001 Video

[redenzione]

[It's been around two weeks and finally Dante's making his first post on the network. He still seems rather tense around the Gear, almost as if he's expecting some demon to pop out of the screen, but two weeks isn't enough to catch up on nearly 900 years of technological advancement.]

Good day. My name is Dante Alighieri and I have been here for twelve days. The last sight I remember before I awoke here was a tall mountain in the distance, it's peak stretching far into the clouds in the sky. I had thought to begin my ascent, to submit myself to further trials and redeem myself of my sins, but before I had yet to take the first step I found myself here instead.

Wherever here may be.

I must ask; is this Johto part of Purgatory? Are these children's battles and pets part of my penance?

Even if you do not have an answer, I would like to hear of your thoughts.

Thank you for your time and God bless.

[The feed then switches off after some minor fumbling. Serious one, isn't he?]

Comments

[easy_as_cake]

I'm sure it can't be that bad. Besides, I'm a really good listener, and I've seen a lot more than most people.

[redenzione]

Gladly.

[And thus Dante gives her a brief explanation of Christianity. He didn't exactly study religion though, so what he gives her is what the priest has preached to him.]

[redenzione]

Then perhaps when I have known you better? Pardon my manners, for I have yet to ask your name.

[easy_as_cake]

Oh! [She looks more than a little embarrassed. How silly of her, asking personal things without even introducing herself!]

I'm Trance. Trance Gemini. It's nice to meet you, Dante.

[enjoymyatelier]

That is good to hear; I find it's far easier to deal with this place once you've become used to the improbable, as I can say that the idea that there may be multiple iterations of you is one of the least absurd ideas you'll encounter in this place.

[...he's not going to imply he was already used to this sort of thing because... well... mage-church relations. They are kind of bad.]

[islandshore]

True. And it sounds like you've got tons of experience under your belt. I wouldn't mind hearing about that sometimes.

Won't push you to battle, either. Everyone's got their own way of adapting to this place. Usually you can get by without too much strife, and if your Pokémon don't mind a laid back lifestyle, then it's no big deal.

[lieutenantantichrist]

You're a cashier, huh. If you get tired of it and want to hit the road, you're gonna need that animal to fight to cover your ass. Otherwise there'll be pigeons pecking your kneecaps off.

[The way the guy talks baffles Blake. He's not even being an asshole now, it's a real question:] So are you from a hundred years ago or just British?

[redenzione]

There are so many new tools and implements; such wonders that I would've thought them some form of sorcery if not for the kind townspeople who have been willing to explain this power of 'electricity' to me. To think that us mortals would be able to chase away the darkness of the night with a mere push of a switch.

I feel very much at awe at all I see but at the same time my lack of knowledge has become rather tiresome. From what I have gathered I am from a time much further back than others; I hear new words and old ones given new meaning. Children are much bolder and wander out on their own at a very early age. And fathers and mothers do not seem to mind. It is a mystery to me how they are so willing to allow their young ones to go forth on adventures even before then have reached 11 years of age.

[redenzione]

A hundred years times nine. It is the year of our Lord, 1191. The Third Crusade nears its end but King Richard has yet to recapture the Holy Land.

[redenzione]

An interesting choice by your parents. If you would satisfy my curiosity, does your name carry a meaning?

[redenzione]

I am willing to share as much as I should. It is not because I would hide my past, but such dark stories are ill-advised for young men as yourselves. Name a place and time, fair stranger.

[greatestcool]

How do you know that? He would get bored watching the world as it is! Why do you think some sinners get away with their acts, huh? It's because He needs amusement in His life! Repentance isn't important; entertaining Him is!

[easy_as_cake]

[Oh, good. Awkward over.]

Well, they didn't. Choose it, I mean. I did. My real name doesn't really... translate. Into any language. I just thought Trance sounded pretty, and Gemini is a constellation. Twins, you know? And since it was sort of my second name, I thought it was appropriate.

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Congratulations, you made Blake say something religious. He rests his forehead on his hand,]

Oh lord.

Just what we needed, one of those Renaissance Fair loonies. So that's why you're calling yourself after that Inferno book guy.

[punches]

[ She nods, understanding well enough. ]

So when you say 'God bless', you are wishing them well. That's very kind of you.

[necessaryrisks]

[It is an awkward and kind of weird feeling to listen to this guy and know he's saying this sincerely and not because he's acting out a line in a movie.] Not a bad thing to achieve for. Though, what exactly did you do before that you feel as if you need to cleanse yourself of your sins?

[redenzione]

[Technically the Renaissance hasn't even happened in Dante's time just yet. But thankfully someone else has mentioned something about him and a book, so this conversation doesn't have to get anymore awkward than it currently is.]

If you speak of a Dante Alighieri who wrote of a journey through the Inferno, then I am afraid you are looking at the wrong man. But some have explained to me this idea of alternate worlds, each with their own version of Dante Alighieri. Perhaps I am one of the more divergent ones for I am no scribe; I am a soldier.

[redenzione]

For it is written in the Holy Book, and those are God's very Words. And no sinner ever escapes punishment. For though mortal means may fail, our God is a just God who will leave no evil act unpunished. I assure you that whatever judgement a man may elude in his life, he will not escape in death.

[redenzione]

Thank you but it is the least I can offer for the time being. There are those out there who may be suffering; I shall see if I can help lessen their burden.

How do you fare yourself? Is your Feebas still disobedient?

[redenzione]

It is a pretty name. It is not one I would've picked for my daughter if, God willing, I ever have one, but only because it is unheard of in my time. What land are you from?

[redenzione]

Enough to damn a man to the lowest level of Hell. All nine sins have I committed to a most perverse extent, and all nine will I have to atone for.

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I'll admit... my time period is several centuries after yours, but there are some things here that even I'm somewhat baffled by. Things like electricity are commonplace where I'm from, but the ability to contain creatures of varying size in a ball that's invariably smaller than them and store them in a computer... that's extremely far beyond my world's technological level.

That isn't even getting into the cultural aspects, which are also extremely different from my own world's cultural norms... even in my time, parents wouldn't dream of sending ten year olds into the monster-filled wilderness with only tamed monsters to protect them.

[lieutenantantichrist]

You don't look much like an egghead.

[He fits more into the Gym Rat heading of Blake's personal taxonomy. Or soldier, that's possible too.]

Different guy, same name. Got it.

I'm Carter Blake. Police.

[punches]

That's kind of you. It seems a number of people here can use someone who will listen unbiased to their complaints--it's just a matter of getting them to trust you first.

Oh, that Pokemon? He's doing a lot better... He seems to listen to me more when I threaten to smash him, so I guess I've pinpointed his weakness already!

[greatestcool]

Eh... If you say so. I don't think there's any way I'm going to change your mind, and you're not going to change mine. So I guess we're at a standstill! Still, it's really good to talk about these things with someone! Most people here aren't all that big on talking about religion!