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[beshackled]

[Depicted in the projection is a man dressed in dark robes, their open collar framed by a hood laid back. A mask shaped much like a bird's face -- an owl, perhaps -- rests upon the front, lustrous white marked by silvery designs wrought upon the lower portion and sides.

Less readily interpretable are his hair and eye color, though they seem bright, standing out from the darkness of his skin.]

To all those of us who have been displaced into this remote environs, I extend to you my greetings. I am Erichthonios.

...'Tis come to my attention that there are a number of little ones here. [Someone clearly saw that transmission about a club for teenagers not too long ago. While he himself is not a teenager, he feels it would be remiss of him to not acknowledge their presence... or lend them what aid he can.]

Though I know not from where you hail, or what magicks you have come to master, know that you are not alone, and that if you should find yourself struggling, there are others who will help... among which I count myself.

Naturally, I do have questions of my own... Questions to which I would seek the answers, if others would be willing to share their knowledge. But they need not be answered now. For the moment, I would like to hear of your concerns instead.

If you would share them with me, I would hear them.

Comments

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[entreats]

[ ...

There's so much going on here, Ange thinks. When the girl speaks up to reply to the message, her voice is pretty even and deadpan. ]

Are you sure that's the kind of message to deliver when you're looking all mysterious?

[ You know, the dark robes? The mask?

At least his hood isn't up, she'll give him that. But the rest of it is kind of ominous. ]

[beshackled]

...Mysterious?

[Such a statement to him is baffling. He'd even kept his mask off, as so many others had bare faces here...

Perplexed, Erichthonios goes so far as to give himself a look-over in attempt to understand her perspective.]

You mean... my robe? [That must be it. Not many people wear robes here, and he isn't wearing much else.] 'Tis the common attire of my people...

[entreats]

Really?

[ Ange, please. Don't be a Teenager. At least be a little more culturally sensitive here.

These are apparently the 'little ones' you have to deal with, Erichthonios. ]

Where I come from, most people who wear that kind of stuff are usually cultists of some kind. [ At least that part isn't exactly wrong, given the fact that she comes from a world that is - generally speaking - much more "normal" than most. ]

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[scythedance]

I do not know if I have the answers you seek. I have not done my own investigations, as I work the fields most of the time.

[He should honestly start investigating or something, instead of just working himself to forget the problems here, but. You know.]

Do you have any concerns that you would like to air out, perhaps? As I do not have any of my own at the moment.

[beshackled]

My questions are what I imagine most would have upon arriving here. By what means did we traverse space and time to this location? How is it that the accusation writ upon our parchments seems so... particular to us? By what means was the information gleaned to prompt such accusations? What is expected of us in light of these accusations? Who is it that summoned the creation, or creature as it may be, that spread such desolation over the land? Why did they do so? What did they hope to accomplish? How did the summoned entity come to exist... and by what means do its remaining limbs continue to function? Why does it seek to cause harm?

[He may have... many, many questions.]

Such has been on my mind, though I have been doing what I can to repair the damage to the forest.

[scythedance]

[HO BOY THAT'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS...]

Those are... Quite the questions. Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to any of them. But I must admit that traversing time and space is quite normal in my world, albeit a few sorceresses and sorcerers are able to master the technique. Although, I highly doubt someone from my world is behind all of this.

I must admit as well, that my crime is... A false one, so I am not entirely sure what prompted such. It is all an enigma at the moment, but if I do come across any answers, I will be sure to come back to tell you.

[A pause.]

Ah, damage to the forest is there? Perhaps I could aid in the endeavors. I am... Decent at preserving plants, and other floral life.

video.

[kiseijuu]

[ The youth that appears in response looks visibly shy and a little awkward, but offers a friendly smile all the same. The stranger is certainly mysterious and a bit intimidating-looking with the clothing, but what he's saying seems genuinely kind. After a moment, there's a polite tip of the teenager's head forwards. ]

Hello, sir. I'm Shinichi. Shinichi Izumi.

[ Truthfully, he could very much use An Adult... This whole process has been terrifying and lonesome, and those are not unfamiliar states for Shinichi to exist in, even back home, but.... he's starting to get tired. It's hard to keep this up; it'd be nice to speak to some Adults and maybe get some advice, thoughts..... ]

I'm pretty new here, so I don't know much. I've been trying to learn what I can about this place, but admittedly, a lot of it is over my head.

[ He gives a small smile. ]

As far as concerns, though.... I guess I'm mostly worried about why we're here... what the ultimate reason is. I suppose most everyone's thinking about that, though... [ It's most definitely not a unique concern to have, here. But it's certainly one that's been keeping him up at night.

After all... the "crime" he's been accused of is one that haunted him well before this place. ]

I don't really know what to... do. What I should be trying to do, how I can help people here.

[beshackled]

Aye. 'Tis a question I imagine all of us struggle with.

The first step is... to live. To see that your own essential needs are met, to seek help if you struggle in doing so, and if you are well, to aid others who are less so. 'Tis upon this idea that all civilization is built.

[Ah, but that is a generalization. Mayhap the youth would prefer a more concrete direction to act in...

