[video]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea had awoken in some sort of capsule that felt just a little bit too much like a coffin for his comfort. Aside from what he'd already had on him, there was a box with a few random items in it, though reading over the included pamphlet had prompted more annoyance and suspicion than anything else, as he quickly decided that wherever this 'Genessia' world was, he wanted no part of it. The necklace and other objects were left in the capsule as he stood on the shore and opened a Dark Corridor...

...Only to find that he simply passed through it as if it weren't there. Several more attempts in different areas of the bay yielded the same results. He sighed; the hard way it was then. He waded out into the water and began swimming back the way he'd apparently come. But about halfway to what looked like the other end of the bay, he found himself butting up against an invisible barrier. Swimming right, left, and attempting to dive under it all proved fruitless; he simply couldn't go any further.

With no other choice, he turned and swam back to shore, emerging from the water now doubly irritated by virtue of being both annoyed and wet. Luckily a little fire magic- at least that still worked- dried him out fairly quickly. But it seemed that he was stuck here for the moment. Just wonderful. With a sigh, he retrieved the items he'd left in the capsule and headed out into the city proper.]

[It was a relatively short time later that the city's other residents got their first look at Lea, as he appeared on the network, sitting on a bench and rather sulkily eating an ice cream bar.]

So... Genessia, huh? Can't say it's a world I've ever heard of. Seems like a nice place at least, as far as prisons go.

Anyway, name's Lea. Got it memorized? Just got here and unsurprisingly, I've got a few questions. And the two most important ones at the moment are 'who' and 'why'. Namely, who apparently kidnapped us all, and why are they keeping us here? That little tidbit of information seems to be lacking in any of these pamphlets or the greeting hologram.

Comments

[video]

[green_greatness]

Someone else new too?

[Have a young teen blinking at you through video.]

I'm still trying to get an idea of this place myself. Oh, I'm Pidge, by the way. Nice to meet you Lea.

Re: [video]

[hotheadwarmheart]

Apparently so. We must've missed each other back at the Bay, I guess.

Nice meeting you too. And if you've found out anything interesting that's not in the pamphlets or the hologram, I'd love to hear it. So far I haven't found much of anything special, aside from a corner store that carries my favorite flavor of ice cream.

[Which is why he's only sulky and not full on annoyed.]

Re: [video]

[green_greatness]

Must have... if you passed by me while I was reading... well I kind of focus too much on reading.

Nothing that special yet... but I have the same questions as you do, so... I'm sure we can keep each other up to date on what's going on here. If you are okay with that.

What flavor is it? I don't think I've had good ice-cream in like a year.

Re: [video]

[hotheadwarmheart]

Might have seen you in passing; I didn't stick around too long after I found out I couldn't get back out the way we apparently came in, but I wasn't really looking for anyone in particular.

And I'm fine with sharing info if you are; two heads are better than one and all that.

As for the ice cream, its sea salt ice cream. Not the most common flavor around, so I'm kinda surprised someone around here had it.

Re: [video]

[green_greatness]

Absolutely. I'm always up for sharing info. After all everyone looks at stuff differently, you never know who's going to figure out something you couldn't.

[She grins a bit.] Ah, sweet and salty. I might have to try some of that one. Most stuff doesn't come in sea salt flavor in my area... deserts aren't that great for it after all.

Video

[unbridledtiger]

I think I can memorize that.

[Seth remarks in a cool voice, his tongue flicking lazily at his lip ring.]

Who is the city I think. Genessia. Why is for our emotions though there is more to it that we do not know. That is currently in progress.

Re: Video

[hotheadwarmheart]

Good to know I'm not the only one concerned about it at least.

Though how can a city bring people anywhere? I mean yeah, worlds have hearts and all, but they generally can't really do much. And even assuming it can, what does it want with our emotions?

[He conceals it well, but that bit? Just upped the suspicion factor with regards to this place a few more notches.]

Video

[unbridledtiger]

Not sure but I've tested enough to know it's true. I'd suggest running your own tests. I think it helps.

[Seth thinks it might help.]

I think our emotions are something like a power source here.

Re: Video

[hotheadwarmheart]

Probably will. Any place I can go to share information if I find anything interesting? Or get information from other people who feel like sharing?

[He quirks an eyebrow at the emotions as a power source bit.]

Well, that's not creepy at all. Any idea what the power might be used for?

Video

[unbridledtiger]

There is a research center.

[It has stuff.]

I think it's used to power the shields that protect this place. There is more information out there, I'm sure, but I don't have it.

[Seth drags his tongue along his lower lip.]

[Video]

[youfool]

Pfheh, hello Lea. I hope you're not too tired.

[See, it's funny cause it's a girl's name that can mean "weary". That's funny on multiple levels.]

Well, let's see if I haven't got some answers. The "who" seem to be the Spirits; ethereal, desperately helpless managers of the place.

The "why" is a little more mysterious than the numinous: to demonstrate and promote life. Which you might take for a flattery; the universe must take you for one of life's more lively members.

