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tampered2007-10-22 07:34 pm
legislated.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2007-10-22 07:34 pm
Log; Complete
When; October 21st [Afternoon].
Rating; PG.
Characters; Nina Fortner [![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
legislated] & Mai Kashiwagi [enkindling].
Summary; After agreeing to meet at Café Juliet, Mai lends Nina some clothes and they exchange information about their worlds.
Log;
Even with being in the city for only three days herself, Mai knew that a little help went a long way. And with noticeable ladies' men like Greed about, she wasn't going to let her roam around in only her night clothes. Upon arriving to her destination, Mai took a few moments to glance across the cafe any sign of the other; it was possible that she had arrived first, but why not take a look around?
"Miss Nina? Are you here?"
>>
Not only did walking around in pajamas invite the perverts, but it also invited shocked stares...normally, anyway. In a city as strange as this one, Nina had been startled to find that most didn't even offer her a passing glance, unless they were the aforementioned perverts. ...Not that she was wearing anything as revealing as a nightie. They were plain green satin pajamas with long sleeves and pant legs that dragged a bit.
Her feet, however, were freezing, and the only comfort she had was that her gun had come to the City with her, probably due to her keeping it under her pillow at night lately. It was a little difficult to hide underneath pajamas, but she had managed to find some twine from a bush to tie around her calf to holster the gun. A little less odd looking than waving it around in her hand, anyway. Somehow she had a feeling that would just invite more trouble.
Still feeling a bit numb from the shock of her situation, Nina had practically run to the café, bare feet and hands practically ice cold by the time she darted into the building. She got a few annoyed looks from people trying to enjoy coffee, but she had pointedly ignored them and found a secluded booth in the back corner to rub her hands together and wait.
The call of her name was a welcome sound, and Nina quickly leaned out of the booth to stretch her arm out so that she might snag the other girl's attention. "Mai...? I'm over here!" She could have simply stood up, but she still didn't feel comfortable being dressed like this in public, not at all.
>>
It didn’t take her long to notice where the other girl sat, and so she took off toward her direction; however, minding the other patrons as she slid between the chairs of empty tables. At least for Nina, it seemed like a nice day to land in the City. No psychotic serial killers about, a distinct lack of furry lizard-type creatures nipping at your legs, nor the overhanging fear of a
It was definitely a good day in the city, perfect for being dragged off from the comfort of your own
"This makes you wonder if anyone has ever landed in the city after a shower," she laughed, finally reaching the table as she set the bag of clothes upon it, "There should be a bathroom in the back, if you’d like to change now - or I could tell you more about the city, if you’d like."
>>
The thought of landing in this place naked was a...horrifying thought. One that made her smile back at the good natured laugh. "I wouldn't doubt it...though I doubt we'll ever find out about such an event. I don't think anybody would want to brag about that."
After pulling the bag over, Nina sifted through it, looking more relieved by the second. "Let me go change real quickly first? I feel so silly like this. I'll be right back!"
With a grateful wave, the young woman slid out of the booth, clutching the bag to her chest as she hurried to the bathroom in the back. Just as she feared, not everything fit perfectly. Mai was younger than her, at least in appearance, and her Japanese frame was so much more petite. By the time she was through, the skirt and blouse were a bit more tight than were comfortable, and the shoes were positively killing her feet... But it was all a lot better than waltzing around in night clothes.
After combing her fingers through her hair and rinsing off her face, Nina stuffed her pajamas into the bag and walked back out so that she could flop back into the booth across from the other girl. "Much better! Thank you so much."
>>
"It’s no problem, really! I don’t think I’d be as comfortable here if people hadn’t helped me out."
She returned Nina’s thanks with a soft smile, shifting her hands to hand the other a menu. There was something comforting in speaking another who had so recently been pulled from their world. Four days wasn’t enough to get over the shock, and if anyone could help, it would be someone who shared the same sentiment. Not to mention, it was nice for a change to have a conversation without exploding in anger at the other person.
"Go ahead and order what you want, it’s on me - and I could lend you some coins if you’d like," she spoke, then broke off into another topic, "Is there anything you’d like to know about the city? I can’t promise to tell you everything, but I’ve studied up a bit since arriving here…"
>>
The menu was accepted hesitantly, as Nina already felt like she owed Mai so much... But apparently the thought of food alone was enough to cause a light growl from her stomach, and a touch of pink painted her cheeks as she abruptly lifted the menu to hide behind it. "Maybe I'll just order something small... After this, I should probably start looking for a job to support myself, right?"
