most_unwanted | [Voice/Action]

[There's a squelching sound of someone falling into a very muddy area. Then that someone curses under his breath, followed by the distinct sound of some very angry toads who he's disturbed. Many of whom also curse along with the general annoyed croaking.]

Hello? Who's there? Who said that? Scully, are you with me? Can you hear me? SCULLY!?!

[There's a pause, and more muddy squelching. And more grumpy voices in the background as Mulder appears to have fallen into a whole clan of toads. He seems to take this in stride though, thinking aloud as he tries to gain his bearings. He picks up the book that's near him and eyes it curiously. It's very out of place here, but he's already drawing his own conclusions.]

Let me guess. I've finally been abducted by aliens. I knew it was a matter of time, but somehow I always assumed the experience would involve less falling face down in the mud, and more probing.

Not that I want any probing, I'll pass on that opportunity.

So now the question is- aside from where the hell are my real clothes- where am I? My theories include afterlife or parallel dimension, maybe a mix of the two with a dash of government-initiated kidnapping thrown in. It's not every day you wake up in someone else's clothes with wings sprouting out of your back for no reason. Wings that hurt like a bitch when I pull on the feathers, I might add.

[Yeah he already tried that. Is it really any surprise he's already tried that?]

So what's going on here? Who's responsible for this? Was I subjected to an experiment of some kind? Kept imprisoned as a test subject and cast off to the wilderness as soon as they were done with me? Is this Russia? It better not be Russia. I didn't have such great accommodations the last time I went there.

[...and is it just him or are ALL of the toads in the area looking ready to gang up on him? He's deciding he's overstaying his welcome here. Time to get moving. In some direction. So Mulder can be found hurrying the rest of the way through the woods and into town. He's covered in mud and followed close behind by a whole bunch of very disgruntled toads.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She chuckles softly.]

That's a longer story that you probably want, but it's...very different from here. Not nearly as advanced when it comes to technology, but magic is a well-known force, and we have plenty of monsters, as well as other beings. There's a world beneath the surface that's inhabited, and even a civilization on the moon....

[Well, once they wake up.]

So you have extraterrestrial life where you're from? And magic? [Where are the pleasure cruises to that place, sign him up!] In the world I'm from, the supernatural is widely believed not to exist. It's my life's work to prove otherwise.

Well, you'll get plenty of proof here. There are some people without any supernatural abilities, but plenty have magic. Not to mention that there's far more than just humans in this realm. My boyfriend met a dragon on his way to the battle dome, after all.

Edited 2011-03-09 22:47 (UTC)

A real dragon? Now that's something I'd like to see.

[...Also, Rydia your boyfriend must be one lucky man.]

What's the battle dome?

It's a place where you can fight battles with simulated targets in a simulated setting. So, I could be fighting red dragons in the moon's core again, if I really wanted to, or other creatures in settings I've never visited.

You mean it's like virtual reality? And anyone can go in and use it?

[Oh he is so trying this out, once he's at least properly armed.]

[She nods.]

Yes, though you have to tweek the settings exactly if you want a real challenge. Otherwise, there's no risk of injury or status effect spells. They're supposedly limited to an hour at a time, but you can override that just by walking outside and going back in again.

It sounds like you spend a lot of time in there. You don't look like much of a fighter...

[But he's aware, looks can be deceiving.]

[She can't help but chuckle at that.]

I fight with magic, not swords.

Oh, right, I should have guessed. [Her mysterious appearance does fit the description of 'magic user.'] What's that magic like?

Most of it's pretty destructive, which is why I won't give a demonstration here. I'd rather not blow up the Welcome Center. Most of my spells are elemental, but I can do a few other things like cause enemies to fall asleep or turn them into toads.

[She says this pretty casually, but then doing any of that is no big deal for her. Besides, though she has no real desire to intimidate newbies, it can't hurt to let them know exactly what she can do if they need protection...or go wild and need to be stopped.]

[Her magic sounds really cool.]

Toads? Now I have to wonder if those talking ones I met were people who've gotten on your bad side.

[Ex-boyfriends, maybe.]

[Rydia snickers, but shakes her head.]

The last people I toaded were a pair of over-amorous teens who insisted on sharing their affections in the kitchen. I changed them back at some point, but I don't think there's anyone else I need to return to normal...for now.

[Maybe. She can't help it if there are some major morons in Luceti.]

Remind me not to piss you off.

[And he thinks a moment. Speaking of things like kitchens...]

...Where do people live around here, anyway?

[She responds to that first part with a grin, then is back to helpful mode.]

Anywhere they want that isn't already taken. The community buildings contain most of the people, but groups that want to live together often pick houses. You're also welcome to stay here until you figure that out and otherwise get settled.

I appreciate that. It shouldn't take me too long to get more settled, and then I'll be out of the way.

[He has a date with a certain barrier in the future, he's thinking.]

[She suspects as much, but that's pretty standard for the more stubborn of newcomers.]

And if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Really, I don't mind.

All right, thank you, Rydia. It's a lot to take in, but... I think I've got a better feel for things now.

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