01 [video]

[ainsophaured]

[This is his first time addressing people in this fashion. While he’s used to presenting in front of groups at small info swaps in Sybak, this is a whole new experience. While there’s a smile on his face, he’s a little nervous. ]

This isn’t what I had in mind when I first set out to do field research. It’s quite interesting, in any case.

[A pause. He’s had time to settle in, albeit a short amount of time, and has a general idea of what’s been going on. Hearing about the recent bombs was especially unsettling, which is why he’s outside the living quarters just looking at his surroundings. He’s eager to help out in this new place, even if he's not sure where to start. The people here had been through a lot already. It was apparent even from a casual glance at the last posts.]

For the time being, I’d like to offer my services to help reconstruction efforts in any way I can. I’ve only just arrived, but I hope I can be of some use.

[His expertise is research over anything else so while he looks useless, he can at least put a band-aid on someone. Or give them a hug. Or hold a nail while someone whacks it with a hammer. Before he ends the chat, he appears to remember something and quickly asks: ]

Are the words Tethe’Alla or Sylvarant familiar to anyone here? If it’s not any trouble, I’d like to talk to you.

Comments

Voice

[wilder]

[Whoa, what? He had stopped on this video because he thought it was Emil- but what in the world was he talking about? And that name on the side of the entry- Aster? Where has he heard that before?]

[But he'll answer, at least with voice. The name on his is "Kaneis Major"]

I'm from Tethe'alla. Who might you be?

Voice

[ainsophaured]

[While Aster wouldn't wish anyone to be dragged into this, he can't help to feel at ease knowing there are others from his world around. It makes the transition feel much smoother. Maybe later on he can ask this guy about the state of affairs in their world.]

My name is Aster. I'm a student at Sybak. Where are you from?

Voice

[wilder]

Sybak, huh. Well, nice to have another from our world.

[He tries to think if he remembers that name from his days there- hmmm nope. Not a clue. And he thinks about what answer he should give but eh- Meltokio is a huge city so-]

I'm from Meltokio, but I travel a lot.

video;

[fujibayashi]

Em-- huh?

[She stops and scans over the entry. What... the fuck? That is clearly Emil but that is clearly not Emil's name... She has the feeling she's met him before, on top of that-- pinged mostly by his manner of speaking.]

I'm from Tethe'alla, too. That's a Sybak uniform, isn't it?

video;

[ainsophaured]

Yes, it is.

[There's a slight pause as he takes a moment to study her face. Hasn't he seen her? She hadn't been a student in Sybak and he can't recall her being in the towns he visited with Richter. ]

I feel like I've seen you before now and your name...

[He double checks it quickly, rereading her name a couple times until it finally hits him.]

I remember now! You were at the Elemental Research Laboratory at one point, weren't you?

video;

[fujibayashi]

[Sheena is a bit surprised he was able to pick up on that so quickly. It makes sense though. She knew Emil had been a little familiar, and that was because she'd ran into this kid while he was researching Summon Spirits or something. Sheena was always the resource for that, being the world's only summoner-- and highly successful, at that.

This must be Aster, the researcher Emil admitted to murdering. And the guy whose face he stole.

Shit. This is-- this is awkward.]

Uh... yeah! That was me. I thought you looked kinda familiar. Aster, right?

video;

[substitutable]

Emil? [It doesn't... seem like Emil. Emil'd been here since at least May, when he met him, and from the way the guy had talked, even longer. Besides, did Emil even act like that?]

...'s brother?

video;

[ainsophaured]

[That's weird. Who is Emil? Surely no one he has to worry about and only has the smallest possible resemblance to. Right? Right.]

I'm an only child. You must be confusing me with someone else.

video;

[substitutable]

[He pauses to wonder if he's going to get another "it's complicated" answer like he got from the redheads of Abyss, but then he's shaking his head.]

Oh... m-maybe. That's probably it! I'm sorry, you really looked like him so I was wondering why... You're new, huh?

