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Post by Asher on Apr 1, 2017 5:19:19 GMT
Was it wise to take trips out of this world, after a long day at work? Asher was going to find out, wasn't he? What time would it even be in the Digital World? Ah, whatever. It would be obvious once he got there, if it was night time or day! Why worry about it now, anyway?
Looking down at his phone, the teen navigated through the crowded train station with little hassle. After all, if he was going to text anyone, he'd want to do it before he lost signal! Why couldn't the Digital World have cell phone towers? They really needed to work on that! If only Asher knew more about technology, he would attempt to do it himself! But, it was far too late to apply himself toward that subject in high school.
Not that he'd have the attention span for it, anyway.
Once the message was sent out, the teen began to hum a tune to himself, discreetly pulling his digivice out with his free hand. Side-stepping from the crowd, the actor leaned against a wall that was alongside a locked gate. Leaning over his phone, he placed his digivice against a scanner, as if to stabilize himself by grabbing something. The scanner made a soft beep, as the teen stepped through the now unlocked gate, not even bothering to check if it had sealed itself behind him.
Surely, that would be a mistake. But, the work day had drudged on so slowly, the tired teen didn't even think to check on something that simple! And, one of the trains was already present! He didn't want to have to wait for another one!
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Post by Junjo Natsuki on Apr 1, 2017 7:46:08 GMT
Apr 1, 2017 1:19:19 GMT -4 Asher said:
His heart was pounding. Faster and faster as he approached the object of his focus. He had always seen the red hair from inside the maid cafe' but he had never thought he'd be approaching the person it belonged to. He tried to be inconspicuous, hoping that he didn't stick out like a sore thumb. As if his height and green hair didn't do that already.
When Asher slipped in through a locked gate Junjo was reluctant to follow him. The guy was so pretty it was probably a special gate for vip status members or something. But he followed anyway, determined to kick his fear of talking to guys in the butt.
He followed Asher onto the train, and sat down a bit away from him. He didn't want to seem weird. Though considering it seemed they were the only two on the train it was probably VERY weird. What kind of train ride is this anyway? He sat quietly for a moment before he worked up the courage to talk to him. "Um. . .hi. My name is Junjo Natsuki. I just wanted to say. . .that um. . well I think you're very good looking. Please don't take it weird!"
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Post by Asher on Apr 1, 2017 8:05:40 GMT
Somehow Asher had, in fact, completely failed to notice being followed! Or, maybe ignored was the proper term? He had a tendency of at least attempting the concept of ignorance is bliss! But, as someone ever-so vaguely familiar boarded the train with him, it became increasingly less comfortable. Yellow eyes flickered toward the stranger, before looking back at his phone. Sure, he wasn't used to sharing a train with passengers that he didn't know, but it couldn't be that uncommon, right? Asher was just too new at these trips to know any better! So, he'd just play some sort of mobile game that didn't eat his phone battery too badly, and pretend to be alone.
Or, at least, that was the plan. Until the person began talking. Wait, were they speaking to him?
...Of course they were, Asher. You're the only other person in this train car. There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity!
Taking a moment to register the very forward introduction, the teen started an almost confused smile, "thank you," he began, with an additionally curious, "why would that be weird?" When someone's an actor, they're usually accustomed to people spouting about their appearances, or some sort of strange love-obsession! But, of course, this wasn't like that! Nobody would willingly trap themselves alone on a train with someone if they were intending on just getting awkwardly rejected on a marriage proposal to a stranger or something!
Unless there were cameras hidden in here.
With the thought, the spirit user couldn't help but glance around the train in search of recording devices. But, oh, wait. Socializing. He was doing that thing! "I'm Asher Callum," he finally introduced, after what was probably too long of a pause. "I don't usually have new company on these rides," he hummed, trying to get a conversation going, "Any plans, once we reach the next station?"
Of course, there couldn't be any more plans at Shibuya's terminal, considering the Trailmon's doors were already closed, while the creature let out an awkwardly inaccurate, "Choo-Choo!" as it jolted forward. No escape now!
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Post by Junjo Natsuki on Apr 1, 2017 8:31:07 GMT
Had he already messed up? Telling people not to take something weirdly usually lead to the opposite effect taking place. He was just so terrible with guys that he really didn't know how to act around them. Why couldn't he be more cool?
