first; you're a star shining bright

[polyheroic]

video;

[The feed clicks on, showing a girl looking somewhat sheepish.]

So, it turns out when you're driving your interdimensional chariot, the proper answer to 'bet you can't do a wheelie' is not 'oh yeah, watch this'. Whoops. Live and learn, right? Still, never been to a world that was this used to people showing up... This isn't one of those situations, is it? You know, 'oh summoned hero, go defeat the Demon Lord' thing? Because let me tell you, those get old fast.

I'm rambling, aren't I.

Hi, I'm Rose. I guess these things are so we can find our friends? So, my friends can find me now. And Anya, Vera, if you're here, I'm fine, so please don't burn anything down. If you aren't here, can someone keep me posted if either of them show up? They're easy to spot- Anya's tall, blonde, glasses, beautiful, and also if you call her Anya she'll try to break you in half. Call her Angharad. Vera's the pretty girl with horns, cute, and probably going to give a speech about darkness and flame and stuff.

If you see either of them, probably lead with 'Rose is here' before anything, um, explodes.

[This voice is far too fond, considering what she's describing. But no, she seems totally smitten.

The feed cuts off there.]

video 2;

[Except not long after, it starts up again. All of the following clips are about ten seconds at a time, as Rose seems to just be kind of... vlogging her experiences.

This time, you can see Rose in the corner, but she's in Nova City, the camera focusing on one of the janitorial robots.]

Is it a faux pas to hug a cleaning robot? Asking for a friend.

[pause.]

The friend is me. I'm the one asking. Look, they're so cute, like super-Roombas!

[The feed cuts off. And then starts up again, very shortly after. This time, Rose is standing out by the Hover Tracks, again peeking up in the corner of the feed while the camera focuses on the sign.]

They have hover truck Battlebot demolition derbies. This is officially the coolest world I have ever seen.

[The feed cuts out, and again, starts up after a few more minutes. This time, the camera is pointed at the sky, at one of the Sky Garden ships.]

There are flying gardens! This is so cool! Do they shoot lasers? I hope not but I kinda hope they do, too.

[Yet again, the feed cuts, and starts again.]

So apparently I need a job to get money to get in on this... What's a good job for someone with absolutely no skills in anything? Asking for another friend. Who is also me.

[... someone should probably tell her to stop spamming the network.]

action;

[Or you might just find her at the archways between Genessia and Nova City. Where she just... seems to be... walking into the archway.

And then back out.

And then back in.

And then back out.

Occasionally, she stops to giggle to herself like a child, but mostly, she's just running back and forth through the portal like an idiot.]

This is so cool! How does this work? Is it connecting space, like a wormhole, or... Is that place even the same world as this, really?

Comments

[polyheroic]

I think that's the sort of information you should lead with, here!
Something that can steal souls...
There's no good answers here.

[cool_skeleton]

WELL!! MAYBE THEY'RE SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR SAFEKEEPING!! THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I DON'T THINK ANYONE'S DIED BECAUSE OF THAT. SO EVERYTHING'S STILL FUNCTIONAL!! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PHONES THOUGH. I'D DEFINITELY WANT A COOL PHONE LIKE THIS, SOUL OR NOT!!!

[polyheroic]

I don't think this is a problem, but I'm going to say it just to be safe:
A phone is not worth your soul.
Do not trade your soul for a phone.
I'm pretty sure it would give you better prices than a bunch of phone companies back where I came from, but also, don't do it.

[cool_skeleton]

NO WORRIES, I ALREADY HAVE ONE!! THE COVERAGE ON THIS THING IS GREAT!!! AND YOU CAN'T BEAT THE PRICE OF FREE!!! BUT I'M FLATTERED YOU'RE SO CONCERNED ABOUT MY SOUL. IF YOU ACTUALLY WANTED A JOB AND THE SKILLS TO GO WITH IT, YOU'D BE A STRONG CONTENDER FOR ONE OF MY DEPUTY SPOTS!!!

[polyheroic]

What does a deputy do, in this case?

[cool_skeleton]

IN THIS CASE, YOU'D WORK BESIDE THE GREATEST GUARDIAN IN THE WORLD, UPHOLDING JUSTICE, DEFENDING THE WEAK, AND HANGING OUT WITH OTHER COOL DEPUTIES! IT'S THE SECOND-GREATEST JOB YOU COULD ASK FOR!!!

[polyheroic]

I like hanging out with cool people, and all, but... Like, does that mean "organize paperwork" or "hit evildoers with your sword"?

[cool_skeleton]

WHO DOESN'T!?

BOTH!!! JUSTICE AND PAPERWORK GO TOGETHER LIKE BONES AND BICEPS. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A SECRETARY!

[polyheroic]

I don't mind being a secretary! I mean, I doubt there's a whole lot of work to do anyway, so I'd get to do nothing, which is my real dream job.

I just don't want to do fighting unless it's really, really unavoidable.

[cool_skeleton]

[That is such a Sansian attitude uggggghhhh. Worst part it that it was hardly a week ago he bragged that, as he and his were so excellent, a secretary really would have nothing to do. He didn't mean that literally. Why don't people want to live up to his standards?]

THERE COULD BE A LOT OF WORK!! ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE KING TO CONSIDER!!!

YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO DO ANY WORK AT ALL...?

[polyheroic]

I didn't know there was a King here.

But no, I don't. I can handle a bit, but I've had enough of living stuck to other people's rules and demands.

