001 - REDUX

[alldevouring]

[Hushed, panicked voice of a small girl]

... Chibiusa-chan? Where are you? I- I'm really sorry if I made you mad, I mean-

This isn't a very funny joke, you know. I thought we were going to walk home to my house, but... this doesn't look like my neighborhood at all. Oh, no... not again. I didn't mean to this time, I-

[Sound of someone fiddling

Comments

Voice;

[phasedcat]

Are you okay, are you alone?

Voice;

[alldevouring]

I don't know. I'm not sure where I am.

Voice;

[phasedcat]

What's around you? Anything specific you can see?

Voice;

[alldevouring]

Ahhh... Th- there's a... a fountain. I don't remember one being here on the way home.

Voice;

[phasedcat]

Do I really tell a kid where she is? Has someone offered to come find you? I know this must be really scary for you but if there are lots of people around you right now then you should probably stay there. The City can be a bit dangerous.

Voice;

[alldevouring]

Mhm, a girl just did offer to find me. Excuse me - I'm really sorry - how do I get back home?

Voice;

[phasedcat]

Oh kid... I'm sorry. First let me give you my name, I'm Kitty Pryde.

This place is called the City. It's a sort of in-between place. A different dimension, different world, then yours. People are brought here unexpectedly and involuntary and...there's no way to get home by your own choice. There's a guide if you'd like to read it?

Voice;

[alldevouring]

It's okay. I'm sorry...! So that's western- I'm Hotaru Tomoe.

So I have to wait to get back home? She told me that when I go back, it'll as if I never left -- is that true?

I would like guide very much. Thank you.

Voice;

[phasedcat]

[guide inserted here] Yes, I'm from the United States, where are you from?

Unfortunately yes, there are people trying to find ways home but I don't think anyone's ever been successful. But when you go back it'll be like you never left. You won't remember this place either. I've been home once.

Voice;

[alldevouring]

Tokyo, Japan.

[._. Unfortunately, Hotaru's a little upset right now to read this, but she's not going to ask about the guide for now]

So everyone at home is okay, right?

Voice;

[phasedcat]

I've been to Japan a few times myself including Tokyo.

Yes, they're all fine. While you're here no time passes there.

Voice;

[alldevouring]

Really?

How long have you been here?

Voice;

[phasedcat]

Yes, it's a nice country. I learned a lot there.

3 or more months.

Voice;

[alldevouring]

Oh! I'm... I'm glad you liked it. I want to go to America, someday.

That's really long.

Voice;

[phasedcat]

I've been pretty much everywhere.

Not really, some people have been here more than a year.

Voice;

[alldevouring]

But what do you do here? With all the curses and things?