[Video]

[weremongoose]

[Barabas appears on the video -- fully clothed, thank you -- with a sedate expression, cordial enough. Bright red hair is less styled than he'd prefer it (his kingdom for decent hair product, really) but he still looks sharp, put together. He's set his watch somewhere so that he's in fame, seated at a table, from about the chest up, hands folded in front of him.]

Hello. I've already met some of you, but for those of you I haven't had the pleasure of encountering yet, my name is Barabas. Everyone seems fairly alive, which is better than the alternative. There's a new vacation spot in town, complete with an off-brand Loch Ness Monster. What more could anyone ask for?

[He spreads his hands.]

As... charming... as this place is, there is a disturbing lack of information infrastructure. Even Astoria doesn't quite seem to be able to keep track of who is coming and going at all times -- since the last bunch of us were apparently unexpected guests. I don't exactly find that reassuring. It does not make me feel warm and fuzzy.

[At all.]

In that vein, I think we should address this, put in place some way to keep track of who is here, who is no longer here, the abilities we each possess. [He ticks these items off on his fingers.] And a collection of information of the places that Astoria has sent us, and the general outcome of each trip. And really any other useful things to know, for all of us, and those who may be brought here in the future.

[A smile now, no teeth, but still pleasant.] Sadly, I'm only one man, so I suppose what I'm looking for is twofold:

First, would anyone be willing to help gather and compile this data?

Second, those of you who've been here longer than I have, perhaps we can chat about your experiences.

Comments

[resistivity]

( he's not going to argue, although he definitely could. he's learned it's better not to fight this sort of thing, just wave it off. korra would probably make a joke about how much like a waterbender he can be. )

I got lucky — I grew up with an earthbender, so I already came into it knowing most of the forms and ways it can be applied to combat. It'd be harder for someone without that history.

( it doesn't hurt that he's an exceptional athlete and bender to begin with, but. he's not going to brag. he's not as arrogant as he used to be. mostly. )

... Okay, but how can a. Mongoose? — have a warrior form? Is it bigger?

( does it terrify enemies with its cuteness?? help. )

[weremongoose]

So what you've been able to see and observe helped. That's good at least, so you aren't starting from zero. And we have had some extended time to explore our abilities while we're here. Apparently this stay at the Temple is longer than previous ones, probably due to the illness.

[Because from what Barabas has heard, people have definitely needed every edge their ability can give them where they've wound up.]

Bigger, stronger. Warrior forms are half-forms, so part human, part beast. Admittedly, mine is not quite as formidable as a werelion or a werebear or even a werewolf, but... it serves its purpose. Also I can speak in my warrior form, which is helpful. Not all shapeshifters are capable of a warrior form though, so whether I'll be able to learn one again is a question.

[Hey now. Mongooses regularly eat cobras for breakfast. They're adorable and crazy. And Barabas in particular is a mongoose raised by hyenas, who are far crazier.]