[Video]

[motivenotfound]

[Wow, another perky teenage Japanese(?) girl! What a novelty. Here in a setting where everyone is by default generically Japanese, and there is an entire participatory subcategory of youths in the local lifestyle-sport that is just called 'miniskirt.' And yet here she is! No one could have seen this one coming!]

He-llo! I hate to be a downer, but I just got here, and I was wondering if anyone could prove that we're not dead. Not that death seems very likely, given what I know about it, but I tried asking the locals and the nonsapiens life about it anyway after I found out what was going on, and all I learned is that for some reason they didn't really like the question.

That being the case, any evidence in either direction would be useful! And this is just a formality, so anecdotal evidence is okay, too.

By the way, since I have your attention, I'm sure you won't mind telling me how long I have to walk on order to be able to buy some new clothes that aren't what's in my bag, right?

Comments

[video]

[strikesachord]

[The question would have caught Gobo more off-guard if he didn't have a dear friend who is completely fixated on things like death, illness, and disaster. But he does! So he's not put off by the question, and even gives it some consideration, rubbing his chin with the hand not holding his Pokegear.]

I suppose it's a possibility, but it doesn't seem that likely to me. I mean, I fell asleep healthy and just woke up in this place, and I'm sure I'd have woke up if there'd been a cave-in, before it was too late.

Oh, and I just got here a week ago, but I hear there's a place called Goldenrod where you can buy a lot of things, I bet there's clothes there!

[On the word "Goldenrod," he moves his hand from his chin and waves it through the air, like it's some magical, far-off place. Mostly, he's just excited to get there because he hears that's the most likely place to get a guitar... But he does like the name, too!]

[motivenotfound]

[This is all pretty magical, really. Very 'suspension of disbelief,' and that's coming from a woman who majored in metaphysical biology!

She nods, thoughtfully--then laughs.]

It wouldn't be statistically improbable to assume that anyone who doesn't remember dying just suffered a sudden aneurysm or something similar, but it wouldn't explain literally anything to do that, so I'm not going to.

But hang on, though... Goldenrod.... Goldenrod....

[The video angle moves downward as she uses her Gear to look up a map. She's very comfortable with the technology, but clearly not at all worried about how her face looks on camera. It's a pretty weird angle.]

Ah, shit. That's a month of travel?

[Hmm. Well...!

She rights the camera again.]

There are some towns in between... if I can find a pair of pants or at least a longer skirt before then, it won't be so bad. And then when I get to Goldenrod, I can do some real shopping!

[Video]

[bestswordmaster]

[There Felix is, minding his own business, when Dimitri abruptly shoves his Gear into his hands and walks away. Felix gives it a suspicious glare and peers at whatever Dimitri was looking at, then takes out his own Gear to find that video and give this brat a piece of his mind.]

No. We're not dead. Stop putting insidious nonsense like that on the network.

[motivenotfound]

[Well, now that's interesting.]

You seem pretty confident! Or at least pretty angry.

"Insidious" is an unusual choice of words.

Don't tell me you think I have some kind of agenda!

I just said I just got here, what possible motive could I even have?

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[vrdantwind]

[Oh boy.

Claude pinches the bridge of his nose rather hard before he replies.]

From what I understand of this place, people who are dead in their home worlds can be pulled here even post-mortem, and they can live out lives here. That said, it's not exactly a requirement for being brought here, either. So some of us (and by us, I mean us otherworlders; some people here are natives) could be dead back home, but it's not exactly the norm. And we're definitely not all dead, in some weird 'oh, this must be the afterlife' way. The fact that some people were already dead before coming here kind of slams the lid on that theory.

So let's turn the question around - rather than proving we're alive, what proof do you have that any of us are dead? Unless you know yourself to be dead already, I guess, but let's just file that under 'personal issues' for now. That wouldn't say anything about the rest of us, after all.

[motivenotfound]

What? I never said I had proof we're dead. If I had that, I wouldn't be asking! I thought that was pretty obvious.

