leaveyourstarburning

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001. Video

...destroyed it entirely, did it...

[The words are muttered quietly over a mostly-dark feed; from the sound of it, the person speaking doesn't even seem to have realized they've managed to turn the Gear on - he sounds distracted, clearly speaking to himself rather than to any audience, and there's a good amount of jittercam action before he seems to realize that it's broadcasting.

The speaker is male, dark-haired and deathly pale; he's smiling a bit, but the expression doesn't reach his eyes at all. The look there isn't cruel, however; just rather lost.]

Is this how this works?

[His speech is a bit odd; it's in the common language spoken by all in Johto, but there's something there - a strangeness in pronunciation that indicates that he would have a hell of an accent in whatever world he just came from, as though he didn't grow up speaking whatever it is he's trying to utilize now. The statement is still oddly blank, though, as though he's addressing himself more than an audience; at least he doesn't seem to be expecting an answer - he simply checks something on the Gear before moving on.]

I understand that there are more survivors out there; from the look of it, there are many of you. I come to you seeking information - I mean you no harm, nor do I expect anything of you. [His gaze darts offscreen, focusing downward for a moment before he continues speaking.] This isn't anything like what I was told the Motherland would be; some of the machinery involved in transporting us may have taken some severe damage.

["May have." He uses the term lightly. He definitely knows it took damage of some sort; he broke the thing. He just doesn't know how severely he broke it; given that he's currently...nowhere near where he's supposed to be, he's assuming he broke it pretty spectacularly. He's a bit uncomfortable with the half-truth, though.

...that said, Zulf has seriously just informed all of Johto that he does, in fact, come in peace. There are some things that you just don't blatantly say...

However, he isn't dwelling on it; his gaze is darting downward again. Clearly there's something fascinating down there; he pauses for a moment before tilting the camera downward - there is a Chinchou rubbing against the lower half of his clothes, which appears to be a...very ugly skirt, if we're going to be honest.

Whatever it is, the Pokémon seems determined to love all over it; Zulf's tone has actually lightened a bit when he speaks, seeming much more comfortable now that he's not being focused on.]

Although, Motherland or not...it's good to see these creatures being so trusting. We've done enough to the rest of them.

[...someone please inform the guy that he's not in Kansas anymore.]

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I...

[She hesitates, as though uncertain of herself. She had hoped to find more people of Ivalice, or at least to tell her what was going on, but alas, nothing.]

I do not know if I can be of much assistance to you, Milord, as I am a stranger in this place as you are. But...

I...

[More hesitation. Has she said too much already?]

Forgive my rudeness, but I know not what you mean by 'Motherland'.

[During his brief stay, before everything had somehow become decidedly more horrendous than it already had been, Rucks had vaguely acquainted him with the functions of the Bastion - the Skyways, the Monument, the buildings that had been created. The functions that were supposed to save the world. Zulf hadn't exactly understood them then; he still didn't understand them now. Not in their entirety, anyway.

However, he had understood that nothing was guaranteed to work in the first place, and the Bastion had been damaged rather badly before he had...left. Was it possible that they had ended up somewhere other than the Motherland? He supposed it was possible.

Either way, his tone is polite when he responds; that vague smile is back, still looking more lost than anything, but at least he's trying.]

There's no need to use such formal titles with me; I'm far from nobility. My name is Zulf; it's...a pleasure, really.

[He pauses for a moment, glancing down at something off-camera; that Chinchou, man...]

As for the Motherland...somehow I don't suspect this is it. If nothing else, then, I'm looking for a woman named Zia, or what remains of the Bastion. Are you familiar with either?

[A commoner? Just like herself? To say that she was relieved was an understatement; it's so clear in her voice that the "THANK GOD" might as well be verbal (but it isn't).]

I am Teta Heiral of Ivalice; truly, the pleasure is all mine, ser Zulf.

[S-sorry. She's a polite girl and will at least use the neutral male prefix until you're friends enough with her or until you make her stop.

There is a long pause. Really, she just wants to help! Unfortunately the regret comes clear in her voice, but what can she expect when she's never been able to be much assistance in Ivalice? Just because she's in another place doesn't mean her uselessness would change much.]

I...I am sorry, but I know not of either.

