005 // video;

[lempereur]

[ Is this guy new? You might think so, if you’re not one of those (un)lucky imPorts that have been around for a while then he won’t be familiar. But he isn’t behaving like most newcomers - the tall, poised young man is perfectly comfortable with his new device, and he’s walking through the streets of Heropa like he knows exactly where he’s going. ]

It has come to my attention that I was ported out for nine months, which is very inconvenient for me. 

[ Yusuke doesn’t raise his voice, but his tone is harsh. He’s annoyed, but not enough to lose his cool. In his mind, it was just yesterday that he was rearranging his artwork with his roommate, and now, he’s not even sure if his roommate is still here. ]

I know that it is uncommon for imPorts to be gone from his world for so long and still remember, but surely, there are others? Please contact me, if so, it looks like all of my accounts have been purged. Much has changed, in what seems like only hours.

[ As he said, very inconvenient. He approaches the porch of a house, formerly Heropa’s imPort housing, unit 15, which has since reverted back into a rental for locals. He hasn’t stopped recording, but the phone falls to his side, leaving his audience with a view of sidewalk and trees, and the sound of a confident knock on the door. 

And a not-so-confident question, once it’s answered. ]

...does Jaime Reyes still live here? [ … ] I see. I am sorry to bother you.

[ That’s fine. There’s no need to panic! Just to stop and take a moment, before walking back the other way and resuming his broadcast with a furrowed brow. ]


This world may have moved on without me. That would be...a shame.

Comments

audio;

[dragony]

[ There's a lot to unpack here. Ruka never met this guy, but she's seen his picture more than once. The timing... the name he asks after.

It's going to be something, but that's hardly her place to say. ]

It's happened to me, a couple of times. [ Quiet, and a little somber. ] It's... difficult, to find your footing again. Or all the little things that have changed, in the shadows of the great.

[lempereur]

[ Poor Yusuke knows nothing of timing, just that his sense of it is incredibly off. In the flurry of things thrown at him on re-arrival, he hasn't given thought to much besides getting his affairs in order as soon as possible. If he still has anything to arrange in the first place. ]

A couple of times? How long were you gone?

[dragony]

The first time was six months. Then I was back for six months, and then gone again for a year and a half. I came back again last February, so... a year and a half ago. [ Oh, she does not like that. ]

They, uh. Consolidating our housing assignments, while you were gone. Austerity measures. More of us in fewer houses. So, the people you knew back then might still be here, but somewhere else.

[lempereur]

[ So nothing will be where it was yesterday. Wonderful. ]

Did you have to start from scratch, both times?

[dragony]

Something like that. A friend I'd been staying with had put my stuff in storage, but she left while I was gone, so I couldn't get any of it back until she passed through again.

But... I already had to start from nothing, when we first came here, so I didn't exactly have a lot to lose in the first place. Just things, really. Clothes and stuff.

[ Is this the guy... ? ]

... I don't know if you've been able to reach him, yet, but Jaime's still here. Same one.

video

[girlybruiser]

[ Haru is so visibly startled that it takes a moment or several before she squeaks out: ]

Oh, my goodness! Yusuke-kun! Is— is it really you?

video

[lempereur]

[ Yusuke is in a mood, but he can still smile at seeing Haru's face through the screen. That time has all been lost to him, so he hasn't had the chance to miss her - but he's glad that she hasn't disappeared from here in his absence. ]

Yes it is. It appears I have been gone for a while. I am very sorry if I have worried you.

video

[girlybruiser]

[ Her smile matches his own through slightly watery eyes. She's quick to wipe at them carefully, trying not to smear her makeup. ]

It's okay! I am just so happy to see you again! We've missed you so much.

[lempereur]

Well...it feels nice to have been missed, but I can't say the same. I don't remember a thing.

[ Don't cry, Haru! Just #importthings. ]

I would like to come and see you.

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[h2no]

yo, yusuke
welcome back, for whatever that means
sorry to report red and blue ain't around anymore

i know we only spoke once or twice but... let me know if you need any help settling back in

[lempereur]

Red left shortly before I did, but I am sorry to hear about Blue. Though I suppose it is for the best if they are together. I hope it hasn't been too hard on you.

I may take you up on that. Do you still have any of their things?

[h2no]

ah, yeah.
it's fine. like you said, it's better they left together. i can't imagine the pain of them not being here would compare to them being separated.

i don't, sorry. i didn't think they or anyone else would come back after the 6-month mark.
i might have some pictures backed up somewhere, but that's it.

[lempereur]

That's a shame. I don't know yet if Jaime has my clothes stored away somewhere, Blue was close to my size.

Though I can't agree with his taste.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Jaime's still around, don't worry. Nine months, though? Damn. There's a lot you've missed.

[lempereur]

I am glad to hear it. Thank you, Mr. Taylor.

[ Though he usually found Aegis Force inconvenient, at best, it wouldn't hurt to be polite, in his situation. ]

I've gathered as much. Would you mind explaining to me what Jeopardy is?

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[Jacob winces.]

Ouch. That bad, huh?

Jeopardy is the new Porter City, out in Nevada. Weird place. If you ask any natives, it's always been there. We're the only ones who know different.

Some things have been happening to reality while you've been gone. Everything's a lot less... stable these days.

[lempereur]

[ He was here for more than a year. The life he built for himself is scattered to who knows where, if not gone completely. So yes. That bad. ]

It just emerged from the sand one day? I assume there have been investigations as to why.

I am not sure this world has ever been stable, but that would be a new one.

video;

[cognitivism]

Yusuke...

[ He smiles a bit. ]

It's good to see you back.

[lempereur]

Goro.

[ He never thought he'd see the day, but he's happy to see him. The more that's the same, the better. Hopefully their truth still stands, and the other's memory of him hasn't soured. ]

Thank you. You've been taking care of everyone, I hope?

[cognitivism]

As well as I can. It's been a crazy few months without you. I'm sure Futaba will be happy to see you.

Where have the placed you for housing?

[lempereur]

Any given month here is likely to be crazy. I hope that you can fill me in on what I've missed.

They have placed me in De Chima. It isn't ideal, but I don't think it would hurt to try it.

[ Video ]

[bad_crowmance]

[ This guy is... definitely no one Yusuke's met before. He's about nineteen or twenty years old, silver hair kept out of his face by a large headband worn across his forehead. He's not quite smiling, but his expression is open, friendly. ]

Yeah, the world tends to do that.

[lempereur]

When I was last here, we were setting up a memorial for the imPorts who have gone. I hate to think that we could be gone without a trace, and nobody would remember that we were here.

I don't believe we've met. Are you a recent arrival?

[bad_crowmance]

A memorial, huh? I haven't heard anything about it... but then again, I never went looking.

[ He shrugs, smiling easily. ]

And yeah, I showed up about... three and a half months ago, I'd say. So definitely after your time. Name's Crow. Nice to meet you.

[lempereur]

It was in Nonah. My roommate [ former roommate ] had arranged it.

[ The name Crow is amusing enough to get a huff from him, but he doesn't say anything about it. ]

Yusuke Kitagawa. I wish that I could have met you with a more level head, but I hope you are comfortable here.