The aroma hits me as soon as we step inside the fast-food joint, memories flooding back, and I can't help but smile at the familiarity. The cashier gives me a curious look as I try to suppress my laughter.
Rachel grins, "What's so funny?"
I point at the golden arches, "Just… McDonald's and its comforting presence. I miss this."
She raises an eyebrow, "Seriously? You want to drown yourself in fries and burgers right now?"
Chuckling, I respond, "Why not? It's a piece of home in this strange place."
She crosses her arms, "We need to be careful with our expenses, you know. No splurging on fast food."
Pouting, I say, "But it's been so long since I had a taste of these fries."
“No.” Rachel restrains my impulse, reminding me of our limited funds. I sigh but relent, nodding in agreement. And here I wish a bucket of chicken for myself. We approach the counter to place our order.
The cashier smiles, "What can I get for you today?"
Grinning, I reply, "A two-person meal, please. Fried chicken and rice for both of us."
The cashier nods, "Got it. Anything else?"
I glance at Rachel, "No fries?"
She shakes her head, "We're being sensible, remember?" As we wait for our order, I can't help but glance around the place, absorbing the sights and sounds of the fast-food joint. The atmosphere is oddly comforting.
Leaning in, I suggest to Rachel, "Do you want to hear my assumptions about where we are? My deductions?"
She raises an eyebrow, "In public? Seriously?"
Smirking, I say, "I can keep it quiet. Plus, you can always create a wind barrier for our conversation."
She sighs, "Fine, but make it quick."
Whispering, I share, "I think we're in a parallel timeline, maybe even a different dimension. And I have some theories about the nature of—"
Rachel interrupts, "Save it for later. I know just as much just by observing alone. We'll talk in private. I don't want our secrets leaking out." I nod, acknowledging her caution, and we continue to wait for our meal, the scent of fried chicken and rice now filling the air around us.
The cashier hands us our order with a smile, "Here's your two-person meal, enjoy!"
Taking the tray, I thank them, and Rachel and I find a booth to settle into. As we dig into the fried chicken and rice, the aroma filling the air, I can't help but let out a satisfied sigh.
Rachel smirks, "See? You didn't need those fries."
I chuckle, "Yeah, yeah. You were right."
Between bites, our conversation takes a more serious turn.
As we sit in the cozy corner of the restaurant, I lean in towards Rachel, suggesting, "You know, Rachel, maybe we don't need to be so secretive anymore. I mean, in a world without magic, all this stuff I'm about to share will just sound like science fiction and fantasy to everyone else."
Rachel looks at me with a stern expression, her eyes narrowing. "No way. It's better to be safe than sorry," she insists, her voice firm. "We don't know who might be listening or watching."
I sigh, realizing that convincing her otherwise is going to be a tough task. "Alright, fine. But I just think we're being a bit paranoid at this point."
After finishing our meal, Rachel takes charge of our budget, a responsibility she handles with precision. We head to the electronics store, and she carefully guides our purchases, making sure we stick to the plan. "We need a laptop for you," she says, scanning the options. "And remember, we can't splurge."
I nod, acknowledging her financial expertise, as we make the necessary purchase. Later, as we settle in with the bill, I propose, "How about we watch a movie? It'll be a good distraction, you know?"
Rachel looks at me skeptically, but I plead with her. "Come on, just this once. It's been ages since I watched a movie."
Finally relenting, she agrees, "Fine, but just one. And it better be worth it."
We decide on a film about superpowered individuals engaged in an underwater war. As the movie unfolds, I find myself captivated by the action and storyline. Glancing at Rachel, I see she's equally engrossed. In the end, we both win – a rare compromise in our contrasting approaches to life.
As we step out of the electronics store, bags in hand, I glance at Rachel with a hopeful expression. "So, how about we check into a nice hotel now?"
Rachel shakes her head firmly. "No way, we're going to a motel. We need to save money," she insists, her tone resolute.
I frown, feeling a bit unsure about her choice. "But a proper hotel would be so much better. You've been to one, Rachel."
She sighs, looking conflicted. "I know, but we can't afford it this time. Motel it is."
Reluctantly, I agree, knowing she's right about our budget constraints. "Okay, fine. Motel it is."
Later, as we settle into the room, I can't help but feel a pang of guilt. "You know, Rachel, I might've splurged a bit too much at the store back there."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "Really? How much is 'a bit'?"
I scratch the back of my head, trying to downplay it. "Uh, well, maybe more than I should've. But I really needed those things!"
She chuckles softly. "You and your 'desperate need' for gadgets. You make it impossible for me to win, don't you?"
