[Walkabout -> Jaunt] Foreward dated to 60hrs into the Jauntabout

[youandyoualone]

Ah, hello? This is Anafiel Delaunay. Did the rest of you make it to the Grid as predicted? There seem to be less of us here, so we assume we are on Walkabout. We seem to have been left at a 'ski resort' called Levi, in a country known as Finland, which is on the peninsula that my world calls Gotland. There are 'men in black' in the ski resort with us, so we are on guard for kidnapping attempts to come.

Some of us, including myself, have been mysteriously transformed into foxes, hounds, and reindeer.

I can pass on messages to any of the others who are there with us. Our numbers include Helena, Yosuke, Korra, Usagi and Mamoru, Allura, Tachibana, Kenzaki and Hajime, Kinji, Keith, Ringabel, Utsusemimaru, Sabetha, Gil, Zed, Captain Marvelous, and Rose Washburn, among others. [Sorry, Inigo, but you didn't give your name at the check-in.]

Ah. Also, does anyone know how Alcuin is doing? As far as I can tell he is with you.

Comments

[crouching_sin]

We're at the Grid I think, yes. Sentient computer programs and all. I admit I haven't been paying all that much attention to what we're supposed to be doing, other than exploring - which I don't much care for right now. There's too many interesting things to tinker with here...

[youandyoualone]

I see. [Somehow he suspects this will be a difficult conversation to sustain, knowing so little of computers.]

Do you have any messages you wish to convey to the others here in Finland?

[crouching_sin]

If you're at a ski resort, I'm guessing it's winter. Make sure that people know how to bundle up properly, because otherwise you might have to figure out healing to fix your extremities. Frostbite can sneak up on you faster than you suspect. It sounds obvious, but it's worth repeating.

[youandyoualone]

Indeed it is. I have some experience in knowing what to do from the winter I spent riding the Cammaeline border, but that was far south of here--and future clothes are some aught different than what we wore then. But I think we are figuring it out.

[crouching_sin]

Well, if you need help I'm sure someone there can assist.

Do the transformations there seem like something normal, or something out of the ordinary for that world?

[youandyoualone]

I don't know if normal is the right word for it--but they do seem to have happened previously to us coming here.

[crouching_sin]

Hm. So perhaps it's not the transformations you're meant to figure out.

Well, it's early yet, so I'm sure the issue will show itself.

[youandyoualone]

As am I.

These walkabouts, they are meant to be simpler than the Jaunts proper, yes?

[crouching_sin]

That's what I've been led to believe, at least. The dragon business was fairly simple.

[youandyoualone]

While Harrogate was anything but. This is my first time not with the main Jaunt, so I was not sure.

[leftbehindagain]

Not the Grid precisely, but very much the same world, yes. It looks like it's a mission to restore another dead system. [So far it's not too complicated. Naoki's not really expecting that to last.]

Did that transformation problem you guys are having divide the network? If it did, save your bridges for that - anyone else who has them, too. If we need something over here I can reach out.

[youandyoualone]

No, we are still on the same Network. 'Tis not as with the Ghosts of Harrogate--we are in the same place as the others. We are just... furrier.

[leftbehindagain]

Well, that's one less complication, at least.

[youandyoualone]

Indeed.

... have you seen Alcuin? [Sorry. Just. He worries a little.]

[leftbehindagain]

I haven't, no. He's here somewhere, I can tell you that much, but I haven't seen him.

he hasn't checked in, which suggests he's infiltrating.

[youandyoualone]

I see. [He will just. Keep worrying then.]

[awitchdidit]

Monsieur Anafiel! It's a pleasure to hear from you. It sounds like you're having a nice ski vacation compared to the last Walkabout..."Men in Black" sound familiar, though. I believe they were the antagonists of our visit to a music festival in California. You probably don't need to fear for your life, but they will absolutely investigate strange goings-on, so be cautious.

Rose's father is with her, right? If not I'm sure she's let you know by now if he's not...as for Alcuin, he is here, playing the part of one of the Programs from the Grid. I believe he and Thorne are both Infiltrating, so I should probably inform you for her sake that the world we're in is made up of the tiny people who live inside computers.

[youandyoualone]

Yes. Messire Washburn is here, although he is Infiltrating. Rose herself seems to be maintaining a half-Infiltration, or so she tells us.

I am glad that you have found them. Please keep an eye on them for me, if you might?

[awitchdidit]

I will certainly keep an eye on them. I'll do my best to keep them out of trouble, too, but I don't think I'm ready to make a promise in that regard. Trouble seems to find all three of us...

[youandyoualone]

[In a dry tone.] I've noticed.

[tookashirototheknee]

Is Alcuin the really cute guy with long blonde hair?

Because yeah, I think I've seen him. He seems... content.

[youandyoualone]

He is.

I am glad he--or, I suppose, his overlay--seems to be content. Thank you.

[tookashirototheknee]

Sure. If Shiro wasn't here, I'd be worried sick, so I'm always happy to reassure people that their people are alright.

[youandyoualone]

This is not the first time we have been in opposite places, but the time before we both knew ourselves. It is slightly easier when you can talk to the person you are missing, even if it is only a fraction of an hour each week.

[verdeleonessa]

Do you know if there're guys named Lotor or Thace on that side? Keith or Allura would know who they are.

Also this place is awesome but yours doesn't sound bad either.

[youandyoualone]

I have met Thace's overlay before. He did not chime in on the check-in, but I will look for him. He may be less furry, but I think he will still be recognizable. I am afraid I do not know Lotor, however. I will let Allura and Keith know that you are looking for them both.

[verdeleonessa]

I'm mostly concerned about leaving Lotor to his own devices. It'd be easier to know if I need to keep in mind to see if he's around here or if I can leave it to Keith and Allura to handle.

[youandyoualone]

I do not know Keith well, but my experience with Allura is that she is a very capable young woman. I am sure she will keep your... friend in line.

[verdeleonessa]

Yeah, I have no doubt about that.

Tell her and Keith hi from me and that we're okay here.

[youandyoualone]

I shall.

[bite_the_hand]

[And that would be the psychic equivalent of an almost cartoonishly dramatic double-take]

You're in a place called what!?

[But then it registers that the list of names that was just given has at least one rather alarming exception.] Is... Is that just the names of the Investigators that are with you?

[youandyoualone]

Levi? Is there some significance to it?

And yes. They are the ones whose names I know and who checked in when Yosuke addressed us all. I do not know how many people have Infiltrated yet. Is there someone you wish for me to keep an eye out for?