How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,

[ghoulserrand]

[He normally would try to lay low in a given world. Faust, too, has suggested he's should. Brining attention onto himself is a bad, bad, very bad idea.

But he can't help it. There's working internet. And he has the power of typing and bad ideas on his side.]

Hey new world! I'm Teo! Just got here. I'm from Earth, but from my last world, I learned that's pretty common, and every Earth seems to be different from the others. Who's from somewhere new and who here's from Earth? And for those from Earth, what's the thing that makes it different?

Alternate introduction question: What's everyone's favorite thing to do here?

Comments

[ghoulserrand]

Talking to people!
Meeting more otherworlders.
In text too, isn't it cool?

[voice...]

[relictus]

[Please hold while he tries to very slowly type out a response, decides this is extremely inefficient, and switches to voice on his end.]

I don't see what's "cool" about it, no. Where are you right now?

[Stays Text]

[ghoulserrand]

It's instant communication with people!
I don't even need to talk!

[Which, now that he thinks about it, is probably exactly why Faust isn't excited about it.]

Living room.

[suddenly, action]

[relictus]

I don't see how writing things out this way counts as instant...

[Much faster than sending a letter, but still. But that's convenient, that means he can put his tablet away and simply leave his room for the first time today to go downstairs.]

You do realize that introducing yourself where the entire city can see it is not lying low?

[action]

[ghoulserrand]

[He's prepared to explain that it takes practice but Faust is already heading his way. He sighs, pockets his tablet, and looks up to see Faust there, standing over him while he looks up, upside down, from the couch. He rolls over so Faust is right side up again.]

It's not... in person... no one's... seeing my face... Might even seem... more normal...

[There's a pause after he gives his excuses. Then-]

I really... really wanted to...

[relictus]

Pretending that you're "normal" doesn't give you free rein to throw all caution to the wind.

[He crosses his arms, prepared to lecture him, though that last admission takes some of the wind out of his sails.]

...It's already done, so there's not much point debating it... But we still need to be cautious. No speaking of your condition over these... tablets.

[ghoulserrand]

[He sighs and slumps in defeat. He's right. He should've been more careful. But still, to have everyone in reach right there...

He recites off his fingers.]

First rule... of the internet... no personal... information... no address... no full name...

[He looks up at Faust, still sullen.]

I wouldn't... have told them... about that...

[relictus]

...I don't know what the "inter-net" is.

[But if he's equating it to these tablets, then those "rules" seem apt enough. Though not especially effective when they're all confined to one city, sizeable as it may be.]

[But he knows Teo misses being around other people...]

...I know that it seems like a safe way to make yourself part of this world without having to show your face. But if you meet anyone in person, you still need to be careful... making new friends is no guarantee they'll accept you as you are.

[ghoulserrand]

[The sullenness gives way to a truer disappointment. His voice comes out even softer than before.]

... I know... Wouldn't be safe... for them to... accept me... I'll always be... a threat...

[He shifts on the couch so he can dangle over the side of it.]

... I'm sorry... It was careless... even if it... seemed worth it for me... I don't want... to drag trouble to you...

[relictus]

...That's not what I meant. But it's exactly that sort of thinking from others that could be dangerous for you.

[He sighs, and frowns at the last thing he says.]

Hah? Who said anything about me?

[ghoulserrand]

[He jolts, sits up, and raises his hands.]

No one...! [He coughs.] But... if they come... looking for me... I wouldn't want... anyone to... bother you...

[relictus]

That's not what I meant either... I wasn't talking about me. I'm telling you to be cautious for your sake. It would be troublesome if that happened, yes, but my life wouldn't be in danger.

[Why does he even have to lay this out, he'd rather not...]

[ghoulserrand]

I'd feel...bad about it...

[He huffs.]

[relictus]

You'd have bigger problems to worry about if it came to that. Which, with luck and caution, it won't.

[Another sigh.] Though it might be prudent to have a contingency plan, should you be discovered...

[ghoulserrand]

[He hums unhappily knowing it's true. He hopes it won't too.]

... Over...the walls...? That was... my plan if... the replicator... didn't work...

[Alone in a hostile wild, hoping to find food and wishing he could go back. A grim voice in his head adds that it's that or a bullet in the head. It's always those two choices.

He sighs and rolls until he's face down on the couch.]

[relictus]

That does seem to be the only place we could go to escape the reach of the natives, or anyone else... I haven't tried flying here yet, but I don't know if there's anything in place to prevent simply flying over the walls...

[Something worth testing out, maybe. Just in case.]

[ghoulserrand]

[He's quiet and still for a moment before pushing himself up.]

There are walls... they want to... keep things out... we should... find out what...

[He frowns seriously.]

You wouldn't... have to come with me... You may be... safer here...

[relictus]

Mm, it might be good to ask around about that...

[He raises his brows at him.]

You would prefer I abandon you to whatever fate waits beyond those walls? If you could even make it past them on your own.

[ghoulserrand]

[His dead eyes dart to the side. Part of him wants to say that question ain't fair.]

No... [No. The thought of going out alone is terrifying.] but I... don't want you... to get hurt... either...

[relictus]

Your concern is noted. There is no guarantee the safety of this place isn't an illusion. Besides, now that my magic is more or less restored, you would likely be in more danger than I would.

[He reaches up to lightly tug on the brim of his hat, looking elsewhere.]

There is nothing tying me to this city. If accompanying you would give you a better chance of living a little longer, I see no reason not to.

[ghoulserrand]

[That causes him to slip a rueful breath of a laugh. Small blessings, he guesses.

But any amusement, bitter or otherwise, falls away. He stares at Faust, his friend, with a look of sadness. Even if it meant you'd died out there? He wonders, but doesn't ask.]

You shouldn't... have to... [But Faust isn't offering because he has to. He wants to. That both warms his heart and breaks it.] But thank you...

[relictus]

[He looks back at him in time to see that look, as well as read the general feeling behind it.]

I don't intend to follow you out there to turn to stone.

[Not that his death would be of too much consequence, but he knows Teo doesn't want to hear that.]

But ideally, it won't come to that in the first place. This is... a unique opportunity, for you to live amongst other people again.

[ghoulserrand]

[It does reassure him, enough to bring out a small smile. To lose Faust or anyone out there would be the one thing worse than going out there alone. Despite his worries, he has faith both in Faust's abilities and his wit.]

It is... [That gets him smiling a little bit more.] Not too close... but still... close enough...

And what will... you do...?

[relictus]

[A good opportunity for Teo, just more inconveniences and getting asked to save the world for him... but what else is new.]

Learning more about this world would be a good start...

[He glances toward the kitchen where the replicator is.]

There's no sheep to tend to or homes to repair, and you have all you need to keep your hunger at bay. There isn't much for me to do beyond keep to myself.

[There is also, of course, providing this world's gods the contact they seem to need... but the thought of going out and seeking ways to do that is hardly appealing.]

[ghoulserrand]

[He nods. That is indeed something they'll have to do. What follows though makes him pause. His head tilts.]

Not... just that I hope...? [He smiles faintly.] Still want to... see you sometimes...

Could take... a vacation... You know... I saw a... cat cafe...