I grin sheepishly. "Hey, what can I say? Gadgets are my weakness… er… I mean we will be needing it…"
Rachel shakes her head in mock disapproval. "Well, at least we'll make it work. Sharing a room isn't so bad, right?" Strangely, Rachel is becoming more and more pro-active and spritely… I like this Rachel.
I nod, grateful for her understanding. "Yeah, as long as it's cozy, it'll be fine… as long as you are fine about it…"
As I type away on my new laptop, arranging the digital clutter of unnecessary documents and files, Rachel sits across from me, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"So, are we in the 'First Iteration'?" she asks, using the term I often threw around back in Under Cube.
I glance up, pausing for a moment before responding. "It's a possibility," I admit, "but we can't say for sure. To prove something, you first need evidence that it can't be not true and vice versa. Of the two, we have proven one. Right now, we have evidence that it can be true – the fact that we're here."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "You're just playing with words. That doesn't prove anything."
I shake my head. "No, it's not just wordplay. It's logic. We need evidence to rule out other possibilities. We can't conclude it definitively yet."
She folds her arms, unconvinced. "It sounds like you're dodging the question."
I smile, trying to ease the tension. "No dodging, just being cautious. We need to explore more, gather more information."
Rachel sighs, leaning back in her chair. "You and your logical explanations. Sometimes I just want a straight answer." Is it me, or does Rachel sound like Nayun? To want easy answers is a human thing to do, but real life works complicatedly.
I chuckle. "I wish I could give you one, but in our situation, it's not that simple. We're navigating uncharted territory here."
She rolls her eyes. "Well, just remember, fancy words won't save us if something goes wrong."
I nod in agreement. "Point taken. But for now, let's focus on what we do know and go from there."
As I tinker with wires and circuitry on the table, Rachel leans over and peers at my work. "What are you trying to build?" she asks, her curiosity evident in her voice.
I glance up, a hint of excitement in my eyes. "It's an Interdimensional Router… again… I'm trying to create a device that could help us contact people from other alternate timelines. No accurate plans yet, but I think I'm on the right track."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "Interdimensional Router? Ugh… Last time, Lancaster stole it… ah, I feel bad… I am thinking we should try first securing more stable resources…"
I look at her, a sense of urgency in my expression. "Think about it. With this, we could ask for help from other versions of us, or even try to contact Chae Nayun. It's a way to connect with allies across different timelines."
She ponders for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I see the potential. If it works, it could be a game-changer."
As I continue my work, Rachel's expression turns more serious. "Speaking of help, I've lost something important since we arrived here."
I look up, concerned. "What did you lose?"
"My Lionheart sword," she admits, a tinge of sadness in her voice. "It's a powerful artifact with a holy attribute. I've been trying to find it since I got discharged from the medical camp, but it's like it disappeared."
I frown, realizing the significance of the loss. "The Lionheart sword? That's no ordinary weapon. I'll do my best to help you find it. Losing something like that in this world... it could be dangerous."
Rachel nods appreciatively. "Thanks. I knew I could count on you. Let me know if you find anything."
As I get back to my work, the weight of the task ahead settles in. Finding that sword is crucial, not just for Rachel's sake, but for the balance of power in this unfamiliar timeline. For all I know, someone might suddenly invent magic power in this relatively ‘pure’ world and begin an Outcall. I don’t like the sound of that.
I sit at the makeshift workbench, disassembling the broken smartwatch we brought with us. The spatial transfer seems to have fried it during the journey, but I'm determined to salvage whatever usable parts I can.
Rachel, noticing my concentration, sits down beside me. "Is there something I can help with?" she offers, a hint of concern in her eyes.
I nod appreciatively. "Yeah, hand me the precision screwdriver, please."
She reaches into the toolkit and passes me the requested tool. I examine the smartwatch, identifying the damaged components. "And the micro soldering iron," I instruct, my eyes focused on the task at hand.
Rachel searches through the toolkit and hands me the tool with precision. "Anything else?"
I glance at the scattered parts and tools on the table. "Fetch the magnifying glass. This soldering needs to be precise."
She nods and retrieves the magnifying glass, placing it carefully on the table. "Need anything else?"
I give her a grateful smile. "Not for now. Just stay with me. This might take a while."
As I continue my intricate work, Rachel observes silently, offering a supportive presence. The broken smartwatch holds the key to our communication and information, and I'm determined to make it functional again. The night stretches ahead of us, but with Rachel's assistance, I feel a sense of determination to see this through.
