video; un: aeaea

[terraphile]

Hello!

[ Enter: Sersi. Despite the whirlwind of events that she left home during, she's smiling brightly at the feed, particularly pleased with how clever she believes her user name is. She's no stranger to technology, and there's even some relief that these function much like cellphones did back home- she may or may not be a little addicted to them.

She pushes her hair from her face and waves with a waggle of her fingers. ]

Is it customary to introduce one's self here? I wasn't sure... [ She pauses and drops her hand with a shrug of her shoulder. ] I figured it couldn't hurt regardless.

I'm Sersi and I've only just recently found myself here... I've been spending most of my time over at the Archives, reading what I could.

[ And admiring the museum side while she was at it. It's mostly strange because back home, museums were more filled with memories of her life on Earth... but here, she feels as though she can enjoy it as a human would there. ]

But I think this question is best posed to the people who live here: what's your best advice for someone new?

Comments

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul's face pops up on the screen, looking perhaps a bit weary as if he's recently gone through something vigorous which had tired him out.]

Be strong enough to defend yourself from danger or find someone strong enough to do it for you.

[terraphile]

[ While his face startles her for just a moment, it doesn't take her long to simply look past what he looks like and focus on his weariness.

Her smile fades a little as her brow furrows. ]

From what I've read, that's sound advice, thank you- [ She pauses. ] Are you alright?

video | un: katherine

[manipulative]

Don't believe everything you read. After all, the books won't tell you to make sure you have some fun, too.

[ the books never, ever remind those who read it to have a good time. it's always bloodshed and mayhem and hurt and all the bad things one can think of. the trench may be a pain in the ass most times, but it can be a good pain in the ass at other times. ]

[terraphile]

I'm sure a healthy dose of fun helps balance all the doom and gloom seen around here.

[ She breathes out a small laugh. ]

Do you have any favorite places to go?

video; un: pierrot

[violetlies]

Oh, you too? Nice knowing there's another person smart enough to get ahead of the game 'round these parts.

Nice to meet you, Sersi! I'm Kokichi Oma. Just Kokichi is fine, though.

I've got no real advice other than what you probably know, since we're both new. Keep your guard up and don't trust anyone too much!

[terraphile]

Kokichi, it's very nice to meet you too.

[ .... she's not sure she can make any promises about not trusting anyone too much, but she smiles and nods all the same. ]

I would hope that we can put our faith in the others here like we are... but I understand your caution. I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

text | un: TripleJ

[kyley_b]

You're probably going to die. Make sure someone will water your plants while you're gone.

[Yeah, someone might be a little down this month.]

[terraphile]

[ .... to say the very least. She frowns and pauses for a moment before she replies. ]

I'll make sure to make those arrangements.

[ She has heard that death isn't permanent for them, so that doesn't phase her as much as it would have otherwise. ]

It sounds like you've been through a lot.

un: dragongirl

[catchatting]

Employ the buddy system. That's my best advice. Hi. I'm Zari.

[ She pauses and then perks up. ]

Oh and learn to run in heels. It really prepares you for more situations than you'd think. I need to put that in my next newsletter.

[terraphile]

So, step one is to find someone to buddy up with. Got it.

[ She tilts her head a little, still grinning. ]

And I can run in some heels, so that's a head start on that. What are your newsletters like?

video; un: quibbler

[creidim]

[ The Archaic Archives is definitely one of Luna's favourite places to be. Better yet it's so close to home, considering she lives within Gaze. There's a dreamy little smile at the woman's enthusiasm for getting stuck in there. ]

Oh, I love the Archives very much. If there's something you're looking for specifically, the trick is to go off your gut instinct. It'll turn up.

[ As for her question, Luna pauses for a while as she considers. ]

Pay attention to the Patrons. They can help us, but their way of doing things is often very different to what one might expect. [ However: ] Moon Presence can be depended on the most, when she's around.

[terraphile]

I appreciate it- I was getting so lost in so many different texts I often forgot what I was looking for in the first place.

[ The advice on the Patrons, however... Sersi nods a little. Deities or beings like them weren't so far-fetched seeing as she served the Celestials back home. But their intentions, that was something she worried about for the exact same reason. ]

Thank you for that. Are there any that I should give a wide berth, so to speak, should I come across them?

video; un r.hansen (i am so sorry for him my GOD)

[lefthemisphere]

How the fuck do you even pronounce your username? It's all bloody vowels, love.

Also, advice - find someone to shack up with, makes it much more enjoyable.

[terraphile]

"Ay-ee-uh"- I know it's not the most intuitive when you look at it.

[ There's no judgement from her either, just a quiet patience.

But at that second part, she breathes out a laugh and raises her eyebrows. ]

"Shack up with" in the literal sense or in the implied sense?

video: un:suibian

[chenqing_player]

Hello and welcome! My advice is to be prepared for anything, at any time and always carry some sort of weapon. This place isn't bad all the time but it can be unpredictable.

[terraphile]

Hello, thank you!

That's a relief- that it isn't bad all the time, I mean. [ She smiles a bit. ] I'll be sure to always be armed, though- it sounds very unpredictable from everything I've gathered so far.

video | un: Da Silva

[rosae]

( Rose hesitates for a moment to turn on her video, if only because she's painfully aware how bad she looks, these days. The red eyes and sniffles that seem indicative of allergies are one thing, but there's more to it than only that. Her particular bloodtype is giving her a lot of pain this month, and it wears in her face. Eyes dark-rimmed from long, sleepless nights, complexion sickly, pale...

She looks a lot like she's had the flu for way too long, wrapped up in a blanket, hair a mess of blonde layers sticking out, eyes watery. Still, she manages a friendly smile to the other woman on the feed. )

Hello, Sersi. Sorry, I'm— ( —a sneeze, followed by a soft, aching groan— ) —not feeling too well... But I'm Rose. It's nice to meet you.