[Video]

[pactfulfilled]

[For a minute, Asbel thinks this is Emil posting. But wait... This can't be him, right? He said he just got here. And so the young man on the other end of the feed is likely wearing a confused expression at first as he scratches the back of his neck.]

Sorry, I don't know a whole lot about it myself, but one of my friends is from Tethe'alla.

[He offers a smile.]

Um. Are you looking for your brother by any chance? I actually met him a while ago.

[Video]

[ainsophaured]

[The only reason he could place why this guy looks confused is maybe the same reason some people are mistaking him for this Emil person.]

You don't have to apologize for that. If you don't mind me asking, who is your friend? I have met a couple people from Tethe'alla so far.

[Even if this guy doesn't want to give out a name, it's enough to know that there are people from the world here. Multiple people, even. Hopefully they can work together to get out of this mess and learn the nature of this world. ]

...I'm afraid I don't have a brother. Was the person you met Emil?

[Video]

[pactfulfilled]

Then you've probably met him already. His name's Kaneis.

[And he most likely wouldn't call Asbel here a friend, but he's giving him the benefit of a doubt anyway.]

Oh. [Asbel looks surprised.] Well, yeah, it was. The two of you look so much alike, I thought you might be brothers...

[He's still not sure the two of them aren't related somehow. If not, then this is a really amazing coincidence.]

But you know each other, right?

[So not here]

[knightofcourage]

[No. Way.

Well, someone's going out as little as possible today.]

voice.

[acemedium]

Are you a construction worker?!

voice.

[ainsophaured]

I've never done construction work before.

[Aster laughs quietly at that. Yeah, no. ]

Still, if it's needed I'd be happy to lend a hand.

[Get stuck in the cement and die, but he'd try dammit!]

voice;

[clinical]

[This is interesting. So Jade is going to ask a question that is not the question he is actually wondering! replicaaaaaa] Perhaps it would be easier to determine where you could best help if you described for us what kind of assistance you can offer.

voice;

[ainsophaured]

I'm afraid most of my experience lies in research. Even so, I'd still like to help in any manner possible.

[READ: CAN DO NOTHING USEFUL. Aster just wants to help somehow.]

[video]

[bloodyashes]

[And here's number two for the Replica Assumption Squad because if I'm breaking hiatus I might as well the whole caboose.

Did you order a side of suspicion with your redhead today, Aster?]

I've heard of them in passing.

[Blunt and to the point.]

And who are you?

[video]

[ainsophaured]

[Oh good, just what he ordered. Who doesn't need some of that?]

I'm glad to see my world is already represented here.

My name is Aster. I'm from Tethe'alla.

[video]

[blossomgale]

[ Here, have another confused person. Sophie doesn't often check the name on the side of the entry... ] Didn't you ask something like that before, Emil?

[video]

[ainsophaured]

[He's not sure if it's better or worse that people are confusing them completely instead of asking if they're related now.]

You're mistaking me for someone else. My name is Aster.

voice;

[alphonse]

An old roommate of mine mentioned those places too. If that's where you're from, I think you'll have a lot of company here.

And there's still plenty of rebuilding to be done; where you can help really just depends on your skills. Have you ever done anything like this before?

voice;

[ainsophaured]

Yes, that seems to be the case.

[He's happy people from his world are here to talk to, even if it's not the best place for them all to end up.]

No, nothing on this scale. I'd still like to help somehow.

[Aster reflects. They deviated quite a few times on their journey to the demon realm to help people. Mostly basic 'find my cat' fetch quests type deals.]

I SUCK FORGIVE MY LATENESS

[reassures]

Are you going to continue field research here?

[Since everyone else seems to have answered his questions. ...And be confused by him looking like someone else. Huh.]

NO I WILL NEVER SEEK also voice

[ainsophaured]

It would be difficult to continue what I was working on.

[Especially since his partner is MIA too.

Not that any of this will stop him for long.]

I'm hoping to get settled in on a project here. If that can happen, then I'll continue.