...Damn it.
My parents are such workaholics. Their work is always hopping me from place to place. I can never settle down, really. This time though, they're going abroad. And they're leaving me in the care of my uncle on my mother's side of the family for a year.
Apparently they live in a small rural town outside of the city. It's called Inaba, which is also where my mother grew up from. Hard to believe my mother, a country girl who used to be so carefree when she was younger, would be sucked into the world of corporation and business.
Heh heh...Funny.
...Looks like I'm the only passenger aboard this train.
It's so quiet that it's actually kinda nice. Better than hearing police sirens and people cursing outside my window, I'll say. But I wonder what the country life will be like? It's no hustle and bustle of the big city, that's for sure. So, I'll probably be bored for the most part. At least I still have my computer so I can play some MMORPG if the country life gets too dull. Too bad that Innocent Sin Online game shut down a year ago. I really liked it.
Strange...I'm usually not this tired...I can barely keep my eyes open...
...I guess I'll just take a nap...right now...
"Welcome to the Velvet Room."
...Wasn't I just on a train a few seconds ago? Wait, this is a dream. There's no point in trying to figure things out. Just go with the flow. Still...I don't normally dream about being in a velvet colored limousine, outside covered by a thick fog, in the company of a bizarre-looking man with bloodshot eyes and a really long nose. There was also a blond woman, who was sitting by his side, with a book in her lap, and her eyes closed, but I'm more worried about the man talking than her.
"Ah...It seems we have a guest with an intriguing destiny..." He chuckled mysteriously. "My name is Igor...I am delighted to make your acquaintance."
Well, at least he has manners.
"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter..."
So...This isn't a dream? It's out of this world? Whoa...
"It is a room that only those who are bound by a 'contract' may enter...It may be that such a fate awaits you in the near future."
I suppose I should be questioning this...but I'm not.
"Now then...Why don't you introduce yourself?"
Oh right...My name...
"My name is...Seta Sojina."
If I had been a boy, my parents would have just called me Soji. No need to wonder what my parents would have named me had I not been born a girl.
"Hm...I see." He nodded his head. "Now, let's take a look into your future, shall we?"
He held his hand over the small round table in front of him. A blue light formed underneath and a stack of cards appeared. I have to admit that was pretty awesome.
"Do you believe in fortune telling?"
If I can believe the magic you just did right now, then sure, I believe in fortune telling. With a wave of his hand, the cards spread out in the form of a hexagon. Cool trick.
"Each reading is done with the same cards, yet the result is always different..." Another chuckle from him."Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it?"
He flipped a card over.
"Hm...The Tower in the upright position represents the immediate future. It seems a terrible catastrophe is imminent."
So trouble is coming with me to Inaba? Well, that stinks. I know I don't want to be bored, but I don't want my life to be threatened for something interesting to happen.
"The card indicating the future beyond that is..." Another flip of the card revealed a picture of a full moon. "The Moon, in the upright position. This card represents 'hesitation' and 'mystery'...Very interesting indeed."
...I don't know what to make of that.
"It seems you will encounter a misfortune at your destination, and a great mystery will be imposed upon you."
Why me? What did I do to deserve this? Sigh...Whatever.
"In the coming days, you will enter into a contract of some sort, after which you will return here. The coming year is a turning point in your destiny...If the mystery goes unsolved, your future may be forever lost. My duty is to provide assistance to our guests to ensure that does not happen."
Thanks, I guess...
"Ah! I have neglected to introduce my assistant to you."
Oh, right. I forgot she was even here. So quiet, this woman is.
"This is Margaret. She is a resident of this place, like myself." He told her name.
"My name is Margaret. I am here to accompany you through your journey."
Such clearness in her voice...I find that admirable. I turn my attention back to Igor, who looked back at me as well.
"We shall attend to the details another time."
He bowed his head slightly.
"Until then, farewell..."
And I'm back on the train. Man, what a weird dream...But was it really?
"Attention. We will be arriving at the Yasoinaba station in just a few minutes. Please stay away from the doors until the train has come to a complete stop."
...I'm thinking about it too much. It was just a dream, nothing more. All those crazy RPG games are getting to my head. I grabbed my bags and got out of the train. Wow, this station is just as empty as the other one I just left. The only difference is that it's concrete, not steel, that I'm standing on. Anyways, my uncle is probably waiting for me outside. Better not keep him waiting.
Leaving the station, I took a quick look around me. It's amazing how different this place is compared to the city...
"Hey! Over here!"
That must be my uncle. Looks like I got a little cousin judging by the cute little girl he had hugging his leg. I walked over to the two. As soon as I walked up to him, he held out his hand for me to shake. I took it and shook it. Hey, that rhymed.
"Well, you're more pretty in person than in your photo."
Lies. My natural gray hair makes me look more freaky than pretty. Plus, I don't even smile in my photos. It feels so wrong doing so.
"Welcome to Inaba. I'm Ryotaro Dojima. I'll be looking after you."
"Nice to meet you, Dojima-san." Ah, my formal habits are still sticking, even with family.
"Heh. You probably don't remember, but we've met. I've changed your diapers before, you know."
Of course I wouldn't remember, Uncle. I was little miss drools a lot back then.
"This here's my daughter." He nudged the little girl forward. "Come on, Nanako, introduce yourself to your cousin."
"...Hi" She quickly retreated back behind her dad. So cute.
Dojima chuckled, "What are you so shy for?"
That remark earned him a slap to the ass. Ha ha, that was funny! After that little event, we got into his car and drove off. I just stared out the window, watching the houses that pass me by. They all looked so old fashion. Of course, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"As usual, your dad and ma are workaholics. Must be rough coming out to the countryside like this for one whole year."
"I'm used it." I really am. It doesn't really anger me anymore as it should be.
"Well, in our house there is only Nanako and I, so it's a good thing for us that you came. You can think of us as one big family, so feel free to do whatever you want."
"Thank you very much. Please take care of me." Ugh, too formal. Gotta break through this...somehow.
"Ah, you're being too formal. See, Nanako is shivering right now."
Wait, what? Shivering? I look to see and...She's not shivering. She wants to do her business. In the bathroom.
"I'll repeat it again. While you're here, treat us like we're family."
...
"What's wrong, Nanako?"
He finally noticed. Took him long enough.
"Oh, you need to use the toilet?"
Thwack!
"Ouch!"
...
I think I'll like it here.
Hello, people, Lone Effortz here. This here is a story I abandoned a long time ago. So I decided, hey, maybe I should give it another shot and see if I can succeed this time around? Anyways, hope you'll read and enjoy it. I did the best I could.
That's it, I guess. I'll see you all later.