Video;

[ibalsamina]

[The Grumpearl projects an image: a long-furred Yungoos seated primly on a wooden Canopy platform. Her grin is restrained, showing only a sliver of her sharp fangs, and her surroundings are awash with color: the greens of lush foliage and the vibrant blossoms of various flowers, both growing naturally in the trees and collected for display around the edges of the platform.]

Hello, everyone. I hope you are all faring well, in spite of the extraordinary circumstances. I am still familiarizing myself with this "Grumpearl" device, so I also hope you can forgive me for any technical difficulties that may arise.

[Observing her in this moment, it's hard to imagine that there even could be any such technical difficulties. She is perfectly framed and her thoughts are silent—almost eerily so. Try as she might to make it all seem effortless, it seems she is trying very hard, in fact, to keep them focused and to herself. Not a single stray thought allowed.]

My name is Lusamine Mendel, and I was very recently recruited into the Cheri Guild. Although I am still new to this world, I intend to do everything I can to be of assistance to you all. If there is ever anything I might be able to help you with, please do not hesitate to ask.

[The dark green gem fastened around her neck gleams as she tilts her head.]

Now, I have a simple question for recent arrivals and longtime residents of Bottlecap Bay alike, if you wouldn't mind indulging me. What is the last thing you recall happening before you were transported into this world?

Comments

[dripdrive]

Or a sick joke. I shouldn't be the one alive here. It should be-

[Anasui stops himself but his thoughts of a beautiful young woman bleed through.

Anasui tries to stop thinking about it but it's clear the girl haunts every thought she has if he's not actively thinking about her. The sigh over the Grumpearl is almost irritated, though it's clear from the emotion that Anasui at himself. He tries to focus back on Lusamine.]

... The voice that I heard before arriving here... God or someone or something else... is a real bastard.

[ibalsamina]

Oh... I see.

[Her voice is soft, sympathetic.]

What was her name, if I may ask?

[dripdrive]

[Anasui doesn't want to talk about it. He doesn't like socialising and the only replied because he wanted to know what information Lusamine had gathered already and see if there was anything interesting there. But Jolyne was everything to him and he's already talking before he can stop himself.]

Jolyne. Jolyne Cujoh. I fell in love with her at first sight. Her focus and determination... Her pure heart shines a light on the darkness of my own. She was... She is wonderful.

[ibalsamina]

Jolyne Cujoh... She's very beautiful, in your memory.

[She senses that Anasui doesn't think he wants to talk about the girl, and perhaps she shouldn't admit outright that his memories are in her mind now, but it's so sweet (and familiar; and painful) that has to say something. It makes her feel...

Well, it's still difficult to tell what exactly Lusamine is feeling. But there is a certain sadness—an old, never-quite-healed wound—buried there.]

It's unspeakably terrible, when our loved ones are taken from us... But surely she would have wanted you to continue on. [There is a hesitant pause before she adds,] Perhaps there is even still a chance that you will be reunited again, in this world. You were brought here, after all, and you mentioned another who is also from your world, didn't you?

[dripdrive]

[It's strange. Anasui usually would jump at any opportunity to talk to or about Jolyne. He makes no secret that he loves her and he's not really bothered Lusamine is in his mind. He just doesn't want anyone to know her fate and what happened. He doesn't need deserve any pity.

So he latches on to the feeling Lusamine is experiencing. It's not unlike what Anasui is experiencing, except Anasui's version of it is much more raw. It's only been two... maybe three months for him. And he has the guilt that he could have done something to save Jolyne.]

I'm continuing on. Here or not, I want to be a man that Jolyne can be proud of. There was never any question about that... [Anasui sighs.] But maybe... I hope I'll see her. It's already a miracle I have the kid here.

...Perhaps it'll be the same for you.