seasonsmods: (Default)
Seasons Mods ([personal profile] seasonsmods) wrote in [community profile] seasonsgreetings2023-02-12 12:01 pm
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Test Drive Meme #1


Test Drive Meme #1
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION



Arrival



Part 1


You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.

The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:

An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.

All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.

Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.

And it looks like you're not alone.


Part 2


After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.

Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.


The Message [ Click to Expand ]

Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.

Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.

This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.

We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.

That's where you come in.

All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.

These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.

Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.

That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.


The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.

Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.

Part 3


The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.

All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?





Exploring the City




Part 1


The city outside the Research Center and the apartment building is a very futuristic and bright place. There's a lot of fancy technology and the weather seems almost too perfect all of the time. Even the weather here is artificial and doesn't feel natural at all. This is the center of the whole Nightwake City and it's called the district that never sleeps for a good reason. It feels like any time of the day you choose to go out there's something going on.

Everyone was given some money on their money app BankCrow to spend. Why not go for the Gacha Restaurant on the main street if you're hungry? You can either choose what style/type of food you want (different cuisines, pizza, junk food, etc) OR pick any ingredients and list your allergens before rolling the gacha machine and what comes out is a meal that fits your choices. Most commonly they're mediocre quality (2-3 stars), slightly rarer are the very bad and very good dishes (1 stars and 4 stars) and the rarest of them all is the golden 5 star dish that is the most delicious and sophisticated meal you'll ever taste. But hey, at least the drinks are all the same no matter what meal you end up getting.

If the futuristic city style isn't for you, there are other district with various different atmospheres waiting for you just outside the city center.

In the District Spotlight [ Click to Expand ]
Blossomcrown is a modern city, but not as futuristic as the central district. Cherry blossom trees have been planted on the side of the streets to give some color for the otherwise gray scenery. It's a busy place with a central park full of spring flowers in the middle, that gives some much needed peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the city. There's even the famous Botanical Garden open to all visitors. It's a home to many exotic plants that can't be grown anywhere else (that's safe, at least). There are also plenty of butterflies and bees living in the gardens. Attached to the building it also a flower shop where anyone can purchase a plant for themselves - they're even divided by suitability for each district. But if plants aren't your thing, why not check out the concert venue, which is an arena made for holding concerts. It can be transformed into both an outdoor and indoor venue by opening or closing the roof. Anyone can book the venue to hold a concert as long as they have the funds to do it. They will even advertise your concert for you everywhere!

Those who really just want to see something that's not a city, why not try Frostreign? Sure, it's very cold but there aren't very many buildings. It's more like a small village in the middle of Eternal Winter. The easiest ways to move around here are sledding, skiing and sleigh rides, where either excited huskies or chill reindeers will take people on a ride around the district. There are some snowmobiles too for those, who want to try them. One of the most popular locations is the giant, nevermelting ice castle in the center of the town, where kids love to play hide and seek. It's also a popular locations for dates, as the natural magical crystal lights inside the castle make the place look romantic. Another popular spot is the ice hole, where some brave souls go either swimming and some others at least try staying in the icecold water for a little moment before running to the Sauna Spa! It's an area full of different kind of saunas but it also doubles up as an inn, and due to knowing Otherworlders were going to come today, it's even available for booking!

Those who want to test out their powers right away, Dayrise is the place to go! The Grand Colosseum is designated for power holder practice for at least the following week. After that the natives would like to watch sports again rather than continuous fighting, but even then you're welcome to use the colosseum when there's a chance. After testing your powers, the luxurious baths of Dayrise are a good treat. They're all public baths and none of the natives are ashamed of being naked for hours with strangers. They will also encourage anyone coming with a towel to throw it away.


Part 2

Around the city of Nightwake, Valentine's Day is being celebrated. There are plenty of decorations, all in pastel colors (mainly pink). The Spring Segment districts have also contributed by giving all other districts flowers for decorations for some pleasing aromas. Most of the restaurants also have discount for those who dine together instead of alone.

There are plenty of treats that lift up your mood. Eating too much of the treats results in becoming very clingy to the next person they see. The effect usually wears off in half an hour, but it could take longer depending on how many treats you've eaten.

Another popular Valentine's are the game stalls that are intended to be taken on as couples. Anything you win will only be given to your partner. If you play alone, all you get is a round of applause even if you'd do a new high score. These game stalls include a lot of classic from carnivals and festival, racing with horses or vehicles and even video games.

Each district has a small stall that acts as a starting point for the main Valentine's Day challenge. The goal is to travel from one check point to another within the district while holding hands with someone. There is a small task to be done at each checkpoint (like eating a full course meal or popping balloons while still holding hands). The point is to never let go of your partners' hand. Once the pair gets to the end of the course they get a reward.

