gocirclegogo | Introductory Temporal Transportology

[A man is stuck in the streets of London. He has an amazing I-don't-care-about-my-hair-because-that's-how-cool-I-am hairstyle, $300 dollar Italian jeans, and I dare you to ask the thread count on that shirt, the first few buttons of which have been carelessly left unbuttoned. That's right. The hipsters have arrived. Also, he is holding a blackberry.]

[Clothing aside, he is not acting all that hip. He speaks with very broad hand gestures and a moderately manic expression.]

What the hell is this? When did we go Sherlock Holmes? Abed, are you doing a 'themed episode' [he doesn't need physical air quotes: he can do it with his voice] again? Because if you are, I need to know how the hell you pulled this off so it never happens again! [He stares at his Blackberry in incredulity, and here comes the last straw.] And why isn't my phone getting any signal?

[A choked scream of frustration, and he kicks a nearby crate.] This doesn't make any sense!

[Someone stop him before he finds an axe.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yup. Denver, Colorado. And you?

Japan. The Izu Island chain if you've heard of it but I don't think it's well known outside of Japan. I think I've heard of Colorado... My mother likes snow.

Sorry, my Japanese geography is a bit rusty. I like snow too, when we get it. I can't remember the last time we did.

We're close enough to Tokyo to count under their police department, if it helps. But is that so...? [Lion frowns slightly at that.] That's a shame. Mother would be so sad to hear it.

[Pausing to unlock the door of the shop and pushes it open.]

The front is really just for taking orders. Design samples are stored in the back and upstairs is a living area in case anyone needs to stay overnight. Would you like anything to drink? I'll answer anything that I can.

Can I ask... are you in the habit of taking in lost interdimensionally travelling strangers? And where did you get your clothing samples? Ooh. [He has wandered over to one.] It's an organic soy-cotton blend. This is amazing.

[Opening all the shades so it's brighter.] I'm in the habit of helping people who seem distressed, especially people lost here.

[Glancing back with an amused smile.]

All the samples are custom ordered. I try to reproduce the clothing as exactly as possible. Since so many wind up here, there's a solid niche for clothing that reminds people of home.

[Turn around. Blink.] You're in charge of this place? [You are Annie's age.]

[Glancing back. Age or gender is the only real question but Lion assumes age. So far people from ahead of her seem to care less about the latter.] I am, yes. It's a small business and it isn't especially taxing. Most of it is managing orders and gathering new design options.

It's really impressive. You had no problem getting a business license here?

Oh, thank you. I wouldn't say it was no trouble at all but it wasn't as difficult as I would have thought. It helped that I already had several parties interested in working with me. For any venture, having investors lined up will make you look worth investing in to others, regardless of the reality.

But I think I'm doing well enough.

I'm not usually this forward with business, but I have no job and nothing to sell but my wit and charm, but do you know where I could go to find out how to get some kind of job here? Because the Dickensian factory job thing is really unappealing to me. [And to his jeans.]

[Folding her arms in thought.] It depends on what you're good at. I have a few good connections in some areas. What did you used to do?

[He smiles at her. It's a lawyer's smile.] I was an attorney. Defence. But I'm not certified here, and that makes it a bit challenging to fall back on.

[A little amused.] Well, that shouldn't be entirely impossible for someone good with words. I think demonstrating your abilities to the right people would help.

[A pause as he debates being offended, then elects against because it's not like he cares. And he likes to save up his fake outrage anyway.]

[Except it's not fake. He IS offended that she'd suggest he'd be willing to con his way into practicing law.] Like a consultant? It's not bad work. I'll need to learn the system again. [work eww]

[If anything, Lion brightens. How nice to be wrong about someone.] Yes, that's a wonderful idea. If you need help finding someone to work under, please tell me. I had to learn a few laws for business but I mostly stay out of it, personally.

[His mind is half-busy trying to work out what the Victorian equivalent to DUI would be. It can't be drunk carriage driving.... Eh, protecting rich people from justice is the same thing whatever the case. Fish in a barrel.] Thanks, Lion--uh, is that okay? Or should I be addressing you by your family name?

[Oh Jeff, scoring more points. It's obvious from her expression that isn't asked much, if ever.] Oh! Yes, it's fine. Ah, thank you, though. I try to remember not to address people the same way when speaking English.

[Chalk up another point to the charming Jeff Winger.] I'm assuming you were born and raised in Japan, so it must be a bit rough. But your English is really great. It probably sounds better to them than mine does. [sob he knows his accent will be zero currency here]

[Jeff really is good at this. Lion laughs softly, not exactly embarrassed but a little flattered.] Oh, well, thank you. We start learning it rather early and my grandfather encouraged me to practice. But I doubt I could sound better than a native speaker. There are a lot of little things I miss.

Trust me. From what I can hear, you are better at English than 99% of the kids at my old college campus. [Only just remembered to set that in the past tense. Good effort, Jeff.] But hey, if you ever want some casual practice, I could help out. No audience to worry about, and you could mock my Japanese if it makes you feel better.

Edited 2012-02-21 03:05 (UTC)

[Curious, head tilting a little.] I'd like that. Do you know any Japanese? Well, it probably wouldn't be useful for you to learn, though.

[He grins.] Nope. You'd have a lot of material to work with.

[She laughs.] I think I'll let you focus on your legal studies rather than languages. I imagine that will be more than enough to keep you busy.

[He laughs a little.] Yeah. Not looking forward to relearning all of that.

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llywelin - 2012-02-21 11:53 (UTC) - Expand

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