4 [Video]

[ret2go]

[Shantae is lounging back in a chair, surrounded by what seems to be... paperwork? Her very long hair is somehow done up in a braid, which even still comes down to the small of her back. She's got a pen in her hand.]

So... hypothetically, if someone wanted to start a business here, how would they do it? 'Cuz back home in Scuttle Town, it's easy. You just need to buy space for it, or a stall, or whatever, and you need to have something to sell, and boom! You've got a business.

But here you have to fill out... forms. And I don't get this stuff at all.

I want to meet the person who invented paperwork and stuff his head in a fish pond. [A pause.] And then let him out, but that dunk would be reaaaaally satisfying...

Comments

[ret2go]

[She sighs.] No, that wouldn't work too well.

It's more like... if someone takes advantage of it and I don't know their intentions at first, it could be really bad. I'd have to hire a mind reader.

[fistofthejoestar]

I imagine there are more than a few imPorts with that skill looking for a little part-time employment, at the very least.

[ret2go]

I guess. [She still sounds skeptical.] Maybe that's overthinking it, though. I mean, how much damage could one person really do with a single little wish, right?

[fistofthejoestar]

I wouldn't be so certain of that. People have reached quite far into darkness on their ambition alone.

[if his tone sounds suddenly a lot more solemn, it's not Shantae's fault. Dio's arrival in this world has his mind drifting back to the events of home more than usual.]

[ret2go]

--darn it, now you have me worried about this whole thing again! [Also, she accidentally let it slip. Oops.]

[fistofthejoestar]

[at least you can trust Jojo to keep a not-secret, for all the good it'll do in a public discussion.]

Ah, I'm sorry for that. But it really is something that ought to be considered before you begin, rather than after the damage has been done.

[ret2go]

But now we're back where we started. How do I know if someone's intentions are good or bad?

Like, it's one thing if someone wishes 'kill this dude,' I'm pretty sure I have the option of just not granting it. So that's easy. But 'I want a big knife,' he could be using it to kill someone or he could just be a chef!

[fistofthejoestar]

I don't suppose it would be possible for you to do a little research into their background beforehand? It's not foolproof, but it may still help.

[ret2go]

Maybe? But what if they're not imPorts? Nobody might have heard of them.

Maybe I'll just use my best judgment.

[fistofthejoestar]

Well, it isn't very difficult to investigate even the natives of this world if you make a few inquiries.

[detective agencies were alive and well here, after all. and with the advent of the internet much of the legwork could likely be done at home.]

But I don't think it would be wrong to trust one's intuition. It can be quite powerful if one chooses to listen.

[ret2go]

Now that you mention it... I wonder if I could wish to be able to do something like that.

Whoa, would that even work? Wish-ception.

[fistofthejoestar]

I really have no idea! There aren't many stories about people using such abilities for themselves.

[he laughs, though, because my, wouldn't that be a simple way to solve so many of the myths that he'd pored over during his time at the university.]

[ret2go]

Tell me about it! It's a little annoying not to have anyone who knows the rules around, gotta be honest.

[fistofthejoestar]

That's always how it seems to be. I suppose it's meant to feel more satisfying when we discover it for ourselves.

[ret2go]

I guess...

It'd still be nice to have other genies around to ask.

[fistofthejoestar]

The Porter seems rather fond of drawing in people with similarities. You may have the opportunity to do just that someday.

[ret2go]

What, really? There are other genies here?

[fistofthejoestar]

Not that I'm currently aware of, but there are always more people arriving here. I wouldn't be surprised if you met some fellows in the future.

[ret2go]

That'd be really nice! I'd really love the chance to get to talk to another genie for more than like, a minute. Tops.

[fistofthejoestar]

I don't believe I've ever seen someone linger here so briefly! I'm certain should it ever happen you'll have at least a robust half hour.

[he's joking about the time, of course, but the rest is quite sincere.]

[ret2go]

Huh.

I guess, uh. Keep an eye out for other genies if you wouldn't mind, then. That'd be helpful.

[fistofthejoestar]

You have my word. I'll be certain to contact you right away, assuming that you haven't run into them before me.

[ret2go]

Thanks a bunches!