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[spacevixen]

This is really quite seamless, isn't it?
These handheld ta8lets, I mean. They're very streamline and quite convenient! I can see why they would have such a large appeal, even in a place as desolate as this.
Since everything appears to 8e in working order, I suppose I should introduce myself.
My name is Aranea. While I am new to your world, I have take ample time to prepare myself 8efore em8arking further into such an initially confusing environment.
I admit that even I was a little overwhelmed 8y the sudden change in surroundings, and while the aesthetics aren't particularly something I think anyone would wish to 8ecome accustom to, there is a certain charm, perhaps? In the sense that 8eauty can come from the maca8re, or something of the sort. The situation we've found ourselves in is not too far from others I have watched, truth 8e told. 8uilding a civlization out of ruin is no easy task, and while I wouldn't necessarily call this the pinnacle of industry, o8vious improvements have 8een made. It feels to 8e a very functional environment.
Actually, this might 8e the perfect time to have made my appearance! Only 8eing a8le to witness such events and not take part in them was a little frustrating. I am not discounting the value of o8servation, of course, only my own wish to 8e an active mem8er in the historic process.
It is an unfortunate 8eginning, to 8e sure, 8ut the resilience to continue despite hardships feels to me to 8e a very human characteristic. I must express my admiration for this species that I only can profess to knowing in passing. I hope this will not only 8e an opportunity to take part in something truly fascinating and consequential, 8ut also to learn more a8out other 8eings.
Not having the pretext of imminent and eternal annihilation is certainly a perk.
8ut I digress!
Though it may seem a 8it off considering the circumstances, I look forward to taking on this struggle together!
Although, 8efore I forget, I have heard rumors of some local feasting and festivities to 8e taking place this time of your solar sweep. If you don't mind satiating my curiosity as I am nota8ly unaware of the significance, what exactly is happening? What is 8eing cele8rated?

[ This is really quite seamless, isn't it?
These handheld tablets, I mean. They're very streamline and quite convenient! I can see why they would have such a large appeal, even in a place as desolate as this.
Since everything appears to be in working order, I suppose I should introduce myself.
My name is Aranea. While I am new to your world, I have take ample time to prepare myself before embarking further into such an initially confusing environment.
I admit that even I was a little overwhelmed by the sudden change in surroundings, and while the aesthetics aren't particularly something I think anyone would wish to become accustom to, there is a certain charm, perhaps? In the sense that beauty can come from the macabre, or something of the sort. The situation we've found ourselves in is not too far from others I have watched, truth be told. building a civlization out of ruin is no easy task, and while I wouldn't necessarily call this the pinnacle of industry, obvious improvements have been made. It feels to be a very functional environment.
Actually, this might be the perfect time to have made my appearance! Only being able to witness such events and not take part in them was a little frustrating. I am not discounting the value of observation, of course, only my own wish to be an active member in the historic process.
It is an unfortunate beginning, to be sure, but the resilience to continue despite hardships feels to me to be a very human characteristic. I must express my admiration for this species that I only can profess to knowing in passing. I hope this will not only be an opportunity to take part in something truly fascinating and consequential, but also to learn more about other beings.
Not having the pretext of imminent and eternal annihilation is certainly a perk.
But I digress!
Though it may seem a bit off considering the circumstances, I look forward to taking on this struggle together!
Although, before I forget, I have heard rumors of some local festivities to be taking place this time of your solar sweep. If you don't mind satiating my curiosity as I am notably unaware of the significance, what exactly is happening? What is being celebrated? ]

Comments

[claimyourself]

Sort of far. There's an ocean in between. Plus I'm from the past so...

[For the first time, it occurs to her that all the people she loves at home are in the past. In the here and now, they're all gone. She can't speak for a moment, looking startled.]

[spacevixen]

[ She allows a moment of silence for contemplation, before gently prodding. ]

Time and space are interconnected; one is never without the other. I'd say it is natural to miss what once was.

[claimyourself]

[She swallows hard and nods.]

And I guess if we do what we're supposed to do, we get to go back.

[spacevixen]

That sounds more like a promising theory than an actuality.

[claimyourself]

It does. But at least it's an idea to hold onto. Otherwise we're just trapped here with no hope and no way home.

[spacevixen]

I must admit that I am a bit biased in this matter. My "home" is much less of an actual place of origin or comfort, but rather a collection of disjointed memories that constantly shift to accomodate the souls that reside within it. Existence in and of itself is enough for me.

[claimyourself]

Well... [Good for you? she thinks.] It's just I have people back home I miss. My boyfriend, my family and friends.

[spacevixen]

Ah, I apologize--I do have a tendency to talk about myself too much. Those are understandable losses.

[claimyourself]

It's fine. I mean, you didn't know. Speaking of, what did you want to know? I'll answer whatever I can.

[spacevixen]

Well... [ There's a lot she wants to know, but best start off more simply. ] How does this world differ from the time you are from?

[ Okay, maybe not so little. ]

[claimyourself]

Not so technologically advanced. There aren't machines that pluck people from different places and put them back in time. There's no United Earth either.

[spacevixen]

Before the mass destruction?

[claimyourself]

Yeah. I still need to read up on all that, but it sounds awful. It reshaped continents, apparently.

[spacevixen]

I would like to see your rendition of the map to compare, if that's possible.

[claimyourself]

Oh, I could try. Is there a map of the world now on these tablets? I could sort of trace over it.

[spacevixen]

Oh, yes there is!

[ Excuse her as she rather excitedly produces hers. ]

Please, I would greatly appreciate it.

[claimyourself]

Great. All right, well... I'll start over here.

[She starts tracing the coastline of the US with a finger hovering over the image. As she does so, a golden glowing line appears out of thin air, marking the former coastline. Magic powers are useful for all sorts of things, aren't they?]

[spacevixen]

[ Why yes, especially in the pursuit of academics. Aranea's blank white eyes widen as she watches, tilting her head slightly to the side ]

[claimyourself]

Like that.

[She tilts the map more towards Aranea so she can see.]

I guess these areas got obliterated.

[Biting her lip, she points to the map over where South Carolina would be. Or maybe still is. It's sort of on the cusp of what's gone and what's still there.]

I'm from around here somewhere. It's hard to tell with the map so altered.

[spacevixen]

[ Aranea leans in to get a better look, pushing her glasses further up her nose as she does so. White eyes scan the additions and she nods in an understanding manner. ]

I see. I admit it was difficult to imagine the damage that has been done to an unfamiliar world without seeing what it used to be. I'm sorry.

[claimyourself]

Yeah. I mean, it happens way after my time, but it's still really weird to see.

[spacevixen]

Time loses it's meaning the more of it that passes. Sometimes it can be difficult to fully take in a long change, but this appears to have been more drastic.

[claimyourself]

I think so. At least, that's what they've told us. It's hard to know what's true and what's not.

[spacevixen]

Understandably so. It is unfortunate that, thus far, theirs is the only source we have to rely on, isn't it?

[claimyourself]

I guess, yeah.

[She shrugs and hands back the map.]

Who knows if another source will come along, though.