[console]

[whitelotustile]

[users might recognize the background of the welcome center, as Iroh had walked there after realizing that the strange sensation he felt might have been important.]

Well, I thought I was blacking out for a moment there... quite a strange feeling. And it looks like I've been gone for some months. I should have left a note, but I didn't expect that I'd be... well, whatever happens to those of us who leave and return.

For those of you I haven't met, my name is Iroh. I used to serve tea around here. And a few other things.

Comments

[whitelotustile]

Earths of some form or another.

[looksfine]

Yes. But nearly indistinguishable from one another, without the knowledge of personal experiences to compare.

[As far as conversation has ever led her to believe.]

It really is quite interesting. That whatever power source drew us all here, it would focus so intently on a single planet in a single Sector of space.

[whitelotustile]

Perhaps to encourage us to see the other Foreigners as part of our group. It might be more surprising that we don't all come from the same world, or not everyone is human.

[looksfine]

...you are suggesting that we would not so easily ally with one another if the vast majority weren't human?

[Because she strongly disagreed with that sentiment.]

[whitelotustile]

I think that the former Emperor may not have known what sort of people she was seeking. There are certainly some humans who might not ally with humans not of their own culture.

[Iroh can think of those in the Fire Nation who bought into the superiority. He'd mostly believed it in his youth, and it has taken him years to un-learn that.]

[looksfine]

Such as...whom, precisely? Is there a specific individual currently here you are alluding to?

[This was important information to assess. If there was a known reluctance among their ranks, then it would have to be dealt with before it had the chance to escalade into a major issue.]

[whitelotustile]

More some people I have met in my own world. Though being here might help with learning to be a bit more comfortable with others.

[And learning some humility.]

[looksfine]

Can you be certain of that?

[whitelotustile]

That they wouldn't help? No, any one can change. But there are some who are more resistant than others.

[looksfine]

...yes. That, I have learned through personal experience.

[Razer. A name she still thought of often, though not usually in the context of an ongoing conversation. How he had once thought and acted so differently from the person she had come to know him as. How he had resisted, and yet...in the end, his true nature shone through. One that could see beyond the hatred of a typical Red Lantern.]

[whitelotustile]

Exactly. Though who can say now what drives the spell without its original purpose?

[looksfine]

I suspect there are few people still residing in the city from the initial casting of said spell. If any.

A most unfortunate predicament. I would have been most interested in that inquiry.

[whitelotustile]

Yes. Even I heard about it second or third hand.

[looksfine]

May I ask, precisely, what information you were given on the subject?

[They could compare notes.]

[whitelotustile]

Mostly that the Emperor was the original caster of the spell, and that the kedan were an original attempt several centuries ago.

[looksfine]

[The first part, Aya knew. She had never had the pleasure of encountering Eshai herself, but she had heard...stories. The latter part, however--]

That...I was made aware of the fact that their was some sort of means of ensuring a subdued compliance before the defeat of the enemy known as Malicant...but I was never made aware that they are not originally of this world, either.

[whitelotustile]

I don't believe they are. And certainly this world has a larger number of different sorts of people than my own. Unless you count spirits.

The kedan probably have a better sense of their own history than I do.

[looksfine]

[...spirits?]

You are correct. Perhaps...perhaps I should ask them. It had not occured to me before now that such a thing might be necessary. But...I am curious.

[whitelotustile]

Most people are happy to talk about their ancestors. At least, when they are proud of where they come from.

[Which is why Iroh doesn't usually bring up his own background. Because, he loved his dad, but his dad was not a nice person.]