The aroma hits me as soon as we step inside the fast-food joint, memories flooding back, and I can't help but smile at the familiarity. The cashier gives me a curious look as I try to suppress my laughter.
Rachel grins, "What's so funny?"
I point at the golden arches, "Just… McDonald's and its comforting presence. I miss this."
She raises an eyebrow, "Seriously? You want to drown yourself in fries and burgers right now?"
Chuckling, I respond, "Why not? It's a piece of home in this strange place."
She crosses her arms, "We need to be careful with our expenses, you know. No splurging on fast food."
Pouting, I say, "But it's been so long since I had a taste of these fries."
“No.” Rachel restrains my impulse, reminding me of our limited funds. I sigh but relent, nodding in agreement. And here I wish a bucket of chicken for myself. We approach the counter to place our order.
The cashier smiles, "What can I get for you today?"
Grinning, I reply, "A two-person meal, please. Fried chicken and rice for both of us."
The cashier nods, "Got it. Anything else?"
I glance at Rachel, "No fries?"
She shakes her head, "We're being sensible, remember?" As we wait for our order, I can't help but glance around the place, absorbing the sights and sounds of the fast-food joint. The atmosphere is oddly comforting.
Leaning in, I suggest to Rachel, "Do you want to hear my assumptions about where we are? My deductions?"
She raises an eyebrow, "In public? Seriously?"
Smirking, I say, "I can keep it quiet. Plus, you can always create a wind barrier for our conversation."
She sighs, "Fine, but make it quick."
Whispering, I share, "I think we're in a parallel timeline, maybe even a different dimension. And I have some theories about the nature of—"
Rachel interrupts, "Save it for later. I know just as much just by observing alone. We'll talk in private. I don't want our secrets leaking out." I nod, acknowledging her caution, and we continue to wait for our meal, the scent of fried chicken and rice now filling the air around us.
The cashier hands us our order with a smile, "Here's your two-person meal, enjoy!"
Taking the tray, I thank them, and Rachel and I find a booth to settle into. As we dig into the fried chicken and rice, the aroma filling the air, I can't help but let out a satisfied sigh.
Rachel smirks, "See? You didn't need those fries."
I chuckle, "Yeah, yeah. You were right."
Between bites, our conversation takes a more serious turn.
As we sit in the cozy corner of the restaurant, I lean in towards Rachel, suggesting, "You know, Rachel, maybe we don't need to be so secretive anymore. I mean, in a world without magic, all this stuff I'm about to share will just sound like science fiction and fantasy to everyone else."
Rachel looks at me with a stern expression, her eyes narrowing. "No way. It's better to be safe than sorry," she insists, her voice firm. "We don't know who might be listening or watching."
I sigh, realizing that convincing her otherwise is going to be a tough task. "Alright, fine. But I just think we're being a bit paranoid at this point."
After finishing our meal, Rachel takes charge of our budget, a responsibility she handles with precision. We head to the electronics store, and she carefully guides our purchases, making sure we stick to the plan. "We need a laptop for you," she says, scanning the options. "And remember, we can't splurge."
I nod, acknowledging her financial expertise, as we make the necessary purchase. Later, as we settle in with the bill, I propose, "How about we watch a movie? It'll be a good distraction, you know?"
Rachel looks at me skeptically, but I plead with her. "Come on, just this once. It's been ages since I watched a movie."
Finally relenting, she agrees, "Fine, but just one. And it better be worth it."
We decide on a film about superpowered individuals engaged in an underwater war. As the movie unfolds, I find myself captivated by the action and storyline. Glancing at Rachel, I see she's equally engrossed. In the end, we both win – a rare compromise in our contrasting approaches to life.
As we step out of the electronics store, bags in hand, I glance at Rachel with a hopeful expression. "So, how about we check into a nice hotel now?"
Rachel shakes her head firmly. "No way, we're going to a motel. We need to save money," she insists, her tone resolute.
I frown, feeling a bit unsure about her choice. "But a proper hotel would be so much better. You've been to one, Rachel."
She sighs, looking conflicted. "I know, but we can't afford it this time. Motel it is."
Reluctantly, I agree, knowing she's right about our budget constraints. "Okay, fine. Motel it is."
Later, as we settle into the room, I can't help but feel a pang of guilt. "You know, Rachel, I might've splurged a bit too much at the store back there."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "Really? How much is 'a bit'?"
I scratch the back of my head, trying to downplay it. "Uh, well, maybe more than I should've. But I really needed those things!"
She chuckles softly. "You and your 'desperate need' for gadgets. You make it impossible for me to win, don't you?"