If I were to go by the last moments I remember, I would not be experiencing 'death' as you think of it. But what I would be experiencing would be unlikely to be this, either. And 'this' doesn't align with being dead. Are you following me now, or am I going too fast for you?

[video]

[freckledarcher]

[Ashe placed his book down when Ky carried over his gear. Loog looked over as Ky got in his lap and Ashe read the message. Oh someone new! He pressed camera and waved at her.]

Hey there! I can tell you that we're not dead. The people here are really nice and they don't want anyone to think that they've died. Don't worry, we're not dead. Hmm, you can get new clothes in Goldenrod. Where are you now?

[motivenotfound]

[Well, aren't you cheerful. And confident. And telling on yourself a little bit. That's fine, though. It's almost refreshing after what the hell is happening in her notifications right now....

She'll tackle the 'life or death' thing in a minute; right now she really wants to prioritise "not hiking everywhere in a miniskirt."

So she makes herself comfy and waves back. Hello!

Now, let's see...]

I'm onnnnnnn...... Route 29. The map says Goldenrod is pretty far. I know there are towns between here and there, but the one I just came from was so small, it didn't have anything like a clothing store. Which... doesn't seem very practical? But dhings are so weird anyway, I don't think that really matters....

video;

[shiro2hero]

Pretty sure that, unless I yelled myself to death before I woke up here, we're all alive and well.

[On the other hand, he's also pretty sure if anyone could kill Shiro Patience Yields Focus Shirogane, it was that @#$%ing space ferret]

[motivenotfound]

In the interest of thoroughness, I have to point out that exertion like that could easily lead to cardiac arrest. But you would probably remember that, since it's pretty painful. So you probably didn't have a heart attack.

[And now you know! Or don't know. No one knows anything and everyone is making it up as they go.]

[sweetbrohellayiff]

well im dead
and my boyfriend is dead
you might be dead sis
nah jk were just stuck in a game cartridge

first major city is far though

sorry to say but those first few towns are pretty dopey
unless you want some outlet store lookin shit
which is maybe better than the cosplay fetish get up

[motivenotfound]

[S... sis?]

I think it's just a regular vanilla fetish if you actually live in a country where this is the standard school uniform.

But fetish or not, hiking in it completely sucks. I'd sooner wear actual potato sacks on my legs if I had any to cut up!

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[neverfinishanyth]

I can only offer myself as a data point in the 'was not dead before arriving here' column: I had been sleeping and awoke to find myself here.

Although it may interest you to know that sometimes we are mentally sent back to where we arrived while we physically remain here. I do not know what causes this to occur, but it lends credence to the idea that time does not pass on our original worlds while we are here, and only moves when we are present.

[motivenotfound]

[Hell yes. Now we're talking. This is the shit she wanted to hear about!]

What?! I can't believe this is the first I'm hearing of this. That's really interesting...

And you've seen this happen?

voice

[fingersandteeth]

[Steven clears his throat. Just. Not going to touch on anything in the shitshow he's watching take place between Emet and Felix.]

Well, I'd assume that given that many of us have others here who remember us existing past the last point in time we remember of our worlds, that some of us, at least, aren't dead at any given time and this place isn't in itself an afterlife.

Of course for the people who did die before coming here, it more or less does serve as something like an afterlife. But I don't think that's what this world is made for.

[motivenotfound]

[At least you have the ability to ignore it. The notifications are blowing up her Gear!]

Oh yeah? You think this world was made for a purpose, then.

[You have her interest! That's not how it really works if she's being real here, but she's starting to think of the place as something that isn't necessarily a 'world' in a true 'sibling to Earth' sense.]

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[amaure]

[Well, he caused quite the stir jumping in on Felix like that, so maybe he should address the actual poster??]

Forgive my earlier interruption, that was rather ill mannered of me. I am familiar with the man, and perhaps I rather enjoy his surly disposition. However, I suppose you already are aware of my theory regarding this world. There is little need of redundancy, and so I will leave that be.

