001 ▲ video.

[sylvan]

[The video comes at an odd angle, all wild waves of vivid green hair, occasionally rocking nauseously to reveal pale, creamy skin and the flash of dark blue eyes or part of a nervous but friendly smile -- much like the voice that comes over the airwaves.]

I've... never used something like this before, so I hope it's working! [Her laugh comes soft, chiming a few times before dissipating. The screen shakes and a slender hand comes into view, gesturing as she speaks. Slowly her appearance becomes a little more visible; a sideways angle of about two-thirds of her face comes into focus. Though the angle is odd, it's clear that she is an attractive woman and while uncomfortable, she radiates warmth.]

I'm not really sure where I'm going with all of this, I hadn't had much of a plan in mind when I started. [Another soft laugh that implies she's lost in more than one sense of the word. It doesn't reach her eyes, nor does the smile any longer.]

I do have a question, though, if no one minds it. What now?

Comments

[video]

[raisethemoon]

Whatever you like, I suppose. If you refer to returning to thine home, however, I fear we have little to tell thee.

permavideo.

[sylvan]

Ah, that... well, at least I'm not alone in this.

[ Might as well try to be cheerful about it! ]

I'm Rydia. Have you been here long? [ And are you an Eidolon? Not that she's going to be rude and ask that. ]

permavideo.

[raisethemoon]

Some time, yes. I am Princess Luna of Equestria...and an alicorn.

[Luna just assumes now that any humans who appear are going to be confused over what she is. She appreciates that Rydia didn't immediately freak out over the fact that she could talk, though.]

[sylvan]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess. I'm a human and a summoner.

[ She says it like it is standard. Who cares what you are on the outside! Everyone is the same on the inside, right? ]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[The first sound from the communicator is two swords hitting the pavement as they drop out of Edge's hands. Easy enough for him to recognize her pretty quickly... given how much she's on his mind.]

[But her, here, now? He hadn't expected this, hadn't imagined it, hadn't even given the idea thought! As far as he'd been concerned, she was gone and never to be seen again!]

[Um. He probably ought to say something...]

Well, look who's in my dreams again!

[...yeah, if she didn't believe it was him up till that point, that line ought to prove it.]

[sylvan]

[ Oh. Oh. It's Edge. Her first reaction is to yell at him for ignoring her at the coronation -- her second one is to ignore him right back. She's sure if she even asked him what his problem was, he'd just say something stupid. Or hurtful.

But at least he's being civil. In his weird, roundabout way that made her feel... uncomfortable. ]

Oh. You're talking to me now?

[ That's the part she addresses. Not the whole "stuck in your dreams" thing or the technology or any myriad of things that she knows are likely more important and immediate. ]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Yep. That's definitely her.]

Well, sure! You showing up in my life unexpectedly after abandoning the surface world to live with a bunch of Eidolons was only really annoying the first time! I've totally forgiven you for this one already.

[Probably the thing most wrong with this entire little speech is how he doesn't realize so many things are wrong about it.]

[video]

[shadearchivist]

Hopefully, as the princess states, we will find a way home.

It's good to meet you, despite our circumstances. I am Ienzo; I hope that I or others can be of assistance to you.

video.

[sylvan]

Not that I mean to sound anxious to be rid of my newly found company, but that would be nice.

[ She seems to be getting a hang of this. Or, at least steadying the camera enough that it won't make you feel nauseous. She smiles, warm and inviting. ]

I'm Rydia. It's good to meet you, Ienzo!

[video]

[shadearchivist]

I'm sure everyone here understands; we all feel the same way, I believe.

[Ienzo inclines his head to her.]

Do you need assistance finding a place to stay or anything else? My companions and I run a tea shop in the fourth district of Travese Town and most people begin their stay in the hotel in the second district. I'm sure Edge has told you.

[notquitedracula]

...well, looks like I don't have the oddest hair color anymore.

