victory_road | [Video]

[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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.]

I can safely say that, no, there was no heart attack involved.

[If there had been, he wishes it had been Slav's...]

I've got confirmation from my teammates who were there, too.

[Hold up--]

Your teammates?

Yeah. A couple of them are here. And someone else from our world.

[So it's not just the First. That is interesting.]

You're not the first person to frame this as being about multiple worlds. What makes you all so certain about that?

Don't worry, I'm not saying I don't believe you! I just have to ask. Part of the process.

Where we're from, multiple... [Did his eye just twitch? It sure did.] ... realities are apparently a thing that exist.

It's not that hard to accept, here, too. For us, anyway.

[Oh, buddy. She could tell you some shit.

Maybe not on first acquaintance, though. Let's pace ourselves here.

Besides, that eye twitch doesn't look healthy.... have you seen anyone about that?]

Hold on! You said multiple worlds the first time, now you're saying multiple realities! Which is it?

Both, really. I've seen it happen.

And I guess I trust the people who've told me their worlds are nothing like where I come from.

Hmmm. Okay! I could probably dig us a rabbit hole asking what makes you trust them, but I don't think that would be very productive. It would be more useful for me to go out and meet people myself, don't you think?

[You don't have to answer that one, but you can if you want.]

That would definitely be a rabbit hole all right.

[Psh, like he wouldn't answer a question -]

And yeah, I do think that'd help. People like to help here, for the most part. You've already made the first step with the network and all.

I'm Shiro.

Yeah, other than that one guy, I mean....

[She waves a hand loosely off to the side, letting Shiro fill in the obvious blank. This was actually a lot of good input, but also: that dude did happen.]

But hey! Nice to meet you! I'm Mari.

Yeah that... that happens, occasionally. Sorry about that.

[Like it's actually his fault or something.]

Welcome aboard, Mari. If there's any other questions you have, I'll try to answer them better than "I trust people".

I think I have plenty of answers for now, but I'm sure I'll have more questions soon. I've only been here like two days, after all!

[So look out for those, and maybe next time they won't start drama?

We can dream, right?]

Well, in that case, whenever you end up with questions, feel free to ask.

And good luck.

[Video]

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man I don't have a great icon for this one

THE ULTIMATE SUFFERING...

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