He seemed shocked when Asher actually paid attention to him, even introduced himself by name.
"O-oh! Pleasure to meet you!" He bowed his head respectfully, his oddly colored hair falling into his eyes momentarily.
"No plans really. . .I.." Was he going to risk telling Asher why he had really gotten on the train. "I see you at the Maid Cafe in Shibuya all of the time. .and I wanted to be brave and talk to you. . so. . ." He tapped his fingers against the strap of his messenger bag as he held it close to his chest.
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Post by Asher on Apr 1, 2017 8:55:53 GMT
This guy was different, wasn't he? Where Asher failed frequent speech checks in real life, this guy seemed to struggle with an entirely different set of them! Oh well! That could make for an interesting train ride, after all. The redhead wasn't going to think too heavily on someone else's social struggles, when it would make him an absolute hypocrite!
Closing the game on his smartphone, the ex-actor didn't seem to have much to say on the lack of plans. After all, Asher had no idea what he was going to do with his day in the Digital World, either! But, with the statement continuing, the teen felt his chest tighten. Red flag, red flag! Asher wasn't quite used to a fan of the cafe seeking him out in public places! Crud, what was protocol for something like this? Did he have to act professional, even off the clock? Or just act like a normal person and hope for the best?
Except, oh wait, they were not going to a normal place! Back to the concern!
Maintaining a relaxed posture, the manager let out a small laugh. "Don't tell me you got on a train without knowing where it's going, just to talk to me," he started, in a joking manner. Except, this really wasn't a joke. So many people were going to murder him if he had let a regular person waltz into the Digital World! This could be so bad.
Tapping the button on his phone, Asher was quick to skim through his contacts. Finger quickly clicked the one for Isaac, in hopes of a miracle. Sure, he could have called Karin, but she was more likely to literally try to injure Asher if a mistake was made! And 'I' came before 'K' in the list! But, there wouldn't be any luck, with absolutely no service on his cell phone. It seemed they were too far along the tracks for signal now!
Oh man. He was so dead. So, so dead. Hopefully the way this conversation was appearing to go would be absolutely wrong! Please be someone that actually knows where this train stops! "I mean, this is very brave of you!" Mostly stupid. Insanely so! And, Junjo would have no idea just how brave stepping onto this train was, if assumptions were accurate! "So, props to you! Is this the most daring thing you've done lately?" Sound curious! Fish for answers! Most people in the Digital World would probably have far more courageous stories to follow up with! And, for all that was good, do not say anything that will provoke the train to participate in the conversation!
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Post by Junjo Natsuki on Apr 2, 2017 3:49:17 GMT
Junjo hadn't noticed the frantic ramblings taking place in Asher's head conveying into body language. The red head seemed surprisingly relaxed. His own thoughts though were a bit more cluttered.
Not only was Asher talking to him, but he was asking questions. "W-well, I kind of. . .um. . did. I figured I'd just go for it. And it'd either turn out really good or really. . . .not good. And you're not trying to slap me or anything so I think its going good. ." He rambled on not giving his mouth much time to catch up with his brain.
When commended on his bravery he couldn't help but smile. "I know! The last daring thing I did was park my bike where I wasn't supposed to. . ." He realized how lame that made him sound though and wished he could take it back.
"And now I've talked to you. And that was my whole mission. So now I feel better about myself." He nodded, still fiddling with his bag straps.
"I'll admit I really didn't think about what I would do after the fact. .I was, you know, living in the moment and all of that."
Great, now he probably sounded like a dummy.
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Post by Asher on Apr 2, 2017 4:49:53 GMT
Okay, yeah. This guy had no idea what was going on. Who the heck let him wander around unsupervised? "Slap you? That would just be mean," he shook his head, trying to wrap it around the statement. What would have prompted a man to slap another? That's just weird! Unless he was being assaulted, Asher had absolutely no reason for violence!
But, really? That was the most daring thing Junjo had done? This guy's sense of adventure had to be pretty nonexistent! "Living in the moment's cool, and all, but I've gotta admit that I'm busy thinking of the future right now," he began, while repeatedly tapping his thumb on the call button under Isaac's name. Of course, every time, a little notification would pop up, informing him that calls couldn't be made at the moment. Smart phones weren't all that smart, were they? They should know that this was an emergency! Most phones permitted emergency calls even without service! ...Given, that was to actual emergency services, but still! Emergency!
