001 † Arrival

[couldbeavillain]

Oh… uhm, guys? Buffy? Are the walky-talkies really necessary? I mean, I have a cell phone…

…that, uh, I left in Rome…

Well, I guess they’re cool… Hey, is anyone there? Dawnie? Xand? Is this Tibet? Because I didn’t know we’d get our own apartments… And… I… don’t remember going to sleep here, either… [There’s a long pause where Andrew slowly gets up,

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[bellator_lucis]

[Oh, hey, clearly it's time for another round of 'talk to the newbies'.]

You have been brought to a place called 'Vertiline' in the hopes that you will assist the local inhabitants in their fight against invading monsters. If you lost any weapons upon your arrival, they can be replaced at the temple armory. You will not be able to use any magical abilities at this time, but we are told that there are certain artifacts that can be found and used to recover them.

[Is that everything? It seems like everything.]

What is your name?

[couldbeavillain]

What? Oh. [He picks the device back up.] Uh, Andrew.

So, wait, go back? Are you saying I'm not on Earth anymore? Or, uhm, another dimension? [He doesn't sound doubtful or all that surprised. This isn't unusual where Andrew's from.] That's not so bad...

...wait! Yes, it is! Where are my Slayers? Where are my friends? Have they been taken somewhere?

[bellator_lucis]

[Well, he doesn't know about Earth, but...]

You are no longer on your own world.

In all likelihood, your friends are still in your world. It may be that they, too, will be Called. If so, you will hear them over this devices when they arrive.

[As long as they don't dash out without making a post first.]

[couldbeavillain]

That's awesome... [Sarcasm. Andrew uses it regularly.

There's a little bit of a sound of movement as Andrew gets up and starts to move around.] So, what, I'm just here to put the hurt on some monsters? I feel like maybe they meant to snag a Slayer, not a Watcher... so... maybe this was a mis---take... [Andrew trails off, then there's a short pause.] Hey, uh, am I in someone's house? Do you know? 'Cause there's totally a capybara sleeping in the chair. And it's, like... not mine.

[bellator_lucis]

[Fantastic, another non-fighter. The Warrior is starting to wonder about the spell that Eir is using.]

You are not the first person to suggest that your being Called here was a mistake.

The pod that you are in has been provided for your use, as has the capybara. They are meant for use as pack animals. There should be a harness nearby.

[couldbeavillain]

...so this is probably gonna be a long-term thing, huh? [He goes and cautiously begins scratching the capybara's head while he talks.] Like, no one's figured out a way home?

[bellator_lucis]

The first group of us arrived three weeks ago. No one has found a way to return to their homes.

[Oh, that's right.]

There is a barrier of fog that surrounds this area. It would be...unwise to venture in.

[couldbeavillain]

Seriously? Man... [He flops down on the couch--his couch, apparently.] This so isn't cool, dude... I've got stuff to do! Isn't anyone pissed about this? It's crap, dude.

[bellator_lucis]

["Pissed"? What are slang.]

It is apparently not uncommon to be taken from some important task. Many are less than pleased about their presence here.

[He's not one of them.]

[couldbeavillain]

You don't sound like you're all that upset, dude. Who are you, anyway? Are you with the people who got me here?

Heading off to work, will tag back later!

[bellator_lucis]

I am not. This is not the first time that I have been summoned to fight another's battle.

[As far as he's concerned, Vert is business as usual.]

I am the Warrior of Light. I am one of the Called, as you are.

Okie-doke!

[couldbeavillain]

...woah. That's a... pretty hardcore name. I feel like my name kinda sucks now. And pretty much even more like they screwed up in getting me and not, like, Buffy...

Hey, so, wait, we're all from all other places then?

[bellator_lucis]

[That sound is...almost a snort.]

I do not introduce myself like that because I wish to sound...'hardcore'.

[Can you hear those quotation marks, Andrew?]

I have no other name; 'Warrior of Light' is the only identity that I have.

And yes, we all seem to be from different worlds.

[couldbeavillain]

Weird... I mean, not really, really weird, 'cause I know there's lots of other dimensions, like whole worlds without shrimp and worlds with only shrimp and stuff like that...

So, okay. We're gonna fight monsters? What, demons?

[bellator_lucis]

...Shrimp?

[What.]

We do not know yet. Last week there was an invasion of mice and rabbits, but...there have been hints of more dangerous creatures.

[couldbeavillain]

Mice? Uhm... Well, uh, I guess if demons and vamps show up, I can probably do something, but... I would feel really bad killing a rabbit...