genessia | 01: Back again? Not quite. [OPEN VIDEO]

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01: Back again? Not quite. [OPEN VIDEO]

Uhm... Hello. Nehra I hope I have this device working properly...

[ When the feed clicks on it shows a frazzled girl, sighing and rubbing the back of her neck. Of all things to happen, she wasn't expecting this. Still, she doesn't waste any more time and looks at the device again. In the background it's clear that she hasn't left the bay yet, or even the cave, but it might be apparent that she's still near the holographic projection Weiss left for newcomers. ]

I... I suppose I should say it is nice to meet you all, whoever you may be. I will admit, when I went to bed, I was not expecting to wake up in a strange new world.

[ She pauses, seeming uncertain before trying to shake it off and continuing. ]

Should any of you know the name "Nautilus", please let me know? In the meantime, I suppose I will make my way to communal housing and try to figure things out from there. So, ah... Good to meet you, again, and I suppose I will see some of you soon.

[ And she's going to turn off that video in a hurry, Nehra that was awkward and hard to do.

True to her word she's going to be at the Bay, stepping out of the cave with her things in tow and looking around. At least it looks like it's summer here too, but just what in the world is Genessia? ]

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["Strange new world"? Things were looking grim. Might as well make sure.]

Yes, I've heard of this Nautilus once before. Something to do with...aliens, and saving the world from catastrophe? Bizarre to think that such strange worlds would connect so confusingly.

But anyway, it's nice to see you again Adela.

[Cue the "how do you know my name" bznz]

[ She stiffens at his address, almost right on cue. She has to stare at the strange man addressing her, taking a moment to try and figure out just how she wants to word this. ]

I... Sorry, have we met somewhere before? I am afraid I cannot recall.

[Yep, he's bummed out. So he immediately thinks of how to turn his frown upside down. Might as well go the direct route.]

Yes, in this self-same world, in fact. But don't trouble about it; spilled milk, and all that.

[Switching to Private]
Don't tell him I said this--and it's probably unnecessary besides--but Smoker knew you far, far better than I did. I think you'd please him very much if you went and paid him a visit. He took your disappearance very hard.

Edited 2017-07-30 01:40 (UTC)

[Oh look it's a shark face and it's happy to see you!]

Adela!

Damn girl, 's good t' see yer face 'gain! Thought y'd arr yoo enn enn oh eff tee an' left us all high an' dry! Been worldhoppin' a bit, eh? Sheheheh! What's Nautilus like?

Wait, hold on. Are you telling me I have been to this place before?

[ That's strange. And now the feed is showing up differently on her 'smart phone'... Huh. ]

And who are you speaking of, this "Smoker"? I...

[ Frowning more, this is starting to hurt her head a little because she's just having that much trouble comprehending it. ]

... You are certain I have been here before?

[ She has no reson to doubt him, as unbelievable as it is he did know her name but... She starts rubbing her temples with her fingers now. ]

This is such a strange place, unlike my home and unlike Nautilus, I should hope I would remember it...

Pardon?

[ Oh no not again. She looks a little distressed now, frowning in her worry. ]

I... I suppose I should thank you for that, but I do not recall your name or face, sir.

[ She's starting to hate herself for not knowing any of this now, shrinking on the spot as she tries to answer the question asked. ]

Nautilus is known as the city of change, where thought becomes reality. It is a strange place, one I had barely become accustomed to before I was apparently whisked off to this place.

Wait.

Aw shit so yer a 'nother Adela?

Sorry 'bout that first message then, sweetheart. Forgot y' mighta been a newb.

Name's Namur.

Another Adela?

[ She repeats the words, brows raising at the comment, but before she can ask Namur's already on another topic. ]

Uhm... Good to meet you, Namur. And yes, I suppose I am a "newb" as you so put it to all this. It is not the first time I have come across strange technologies like this, nor is this the first strange world I have awoken in, but ah... Just what do you mean "another Adela"?

[He laughed gently, with a weary smile.]

Aheh, yes, very certain. I'd know that head-holding exasperation anywhere. Smoker was...something of a father figure, I suppose. A very compelling one; we met largely through parties and other social outings you two had some disagreement attending. He must've won those arguments.

Don't get too flustered, now. You wouldn't be the first one whose memories disconnected. I can furnish more details about your personal life, if you like, but by now I trust you'll take it on faith.

I feel more confused than exasperated, but someone else has brought up that it may have been another me? If that makes any sense whatsoever?

[ She rubs the back of her neck, still feeling quite uncertain over everything. ]

I fear what you might say of "my" life here before may not hold relevance to me, as if it truly was another me then those memories are not mine to begin with.

