Video / Action - 001 - Arrival

[purered]

[Video]

[The video comes on and a sharply dressed and stern looking giant peers at the camera. It may just be the rather prominent fangs jutting up from his lower jaw, but he seems to have a bad case of Resting Bitch Face. He gives a small, satisfied nod that the videophone is working. It's a bit clunky, but he's made do with worse.]

I confess, this feels a bit surreal. But such things aside; greetings. As you may have fathomed, I'm a new arrival. My name is Klaus Reinherz, and yes, I am aware of the situation. [He says the next bit a tad skeptically. As skeptically as Klaus can sound, at least.] I am assured this is not the doing of either Femt or Aligura as well.

[He appears to be thinking for a moment, before he gives another small nod of his head.]

Since it would appear that I'm here for the long haul, I would ask any recommendations for temporary lodgings and employment. My resume is extensive, though any copy of it is, unfortunately, back in Jerusalem's Lot. I would understand if any potential employer would be wary at taking my word for such things.

My work background presently consists of three years as the Executive Director of Libra, as well as comprehensive hand-to-hand combat training. [He clears his throat, and though his expression hasn't changed, there's something about his posture that positively radiates an intense and earnest enthusiasm.] I do not mean to boast, but I'm also an avid horticulturist. I have extensive knowledge in the care and cultivation of a large variety of plants, both of Earth and the Beyond. ...Even if there are no conservatories looking for an employee, is there perhaps a gardening club?

If not, are any among you enthusiasts of chess or prosfair?

I thank you for any assistance rendered, and wish you a very good day.

---
[Action]



[It was shaping up to be a very odd day indeed. Klaus had certainly been in worse situations in the past, and while this wasn't on the same level as playing a dangerous game against the Don for literally four days straight or combating a creature that simply grew more powerful the more it was attacked, it was still unique and Klaus was not about to let his guard down. Not that it was obvious. The man moved with long, confident strides and impeccable posture. The folder of brochures and maps was tucked neatly under his arm. He'd put the starting stipend he'd received in the safety of his wallet.

He was in Genessia proper, strolling down Iris Avenue vaguely in the direction of the Everglade gate. He was a little curious about the gates when he'd read about them, and he'd decided to start with the one his mysterious new piece of jewelry aligned with. This wasn't to say he wouldn't wander a bit first. Klaus wanted to familiarize himself with his new surroundings, and what better way to do so than explore? It was not entirely unpleasant either. The weather was warm, but otherwise clear and mild. He noted that it had been quite some time since he'd enjoyed a sunny stroll - the perpetual dome of fog over Jerusalem's Lot did not lend itself well to such clear weather, and he realized he'd missed so small a thing.

He paused when he came upon a public park. It was small, but he turned up the path, and took a seat on an empty park bench for a spot of bird watching. There were whispers. There were always whispers. Klaus had cut an intimidating figure long before he'd come to Jerusalem's Lot and this was nothing new. He deftly ignored them, and instead watched the sparrows and pigeons squabble over scraps. He wondered if there were any dispensers for birdseed around or if he'd be able to purchase some when he had a more reliable form of income and a proper roof over his head.]

Comments

video;

[gammavirginis]

Hello+ Klaus, I'm Po+rrim.

[ Intriguing teeth. ]

Apparently it's rather easy to+ pro+cure jo+bs here - yo+u just have to+ find a place that yo+u like and inquire. It will pro+bably take a bit o+f legwo+rk, I imagine.

While I wo+uldn't call myself an ho+rticulturist, I do+ so+ admire plants. I usually do+ a decent jo+b at no+t letting them die right away, but I am pro+ne to+ the o+ccasio+nal negligence.

video;

[purered]

You are too kind, Miss Porrim. I thank you. Fortunately, I'm no stranger to legwork - I simply wished to confirm if anyone were in direct need of my particular skill-sets.

Ah, if I may be so bold as to venture some advice on the care of plants, Miss Porrim?

[gammavirginis]

I enco+urage boldness, Mister Reinherz.

[purered]

If possible, it's good to keep a time-table in a planner or a mobile app that will alert you as to what plants need tending require attention. I have a number of orchids who can be very particular about their daily routines.

But for most plants if the soil's to their liking and they're watered relatively frequently, they should thrive.

[gammavirginis]

I'll have to+ investigate the abilities o+f these devices. They aren't quite as advanced as the o+nes I'm used to+.

Back o+n Befo+rus, we had access to+ a number o+f so+phistated machines that wo+uld auto+mate such a pro+cess. O+f co+urse, they were o+nly really available to+ the mo+re wealthy and po+werful higher blo+o+ds.

[purered]

Unfortunatle, I don't think the videophones have the same capacity as the personal mobile I carry.

That does so often seem to be the case in any kind of hierarchy. I've not heard of a place called Beforus. If it's not too personal a question, do you miss your home?

[gammavirginis]

Hmm.

That's actually quite a musclebeast of a question there, actually, but the sho+rt answer is yes.

I hadn't been there for a very lo+ng time, however. Since lo+ng befo+re Genessia, by virtue o+f it having sto+pped being a thing.

[purered]

Your world has... stopped?

[He can't really fathom such a thing or the devastation that would cause.]

My apologies. It was an insensitive thing to ask.

[gammavirginis]

I've go+tten o+ver it, inso+much as o+ne can 'get o+ver' their planet and species being o+bliterated.