Taking a moment, Erichthonios ponders upon a possible course. A means to help those here.]

...The greatest immediate need I have noticed is that of shelter. Many could not find room enough in the inn to sleep, and most appeared ill-suited to slumbering out of doors. For want of a place to rest, they turned to arguments and, in some cases, violence in the struggle over what they saw as a limited resource.

'Twould be best if we sought to create shelter enough for those here.

[kiseijuu]

[ Shinichi's shy smile perks up a little at that. ]

I actually was speaking with someone else about maybe trying to learn how to help build more houses.... since there definitely seems to be an issue with not enough housing.

I didn't know there was fighting about it, though.... Ah— it must be even worse than I thought. I could definitely try to help out there. I've never built something like that before, but...

[ He pauses for a moment, eyes fleeting downwards just a smidgen before looking back up. He's started exposing a little of what he can do. It's strange, given he'd been hiding it so fiercely back home, but here.... he could help people with the inhuman part of himself. ]

...I think I could really be an asset. Maybe a group of people would be willing to volunteer?

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[laserguy]

[An almost bored looking teen answers, as he leans his face against his hand.]

Great, thanks.

[Does this guy deserve Scott's attitude? Probably not, but after feeling pretty good about some things, he's also feeling a little moody again.] I'll let you know if I want to join the dark side.

[Last thing he did before coming here was watch Return of the Jedi in theaters and he can't entirely stop himself.]

[beshackled]

I... mayhap you have answered the wrong transmission? I am only offering assistance, not organizing a side, let alone one under of one of the elemental forces...

[Wait, this adolescent looks... familiar...]

...Were you not organizing something yourself? A group for little ones to join and share in their talents? I thought it a wonderful idea, you mentoring children so young when you are yet young yourself.

[laserguy]

[Uggh, why doesn't this other guy get his joke!! Scott blames him 100%, even though it's highly likely that he's never heard of Star Wars or it doesn't exist where he's from. The teen just looks further put out, although his tune slowly changes when Erichthonios references his earlier message about starting a club.]

Jesus, how old are you? [He huffs about being called a 'little one,' but Scott doesn't actually look that irritated. In fact, he seems almost a little embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck while nonchalantly trying to play this off.]

Yeah, it's whatever. Not really mentoring anyone. [He's not sure how he'd really help if he can't really control his powers in the first place.] Just thought it's be cool and shit for us to sort of have a... thing.

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[rebellions]

... So lemme get this straight ─ fancy talk aside, you're basically trying to become the local shrink or something?

[ Being a paranoid cautious man that he is, Ragna finds the offer a little bit shady. Especially when it's coming from a guy who looks like he's ready to start a cult. ]

[beshackled]

...Does anyone truly require shrinking? I had thought we all arrived as such. I do not remember the ground being so near in angle since I was but a child...

[Which is really the only giveaway for him, since all the buildings are at least similar in proportion to himself... if differing significantly in their architecture.]

[rebellions]

[ Is that guy serious? He can't be serious. The alternative is (obviously, in Ragna's mind) that he's making fun of him, which doesn't exactly sit right with him. Hence, the irritated tone of his reply. ]

... Are you mocking me, or are you an idiot?

[ These are clearly the only two options. The idea that someone might not be up-to-date with modern lingo doesn't even occur to him, sadly. ]

voice

[likethestars]

'Tis kind of you to offer help to others, but what about you? How are you doing?

[beshackled]

[Hearing the voice, Erichthonios instantly brightens.]

Yuja!

[It is a joy to speak with her, even in this limited way.]

I am... sleeping enough, I think.

[In a chair in the infirmary, or napping upon the earth as he works on his not-so-little bramble project. They'll need a decent-sized pond for the megaloambystoma they are planning to create.]

What of yourself?

[likethestars]

You think? Mayhap it is not enough, then.

[ She can't really make much of a fuss over it given she's in a similar situation of sleeping wherever she can. ]

You know me, trying to keep busy.

[superstring]

Why should we give our concerns to you?

[beshackled]

Do... people not aid each other, where you are from?

[Could this be why the adults have by and large left the little ones to fend for themselves...?

Surely, surely it cannot be so.]

[superstring]

People usually engage in fighting with one another.

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[heartofsalvation]

[It occurs to him, scanning through the conversations, that he has neglected to update Erichthonios to the ways of the current world. And that it may be he is learning about it the hard way.]

Now that you have had a small taste of the mistrust of others... I believe we should talk. There are things you need to know that I have not been able to speak to you about yet.

[beshackled]

[Indeed, though a couple of those responding did not do so with unbridled skepticism or outright vitriol... the sheer magnitude of resentment he has encountered has left him saddened.]

...Aye...

[It is all he can do not to openly sigh.]

...Where would you like me to meet you?

voice

[emet_sulk]

You see now that none share our people's generous natures, don't you?

[beshackled]

There... there are a couple who are less-inclined towards doubt.

[He sounds shaken. He is shaken. But he'll not characterize them with a broad brush.]

A few have even offered to help.