Lowering the menu once she's regained a bit of composure, and having decided what she wanted, she took another look at Mai. "The guide was rather thorough... I guess all I need to know from here is...which places aren't safe to work at? Do you know?"
>>
She allowed herself to ponder the question for a bit, her finger pressed against her chin as she shuffled through the information that she had gathered since arriving. Safe? Was there anything in this city that could really be called safe?
"Well, I’d recommend not getting a job in the Underground. I wandered their yesterday by accident, and ended up entering a pretty fishy bar. What made it worse was that it’s attendants weren’t exactly…human you could say," Mai paused, worried that her words might have caused the other some sort of distress - "They didn’t attack me or anything! It’s just scary to think about when you come from pretty normal world, though the term is relative."
Her face shifted from it’s serious expression, to one of childish curiosity. Despite the "culture" shock, Mai was ready to hear all about different worlds, things that could only be imagined in stories or manga.
"Could you tell me more about your world, Nina?"
>>
Mai's little tale of a trip to a bar without humans made Nina pale a little bit. While she wasn't trying to be a 'bigot' like Greed had claimed, it was only natural to be alarmed by the idea of other intelligent creatures that could talk that...weren't human. She might as well have been beamed onto an alien spaceship.
"Yes, well... I'm glad you didn't come to harm. I'll stay away from there." She sighed and glanced up when the waitress came by, then pointed out the bowl of soup she wanted, figuring just water would be well enough for drinking. Waiting until after the waitress had left, Nina looked back to Mai to answer her question. ...Or attempt to.
"My world? Well... I don't think it should be different from yours, really. Japan is a country in it. I know someone from Japan, actually." Her smile immediately became more pleasant and her eyes twinkled a bit.
"Ah, but...our stars are...just fine. Nobody's replaced them...that we know of?"
>>
"I guess we share a common thread then, don’t you agree? With all these tales of worlds with entrail-eating demons and real shinigami, I’d rather prefer normality. It’s exciting to hear about it, but to actually experience the dangers that come with some of these worlds…I’d prefer to sit comfy in my own universe."
Mai followed after Nina’s order, deciding upon just a cup of coffee. She was feeling better today, and didn’t dare to test her stomach with something heavy, even if might not be the source of her ailment.
"Hm…did you ever see them completely disappear?"
>>
Nina had to agree, setting the bag next to her in the seat and folding her arms to rest them on the table. "Yes, I think home is dangerous enough...just with humans. Humans can become anything, after all... Even monsters." That warm glow to her face seemed to die at those words, and her eyes darkened considerably, focusing on her napkin and silverware silently. She didn't respond to the last question, as if she hadn't even heard it.
If anybody could be here... Then could Johan be here? She knew that he was supposed to be in a coma, but this place proved that anything could happen. What if he came from an earlier time...? People had said that such a thing was possible. If that was true, then he could have been out there, manipulating some poor soul to their death.
Or worse. She stiffened suddenly and shot a nervous glance over her shoulder. Johan could have been right there watching her. ...But he wasn't, of course. She would sense him, wouldn't she? Oh, suddenly her throat was so dry... Where was that damned water?
>>
The touch to her arm was what got her attention, rather than the words, and it made her start and quickly look back at the girl. She had nearly reached for her gun, which was now strapped to her thigh beneath the skirt, and that would have been a grave embarrassment.
"What? I'm sorry... I thought I heard someone call my name." Quickly forcing a smile back onto her face, Nina made herself relax. "What did you say?"
>>
"If there’s something bothering you, whether or not it relates to the city, you can talk about it," she replied, staring at the other with a concerned eyes, "…It’s not good to bottle things up or else you’ll get to a point where you can’t hold it in anymore."
What a hypocrite she was, preaching her words to Nina when she was a culprit of the same actions. Always holding things inside, keeping quiet even if her worries sought to take over her every part of her life.
>>
She was surprised at how perceptive Mai was...or maybe she had really just been too obvious? Either way, Nina's smile was much more genuine after that, though her tenseness remained.