[cool_skeleton]

YEAH, THE WHOLE ROYAL FAMILY JUST CAME BACK FROM BRAINWASH ISLAND. I WASN'T THERE TO SEE IT, BUT I'M GLAD THEY GOT RESCUED!!!

[He feels like he should've been the rescuer, but no one knew where they were at the time. Alas, he couldn't hire someone so determinedly lazy. But maybe his inspirational words can reach?]

EVEN IF THEY'RE VERY GOOD, CIVILIZED RULES AND REASONABLE DEMANDS?

[polyheroic]

Sorry, go back. "Brainwash Island"?

Depends on those, I guess. It's just... I was living the good life, traveling between a bunch of different worlds, an endless roadtrip with my friends, you know? How am I supposed to go from that to a 9-to-5 here?

[cool_skeleton]

THAT'S NOT THE OFFICIAL NAME. IT DOESN'T HAVE ONE SINCE NO ONE KNEW IT EXISTED. APPARENTLY EVERYONE THERE THOUGHT THEY WERE SOMEONE ELSE FOR A LONG TIME.

GENESSIA IS AN ADJUSTMENT. BUT NOT BY TOO MUCH! YOU CAN STILL HAVE ENDLESS ADVENTURE!! WITH GREAT FRIENDS!!! IT WOULD JUST BE THE ONE WORLD, WITH A ALWAYS-EVERYDAY SCHEDULE. WITH COBBLESTONE TRIPS. OR SKYTRIPS IF YOU'RE THE PROUD OWNER OF A GREAT DRAMPA! WHICH I AM!!!

[polyheroic]

What's a 'drampa'?
I guess so.
I don't know.
This is just a lot to deal with...

[cool_skeleton]

IT'S ANOTHER POKEMON WITH THE SPECIAL POWER TO GIVE THE GREAT PAPYRUS GREAT PATROL RIDES. IF YOU'RE EVER IN FAYREN, LOOK TO THE SKIES!! YOU MIGHT JUST SEE ME RIDING HIGH, LIKE ALWAYS!!!

[That'll give her something to look forward to, no doubt. If Papyrus' success and sheer brilliance won't cheer up, what will?]

FRET NOT!! THOUGH THE WORLD MIGHT BE STRANGE, IF YOU TRY, AFTER A WHILE IT WILL BE COMPLETELY ORDINARY!! THAT'S THE FIRST STEP TO BEING EXTRAORDINARY, LIKE ME!!!

[polyheroic]

Great rides, huh?
If my Chariot were here, I'd race you in it.

You're cool and all, but I'd rather be extraordinary in a different way from you...
I think I'd get exhausted, trying to be like you.

[cool_skeleton]

IS THAT A COOL BRAND OF AUTOMOBILE???

[His fantasy was cars before he found the cheaper and much more mobile dragon mode of transport.]

TRUE, BEING AS COOL AS ME IS AN IMPOSSIBLE FEAT!! BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS STRIVE FOR SECOND BEST!!

WELL, WHATEVER EXTRAORDINARY WAY AND JOB YOU CHOOSE, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WHO'S DONE IT ALREADY, IS ROOTING FOR YOU!!!!

[polyheroic]

Nope, it's unique! One of a kind. Super awesome. The coolest ride ever made.
Or it would be, if it had more room.

Thanks, Pappy. I'll keep it in mind.
If I can't figure out how to make anything else work, I'll keep your secretary job in mind, okay?

[cool_skeleton]

SPACE CAN BE A PROBLEM. THERE'S NO TRUNK ON DRAMPA, SO I HAVE TO HANG GROCERY BAGS ON ITS TAIL AND DRIVE VERY CAREFULLY.

YEAH, YOU'D BETTER! I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!! AND EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT WORKING THERE, YOU CAN ALWAYS HANG OUT. YOU CAN'T MISS IT; IT'S THE BIG BUILDING THAT WILL EVENTUALLY LOOK LIKE MY SKULL!

[polyheroic]

NO
BAD IDEA
Paps, you're very sweet, you're very enthusiastic, I appreciate you and everything you've done for me so far.
So let me repay you by telling you this, right now.
A skull-shaped building never ever ever works out well.
Please trust me on this one.
It's a bad, bad, plan. Bad idea. Do not.

[cool_skeleton]

[Man, if she's using all-caps, it must really be important.]

HOW CAN THAT BE!? I REMIND YOU THAT IT LOOKS LIKE ME, AND I AND MY FRIENDS WILL BE SPENDING LOTS OF TIME THERE!!!

[polyheroic]

People are fine!
People can be skeletons!
I mean, if you're only a skull on a flesh body, that's probably bad.
But skeleton? You're fine.
But buildings.
Skull buildings are bad.
There has literally never been a skull-shaped building that didn't explode, collapse, or otherwise just get incredibly violently destroyed.
Ever.
In any universe.

[cool_skeleton]

LET'S NOT BE JUDGMENTAL ABOUT SKULL BUILDINGS. EVEN THOUGH YOUR EXPERIENCES MIGHT HAVE ALL BEEN TERRIBLE, DOESN'T MEAN THIS ONE WILL BE!! AS ALWAYS, I'M EXCEPTIONAL, AND SO ARE MY HQ'S!!

BESIDES, IT'S JUST SKULL-PAINTED.

[polyheroic]

Do you know who else uses skull buildings, Pappy?
Dr. Wily!
Do you want to be like him?! No!
I'm serious, skull buildings are always, always, always bad news!

What does that even mean?