[Life was not entirely peaceful, he mused grimly – not with the Malnosso manipulating the world within the barrier as they saw fit, surely consumed with curiosity or boredom or sadistic delight. Stopping short of entering the front door, he removed his sedge hat, briskly shaking off the snow.]

I do not know, nor do I know why Zantetsuken was there when I arrived. This is simply how it is, and how it has been.

[Perhaps this was some measure to pacify newcomers - an attempt to encourage them to happily adjust to life in an invisible prison.

Turning the chilled knob, he pushes through, greeted with a warm blast of air from the running heater that makes his skin prickle. He steps out of his sandals and hangs his hat over a peg on the wall, by the chin strap.]

You will notice that much about this place and the happenings here often appear to be illogical.

[The compliment on the house was answered with a deep, mono-syllabic murmur in acknowledgement.]