"Don't worry about me. I'm just having trouble adjusting to the situation, is all. Why don't you tell me more about where you're from? Japan, I mean? I always wanted to know more about it... My friend hardly talks about himself."
>>
Mai knew well enough not to press the issue, so she proceeded to follow along with the change of topic.
"It’s definitely a busy place, especially since I live in the heart of the country. Tons of different people, Japanese and foreigners alike. It can be a shock at first, if you’re not used to it’s fast pace, but I’ve come to like it… I wasn’t born in Japan, actually! My father worked as a research scientist in South America when I was born."
She wondered what else she could tell Nina, as she assumed that the more she talked, the more at ease the other would become. "There’s also this strange wall they’ve put up around the time the stars disappeared…"
>>
South America? Now that was interesting. Nina had been about to ask about that when she mentioned a wall...and then their orders were brought over. Already she could feel her body warm as she saw the steam rise from the soup.
"A wall...? What kind of wall?"
>>
"It’s a large wall that the government put up around the edges of Tokyo. I don’t really understand why, and like the stars, I don’t think anyone does in the general population."
There was slight tug to her a lip as a nearly impish expression appeared on her features. She had debated this idea for quite awhile now, and it would interesting to finally unveil it to another.
"Do you think they might be building some type of weapon behind that wall? I mean, why would the government shut out such a large portion of an already cramped city," she continued to grin as she spoke, "Or maybe there are aliens, and they’re hiding them behind that wall -- Joking, of course."
>>
Mai's idea was somewhat amusing, and completely frightening. It would be terrible if the government was plotting something like that... But at the same time, a classic conspiracy theory would be more fun to discuss than the gravity of the actual situation.
"Ah, it could be! Or maybe they're doing a science experiment that the populace can't find out about." The soup was tasty, and she was doing her best to eat it properly and slowly.
>>
"Mm, see? Even our mundane worlds can be interesting without demons or vampires to terrorize us."
She grasped the coffee cup before her, slowly taking a sip before continuing with her conversation. "So why don’t you tell me more about yours? Even little things can be interesting, and what other chance do we have to learn about other worlds? Hearing about other countries back home was news to me, but this is almost overwhelming!"
Rating; PG.
Characters; Nina Fortner [
legislated] & Mai Kashiwagi [enkindling].Summary; After agreeing to meet at Café Juliet, Mai lends Nina some clothes and they exchange information about their worlds.
Log;
Even with being in the city for only three days herself, Mai knew that a little help went a long way. And with noticeable ladies' men like Greed about, she wasn't going to let her roam around in only her night clothes. Upon arriving to her destination, Mai took a few moments to glance across the cafe any sign of the other; it was possible that she had arrived first, but why not take a look around?
"Miss Nina? Are you here?"
>>
Not only did walking around in pajamas invite the perverts, but it also invited shocked stares...normally, anyway. In a city as strange as this one, Nina had been startled to find that most didn't even offer her a passing glance, unless they were the aforementioned perverts. ...Not that she was wearing anything as revealing as a nightie. They were plain green satin pajamas with long sleeves and pant legs that dragged a bit.
Her feet, however, were freezing, and the only comfort she had was that her gun had come to the City with her, probably due to her keeping it under her pillow at night lately. It was a little difficult to hide underneath pajamas, but she had managed to find some twine from a bush to tie around her calf to holster the gun. A little less odd looking than waving it around in her hand, anyway. Somehow she had a feeling that would just invite more trouble.
Still feeling a bit numb from the shock of her situation, Nina had practically run to the café, bare feet and hands practically ice cold by the time she darted into the building. She got a few annoyed looks from people trying to enjoy coffee, but she had pointedly ignored them and found a secluded booth in the back corner to rub her hands together and wait.
The call of her name was a welcome sound, and Nina quickly leaned out of the booth to stretch her arm out so that she might snag the other girl's attention. "Mai...? I'm over here!" She could have simply stood up, but she still didn't feel comfortable being dressed like this in public, not at all.
