maskormenace | [VIDEO]

[The video feed presents an older british gentleman at his desk, surrounded by stacks of history books. He looks up into the camera and smiles warmly.]

Good evening, my name is Walter Strickler. I'm a new arrival here, and I thought it best that I introduce myself. More than that, actually, I was hoping to ask a question.

I am in the midst of familiarizing myself with the history of this world, and how it differs from my own... Most of the discrepancies have been fairly minute, others less so, but it lead me to wondering about other worlds. Your worlds, and the histories theirin; if you care to share them. I suppose I'm just curious, is it common for most of us... "imports" to be from worlds that are similar, or ones that are vastly different? Is there anything here that has struck you as odd?

[There's a small pause, an aside glance, as he arranges the wording of his next question carefully.]

And, are 'powers' common where you're from? Whether it be mutations, magic, or anything of the sort. Are these things familiar to you?

Please do forgive me if I take a moment to understand anything you have to share. I must admit, I am still attempting to process all of this... But I would not want to have anyone feeling put-out for my misgivings. Thank you. I look forward to getting to know you all better.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There are talks of those possessing a dark magic in my world. Though I cannot say I've experienced it and do find myself rather skeptical to the whole thing. But my world otherwise is drastically different from this one. You are fortunate, Walter, to be largely familiar with this....Earth. It does make the adjustment period easier.

No, I don't take my luck lightly. I can't imagine how hard it must be to find oneself in a strange land, dealing with strange powers that you're still trying to learn. And to add in culture shock or time travel... It's a good thing that there are so many support systems in place, or this entire situation would be much more chaotic.

You've mentioned that dark magic is unlikely in your world, but it is still drastically different. How so?

ImPorts have made certain to leave a fair bit of information behind for others. So it certainly helps to have those resources on hand. You can find a lot of it compiled into an imPort section at the library in Maurtia Falls, if you are curious.

[ A pause. ]

But as for my world, well, it is far behind this one in technological advancements. Our primary means of travel is by horseback. More than that, it is an entirely different world with no relation to this earth. I hail from an area commonly known as Westeros. We have kings and kingdoms and no running water. I will say modern plumbing is the most exquisite feature of this world's technology.

Thank you, I'll be sure to check into that resource. Everything helps.

[Preaching to the choir in terms of how great modernity is. He's been alive for a lot of human history.]

That must have been an extraordinary culture shock. I'm quite lucky to be from a world that is very similar, though there are some technological advancements here that I haven't seen before... It's as though everything has developed in the exact same way, but a little to the left.

Are you speaking of the flying cars? I've heard those are quite unique to many people who come from a timeline similar to this one.

Yes, precisely! And many smaller things. Even if it's only the names that are different, it can be touch disorienting.

Come a few months after experiencing the other insanity this world has to offer, I am certain you will not even bat an eye at the differences. I've been in this world long enough to see multiple occasions where ones' out of control power turns most of the imPort population into younger versions of themselves.

Multiple occasions?

[Every time he thinks he's got an idea of how odd this place can be, there's something new. This is precisely why it's worth it to ask about people's experiences. ]

I'll try to expect the unexpected, then.

Expecting the unexpected is a wise way to approach this world. That way, you will never be caught off guard. Anything can happen, and you will think...Hm. Yes. This is completely to be expected to have a dragon rampaging the streets of the city.

[ There's some mirth in his voice. ]

Truly, though, you will adjust. Given a few months or years, however long the duration of your stay.

I will try my best. [Walter now seems similarly at ease, at least a bit.]

It's easier said than done, but I’m sure experience will help me get there.

Have you dealt with many oddities within your own home?

No, nothing like this. I’m more familiar with odd happenings in stories, not as real things that need to be dealt with.

And I take it you've read your fair share of stories?

I have, yes. I taught world history classes, and I've always had a keen interest in the subject. And well, where you find histories, you find stories. They go hand in hand.

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