01: text

[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 guess. Comes with being away from home for as long as I have been.

[empiricalpride]

How long would you say you have been here, then?

[resipiscent]

Hinoto-Ri? About six months, maybe. But before that, I was in a... facility for about two years. So I've been away from home for probably three years total.

[empiricalpride]

I see. Not an unreasonable length of experience, then.

[resipiscent]

Nah. I've had my share. This your first time away?

[empiricalpride]

I've visited other worlds a number of times. In fact, I had to move from my native one several years back. Still, it's been a while since I've had to adapt to a new place.

[resipiscent]

Well, you can always go back, but if you want to come back here you'll need to bring someone who isn't native along.

[empiricalpride]

Really? That's the first I've heard of such being the case.

[resipiscent]

You aren't stuck here. Just that most people seem to like the company, so we stick around.

[empiricalpride]

That is good to know. I'll admit, I'm intrigued by the possibilities here myself.

[resipiscent]

Right? Besides, nothing better than a minimum-wage job.

[Sarcasm, though it's hard to tell through typing.]

[empiricalpride]

What interests me here isn't the money.

[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.