trusthell | Welcome.

You last remember feeling safe.

You don't know what caused that response, now that you think about it; you can't remember what you were doing before the warm, comfortable feeling came over you, a sensation somewhere between relief and the light contentment that comes with the knowledge that you're safe enough to sleep and god, are you ready to. It feels like you may have been sleeping for a while before this, even; your limbs are heavy in the memory, and you recall how difficult it was to open your eyes.

Turning your head is likewise difficult, it feels kind of like it's full of sand. Weighted-down by sleep. It's so much easier to remain still, and so you do, and before you haze out again you can vaguely hear a voice.

It's no one you recognize, and it sounds strange and vaguely distorted as you start to drift off again.

"Everything'll be fine."

There isn't an answer that you can hear; the voice speaks once more.

"...you ready?"

You don't remember what you wanted to say to that. Always, maybe. Or Ready for what? Or perhaps What's happened to me?

But none of it matters, because consciousness slips away from you too quickly for you to respond.

---

You wake up some time later; the comfortable, safe feeling from earlier certainly isn't dampened any by the bed you wake up in. Whether you like it soft as a cloud or firm enough to support the most finicky of spines, the bed you're in is nice, and it's pretty much exactly what you've been looking for in a mattress.

Shame the rest of the room is probably going to be a bit jarring when you wake up properly.

The room you're in is completely unfamiliar, all concrete and steel and almost nothing that makes it yours - but there's a trunk near the bed and there's what looks like a smartphone sitting on the trunk, and you might want to grab that before you leave the room. Trying to text or call out won't do anything for the time being, unfortunately, but it's something. A lifeline, maybe.

If you're looking to see if anyone is here with you, maybe you can find someone as you wander through the main corridor; after all, there are a few places to explore here, even if the bulk of the place is pretty much a straight shot down the center. If you're looking to gather, the dining hall is probably the best place for it, as it's large enough to accommodate all of you.

Wherever you choose to go, however, there are a set of rules posted in every room; the far wall of the dining hall, across from the entrances, also has a bulletin board with twenty-seven pictures, along with some...interesting information, posted on it. The board is large enough for all of you to look at it, but you might not want to try to get at anything posted there; just like the rules, there's glass in front of it, and it's looking to be extremely shatterproof.

Sorry about that.

There's one more thing you'll notice on your wanderings through the corridor – there are no windows, and there are no doors that can possibly lead outside.

Looks like you're trapped. Might as well get to know those that are here with you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He gives the spine a good look. The author means nothing to him, but he can understand where Bruce is coming from.]

In other words, it lists a famous author, but slightly changes the name, making it seem like an unsubtle disguise?

That's the long and short of it.

[It is incredibly unsubtle.]

Even that is a clue when you stop to consider it. Despite it being a cheap knockoff, it still implies that they at least have to be somewhat aware of the original author, doesn't it?

[The striking similarity can't be a complete coincidence, can it?]

[That is true... Bruce hadn't quite thought of it that way.]

That is something to consider. [A soft hum.] Though I suppose there are a lot of things to consider.

[...just with nothing to come out from it.]

We can just sort it into the pile of thoughts that we won't disregard for now. Progress is progress!

[It really is interesting though...Is this location closer to where Bruce is from, perhaps?]

[A nod.]

One into that pile, then.

[Progress indeed. Now what to bring up next...]

How about you? Did you find anything of note?

This doesn't apply to the library exactly- well, indirectly I suppose since nothing from my area seems to be present here...

[He neatly clasps his hands together as he considers his wording.]

The most alarming thing I have discovered is everyone's apparent lack of knowledge about Pokemon. While it is possible to not know very much about them, nearly everyone should at least know of them...

[He looks up at Bruce, waiting to see if he'll fall into the crowd of Pokemon-less people or not.]

[WELL...

Sorry, Colress, he's gonna disappoint you.]

...sorry, I think you'll have to put me with the rest of those people, too.

[He vaguely heard of it before? But he was always too busy studying and working to really play games.]

[You hurt his heart, Bruce.

Okay not really, he kind of expected it.]

That's quite all right, I am happy to explain. They are creatures with powers that humans are not capable of. Breathing fire, expelling water and electricity, super strength...things of that nature. They are extremely important to humans, and have been helping us for a long time.

[Ah.

Okay then.

That sure is something.]

Isn't that kind of incredibly dangerous, though?

Dangerous in what way?

[Said with a tone of genuine curiosity.]

Well, you have all these creatures that can naturally breath fire and summon electricity, among other things. There's so many hazards around just like that.

Ahh, I see! But that is only if you think pessimistically about it. They also help us with those abilities- supplying electricity in emergency situations, and heating water or providing general warmth in the cold.

In most cases, wild Pokemon keep to themselves unless provoked while Pokemon owned by trainers are well-behaved. I won't say that there aren't any hiccups, but most dangers can be dealt with.

...that's good to hear.

[Bruce isn't ENTIRELY CONVINCED but hey, he doesn't live in that kind of place, so how is he to know.]

And you study them, from what I've gathered?

[He has every right not to be convinced tbh...]

Correct! Specifically, I am looking for what draws out the most of a Pokemon's power during battle.

[He'll just...leave it at that since he figures further explanation won't mean much to someone who has literally just been introduced to Pokemon.]

I've put a lot of time and effort into my research...so being away from it all is slightly worrisome for me.

'During battle'?

[Yeaaaah Bruce needs to pause there. A battle? Like a territorial fight, or...?]

Hm? Oh! My apologies, I didn't mention Pokemon battles, did I?

It's exactly as it sounds. Pokemon battling each other. It is a long-standing cultural thing for us.

[IT'S FINE, BRUCE...TOTALLY FINE...]

[NO ITS NOT FINE!! HOW CAN YOU JUST MAKE THESE CREATURES BATTLE EACH OTHER.................]

A cultural thing? And... nobody has problems with that?

[Because Bruce is sure as hell seeing a lot of problems.]

Oh, of course some people have problems with that.

[Please don't make him talk about Team Plasma, Bruce...]

But I can assure you that the vast majority of the time, Pokemon battles are done with the Pokemon's consent. They do not get seriously injured from battles, and any injuries can be easily healed at a Pokemon Center. Battles do not lead to Pokemon death either, if that concerns you.

[Well that's... a bit more reassuring, he supposes, but still--

It's a fair bit to take in.]

I see. [No, he doesn't really see. Not everything, anyway. But then again, its not as if he's in any position to really say much, since its clear that wherever the other is from things are vastly different there.] ...I apologize. I don't mean to distrust you or anything.

[Colress will give a small dismissive wave. He doesn't seem annoyed or anything.]

That's quite all right! You weren't the only one to be concerned, of course. I understand- it's bound to be a strange concept to one who has not grown up in the world I did.

It is interesting to see how each of our places vary.

[Some are only minor, while others... well, they're certainly different, that's for sure.]

My thoughts exactly. Many have been startling, but fascinating.

[And since Bruce brought up his place...]

I'd certainly like to hear about yours sometime.

[There's a small laugh here.]

Mine's hardly as interesting as yours. There's honestly not much to say.

[It's just... normal. And terrible, sometimes.]

Oh come now, no need to be so modest. I'd say the fact that it lacks Pokemon is a point of interest in its own right.

[Definitely not as exciting, but...interesting.]

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amygdalae - 2016-03-14 14:21 (UTC) - Expand