If you are still within the general area which I last beheld you, then you have roughly a day or so I would wager. Not that Cherrygrove is particularly known for its fashion, but I imagine you care less for the state of your exposed legs than being picky with your aesthetics.

Re: Video;

[motivenotfound]

[She busies herself adjusting her glasses in the thumbnail of her own video as she replies to this one.]

Your earlier interruption was blowing up my notifications nonstop! Was that really necessary? Just DM him or something next time.

[She's not really bothered, and it's obvious. But it WAS rude of him. She considers the rest of his words; agreeing that there's no need to repeat themselves, she moves onto the topic of clothing.]

Well, a day isn't that bad. I was hoping for more of an actual selection, but as long as I can find some pants or at least a longer skirt like yours, I'll make do.

I'm already being a little picky anyway. I do kind of have a change of clothes, but I don't want to cause a scene with it. Besides, I don't want to live in only two pairs of clothes any more than I want to live in just one.

video;

[machismost]

[ A red-headed teen scratches his cheek looking at the screen even as a particularly fluffy Sentret hugs his chest and one of his shoulders like he's wearing some sort of fuzzy toga. ]

I mean I was gonna tell you we're definitely alive but like...

How do you know you're alive?

Also about your question, I dunno where you started, but if you're in New Bark Town, I think it's a day or two to Cherrygrove. They don't have a great selection for clothes if you're really particular - Goldenrod's maybe a month away if you really hoof it! It's the metropolis here and has a lot of department stores!

[motivenotfound]

[.... oh, hm. She didn't expect that one. You good, kid?]

That's... a really good question, and I really wish I had the time to help you with that, but apparently I have to really hustle if I want to have anything warm by the time it starts to get cooler.

Why even put me all the way out in the sticks like this! It's so inconvenient!

Video

[dreamsofahero]

*normally Sion doesn't address these kinds of things if others are clearly handling it, but in this case... it seems a level head is necessary*

There are several possible explanations, depending on the person or circumstances, but one in particular applies to nearly all.

First, imagine that you are dead. Should your time here come to an end in any manner, then you would be returned to either whatever fate awaits you in your own world, or perhaps you will simply cease to be. However, there have been several instances of people spending time here, being returned to their own worlds, and then later finding themselves here again. And there have been many, many more instances of those here falling into a kind of sleep for several days, then awakening with new memories of their continued life in the original world.

There may be other reasons for the nature of our existence here, but death is a rare exception, not the rule.

[motivenotfound]

[Thank you... uh, white haired guy. With yellow eyes.

For his trouble, he gets an actual serious look through the screen.]

You sound very certain of this.

video

[epitaffio]

[Perky teenage Japanese girl, meet dopey teenage Italian boy. Who... looks like he's having a hard time wrapping his head around the question, actually.]

Hold on, I'm pretty sure there's something you're misunderstanding! The locals don't even know what death is, that's why they don't like the question - not because...

[Wait hold on did she ALSO say--]

Sorry, who else did you ask?

[motivenotfound]

Huh? I asked the Pokemon--

[And yes, she knows. They can't talk. That's not the weird part now!]

What is this about not understanding death?!

video

[missleadingquestions]

I'm pretty sure being dead is supposed to be a lot more restful.

And a lot less sensory? Hm.

[On her side of the transmission, Maya pinches her own cheek—]

Ow— yeah, I'm 90% sure it's kind of a non-physical experience.

[motivenotfound]

....

That ten percent is doing a lot of heavy lifting, huh.

[Video]

[strings_theory]

[Sorry, Mari, it's summer and Jolyne is in bikini season until it's too damn cold. Though she's tapping her chin as she regards the slightly shaky camera. Totally not being held by her slowking or anything. Of course not.]

There's evidence for both, actually. M'self and my wife are pretty sure we were dead when we got here but then there's someone else from my world here who's absolutely not. So the answer is "maybe".

Sorry, that ain't much help.

