[The feed on the Hitomi starts off with a screen full of puppyface, and then a nice view of teeth and a pink tongue as a dog, seemingly a stray, picks it up in its mouth
( Read more... )
[And then Hughes takes a minute to reread through that strange text, trying to decipher it.]
Uh...that was a dog. If that's what you mean?
[. . .]
Do you know where this is?
[As someone in investigations, he's used to having all the pertinent information about a situation...or at least being able to find it. Hughes is highly uncomfortable by how clueless he is right now]
iit2 called kannagara. iit doe2nt u2ually look liike thii2.
youre u2iing what pa22e2 for a computer around here. do we really need two 2tart from 2cratch wiith that explanatiion. ii mean ii can. not liike iim doiing anythiing except 2tayiing away from the2e human2 and theiir newfound tendency two get 2tabby.
[Here, have a wary look as the young man just eyes that uniform. His trust in all things military has, if anything, been completely and utterly shattered from the moment he managed to escape the Academy and Ayanami's imprisonment.
So for now Hughes gets a flat look and a flatter voice, until Teito can figure out just what degree of enemy Hughes is.]
I'm not familiar with the Amestrian military. Who are they affiliated with? The Barsburg Military? The Black Hawks, maybe?
[The words are somewhat confusing to Hughes--given Amestris' aggressive expansionist campaigns, the military is highly visible among its neighbors. It hasn't quite registered, yet, that he's in a different world entirely. That wary look, however is not, and he loosens his posture a bit for the young man (about Edward's age, if he had to guess) and addresses him a little less formally than the initial broadcast.]
I'm afraid I haven't heard of the Barsburg Military or the Black Hawks. The military I'm referring to is only associated with our nation's leader, Fuhrer King Bradley.
[And most likely the homunculi, but he's not about to disclose something like that to a complete stranger.]
[For a moment, Teito forgets that he is, in fact, not even in his own world. He forgets, because that statement is just... absurd.
How can this guy, whose uniform is so similar to his old one (or the one he would have had, had he graduated to become someone's Begleiter) claim no knowledge of the Empire. Much less their military forces.
So here, have a slight scowl that's even more suspicious as his brows furrow. And he'll just refrain from telling you who he is right now.]
Say that again? I mean - how can you not know? They have control of six of the seven district continents! And the seventh is neutral grounds since the Pope and the Church have control of it.
[The teenager looks almost embarrassed, and he is, a little. After all, normally he would have all sorts of information to offer, but the world right now... had just thrown him for a huge loop. He doesn't have his usual notebook, and that's problematic enough, because he can't properly take notes on his impressions of this person while it's fresh in his head.
Ah well. Serious green eyes level themselves on the screen, and Gau opens his mouth to speak.]
Excuse me, I believe I may be of some aid, at least. This world that you are in - Kannagara - has been my home for quite some time. IT is ruled by gods who have a habit of taking people from various worlds and bringing them here.
[He pauses.]
As such, I'm not sure you will find anyone from your Amestrian military here.
[Hughes seems visibly relieved at first when the boy appears to offer help, but...that's quickly enough replaced by confusion.]
Ah...worlds? [Plural. But wouldn't that mean...?
The man is silent for a moment and looks a touch hesitant, wary. He'd rather ask the question he brings to mind in private, but he is not yet familiar enough with the functions of the Hitomi.]
Do you...mean to imply that this is some sort of afterlife?
No, I don't believe it's an afterlife. While some of the people from my own world that I have encountered here had died in that place... it seems more as if the gods went back in time and took them out of the world... before their deaths.
[And that is the best way he can think of to describe it anyway.]
Moreover, it seems that those of us who are here are mere copies of our real selves, since someone sent back to their home world does not experience a loss of those who are here. In fact, for example, when my partner was sent back to our own world, I was there with him, as far as he understood. While I was also here.
[Yeah, that's a little brain-breaking, he knows.]
As for their being multiple worlds, let me explain it this way. In my world, your country and your military don't exist.
[The more Gau says, the more Hughes is both fascinated and terrified by the power of these so-called "gods." He's not entirely sure he believed in a God, as such, before, but...these things seem far beyond the power of any alchemy he's ever heard of.
His mind races as he continues to absorb the information fiven him by this boy, looking at the possible scenarios. It is possible, he thinks, that these gods could have somehow obtained a Philosopher's Stone, but...reviving the dead? Wasn't that specifically impossible, even defying the rules of Equivalent Exchange? Time travel, too, seems no more plausible.
And yet...here he is. Apparently alive. He's not really sure what to think of that.]
Before their deaths...did these people retain memories of th--...of what happened? [Because he certainly does. And what's more, he found a healed scar on his chest where the wound should have been, when he woke up. Does that mean he survived? Why does he not remember that, then
( ... )
[The video has Yuui frowning a bit, because this guy must have pretty rotten luck to get pulled to this dimension now, of all times. Whatever the reason, however, he's just going to shrug and conjure up an easygoing, friendly smile.]
Wow, that's just mean of them. These gods pulled you over to Kannagara Country right in the middle of their latest game! Hmm, but if you're like the rest of us that woke up here after the world changing, there's probably a sword and a set of clothes nearby, right?
[He pauses to wave at the guy absently, then prop his chin on his knuckles.]
First things first - might want to find a place to change to stick out a little bit less.
[There's that mention of those gods, again. Along with something quite a bit more unsettling--games. Yes, he was unfortunately well-acquainted with the sort of games those in power tended to play with the lives under their command.]
Ah...game? Would you mind explaining further? What exactly is the nature of this...game?
[At the mention of the sword and clothes, Hughes blinks, looking momentarily surprised. He had noticed them, but he hadn't realized they were meant for him to take.]
