[video | Nov 4th - sunup]

[z_jay]

[A slightly fuzzy but then suddenly crisp clear face appears, looking into the screen with barely-there nervousness. He wasn't camera shy, but there were things out here that he should be anxious about being found by. Clears his throat softly before speaking, glancing off quickly to one side when he heard something move in the distance]

Ah, hello. My name's Eugene and I have a request, for any listeners out there...

[Pauses a second to gather his thoughts, brows knitting together as he gives a thoughtful look to something behind his portable... book thing. Tablet?]

I apologize if I've... wound up with someone's stolen tablet--

[Laughs a little nervously but continues on]

But I could use some help out here. Ah, I'll give it back? I didn't actually steal it, I sort of found it... out here. In the woods.

[And hopefully the owner of said tablet wasn't already dead. Hopefully he wasn't alone. The thought makes him swallow hard]

I'm gonna look for a stick in the meantime. Thanks in advance! Stay safe out there!

[Grins a little but it's obvious he's unsure, waving his fingers next to his face before cutting the signal]

Comments

[Voice]

[asthehawkflies]

You just wake up here?

The journal is yours. Everyone has one.

Re: [Voice]

[z_jay]

Oh, this... huh... I woke not long ago. Wow, you all have internet here?

[Excuse him if he sounds genuinely shocked]

Everyone? But who...

[What kind of person left an electronic journal with a guy who had no leg in the forest?! A damn hoser, that's who.]

Never mind. Ah, I can't actually walk... so I'll need a hand if you can send some help?

[Voice]

[asthehawkflies]

We have journals that connect to each other. Can't exactly check out YouTube though.

[Clint sighs softly.]

There's a village in the compound too. Lot of people and...

I'm guessing you have no idea where abouts you are? There's a lot of ground to cover.

Re: [Voice]

[z_jay]

Oh... well, it's certainly a step up from Rofflenet...

[pauses and licks his lips, laughing on a soft huff of air]

Not unless you can track me down by this journal. Is it... safe? I mean, if I make noise, will it attract attention?

[Video]

[complicatedliar]

I don't think you can steal these in any meaningful way.

The wings ought to be a clue for you that things have gone a bit strange.

[Video]

[z_jay]

Being here is a clue things are strange. I fell asleep in Abel, I wake up in some woods.

[smiles a little nervously]

Nice to hear another voice, though. That's not moaning or... making that sound they make at night.

But... yeah, why the wings?

[Video]

[complicatedliar]

[Oh, that sounds disturbingly familiar.]

... I think you ought to feel glad you arrived after the draft.

[He shrugs.]

They're quite useless, and prone to injury that might even cause death so do be careful. I've no idea why such a thing would be implemented.

Re: [Video]

[z_jay]

Heh, any draft, I'm fairly sure I'd be exempt from. Not exactly useful for much except maybe tossing grenades... are we talking about the same kind of draft?

[Turns and has a look at them, skeptical and a little apprehensive now]

Thanks for the warning-- ah, how exactly did someone put them there? I've been through surgery before and this is much less... recovery?

[Stops and gives a rueful smile]

Actually, I haven't even asked your name. Are you one of the runners for this township? If so I could really use some help getting into town.

[voice]

[automailed]

"Tablet"? What's that?

[Tablets are like... pills. Or big ancient stone walls or something. Which makes pretty much no sense in context.]

[voice]

[z_jay]

[Huh, the voice sounded like a kid, they generally knew what tablets were and wanted them.]

It's a multipurpose device that allows you to browse the internet and watch movies... and other things.

[Pauses]

Are you the owner?

[voice]

[automailed]

[Wow, that explanation made absolutely zero sense to him, nor did it give him a better mental picture of what the guy's talking about. Unless a tablet is a big screen. That's what movies play on, right? Gives some credit to the wall theory, anyway... except not, because it's still stupid.]

The owner of something I didn't even know existed? I doubt it.

[voice]

[z_jay]

[Laughs a little, ending on a soft cough]

You never know, you could have something you never knew about. Ah, anyway-- small computer? Surely you've got to know what that is... right?

[Video]

[ilyana]

Umm... actually, I think that's meant for you. I also found one when I arrived here.

[Video]

[z_jay]

Ah, hello? Gosh, it's good to know I'm not alone but...

Where is everyone?

[Oh, wait, he's talking to a lady, manners! Or at least, he might as well be nice to folks he doesn't know]

Sorry, it's all very confusing, this isn't where I'd ever expect to be. You have one as well, miss?

[Video]

[ilyana]

Well... from what I've gathered, and from what everyone has told me... this is a different world.

And yes... that is how I am speaking to you now.

[Video]

[z_jay]

...Heh, you also have a journal, that would make sense.

[Lets out a soft sigh, not annoyed, just thoughtful]

Another world? That sounds like sci-fi. I'm from Abel Township, how about you?

Oh, uh, and have you also seen a guy, Jack Holden?

[Video]

[doubleppk]

Nice to meet you Eugene. I'm Fujiko, Fujiko Mine.

If you're talking about the journal, that's your own. Everyone gets their own here. It should probably have your name somewhere in it.

[Video]

[z_jay]

Hello, Fujiko, it's also nice to meet you, although I do wish it were under less odd circumstances.

[Blinks and then the journal gets turned over, a shot of the ground and a leg visible for a moment before a soft ah hah followed and it came right back up]

But how did they know my name and who are these people?

[Video]

[doubleppk]

Likewise.

And... the same way they kidnapped you to come here. The Malnosso are a mysterious organization of scientists who gave you the wings, journal, and kidnap people to this world away from their own times or dimensions. And then run experiments known as "shifts." And sometimes draft people to fight cultists.

voice;

[gleamed]

[That name gives her pause. She's never met anyone else with the name 'Eugene' before besides her Eugene. It makes her fond of him already.]

Hi, Eugene! I'm Rapunzel. Why do you need a stick?

voice;

[z_jay]

[Gosh, she sounded cute over the journal, excited to speak with him, even. So she could probably hear the smile despite the nervous answer]

For protection and mobility, miss Rapunzel. Might I just say, you've got a very interesting name.

voice;

[gleamed]

I see. I like to use a frying pan myself! [Completely earnest.] And let me guess...you've probably heard of the fairy tales, huh?

[voice]

[rashness]

Dude, you found a tablet?! All I've got is this dumb book!

[voice]

[z_jay]

... Well maybe I got a newer model? It looks like a book, but some tablets do, too...

[Fades in and out as he examines it]

Maybe I should use another word.

[voice]

[rashness]

Man if it's a tablet it's a tablet. I don't got get games or the internet or mails or nothing on this.