[Namur sort of shrugs as he runs his hand through his hair, looking immensely uncomfortable.]

'Nother girl. You, basically, but she got differnt mem'ries an' shit from bein' here so she's differnt, catch me? 'S like. Uh. Like a remix. Only... of a person, not jus' a song.

I think I see? It would be as if I arrived here but with a different set of memories, right? It would be for the best to treat it as if the Adela before was a different person with my face, name, and habits I suppose -- that is, if I understand you correctly.

I honestly very much doubt many people would be expecting to wake up in a new world. For some, they never really think of worlds outside of the one they live in.

[She was one of those people minus the tv world.]

You can make your way out, but you can also take your time getting to know the place and what it has to offer before finding out what you want to do.

It is not the first time it has happened to me, but I had thought it would take me leaving that one willingly to return home, let alone to end up anywhere else.

[ Sighing, but she's not too bothered by it and instead looks to the camera again. ]

I suppose in this instance I am trapped here rather than being able to leave should I wish to. Is there anything I should know that the brochures or that illusion of... Miss Schnee? [ Did she say that right? ] Have not gone over?

[Ted gets the feeling this existentialism will go nowhere very quickly.]

No, I can't quite see the sense in that. Or this. That is, this ah, navel gazing. Introspection has its uses, but perhaps you and yours aren't the healthiest thing to think of, just now. I think there's a very good chance you might secure the happiness of another. Extremely. Were I you, I'd see to Smoker immediately. See if he receives you as a stranger. My bet's the other way.

But who is Smoker? What you have told me... Nehra, it simply feels too unrealistic to me. Someone who I apparently saw as a father of sorts?

[ She still seem skeptical, and she's frowning at Ted. ]

And even if that were true, then what? You would have him suffer through a person with the same face and name not having any idea who he is, or having no memory of him at all? That is a pain I cannot even imagine, nor would I wish it on anyone.

Description can't do him justice. Indeed, justice is a favorite topic of his. And smoking, haha, if the name didn't give it away. Ah, forgive me for spoiling things.

[Ted's not skeptical at all, not-frowning at Adela]

What a morbid confidence in the results of what you can't imagine. The exact same thing has happened to me, as a matter of fact, and if that was a pain...good Lord, I could use more pains like that!

Well, I won't twist your arm any more. It's a matter for the senses, not the intellect. See him and see what happens, or close yourself off and don't for whatever unfathomable reasons you have. Can I help but recommend the former?

You are not the least bit sad that I hold no memory of you? Of this place?

[ She sighs at that, shaking her head at him. Nehra, she doesn't understand this man in the least... ]

Look, I... I would not hurt this person if I could help it, out of respect for his bond with the other me. However, with that, I... I...

[ She falls silent after that, unwilling to be so free with her own fears regarding the situation. Eventually she just looks to the camera, shoulders slumping and feeling more tired than when the conversation began. ]

... My reasons will remain unfathomable to you, as they are for no one but me. Is there anything else you feel you must tell me sir, or will that be the end of it?

A little...

[He confesses. He wants to say it's not really her fault, so there's no blame to assign, but he's not so sure. He'd always felt like people who quit Genessia are quitters of life in general. People that, on some level, don't want to live. He can't quite trust that.]

Seems you've signed on with this 'other you' business. And you sounded so skeptical not minutes before. Believe me, Adela, I knew you more than a little last time. You, heh, haven't changed very much.

Well, yes: I think you should use your imagination, however unpracticed you are in the exercise. Imagine someone you loved disappeared, and you never knew when, if ever, they'd return. It would be, by and large, indistinguishable from death, as far as the two of you were concerned. I imagine this would upset you.

Now imagine, after a time--hardly more than several months or so--they return, with no memory of what transpired. What would you think? How would you feel?

If you're the least bit like most people, you'd be overjoyed. You'd be awash with happiness that someone you thought you'd never see again was there. True, the amnesia would sting. But, remember, in this hypothetical you love them, so that wouldn't be worth much fret. You'd simply be glad they were back, and carry on much as you did before, to whatever extent you could.

Granted, it's not a perfect analogy. Perhaps you or Smoker have utterly inhuman or unintelligible feelings, and process neither parting nor reunion like anything I've ever known.

But I doubt it.

So, if you don't mind me being forward and frank, I think you're being a little timid; a little selfish. Oh, you couch it in concern for others, but think it out and you'll see how ridiculous it is. Perfectly absurd, really. Do you truly believe the pain of being unknown would outweigh the joy of a return? Is it likely that Smoker would think that? One-sided memories are tragic, true, but hardly unendurable, especially when the one who made them is there. It would be like valuing apples over apple trees. Or whatever fruit trees you've known.

