Wishful Thinking [vol. i] - Currently being rewritten

✥ chapter i: new dimension basics ✥

I awake to the sterile smell that reminded me of the GP I always avoided and the sights of blinding lights and a white interior. I could feel the small notebook safely tucked away into the band of my underwear, and a bandage wrapped firmly around my head. A quiet gasp and almost indistinguishable mutter of, "She's awake," let me know that there was another person in the room, before the sound of a chair screeching across a linoleum floor and light footsteps that faded slowly alerted me of that person's disappearance. I let out a loud groan and lazily took out the small black notebook, my eyebrow twitching as I read the obnoxious title printed in racing-car red: 'A Comprehensive How-to-Guide for Newly Initiated Dimension Travelers.'

Letting out a resigned sigh, I turned to the first chapter, which was conveniently titled, 'Chapter 1: New Dimension Basics.' Before reading the first couple of passages:

Step 1 - Regain Your Bearings

It is always best to orientate yourself first, i.e. to 'place yourself on an imaginary map', before considering any other actions. The easiest way to do this is by asking people (what a shocker) where you are instead of pretending to know. It might also be a good idea to ask, what year is this or what the current date is.

It might be tempting to say, "My time travel machine worked!" But this may place unnecessary expectations onto yourself, which will surely 'bite you in the ass' in the future. This statement may also cause grievous bodily harm and/or death. An example is the tragic demise of dimension traveler #24012000, when she was sent to the dimension A110 - time point 1426. Though it was #24012000 18th time saving valuable lives, they were unable to meet the required target [Joan of Arc] as #24012000 was sentenced to death for witchcraft and their body was unable to be recovered.

Handy Tip #1: Ask for map of the land and/or country/city you are in.

Handy Tip #2: Don't reveal or say anything that may jeopardize your health, well-being and, most importantly, life.

After reading the passage, I felt my stomach drop. The revelation that people have died because of this so called dimension travelling made me sick.

Death was permanent. There are no do-overs, no second-tries. You don't get a second chance.

I could feel the tears welling-up in the corner of my eyes as I let this new information sink in. Taking in a few deep breathes, I continued to read:

Step 2 - Establishing an Alibi

It is a bad idea to disclose information on how you came to be where you are now. If anything, the truth will make them suspicious and paranoid, however a lie will break the trust you will build with them later on. Therefore, it is easier to just pretend you have a 'sixth sense' and amnesia. It will be easier for all characters involved, and most importantly yourself, in the future that you do not indulge them to the facts of your origin.

If pressed to establish where you came from, it is just easier to say, "I don't know." Or, "I don't remember." Or any other variant of the two.

Handy Tip #3: The more tears you put into your performance, the more believable you will be. Tears will trigger a human's (or other highly intelligent being if the world does not have humans) empathetic response. That is, be as convincing as you possibly can.

Note: lying about whether you know a language or not will dampen your chances of survival by at least 30%.

The sound of footsteps approached the door to what I now deemed as my, 'Let's throw [f.name] a pity party', room got louder. Fighting back the waterworks, I quickly shove the little guide back into my underwear and glance at the door expectantly.

-----

The Hokage didn't know is he should be worried or suspicious of a strange girl that Izumo and Kotetsu had found at the Konoha gates. The girl was ice-cold to the touch and barely breathing when they brought her in, and after some thought, he settled for worried.

The nurse had quickly informed him of the girl's awakening and he took it upon himself to discover where she was from. Shaking his head in amusement as he heard the laughter of children outside, he quietly opened the door of the girl's temporary room, his soft gaze landing on the wide awake [colour] haired girl.

"My child, do you know where you are?"

-----

​​​​​​I blinked slowly, letting the old man's words fly completely over my head. I might die in this world, but I'll be damned if I don't go down in history as the world's best actress.

Willing for the tears to well up in my eyes once more, I promptly burst into tears in front of the two people who had made their way to my bedside. Covering my face with both of my hands, I just wailed as if everyone I knew and loved disappeared. Which was, most likely, not a lie.

Wailing loudly, I felt fat crocodile tears slide down my cheeks as I cry out a barely distinguishable, "I miss my parents." A hand pet my head soothingly, as if prompting me to give more details. Keeping both step 1 and 2 of the handbook in mind, I sobbed out a fake scenario that would put fake YouTube apology videos to shame.

"I don't know how I g-got here. I c-can't remember how. I don't e-even know where I am! It was just supposed to be a game of hide-and-seek with my friends, b-but now I'm here? I don't even know where here is?!"

I wailed and continued to bawl my eyes out for a few more minutes, before I let it die down slowly to a couple of sniffles and tearful hiccups. Muttering a quiet thank you as the old man passed me a few tissues, I asked in a whispered, "What is this place?"

"You're in Konoha Hospital, my child." The old man replied, a kind smile on his face. "I am Hiruzen Sarutobi, the third Hokage."

-----

'Hm, okay. A man of power and influence. That's nice to know, but what year is it?' You thought to yourself, your brain operating at least ten times quicker than it would when you would take a mathematics test. You blinked slowly, before turning to face the Hokage with a small and quivering smile, "This may sound strange, but ah, can I ask what the date is?"

"No question is too strange. Oh, and the date is the 5th of January."

Was it strange to say that the Hokage reminded you of your grandmother? Old. Wise. Gentle. Could kick your ass when needed to? God dang, the thought of your family made tears well up in your eyes again, at least you can say that if you burst into tears once more that it was method acting. You were too busy caught up in your thoughts to realize that the nurse had checked all of your vitals and that the Hokage was asking a question.

A hand ruffling your [length] [colour] hair startled you out of your daze, as he asked, "What's your name, small one?"

A small smile wormed its way onto your face as you replied in probably the softest voice you could muster, "[f.name]. My name is [f.name] [l.name]."

First impressions: 8 out of 10

Acting skills: 11 out of 10

Probability of survival: 48.32%

edited: 17 Sept 2018