Welcome to the dream world. I'm Soma, this fellow here is Tepes [A komory bat gives a sleepy wing-wave from his shoulder], and you've already had the rundown on not being able to go home. Since no one else has mentioned it yet, there are other 'worlds' you can go to, and one of them will change what you look like - you become a pony, or something else native to that world. If you go there, be on the lookout for a big keyhole; it'll probably be heavily guarded.

[sylvan]

[ She frowns a little when she hears that. Her hair is perfectly fine. Odd, but perfectly fine! ]

Hello, Soma. And also to your friend. I'm Rydia. [ Which she waves to; insulting (however helpful they may be) men don't get waves. ]

I... see. What's the purpose of going to those worlds? And "big keyholes"? [ This is a lot to take in all at once. It feels overwhelming. She's trying not to let it show, however. ]

[notquitedracula]

[He said odd, not unpleasant. Big difference there, though it's understandable that most people won't see it that way.]

Well, there's a good chance that the more of them we make it through, the closer we'll get to going home. And yes, big keyholes; there are a few people running around with these big key-looking weapons, and they use them to unlock new worlds. [No, he doesn't know all the particulars; the only one he was present for, he was on death's doorstep at the time]

[colorbymemory]

[Namine smiles.]

Hello. I think the others have answered your questions, but if there's any way I can help...

[sylvan]

[ And Rydia smiles back, wide and welcoming. Like she isn't the one lost and uncomfortable right now. ]

I can't think of anything... is there anything important that you wish someone had told you?

[colorbymemory]

[Everyone has their own coping methods. Namine checks other conversations before answering.]

I don't think so...

Oh! My name is Namine.

[Introducing oneself is always a good idea.]

[lessabrasive]

[ Green hair might be unusual to some, but Lin makes no comment. ]

I can see that you've had many questions answered already. Have you been given directions to the Hotel?

[sylvan]

[ You're a real bro, Lin. ]

I haven't. Is it difficult to find? I was just going to wander a little and go there whenever I feel tired...

[lessabrasive]

[ She does what she can. ]

[She frowns. Typical moogles, leaving people to fend for themselves.] It is not too difficult to find. Traverse Town is made up of several districts - the one you are in is First. Take the doors to the north of the area, behind the jewelry shop, to head to the Second. The hotel is located there.

Make sure to have your spirit with you. Nightmares tend to congregate in larger packs in certain districts over others.

/late

[dork_of_keys]

[Because Sora's in Ponyville when he sees this message, having paused in his exploring for a break, you get to see a small, dark charcoal gray/black pegasus pony with a spiky brown mane and tail and wearing a silver crown necklace. Judging by the image, he might have one of his Spirits holding the communicator for him at the moment.]

Hi. It looks like you've gotten a lot of answers already, but if you think of anything else, don't be afraid to ask. Everyone's generally pretty helpful.

Oh! I'm Sora. Nice to meet you.

[It hasn't occurred to him that maybe he ought to point out that he's not naturally a pony.]

NEVER! backtags into oblivion!! this cr is going to be super-cute u///u

[sylvan]

[ She just assumes that it's another pony person or whatever, though Edge had told her something about... ponies. Eh, whatever! ]

I can't really think of much to ask, though I am interested in how long people have been here. [ She wants to gauge how long she may or may not be here. ]

I'm Rydia. It's great to meet you, too, Sora.

[dork_of_keys]

[Oh well, they'll straighten that out eventually.]

Some of us have been here for... a few months, I guess. It's not too bad, really. A couple of people have opened businesses in Traverse Town. There's a tea shop and a boutique in Fourth District and a potion shop in Third District.

[video]

[whoseesbynight]

That's what we're all trying to figure out.

[sylvan]

There's some comfort in knowing that though I'm lost, I'm lost with others.

Hello. I'm Rydia.

[whoseesbynight]

I'm Nepeta. It's very nice to mewt you!