"Like, what do you plan to do at the next station?" Please, get off this train and onto the next one! With any luck, it wouldn't be crowded at all! Ideally, the station would be empty! But, that was unlikely! "I mean, there's nothing that interesting in the place we're headed. Why else would the train be so empty?" Common sense, right? If nobody wanted to board the train, it's because the destination wasn't great!
Of course, Mr. Train had to disagree. "Hey, now! My line takes you out to the Tropics! It's plenty interesting!" Oh! Well, that was good to kn- wait, shoot, the train was talking! Surely the locomotive had to understand that this was a big problem right now! "I think the smell is why nobody wanted to ride with me! Some kid left their gym socks under one of the seats and hoo boy, it reeked! Got the last guy to remove them, but he didn't have any breath mints. Do you guys have any? Or mouth wash?"
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Post by Junjo Natsuki on Apr 2, 2017 5:11:21 GMT
Asher was right! Slapping him WOULD be mean! But he always over analyzed things when it came to guys. No one would really slap him, just look at him oddly. He let out a sigh of relief to know that he wasn't going to get slapped.
"The future?. ." Junjo asked curiously, all the while running one hand through his hair to get it out of his face. He pushed his glasses up on his nose before he opened his mouth again. "Well. .I'm not really sure. I can take a train home I guess. ." he seemed a bit disappointed. Of course Asher wouldn't invite him to follow along with him. He was just a brave fan boy after all.
As he thought about whether or not he had simply wasted his time following Asher to try and talk to him, a rumbling voice echoed from all around them. At first he didn't really realize that it was the voice of the train. "That's a very loud intercom. . ." he muttered, though he tightened the grip on his bag as he grew a bit nervous. It really did sound like the train had been talking. Junjo really needed to start getting more sleep.
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Post by Asher on Apr 2, 2017 5:47:16 GMT
At least the acquaintance seemed to be understanding that the train really wasn't meant for him. Asher loved to pretend that he was ignorant, but how did this guy not question the fact that they were the only two on this ride? "I mean, you probably should.
It would suck if you got lost someplace you've never been to before." Yes, try to sound like this is best for him! Not that it was actually for everyone else!
Maybe it was a good thing that Junjo was dense, though. "Yeah, the intercom is really high quality on these trains," the teen tried to cover, with a smile. "Interactive, and everything. I think they're new."
"You're so nice!" The train responded, as if on cue, "but I'm not new at all! I haven't had a part break down in a year! Isn't that great?" But, flattery would get Asher nowhere! Not when someone was accusing the Trailmon of using an altered voice box! "But, I don't need an intercom! This is my normal voice!" Now, in a booming tone, the train shouted, "my voice is great!"
Lowering his face into his hands, Asher found himself mumbling, "why does this happen every time?" Couldn't he get the quiet trains? "I'm so dead."
"No! You're alive!" The train argued, happily adding, "we all are! You! Me! Your boyfriend! It's like a big family!" Trying to find a way to fit a train into this family of humans, the vehicle debated what he would be. Could he be the side-lover? No. That would make someone sad! "I'll be that crazy uncle that moved in and nobody can get rid of, but everyone actually really loves!" What in the world was going on in this train's head? "Except,
you guys can move into me, instead of me moving into you, because there's plenty of room and I'm kind of lonely. Being a train doesn't involve a lot of people who want to spend time with me!"
"Gee, I wonder why," the teen finally got a few words in, albeit sarcastic ones, trying to hide himself further into his hands. This was such a disaster that he couldn't even listen to whatever the Trailmon had just rambled about!
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Post by Junjo Natsuki on Apr 2, 2017 6:18:20 GMT
"Yeah. . .that wouldn't be fun at all." Junjo sighed. A part of him had wanted to be whisked away by the popular Asher. But it really did make more sense for him to get off at the next stop and head back to Shibuya.
"I've never heard of an interactive train before. ." He muttered, looking around to see if there were sensors or something that helped said train to interact. Could it see their facial expressions? He grimaced as it started to talk back at them. But something about it was very off. As the train got louder he could feel the inside start to rumble. As if he was inside of a living thing. "Gngh. . ." He didn't like this at all.
