[Video]

[lonered]

[Keith spent a long time debating whether to bother with video for this or just go with text. But the truth is, for what he's aiming for, it's better to do this virtual-face to virtual-face. Or something. He's even done bothering with the frankly ridiculous mask. For now.

The video opens to a fairly normal looking teenager (aside from the fact that what's visible of him is definitely dressed in a skin-tight vaguely glowy futuristic space suit), hesitating a moment like he's still debating on how to begin.]

So. Uh.

[Good start, Keith. Solid.]

I guess all of us are stuck in the same boat whether we want to be or not. And apparently that boat is headed for some other world before we know it.

I'll be honest. I don't know if we can trust this Astoria as far as we can throw her. [And he knows she can hear this, but he's said as much to her face, so there's that.] But for now I guess I plan on going along to see how things play out. [Which after discussing with Shiro, he feels pretty okay about, as plans go.]

But... just waltzing into other worlds, and potentially meddling in them... that could go bad really quickly if someone makes an enemy of the wrong person. If that happens, it might not be a terrible idea to know what we've got on our side.

Not just magic either. Because... that's really new to me at least. But we all bring some experience or skills or knowledge or something to the table, right? If we're gonna be any sort of team, we may as well know our strengths. And what we might be lacking.

[Maybe? Keith is now wondering if it was a bad idea to give him a way to talk to so many people at once. But he's committed now, no help for it. So he'll even go first.]

I'm Keith. Uh... I guess I'm pretty good with a sword. Pretty good in anything that flies. And I'm mostly used to being in space, lately. But it does't sound like that'll be helpful in this El Minha place. Also apparently I can fly now. So... there's that.

Anyone else feel like sharing?


(( hit him up, hit each other up, threadjack as you like! ))

Comments

[purrtagonist]

[somehow, Akira keeps a straight face]

Someone has to keep up team morale.

[okay, but for real--]

In all honesty, I can throw a decent right hook and phase through physical objects. [he's leaving a few things out, for Reasons] And I don't really plan on interfering with anyone's world just because Astoria-san told us we may have to.

[lonered]

With knock knock jokes...

[Why though.

But okay hey. Serious answers. Keith refocuses.]

Phasing through objects sounds... trippy. But useful. Guess you won't get stuck anywhere.

[But what he says about Astoria has Keith nodding.] Agreed. I'm not jumping because she says jump. She's said all sorts of nice things, but just because you know the right words to say doesn't make them true. Words are cheap.

[purrtagonist]

I make no promises about not getting stuck anywhere.

[his control over this ability is tenuous, at best. he's already fallen out of a tree and through a wall, and he hasn't even been here a week yet]

She seems genuine. [and Akira likes to think he's good at reading people. nevertheless, he's sensitive to becoming someone's puppet, so. . . genuine or not, he's keeping his guard] I'd actually like to learn more about her, you know? Where she really comes from, why she's stuck here, things like that.

[lonered]

Seems it, yeah.

[Keith is just distrustful by nature. It's how he's been as far back as he can remember anyway.]

Yeah, that would all be good to know. She seems pretty forthcoming, but I'm not sure what to make of half the things she says.

[purrtagonist]

From the sounds of things, I'm not sure she knows what to make of half the things she says.

[he didn't feel like Astoria was holding out on them. just that. . . her knowledge was limited]

If she was created, that implies there's something out there bigger than she is. Doesn't it?

[lonered]

Maybe not.

[He considers that next question before shaking his head.]

It could. But who knows. I guess we'll have to see what we can learn about her or this place or... anything. Mostly questions with no answers right now, which is kind of infuriating.

[purrtagonist]

[with sympathy]

I feel it.

[Akira might not characterize the frustration that comes with those lack of answers as "infuriating," but. . . even if he's pegged Astoria as someone genuine-yet-not-quite-trustworthy-yet, he feels Keith's irritation]

Even worse when you feel like "playing along" is the only option that'll lead to more answers.

[. . . :/]

[lonered]

Yeah. I mean, I don't plan on falling into line with her marching orders. But going to this world and looking and listening, that at least shouldn't cause any sort of issue.

[Hopefully. Maybe.] But you're right. We're sort of low on choices.

[Which is not cool. Even is Astoria is genuine. Sometimes well meaning people can do bad things.]

[purrtagonist]

["low on choices." there's something about that phrasing that causes Akira's hackles to raise, though it's hardly Keith's fault. he doesn't like being backed into corners]

. . . we'll keep our eyes open.

[is what he eventually says]

And create more choices for ourselves the more we learn.

[lonered]

[Keith nods in full agreement.]

That sounds like the best idea to me. It's just a matter of figuring things out. Right now all we have is questions.

[And some "answers" as provided by Astoria, but how trustworthy those are is one of the main questions.]

[purrtagonist]

And that's always the worst part of any new adventure.

[. . . hmph]

Then again, I don't think there's much point in spending time complaining about it.

[lonered]

It kind of makes me feel better.

[Keith grouses, but he's mostly joking. Mostly.]

We'll figure things out. We may not like the answers we find, but I'm sure we'll find them.

[purrtagonist]

[that does get a huffed laugh from Akira, at least. he gets the joke]

It's not bad to have a little bit of faith.

[lonered]

Guess it isn't. I'll work on that.

[He's not a complete pessimist! But cynical? yeah, he's that.]

[purrtagonist]

[hey, Akira gets it. he wouldn't classify himself as a cynic. but a realist? sure thing]

Get to know the people around you, first. That might help.

[having faith is wwway easier when you know your comrades really well]

[lonered]

I'll work on that too.

[Not his best skill, going to be honest. But hey he's trying. Ish. Sort of trying.]

[purrtagonist]

[ganbatte, Keith]

You're off to a good start.

[with a post like this one, he means]

Which reminds me-- [sort of, it's mostly unrelated] -- flying, hm? Did you win the superpower lottery?

[lonered]

People keep saying that. I mean, honestly? It's pretty cool. I've been flying whatever I could get my hands on for as long as I can remember, but... to just be able to fly with nothing but myself?

[He's had dreams about it his whole life.]

[purrtagonist]

[huh]

It sounds like it's pretty fitting. Interesting. . .

[now he's wondering how Astoria chose powers for people, or if they were just. . . given randomly]

[lonered]

[Keith has been wondering this too! Honestly flight is a little spot on for him. And Shiro turns into the goddamned Black Lion. So some of these are personal as hell.]

Honestly it really is. Makes me wonder how who gets what power is decided. It sure doesn't feel random.

[purrtagonist]

[. . .]

No, it doesn't.

I get the feeling Astoria-san knows a lot more about us individually than she's willing to say up front.

[the very thought makes his hackles raise. just a little]

[lonered]

I think you're probably right about that.

[She has to really, especially if she's grabbing people from the same world, right? Who know each other?]

Is there anyone else from your universe here?

[purrtagonist]

Mmm. One person. Ann Takamaki.

Blonde hair, pigtails, looks like she could be a model because she is a model. That's her.

[lonered]

I don't think I've met her yet.

[Not a description he recognizes.] I've got one friend from home here too.

[purrtagonist]

I'm sure you'll meet her eventually.

[it's not like there are a lot of them here. and also, in response to that statement--]

Shiro-san, right?