*A student absent mindedly roams the Underground Mall. She was looking for a specific store, but her tiredness kept her from remaining attentive. She sighed*

[Emily has somehow found herself in the mall as well... And she looks lost.] H-how do I keep getting myself into these situations? Ugh, I'm going to be late again.

*Mig notices Emily, then the unknown girl...* Uh.... hey you two. What are you doing here?

*Suddenly caught between two strangers, she looks a little awkward* Oh... Hello... I was looking for the music place. You know it? There's this western album I want...

Ah, it's good to see a familiar face here... I was getting worried I wouldn't. Our special acquaintance asked me to do some recon on the Nexus, but...I'm kind of lost.

Oh! I can show you to the music store! I... actually need to go there too. I need a poster.

Migrant would know this place better than I do... I'm pretty new here after all.

A poster...? Of who, I wonder. An idol? A band? *the girl looks surprisingly intrigued, despite her exhausted expression* I've only been in this world a short time as well...

Um... an Idol, technically. And I've been here for a long while now. Though this place looks more and more unknown by the day. Either way, the music store should be right over here. *a corner turn and a short walk later, they arrive at the music store!*

*Walks out of nearby store and watches group of people heading to the music store*

*She is the first to enter the store, as if not listening to the world around her. She is quite similar with the layout, heading immediately to the western music section to pick up an album from a band called Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds. For some reason, she has two of the same album, and looks quite happy with herself*

[Emily looks around at the music store] So many choices.... I know that I didn't come here for this... But, it's too tempting! I must find something!

*Follows group into music store low-key*

*Heads into the store and... the first thing they would notice is a crowd of girls practically fighting to get their hands on some CD....* Um..... well then.

*Takes a Foster the People and a few Nirvana cd's.

[sweatdrop] All this commotion over one CD.... How embarrassing.

It must be a new release... Probably that J-Pop band that's all the rage. I got what I came for, anyway... *She looks a little embarrassed upon the realization that the two girls' first impression of her was a rather geeky one*

*Hears the word J-pop and immedietly heads for exit*

*Inches over to the group and tries to see what they're all after.... forgetting the poster mission for a moment.*

Heheheheh! *Dastardly rubs his hands* Today, my plan will work. Its so simple it has to work! *Dastardly takes out a credit card from his pocket* With this, I shall buy everything here so no one else can buy or own anything! It'll all be mine! Then, with them not being able to buy anything they'll be so sad they won't be able to continue on! Then I will swoop in and take lead and win the Wacky Races! *Dastardly runs over to the first store he sees* Hi, I would like to buy everything here! *He hands the clerk his credit card and waits for a second, then looks surprised* What!? Denied!? But I'm Richard Milhous "Dick" Dastardly! I can buy anything! Wait no don't cut my card in half! And you cut my card in half....oh phooey. *Dadtardly walks out of the underground mall* Dang credit card companies I'll show you! Then after that I will take my lead in the Wacky Races!

That was... Strange. Never seen someone like that.

I... Supposed I should get used to the madness?

He was right... Aperta and the Nexus do have differences from each other.

.... Yeah. You have to eventually just get used to all this. Or move away from it. Up to you. Hmm.... well you were right it's some band. Ever hear of a "Kichiro?" Apparently he's the lead singer and the city's latest heartthrob...?

Saeko had wandered into the Underground Mall, gazing into every shop briefly, not much catching her eye. Eventually she found her way to the flower shop, eye lighting up, she walked in and started gazing at the variety of flowers. "Hmm. Perhaps I could expand the garden..."

Heartthrob eh? Sounds like more trouble than he's worth to me... Then again, never got interested in bands like that.

I don't quite get "heartthrobs", so I couldn't say... I'm probably the only girl in my class who doesn't care about him. Just one more thing to be outcasted over... *She looks rather lonely* Well... I guess I should check my things out and hit that exotic clothes store next...

Yeah. Honestly I don't get the obsession over boy bands. *lurks over to some posters and grabs one* Ah ha, here's what I needed.

Oh? What's that poster for?

Well it's a base, to compare to one from Aperta. Hmm.... though I've actually never heard of that idol. Truth be I used to be the biggest idol here, and only...

I'm sure you were a good one... Something about you tells me that you were.

[A red door appears before the two women. The door opens as a man with black hair and red eyes steps out.] ... Did I make a wrong turn?

[Emily jumps back a little, startled by the sudden appearance.] A-ah, sir... I honestly wasn't expecting you here!

Y-you! *stumbles back* What are you doing out of Aperta?

[The man sighs] I have told you that it exists between Chaos and Order, Light and Darkness. And... I grew bored of changing the room...

Changing it, huh? How often can you really redecorate one room?

Countless times... [The looks around] So this is the subspace known as the "Nexus" correct?

I see... Well, I guess I would get bored too, if I had to sit in that room all day. B-but, I was doing my job, I swear!

Uh... yep, this is the Nexus. For all its weirdness.

You... did not have to come in today. Didn't you check your schedule? [The man looks at the cat girl] Well, new world. I am Jonathan, the master of the Scarlet Room.

I don't think the world is able to answer you back....

I have a quota to meet in every world I visit...

I thought I was... And that's a real weird quota to have to meet.

After spending quite a while in the flower shop, Saeko finally walks out with a bag filled with flowers and other things for care. She looks down at her haul and smiles. "Finally, something done without a crazy incident breaking out." She heads towards the exit and back to her home, happy with have done something today.

It feels as though it is natural for me... [Jonathan sighs] Well... what do you humans do for entertainment?

Well.... music for one. *looks around the shop, as people seem to have emptied out after a magical door appeared.* Also clothing. Well, maybe that one's just me.

I have no need for clothing... as I cannot take mine off.

I like clothing.... Although, I really don't have a good fashion sense.

That's..... concerning.... And I think you look just fine in that.

Not much. It does save me from those infernal contraptions.

Well, thank you for the compliment. I really need to get better outfits though...

I guess some people get ice cream for fun. So there's always that option.

I have no need to consume such things... though... I've heard much of "Ice Cream".

True, icecream is good. As long as it doesn't taste like salt for some reason.

It's an acquired taste. I haven't really acquired it. *Heh heh hehs... and realizes they're still in the music store.* Um... maybe a change of venue is in order.

I could assist with that.

Well where to, then?

I'm still new here... So, I'll let you be the guide.

If that is what you wish... unfortunately I cannot stay for much longer. [Jonathan vanishes... leaving behind a pocket watch with a rose]

He always has to do that dramatically...

Dramatically is one word for it.... what's with the watch and the rose?

I have no idea.... Knowing Jonathan, it has some mysterious symbolism that he won't tell us about till the end. Or, they could be just a rose abd a pocket watch. I've seriously been around him too much, and over think everything he does.

[*and... Stupid typos]

Well, I guess I'll just take the watch for now.... the rose will just wilt anyway.