restaurant he'd been intending to enter was located in a very small, traditional northern village, not known for its tourism, eccentric citizens, or really odd, Western-style restaurants.

He blinks rapidly. You'll have to forgive him for being a little baffled.

"Ah...anou..." It's all he can manage, at the moment. He's not sure what to say, or ask, or do.

Seta Soujirou, welcome to Milliways.

Comments

[withoutanydoubt.livejournal.com]

"This will," she says slowly - not quite hesitant, but as though she is choosing her words carefully, "Be much simpler, I think, if you've come from a place where there is a concept of 'magic'." That last word has a twist of distaste to it. Having to admit that something is does not mean one has to like it, and she does not.

"This place - it is outside the normal rules of space and time. That is to say, it doesn't exist in the physical location from which one enters it."

[seta-soujirou.livejournal.com]

Soujirou stares at her.

He fully understands the concept she's trying to get across, but understanding and believing are two entirely different things. There's no magic to speak of where Soujirou comes from, except in myth and legend. Stories. He's beginning to wonder if the young woman he's conversing with is entirely sane.

However, her mention of 'the physical location from which one enters' causes him to reflexively look toward the door he came through...only to do a double take.

"AH?! What...! What happened to the door I came through?!"

His face is so expressive, his body language so shocked, the reaction would be comical under less serious circumstances.

[withoutanydoubt.livejournal.com]

If Riza detects these doubts regarding her sanity, it does not show in her calm expression. Indeed, she looks a little rueful. "My aplogies. It is an anomaly where I come from as well."

She winces, just a little, at his reaction to the door - she, certainly, does not find it comical, though others might despite the situation. "I've heard it vanishes, though I've never seen evidence myself - as far as I can see, it is still present. I believe they call the phenomenon 'being Bound'. It means--" And here she pauses, sympathy starkly evident. "It means that some force has decided to keep you here."

[seta-soujirou.livejournal.com]

He's quiet for a moment, just looking at where the door used to be.

"Keep me here?" His voice seems smaller than it did before. "Why? How? Is this...is this really some kind of magic?"

He seems slightly fascinated, despite his obvious unease.

[withoutanydoubt.livejournal.com]

"I do not know," Riza replies, half apologetic. "They say there's a reason for it when it happens, but I don't know that anyone knows what this reason is. Or even if there really is a reason at all. As for magic, it is not something that exists in my world. Again, I've only others' word to go on, but from what I've seen here, there is no other explanation."

When logic breaks down, believing the insanity is only logical.

[seta-soujirou.livejournal.com]

Soujirou does his best to compose himself and get his thoughts together. He manages, barely, but his mind is going a mile a minute, trying to piece together his new place in an unfamiliar world.

"If I'm stuck here, will I ever get back? And what am I supposed to do in the meantime? Where will I sleep? I still don't even really understand what or where this place is..."

He pauses, realizing he's inundating her with questions.

"I'm sorry, I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but I'm...very confused. I was travelling in search of...a truth. But I didn't intend to come anywhere like this."

[withoutanydoubt.livejournal.com]

"I believe you should be able to return to your home, though I cannot answer as to when. As for what you are supposed to do here, I don't know. They've some staff to sustain this place, but beyond that there seems to be little thought given to its captives." She spreads her hands in apology. "I do know that you can get a key to a room - they have them, for those who become trapped."

More softly, "No one expects this place, I don't think."

[seta-soujirou.livejournal.com]

He nods, taking in what explanation she can give him with a mix of relief and apprehension.

"Do you know who I might talk to about getting some kind of job? I...I have to do something here, until I can go back."

And maybe, just maybe, he'll still be able to find his truth here.

[withoutanydoubt.livejournal.com]

"One of the bartenders, perhaps, when they are on duty. It isn't something I've ever had to ask, as I've not been stuck here myself." Realizing after a moment that her words might be misconstrued as gloating, Riza winces.

[seta-soujirou.livejournal.com]

Her concern isn't necessary though, as Soujirou takes the statement exactly as she meant it - I am unexperienced in your situation, so I'm not sure.

He nods again, and then stands, bowing to her gratefully.

"In that case, I think I'll have a look around. I should probably become familiar with this place, and hopefully I'll run into a...bartender." The word is unfamiliar to him, but he understands the meaning of it.

"Thank you very much for your help, ah...ano..." He looks suddenly sheepish. "I'm sorry, I don't think I ever properly introduced myself. I'm Seta Soujirou."