001. Video

[leaveyourstarburning]

...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.]

Comments

[determinator]

[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...]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...let us all take the time to be grateful that Zulf is not granted access to anything that's happening in Archer's head right now, because his tiny body is not ready for this Archerlogic.

And he's not freaking out because actually, this was what was supposed to happen. Well, minus the Chinchou. That's...new.]

The idea that the world keeps you here because it decides for itself that you need to be here - it implies that you're important to it in some ways. It favors you. The ones that have left are no less important, they just fulfilled their purpose to the world. Isn't that possible?

[He hesitates a little at the question regarding whether he was pulled from battle; even so, he seems a bit more relaxed at the assertion that Johto has never been at war. The concept is strange to him; the Ura and the Caels haven't had good relations with each other for as long as he can remember.]

I don't believe in aggression as a policy. However, I'm familiar with the effects of war - enough to work toward its prevention as a peace ambassador for my people.

What you've told me, then, is comforting.

[...I'm sorry, what was that about him being an alternate version of you, Archer? Because ahahaha. haha. ha. no.]

[determinator]

[Oh, okay, so it's a tiny, cuter version of himself who doesn't like war.]

[It's taking all of his restraint not to facepalm. Or turn and shriek for Kimblee to come here and help him make sense of all this. --Is that moron still sliding around...?]

[Anyway, not the point.]

A peace ambassador. Interesting.

[Archer's tone says it's anything but, though his expression is still carefully composed to reveal nothing. Ugh, why would any version of himself be interested in peace...?]

I suppose it's possible, though I have yet to see what this world wants of any of us, much less those who returned home. It seems you're new here; with any luck Johto will decide to send you home sooner rather than later.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf pauses a bit at that, his brow furrowing a bit while he thinks that over; such odd wording, you.]

It's strange that you should expect it to send you back to your homeworld at all. This place has the ultimate authority; who are you to challenge it?

[determinator]

[...Wait, what?]

You're just going to leave that unchallenged? It shouldn't have ultimate authority over anyone. It's a place.

[No really, what are you even talking about?]

[leaveyourstarburning]

Place or not, you just stated as a fact that it decides whether we stay or leave, didn't you?

[determinator]

Well, yes, I did but... Places shouldn't have that kind of power. Something else is at work here and I don't like it.

[What are you?]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He is a peace ambassador, Archer. Try to keep up.]

Do you have any reason to think that something else is at work, other than "places shouldn't do that"?

[determinator]

And you're willing to believe that this place is capable of something like that?

[NO U]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He just sighs a bit at that.]

That doesn't answer my question. But yes - I admit that it's most likely not the place directly, but I won't rule out the will of the gods.

[determinator]

The will of the-- what?

[Did you just...? Oh, really? This is not funny, Johto! Way to give him a bitty version of himself who only looks similar and is otherwise completely different!]

The... gods. You have more than one where you're from, then?

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Or he's a different person entirely. That's possible, too.]

Yes, of course.

[determinator]

[Lies. No one is that pale!]

...Of course.

[No really, what the hell is your world. Other than polytheistic, obviously.]

Where I'm from there's only one god. I'm assuming the gods where you're from are very important?

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...what...what kind of question is that...]

Very much so; they would hardly be gods if they weren't important in some way.

[determinator]

That is a good point.

[...Trying not to headtilt. Kind of succeeding!]

Where I'm from our god isn't quite as important. I personally don't believe in any deities.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...definitely not an Ura. Nowhere near.]

Might I ask why?

I'm not questioning you, exactly; it's a personal choice. But I'm curious.

[determinator]

Ah, I have a difficult time believing in something I don't have proof of.

[This really isn't an argument he wants to get into; it inevitably ends with both sides frustrated and assuming the other is a complete idiot for not understanding.]

[...Sort of like how all Archer's arguments go, to be honest.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf doesn't seem bothered by that, actually, simply nodding a bit in acknowledgment.]

I understand. Even where I'm from, there are those who don't believe in the gods - or if they do, it isn't in the way that they used to.

[He doesn't seem inclined to elaborate.]

Again, it's a matter of personal choice.

[determinator]

[That catches Archer off-guard. You're... quite the understanding kid, aren't you?]

I see. Yes, it is.

[.......]

Ah, my name is Frank Archer. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Ah, he smiles at that, actually.]

My name is Zulf; the pleasure is mine.

[determinator]

[So he's not the same person, then. That would be a shame if he were actually similar to Archer--]

...What?

[No, seriously, what? Your name is Zolf?]

[JOHTO THAT IS NOT FUNNY, STOP IT!]

Zolf? That's... a very unique name.

[leaveyourstarburning]

...Zulf, yes.

[Perhaps Archer just has an accent, perhaps he's having a hard time following Zulf's own; either way, he doesn't push, and he doesn't seem bothered by Archer's reactio, either.]

It wasn't very common back in my own world, either, but not to the point where it was commented on.

[determinator]

[Zulf, Zolf, same thing right?]

I see. I knew someone with that name back home. It was unique there too.

[He's not really sure what to make of the fact that this kid who looks like him has Kimbley's name. It's creepy. Still, this kid certainly doesn't seem to have any of their personality traits, which offsets the creepy a little bit. It just makes him fascinating.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf mulls that over for a moment; well, that certainly explains the mispronunciation, if Archer knew someone named something similar back home. Old habits die hard.]

Is it a good association for you, then?

[determinator]

Yes, it is.

[Archer relaxes at that; it is a good association. He misses Kimbley and he doesn't intend to replace him, but at the same time it's nice to have some reminder that isn't the pocketwatch or the cat.]