A breeze whisked Nysa's hair slightly as her door swung open. She couldn't tell if the breeze came from outside or from the movement of the door, but as she stepped out, she felt as if there was no such natural movement at all. The air felt still and the temperature didn't change, as if she was still in her controlled house. It almost felt unreal... but obviously, Nysa remembered, it wasn't real. None of it. She was stuck in her head, if Codayle was anything to believe, and there were a bunch of strangers just... there.
As she turned her head, she realized the absurdity of her situation. She was, somehow, at the end of a long road with a turnaround just to the right, surrounded by birch trees and some kind of bluish tree species that definitely didn't originate on Earth. More likely, Codayle had 'inserted' them from their homeworld... possibly to make it a little easier to handle? Nysa shook her head, frustrated. She had hoped, secretly, that this was a delusion or something, but this was intense, even for a dream. She still didn't buy this whole "I need help" and "I'm an alien and yeah, you're important enough that I put you in a coma to do my bidding" thing. But what else could she do but to go along? She was promised return to her life if she did what this Bewinf character said, which was what? Even the alien didn't know yet. That was reassuring. With a sigh, Nysa closed her eyes and reopened them to look further at her new street.
The houses were all different, very clearly the people's original houses that Codayle simply reproduced. Some had an Elizabethan feel, others cookie-cutter. Some were like her own, just houses that were unique when they were made with no real distinguishing features. The mix-matched pattern was odd, but she found she liked it. On a few doorsteps, people stood gazing around in wonder, taking it all in just like she was. A few other people were standing in the middle of the street, looking at each other suspiciously but communicating. Even more people were wandering, taking it all in. Nysa wondered for a moment if everyone in the dream were here, but it seemed like there was only a street, and besides... they would need to be spread out, wouldn't they? Considering Codayle didn't even know where they were, and none of these people knew if they were in a prison or a lab or even Area 51... they couldn't be in one spot. But...
If they were all relocated to this street, could Canada, and America, and all of the other countries that had representatives also be... connected? Rearranged? The entire situation was unclear and odd and there were a million unanswered questions. It made Nysa's head hurt, and she looked away from the house in front of her only to make eye contact with a girl, about her age, standing on the stoop of the house beside her. Her new neighbour.
The girl smiled widely. She was definitely Japanese, judging by her features. She probably shouldn't make assumptions, Nysa realized. People always assumed she was from somewhere much different than small-town Ontario. She mustered a smile in return, and the girl glanced both ways before stepping down her staircase toward the street. Nysa, realizing the intention and honestly not knowing what else to do, followed the other girl's lead. They met in between the two houses, Nysa smiling shyly while the other practically bounced over.
"Konnichiwa!" The girl's voice rang out. Definitely Japanese, then.
"Hello," Nysa said nervously, taking in the girl's features. Even though the girl had spoken in Japanese, she had completely understood. It seemed that in this world, language was known universally. They could all talk to each other without barrier. That seemed... smart. The girl standing in front of Nysa had her brown hair tied back in a French braid, and very light makeup graced her features. A bit of blush, some mascara, and pink lip gloss. She looked delicate, and suddenly Nysa felt self-conscious with her extra weight, unruly hair, and dark makeup. She felt brutish compared to the 'lady' in front of her.
"My name is Sugano Natsumi. That's just Natsumi for you, though. Please don't call me by my last name." Natsumi gave a small shudder, and Nysa couldn't quite tell if it was real or not. Maybe it was just dramatic. Her face suddenly felt warm and she nodded.
"Nysa Clark. Just Nysa. Canadian," she added, not that she really knew why. She supposed she didn't want anyone to assume she was American. Not that it was a bad thing to be American, she just... wasn't. Natsumi didn't seem to notice though, and glanced around. She was about the same height as Nysa, maybe around 5'2". The difference was, Natsumi was small and suited her height. Nysa was a bit chubby and thought she looked like a troll. Not that she hated her body. It was just different.
"This whole situation is odd, isn't it? Do you think it'll be dangerous? Codayle never said whether we could die in this whole dream thing." Nysa brought her eyebrows together and stared at the girl. Die? She must have sputtered out loud because Natsumi glanced at her, amusement dancing in her eyes. "What, you never thought about dying? We have to do something to save them, didn't you think it could be dangerous?" Even as Nysa's ears translated Natsumi's words, a slight accent broke through.
"I haven't really accepted the whole thing yet," she admitted, looking away. Natsumi laughed. Nysa's face got even warmer, as if that was possible. She felt pretty dumb, considering how involved her new acquaintance already was. Suddenly a sharp pain sliced her forearm, extending all the way up to her elbow. She ripped her arm away from the source and glared at Natsumi.
"That really fucking hurt," Nysa practically growled, but the other girl didn't seem scared at all. She crossed her arms and smirked, and Nysa thought that it didn't really suit her face.
"Still think it's a dream?" Natsumi said, and amusement was clear in her voice. Nysa frowned and rubbed the spot on her arm where the Japanese girl pinched her, seemingly as hard as she possibly could. It still throbbed and when Nysa looked, it was slightly discoloured. "Really fucking rude," Nysa muttered, and just looked away so she wouldn't see the victorious look on Natsumi's dumb face.
"You're not as innocent as you look, eh?" Nysa said, watching as the group in the middle of the street grew. Natsumi frowned in the corner of her eye. "I guess you're tired of being assumed to be a weakling." Nysa glanced over quickly, to see the girl's reaction, which was only a light sigh. So that was a yes. Nysa swallowed her pride and faced Natsumi again.
"I'm sorry," she offered. Natsumi looked at her in surprise. Again, Nysa was struck by her. She seemed to look like a Japanese stereotype, yet she was not the sweet little thing she had expected. At least, that was how it seemed by the hard pinch she had just received. Even the girl's outfit, a pale blue romper, seemed out of place. Then again, Nysa sort of looked tough and rough, but she really wasn't. She was a bit of a baby, honestly. Maybe they were the perfect duo after all.
Natsumi's pale pink lips curved upwards. Nysa felt, again, like she was in a dream. She surely wasn't herself, she thought, but she couldn't stop her own black lipstick'd lips from opening into a grin. She stuck out her hand, and Natsumi looked at it for a moment before taking it.
"Sorry I pinched you, too. I guess I'm stronger than I thought." It was a joke, Nysa thought. She had to know how strong her pinch was. But she laughed anyway and turned toward the crowd. A few people were looking at them curiously, and it seemed some people were also lightening up to laugh with people and make new friends. "We should join them," Natsumi said, echoing Nysa's own thoughts.
"First, promise me something?" Natsumi turned to her, curiosity etched on her face. "We stick together. Even if the group splits up, we are partners. We watch each other's backs. You've got me worried now." Nysa giggled, but it was loose and fake. She really was nervous, but she also didn't want to be separated from her first friend. Her only friend, at this point. Thankfully, Natsumi only grinned, nodding enthusiastically. The girl took Nysa's hand and started to pull her toward toward the group.
"We will stick together. BFFs." Nysa realized that the last word was said in English, and she couldn't help but to laugh. Maybe she would be fine here after all. Or maybe the looming group would consume her. It was impossible to say, but Natsumi was tough. They would be fine.
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