Trailblazer: Nice to meet you too. I do not know, and frankly, I am scared. Everything I have come to know h-has...Has been flipped upside down. Trailblazer: The year for me is 2048, The day of the fire was 2014...The time was 8:47 AM the clocks froze at that hour and were a constant reminder of the past to us. *Trailblazers blood runs cold as it dawns on him that everyone around him was so radically different, their worlds so alien and strange* *Trailblazer sits on a corner, squatting down confused and afraid of the people around him*
Trailblazer: I remember being sick, Was burning up with the seasonal flu. We don't have meds to go around. Amber, With all this magic around your world. I do hope that things are better in yours. Say...With your powers you can do a lot of good, I just have a good feeling about your character and personality. You seem like a very kind and good person. With so much power at your fingertips, you are capable of good and evil. *Trailblazer looks longingly in the room As if remembering some past moments in his life* Trailblazer: And how you treated me...As someone who has no control of that kind of power. I am thankful. Wish we had more people like you in my world. Perhaps only well-off people have the luxury of being good and kind. Or maybe I am too cynical. *Trailblazer retrieves a tin of hard mints but as he flips it open inside are hand-rolled cigarettes made out of newspapers, If Amber has a good nose she can identify it as very cheap tobacco very subpar, and offers it to Amber* Trailblazer: Care for a smoke? It's not much but...It's the least I can offer you.
Katsumi: It simply...does. Some people are mages--we have the ability to channel magic. It can accomplish all sorts of feats--teleportation, necromancy, mind control--the last of which is highly illegal everywhere, though. If I tried to list everything one can do with magic, I would be speaking for hours. Allow me to demonstrate a bit. (She summons a small ball of light that floats above her palm)
Amber: No medications? What happened to the clinics and hospitals there? Well I guess things are okay back in my world...sounds like yours are full of bad things. Could you tell me what happened that made your world like that? Amber: (She smiled) I'm just doing what I usually do, it's part of my personality. Though, what's the personality of people in your world if good and kind people are rare. For the cigarettes, well, I don't really smoke...but thanks for the offer. But I'll have to decline.. it affects the lungs.
Trailblazer: I wasn't alive to see it, But many years ago our world was scorched by the flames of Nuclear fire. With that society was almost blown back by hundreds of years. With the lack of education, there are barely any doctors, It's common to see families have more than two children due to the high child mortality rate. The common flu is much deadlier. And the 'doctors' *As Trailblazer says doctors he raises both hands and makes an air quote gesture* that are around are quacks who prescribe drinking mercury as an end-all-be-all cure. In fact, the biggest killer aside from battles is cholera. When I was much younger I nearly died from it as I puked and shat nearly all the water out of my body. Trailblazer: Here is the thing, Aside from diseases that were supposed to be things of the past. The worst of humanity has to offer come to life in my world, To put what one of my friends said "The Badlands is a place where dark humor tends to become reality.", Some chose to build a society by basing off the blueprints of the past while some want to rule with hedonism and sadism. With so many things that can kill you in the badlands in some horrible fashion...Why would I be worried about lung cancer that will kill me in eighty years when most people die before they even become fifty? *Trailblazer places the cigarette in his mouth and tries to light it with a match, As he checks the matchbox he has already run out of it* Trailblazer: Really? What a bummer! *After a pause of reflection, he speaks up* Trailblazer: How about you? With all the magic around how did your society turn out to be? And seeing as how you pity me...I am glad yours didn't turn out to be as horrible as mine. I want to hear from you. Perhaps you can...Help me or help us learn or better ourselves on something.
Haruka: Well, for starters... Chouwa is a planet, but I have no idea where it's located. It is mostly water, like Earth, but it has four moons. There are five continents, but the Youkai have taken over one of them. There are animals that are strictly fictional on Earth, like dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns. *looks at Hayate* Maybe you should do this? You live there, after all. Hayate: Sure... For the most part, it is a good place to live. When a war has been going on for a long time you sort of get used to it. The five continents Haruka mentioned are Fubuki, Jishin, Rekka, Tatsumaki and Kuu. Kuu is the one the Youkai has taken over since that was where the invasion started. I'm sure none of you can tell but... I am from Rekka myself, as proven by my tanned skin and the oval shape of my eyes. We have already talked about magic, so I don't think I need to get into that again. But everyone having it does mean that it affects even our daily lives like for example cooking and gardening. It has actually been quite a surprise to watch Haruka get by, even without having any magic. Haruka: I'm so sorry. I can only imagine what it is like. Nuclear bombs have been used on my Earth too, only to a much lesser extent than on yours. I wasn't born yet back then, but the records of those events show how utterly terrible it was. I really hope that your world will return to the way it was one day. Hayate: Have you lost anyone? Because I sure know what that feels like... Family, friends, men and women I have fought side by side with against the enemy... I don't think I will ever get used to that feeling...
Trailblazer: *To Haruka* Thanks for the kind words, I hope so too. But with how things are going I doubt I would live to see it, Societal issues cant be fixed in a lifetime but rather it's good policymaking. I just hope in your world they banned Nuclear war, If I could go to your world I will do what I can to convince your leaders to end this madness. *Trailblazer looks longingly, His eyes tired, and replies to Hayate.* Trailblazer: Many friends died, It's a good cause but with how things are heading I can't help but feel like even my sacrifices aren't enough. But I know that feeling like you, But it pains to hear from me that no matter what world it seems like war is ultimately a part of the human experience.