It finally clicked as the train argued with the idea of having an intercom. "Oh my God, Oh my God, OH MY GOD! I'm in a talking train! This has to be a dream! Right? A dream?!"
Wait, did this train call Junjo Asher's boyfriend? Now he was scared and embarrassed! "Wh-wh-what is going on!!!? Talking train, boyfriend, in the train, the trains alive, BOYFRIEND?!" He burried his face into the side of his bag, just rambling to himself as he tried to make sense of everything.
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Post by Asher on Apr 2, 2017 6:32:46 GMT
Before Asher could even come up with a good way to continue the conversation, the Trailmon had ruined any chance of him getting away with this. Except for Junjo's comment about dreaming. He might be able to work with that! "Yeah, actually, you passed out. This is what it's like to lose consciousness from dehydration." Why was that his choice of why Junjo would pass out? It was really random! But, hey, it made the most sense! "I wonder, if you just try to sleep, if you'll wake back up in real life?"
"Naw, that's not how that works," the train argued again. Why couldn't it be an agreeable train, at least? "if you sleep in a dream, you'll have a dream in a dream, and those are weird! I once had a dream about-"
"-Man, that is really nice and all, but can't you see this guy's having a panic attack?"
"Oh! Is he? Was it the boyfriend comment? I'm sorry. I didn't see wedding rings! My mistake! How long have you been together?"
With a twitch, Asher heavily thudded his foot on the ground, trying to find something to silence the train. "You watched us meet! On you!"
"Oooh! How romantic! I'm part of a wedding ceremony! This isn't even my good paint!"
A groan came from the teen's throat, as he tried to figure out how to go about fixing this. If it had been anyone else, this probably never would have happened! Asher was just cursed! "Hey, now. Don't listen to the conductor. He's just fuckin' with you, okay?He does that. Really friendly guy, really insane." Paint a picture. Something to try to keep this guy from a total meltdown. "Ever met someone's weird grandpa,
with the wheezy laugh, and everything? Yeah, he's like that. Trains don't talk. That's just insane." Now, giving a warmer smile, and trying to avoid panicking himself, the teen tried to sound reassuring, "and, I don't think you're a crazy person. Now, you're not, are you?"
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Post by Junjo Natsuki on Apr 2, 2017 7:01:57 GMT
"I passed out?" That could work. It made more sense than a talking train. He must've gotten so nervous from seeing Asher and so hot from following the guy around that he passed out when they finally met face to face. "Right, I'm just going to wake up and everything will be normal...yeah. . ."
Junjo's whole face lit up as the talking train, which he was now trying to rationalize as a weird conductor with hidden cameras, mentioned a wedding. Their wedding. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath to try and collect himself.
"No, I'm not crazy. I'm just over worked. This is no big deal. . .This is all just a funny, FUNNY joke! Heheheheh. . . ." What ever was happening. Why did it have to happen to him?
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Post by Asher on Apr 2, 2017 7:18:29 GMT
"Yup! Entirely unconscious!" Asher nodded, quickly. Good thing there wasn't an argument from the new person! This was already insanely stressful! First, a long day at work. Now an increasingly long train ride. "Don't worry, I'm sure everything will sort of make sense soon!" Sort of. And, only maybe. The redhead barely had any idea of how to make sense of this world most days!
"Oh! I like jokes!"
"I bet you do," the teen grumbled. Maybe this train would be allergic to peanut butter, too. He'd definitely have to test it. "But, yeah, see? Even the conductor thinks this is funny! He loves jokes, you heard him!" Keep grasping at those straws, Asher! "But, since you're not awake, you should really go home on the first train back!" But, oh, wait, wasn't this train saying something about a different destination? Crud. There still had to be trains heading back home, though, right?
Placing a hand on Junjo's shoulder, the actor kept his smile going. Stay convincing! "I'll even wait with you until the next train comes, alright? Just to make sure you get back safe." Talk about perfect customer service!
But, the Trailmon was having none of that. "No other trains are out there at this time of day! And I'm pooped! It'll be a couple hours before anyone leaves that station!"
Of course this was going to be how the day continued.
"Oh! Look out the window! There's Terminus! Say hi! And bye! I'm not stopping!" Wait, were trains allowed to just skip a station like that? What about other people that wanted to go to their destinations? Agh! Trailmon were such pains to deal with! Why did they have to be the best option to get here?
