Second Floor Common Room [Tuesday afternoon]

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

It had been several weeks, now, since Po had arrived in this strange land, and he felt fairly educated about his new surroundings. The indoor lights and running water had fascinated him, certainly, as had these mysteries called "electronics," but he felt confident that now, at least, he understood these things in theory, if not wholly in practice.

Today, though, he was left with questions as he stared in confusion at the television. He had been told these devices were for entertainment, and thus he'd happily watched as people behind blue boxes bearing their scrawled names had answered questions about this world, moments earlier. But for the last twenty minutes, an older man had appeared and attempted to convince him that comfortable sleep was nigh unto impossible.

Po frowned as he watched, unsure what this strange man's purpose was. He made sleep seem as though it were a mission that could never be achieved without this pillow -- surely the same audience that so enjoyed the questions before wouldn't fall for this spiel? It seemed like misplaced advertising.

And, also, a really stupid pitch for a fairly useless-sounding product, but Po supposed that was neither here nor there.

[this post brought to you by the endless My Pillow infomercial that has been airing on every TV I've happened to see this week. Open!]

Comments

[justbeingbay]

"KC's not exactly the excitement capital of the world," Bay told him. "And I've only driven through Iowa. But I can believe all the farm stuff sucks a guy in. How'd you break out?"

[pursuedthestars]

"Managed to convince my mom that I needed some special schooling," he said, lying smoothly. That wasn't how it exactly went but no one knew that. "And she's always willing to do anything to help further my education."

Or something.

"Farm's not really for me. Sure they can handle everything without me." Because he wasn't going back if he could help it.

[justbeingbay]

"Sure," Bay agreed easily. "I was just totally sick of my old school and needed something fresh, you know? And my parents were halfway sold on boarding school anyhow, so -- here I am."

She was skipping a couple things, too, but she figured that was just about expected.

[pursuedthestars]

"And?" Jim prompted after a moment. "This place all you expected it to be and more? Or too early to make that determination?"

[justbeingbay]

"Far more," Bay said. "I thought it'd be like my old school except with less plaid everywhere, but instead it's like stepping into a sci fi movie. Not that I totally hate it so far."

[pursuedthestars]

That sounded like a pretty accurate assessment to Jim. It was kind of like stepping into some warped movie.

"Even if I could make plaid look good, I still wouldn't wanna make it look good," he said, making a face. "I haven't been here that long and I can say it's been...interesting."

That was the best word for it.

[justbeingbay]

"No, no one can make plaid look good," Bay told him cheerfully. "Literally. No one. It's amazing to be able to pick my own clothes for school every day. I hadn't done that since I was four."

She was in a black sweater with ribbed bell sleeves and red corduroy pants -- nothing exciting, but it washers.

"And yeah, I am getting the idea this place is interesting."

[pursuedthestars]

Jim chuckled lightly at her happiness at being able to choose her own clothes. It truly was the simple things in life that made people the happiest.

"But, on the bright side, there's always free food," he said, amused. "Through all the weird, interesting things? Free food. The best things in life."