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]

[action]

[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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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.'

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.

'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?

...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?

I'll give you a hint: she's still short.

Well, that's a relief. Imagine if she were looking down at me when she was wagging her finger in my face.

[But he doesn't do to well at playing along.]

Still, I don't get it.

When I first met her [or him, actually; Haruki] I thought she was a lunatic with no personal boundaries.

I mean, she's still Haruhi, but- well, you'll see.

You wouldn't be the only one who's thought that. In fact, if you hadn't thought it, you might have been the only one who hasn't thought that.

'I don't like "you'll see." I don't want to see. Make somebody else see.'

[She giggles a little.] Haruhi can be a bit overwhelming, yeah.

And typhoons can be a bit destructive.

I'm trying to be nice. These conversations are public you know.

I think I've said worse to her face, but noted.

Were you part of her Brigade?

'Ah, here we go again.'

Yeah, I was.

Will you be a part of the one here?

I doubt if I would be permitted not to be.

Yeah, I don't think she'd let you out of it. But it's important to her, you know?

'Well, of course. Just how close of a friend is she, to be talking about what's important to Haruhi? Is she another esper?'

Yeah, I know.

Anyway, I should introduce myself. My name is Winry Rockbell, and welcome to Luceti.

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