( o1 - AUDIO )

[halves]

[Deep breaths, Lou, deep breaths.

He's still practicing this exercise about a split second before the recording begins, shifting his focus to it immediately, superficially ready to laugh and quip at this silly challenge someone has proposed (forced) him to take part in.

It's nothing but pure nerves, he assures you.]

This is really fucked up. Just thought I should let you know.

[There's an exhale, not quite a laugh. See? Nothing but nerves.]

I guess I'm supposed to say hi now.

Hi. I'm the new guy.

I'd like to know what the fuck you've done to my cat.

Comments

[skypsalms]

Really? D, did you hear it about this place or was it about something back home?

Because besides curses...it isn't so bad--it's just like any other city.

[halves]

People say that about many places, I think.

[It'd be absurd to say he was ever anywhere like this, but there's a reason he's going to keep it vague. Strangers don't need to hear his stories.]

You said 'curses'?

[skypsalms]

Yeah, I suppose they do.

A, ah, yes! Has anyone told you about them yet? Ah...probably not since you're asking me about them--but they're basically what you'd think they are. The ones I've experienced haven't been bad just inconvenient. [ a little nervous laugh here since she feels like she really doesn't have all that much of a say ]

[halves]

[There's a pause before he decides to be blunt, hoping that doesn't just make her more nervous.]

That doesn't tell me much.

[skypsalms]

A, ah! Right...it...p, probably doesn't. Um...

W, well there was a curse about how there were suddenly lemons everywhere one time. Oh! A, and it snowed here recently too, despite it being summer.

[halves]

That's... weird.

[skypsalms]

It is b, but it's not always so bad. S, some of them are pretty fun and it breaks the monotony.

[halves]

--I don't mind monotony. [He was just getting used to it. Preferably back where he came from.]

[skypsalms]

Eh, r, really?

[ oh... ]

[halves]

Really.

[He's weird like that.]

Sorry - who are you?

[skypsalms]

I... I see. Well, there isn't anything wrong with mundane, I suppose.

[ and she's ever the optimist ]

Ah! I'm sorry. [ a bow ] I'm Sumeragi Kururu.

[halves]

[He tries to repeat that in his head. Tries.]

Where's that from?

[skypsalms]

[ she says her name again, but this time much slower ] Sumeragi Kururu, it's Japanese.

[halves]

[That was his first guess. One point for him!]

Lewis Puckett.

[skypsalms]

[ \o/ ]

It's nice meeting you, Puckett-san.

[halves]

[He exhales, something still distant from a laugh.]

Just call me Lou.

[skypsalms]

Okay, Lou-san.

[ smile smile ]

[halves]

[Stop being so nice, Kururu, it's weird. He continues after a pause.]

How long have you been here?

[skypsalms]

[ nope, sorry. it's in her innate programming to be nice ]

O, oh, um... A, about month now? No wait, um... six or so weeks?

[halves]

[FOILED.]

Oh. [pause.] I thought it had been longer than that.

[Like the girl who said she'd been here for nine months.]

[skypsalms]

[ just as planned... ]

R, really? Why...do you say that?

[halves]

They way people talk about this place.

[skypsalms]

Oh... I... I've never noticed.