menial | 1 ~ when did I stop believing in Santa Claus? [audio/action]

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1 ~ when did I stop believing in Santa Claus? [audio/action]

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[A teenage boy is extricating himself with some difficulty from having been dumped, or appearing, in the middle of the fountain in the center of the village. He's muttering to himself and clambering out. He's dressed in the generic-enough North High uniform, but of more interest may be what he's saying -- which is picked up by the split-open journal next to him.]

...Really, Haruhi? After all of that, I'm in some other time and place again?! Oh, boy. She really just doesn't stop... Where the hell is it this time?

[Once he gets up and brushes himself off, he can be found staring with slightly less bewilderment than you might expect at his surroundings.]

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'Creating a new world to fling me into? No, that doesn't sound like her at all!'

What makes you say that? How do you know her, anyway?

It's a long story, but basically scientists did this. Also Haruhi and I have been friends for over a year now.

'Scientists? Have they finally found out about her and tried to study her? No, wait, what am I talking about? More importantly, a year? I know for a fact I've never heard of Haruhi having friends from more than a year ago.

Which seems to indicate that this girl isn't truthful, to the average mind, but for me, it just spells out TIME TRAVEL in big letters. I'll deal with that later. Or earlier. Whatever the time is.'

What kind of scientists are we talking here? Big white lab coats and glasses?

The kind that don't let their lab rats get close to them, so I don't know. You're in a place called Luceti now, and things can get pretty complicated. Have you heard of the Guide yet?

'They sound like sensible scientists.'

Can't say I have.

You can find it in your book. Hold on, I'll show you.

[And through the book she directs him to this (http://wise-maiden.livejournal.com/24338.html).] Long story short? You're in a different world to be tested on.

[He flips through it for a moment.]

'Pretty good light reading before bed. I guess it's a dilemma whether or not to believe someone when they say you're trapped without a chance of escape. Maybe it's true, and if so, you can't expect them to say anything different, but no one will believe that without trying.

Unless they happen to be particularly lazy. So, maybe I'll just believe it for now.'

I don't feel like that's really all that different, but thanks.

Anyway, how do you know Haruhi? Are you from her world?

'Is that safe to say? Ah, screw it.'

Yeah. If she's said anything about me, it's probably referring to me by the name of 'Kyon'.

'Which, I should add hopelessly, is not my real name. My real name is--but why would I even bother, at this point? If Haruhi's been here for a year, if she's talked about me at all, I doubt anyone's going to accept it.'

[Keiichi laughs a humorless laugh.]

Hold into that feeling, I bet you're going to think that a lot today.

[He points to where the changers are and waits for the other to be done... Or scream when he notices his wings if he's that type.]

[He goes into the changing room dutifully and, naturally, recoils when he finally sees the wings.]

'Is it bad that my second thought was, It could be worse?'

[Gingerly and awkwardly, he just puts on the new outfit over top, after drying off a bit, and returns.]

I see your point.

[He's still smiling, not an amused one or cruel, but... After being here for almost two years it turns to be almost endearing to see New Feathers' reactions to the place.]

I was sure you would. Now, before anything else, two things. Be careful with those wings, they are extremely sensible, bluntly put a kick to your groin would hurt less than a tug on them. And if they get ripped from your body you die, instantly. If only one does it will regrow with time but you will probably wish you had died meanwhile.

And secondly, I'm Keiichi Maebara, welcome to Luceti, your new residence for the next God-knows-how-many days, weeks, months or years.

Then she's somewhere in the village. Assuming the Haruhi Suzumiya we know is a brunette girl with headband.

Well, when you put it like that, how am I supposed to resist the temptation?

'No, actually, I've learned not to mess with things that I don't know anything about.'

[He shrugs and greets him with a touch of formality.]

Nice to meet you, Maebara. My name's [What's that? A plate fell off the shelf suddenly?]. But most people call me Kyon for some reason.

'Why did I even say that? I could've totally avoided that stupid nickname!'

Kyon? [That name sounds familiar... maybe because of "Kyonko" the Haruki here had dated before she met him.]

I think she's mentioned you a couple times.

I suppose that isn't an entirely inaccurate description of her.

...Well, I guess better her here than not.

'Really, I'm relieved that someone who claims to have known Haruhi for that long has no idea who I am. It's quite a relief. I don't want to be forever associated with the name Haruhi Suzumiya, after all! There's no benefit in that. Please don't misunderstand me, I have absolutely no objection to that.'

Oh, good. Well, I would apologize for her, but I guess you've already seen it all too, huh?

I'm sure you have many questions... But why do people call you Kyon?

[Also the nickname rings a bell but he can't really put it in place.]

'Yes, I have many questions, but gotta ask about the stupid nickname first. Of course.'

It's just a stupid name my sister spread to everyone I know.

I take she's your little sister.

[It kind of fits.]

Okay, what will be your first question?

Naturally. If you happen to be afflicted with one yourself, I'm sure you understand.

'My first question? Where's Haruhi? Better yet, where's Nagato? Get me out of here! But I suppose that question wouldn't do much good.'

I take it this isn't the old world I was in. I don't suppose you've seen a shortish girl with a yellow headband and a ridiculous attitude?

It's the simplest one I can think of. [Very simple.]

That 'time and place again' thing? Whatever she did to you in your world, this isn't her fault.

[That begs the question of why this guy blame her first.]

'Whatever she did to me? More like whatever she hasn't done to me.'

If you knew her like I know her, I think you'd find that as hard to believe as I do.

...Yeah, I guess you could say that. She's still weird, but she has grown in her time here.

'You must be kidding me.'

...How, exactly, do you mean that she's grown?

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1 ~ when did I stop believing in Santa Claus? [audio/action]

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