I hadn't realized that I was supposed to take them. You're certain they don't belong to someone?
[But it did sound like too much of a coincidence that multiple people would have woken up near swords and clothes, right?]
Quite certain, since all of us travelers, or some call us offworlders, woke up either wearing similar clothes or found them nearby, along with a couple of swords.
[A beat and an understanding smile.]
So all things considered, why don't you change first, then I can answer your questions?
I...see. [Well, he doesn't, really, but what choice does he have but to go with it?
Hughes picks up the garment resting on top of the wooden sandals and eyes it a little suspiciously. It looks more like a bathrobe than anything and it makes him feel like he's part of some sort of grand cosmic joke. Is this really what he's supposed to wear? But the man speaking to him seems to be wearing it too, so...]
Ah...do you know somewhere I could...? [Because he's sure as hell not going to change in public.]
Comments 21
that 2haggy bea2t thiing.
wow.
who knew thii2 place wa2 2o un2ettliing.
anyway.
youre probably a long way from ame2triia.
have you u2ed a computer before.
Reply
[What. Even. Just...staring for a moment, blinking a couple of times.]
Reply
Uh...that was a dog. If that's what you mean?
[. . .]
Do you know where this is?
[As someone in investigations, he's used to having all the pertinent information about a situation...or at least being able to find it. Hughes is highly uncomfortable by how clueless he is right now]
I. I don't know what a computer is.
Reply
iit doe2nt u2ually look liike thii2.
youre u2iing what pa22e2 for a computer around here.
do we really need two 2tart from 2cratch wiith that explanatiion.
ii mean ii can.
not liike iim doiing anythiing except 2tayiing away from the2e human2 and theiir newfound tendency two get 2tabby.
Reply
So for now Hughes gets a flat look and a flatter voice, until Teito can figure out just what degree of enemy Hughes is.]
I'm not familiar with the Amestrian military. Who are they affiliated with? The Barsburg Military? The Black Hawks, maybe?
Reply
I'm afraid I haven't heard of the Barsburg Military or the Black Hawks. The military I'm referring to is only associated with our nation's leader, Fuhrer King Bradley.
[And most likely the homunculi, but he's not about to disclose something like that to a complete stranger.]
Would you mind if I asked where you're from?
Reply
How can this guy, whose uniform is so similar to his old one (or the one he would have had, had he graduated to become someone's Begleiter) claim no knowledge of the Empire. Much less their military forces.
So here, have a slight scowl that's even more suspicious as his brows furrow. And he'll just refrain from telling you who he is right now.]
Say that again? I mean - how can you not know? They have control of six of the seven district continents! And the seventh is neutral grounds since the Pope and the Church have control of it.
Reply
Ah well. Serious green eyes level themselves on the screen, and Gau opens his mouth to speak.]
Excuse me, I believe I may be of some aid, at least. This world that you are in - Kannagara - has been my home for quite some time. IT is ruled by gods who have a habit of taking people from various worlds and bringing them here.
[He pauses.]
As such, I'm not sure you will find anyone from your Amestrian military here.
Reply
Ah...worlds? [Plural. But wouldn't that mean...?
The man is silent for a moment and looks a touch hesitant, wary. He'd rather ask the question he brings to mind in private, but he is not yet familiar enough with the functions of the Hitomi.]
Do you...mean to imply that this is some sort of afterlife?
[He just really hopes that is not too telling.]
Reply
[And that is the best way he can think of to describe it anyway.]
Moreover, it seems that those of us who are here are mere copies of our real selves, since someone sent back to their home world does not experience a loss of those who are here. In fact, for example, when my partner was sent back to our own world, I was there with him, as far as he understood. While I was also here.
[Yeah, that's a little brain-breaking, he knows.]
As for their being multiple worlds, let me explain it this way. In my world, your country and your military don't exist.
Reply
His mind races as he continues to absorb the information fiven him by this boy, looking at the possible scenarios. It is possible, he thinks, that these gods could have somehow obtained a Philosopher's Stone, but...reviving the dead? Wasn't that specifically impossible, even defying the rules of Equivalent Exchange? Time travel, too, seems no more plausible.
And yet...here he is. Apparently alive. He's not really sure what to think of that.]
Before their deaths...did these people retain memories of th--...of what happened? [Because he certainly does. And what's more, he found a healed scar on his chest where the wound should have been, when he woke up. Does that mean he survived? Why does he not remember that, then ( ... )
Reply
Wow, that's just mean of them. These gods pulled you over to Kannagara Country right in the middle of their latest game! Hmm, but if you're like the rest of us that woke up here after the world changing, there's probably a sword and a set of clothes nearby, right?
[He pauses to wave at the guy absently, then prop his chin on his knuckles.]
First things first - might want to find a place to change to stick out a little bit less.
Reply
Ah...game? Would you mind explaining further? What exactly is the nature of this...game?
[At the mention of the sword and clothes, Hughes blinks, looking momentarily surprised. He had noticed them, but he hadn't realized they were meant for him to take.]
I hadn't realized that I was supposed to take them. You're certain they don't belong to someone?
[But it did sound like too much of a coincidence that multiple people would have woken up near swords and clothes, right?]
Reply
[A beat and an understanding smile.]
So all things considered, why don't you change first, then I can answer your questions?
Reply
Hughes picks up the garment resting on top of the wooden sandals and eyes it a little suspiciously. It looks more like a bathrobe than anything and it makes him feel like he's part of some sort of grand cosmic joke. Is this really what he's supposed to wear? But the man speaking to him seems to be wearing it too, so...]
Ah...do you know somewhere I could...? [Because he's sure as hell not going to change in public.]
Reply
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