[ Text - Calligraphy] One.

[no_samurai]

W- What is this-

[  There is a cruel and remarkable honesty to calligraphy exclusive to the relationship of brush, ink and hand. To the trained eye, calligraphy may speak on paper as plainly as words to the ear.

The letters registering slowly on the NV are what an experienced calligrapher would regard as the written equivalent of stuttering.

Firstly

Comments

[text]

[mentis_reae]

Yes; there are people here. Others will be able to read anything you write on this device, unless you take steps to ensure otherwise.

[text]

[mentis_reae]

Do you know any measurement of distance?

[text]

[no_samurai]

Cho, ri- One ri is equal to 36 cho.

[text]

[mentis_reae]

[A long pause while he googles that shit. And googles. And finally:]

Approximately 64,000 cho.

[text]

[no_samurai]

That-

That is very far.

[text]

[mentis_reae]

Well. The distance is not what's important in this situation. Easy enough to travel that distance, once we escape this place.

[text]

[no_samurai]

Easy? I've... never heard of someone travelling so far without disaster.

[text]

[mentis_reae]

To Japan? It happens daily. I've made that trip some four times now.

[text]

[no_samurai]

Impossible - foreigners aren't allowed.

Not legally.

A smuggler or pirate?

[text]

[mentis_reae]

I beg your pardon! I'm an attorney, and foreigners most certainly are allowed. I'll show you the stamp in my passport if you so doubt me.

[text]

[no_samurai]

No, they're not.

Not yet.

Japan has yet to open it's doors to the likes of foreigners - 'passport' or not.

You're lying or confused.

[text]

[mentis_reae]

[Pause] What is the year?

[text]

[no_samurai]

The year is 1864.

Foreigners are only allowed inside the country under very strict circumstances, and only in certain parts of the trade cities.

If you weren't lying about entering the county, you're lying about your occupation.

[text]

[mentis_reae]

The year is 2018, as I recall it. They say that here it is 2010.

[text]

[no_samurai]

Impossible.

I know what year it is.

This place- this place is what's wrong!

[text]

[mentis_reae]

I do not know if it is common madness or anything of the sort. Perhaps it is. Frankly, I should prefer that it were; it would be easier. But I assure you that I, born in America, an attorney who has never engaged in any sort of trade, know your tongue and have stood on your shores. I know your land. By your word, that should be impossible - but there you are.