[Voice | LOCKED TO RESIDENTS]

[malnosso]

Rin Okumura, I require your presence in the Battle Dome.

The rest of you, kindly pay attention, as I'd rather not have to repeat myself. Tomorrow morning - that is, the morning of October 1st, going by the ever-popular Earth calendar everyone seems to favour - an Artificial Shift will occur and pull you back in time, similar to the one a number of you experienced in the Zompania enclosure. Unlike that shift, however, this time you'll be going back years, not days. A few hundred, give or take. Your enclosure existed back then, more or less, but the technology level of that era was... lacking, to say the least. A few of you might remember the old days, so just imagine them older still. Establish yourselves and get comfortable, as you may be there for an extended period. This is not your typical shift, and the Malnosso are unaware of what's happening. Keep it that way.

You'll receive instructions after you arrive. I can't give you specifics because it's really up to you to make any progress, but you're a smart group. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Bring with you only what you can carry- necessities, not luxuries. If all goes according to plan, you'll return to your homes as they are now with no harm done. I can offer you no guarantees, however trust me when I say that everything you leave behind is better here rather than there.

Rise early, be prepared, try not to throw up. It's a significant jump and I can't promise it'll be a pleasant experience. I'd apologize, but it really is for your own good. Best of luck to you, and hopefully you'll fare better than those of the past did.

Comments

[ voice ]

[rashness]

Right. ... Nothing you do want? I'm at Seventh Heaven anyway.

[ But he's got his stuff on, got the sword, and he should be set unless he wants anything! ]

[ voice ]

[ricecakes]

[...does he really have to say it again...]

Not necessary.

[rashness]

[ Hey for all he knows the guy wanted cake. Or something.

Either way, he doesn't respond to that, just books it to the Dome. No need to delay further, and he's there in less than fifteen minutes, given the pace and he comes on in for - ]

Ey, John?! Where in here are you?

[ricecakes]

[John is waiting next to the control panels in the center of the dome, directly facing the entrance. He looks about the same as ever, besides a bit tired if you squint, and he has something tucked under his arm. As a greeting, he nods in Rin's direction.]

I have a job for you, if you're interested.

[rashness]

A job? [ He comes in, looking around to see if there's anyone else here. He didn't feel a barrier or anything, but did they lock people out...? Oh well. He runs his hands though his hair as he makes hs way over towards the center ]

Sure, what's the job?

[ricecakes]

[John narrows his eyes, scrutinizing Rin as if searching for something, and then unfolds his arms, offering out a worn-looking leatherbound book. It's unlabeled and held shut with a little clasp.]

I need you to deliver this to someone, when you're sent to the past with the rest of your friends. A man named Romaeus.

[rashness]

[ He blinks, his tail curling behind him. No, no one else here...

But... ] Oh, sure. I could do that. [ He takes the book, and - ] What is it?

[ricecakes]

A journal.

[Obviously. He doesn't offer more than that, though. What would be the point?]

What it is, or rather, what it contains, is not your job. Nor is it your business to open it.

[rashness]

[ ... Man this guy is always so shady ] ... Okay, but could you tell me why I'm doin' this?

[ricecakes]

It's simple. Much as I might wish it, I can't go with you to the past myself. This is the alternative: sending a message to one who can help you. Otherwise the entire journey will be for nothing.

[rashness]

[ Sending a message to someone who... can? He considers this, trying to think if he knows who this guy he's delivering it to is. No, it doesn't ring a bell. But he looks over John's face, to see if he can't read something there. .. He looks tired. He thinks? In spite of himself: ]

Have you not been sleepin' well?

[ricecakes]

[...Hah. That's something he hadn't expected. He smiles very faintly, and reaches out to tap the cover of the journal with two fingers, the gesture very deliberate.]

I've had a lot to keep me busy. Once you've all left, I'll finally have a chance to sleep.

[rashness]

I hope so. I've been sleepin' terribly for the last... well, while. [ Actually, speaking of. He looks down at the journal against and hugs it close to his chest. He inhales, and then - no, he should do better. Be more sincere. He lowers himself at the waist, and bows for John ]

Thanks for bringin' us back.

[ricecakes]

[The bow earns him an uplifted brow, and then, after a moment, a nod. He's not of the bowing culture, but it seems to be something important, anyway. He's known the types.]

Thank you for not making me try it twice. And with any luck, those dreams you all seem to be suffering from should end when you return.

[rashness]

Really-?! [ He gets up from the bow quick enough, with more than a little bit of excitement. His tail wags, even. But after only a moment of that, he realizes no, he should reign in it. So he (still smiling) just presses on ] Okay, so we're going back in time, and you wrote a letter to this Romulan guy, right?

[ricecakes]

[....Oh, good grief. He's regretting this again.]

Romaeus. Do I need to write it down?

[rashness]

No! [ Err ] No. Just let me repeat it. Rom-ay-us? Romaeus? Romaeus...

[ His cheeks flush a bit in spite of himself, but he holds the book with one hand while using the other to pull back his bangs and concentrate on getting the name down pat ]

[ricecakes]

[Sigh. As if he wasn't tired enough already. Silently, John pulls out a pad of paper and a pen, jots the name down, and pulls the page free.

Then he sticks it to Rin's forehead.]

[rashness]

Hey! [ Is this another one of those stupid post-it notes?! Surprised, and more than a little miffed at this, he takes the note off his head and looks it over (that's not how he thought it would be spelled oops) and then nods, shoving it roughly into his pocket ]

Alright, thanks.

[ A beat ] So do we ever get to know what's in here?

[ricecakes]

Not really.

[Seriously, you asked already. Stop that.]

[rashness]

[ Well, at least he's direct ] Then what're we trying to do when we go back, just make stuff better?

[ricecakes]

There are a number of occurrences in that era that, if prevented, could change the course of history for the entire world. You'll learn more when you arrive.

[rashness]

Right. So we don't have to worry about anything? Okay... [ Um... What would Yukio ask? He racks his brain, and- keeps his hand pulling back his bangs ] So about the Romayus guy - do you think I need to tell the guy anything to get him to take this?

[ricecakes]

Ah, no. I can promise you, all you have to do is deliver the journal, and everything will be fine.

[Well, okay. That might be promising a lot. But they definitely won't have to tell him anything.]

[rashness]

[ He nods ] 'Kay so I'm not supposed to look at it, deliver it to Romayus... [ He counts this off on his fingers ] It's not gonna blow up or something if I accidentally open it, is it?