As fooooor the clothes and shit. Next town over should by Cherrygrove. I don't remember 'em having much for clothing so you might be boned until you get to Goldenrod since they got a department store and all that shit. Cherrygrove's 'bout three days and Goldenrod's 'bout twelve days from Cherrygrove.

[motivenotfound]

[Shout out to this lady for mentioning she has a wife so that Mari's appreciation of her boobs muscles bikini body is definitely inappropriate--

Just kidding, looking is free! Seriously, Mari knows everyone thinks she's like 16 years old. It's fine.

Anyway, she listens to the reply and then sighs with an emphatic slump backwards.]

Damn it. I'm getting a lot of answers like that... I know it could be worse, some kid mentioned arriving in winter.... but my legs are going to be covered in cuts and bruises by the time I get to Cherrygrove tomorrow!

[For all her apparent bitching, she doesn't even seem that upset about it.

It's inconvenient, sure, but it's not going to cause an Impact and end all life on Earth as we know it.

Or. Er. Whatever this place is called? Actually, that's a good question--]

Oh! Hey! Do you know what this place is called? Not the road I'm on--I know I'm on Route 29--but the... ah, world as a whole?

[video]

[trampire]

[Mari's graced with the immaculately kept countenance of Lanque, clearly this man takes his time before a mirror with his perfectly coiffed hair and precision makeup job. What would sell it even more would be an aloof expression, something disinterested like most models tend to look like in their photoshoots, but he doesn't seem to have that going for him.

At the moment anyway.

Instead, he offers her a friendly smile—one that would seem uncharacteristic to anyone who knew him.]

It seems you've gotten yourself quite the welcoming committee already, but all the same welcome to this...world of sorts. I'm Lanque.

[His voice is held a tick higher than his normal register, a disarming tone some might name it.]

As for your first question, I guess I can't really say. This place is, by all means, strange enough to make you wonder, and I do think it might explain a few things, but I can't say for certain if we are dead or not. It'd make sense for me, probably, but some others not so much.

But moving right along, since I don't really care whether we're alive or not because it doesn't change anything—you won't find any clothes worth considering till you've reached Goldenrod. All the cities before it are penurious at best when it comes to taste...or much else, for that matter.

[Okay, that's not true, they're just more towns than cities, but Lanque has no reason to be charitable.]

[motivenotfound]

[More than anything, Mari is impressed with the range of people she's getting replies from at this point.

Like, what is this guy's deal? She's legitimately not sure, and that's not a regular experience for her any more.]

Listen, you seem like the type to know about that kind of thing, so try to understand--

[By 'that kind of thing' she means 'clothing, and the fashion element of it specifically.']

--I don't want to walk around with a tarp wrapped around each leg, but if that's what it takes to preserve my literal skin, then I will!

That said, I'm Mari. And if you have any suggestions for fast routes to get to Goldenrod, it'd be really helpful!

[She's not even mad, the situation just sucks. For someone who's been walking for 2+ days pretty much bare-legged, though, she's way too lively and upbeat.]

[Video]

[cyan_maid]

Um...no? We are not dead here, if that's what you mean. We're all alive - and usually if you get hurt terribly badly you'll black out for a bit and wake up in a Pokemon Center, so it's actually...it's video game logic. But we are alive here.

[Funny how this girl specifies "here", innit.]

And I think Cherrygrove City is a couple days' walk away from where you are? But the PokeMart will have some basic clothes available that are leagues of practicality ahead of whatever you've been given.

video

[un_oiseau_rebelle]

For what it's worth, during those weekends when those of us with powers get them back, I've tried checking the Resonances in this place, and aside from the actual ghosts, everybody here reads as alive. Though granted, that doesn't mean they were alive before they were brought here, and you've only got my word for that in any case.

The Ghost-type Pokémon admittedly make things a bit weirder, though, since most of them aren't precisely alive and yet they still hatch from eggs like most other Pokémon. And there's also the fact that we apparently can't die while we're here - people who sustain what would normally be mortal wounds wake up in the PokéCenters.