>>
It didn’t take her long to notice where the other girl sat, and so she took off toward her direction; however, minding the other patrons as she slid between the chairs of empty tables. At least for Nina, it seemed like a nice day to land in the City. No psychotic serial killers about, a distinct lack of furry lizard-type creatures nipping at your legs, nor the overhanging fear of a
It was definitely a good day in the city, perfect for being dragged off from the comfort of your own
"This makes you wonder if anyone has ever landed in the city after a shower," she laughed, finally reaching the table as she set the bag of clothes upon it, "There should be a bathroom in the back, if you’d like to change now - or I could tell you more about the city, if you’d like."
>>
The thought of landing in this place naked was a...horrifying thought. One that made her smile back at the good natured laugh. "I wouldn't doubt it...though I doubt we'll ever find out about such an event. I don't think anybody would want to brag about that."
After pulling the bag over, Nina sifted through it, looking more relieved by the second. "Let me go change real quickly first? I feel so silly like this. I'll be right back!"
With a grateful wave, the young woman slid out of the booth, clutching the bag to her chest as she hurried to the bathroom in the back. Just as she feared, not everything fit perfectly. Mai was younger than her, at least in appearance, and her Japanese frame was so much more petite. By the time she was through, the skirt and blouse were a bit more tight than were comfortable, and the shoes were positively killing her feet... But it was all a lot better than waltzing around in night clothes.
After combing her fingers through her hair and rinsing off her face, Nina stuffed her pajamas into the bag and walked back out so that she could flop back into the booth across from the other girl. "Much better! Thank you so much."
>>
"It’s no problem, really! I don’t think I’d be as comfortable here if people hadn’t helped me out."
She returned Nina’s thanks with a soft smile, shifting her hands to hand the other a menu. There was something comforting in speaking another who had so recently been pulled from their world. Four days wasn’t enough to get over the shock, and if anyone could help, it would be someone who shared the same sentiment. Not to mention, it was nice for a change to have a conversation without exploding in anger at the other person.
"Go ahead and order what you want, it’s on me - and I could lend you some coins if you’d like," she spoke, then broke off into another topic, "Is there anything you’d like to know about the city? I can’t promise to tell you everything, but I’ve studied up a bit since arriving here…"
>>
The menu was accepted hesitantly, as Nina already felt like she owed Mai so much... But apparently the thought of food alone was enough to cause a light growl from her stomach, and a touch of pink painted her cheeks as she abruptly lifted the menu to hide behind it. "Maybe I'll just order something small... After this, I should probably start looking for a job to support myself, right?"
Lowering the menu once she's regained a bit of composure, and having decided what she wanted, she took another look at Mai. "The guide was rather thorough... I guess all I need to know from here is...which places aren't safe to work at? Do you know?"
>>
She allowed herself to ponder the question for a bit, her finger pressed against her chin as she shuffled through the information that she had gathered since arriving. Safe? Was there anything in this city that could really be called safe?
"Well, I’d recommend not getting a job in the Underground. I wandered their yesterday by accident, and ended up entering a pretty fishy bar. What made it worse was that it’s attendants weren’t exactly…human you could say," Mai paused, worried that her words might have caused the other some sort of distress - "They didn’t attack me or anything! It’s just scary to think about when you come from pretty normal world, though the term is relative."
Her face shifted from it’s serious expression, to one of childish curiosity. Despite the "culture" shock, Mai was ready to hear all about different worlds, things that could only be imagined in stories or manga.
"Could you tell me more about your world, Nina?"
>>
Mai's little tale of a trip to a bar without humans made Nina pale a little bit. While she wasn't trying to be a 'bigot' like Greed had claimed, it was only natural to be alarmed by the idea of other intelligent creatures that could talk that...weren't human. She might as well have been beamed onto an alien spaceship.
"Yes, well... I'm glad you didn't come to harm. I'll stay away from there." She sighed and glanced up when the waitress came by, then pointed out the bowl of soup she wanted, figuring just water would be well enough for drinking. Waiting until after the waitress had left, Nina looked back to Mai to answer her question. ...Or attempt to.
"My world? Well... I don't think it should be different from yours, really. Japan is a country in it. I know someone from Japan, actually." Her smile immediately became more pleasant and her eyes twinkled a bit.
"Ah, but...our stars are...just fine. Nobody's replaced them...that we know of?"
>>
"I guess we share a common thread then, don’t you agree? With all these tales of worlds with entrail-eating demons and real shinigami, I’d rather prefer normality. It’s exciting to hear about it, but to actually experience the dangers that come with some of these worlds…I’d prefer to sit comfy in my own universe."