Haruka: You're welcome. Nuclear weapons are pretty much banned. There are a few countries that have them but I think most of those might be on the verge of dismantling. I am not that up to speed with the subject. I actually prefer creating to destroying, but I suppose that would go for most people. Hayate: Haruka is actually very good. His paintings are the best I have ever seen. But I guess with the way your world is leisure activities are far from peoples minds. Or maybe I'm wrong? Perhaps you do have time for hobbies now and then? Haruka: I wouldn't call my art a hobby. I fully intend to make a living of it one day. I'm far from it at the moment though, so I make the most money being an art teacher. Hayate: Sad but true. War does seem to be the nature of all living beings, even if animals don't take it to the extreme that humans do. But I have high hopes that one day the war will end in my world. I am sorry for your loss but from the sounds of it you are doing the right thing. If no one does anything then there can never be any change. sure, no change means it can get worse, but at the same time it won't get better either. I know that even if I'm not alive to see the end of the war, my actions will help make Chouwa better for future generations. *smirks confidently* Not that I have any intention of dying anytime soon.
Skylar: ...I still don't know what happened to my parents. Everything that happened on our trip to Washington is just... a blur. For all I know they might not even be dead. I just... can't remember their faces. Or where we lived. And even if they are alive, and I did find them, and they haven't forgotten about me... they will if they ever see me again. So I've just stayed in Washington. I've seen plenty of people die since then, but uh... it's hard to get attached to people you only watch, rather than talk to.
Haruka: Then you are a far stronger person than I am, Skylar. I could never live the way you do... I would feel extremely lonely... Hayate: Haruka... Haruka: I know it would be easier for me if I never made any friends on Chouwa, but... I just couldn't live all alone... If there is a way for me to go back to Earth I am going to miss people I have come to know during my time on Chouwa... *looks at Hayate* And I think I will miss you most of all... Hayate: If it eases your feelings... I will miss you too...
Amber: Our society with magic makes things easier. It also helps with things hard to do. I guess some advice I could give you is to not give up but, I don't know what else to say. Unless...could you tell me who made your world like that?
Ferelith: Wow, that teleportation spell did NOT work. This looks nothing like a city. Solvi: Erm... Ferelith, where are we? Ferelith: No idea. Maybe those people can tell us! Solvi: Uh, let's not bother anyone just yet. *glances suspiciously at the other people* This looks like some sort of void... An inbetween-space? Yes, that must be it. Fere, can you help me do that teleportation spell again— Ferelith: Hey look, bookshelves!
Haruka: *bows and then smiles at the newcomers* Hello, and welcome. My name is Mamoru Haruka. As far as I can tell you are pretty much spot on about this place. There are no problems going back to where you came from, though. Just think of returning and you’ll be able to. Hayate: Hello. I’m Hayate Uta, member of the Divine Guard serving Lord Suzaku, God Protector of Rekka. Perhaps you can tell us a little about yourselves and the world you come from?
Amber: Hello! My names Amber. This is place is probably for meeting new people and to talk. And if you want to get out of here, you can do what Haruka suggested. Buut, if you're willing to stay and chat, could you tell me how you guys got here?
Ferelith: Oh, hi! My name is Ferelith. This is my friend Solvi. Solvi: *Looks around the room at everyone else* Uh, hello there. Ferelith: We were in a bit of a bad situation a second ago, but I guess we're safe here. You said you're part of a 'Divine Guard'? We have something kinda like that we're I'm from. Solvi: You guys don't look like you're from our world. Are any of you from Earth, by chance?
Ferelith: Hi Amber! We were trying to use a teleportation spell to get to a city called Perth, but we were interrupted by some people who were chasing us, and... Well, we kinda messed it up, and now we're here.
Hayate: It is merely called the Divine Guard because the man I serve, Lord Suzaku, is a god. He and his brothers rule our world, Chouwa, the way a king or emperor would. According to Haruka that isn’t that common elsewhere. Haruka: I am from Earth! More exactly, I am from Tokyo, Japan. One day however, I just fell asleep in my apartment and woke up in this magical world called Chouwa. Its weird, everyone has magic! There are dragons, phoenixes and unicorns! Unfortunately I have no idea how to get back home and neither does anyone else. Hayate: That is why I am here. Because we can’t be sure he isn’t a threat Lord Suzaku has tasked me with keeping an eye on him. You said you were in trouble before ending up here? If you don’t mind telling me, now I’m curious about what is happening in your world. Haruka: As long as you are here you don’t have to worry, though. Hayate and I have been here a little while now and so far it has been safe.
Solvi: *To Haruka* Wait, your Earth doesn't have magic? Interesting... Solvi: And about what was happening before we got here, well, it's a bit hard to explain. Ferelith: We were running from the law. Solvi: Fere! Ferelith: What? Don't tell me some of these people don't look like they've been criminals before! Solvi: *sighs* Fine. We're technically criminals. We've had this organization called the Society of Spiritual Connections chasing us down for a while, because we accidentally broke an old Fae law. Ferelith: Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention! I'm a faerie. Solvi here is a witch.
Solvi: As I said to Hayate and Haruka, we're on the run from them because we broke a magical law. And because those people, the Society, are in charge of magical laws, they want to imprison us.
Ferelith: It's a bit complicated, but to put it simply, I'm what people in our world call a Fae Changling. That means I'm supposed to disguise myself as a human child and take advantage of humans by spying on them, using them, stuff like that. Solvi: That's how I met them. I accidentally, well, adopted them by Changling rule. Unfortunately, interaction with Faeries was made illegal by the Society, and they found out about it pretty quick. Ferelith: And yeah, going on the run was pretty bad, but I get to explore lots of new places because of it! I rarely ever left my home until now.
