genessia | first video; i feel like i'm losing hope

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first video; i feel like i'm losing hope

[Alice learned from watching the others, as Sophie screwed up the video, and has checked out the network enough to see it's not exactly uncommon to screw up at first. This weird technology might be unfamiliar to her, but she can learn by observation, and so when she sends out a video message herself, she's very calm, having figured it out.]

Good afternoon. My name is Alice Kozakura, and I have arrived here with my friends Sophie Summerhelm, Marie Cooper, and Aran Voliere. However, we are still missing some of our companions- Lulu, Celadon, and Valencia. It, ah... Well, their surnames are not necessarily relevant. They will be quite easy to identify, even without them. I am given to understand that searching for your separated companions by means of this device is the norm here.

Also, I am told that we must seek employment here. However, I am a doctor at home, skilled in the treatment of wounds and ills. I find it doubtful that those here would trust a physician they have no knowledge of their training or skills, and so I must ask instead. Need I obtain a license of some sort? Else, what may I do to continue my duties here?

[She lowers her head in a slight bow to the camera.]

Thank you for your time.

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It is a pleasure, Miss Kuroneko.

[She's... assuming western order on that name. She doesn't quite pronounce it right, either, but she's trying- She's from a fantasy world, and a name that sounds Japanese still isn't actually.]

You are the guardian? Then is it you I may ask for more information of this place, and our purpose here?

[She doesn’t seem to notice the mispronouciation, instead maintaining her friendly demeanor.]

Of course. I’ll try to explain what we know, but go ahead and ask any questions that I miss.

To start, though, we don’t know a whole lot. Everyone with one of these pendants, [She lifts her own into the camera’s view,] is from another world. These pendants allow us to travel between large Archways, which lead to different cities. There’s Fayren, Attleton, Everglades, and Nova to live in right now. And, well... this one. Genessia City!

I see. So... You, too, are one of those who were abducted to this place.

Why were we taken? And how do we return?

Yes, I am.

[After and agreeing nod, Satou’s shoulders slump slightly.]

We aren’t sure of our purpose. We are able to open businesses here, buy homes, and even be elected into public offices. Whatever force keeps us here seems to want for us to be comfortable enough to stay on our own accord... That said, our efforts to find a way home have been hitting a dead end.

To keep captives, it is better to create an environment where they feel safe. Else they may become desperate, and desperation makes geniuses of fools.

... You too are captive. Yet you call yourself the 'guardian' of this city. What makes you believe this place is not your enemy?

Exactly that. There are many here, like you and me, who are incredibly gifted and powerful. I worry about what might happen if—- No. When they begin taking drastic action to get home.

And it doesn’t matter if it’s my enemy or not. There are people here with real feelings and real lives. I decided to become Guardian so that I can make sure everyone stays safe until we get home. And for those who want to stay, I need to keep this city in one piece.

I fear such a day, for I worry I myself may be among that number. My home is... Currently, we are facing a great crisis. If we are not there, then I fear... I fear the worst. If drastic actions may be successful, then I would certainly attempt it.

What does this mean, that you are the 'guardian'?

You’re in luck in one sense. Time seems to stop in our homes while we’re away. There is a building called the “Dream Docks,” where you can supposedly see the future of your world. I’ll get you the address, in case you ever want to check it.

[She does, however, note Alice’s honest statement. Likely not a threat to general safety, but something to keep an eye on.]

As Guardian, my job is to enforce laws. If someone endangers the citizens of Genessia, native or not, then my Deputies and I will stop them. I also help manage information and rescue efforts if there is an emergency. There are a lot of people here who need to get home in one piece, you know?

[If nothing else, she believes in honesty.]

I fear even a total cessation of time would not stop him.

[... that's probably something else of note, huh.]

Then you are a powerful warrior, to enforce the law?

[Satou nods slowly, careful not to let her expression slip too much.]

... I would reach out to arise at Torchwood, then. She knows a lot about things like time and other worlds. She might know something useful to help you back home.

[Nodding more confidently, she adds:] You could say that.

Torchwood? Arise?

[She's very confused, but.]

That is... fortunate. If this place is not an enemy, then I fear the only reason we could have been brought here would be to become stronger.

[and that was the mun's last mobile tag. thnx auto-correct.]

Ahh, sorry! I meant 'Rose!' She's like... super cool and smart about different worlds!

[It would be much easier if Satou could end the conversation there. She doesn't want to give Alice more things to worry about, when settling in is already enough. However, there's a chance that this girl is going to search for a way to get home. Giving her information early on will prevent her from re-running dangerous routes to learn more.]

There is one more thing you need to be super careful of. [Satou carefully shifts her camera, pointing it skyward.] There's a barrier around the city. If you get too close to it, you'll pass out. And it's a long fall.

[She slowly turns the camera back to herself. Her expression has become a touch more serious, with the girlish youth she tries to maintain buried under the unspoken strain of her position.]