Sure enough, if Junjo looked out his window, he would see a large city, which was rapidly disappearing into the distance, while random grassy scenery filled the view otherwise. For now, at least. Meanwhile, Asher was busy trying to think of some way to not get this guy killed while they waited for a train. He still hated those escort missions in video games, after all.
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Post by Junjo Natsuki on Apr 4, 2017 8:06:46 GMT
"Right! It's all bound to make sense enventually. . .why wouldn't it make sense. . I mean, this is all a dream! But wait. .dreams hardly ever make sense. Now I'm confused!" He complained, the stress overwhelming him and becoming more apparent by the second as it showed on his face.
Junjo looked at the hand on his shoulder and brought back the red tint to his cheeks that seemed to be becoming his trademark around Asher. "O-okay. That would be nice. ." He said as he tried to calm himself down. Asher's touch certainly helped.
But from the sounds of it there were no other trains for a least a couple of hours. Where were they even going? To a place where talking trains existed apparently! He still didn't fully believe that they just had a very twisted conductor.
"Terminus?" He looked out the window at the large city, surprised at how it looked. He had never seen anything like it before in his life! Not even in America!
"Wh-where are we going? I've never seen this part of Japan before. . .what are those things down there? Is there a festival going on?" He could see a grouping of strange looking things in the distance. Farmers in costumes maybe. "Ohh, I knew I should've looked at the sign before I got on this stupid train!" He complained. "Oh! Duh--if this is a dream then. . ." he tried his hardest to believe that. ". . .this isn't a dream is it. .?" He could tell by Asher's body language.
"Oh god this isn't a dream! I'm not passed out! WHY ME?!"
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Post by Asher on Apr 4, 2017 8:28:04 GMT
"It makes sense when you wake up!" Asher tried to rationalize. Okay, that was an awful excuse. What dream person would say that? Try to be an actor, Asher! Not some half-panicking guy covering up a huge secret! But, it was awfully hard to hide something when the person that wasn't allowed to know was literally within it!
There was a groan, while the redhead began to give up the act. "Why would you dream of a normal Japan city?" He slowly gave as an excuse, but it was becoming clear that he was getting tired of the game. Well, it wasn't even a 'getting' to that point. Asher was still tired from having customers all day at work! Let alone trying to cope with one that could let the cat out of the bag to the real world!
Yes, Junjo. Yes, you should have looked at the signs! Who the heck boards a mystery train to who-knows-where?
Shoulders slumped slightly, while eyes wandered the roof of the train. Why did Asher have to deal with this? Why him, of all people? On the bright side, he wasn't the only one asking why it had to be him! Yellow eyes rolled to look at Junjo, trying to make eye contact. "I mean, if you really want, I'll fix that." Was that a threat? Come on, Asher! He shouldn't let a long day at work get him to this point! Especially because he wouldn't really knock an innocent stranger unconscious. ...Right? "This is what you get for following strangers onto empty trains."
How long could they go without Asher having to give away too much information? Or, should he just let it all go now? This guy deserved some sort of answers, right?
Clearing his throat, the spirit user tried to recollect himself. "I didn't mean it. Can- uh, can you not freak out? I already got yelled at today, and I'm not really feeling it, off-shift," he admitted, while trying to find some sympathy in his tone. But, come on, all this noise was giving him a headache! "Okay. So, pretty sure you've got that we're not in Japan anymore. Or the Human World at all," he started, trying as patient of a tone as possible. "We're someplace where trains and trees can totally talk, and sometimes aliens will abduct you. You aren't supposed to be here, and if you run off this train the second the doors open, you're probably going to get eaten by a dinosaur." Oh god, this sounded like crazy-talk, didn't it? At least the actor made it sound convincing! Especially because none of this was a joke! "And, I know that sounds absolutely insane, but none of it is an exaggeration. The most daring thing you've done today wasn't talking to me. It was getting on this train. Are you following any of this?"
With this question, the train gave a very obnoxious and not-at-all inconspicuous whisper of, "psst. I wasn't paying attention. Can I borrow your notes after class? Is this gonna be on the quiz?" It was definitely a good thing that Trailmon was attached to tracks, otherwise he'd probably lose himself in the ocean or something!
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