Voice Test

[vulgarupstart]

What's there to test? I never agreed to this and I'm not interested.  

[Nothing ventured, nothing gained.]

What's that supposed to mean? You know next to nothing about this venue, least of all what could possibly be achieved by putting myself through it. Don't think you can bait me with vague clichés.

[I can try a few other methods, if you want.]

[A scoff] If you're that desperate, you could at least disguise it. 

[Not desperate. Versatile.] 

And definitely not succeeding in changing my mind. Forget it.

[Give it a week. Let the experience change your mind. It might give you insight and open your eyes to new perspectives. That's never a bad thing, right? ]

I don't know what you're trying to imply.

[Just a week. One. Week. Seven, short days in new surroundings. Come on. That's honestly nothing.]

[A pause.] ... You could have lead with the fact that I don't have a choice. 

[Probably.]
 

Comments

this is luna, shoving smth entirely different at you for once

[fuckquadraticequations]

[ She doesn't exactly wanna talk to grumpy business adult, but no escaping the mun. ]

New perspectives aren't always so great... but good luck.

Re: this is luna, shoving smth entirely different at you for once

[vulgarupstart]

[ Is this second opinion welcome? ... Can he ignore it? The answer to both questions is the same. ]

Heh. Will I need luck in this place?

[fuckquadraticequations]

[ Sayu nods very earnestly. ]

Some pretty terrible things can happen, so having luck on your side's a good start.

[ And then after a further moment of contemplation: ]

Though being smart and resourceful is still most valuable.

[ Because of course, her brother was even faring well when they were stuck in a horror game together. That's not just luck, that's oniichan for you. ]

[vulgarupstart]

[ A tight sensation blossoms at the back of Higuchi's neck. Though it would be easy to jump to the conclusion, it doesn't seem like the kid is exaggerating. ]

Is that so?

[ He needs more to go on. ]

Well, I don't make a habit of approaching new situations unprepared.

[fuckquadraticequations]

[ Well... she'll give him that he doesn't look unprepared, but that's mainly because he's an adult man in a suit and those at least tend to know what they're talking about or else they wouldn't have the money to afford their suits. Probably. ]

Even if the situations are ones you thought were impossible before?

[ Sounds hard to be prepared. ]

[vulgarupstart]

[ He stiffens immediately, chastising himself for giving her the opportunity to make such a remark. ]

Ha. What kind of question is that? It's possible to adapt to any kind of situation ... even the supernatural, if that's what you're implying.

[fuckquadraticequations]

[ Under her breath: ]

There's a difference between'prepare' and 'adapt' though...

[ In this magic land of nowhere-much and no-consequence she can say that to an adult stranger, right? Because normally she certainly wouldn't.
It's weird to feel more knowledgeable in this situation. ]

Yes, supernatural is kind of common here. I found it weiiird at first, but you do start getting used to anything.

[vulgarupstart]

[ Whatever she muttered, he couldn't make it out, and the affect on his attitude is not entirely pleasant. Still, it's not like he can afford to be critical of his only souruce of information, even if ...]

Right.

[ ... the thought strikes him that her answer is too pragmatic to be taken at face value. Maybe he should take this last opportunity to be on the safe side. ]

You're painting a bleak picture. If this world really is a place where the supernatural runs rampant, maybe I'm better off taking your precautions with a grain of salt.

[fuckquadraticequations]

[ She contemplates for a second. ] Making your own experiences here is probably the most helpful...

As long as it's not a 'game' place, it may not be so bad. A lot of things suddenly have zero consequences then.

[ Which she does find fun because she's 15 and having fun in different situations without actually needing to think it through 100% can come in handy sometimes. Though it's also strange to experience. Maybe it's good she isn't like her brother because she won't allow herself to get a headache about the linearity of space-time here. ]

[heroicthings]

[And then there's this little bundle of terror joy, smoozing his way up to makes friends with this new... human? He's human right? Or could be a Dwarf... no, far too tall and doesn't smell of ale and no beard, HE IS GOING WITH HUMAN.

And don't mind him, red eyes, jagged teeth, he is also a completely normal, run-of-the-mill human. Yep. Nothing suspicious here. Just one normal human making small talk with another completely normal and unremarkable human. He is in no way preying on someone new and disoriented in order to get them to do stuff for him.]

Oh come now, surly you can see the merit in such a new experience! You never know what you might discover!

[vulgarupstart]

[ The stranger's jubilant tone immediately sets Higuchi's teeth on edge. If this setting is, in fact, a dangerous place, this guy has no right to reproach him for being wary. ]

I prefer to pick my own battles. As far as I know, this one might be a complete waste of time.

[heroicthings]

[Waves his hand dismissively, so narrow minded this one!]

But it also might not, this realm is a mystery, think of the endless possibilities! You never know what you might find.

[Like minions. Gullible, unknowing, minions.]

[vulgarupstart]

[ Absurd. That's a desirable fate? Wandering in a realm of unknowable proportions and possibilities? ]

Right. Well, if that's the advice you have for me, thanks. I don't suppose there's a way to get more factual [ He doesn't say 'useful', or even 'comprehensive' ] information, is there?

[heroicthings]

Well, let's think of an example, think of something you could never have thought to exist where you are from.

[If you say dragons, he's going to make gross noises.]

[vulgarupstart]

[ Let this game be over. He needs a reliable source. ]

Tch. I don't know. Werewolf. Otoroshi. Why don't you save us some time and tell me what I can expect now that I'm no longer in my world?