There's a building here called "The Genessia Research Foundation." If you go there, you can get information on what's outside of the barrier. That seems to be the greatest threat to our safety. I think it has something to do with why we've been trapped here. I personally wonder if learning to eliminate that threat may help us gain our freedom.

[OH NO... i'm sorry

She nods, her face showing deep consideration.]

... If that is the case, then that would make some level of sense. If this world has brought us here, not as a threat, but as an attempt to save itself, then it would explain the bizarre actions. Furthermore, if there is a 'threat', one may assume the power of this place is limited, which would explain why half our party is missing...

May I ask more about this barrier? Or would it simply be more prudent to find this 'Research Foundation'?

I'm happy to share what I know.

[Even if it's a lot, and Satou knows it will take some time to explain in full.]

Apparently, the cities here are guarded by "spirits." These spirits haven't shown up during my stay, for the past year, but I'm told that they have made themselves known.

Those spirits are, I'm told, helpful. But the documents at the GSRF tell me that there's a dangerous type of spirit outside the barrier. It leeches you of your 'sense of self.' Emotions, memories, all that... And leaves you like a zombie. The barriers therefore aren't to keep us in, but to keep those spirits out.

... I see.

[She has to take a moment, thinking. She lifts her hand, rubbing her chin, trying to consider the problem.]

Does this spirit only affect humans, or anything that were to leave the barrier?

[With her pointed ears and slit pupils, she may look mostly human, but it's not hard to tell even at a glance that she's not quite.]

The documents said that it was anything with one of those pendents.

[She pauses, considering the question more deeply:]

Non-humans are actually quite common here. They may even out number regular humans who have pendents. You can meet a lot of different folk over in Everglade and Fayren. [Satou isn't going to pry as to what the question might imply. Alice looks human, but the information may still be useful.]

Interestingly, though, the native population does not have pendents. I don't know for myself if those spirits would hurt the natives... But researching the barrier is tricky. If it were broken, I imagine it would be chaotic.

We can't hope to protect the entire population from a threat we don't understand, but-- [Satou groans. An accidental display of the girl underneath her diplomatic mask.] It'll be hard to learn from inside of the barrier too. And my job here is to protect what's inside first...

[She pauses, considering that...]

Then I suppose the most obvious question is, 'what would it do if one was to simply leave their pendant behind'?

Unfortunately, I'm not sure. The details of the last attempt to go outside of the barrier are all that I have right now.

[Satou holds up her own pendent, which sparkles with the blue shades of Everglade.]

We use them to travel between the Archways to each city. I'm not sure what other use they have. It is interesting that the documents indicated that those spirits were interested in our pendents.

I see. Then it seems we have a fair few routes of investigation.

[It seems easy enough, once she puts it together in her head.]

First, to speak to this "Rose" in "Torchwood", and ask her more of other worlds. Second, the Genessia Research Foundation, to learn what wisdom has been left by those who came before. Third, these pendants. What purpose they serve, and what about them interests those spirits... Sophie may be able to tell what they are made of, and further modify them to suit our purpose. Fourth, the barrier itself, to find a way to leave without taking leave of our senses, and to see how these spirits may affect one with no pendant.

... Fifth, I suppose, would be to seek the hospital. My own desires to work aside, they may have records on those victims of the spirits from before.

[Satou nods, slipping back into calm. It's good to have a plan. Hopefully it'll keep Alice and her group from doing anything rash.]

Yup, sounds right. And then... Let's see. There's a shrine in Genessia dedicated to the spirits. Your friend Sophie may have more luck there, if she's intent on researching them further. Torchwood is a good place to make contact with... There's also Jolly Eddy's. They are a bodyguard-for-hire service, so they would be aware of any dangerous incidents not mentioned in any records.

[She nods again, quirking an eyebrow at that name but not otherwise commenting on that.]

A mercenary service would be quite useful for obtaining information... Similarly, if there are any criminal elements in the city. Information flows more freely in the dark.

For that, I have two suggestions. The police departments in every city are often hiring, and you can learn a lot from mingling there. I myself started as an officer in Everglade, and I certainly learned a lot from that.

There are also bounties listed in the bi-weekly newspaper. You may be able to find some leads in there.

You have my deepest thanks, Lady Kuroneko.

[Not 'miss'- Kuroneko's been helpful enough, and frankly, as the guardian of the city, that seems like she would be addressed like a knight.]

With your help, we should manage quite well here.

[She's flattered by the address. It isn't often that Satou is treated with respect, honestly. Her age, small size, and decision to be calm have left others doubting her.]

No, thank you. I appreciate you gathering information rather than rushing off. If anything comes up, don't be afraid to give the Guardians a call. We're all interested in a common goal.

Thank you. And that applies in reverse, as well. If you ever have need of my abilities, as a doctor or as a fighter, I will do my utmost to help you and protect the people of this place.

[She smiles, happy to have such a good first impression of the people here.

Except for Papyrus. Papyrus doesn't count. She's repressing that conversation for so many reasons.]

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first video; i feel like i'm losing hope

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