[Video]

[strongside]

Another world, is it?

[ The feed comes on to show a young woman's face on the screen, looking at the Gear with an idle sort of wonder. In her other hand is a common, and familiar, handbook, one which she quickly glances back to as soon as the Gear is turned on. Seems like someone is trying to make sense of all this... technical jargon. But it's somehow able to make sense. Somehow.

After several moments of silence, she snaps the handbook closed with a sigh. She brings her attention back to the Gear. ]

Is there even a point to being "the best"? [ Does it involve you going back home? ] The book doesn't mention titans, but how much is this book not telling me?

[ Skeptical? Just a bit for all that the dubiousness shows on her impassive face. ]

I need to find my friends. If anyone knows a boy named Armin-- [ Pause. No, there's too many to list. She glances down to her arm and lifts it up to show the insignia of two swords crossing over a shield. ] If anyone has seen anyone with this jacket and symbol, please inform me immediately.

As for where to go... [ She trails off. She has a journey, but no destination. And the fact that she's alo-- a small roaring sound from outside the screen lifts up her head. ]

... Right. I need to find berries, too. [ I need a distraction. ]

Comments

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[A middle-aged man's face shows up on the screen. He's sitting on a bench at the side of a road by an open grassy area, where a Snubbull is throwing a stick for a Growlithe.]

[Blake's taking a breather, and he figures he should give the serious-looking girl the good news.]

No point to anything, as far as anybody's figured out.

[The Growlithe drops the stick and barks. The Snubbull patiently lifts it in her claws and throws it, sending the yapping fire-dog-thing scampering after it. Puppies.]

There's some giant ones if that's what you mean by titans.

[Blake tilts the screen to get a better look at the logo.]

Never seen it before. What are they, in your band?

[video]

[strongside]

[ More of those creatures, but at least Mikasa sees some semblance to animals she was already familiar with. She listens to Blake's words with a contemplative silence. By "giant ones," he's probably referring to a type of Pokemon. She'll get to that in a bit. ]

They were a part of my training regiment: the 104th squad.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Chatty one. Blake's not complaining.]

Army?

[That doesn't look like any fatigues he knows.]

Sorry kid, but odds are you're on your own. There might be a couple around somewhere, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

[video]

[strongside]

[ Indeed, she doesn't. She lets out another sigh after he confirms her suspicions. Her nose dives under her scare for a few seconds. She did nod to his previous question of whether she's a part of an army, though. ]

If this world takes me, there might be a chance they get in as well. [ She hopes. It's very strange to have moments pass by where they aren't "do or die" moments. Like now. ]

If that's the case, I'd still like to be informed, if possible.

[Video]

[autumnharvest]

Indeed. We've all been transported from our own worlds to this one. As to how, it remains a mystery.

I'm unsure what it means to be 'the best', although I suppose the definition may differ for each individual.

Unfortunately, I have not seen that symbol in my time here. However, that does not necessarily mean that someone else hasn't. I've only been here a few weeks, while others have been here much longer.

[Video]

[strongside]

[ She listens to the answers a contemplative hum, nodding slightly as she receives them. She looks up at that last part, though. ]

How much longer?

[Video]

[autumnharvest]

There are some who have been trapped here for well over a year, if not more.

[Video]

[strongside]

[ If she feels any surprise, her lack of reaction hides it pretty well. She only briefly looks off to the side as she considers the possibility of being stuck here for that long. ]

There's really no way to go back? [ What a frustrating thought. ]

[onelevelnicer]

Being the best just gives you bragging rights.

[strongside]

There must be something more practical than that.

[onelevelnicer]

A three week pleasure cruise?

[strongside]

[ You are getting the most deadpan stare back. Pleasure cruise in her world? Pfft. ]

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

[Titans...? That can refer to a lot of things, but he'll probably get more answers if he gives some of his own, so-]

Not a practical one, really. It's simply something to aim for until this place decides to send you home.

As for what the book doesn't tell you... a fair bit, really, though I haven't come across any mention of "titans" in my studies. That may be something present in your world that isn't present here.

[video]

[strongside]

From the answers I've been given, it seems like this world encourages us to get stronger. Our "teams," at least.

[ Getting a clearer picture now. Kayneth's answer just helps confirm it. ]

Titans, monsters that vaguely resemble humans, who go out of their way to hunt humans. [ Her voice is dry and coming out as though she's reading from a textbook, histories lessons appearing in her head. ]

Over a hundred years ago in my world, they emerged, and placed humanity on the brink of extinction. Humans were only saved by hiding behind colossal walls. [ Pause. ] That doesn't seem to be the case in this world.

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

That would be correct. It seems as though challenging the gyms is just part of the culture here, though it certainly isn't the only thing to do here.

[...annnd uh

...well that is bizarre in a way that isn't baffling and quirky um]

...no, it certainly doesn't, and I'm glad for it. Things known as titans exist in the mythology of my world, but... if the legends about them were true, they were fairly different from that.

[video]

[strongside]

Getting stronger... That's something I can do. My team can do it.

[ She kinda needs a distraction, Kayneth, can you tell? Things happen, titans eat and people die. Why is that not happening now. ]

What sort of legends?

video;

[chainred]

There's a guide. [ This girl is the most helpful, isn't she? ]

It doesn't mention titans either. Is that a Pokemon?

video;

[strongside]

[ Blankest, most pointed stare in your direction, Morgiana. ] I've already poured through it.

No, but the Pokemon themselves might reach their size from the answers I'm getting.

video;

[chainred]

[ This is now a lineface-off. ]

There's one that grows the size of a whale. [ Super helpful. ]

... I still don't know how it can fit inside a Pokeball.

[chosen_light_child]

[Hikari had no idea what a 'titan' was, but she could tell that whatever it was probably wasn't good. But well, she might as well get to answering the questions, even if she didn't have any positive answers.]

I... haven't seen that symbol before. But I'll be sure to let you know if I do.

And well... there's really no reason to be the best unless that's something you like to aim for. A lot of people thought that it'd get home at first if they got all of the badges, but that's been proven wrong a lot of times over by now.

[strongside]

[ Hikari gets a nod of gratefulness at her offer to help. She worries for her comrades and the state of things back in her world, but more and more, she's starting to settle down... well, for all that it manages to show on her face, though. The frown does lessen. ]

It's something to accomplish while I'm here. [ Small sigh. ] And it affords better protection if my team is stronger.

[chosen_light_child]

[Hikari smiles at that.]

Yeah. That's true. For both things. The pokémon get a lot stronger the further you go into Johto, so to go to other cities you're going to need to get your team to be stronger anyway.

Of course, strength isn't everything. You also need to think about what types of pokémon you add to your team too, since every type has weaknesses to others.

[video]

[pianosongs]

Your friends may not be here... yet, at least. This world sometimes has an uncanny way of bringing new individuals.

[And taking them away, too, but he leaves that part out.]

If you don't mind me asking, what do those symbols mean?

[video]

[strongside]

[ She got that much, as it brought her, of all people, to a place like this. His question makes her glance back down to the symbol on her shirt for a moment. ]

The symbol of the 104th Trainee Squad, a regiment I was graduating from. [ Until titans happened. Two swords crossed over a shield - raising their arms in defense of the people. ] Military.

[video]

[pianosongs]

[Her answer has him looking a little surprised.]

You serve in a military? You seem so young, so I'm a little stunned by that.