voice; (backdated to 9/12)

[bloodbiter]

[Short and to the point.]

Is it customary for people to leave this place only to return mere days later?

Comments

text

[gevurah]

Not too sure about days, but a couple of months or more, yes.

[oncearanger]

It's happened. But keep in mind that time here and time in any other location aren't always in sync. I left here and returned two days later in Exsilium time, but I spent a year in the location I was sent to.

[Audio]

[strategic_guile]

Yeah, it happens, but were they on a mission or did they go home?

voice because texting is hard

[bloodbiter]

Have you experienced it?

[bloodbiter]

Thank you. I just wished to know whether it was a normal happening or not. Has it happened to you just that one time?

[Audio]

[bloodbiter]

Returned home. I've grown accustomed to the idea of missions, but this was something I didn't know could occur.

permavoice

[gevurah]

[ She switches over to be polite. ]

No, but I've spoken to someone who had been here, home, and back.

[Audio]

[strategic_guile]

It happens every once in a while. Sometimes they go home and when they come back years have past. Other times they leave and when they return they don't remember being here before.

[oncearanger]

It happened again recently, but I was away for about a week and a half of Exsilium time this time.

And I can't remember a thing.

text

[imusntrunaway]

It happens a lot.

Someone I know came and left two times already.

video;

[collectedloot]

Did it happen to one of your friends?

video

[worldswillburn]

Might just be.

permavoice

[bloodbiter]

How long did it take them to return?

[Audio]

[bloodbiter]

Has anyone found a reason for the differences?

[bloodbiter]

You do not remember returning home?

voice

[bloodbiter]

Is it common for it to occur more than once to the same person?

video;

[bloodbiter]

To me, my lady. I would like to know if it's something ordinary for this place.

video

[bloodbiter]

Would you say more?

[gevurah]

Not sure, but I think it had been a month or two.

[Audio]

[strategic_guile]

No, not that I know of. Just like getting pulled here, it seems pretty random.

video;

[collectedloot]

Oh. Are you feeling alright?

video

[worldswillburn]

In a place like this? I'd expect just about anything.

[oncearanger]

I wish I did. Maybe it would tell me something about what's happening.

[bloodbiter]

I have heard that people leave this place often. Perhaps your turn will come soon.

[oncearanger]

I'm not sure whether I want that to happen or not. But I have no choice, either way.

[bloodbiter]

Why would you not want it?

[oncearanger]

There are people here that I consider my family.

[bloodbiter]

[She pauses, thinking about that. She can't imagine becoming that close to anyone here, not the same way she was with Meryl.]

And family back home as well?

[oncearanger]

Yes, but I was in another situation like this before Exsilium. So I haven't seen them in years.

And even before that we'd grown distant. I really regret that, but I don't know what I'd do now.

[bloodbiter]

Another situation like this? What do you mean?

[oncearanger]

There was another situation of people being pulled from many worlds to fight a war. That first war was apparently won, though I missed the ending of it.

Now I'm fighting another.

[bloodbiter]

I was not aware this could happen twice. Has it truly been years since you've returned home?

[oncearanger]

I think so. I was sixteen then.

I'm almost nineteen now. At least...that's my best estimate of my age. In that first place it was difficult to track the passage of time accurately.

[bloodbiter]

[She stops. She feels like this is a time she should be offering some words of wisdom or comfort. She's never been good with that.]

I am sorry. It sounds awful. [The words, though sparse, are sincere; she can't imagine what it would be like to go so long without returning to her home.]

Forgive me, I don't believe I've asked your name yet. You can call me Addie.

[oncearanger]

Eventually you learn to adapt. It's not easy, but it's what I have to do.

Anyway, I'm Billy. I'd say it's nice to meet you, but I haven't really been telling you nice things.

I'm a downer today.

[bloodbiter]

Ah, no, you needn't say that. The information you've given me is valuable. Thank you.