I don't know; perhaps you think that being instrumental in another's happiness is incredible, and think there's some humility in acting otherwise. I don't. You mattered to others, Adela, and I'd bet every red bill I've got that you matter still, whatever existential twaddle you're entertaining. But you'll never know for sure if you don't act.

[Great speech, Ted, take a seat. He laughs, mostly out of self-mockery for being so serious.]

Sorry, guess I'm a liar. I gave my word I wouldn't compel anymore, but you're being...haha, just so usual. The temptation was too great.

And what if I am not the same? I may only seem similar now, but if it is too much of a difference... The fact remains that I am not the same person you or Smoker knew. I am not the same person any of you knew, in part because I did not experience what the other me did here. I did not share the same experiences or form the same bonds. I cannot feel these things for people I have never met, for people who may as well be complete strangers to me.

[ Taking a breath now, and she looks away from the feed again as she tries to put a lid on her emotions. ]

Perhaps it is selfish of me, but... There are times when we need to be.

More or less. Only sometimes even if y' got the same mem'ries y' react t' 'em differnt. 'S weird. But anyway, yeah. Tryna think a y' as someone new's kinda the best way a dealin' with it. Hell, y' might even meet someone here that y' knowed in the Nautilus place that ain't never been there 'fore, aye? Jus' never know, really. Anyway y' had a lotta friends 'round here, so yer gonna have a lotta folk wantin' t' help y' out. Still, if y' ever need anythin' from a fishman, lemme know, yeah?

Someone from Nautilus that would arrive here but not have those memories?

[ She frowns at the thought, trying to understand... And really not liking the sound of it. If she found familiar faces, they might not know who she was? It would only make sense for it to work both ways, but even so... Nehra she's not sure she's ready to deal with that. ]

... I shall, thank you. Namur, is it? Just to be certain I have your name correct.

Right as rain, sweetheart. Tell me 'bout the folk y' met on the other side, eh? 'S weird but people kinda follow each other 'round through differnt worlds, whether they knowed 'bout 'em from 'fore or not.

Well...

[ She seems thoughtful, taking her time in figuring out just how she wants to word things. ]

... I was staying at a restaurant, at least for a while. [ Conveniently leaving out the part where she's about to ask to stay more permanently, it's not an important detail right? ] It is called the Dream of the All Blue. The top two floors were converted to housing space, and the bottom floor is the restaurant itself. Currently I was living with quite a few people -- Miss Rose, Zoro, Sanji-Chan, Franky, and Ace. They are interesting people to say the least.

[ She sighs after a beat, rubbing the back of her neck. ]

Nehra, I will have to keep up my training while I am here... It will be strange to not have them around here, though.

I had other acquaintances...

...

Friends, there as well. Uhm... Things had become terrible recently, with someone trying to take over Nautilus, threatening death and destruction to everyone if we did not bow to his rule. We still have not found out just what we need to do, other than to build our strength to fight against him. Not one of us stands a chance alone, but together we just might.

[Whenever Ted gets the feeling someone's being narcissistic, he plays a game to amuse himself by counting personal pronouns.]

Eight! Eight times you've said "I". There's no "perhaps" about it.

[Still in a gently mocking way, natch.]

Take it from me, Adela. The last thing you want to do is take others' happiness lightly, especially by thinking of yourself too much. I learned that the hard way.

All right, you've relief from my truisms. If I can be of better use than bromides, by all means, make use of me. Otherwise, I'll bid you good evening and let you get back to readjusting.

[ She can't help the twitch of her eye at Ted's words, but she keeps whatever she wants to say to herself. Instead she simply disconnects the feed without so much as a word of farewell, only able to really breathe and feel some relief once she does.

The nerve of that man... Perhaps she is selfish, but... Truthfully, she doesn't know another way. With the few people she's managed to get close to ripped away from her, what else is she supposed to do? It's not like she can just simply pretend those new bonds are there when they're not, and... If she tries... That's likely to come back to bite her, too.

There's really just no point to it. ]

Sadly, you are correct. We are trapped here and unable to leave should we wish to. I mean, people do sometimes go, but... honestly we never ever see these people leave and they leave nothing behind.

[That's not a good thing, right?]

As for information, there is tonnes more at the welcome centre that people don't think to go to for that kind of thing. It probably has information I might not necessarily think of.

Shit, I know lotsa folk with them same names. What're the odds, huh? What kinda trainin' was y' doin'?

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01: Back again? Not quite. [OPEN VIDEO]

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