tushanshu | 001 • [audio]

[ Casey opens with about five seconds of space to start with, since he's rechecking his console operational stats as a precaution. His voice is stiff and a little muffled, but easy enough to understand. ]

Alright. Definitely got this working! [ Moderately loud enthusiasm abounds for a brief moment there, and it is promptly tamped down. ] Sorry. I asked about how these worked just to be safe, but I also hear I got a pretty thick skull, y'know? [ And here there are two quiet thumps followed by a light hiss, because he sure did knock on the side of his head for emphasis. ] Wanted to make sure I got it.

So, uh. Hey. Name's Casey. I'm from New York, and if you don't know what that means, I feel sorry for ya. I guess I'm here to wake up half-drowned and defeat evil like everyone else? The half-drowned thing is pretty new, but I actually have some experience with evil, so here's hopin' I can put myself to good use. I mean, between giant turtles and fightin' bad guys and studying for English Lit., I'll take the bad guys.

If there's anything bigger than the welcome wagon that a guy should be let in on or a familiar face or somethin', though, I'd really appreciate gettin' that outta the way now. Maybe directions to a good sports equipment store? [ Pauuuuse. ] Thanks. Really.

[ That equipment store is really important though. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nah. [ In an abstract sense, maybe. But he prefers keeping his bros on the down-low, since they explicitly want to be on the down-low. ] There used to be a lot of legends about the world bein' on a giant turtle back home, or something like that. But everyone's pretty much done with that story.

Oh. My mistake. [He sounds vaguely embarrassed.] You made it sound like you had giant turtles in New York, too.

Wait, did I? [ Man. He's just on point. Getting kidnapped into another universe and immediately nearly compromising his friends. It's been a confusing day. ] Guess I should've been studying more English after all, huh? My tutor'd have a field day.

Maybe.

[Bertolt doesn't know what a field day is, but he understands the sentiment.]

Where is New York?

America. Earth. [ And, more sheepishly: ] Universally speakin', I'm kinda clueless there. I was pretty sure there was just the one universe to worry about before today.

[Bertolt hasn't heard of either of those two places. He needs to stop asking people where they're from, it just ends up depressing him when he hasn't heard of any of those places himself.]

Do you like it there?

Yeah, definitely. I was born and raised there, y'know? [ He's only occasionally considered not liking it. ] New York's pretty much got a little bit of everything for everyone, if you know where to look.

I know.

[Not about New York, obviously, but about the way you feel about where you were born and raised.]

What was your favorite part of the city?

Huh. That's a good question. [ His school's pretty great, and the hockey team. And putting on a goalie mask to fight crime in the streets, that's always awesome... ] I guess my favorite part's the people. Which- jeez, that sounds kinda corny. But it's true. You never end up bored in a city that full of weirdos.

No, I... I understand that too.

[He understands completely, but he doesn't sound happy about this understanding. If anything, he sounds gloomy and depressed now, his voice taking on weight that it didn't have before.]

[ Well, crap. Casey Jones, apparent downer extraordinaire. ]

You okay over there, dude? [ Did someone pee in the Cheerios while you were distracted... ]

[Bertolt's entire life is a bowl of Cheerios floating in piss.]

I'm fine.

[He sighs quietly, then changes the subject.]

There are a lot of different people in this city, too. Hopefully they'll help you stay entertained.

Entertainment probably won't be too high up on my priorities list. [ ...well. ] Maybe not right away, anyway. Got some streets to get to know and all.

The streets aren't too difficult to figure out.

[Very organized. Laid out in a grid.]

What sector are you in?

I got a place in Metal. Which, y'know, is actually a lot like home for me.

Really?

[Bertolt sounds a little amused.]

Metal is the most alien one for me. Your home world must be very, very different from mine.

Hey, I guess so! Charm of the giant turtle, right? It might be weirder not to run into any differences around here.

I suppose so. I recommend a visit to the Water Sector. It's very peaceful here.

I'm not always so great at peaceful, but I'll definitely keep that in mind. It's not so bad to know where the good, quiet spots are hidin'.

001 • [audio]

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voice; let me know if you don't want Attack on Titan spoilers!

voice; i don't mind spoilers at all :|b

voice; cool, since Bertolt is a walking AoT spoiler

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