Things were so much more... exciting some time ago... have you all died? Given up? You don't seem to have much of a lust for life anymore...

[She huffs a sigh.]

Such a waste of parts...

[Cinnamon. The taste that usually accompanied spiced apples and sweet crust, eaten with friends under the warm lights of Santa's workshop.

But here there was no gentle clicking as the Guardians globe turned. No subtle jingle of elves belled hats as they ran their errands, always getting under North's boots. No scent of fruit cakes and Yeti's and snow...

Jack opened his eyes, sitting up from the bed and reaching up to take the candy from his mouth. He looked at the sticky sweet, then at the small unfamiliar room with a bewildered frown before tossing the thing to one side and standing up. His staff was at his side, and he picked it up automatically, holding it as he always did as an extension of himself.]

Hello? [He called out, but his voice was the only sound within the space of the room. He peeked into the other rooms, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom again, but there was no one.]

What's going on? [He asked himself as he stepped to the front door and pushed down the handle. He walked bare footed out into the forth floor hall, wincing as the floorboards creaked.]

[action; apt 301]

Predictably, or maybe not so predictably for those who don't know him, when Sakuya wakes up and takes stock of his surroundings he panics, spits out the candy in his mouth(a stranger putting things in his mouth?!), and makes a squawking noise, tumbling off the bed that has been most generously provided. He'd gone to sleep in his lovely mansion, then woken up in a dingy apartment, a filthy bed, and an awful, foreign, unfamiliar simian body! When he stands, wobbling uncertainly, he notes that his pristine white suit(which he does have to admit is quite nice) has become dirty, either from the bed, falling onto the floor, or both. Muttering a few curses under his breath, he begins to dust himself off, though he quickly starts to realize that this won't be nearly enough.

Once he spots the computer, he makes a beeline for it.

[video]

[There is a very angry looking blue-haired teen in the video, looking as though he's about ready to break something.]

I demand to know what kind of foolishness this is! I slept in my own bed last night and I wake up to this filth?! This is unacceptable! I don't know who will see this, but for those who do, I expect a full explanation!

[When he wakes up, he has to take the time to make sure the world isn't playing tricks on him. Instead of his comfortable, familiar home in the pagoda, he's ...in a bed. A real bed. The room is a wash of pastel blues and lace ruffles fit for a princess and he makes a face as he sucks on the cinnamon candy in his mouth. The pack of canines have traveled through the world shift with him and they raise their heads as one to survey and sniff their surroundings.

Aaron fumbles for the jigokuberry on the nightstand, struggling to remember how such a device works before finally seeming to get the hang of it enough to switch the audio function on.]

Can ...anyone here me? Did the world move on? I woke up in this weird bed, but I can't find anyone else, so...

[He eases off of the bed and makes his way to the door, opening it with a loud creak that can be heard even from the jigokuberry. A decently-sized sitting room, and then another door leading to the hallway. Taking a deep breath to hide his uncertainty about this whole situation, he pushes the door open, holding the jigoberry close with one hand while training the other on the scruff of his pet's neck. His breathing is a bit more ragged now as the scent of decay and must hits him. This place is old - old and lonely and not a good place at all.

There are probably ghosts. He still really hates ghosts.]

Someone please call in. I-I need to know that people are alright! Wait - Blanca, no!

[Something of a soft curse before the berry is shut down and the boy takes off running after the frightened, yelping cub.]

Nnnmmm.... I see.... yeah, yeah I get it now!

[battler grins to himself, chuckling and then in one motion he brings a bottle up to his lips, tipping it back and he chugs it down before dropping it once more, wiping the contents from his lips. ah, anyone should know what he's consuming however, it's so obvious, it's none other than....]

Ihihihi time is of the essence, or so they say, and I haven't a clue how long I've been here for! Oh oh, but it gets better just listen up, in my world, in the realm of witches, I never knew the time there either!

So... when do we know, huh? Oi oi something like this can't be useless, don't tell me it's all useless I know it's not! When do we know when holidays are, events, special little rituals?! I have a feeling, call it a detective's gut, but maybe, oh just maybe....!

If I were back in my regular time it would be a my birthday today! [he pointed at the camera, acting like a complete moron and rambling more than usual.... why yes, he was drunk.]

And I have booze! Don't let me down, don't turn away from the birthday boy, I want a party! Let's have one! Where we drink 'till we drop, and I don't wanna be the only one~!

[ The jigokuberry isn’t hard to figure out. Naoto’s immediate inclination is to call out, give minimal details where possible; determine what this place is, who brought here and why. The bedroom she woke up in is ascetic, a thinly furnished bed and a dresser with squeaky drawers. Chipped paint and peeling wallpaper. She memorises every exit, every nook and cranny. The living room window tells her she’s not on the first floor, that this is a large house or some sort of apartment building.

The blackberry doesn’t tell her the day, the month, or the year. There’s no map application, nothing she can use to pinpoint her exact location.

If this is a kidnapping, withholding from using any and all tools at her disposal would just be pointless. That, and – she can still feel Yamato-Takeru flitting around, just outside her thoughts but mercifully within reach. He will be there if she needs him. That’s enough to reassure her. ]

While this situation is not ideal, I suppose I have to commend whoever brought us here on their thoroughness. [ Her words are calm and thoughtful, her tone even. She’s not upset. As long as she thinks of this as just another puzzle, she’ll keep from getting upset.

The apartment smells old, rotting, to the point of distraction. ]

I hope whoever is listening will forgive my rudeness if I skip over the introductions. Until I can ascertain who we all are and why we were brought here, the situation is a sensitive one. [ She’s heard footsteps from the hall outside, from the floor above. Soon, she’ll investigate them personally. ] However, any information that can be provided will be greatly appreciated, and will be recom --

[ Ah, well.

Naoto gives a tiny smile, only to herself. ]

I guess this is where the phrase “I’d owe you one” would go.