001 ✤ audio

[akito]

Um... This is somewhat of a... strange and unfortunate situation... [ The voice that comes out is soft, feminine, and hesitant. Being without Agito is bad enough - being without Agito in what seems to be another universe is even worse.

He takes a deep breath and speaks again with more strength to his tone. ]

Waking up naked in a bath surrounded by a bunch of weird people isn't the best morning, ne? [ an awkward laugh goes here because he doesn't know what else to do. ] If they wanted someone who could fight evil they definitely picked the wrong person!

But I guess if they had to pick someone out of my friends, I'm glad they chose the least important one of us. [ he makes sure to say this very pointedly, in case the person who stole him away is listening and might realize their mistake. ] After all, I'm not one of the Kings or Queens anymore!

[ some more giggling. it's really hard not to panic. but he's trying hard not to panic. he is doing a bad job of not panicking but at least he's trying his best, right? once his giggling dies down his voice settles back into something more hesitant. ]

So, ah... I guess I need... Shoes? Does anyone know where I could get some sneakers? And maybe something to eat, too?

Comments

[whitelotustile]

We're all new once. At least. It is no problem. And my name is Iroh.

[akito]

'At least'? And it's good to meet you, Iroh-san! I'm, um... [ he doesn't feel entirely comfortable giving his real name just yet, since there are too many questions... so he'll just go with the first alias that comes to mind- ] I'm Gazelle.

[whitelotustile]

Sometimes people leave and return, but I meant that some people come to new places several times in their lives. I've done a bit of moving around myself.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Gazelle.

[akito]

Oh, that makes sense! Whenever I was someplace new I was always with friends who were familiar with everything, so I guess I was lucky that way, ne?

[whitelotustile]

Yes you were. Good company is always a treasure.

[akito]

Un! There's nothing worse than being alone.

[ which... reminds him of just how alone he is here at the moment. but he will be strong and carry on! and find Agito again. ]

[whitelotustile]

Well, you aren't alone here. There are many of us on the same boat. Or turtle as the case may be.

[akito]

[ he pauses at that, because as well-meaning as Iroh is, it just reminds him that Agito is gone. even if he isn't alone physically, his mind is empty of his other half. ]

...So it's really a turtle?

[whitelotustile]

I've been to the edge of the shell myself. And seen it move.

[akito]

And we're trapped on it for sure?

[whitelotustile]

We can go ashore when the turtle nears other lands. And people do sometimes disappear and return home, though there's no pattern to it.

[akito]

If there are other lands, why are we all on a turtle?

[whitelotustile]

Because the emperor who brought us here -- the one prior to the current one -- made her home and kingdom here. And, while there are other lands, this is the only living adult island turtle. Perhaps it is some sort of epicenter of activity because of that.

[akito]

...Why does everyone stay if it belongs to the asshole who brought us here?

[whitelotustile]

Perhaps you should ask around. I seem to recall something from the last time we made port, but it's slipping my mind...

[akito]

How often does it go to port?

[whitelotustile]

Perhaps once every two months. It is a big ocean.

[akito]

[ ... two months. ]

What do people do in the meantime then?

[whitelotustile]

Well, it is a large city. Work, eat, spend time with friends, try to find a way to undo the Emperor's spell or to fight the spirit that caused her to bring us here.

[akito]

How large it is? And is there a library? If there was a spell to bring us here, there would be other spells in a library, ne? [ h o p e s ]

[whitelotustile]

I know the Emperor has a library, but one has to ask permission to use it. As for other books, you can ask around. Sadly, the local written language is a bit... complex.

[akito]

How does someone ask him for permission?

[whitelotustile]

He holds an audience once a month so we can talk to him. I suppose if you had some urgent need, you might try to speak to him otherwise.

[akito]

And anyone can go to this audience?

[whitelotustile]

Any one. His predecessor did invite us here.