[MOD] Opening Mingle Post!

[backseatduelist]

[You've woken up somewhere unexpected.

Maybe you don't realize it until you've looked out your window, since your apartment's the same, or poked your head out into the hallway. Maybe you've found yourself in a world you've never seen before - or else, one that looks just like home. But whatever the circumstances, it can't be denied: once again, someone's having a good laugh at your expense.

Should you venture into the lobby of a certain apartment complex, however, you'll find a banquet of breakfast treats laid out by unseen caterers. There's meats, eggs, pastries, rice, more pastries, yogurt, various juices, mimosas for those of age, still more pastries...

What can I say? Lots of you are Bakurae.

Enjoy the spread! But be careful. Four kinds of food spark a day-long event in your head.

Turkey sausage: Can't talk turkey! You're incapable of lying.
Cherry danish: Couldn't be sweeter! You'll crush on the first person you see after eating it.
Hot chocolate: Take it easy! You'll find yourself relaxing, taking life in stride.
Tabasco sauce: Fired up! You're full of energy and ready to explore.

Apparently you all aren't off the hook juuuuust yet.]

[[ooc: aaaand we're OPEN! Feel free to thread out mingling at the buffet in the comments below or posting for your characters anywhere within any of the various worlds. There's no set place where characters have to appear in the setting - if Amaryllis wanted to appear in Ancient Egypt, so be it, though there'll be a door nearby for those in branch worlds to return to the main one. This post is just for the buffet in the lobby, however, so if you want to start elsewhere just put up a post!

Please tag both entries you create and entries you comment into with the appropriate character tag. <3 I think I've created them for juuuust about everyone - and if I missed some of the later additions, everyone should have the ability to create tags.

LET'S DO THIS, PEOPLE.]]

Comments

three?

[allthemarbles]

[-um. Not to make an uproar or question reality or anything but she doesn't know where she is!

And she's had some strange moments in her life, but none in recollection to compare to waking up in a unknown room, in a strange building, with no one she recognizes in the hall. The fact that she came down stairs and noticed a, vaguely familiar city outside the front doors? Not helping, when she was last on an island.

So. There's a short blond in a blue and white school uniform standing near the buffet, looking lost as a six-year-old in physics class. Does someone want to reassure her this isn't a memory lapse, hallucination, or kidnapping done by a person?]

[devil_in_details]

[So Linner woke up on a bench. A park bench. In a city.

Which clearly wasn't his own world, as returning to that would involve imminent death. He therefore sets off to figure out exactly what trick had been pulled now, and whether the universe has seen fit to give him his preferred company for the duration of his stay.

He breezes through the doors of the building like he owns the place, and spots what looks to be a familiar head of hair.]

Gone astray, milady?

[Though on second glance, even from behind...]

[allthemarbles]

[Eh? Oh, please be a receptionist or a guide or anyone who'd explain-

Things.

Hello, stranger. She's not sure what to make of you, but you don't look like staff. In fact, everything from appearance to comments just continued the baffling trend. But, a polite greeting never hurt anyone.]

-ah, I'm afraid so. Do you know where this is? I got turned around, somehow.

["In my sleep."]

[devil_in_details]

[Ohhhhhhhh wow. Oh, wow. Doesn't this just figure.

Sorry, Marble Drop. Your "receptionist" just ran a hand through his bangs, chuckling. Laughing, actually.]

You don't say! Why, so have I.

Perhaps we can make the most of it together. Provided no one interrupts with a misconstrued tantrum. I should warn you: around me, this has been known to happen.

[allthemarbles]

[-oh, Linner. This little lady doesn't know she's the lower level of your missing gal. What is she to make of this twitchy amusement?

Or. Any of that?]

Ah... Well, I don't see why anyone would do that now. But if they do... At least it'd be someone you likely know?

[But woe, she's still left at a loss-]

You don't know which city we're in, then?

[devil_in_details]

[Linner's just going to twitch his shoulders about that first bit. He didn't expect you to get it, and is still mostly just amused at tinier tiny girlfriend.]

I do, in fact! Domino City.

Or a reasonable facsimile thereof, at least. Stranger things have happened.

But not to you, I take it?

Someone somewhere is indignant.

[allthemarbles]

[...either her vocab is worse than she thought, or he just said this is a fake.

That's. Not helping.]

Ah- No, nothing like-

[Oh, forget the city scrape view! Look here, Mr. Vague...]

What are you saying, exactly? It sounds like you know something I don't.

[devil_in_details]

Goodness me, you're right. Where are my manners.

This'll be a shock, though....Would you like to sit down?

[He gestures towards the nearby café tables.]

[allthemarbles]

Ah-

[She doesn't exactly have options, does she? ...and she has this weird "party crashing" feeling from hanging out near the food, even with the welcome sign.

Besides, this guy must be really friendly, acting so comfortable. Why not follow?]

Sure- you don't think it's a problem to stay. It feels kind of like I shouldn't be here...

[devil_in_details]

That's one thing you don't have to worry about. Far as I know, no one will even realize you've gone.