I grin sheepishly. "Hey, what can I say? Gadgets are my weakness… er… I mean we will be needing it…"
Rachel shakes her head in mock disapproval. "Well, at least we'll make it work. Sharing a room isn't so bad, right?" Strangely, Rachel is becoming more and more pro-active and spritely… I like this Rachel.
I nod, grateful for her understanding. "Yeah, as long as it's cozy, it'll be fine… as long as you are fine about it…"
As I type away on my new laptop, arranging the digital clutter of unnecessary documents and files, Rachel sits across from me, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"So, are we in the 'First Iteration'?" she asks, using the term I often threw around back in Under Cube.
I glance up, pausing for a moment before responding. "It's a possibility," I admit, "but we can't say for sure. To prove something, you first need evidence that it can't be not true and vice versa. Of the two, we have proven one. Right now, we have evidence that it can be true – the fact that we're here."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "You're just playing with words. That doesn't prove anything."
I shake my head. "No, it's not just wordplay. It's logic. We need evidence to rule out other possibilities. We can't conclude it definitively yet."
She folds her arms, unconvinced. "It sounds like you're dodging the question."
I smile, trying to ease the tension. "No dodging, just being cautious. We need to explore more, gather more information."
Rachel sighs, leaning back in her chair. "You and your logical explanations. Sometimes I just want a straight answer." Is it me, or does Rachel sound like Nayun? To want easy answers is a human thing to do, but real life works complicatedly.
I chuckle. "I wish I could give you one, but in our situation, it's not that simple. We're navigating uncharted territory here."
She rolls her eyes. "Well, just remember, fancy words won't save us if something goes wrong."
I nod in agreement. "Point taken. But for now, let's focus on what we do know and go from there."
As I tinker with wires and circuitry on the table, Rachel leans over and peers at my work. "What are you trying to build?" she asks, her curiosity evident in her voice.
I glance up, a hint of excitement in my eyes. "It's an Interdimensional Router… again… I'm trying to create a device that could help us contact people from other alternate timelines. No accurate plans yet, but I think I'm on the right track."
Rachel raises an eyebrow. "Interdimensional Router? Ugh… Last time, Lancaster stole it… ah, I feel bad… I am thinking we should try first securing more stable resources…"
I look at her, a sense of urgency in my expression. "Think about it. With this, we could ask for help from other versions of us, or even try to contact Chae Nayun. It's a way to connect with allies across different timelines."
She ponders for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I see the potential. If it works, it could be a game-changer."
As I continue my work, Rachel's expression turns more serious. "Speaking of help, I've lost something important since we arrived here."
I look up, concerned. "What did you lose?"
"My Lionheart sword," she admits, a tinge of sadness in her voice. "It's a powerful artifact with a holy attribute. I've been trying to find it since I got discharged from the medical camp, but it's like it disappeared."
I frown, realizing the significance of the loss. "The Lionheart sword? That's no ordinary weapon. I'll do my best to help you find it. Losing something like that in this world... it could be dangerous."
Rachel nods appreciatively. "Thanks. I knew I could count on you. Let me know if you find anything."
As I get back to my work, the weight of the task ahead settles in. Finding that sword is crucial, not just for Rachel's sake, but for the balance of power in this unfamiliar timeline. For all I know, someone might suddenly invent magic power in this relatively ‘pure’ world and begin an Outcall. I don’t like the sound of that.
I sit at the makeshift workbench, disassembling the broken smartwatch we brought with us. The spatial transfer seems to have fried it during the journey, but I'm determined to salvage whatever usable parts I can.
Rachel, noticing my concentration, sits down beside me. "Is there something I can help with?" she offers, a hint of concern in her eyes.
I nod appreciatively. "Yeah, hand me the precision screwdriver, please."
She reaches into the toolkit and passes me the requested tool. I examine the smartwatch, identifying the damaged components. "And the micro soldering iron," I instruct, my eyes focused on the task at hand.
Rachel searches through the toolkit and hands me the tool with precision. "Anything else?"
I glance at the scattered parts and tools on the table. "Fetch the magnifying glass. This soldering needs to be precise."
She nods and retrieves the magnifying glass, placing it carefully on the table. "Need anything else?"
I give her a grateful smile. "Not for now. Just stay with me. This might take a while."
As I continue my intricate work, Rachel observes silently, offering a supportive presence. The broken smartwatch holds the key to our communication and information, and I'm determined to make it functional again. The night stretches ahead of us, but with Rachel's assistance, I feel a sense of determination to see this through.
