one minute clapping // voice/action

[psychedout]

A.) 845 Goldberg Street

[It's never easy to know when you're asleep in the Reapers' Game, since Players don't dream. It is easy to know when you're awake, though. The normal wake-up spot is the Scramble Crossing, which is full of voices. People talking, various announcements from billboards, the works. It's impossible to not know where you are.

When Neku jerks awake, the first thing he notices is the quiet. Yeah, the sounds of the outside world are muffled through his headphones most of the time, but it's still way too quiet. The second thing he notices is the lack of the familiar weight of his headphones. Okay, this is now weird as hell, and the weird things keep on piling up - this isn't a city outside his window, and Neku doesn't even think this is in Japan. These aren't his clothes, and they're nowhere to be found. This is steadily getting weirder.

He pinches himself hard, because this has to be some freaky dream, right? Wrong. Neku's yelling before he even realizes it:]

What the hell is going on?!

B.) Mayfield High

[Of course it's a weekday. Of course it's not summer vacation. And so there's a sulking redhead leaning against a locker, wondering exactly what he did to deserve winding up in this place.

He might also be sulking in the back row of a classroom, drawing what looks like some kind of graffiti rather than taking notes.]

C.) Phone

Okay. I have things to do back home that are more important than sitting here in the middle of nowhere. What is this place, and more importantly, how do I get back to Shibuya?

Comments

[Phone]

[reconstructs]

I'd say you'd have to charter a plane, but this isn't actually America. I don't think there are any flights out of here. Or any flights at all, for that matter.

[psychedout]

What the --

[No flying off the handle at someone you've just met. It's just a temporary thing, right?]

That can't be right. I was definitely in Shibuya before. You don't just fall asleep one place and wake up somewhere in -- wait. Did you say America?!

B

[roadroller]

[Neku's been in town before, and Rin had made his acquaintance on a couple occasions. So when he sits down in front of her in class she's not particularly phased - probably just a drone. ... Then the graffiti art catches her eye.

She tosses a balled up paper note over his shoulder.

It says,]

Welcome back

(ﾉ´∀｀*)ﾉ

[yes she drew a text smiley. SOME PEOPLE.]

845 goldberg

[condescent]

[The rather...familiar yelling gets his attention immediately - even if it's been nearly a month since he's heard those dulcet emo tones, some things are hard to forget. He's been prepared for something like this to happen ever since finding out about people from the same worlds being pulled into Mayfield, but really, putting the boy he killed, partnered up with, and then killed (sort of) again in the same house as him? What kind of person would have that kind of sick sense of humor --

-- well, okay, other than himself, of course. Actually, now that the initial shock's worn off, Joshua can admit that this is pretty hilarious, all things considered. The amused look on his face when he pokes his head into Neku's room isn't that much of an act at all.]

Hee hee. Morning, partner.

[reconstructs]

Yup, America. Take a look outside; if you've seen some old movies, you might recognize it all. It seems to be like the 1950s.

As for falling asleep and waking up somewhere - and somewhen - else, apparently you do. That's how all of us got here.

Re: B

[psychedout]

[Is that. Yeah, that is a text smiley, all right. And that is also the most awkward look on Neku's face as he turns around to look at the person who threw it.

If it's possible, the slight wave is even more awkward than that.]

[psychedout]

[Wait. Wait just a minute. That is definitely not --

-- okay, there's no mistaking that condescending laugh for anything or anyone else. All Neku can do is stare for a minute. Wasn't he dead? If all that crap about being alive in the RG was true, then, that was the only conclusion that makes any kind of sense. That leveli flare was enough to erase someone a few times over.]

You were gone. Erased. What are you doing here?

[roadroller]

[ah. That's the look of someone who doesn't remember. Rin will put on a smile and wave back, then make plans to cease bothering him during the lesson.

Which involves flopping on her desk a bit, cause it sure is boring. Of course they have a drone teaching American History. And of course it's mandatory.]

[psychedout]

[What was that all about? He starts to shrug it off, then changes his mind. Silly people and their silly wearing off on him in regards to other people.

He scribbles a note on the paper with the drawing on it, then slides it back.]

Uh, sorry about that. I just don't recognize anyone.

[condescent]

[That brings him up short for a second - he'd been assuming that Neku was operating under the same timeline as him, but evidently not. Still, Joshua is nothing if not the master of running with it.]

Wow, Neku, act any happier to see me and I may start suffering under the impression that you care. At any rate, you're technically dead too, remember? It seems like this town doesn't operate under the same rules we'd expect.

[psychedout]

[Blank stare. If this is one of those cryptic mind games, then Neku might just have to actually -- no. No killing him, even if smacking that look off Joshua's face is a really good idea.]

Whatever. So what's the deal this time? Seven days in the middle of nowhere?

[condescent]

A bit more than seven days, I'm afraid. I've been here for several weeks already, and it really is unbelievably dull. Though I guess I should count my blessings - some of the Players here have been stuck here for years.

[psychedout]

[...]

What the hell? How can you just suddenly get zapped across time and across space? Who's in charge of this place?

[reconstructs]

Not sure. People talk about the town itself being responsible. "Mayfield".

[psychedout]

You have got to be kidding me. Weeks? In this place?

Did you seriously say years just now?

[roadroller]

[She looks up and takes the paper, reading the note and taking the opportunity to get a better look at the drawing. Then Rin writes back, careful not to encroach on it.]

It happens, I'm not offended or anything

Your artwork is cool, I didn't know you could do that

★ Kagamine Rin

[she signs her name this time.]

[condescent]

Would I ever lie to you? [Yes.] Unfortunately, finding a way back to Shibuya isn't going to be an easy task...especially since we're starting from scratch here.

B

[pkrincess]

[En route to her own locker, Kumatora stops and gives him a glance.]

You look like you're havin' fun.

c

[heavenfang]

Um... you kind of can't go back. Sorry.

[psychedout]

[It happens? Weird.]

What do you mean?

I'm not that good.

[psychedout]

[...]

When you say from scratch, let me guess. No missions, no timers, no way to know what the goal is. They expect us to sit here and do nothing.

[psychedout]

[Oh, great. More people that think they know him. Or at least that's what he thinks.]

Not really.

[psychedout]

What do you mean, 'can't go back'?

[psychedout]

What kind of name is 'Mayfield'? And a town's never responsible for stuff. The people behind it are.

[reconstructs]

An outdated American one.

Could be. Well, whoever is, they aren't exactly forthcoming with their identities.