[Such a reassuring smile from the friendly gentleman.]

I'd welcome you to the place by name, but we've appeared to change locales from the usual. In any case, welcome to your new home away from home! A vacation from reality. A pocket dimension. Take your choice. Would you like something to drink?

[All said in more or less the same casual tone.]

[allthemarbles]

[...you know, it's not nice to say when someone's both confusing and gone off the deep end. Especially when he's being friendly.

Thanks for the inner conflict, sir. And a chance to fail at not making faces.]

...I, suppose- I was just hoping for advice on how to get back. Even, if, someone doesn't notice, I have class.

[devil_in_details]

Not to worry.

[He takes a seat across from her, since she doesn't seem to want that drink he offered. Strange.]

Let's start over. As long as you're here, time stops in your world. You won't miss your class.

Course, you also can't decide to go back. You got pulled here. You'll get pulled back.

I speak from experience.

[allthemarbles]

[Right... Not only is this difficult now, it's unpleasant to believe. No way back, no place or anybody familiar here-

But, she's belatedly caught she's being obvious, and pastes on a grin. Queue neck scratch.]

Ah- Sorry. I believe you- I mean, that you'd know what you're talking about. But, even waking up here, it's still kind of tough to swallow...

[devil_in_details]

[Can he just absently bask in how cute you are? Don't mind if he does!

Oh, boy, if your older self is around, is she gonna get needled for being such a sweetie~]

Hey, you're taking it well! I reacted so poorly to my first visit I got slammed against the wall of an elevator. Which I deserved.

Word to the wise: don't do that. The slamming, or the deserving.

[allthemarbles]

[geaaaaaah--- Not, taking at all, she would say. And excuse her while she takes the slamming story as worthy of a deer-in-headlights look.

Honestly, no sense of humor.]

I, don't think I would, but... What's happening here that would make that happen?? It just looks like a normal apartment building.

[With, instant transportation. And very curious residents.]

[devil_in_details]

Who can say?

[A shrug.]

It's also recommended not to worry about it, since nothing will ever be explained. Just enjoy yourself, and meet new people. It's what I've done, and I'm quite content.

[I cuddle older-you on a nightly basis while making fun of films, or as a prelude to other activities. My life in limbo is indeed pretty sweet.]

[allthemarbles]

I, was meeting people and trying new things, I don't know what might be different here. [She doesn't have that wonderful example spelled out aloud, after all.] And with no choice or idea when I'll go back...

[With such a break in school, and her- well, there's not a lot of people but there are some she'd miss. And what's she to do with herself? What's she have to face here? ...wait, is she actually considering this?

Oh, forget it. If she's going to respond right, getting caught up in the claim works. So she's fidgeting in her seat and giving her happy company a more, inquisitive look.]

-what are we supposed to do now?

[devil_in_details]

From the looks of things, eat a big, hearty breakfast.

[Ah, the days when time mattered. He remembers those without missing them.]

Then perhaps explore a bit. The time is yours to use as you please. And when last I checked, everything was free.

[allthemarbles]

Huh?

[-oh right, if they're "supposed" to be here, this must be for them! So, is it okay to eat? Or, is it a part of this whole claim? Or is Linner wrong or messing with her, and she'll get in trouble?

Look at the girl staring at the food tray, nodding all distracted to his suggestion.]

Right... If I'm stuck in this, city, I want to know what's here. Or how far it goes. Or if there's a way out...

[devil_in_details]

[Linner nods along, heading to the spread and offering her a plate.]

Anything you want. Loops back on itself. See previous answer.

Let me know if I'm right once you return, all right?

[allthemarbles]

[...one offering-stare and uncertain taking coming up. After all, just look at that bacon and sausage.]

Sure, no problem... [Either it's not true and she'll be going back and not worrying, or. Ha. Well. Or.

(Someone needs anxiety food.)]

-I don't know how you can just sit and enjoy it here, though. Especially if things just switched up. Aren't you curious what's out there, too?

[devil_in_details]

[He shrugs, looking slightly distant.]

Not much surprises me anymore. Besides, I know I have the time.

[Here, have a donut. He's mostly going for health food himself.]

[allthemarbles]

-even with the, random of it all?

[Not that she's following enough to judge any of this... That donut isn't even getting proper attention. (Sorry, enabler.) Nope, she's too busy giving Linner her "personal" stare, all suspicious concern.]

Are you really just, staying here? If, I just got here, other people might show up, too. And in a place like you're talking about... How long have you been here?

[devil_in_details]

That is a very complicated question.

[He waves a fork at her.]

For simplicity's sake, I'll just say "years". Though it's never had much outside before. I'm impressed!

[allthemarbles]

Ah...

[Linner. Waving pointy things. While implying getting locked up somewhere, for years.

In any form? Not nice.

But, once she's done eying and pursing her lips, she'll tread out a certain point-]

Then, aren't you, impatient to see what's out there? I don't know what I'd do, cooped up in one spot that long...