Mai followed after Nina’s order, deciding upon just a cup of coffee. She was feeling better today, and didn’t dare to test her stomach with something heavy, even if might not be the source of her ailment.
"Hm…did you ever see them completely disappear?"
>>
Nina had to agree, setting the bag next to her in the seat and folding her arms to rest them on the table. "Yes, I think home is dangerous enough...just with humans. Humans can become anything, after all... Even monsters." That warm glow to her face seemed to die at those words, and her eyes darkened considerably, focusing on her napkin and silverware silently. She didn't respond to the last question, as if she hadn't even heard it.
If anybody could be here... Then could Johan be here? She knew that he was supposed to be in a coma, but this place proved that anything could happen. What if he came from an earlier time...? People had said that such a thing was possible. If that was true, then he could have been out there, manipulating some poor soul to their death.
Or worse. She stiffened suddenly and shot a nervous glance over her shoulder. Johan could have been right there watching her. ...But he wasn't, of course. She would sense him, wouldn't she? Oh, suddenly her throat was so dry... Where was that damned water?
>>
The touch to her arm was what got her attention, rather than the words, and it made her start and quickly look back at the girl. She had nearly reached for her gun, which was now strapped to her thigh beneath the skirt, and that would have been a grave embarrassment.
"What? I'm sorry... I thought I heard someone call my name." Quickly forcing a smile back onto her face, Nina made herself relax. "What did you say?"
>>
"If there’s something bothering you, whether or not it relates to the city, you can talk about it," she replied, staring at the other with a concerned eyes, "…It’s not good to bottle things up or else you’ll get to a point where you can’t hold it in anymore."
What a hypocrite she was, preaching her words to Nina when she was a culprit of the same actions. Always holding things inside, keeping quiet even if her worries sought to take over her every part of her life.
>>
She was surprised at how perceptive Mai was...or maybe she had really just been too obvious? Either way, Nina's smile was much more genuine after that, though her tenseness remained.
"Don't worry about me. I'm just having trouble adjusting to the situation, is all. Why don't you tell me more about where you're from? Japan, I mean? I always wanted to know more about it... My friend hardly talks about himself."
>>
Mai knew well enough not to press the issue, so she proceeded to follow along with the change of topic.
"It’s definitely a busy place, especially since I live in the heart of the country. Tons of different people, Japanese and foreigners alike. It can be a shock at first, if you’re not used to it’s fast pace, but I’ve come to like it… I wasn’t born in Japan, actually! My father worked as a research scientist in South America when I was born."
She wondered what else she could tell Nina, as she assumed that the more she talked, the more at ease the other would become. "There’s also this strange wall they’ve put up around the time the stars disappeared…"
>>
South America? Now that was interesting. Nina had been about to ask about that when she mentioned a wall...and then their orders were brought over. Already she could feel her body warm as she saw the steam rise from the soup.
"A wall...? What kind of wall?"
>>
"It’s a large wall that the government put up around the edges of Tokyo. I don’t really understand why, and like the stars, I don’t think anyone does in the general population."
There was slight tug to her a lip as a nearly impish expression appeared on her features. She had debated this idea for quite awhile now, and it would interesting to finally unveil it to another.
"Do you think they might be building some type of weapon behind that wall? I mean, why would the government shut out such a large portion of an already cramped city," she continued to grin as she spoke, "Or maybe there are aliens, and they’re hiding them behind that wall -- Joking, of course."
>>
Mai's idea was somewhat amusing, and completely frightening. It would be terrible if the government was plotting something like that... But at the same time, a classic conspiracy theory would be more fun to discuss than the gravity of the actual situation.
"Ah, it could be! Or maybe they're doing a science experiment that the populace can't find out about." The soup was tasty, and she was doing her best to eat it properly and slowly.
>>
"Mm, see? Even our mundane worlds can be interesting without demons or vampires to terrorize us."
She grasped the coffee cup before her, slowly taking a sip before continuing with her conversation. "So why don’t you tell me more about yours? Even little things can be interesting, and what other chance do we have to learn about other worlds? Hearing about other countries back home was news to me, but this is almost overwhelming!"