hugtopia | [text] ; a few days after the breach is sealed

Greetings.

The conditions outside of the barrier are extremely poor, confirming what had been indicated to us previously. The atmosphere is heavy, and full of toxins, and currently uninhabitable.

I have attached some images for those who may be curious.

Be aware, however, that for those of you who might have the ability to withstand such conditions in your previous universes, it will still pose a danger to you here.

... That is all.

[And as the text indicates, attached to this fairly open message are quite a few snapshotted images, and even a brief shaky video or two taken of the outside just beyond the breach, indicating the state of the wall from the outside just before the repairs were completed.

A few shots focus on the conditions of the broken and corroded buildings, ones that indicated that the city had once been larger. One of these shots even captures an odd looking small lizard, hiding among the rubble.

There's a few wider shots of the area, revealing some bleached bones of a large, unidentifiable creature among empty expanses of dry, cracked wasteland, a little further off.

Lastly there seem to be slightly blurred images of some of the monster activity, from further away.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...Very good information to collect. You did well.

[You better believe he was studying those images and videos very closely.]

It seems I was right in my guess that I would need to build a sealed craft in order to traverse outside, particularly for any length of time.

indeed. and even then, the material it is made from would have to be strong enough to withstand the levels of corrosion.

or other potential interference.
one would have to run many tests to determine the possibility.
it would be terrible to become ill and trapped in such a craft should something go wrong.

Yes, it would take much preparation, and tests if possible before going on a full expedition.

By any chance were you able to collect any samples from the environment?

due to the toxicity levels, it was prudent not to bring anything in without a proper means to contain it.

however, someone else seems to have gathered samples of the soil and leaves.

Excellent. Do you have their name?

If we can manage to get samples of the air at a later date, we could create a controlled environment for testing. I have heard some about the outside previously, but this is quite a bit of progress.

we have not yet exchanged them.
however, the likelihood that there were others who have surveyed beyond there is low. were you to inquire.

Do let me know when you find out. The data would be invaluable.
The video as well. Besides the ruins, it would seem we have plenty more to prepare for in the future.

What is your name?

Honerva.

if you are requesting names, then you must have one to offer as well.

Research Chief Verstael Besithia of the Imperial Army.

A pleasure. It is good to see another with the foresight to collect evidence.

indeed. logically, we cannot learn more about the true nature of our circumstances without first examining what surrounds us. from many perspectives. and from within this sphere as well.

have you collected any evidence of your own?

I have. I've been compiling the information I have and will hopefully be able to make it readily available soon. There has been much that has been found, but beyond that there are also bits of information that I think may be overlooked.

Did you review the entries people have posted from the archives?

i have reviewed what has been shared. they are yet fragments of a far larger picture beyond our scope.

the question remains to whether our presence is meant to be only a bandage to this damaged world. or whether they have a larger plan in mind for a solution.

Indeed. It is best to keep our eyes open for those answers.

And what of your world? You sound as if you must have an impressive background.

perhaps. for myself, I feel there is little need for such accolades here. knowledge and other aspects that may be applicable to this current situation will vary, from world to world. universe to universe.

[Among other reasons, but hers is a complex life already, and so often have the roles and titles come before the person, before herself, and eclipsed them, that it takes considerable effort to not allow them to define her now, or her definition of others.

There's a slight pause, before she adds:]

... I do have a name for you. the person who has gathered the samples is called Era.

Era... I will seek her out.

Perhaps it would be easy for some to feel detached from their roles on their home worlds. I know of at least one who seems to prefer it here. Others prefer to keep their titles hidden.

I do believe the paths we have walked are still important, though. I, for one, cannot abandon the country I was born in. For that reason, it is important to maintain my title, lest I forget the importance of my mission and allow myself to be consumed by diversions. So long as I remain Research Chief, my primary goal will be to save Niflheim.

perhaps.

even if the path is traveled with the best of intentions, roles and goals can become muddled if one loses themselves solely to them, without reason to look around them.

For what would they be looking?

[Though he might make adjustments, he saw no reason to take his eyes off his goals.]

being so fixed upon an outcome does not ensure that the outcome will come to pass in the desired form.

it is not to look for, something, but rather... to remain aware of what is around them. even by looking at this world, we bear witness to the results of such a fixed consideration.

...

There may be some truth in that.

[Much as he didn't like it. It didn't sound as if things went as planned back home. While it was difficult to decipher what exactly went down - he was hearing details from people who were not in his country and who had very biased views of his country, after all - he knew it sounded bad.

It put a new weight on him. Something went wrong and he had to figure out what it was and fix it. His country was relying on him.]

There has certainly been much here that was unimaginable back home.

[Truths were often harsh, but at least it was there, for him to consider.]

indeed. being pulled from our original circumstances and put into others does allow for an opportunity of perspective. at the very least. it forces the imagination to broaden, when faced with what may seem impossible.

It does open up possibilities that weren't previously available. I had never thought dimensional travel could be within my grasp, nor that I would have knowledge of the future.

Regardless, I would still hear of your history if you would tell it.

it does. having such knowledge provides a new layer to everything, and such a time can be used to examine even ourselves, and the goals that sustain us.

perhaps I will consider your request for another time.

Then I look forward to that time.

I will seek out this Era you have mentioned. By chance, have you any tools?

what manner of tools do you seek? that is a broad request.

[Almost difficult to tell if it was a request or an offering, for that matter.]

[text] ; a few days after the breach is sealed

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