maskormenace | 01

[The camera turns on, a bit unsteady at first, though it gets adjusted to give a better view after a moment. The man operating the camera is older than the average imPort, with a streak of white in his hair that's clearly from actual aging as opposed to the normal white haired pretty boys of the imPort population. Though faint, the camera's audio picks up the rain of De Chima in the background, which serves as background noise when the man speaks with what is very clearly a Russian accent.]

Hello, everyone. I am Doctor Anatoly Eldarov, and I would like to start off by apologizing if this video is poorly done. I am still very much getting used to this. Not just this as in the States, though that is obviously a massive change in and of itself, but the technology. This place is a good sixty years in the future from when I am from, so, well - I know they say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, but it seems to me a prudent thing to attempt to catch up on all that has changed, if only so I don't become a burden on other people or make egregious errors when attempting to operate technology or talk about modern current events. If anyone else has come from the relative 'past', and can advise me on how to proceed in learning about what I have missed, I would be incredibly thankful for that.

And if anyone could tell me if there's a synagogue in De Chima or near enough for me to regularly attend, that would also be appreciated. I tried but I am afraid I am still woefully unskilled at looking these things up on the internet. Hopefully I will improve on that front with time.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. [And with that, he carefully turns the camera off, smiling slightly, as if relieved that went well.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That would be around four hundred years before my time. Likely not my country, though, if you used the words 'kings and knights' instead of 'tsars and streltsy'. Although my part of the world did used to use a different calendar, not many generations ago.

How have you found adjusting to all this? So far I feel as if I scarcely know where to start with everything. There's a lot to learn about and a lot to take in.

It's a process. One that gets a bit easier over time. I find that if you begin with things you're already familiar with and familiarize yourself with their modern use, it's easier to adjust. Also, it helps to research quite a bit. We have a recently renovated library within Maurtia Falls that I specifically tailored to have a reference section for imPorts arriving from the past. Hopefully you could find something of use there.

I should probably visit the library in Maurtia Falls, then, as soon as I figure out how to navigate my way around without getting lost; cities have very different layouts here, but I think with some maps and trial and error I can get used to it. Thank you for your advice, sir. It really is good to know I am not the only one from another era here and that such a thing doesn't mean I cannot be of use, here.

You could also find yourself an imPort guide. Maurtia Falls is not the sort of city you want to get lost in. Especially in the evening hours. We do have something of a reputation.

I am from Novosibirsk. It earned its' reputation in much the same way, I would wager. I'll be sure to take some precautions in going there. [Every country had some such city, he supposes. At least he was forewarned.]

[ There's a pause as Petyr looks up the location. ]

Ah. Russia, then?

[ Not judgemental. Just interested. ]

It must certainly be...strange for you to be here in a place that harbors tensions with your home country.

It is and it isn't. I am used to being disliked for being Jewish or carrying an Azeri surname, not for being Russian - but I have dealt with hostility ranging from ugly stereotypes to having seen my son nearly drowned by other children for trying to play at the riverside alongside them. The reasoning here may be different, but I imagine ignorance is never really different from world to world in its' implications.

Quite true. And you will still find an overabundance of ignorance -- especially among the imPort population. And I do not mean to insult our fellow imPorts so much as to imply that we are a group of incredibly stubborn, difficult, and sometimes set in our ways individuals, who aren't terribly open to opinions that differ from our own.

But you do have my condolences for all that you suffered back home -- and I do hope you find this world a bit easier.

Every group and every person is ignorant, I believe, on some subject or towards some people. I try not to judge. I'm sure that in regards to some things I'm every bit as ill-informed as the people who made my life difficult back home.

It will be, because I don't have to worry for my family here, simply myself. People are more likely to act their worst towards children, while they tend not to be as blatant towards adults.

Easier to the end of having to watch out for yourself alone, but perhaps not easier to be alone. For a time, I was the only one here from my world. It can be a difficult thing. But I've little doubt you'll make friends here quite quickly, and that can help stave off some of that loneliness.

On that you very well may be right. I have not been truly alone in decades, and it suited me poorly when I was. But I agree, people here seem quite personable so far. I hope I'll be able to make at least a few good friends; as my wife would say, friends are the family we choose.

[ Petyr chuckles. ]

Your wife spoke wise words. And they can make for better family than some of the ones we are often stuck with and have to tolerate.

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