[01] video

[bloodisthicker]

...this is working, right.

[Well, here's... this guy, unsteadily holding the Pokegear a bit away from his face in the manner of those unfamiliar with technology and giving it a bit of a Look, before he turns to look at a somewhat chubby looking resident of New Bark Town in overalls and a pink shirt, who nods and gives him a thumbs up.]

...well, I guess you're right, then. Technology really is amazing.

[Right. So. time to pretend he's not as confused, annoyed, and creeped out as he really is. smile for the camera, and...]

Anyway, I've been told I'd have some better luck possibly finding someone who's actually heard of Republic City by using this, so... if you have, exactly what are we doing here? Did I just... trip into the Spirit World on my way to the office? That's definitely what this is starting to feel like, and while I'm sure it's extremely enlightening I have better things to do back home.

For various reasons, I'm sure that's not going to be as simple as I'm hoping, but someone has to have an explanation here, right...

Comments

[Video]

[cyan_maid]

[Oh wow. Uh. That sure is an adult saying a lot of weird things, isn't it?]

I'm afraid that whatever this "Spirit World" is, sir, we're not anywhere near it. Nor have I head of a "Republic City", so I'm very sorry about that. It looks like you're in New Bark Town, which is a town in Johto, which is...somewhere, but I don't think any of us knows exactly where.

[Video]

[bloodisthicker]

[...sighhhhhh, he was hoping to hear something more encouraging than that, but...]

That's been the general idea I've been getting so far, yes. I suppose you haven't heard anything about bending or Equalists either?

[Video]

[cyan_maid]

Uuh...no. Definitely not, I'm afraid. What sort of context do bending and...I'm assuming a movement, with that suffix, have?

[Video]

[bloodisthicker]

...right, well, it's a bit strange to have to explain this, but bending is basically... controlling a specific element, I suppose? Not everyone can do it, and you can only bend one outside of one very special case. The Equalists are basically some of those who can't trying to bring everyone to their level.

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[bent_the_world]

[When Korra flipped on her 'gear to check her network feed, she expected the usual chatter about Pokemon and evolution and training that pops up. And being pretty invested in training herself, she likes all of that.]

[This? This is not something she ever expected to see on the network. Sure, Asami was here until she wasn't, and there was the Weird Weekends, but...]

[What. The. Hell? She just gapes a moment. How many years has it been? Five? Counting her time here, that sounds about right. Five years. That entire mess is well in the past, and when was the last time she even thought about him? And now he, of all people, is here. She's too stunned for a snarky comment or a clever snipe. All she can manage is:]

You?!?!?

Video

[bloodisthicker]

[...yeah, he wasn't expecting this at all, either, but... even given their last meeting, that was a little more surprise than he really thought his appearance had warranted.]

...it's a pleasure to see you too, Avatar Korra. I'm assuming you have some sort of...

[...

actually wait a second what the hell]

Wait, when did you get your hair cut?

[DID SHE... HAVE TIME FOR THAT????? TO HAVE IT LOOK OKAY????]

Video

[bent_the_world]

Cut the crap, Tarrlok!

[Ugh, when did he even come here from? Stupid time weirdness. She groans and turns the 'gear away, to roll her eyes and take a few deep breaths and count and all those stupid little things to calm down. She doesn't look any happier when she turns it to show her face again.]

Yeah, it's been five years since I saw you. So...

I don't know what you remember last, but I remember everything. About you.

Video

[bloodisthicker]

...

I literally just saw you earlier tonight.

[...this is getting even weirder, although the more he thinks about it, she does look a little older than he remembers... what the fuck. What the fuck??]

Should I wait for someone more cooperative to explain this, or...?

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Republic City?? Spirit World?? Well, those are terms Elsa actually knows! He's from Korra and Asami's world, so that enough gives Elsa a reason to reach out to him.]

You're a long way from Republic City, I'm afraid, but I can assure you that this world is no Spirit World.

[video]

[bloodisthicker]

Ah, you're familiar, then.

[someone who isn't Korra who can explain shit? god damn, it's his lucky day.]

Do you know where this is, then? I was admittedly a bit doubtful on the Spirit World front based on what I've heard, but the complimentary giant tadpole threw me a bit.

[video]

[defyingfrigidity]

Ah yes, the creatures are... quite bizarre in this land.

[Elsa laughs a little. At least a giant tadpole is a bit tamer than some of the things other new arrivals were given...!]

You're in a land called Johto. More specifically, the town you woke up in is called New Bark Town. Almost all new arrivals start there.

[video]

[bloodisthicker]

Well, I can't actually complain given that he's a friendly little guy, although I'm not entirely certain why the locals seem to think I'll be having him fight other strange, small creatures all the time.

[that's weird and not good...]

...so is this a common thing, then? You're just going about your business and then suddenly, you wake up here?

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[ruinimpendent]

[ Basch can only answer with one thing, though he will answer questions later. ]

...Your land has a City named Republic?

video;

[bloodisthicker]

...it's the capital of the United Republic.

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[shiro2hero]

Not a spirit world, unless someone forgot to tell me we're all dead.

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[bloodisthicker]

...

I was talking about the strange, ethereal creature kind of spirit, actually, not the ghost kind of spirit.

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[shiro2hero]

I haven't heard of that kind. Just the dead kind.

[A beat; in which his Gastly slowly materializes into view behind his shoulder. Shiro, without looking back, jerks a thumb at it.]

And this kind, these days.

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[bloodisthicker]

...no, that kind definitely seems to be what I'm talking about. Though, they're very... varied.

Is that the complimentary one you got, then? Does everyone get something... different?

Video

[dreamsofahero]

I'm not familiar with your city in particular, but I can tell you that, like everyone else here, you're in a different world entirely from your own. Either of them.

*he didn't miss the "spirit world" reference there*

Video

[bloodisthicker]

...You know what? That... honestly makes the most sense out of literally any other explanation, so I think I'll go with it.

Re: Video

[dreamsofahero]

It does seem rather bizarre, doesn't it? And yet... *a slight shrug* Here is a world where "monsters" of various kinds and sizes can be captured in balls and used to fight each other for fun, with little to no fear of serious injury.

video

[bloodisthicker]

I will admit, I'm having a bit of difficulty with the "using small monsters to fight each other for fun" part of it, though... they're not really hurt, then...?

[islandshore]

A world full of spirits, huh? We talking purgatory? The afterlife, or something else?

[He raises an eyebrow, crosses his arms, and watches curiously. Other worlds are always a fascinating subject for him, and this is no exception.

To be frank, it sounds pretty rad.]

[bloodisthicker]

...well, I think I've heard that it might be possible to become a spirit instead of being reincarnated, but I never really paid that much attention to the whole thing. It's... more like a world full of strange, ethereal creatures.

[how the fuck do you explain spirits. he usually just tuned unalaq out for the most part....]

Kind of like some of the creatures I've seen here so far, except generally much stranger and less corporeal.

[islandshore]

Huh. Reincarnation's a thing where you're from?

[That's interesting, and enough to give him pause. Not that he was ever against the idea before, but it's funny to think there are worlds where it's an accepted thing.]

Well, there's a similar setup here with some species. Like Yamask-- it's said to be the spirit of dead humans, carrying a mask that looks like its old face.