immamartillo | One [Voice/Action]

[Voice]

[ It's been over a week since Firo arrived in Luceti. Most of that time was spent in a frantic search for some way out; he refuses to believe he's truly trapped. Even if people were right when they said time froze back home, the fear that they were wrong and simple homesickness were driving him crazy.

But days of frantic searching and exploration have taken their toll. His voice when it comes over the journal is tired and tainted by annoyance. ]

So, what exactly can anybody tell me about this 'barrier' out there? Has anybody tried breakin' through somehow?

[ There's a pause and the sound of his fingers drumming on a tabletop ]

Oh- and since I just got here I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Firo Prochainezo. Nothin' personal, but I'm not exactly pleased to be meetin' any of you.

[ After fumbling about for a few moments he manages to turn the thing off. ]

[Action]

[ After his journal post, Firo will be wandering through the village, trying to get acquainted with his surroundings. Most of his time in Luceti has been spent out in the woods, so most things in the village seem new. He roams around, staring at everything through a baffled haze. While he's exploring the whole bazaar area, his attention will be repeatedly snagged by the weapons shop and a strangely familiar knife.

All the running around for the past few days has him looking a little worse for the wear; his clothes and hair are a bit untidy, though he looks a lot better than he had for the past few days. He's not yet comfortable with the wings and has tried to keep them hidden from view under his shirt. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, we've had a lot of time to do so.

[A wry smile forms.]

I've lived here for over two years now, and been helping out here for most of this year.

[ His face falls and he almost rises out of his seat. He can't imagine how horrible it must be to be trapped here for so long. ]

Two years?

[She nods, thought doesn't seem especially scarred for life. Then again, there's a good reason for that.]

Yes. I can't say that's typical; as far as I know, no one's really calculated an average length of stay. Some arrive and depart within a few days or weeks. Others remain for considerably longer. There are people here who have been residents for years before I arrived. Granted, there aren't too many....

[ He rests his head in his hands. First he has to deal with this crazy place and now he finds out he could be stuck there for years. ]

How can you stand more than a week of this place?

Well, having everything you need at your fingertips helps.

[Said dryly, but she grows more serious after a moment.]

I'm not going to lie, Luceti can be very trying at times. The experiments take their toll on everyone, not to mention the drafts and kidnappings. Between then, we're pretty much left to our own devices...and that's when we make the best of what time we have here. It's either that, or go insane.

[ Firo's not the brightest; it's too much for him to think of all of that, so he just focuses on the last thing she said. He tries to keep from sounding too skeptical. He's mostly curious; any ideas to keep himself going would be nice. ]

And how do you do that?

Finding some role for you to assume usually helps. Even though we don't get paid for what we do, it's nice to have a routine. There's also the option of learning a new subject or skill. The school has open classes for everyone, for instance, and the battle dome is an excellent place for training.

[ He has to agree about having a routine. Back home he's always kept himself busy. The school doesn't attract his interest, but the battle dome sounds right up his alley. ]

What's the battle dome like?

[She takes a sip of her tea again.]

It's pretty advanced technology, at least to me. You're able to fight holographic simulations of whatever enemy you wish, and you can customize the settings, as well. Some new additions include making use of different vehicles, as well as creating scenarios that aren't strictly combat...sort of like a play, I suppose. It's all fascinating, to me.

There's nothin' like that back home.

[ He laughs ]

I can't even imagine somethin' like that actually bein' real. Does it feel like an actual fight?

Oh, yes. You can even been injured during such fights, though the scenario will shut down if anything close to a mortal blow would be delivered.

[ He scratches his head. ]

Sounds almost too good to be true.

[She shrugs.]

Many of us have used it and nothing bad has come of it, but don't just rely on our testimonials. Try it, and see for yourself.

[ He smiles and nods ]

You can bet I will. Thanks a lot.