Video

[hammer]

[ The image of a rather ordinary, unremarkable looking man fills the screen. He’s clean-shaven, wearing a pair of black-framed glasses, and he’s got brown hair, cut short and though it’s a little messy, there’s something about it that suggests that it had been styled at one point earlier in the day. He’s just slightly disheveled, which those familiar with the comings and goings of individuals to Keeliai might recognize as a sign of a new arrival. ]

So this is… [ There’s a moment of silence, as he trails off and glances away from the camera. ] …different.

[ It only lasts for a second, before he looks back and rolls his eyes. ]

The whole—I mean, well… Whatever.

[ He takes a deep breath, lets it out, and pulls himself together. ]

Right, okay. I was given a place to live but no job, and I’m guessing that it isn’t free rent forever. So if there’s, I don’t know, a job center? Help wanted ads? Some turtle world version of Craigslist? Something? Could someone point me in the right direction?

Comments

[hammer]

Not really. It's just not every day you learn that there's another you out there. Well, not every day for me. I guess it's every day for some people.

[doesthemath]

For some, though in my experience the similarities between people have been notable but...not as close to exactly as many seem to experience here.

Regardless, you may find that people here may care more about your actions while in Keeliai more than that of your counterpart's in their universe.

[Some, but not all, unfortunately.]

[hammer]

One can hope, right?

[ Justin's resigned himself to the fact that he's going to be judged for his stupid mistake for the rest of his life. ]

How about you? Is there some other version of you out there?

[doesthemath]

[Her lips press together a moment at his question, then relax.]

There is, apparently, however she is not here, nor has she been.

[Which is good, because Wanda's not certain she would like this other Wanda at all. Not with what she's done.]

[hammer]

That's good. I mean, I'd think that was good. It gets confusing enough when there are two people in the same place with the same name. It's got to be ten times worse if they have the same face too.

[ Which to him sounds impossible. But they are on a city riding on a turtle. He's willing to suspend his incredulity for a bit. ]

[doesthemath]

Agreed. Things are complicated enough as they are, to be dealing with too many people sharing faces or similar pasts.

[She has enough to deal with, with the son of her counterpart present, and members of the other teams.]

For instance, finding leads on foreigner friendly places to work.

[hammer]

What about with other foreigners? Or do most of them work for the natives? The... the kedan?

[doesthemath]

Not as much as they used to. From what I've heard, most kedan were pleased when we began arriving, but for a small portion. Time has passed and with things getting worse, they've grown less tolerant, or outright hostile toward us. As I understand it, many foreigners work for other foreigners, or at least those who have established their own businesses.

[hammer]

Hostile like shout curses at us when they see us on the street? Or beat us?

She's so reassuring.

[doesthemath]

That depends upon the kedan, I imagine, but both from what I've heard, and of course only if you're incapable of defending yourself.

she's giving him a useful warning!

[hammer]

So basically I need to hurry up and get a gun. That's what you're telling me. Okay. I'll do that. Where's the nearest gun shop?

[doesthemath]

I couldn't say, it's nothing I've ever relied upon. And really, you might not find it amiss to find an instructor. For instance, there's no guaranteeing you'll be able to get your gun out by the time you need it.

[And then Wanda wonders if the man's ever been in a fight before. Designing weapons is not knowing how to defend yourself.]

[hammer]

Well, I'll start carrying a stick. And then if, if I get into shit before I figure something out, I'll have that at least. Or just, you know, stick to foreigner parts of town.

[doesthemath]

I doubt you'll find anything like that here. It's not as if we have our own sector like a China Town or anything.

But a stick will do for now, I suppose.

[If he can find one. The kedan are protective of everything considered a resource, it seems.]

[hammer]

There isn’t any separation? Really? Is space that limited that everyone just lives together?

[ It’s the only reason he can think of to make sense of the lack of segregation. ]

[doesthemath]

Well there are the living quarters of course, but there simply isn't a district that has been established for foreigners only. Most seem to have spread throughout the city instead.

[hammer]

I'll keep my eyes out, then. Be on guard. Thanks for the warning.

[doesthemath]

It cost me nothing to do so.

[Which is to say, you're welcome.]