[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

[video]

[dadandgone]

[Interesting. So Barabas is something beside human? Maes debates asking but doesn't want to come across as rude, so he sticks to the business at hand.]

So would you say it might also be helpful to include information like that. In case people want to find others like them? I know getting different perspectives is important, but when first getting here it might be comforting to talk to someone who understands the feeling of losing your abilities from home or being an android or centaur...for a few examples I know off the top of my head.

Re: [video]

[weremongoose]

It may be, if people are willing to provide it. There is that continued sense of reluctance some have voiced for that sort of list. But it may be very useful for newcomers.

[He would have liked someone to speak to about what was going on with his powers, after all.] For my part, I don't mind anyone knowing that I'm a shapeshifter, or that my beast form has been changed since coming here. It was very unsettling when I first arrived, and the only other shapeshifter I've met here turns into a machine lion -- which is entirely unique as far as I'm aware.

[video]

[dadandgone]

I guess I could fill in on the other end of the spectrum. I was 100% normal back home, so it took some getting used to the idea that I even had an ability, let alone figuring out how to use it.

[He's noticed that people with abilities back home tended to use their power in a similar way, at least based on conversations or ways they talked about it.]

Hmm...now that you mention it I guess shapeshifting is less common among the magic abilities I've been told about.

[video]

[weremongoose]

That does sound like an adjustment.

[Like. Quite an adjustment really.] But you've managed well enough, after any initial confusion?

[Or is it still a struggle?]

It seems to be less common. Which is strange. Back home, the Pack is more than fifteen hundred strong, and that's only Atlanta.

[video]

[dadandgone]

Sure. I've always been a pretty quick study and a lot of the people here encouraged the idea of 'practice makes perfect.'

[After some close calls, he wanted to make sure he could use his ability to get OUT of danger as often as he got into it. The only way that was going to happen is if he made it come second-nature.]

Hmm. That is interesting...though you've got me on what it means.