first quake ☆ first text then video because tower's network is a troll

[handstands]

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hello?|

search: location|

results not found

search: where is this?|

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[then, to the sound of furious typing, the video feed starts. for anyone who knows the Tower well enough, it looks like the terminal in use is in the third floor library. the one using is is a frustrated-looking young man, typing very fast without noticing that he's being recorded and getting more and more irritated, until--]

Oh.

[--he looks up, mildly surprised. he shifts uncomfortably, slightly embarrassed:]

Hello? [he clears his throat.] My name is Terra. Is anyone there? I came here from-- [he stares, mouth forming the next words, but his expression darkens and he clearly changes his mind, shaking his head.]

What is this place? [a pause.] Is this world dealing with monsters that you can't control? I can-- [--nope, he can't. Terra's jaw visibly clenches.]

I may be able to help. But... Please. I need answers. [whatever thoughts were distracting him finally catch up for a moment:] I shouldn't be here. This isn't possible.

[he shakes his head again, before fixing the feed with a firm stare:] Thank you for any help.

Comments

[handstands]

--I'm not sure you could answer what I really want to ask. To keep it simple - what's going on here?

[pitiedthefool]

You've been brought here by the same people as everyone else, they claim to have "saved" us from our worlds being destroyed. They seem to like playing games with us, so I doubt it's true.

There are monsters roaming the tower though they're most active at night, a restaurant that asks for body parts- [He tries to think of how to word it...]

...and you might see doubles of people you know.

[handstands]

[just dat fais]

...Who are these people? Have they said what they want? Where are they?

[pitiedthefool]

[Does this look like the face of an old man someone who'd lie to you?]

I'm afraid I don't know; only what was left as a "note" where I woke up a few weeks ago.

[handstands]

I didn't want to believe the note until I heard from others, first.

[sigh]

I'll look around later. How long have you been here, Yu? What else can you tell me?

[pitiedthefool]

I still don't want to believe it.

[a nod.]

Almost a month. There are.. a few floors you may want to avoid, because they play on our greatest fears like the art gallery, sometimes they block powers as well if you go too far in.

[handstands]

[a little alarmed]

...This tower has powers like that?

[pitiedthefool]

Yeah, it does. Though it wears off if you leave the area.

[handstands]

...Huh. Thanks for the warning, but I think I have to see for myself.

[pitiedthefool]

No problem. I only hope it was some help.

[handstands]

You were a great help. I just hope I can repay it somehow. Thanks, Yu.

[pitiedthefool]

Don't mention it. We're all in the same boat here, right?

Good luck, Terra-san. [One day. One day he will get used to people not using honorifics.]

[handstands]

Looks like it. No reason not to work together.

[--but what. confusion.]

..."-san"?

and then Yu teaches the keyderps Japanese honorifics...

[pitiedthefool]

It's a Japanese honorific, something like "Mr." or "Mrs." is in English. "-san" a sign of respect in my world for people who seem older or the same age as the one addressing them.

[It's been engrained into his head since he was a child; sorry for the confusion. :c]

[handstands]

Huh. [honestly, the honorific idea gets a bit lost on him since.........the only one he knows and uses is 'Master']

Is there something you'd prefer me to call you, then?

[pitiedthefool]

[He shakes his head. It's cool, man.]It's alright. I wouldn't expect others to use what they don't understand.