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[empiricalpride]

[The user behind this message currently has no interest in flashing his face across the screens of an unfamiliar communications system. After a life hiding in the shadows, it's not a pleasant concept... and right now, he barely knows whose the face in question is.
Still, in his current situation: he knows that he's going to have to reach out, hard as it might be.
So - Even's first message to the COMP network as a whole comes as a text post only.]

Good afternoon.

If anyone out there is in the situation of having been brought here unexpectedly - and given the efficiency by which I have been, I suspect this is not an uncommon occurrence - I would like to speak with you.

Is there anything I should know about life in this city at present? What are the rights and responsibilities of residents? Have you had difficulty adapting to life here? Any advice would be welcomed.
While this is less of a priority, is anyone familiar enough with the city's history as to be able to tell me how it came to be in its current condition? This is more personal curiosity, I'll admit.

Thank you for your time and cooperation.

Comments

[resipiscent]

Well, I should hope not. If you want to do anything, though, best get yourself some type of job, even if it's not something you're interested in. The city does pay for some stuff for us, but there's no disposable income.

[empiricalpride]

Sensible advice. I'm considering options at present. After all, I've no interest in sitting on my hands.

[resipiscent]

Good luck. If you have any talents, try using them toward a job. I mean, you can always make your own job if you don't want to work at an ice cream shop or something.

[empiricalpride]

I've a number of areas of expertise. From what I've heard so far, I believe I'll be able to put them to use somewhere.
Thank you.

[resipiscent]

Of course. I'm not Kotoha, but I do like to welcome most of my fellow Visitors.

[empiricalpride]

Very good of you. It's been a pleasure.

[resipiscent]

Likewise. I'm sure we'll end up speaking again soon.

[poppetstrings]

Well... Most of the time it's about the sea. And a few times it's been about a boy and a girl, though i've never met them.

[Though she pauses a little at that.]

At least, I'd never met the girl in my dreams until I ended up here. But I know i've never seen her before.

[empiricalpride]

All the same, you've identified her as a real person. That's an important step. These aren't random images, then - they refer to something that exists in the real world.

[terminally_clever]

The security around here is impressive even considering the state of the building. Most of the really interesting stuff is still heavily locked down.

[empiricalpride]

Understandable, but still a pity. What progress have you made on unlocking it?

[terminally_clever]

Frustratingly little, but then again I've only had access for a very short time. The security system is a high-tech fusion of computerized locks and magical seals. I'm rather well-versed in both, fortunately, but it's still going to take time.

[empiricalpride]

[A nod-]

I can imagine. Still, it'll be worth it, I'm sure.

[poppetstrings]

But I'd never seen her before. How can I dream of someone i've never seen before?

[empiricalpride]

That... is something I will need to consider. Some sort of psychic effect, perhaps, but I hardly have the evidence here to start creating a hypothesis as to why that would be the case.

[poppetstrings]

Psychic effect? What's that?

[Xion knows magic, but she has no clue what 'psychic' is.]

[empiricalpride]

[Patience, Even, patience.]

A certain classification of magic, if you will. To try and put it simply, it refers to abilities specifically created by or targeting the mind. For example, are you aware of the concept of telepathy? Mind-to-mind communication? That would be an example.

[poppetstrings]

No, I've never heard of those before. [She shakes her head.] But I do know what you mean by targeting the mind. There's some weird magic here that can do that too, not that I've bothered to try and learn it.

[She pauses.]

Should I try?

[empiricalpride]

[He thinks for a moment-]

...It would be worth your time to investigate the possibilities, at least. What do you know about such things at present?

[poppetstrings]

Persona's are the ones with those kinds of skills, and the monsters around. They can also mess with your head and make you attack your allies instead.

[empiricalpride]

Interesting. I wasn't aware of what abilities they have.

[poppetstrings]

I haven't seen them all, since I don't really fight anything other than the heartless if I can avoid it.

[terminally_clever]

So... are you intrigued, then? Perhaps you'd like a job? I'm more or less in charge of personnel for the Research Department at this point.

[empiricalpride]

Very much intrigued. Would you require any specific details on my personal areas of expertise, or is this an open offer?

[terminally_clever]

Well, I suppose I should at least hear about your resume before I go extending any official offers. Due diligence and all.