Re: [Video]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[It's pronounced 'Lee', but he will be forever annoyed at the confusion his parents creative spelling choice caused with teachers.

In the meantime, he quirks an eyebrow, aware that a joke is being made at his expense, but not really getting it. He lets it go though as they move on to more relevant topics.]

Any idea where I can find these spirits to file a complaint?

[Potentially one involving fire.]

I kinda have some important stuff going on back home, and their timing stinks. Not that there's really a good time to get kidnapped, I guess, but this is worse than most for me. And potentially a lot of other people too.

And demonstrate and promote it to who? Themselves? Or somebody else?

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

[Ted knows that feel. Parents, man. Sometimes they really don't understand.]

They like to keep themselves scarce, probably because people are--inexplicably--very upset with them. That, and/or manifesting corporeally may take a very taxing toll.

Oh, I don't know. Some were whisked away moments before their doom, to hear them tell it. That sort of hair-breadth timing is almost salvific.

But I see your frustration. Not to worry; everyone's of the opinion that the chronological metaphysics are very decent. If and when you return, you'll pick up right where you left off.

Hah, yes, themselves. At least, I think they'd be the ones who stand to benefit most. Then again, they may have something more altruistic in mind. The saving of the world, perhaps.

Re: [Video]

[hotheadwarmheart]

Gee, I wonder why anybody would have reason to be mad at them?

[So much sarcasm. So much.]

Well, that at least takes the time crunch off of finding a way out of here, so good to know.

But last I checked, beings with altruistic intentions didn't go around kidnapping and imprisoning people. They wanted help saving the world, they could damn well ask politely.

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

Great minds think alike; so do I! They go through all the trouble of giving you free--if dingy--room and board, a sum of money, a piece of enchanted jewelry, helpful pamphlets, the backdrop to having adventures and meeting such lovely, unique people, and no one ever says "thank you". Perhaps, like an aloof wife gone unnoticed by her husband, they simply feel unappreciated.

[Blithely optimistic? Devil's advocate? Reverse sarcasm? Just plain dumb? Maybe it's all of those. Maybe it's Maybelline.]

Come on, "imprison" is cynical. Got to draw the boundary lines somewhere. As for the kidnapping, well, I doubt anyone knows the exact mechanism or motive. It may be as unconscious and reflexive as sneezing. Then again, we may be made wholesale. Clones with memories from a life we never led. In which case they may as well be our parents. And one should always honor their parents.

[Somewhere this got less comforting than Ted intended.]

...not that that theory's been proven to anyone's satisfaction.

[alwaysimpaled]

What, the "got it memorized" part not one of the important questions? ...And is there going to be a test on it because I suck at tests.

[Why yes, Dante is just casually drinking a bottle of Whiskey while he trolls the newcomer.]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Hey, drinking is a legit response to kidnapping by mysterious forces as far as Lea's concerned.]

Nah. Just kind of a catch phrase of mine.

And just as well, because I was never that good at tests either.

[alwaysimpaled]

[A newcomer that didn't bristle at the trolling? Dante is impressed!]

Good to know. Name's Dante by the way. I'm deputy guardian over in Attleton. Let me know if you need anything settling in.

[hotheadwarmheart]

[He spent ten years living with Xigbar, who was way nastier about his trolling. He can deal.]

Would rather not have to settle in, but thanks; I'll let you know if I think of anything.

[alwaysimpaled]

Oh I get ya. But since nobody has yet to be able to figure out who brought us here or how to get out, we're kind of stuck.

[Video]

[k2so]

It's not exactly a prison, certain it looks nothing like the ones in my world. But Cassian also had that sort of view when he first arrived.

Name's K2SO and I'm afraid none of us knows the real answers to those questions.

Re: [Video]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Oh hey, a robot. That's different.]

Well, given that we didn't come here of our own free will, are surrounded by barriers, and can't leave of our own free will, I think it's close enough to a prison. Like I said, it's a nice place, but a gilded cage is still a cage.

Anyway, nice to meet you. Can't say I've ever really spoken to a robot before.

Re: [Video]

[k2so]

[Yup. 100& funcional and independent droid here]

You should have seen the prisons in my word. I can see your point, though, even It depends on how your life back home was. For me this world is like a second chance.

Nice to meet you. I've ever really spoken to a redhead before either.

Re: [Video]

[hotheadwarmheart]

Yeah, I know most jails aren't usually this inviting. But sometimes being inviting is part of the trap. After all, what better way to get a prisoner to stay put than to get them to not want to leave?

Well, guess there's a first time for everything, then. Though I have a feeling we'll both end up meeting stranger people than each other here.

[Video]

[k2so]

You sound like my partner. [Kay says that with equals amounts of amusement and fondness.] Some people here are trying to find ways to leave and investigating the barriers. No one ever tried to stop them from doing that but perhaps it's because there's really no way out and it's all in vain.

Everyone is strange in their own way. [Kay shrugs.] I've seen a lot traveling the Galaxy, the people here is not as varied as the one I'm used to. Where are you from?