I think you've already done something really helpful — making connections with people. ( Her smile warms a little; posting an introduction like this is very nice, she thinks. )

I've found it really helps, having others around who can help with the... challenges this place comes up with.

[terraphile]

[ To be fair, give Sersi a day or so to settle and she'll be feeling similarly achey. She's chalking it up to settling into this new body for now. The moment she sees her, however, concern floods her features. ]

It's nice to meet you as well, I'm sorry you're unwell... [ She frowns a little. ] Is there anything I can do to help? I could bring you something.

[ Yes she did hear the rest of the reply, but it's hard for her to focus on much else until she knows whether she can help or not. ]

@Samsa ; Video

[anthropophagite]

I'm too new, so I don't think I have amazing advice but... a lot of different people show up in this place, from many different worlds and backgrounds. So it's important to remember how we see the world might be different from how someone else does.

[ a small pause ] It sounds very generalist but I think it's important to remember that when talking to others.

[terraphile]

[ Her smile is kind and gentle at his advice. ]

I think that's very wise advice, for anyone to hear. Even those of us who come from the same world come from different experiences.

Thank you.

Video - UN: BlackMoths

[blackmothwings]

Hello Sersi. My name is Lucille. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[Lucille sits tall, chin raised and face expressionless. It's hard to tell what she's thinking or how she's feeling, and that's the way she prefers it.]

My advice would be to know how to protect yourself from harm. This world is a vicious place, and it will test you endlessly.

I would also advise you to find allies and friends. It is far easier to endure this world with other people by your side.

[terraphile]

The pleasure is mine, Lucille.

[ Sersi can't help but notice the contrast between them- she's bright and cheerful whereas this woman regards her with no expression. Still, her smile doesn't dim. ]

It seems to be the common consensus that this place is far more dangerous than where any of us might have come from.

I suppose I have a lot of networking to do in my future.

video; un: jk21a

[hearuthinking]

You ain't gonna turn anyone into a pig, are ya? [His tone is light to show he's just teasing]

Seems like you already got plenty of good advice. You got your omen yet? I'd suggest gettin' to know them pretty quick. Mine saved my ass not long after I showed up here.

[terraphile]

No, I'm afraid my powers don't work on sentient beings. [ Is she teasing? ~Who knows~? ]

I haven't met my omen just yet, though it has been suggested that I do... I should probably make that my next order of business.

video: un; apparition

[unphase]

[the video opens on a young woman wearing a slip dress with bare feet. two kittens, a tortoiseshell and an Abyssinian are playing at her feet. a third ink black kitten sits perched on the armrest]

Hello, Sersi! Probably my best advice for someone new is to be ready for anything. Quite literally anything. It's the nature of the beast in places like this. One has to make peace with yes, someday something will happen that you wish hadn't. But there's no going back in time.

[terraphile]

[ Sersi smiles gently and nods her head once. ]

So a more extreme version of life in general. I'm sorry that it's like that here, but I appreciate the heads up.

video: un; an.observer

[thisislife]

I, um. You're the lady who had the funnel cake, right?

Anyway, I'm new too. I'm kind of lurking to see what sort of advice you get. Is that okay?

[terraphile]

I am. Hello again.

Please- it was my hope that others could see the advice as well and hopefully learn something from it. We could all use whatever help we can get here, I think.

Voice; un: ...

[opress]

Death isn't real, but it still feels like it is. And beware the blood crazed beasts that can be found in and around town if you don't know how to defend yourself.

[terraphile]

Blood crazed beasts- like the monsters that others have mentioned or something else entirely?

I'm sure learning to cope with death not being... an actual end to life... isn't easy.

video | un: K

[obeir]

[ Some of the advice being offered is useful even for those who have been here a while, and K's been taking note. Even of the more... crass offerings.

All of the basics have been covered aside from a couple crucial aspects of life in Trench. Ever the helpful android, he'll chime in on those himself: ]

Hello, Sersi. I'm KD6-3.7. [ Which sure is a serial number and not a name. ] —You can call me K.

Looks like everyone else has you well-covered. One point I haven't seen mentioned yet is the fact there's no monetary system here. So it's a good idea to have items — or cultivate skills — you can use for bartering.

There are also safe houses that are maintained throughout the city. They're open to everyone and kept stocked with supplies. Feel free to make use of them should the need arise.

[ His gaze shifts to the bottom of his screen for a few moments, then Sersi will receive a file on her Omni: a map marked with the locations of the current safe houses. ]

[terraphile]

[ Well... at least Arishem had given them names rather than serial numbers. ]

Hello K, it's nice to meet you.

[ She listens to his suggestions before glancing down as the file arrives. ]

That is excellent information, thank you for this. Do you know which items are most sought after for bartering? I imagine it varies location to location...

video; un: lady

[dohaeris]

[well that is an UNFORTUNATE name. but that is also definitely not a lannister, because she looks nothing like her and also she is acting sensibly.]

It's good to meet you, Lady Cersei.

[she has to fight the urge to laugh.]

Did you find any good answers to your question? I'm Alayne, I'm newly arrived too.

[terraphile]

[ SORRY FOR THE SHARED NAME... And to have dated two men identical to two of your brothers. But there is the main point that this Sersi is much kinder and warm than the other. ]

Please, Lady Alayne- just Sersi is fine.

[ Even if she just wants to be called Sersi, she doesn't look past that the use of Lady would be respectful in turn. ]

I've learned many things to look into more... it's a bit overwhelming, honestly.

Last month there was some food that was given out, but drugged to make people act strange? And one's blood type here can not only give you powers but also affect how you feel each month.