[ She takes a moment. The wound is still real and something that still haunts her. A job undone, a purpose unfulfilled. A hope, that her dancestor would accomplish what she was never fated to do in the first place. ]

It's very kind o+f yo+u to+ apo_lo+gize, but there's no+ way yo+u co+uld have kno+wn. It's no+t a co+mmo+n experience o+ne generally has to+ acco+mo+date.

Video

[greenmagick]

[Terra turns on the video the instant she hears his announcement.]

Excuse me. [Her voice is soft and her features delicate as she shyly addresses the man on the screen.]

I'm looking to open a flower shop. It isn't open just yet but if you really are skilled with plants... could I ask for your assistance.

[She pauses.]

You would get paid of course and it didn't have to be full time if there is other work that you want to do.

[She's only recently just arrived for a second time and she hopes to have a shop soon. She's currently in the process of collecting more seeds from the different archways.]

Video

[purered]

[Klaus looks absolutely delighted. Or at least he sounds absolutely delighted. His smile is not one that's going to win him any beauty contests. It might get him a job at a haunted house, however.]

You are most gracious, miss. I would be happy to offer my services in any way. Have you found a premises?

[Someone is already missing his orchids.]

Re: Video

[greenmagick]

[She doesn't seem to bothered by his smile though her expression shifts only slightly as she speaks. Terra isn't the most expressive right now but she's learning.

Terra shakes her head slowly in answer to his question.]

There are several cities and I wasn't sure which to pick. If you'd like you can come look with me.

[If he's going to work there then he should have input and it might help her decide faster. She's unsure of so many things and without anyone around to answer her questions she usually ends up thinking in circles. Not that any on looker would know.]

Video

[purered]

Of course. Where shall I come meet you?

[He is so prepared! He has a map and everything! Maybe, if he's very lucky, he'll get to take public transport!]

Video

[greenmagick]

I'm in the park. If you've just arrive I can met you.

[It's only a few blocks away and Terra doesn't mind the walk.]

Or if you'd rather meet me here?

[The park is the green dot on the map.]

Re: Video

[purered]

Ah, how fortunate! I took a break in the park for a bit of bird-watching.

[Alas, sparrows and pigeons are not all that interesting.]

You shouldn't be too far- is there a landmark or monument I can meet you at?

Video

[greenmagick]

[Terra looks around from her current position. She is sitting against a tree and any looking on would guess she is a wood nymph by the color of her hair and how perfectly she fits among the foliage.]

I'm afraid not. I'm sitting under a large tree with flower bushes on either side.

[There are also a few flowers in her lap though that doesn't really help when identifying her location.]

Video

[purered]

[Not the most helpful description.]

Are you perhaps more to the north, south, east or west sides?

[In the meantime, Klaus has taken to wandering the park. He sticks out like a sore thumb, all red and too-big.]

[youfool]

For Ted to not know a game bordered on criminal. He wasn't very good at the ones that took smarts, but even so.

"Prosfair? What's that?"

[purered]

[Someone is absolutely delighted to tell you!]

Ah, it's the Beyondian take on chess. Or perhaps chess is a simplified Prosfair. Either way, it's an interesting game, one that grows more complex as it progresses. I won't lie - it takes considerable dedication and study.

[youfool]

"I can only speculate that your world is stark, raving mad, to think chess needed more complexity. Haha. 'Beyondian' is your world, I take it? It's almost as silly a name as 'Genessia'. Oh! I'm Ted, by the way. Pleasure to meet you."

[purered]

Oh no. Good heavens no. I'm human.

[...Mostly.]

A rift opened up between Earth and the Beyond, where New York City was. The breach has been mostly contained and stable, but New York has become Jerusalem's Lot. Prosfair simply caught on in popularity among humans, and is played avidly by those seeking a different kind of challenge.

It's a pleasure, Ted. I am Klaus Reinherz.

[youfool]

"Ah, so something akin to an alien invasion. Given what I know of New York, it was probably an improvement. Still, for a metropolitan area like that to enjoy chess, and super-chess at that...their humanity rings a little suspect. Hah, forgive me if I'm picking on your world of origin too much; we actually share it, so I'm allowed. Well, sort of. I don't recall anything like that. What year was it?

Also, would you believe that something very similar just happened? Rifts opening up or something. Sadly we didn't really get any games out of it more...well, nothing really."

[purered]

N...not quite an invasion. The collision of two worlds was as devastating for the Beyondians as it was for us. A lot of people died.

[There's a slight sternness to his tone but it eases a little. It's not like Ted knew the extent of what happened.]

The year is 2015 a.d. but the collision happened in 2012. Perhaps if it hasn't occured for you, one might have to take multiverse theory into account?

And I would absolutely believe it. Perhaps some growing level of instability between worlds and realities?

Nice baby. Where'd ya get it?

[jerks22]

"Oh...I'm sorry." Barely two minutes in and Ted had already said something stupid. Practically a record.

"Ah, that's around the same time I was. Well, for once I'm glad I missed out on something. But yes, that theory grows more credible for every new arrival. Maybe God loves Earth the same way he loves beetles; constant variation on the same thing. Humans keep repeating themselves too, though none quite your size. Beyondians must have fed you extraordinarily well.

Let's pray the instability doesn't get too out of hand. I've the dubious honor of being put in charge of this world's stability, and my job doesn't need any more difficulty."

Hey, if he was gonna be an elected official, even if it was only for six months, you better believe he's bringing it up at every opportunity.

He found it on the side of the road 8D

[purered]

It's nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry for being so brusque- there was no way you could have known the circumstances.

It's certainly something to consider. Like earthquakes, such things that seem on a relatively small scale often have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences.

...Are you a mayor of some sorts?