001

[superoptimistic]

E-excuse me. I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding. I - I just met Sault-san and Lapis-san and Lazuli-san and now I've somehow found my way here.

[They all seemed like such nice people, and so welcoming~]I thought I was in a shop, but now I can't even find a door. It looks like something from a world beyond. Places like this only

Comments

[artiscordis]

[Staring at Sawako staring off into space is resident lineface, Argentine. He blinks slowly and tilts his head.] There isn't a door.

[superoptimistic]

[oh hai resident line face~]

[Sawako looks around, unsure where the voice is coming from at first, until she turns around and finds Argentine]

I - I didn't mean to disturb you if you were busy. I'm very sorry.

[she bows in apology, but then halfway into her bow, she considers what Argentine said, and stands up straight]

No door? [I'll have to add that as a ghost story element for Ayane-chan and everyone else.]

[artiscordis]

[He nods.] Though the buildings have doors.

[Clearly very helpful.]

[superoptimistic]

Buildings in space?

[artiscordis]

This is the Astral Plane.

[superoptimistic]

[He's so well-informed~]

The Astral Plane?

I - I don't think I've ever heard of such a place. [she looks down at her hands shyly, but then looks up again] If - if it isn't too much would you tell me more about this place? It would help me out a lot!

[artiscordis]

[....Derp. No one's ever actually asked him.]

It exists somewhere else entirely. Not all can access it. It seems to be useful to many people.

[superoptimistic]

I must be very lucky to find a place like this that can be so useful to so many people.

But, what does it mean to exist somewhere else entirely?

[artiscordis]

It isn't from the place you are from.

[Argentine's trying really.]

[superoptimistic]

It's not from the place I'm from?

[she says every word slowly, as if trying to make herself understand]

It exists somewhere else entirely.

[she spaces out for a minute, trying to figure this out, then she looks at Argentine again]

Oh - oh - is there - is there a way to get back to where I'm from?

[artiscordis]

Try to go back.

[superoptimistic]

[She looks at Argentine, then nods]

I'll try my best.

[She starts walking in the opposite direction from the one she was facing when she entered the Plane. It hasn't occurred to her to think of home though, so she's not dropping.]

[artiscordis]

[Argentine just sort of...watches her before talking.]

It isn't that way.

[superoptimistic]

[she freezes, jumping, embarrassed and startled, before turning on her heels to face Argentine]

[she bows in apology] I - I must not have been paying close enough attention to your instructions. Thank you for taking the time to correct me.

[and then she pales]

I - I don't know your name. I'm sorry. Please forgive my rudeness. I'm Kuronuma Sawako.

[artiscordis]

Argentine.

[He stares at her for a moment.] You return home by thinking of home and returning. Just try to go home.

[superoptimistic]

Close my eyes and think of home. Got it!

[she closes her eyes, doing her best to concentrate, and she drops from the Plane. She returns a few minutes later]

Thank you, Argentine-kun. If - if there is anything I can ever do for you in the future, please let me know and I'll do my best for you!