Starting with a Bang

[onetrippony]

Who: HSS & Anyone Incoming
Where: HSS Dorms
When: Day 138 Morning

[ Good morning HSS! I hope you like being woken up by loud crashing noises because that's what's happening this morning. Inspection of the room where said crashing occurred will yield you one heavily tattooed adult (??) with his foot tangled in a blanket, looking sheepishly at his tipped over and mildly destroyed bed. To vouch for his adultness and newbieness, he's wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants. There's a flaming pony on his t-shirt. That's an important detail. ]

Ah jeez... I hope that wasn't expensive.

Comments

[dragonheartedgirl]

It's nice to meet you as well. Have you thought about what you'd like to be called yet?

[ she overheard all that with prim and

she just

the thought of referring to him as 'italian stallion' is.... it's so strange. WHAT DOES SPAGHETTI HAVE TO DO WITH HORSES??? ]

Perhaps... Chollima?

[onetrippony]

... Chollima? What's that?

[dragonheartedgirl]

It's a legendary winged horse. I thought of it because of your shirt.

[ points ]

[onetrippony]

[ Looking down, and giving a small, surprised laugh. ]

Wow- I didn't even notice. That's not a bad one, I'll think on it.

[dragonheartedgirl]

All right. There's no rush.

[ In the meantime--guess she'll call him.

....

Not Spaghetti. Stallion? .... maybe she shouldn't even try to think about it too hard in the interim. ]

... Do you think you can read, Mister? We have a book that might make understanding this place easier.

[onetrippony]

Well, I don't know until I try and I'm all for trying anything right now.

[dragonheartedgirl]

All right. Follow me to the main room.

[ she'll lead the way! ]

[onetrippony]

[ Following! A good boy who isn't even tripping over anything, wao. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

Dino's doing his best!!

[ In the main room, there's a rather thick paper document on the table--a self-subscribed Newcomer's Guide. She picks it up and holds it out to him. ]

We made this some time ago to help new arrivals adjust--although of course you're free to ask us any questions you might have. It's a little outdated, and you're past a few of the very first steps, but--it might still prove helpful to you over the next couple of days as you get used to this place. You can read it your leisure, if you'd like--just make sure it stays in the dorm, if you would.

[onetrippony]

Ah- this sounds like it'll be really helpful either way, thanks. I'll make sure to read it thoroughly in respect to your hard efforts to make it.

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ this man

is a very nice man. she's warming up to him already. ]

That's kind of you. Everyone did work very hard on it. But--you also don't need to be so formal. And if it turns out it's boring or not intuitive for you, it's okay to not force yourself.

[onetrippony]

I'll let you know my honest opinion on it once I start getting into it. But I have the feeling that I don't mind reading at all, especially if it contains new information.

[dragonheartedgirl]

There's quite a bit. ... And there's parts that we haven't written, either. But that can wait I think, until you've had a chance to get to know more.

[onetrippony]

Well... putting aside this document, is there anything you want to tell me about? Insider tricks or tips that you personally know?

/2

[dragonheartedgirl]

Tips and tricks....?

[ hmmm. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ OH. ]

No matter how awful things get, don't ever go pray. Especially not in a church. And be careful how you use your powers, too--Charm and your Heart Weapon, especially.

[ the two most important rules for an HSS tbqh ]

[onetrippony]

[ That's... really random advice, actually. ]

Hah- I'll. I'll keep those things in mind, thanks Hiryuu...

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ she ... realizes now that she probably made a bad impression. Or at least a weird one. ]

Sorry. You were probably expecting something more normal like "where can I get good food to eat," and things like that, right?

[ a brittle smile. ]

Those things are easy to find out--especially if you're any good with your phone, or getting to know people. But... those things I mentioned--they've all caused big problems for us and for other units, and they're some of the things people on this unit are less likely to address for various reasons. Once you unlock your abilities, you're going to have access to powers that make some people very uncomfortable--and praying will get you an audience with a demon, because what's left of heaven can't hear us.

[onetrippony]

Ah- no, it's fine, they were just oddly specific, and the explanation is appreciated for clarity. I'll be sure to watch myself more carefully regarding those two topics.

[dragonheartedgirl]

I suppose the trouble is, there's really quite a lot to tell you for "important tips," so knowing where to start is difficult, except to think of things that have been problems and start from there, and the things that stand out there are--quite specific ... But it might be because of how long I've been here. I think I used to be a little better at these sorts of greetings, but after a while you forget what it's like to be new and what people really need as you think of all the things you could caution them about... and we're lucky, too, that we don't have to do it as often as some units--so I suppose I'm also simply out of practice.

Like I could tell you that you have to come back here every few days or you'll fade away--or which units you should avoid angering because they'll hold grudges or it might work out to be strategically disadvantageous--or even to buy an offensive ability fast since sometimes people decide they want to murder or hurt people outside of the game tower, too... but there's so much to already be worried and afraid of in a place where we're all constantly dying and being maimed, it seems bad to give someone brand new more things to worry about.

At any rate--Hurricane and I have been here since the beginning, so we know a lot of things-- certainly not everything, but enough that we can at least tell you who to ask if you have questions we don't know the answers to.

[onetrippony]

[ He's quiet for a long moment, taking in her words before he's reaching out, slow so she won't be startled, resting his hand on her shoulder. ]

You've been through a lot, and from the sounds of things a lot of that was really bad things no person should have to go through. That you still have the energy and care to try and warn people about the horrors of this place speaks a lot about your personal strength and I think that's admirable.

You've done a great job in helping me feel a little more ready for this place, but we don't need to go over it all at once. You can take a break.

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ wha

sorry was that

prai...se....? but she hasn't done anything except for unloading burdens, that. IT DOESN'T COMPUTE? ]

Are you sure? There's a lot... and you probably want to be able to leave to eat and meet people--there might even be people who know you out there...

[ wh. a break????? did a great job????? what????? ]

[onetrippony]

I'm sure. I'd like to do something fun and relaxing with you all first and foremost.