[That was both incredibly disappointing and, in some ways, to be expected; he paused for a good long moment before responding.]

You said you were likewise a stranger to this place...have you only just arrived?

[There's a sound of acknowledgement, as though Teta is nodding.]

...Yes, though I wish I could understand as of why. It seems that none here know the circumstances behind the arrivals, or why it is we are all sent to this place.

Video

leaveyourstarburning - 2012-05-22 07:59 (UTC) - Expand

[Archer hasn't been keeping track of the posts on the network for the most part. They've been lost in this cave for weeks (okay, it's been more like days, but same thing right?) and he's exhausted. He knows he doesn't look anywhere near presentable, but this particular post has caught his attention enough to get him to respond.]

[There's something different about this new arrival, and it doesn't have anything to do with the circus tent he's wearing. It's not even the message - which is admittedly a bit strange; it seems like this one isn't asking where he is, but rather informing everyone else that he means them no harm. Odd. That's not what caught Archer's attention first though - it was the appearance.]

[It was like looking in some mirror at a younger version of himself. Minus the dents. It was creepy.]

[...So clearly he must engage it!]

What have you done to the creatures back home?

[...A better explanation is in order, isn't it?]

This is Johto, not the "Motherland." The majority of the people here have been pulled from their homeworlds for no discernible reason.

[Well...you certainly know how to greet a person, don't you?]

...Ah.

[...no, really, what does he even say to any of that, hold on.

While he gathers his thoughts, however, he takes a moment to study the person speaking to him over the video feed; the lighting is a bit dim on the other end for some reason, but he can make out features with no real issue. The pale skin, the dark hair, even the way of speaking to some extent - the light-colored eyes are enough to make it plain that this person isn't one of the Ura, to say nothing of the fact that he doesn't know what's happened in regards to the Quarry and the creatures that live there.

Zulf can't help but find the man familiar in some ways regardless.]

The creatures back home have taken considerable damage in numbers, due to the actions of others. It isn't pleasant business.

[His tone is polite, but incredibly firm - it isn't something to be discussed right now. If you're going to be blunt with him, he sees no need to not return the favor.]

As for our situation...you simply found yourself here, then? There was no process to it - truly no discernible reason?

[Archer raises an eyebrow at that tone; apparently whatever the issue was with the creatures, it's not something this kid wants to discuss. Despite bringing it up in the first place. Either way, it's probably not relevant to Archer's interests. Unless they had chimeras there or something...]

None that I could see. There are others from my homeworld - or rather, a variation of my homeworld. I've attempted to put together some pattern to those that arrive here, but so far there's been nothing concrete tying us all together.

[He shrugs.] Either way, you're here until you either obtain eight Gym Badges and defeat the Elite Four, or until this world decides it's sick of you and sends you home.

[It's one of those things that's relevant to those who already know, and not something to be discussed with outsiders. Surely you understand.

...and that...wasn't what he meant at all, but that's fine - you're giving him far too much information to keep up with at once, sir, but he'll just...try to...work with you...]

So the world itself chooses who arrives...and from that, who stays and who leaves. [The concept is surreal to him; it makes just enough sense for him to not question the possibility of it, but not enough to keep it from seeming like some sort of bizarre magic. He doesn't seem unsettled at all by it; just fascinated.] That's...very interesting, actually. Thank you.

Might I ask you about the state of things here? What the people are like to one another - is it a time of peace?

[Yes, yes he does. All things considered, you're taking this remarkably well. Wake up in a strange new world with an odd creature and you're not freaking out?]

Is it? I find it more annoying than anything else. I've seen people disappear after only a few months here, while I've been here for quite some time.

[Those questions catch him off-guard though; Archer hesitates a bit before responding.]

Yes, it is. From what I've heard Johto has never gone to war. Why? Were you pulled from the middle of battle?

[He doubts their situations are comparable at all, but the possibility...]

[He's seen a lot of strange things here in Johto. Is it possible that this is some younger version of himself from an alternate timeline ~~with terrible fashion sense~~ or something?]

[...Well, if an entirely different version of Amestris is possible...]

Voice | Teta doesn't remember how she did Video, so she does this instead.

Video | that is perfectly fine!

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