Chapter #6Story 1 by: Aaron   Lance Ryland, was a 24 year old traveler. Originally from the United Kingdom, he had been traveling on his own since he was 14. Hearing about the Interspecies Exchange Bill, he had decided to pay a visit to the land of the rising sun to see first hand the changes that were being set in motion. Mostly it was underwhelming. For the most part, the cities were unchanged. A few stores here or there were designed with Liminal in mind but mostly the city was like that of any other place he'd visited.
"Sigh, I don't know what I was expecting. The exchange bill passed not that long ago; change takes time," he spoke aloud with his Yorkshire accent.
"I can't believe they're letting these freaks into the country," a pedestrian not far from Lance complained. Having taken to world travel, Lance had studied a multitude of languages. Japanese, while difficult, was one of the languages he had learned.
"I know right. Given enough time they'll be flooding the streets. I'm just glad it hasn't happened yet," another said, conversing with the first.
"I wouldn't be so sure. I saw a ton of them not to far from here."
"You're kidding?"
"Nope. They were so gross, and they came in so many bizarre shapes and sizes."
"Where was this place?" Lance asked as he approached the two men.
"Speaking of bizarre shapes and sizes. Who the heck are you?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt. My name is Lance, I was hoping to see some Liminal while I was here," he explained.
"A tourist. No wonder he's so funny looking."
Lance looked at his reflection in a window. Being 6' 2", he was tall most anywhere he went but was especially so in Japan. He had a lean, muscled build do to his long hours of walking, hiking, and climbing in his travels. His black hair was long and dingy do to a lack of maintenance, and he had grown an unruly beard. An overly full backpack was being carried on his shoulders that held all of his essential belongings. The clothes he wore, while not raggedy, were designed more for function than fashion. With a grey shirt, black cargo pants, and brown climbing boots he was definitely not dressed for high society.
"I guess I'm a bit worse for wear," the Brit smiled.
"Whatever, I saw them about 5 miles that way," the less than pleasant local informed while pointing in a direction.
"Thank you," Lance said polity and began walking in the direction given.
Half an hour passed noon, Lance had reached the area he'd been told about. It was an area outside of town that almost resembled a park, but without the fountains and benches. There was a large, cuboidal building, the only one around, with a sign out front. Black Lily Advanced Materials Laboratory.
"That's a bit odd," the wanderer thought as he stroked his beard. He climbed the shallow stairs up to the building and saw that the entrance and the walls surrounding it were entirely glass. Pushing open the doors, Lance entered and was graced with a very nice greeting area with a fountain that fed into plants, a fish tank seated in a wall filled with exotic fish, large paintings and a bulbous chandelier.
"Can I help you?" a lady at the reception desk asked.
"Pardon my intrusion. I just heard this was a place Extraspecies gathered..." Lance began before being cut off.
"Oh, are you an Extraspecies looking for work?" the lady asked in a chipper voice.
"Oh, no, no. I'm completely human. I guess when people begin thinking you aren't human that means it's time to shave," Lance chuckled before a realization hit "Extraspecies work here?"
"They do. However, unless you are an Extraspecies or have an appointment, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," she said in a firm but non aggressive voice.
"I understand, I didn't mean to bother you. I just heard that I could meet some Liminals near here. I shouldn't have intruded."
As Lance turned to leave a voice called out across the lobby, "Wait." Turning back around he saw a man approaching him. His hair was black and combed but without product in it so strands here or there poked out giving him a semi professional look. In fact, that was the word to describe his entire appearance. He wore a tie but it was loose and the top button on his shirt was undone. While he wore a nice, long sleeved shirt and slakes, they were unironed. Lastly he wore a lab coat, that was hanging freely from his form. "So, you came here in search of Extraspecies?" the man asked as he adjusted his glasses.
"Yes. I travel a lot and have spent my life trying to have as many unforgettable experiences as possible. The Interspecies Exchange Bill is going to change how our world works and that means that I no longer have to travel to see the extraordinary. Japan is the first country to institutionalize these kinds of laws and that's why I came here," Lance explained as a wave of memories washed over him.
"I see. You're really interesting you know that? Most people are trying to avoid change, yet you seek it out. If you'll indulge me a minute, I think I can offer you an experience no one else has had."
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