The reward for getting past the course is a free item from Riki's Rewards (any prize) and a pair of friendship bracelets that sends messages to its pair bracelet (like "I miss you", "Let's meet up").






The Segments




Part 1

Exploring the city isn't something that interests you? Well, the four bridges that lead to the Seasonal Segments are always open and you're definitely allowed to go outside. However, due to the summoning magic, the dark energy outside the city has temporary gone haywire and all of the Segments are suffering from their natural disasters at the same time.

Winter Segment is suffering from a raging blizzard and the usual beautiful landscapes are just a white blur for the time being.

Spring Segment is in the middle of a hurricane, with all of the lightest beings being picked up and tossed all over the place with the wind.

Summer Segment is literally on fire. Only the rain forests and jungles, as well as the Great Ocean Lake are safe from it.

Autumn Segment is suffering from a thunderstorm. Chances of getting struck by lightning are quite high should someone step in.

If you're prepared for the weather, no one is going to stop you from going out to explore. It might be a good idea to bring a friend with you. Luckily, the natural catastrophes calm down after two days and the Segments are more normal after that. So it might actually be worth a while to wait before going out.


Part 2

After the storm the sun shines and sheep appear [ Click to Expand ]

When you venture out to the Spring Segment after the storm, there's a herd of Fabric Sheep wandering near the Flower Yard. These sheep are tame and while they usually run and hide, sometimes they look for people to help them get their wool sheared. Luckily natives on the Dayrise bridge are handing out shearing scissors for those who would like to help.

The sheep get scared very easily, but if you don't make too many sudden movements, you will be able to do your job easily. The sheep might even boop you gently as a thanks before heading off again. If you're mean to sheep, however, you might get an angry Gravity Goat chasing you.

Anyone who visits the Flower Yard of any of the Segments will hear a story from a native there. A story of the magic that has been put in place that lets all the otherworlders "respawn" to their respective Flower Yard if they die in Ellipsa. The flower will be the same as it is in everyone's charms. The natives say that more details can be asked from the main four seasonal power holders, but that they've heard it's painless for otherworlders to emerge from the flower.





All Aboard




Part 1

After the Segments have settled down, a message appears on everyone's smartphones. Everyone is invited to join some observational cruises at the Airship Station in Nightwake District. There are four different ships leaving at the same time, but if you come back again later you will be able to go to them all eventually. The trip targets are the Seasonal Segments. Of course, there are long instructions as to how one should dress to handle the different weather they would be experiencing while in the air. You have time to shop as the invitation is open for a good while.

The Airship Station is a very modern, almost futuristic, place with a lot of docks with various airships lined up. Most of the ships there are used for in-city transportation and there are various holographic displays that tell how many ships are available and where. Various restaurants are also found here and view from the ones on top of the building is amazing. There's time to look around, but your final destination is the biggest docks at the end of the station.

The point of these cruises is to give otherworlders a chance to see what the Segments are like without interacting with the monsters down below. The ships will fly to the airship station of each Segment and then come back a different route to cover as much of the segment as possible. In total the trip is said to take four days.

Because of the length of the trip, everyone has been provided with a simple two to four person cabin (with their own bathroom/shower) and three meals are served per day throughout the trip. Snacks can also be found from the cafeteria and they're free of charge.

Enjoy the view, bond with your fellow passengers and relax. Staying on the deck is safe, especially if you don't start leaning over the rails to look down.

Part 2

The old lady and her cats [ Click to Expand ]
Each airship station in the segments is unique in their own right. They're not very well-kept like the one in the city and various weather changes have definitely modified them to look old and worn down.

Strangely enough, each of the airship stations has someone living there; an old lady with a herd of different cats depending on the season: winter cats are spirits that can be seen by anyone due to them taking control of stuffed animals, spring cats are part flowers, summer cats look like small lions or tigers and autumn cats are essentially the same as will-o'-the-wisps but in cat shape.

The old ladies explains that they are quite comfortable living there and don't have any plans to "evacuate". They will kindly decline anyone who tries to help them. The airship staff explains there are some special arrangements in place to help them live in the stations as those are safe places to stay in.

Each of the ladies will tell you a story. Winter lady will talk about the Watchtower and who used to live there, spring lady will tell all about the abandoned farm and its owners, summer lady talks about the abandoned castle and its royalty and autumn lady tells about the abandoned mansion and who used to be the lord.

If you talk to the same lady again later the story is different. She tells a different version of the story every time she is talked to. No one is really sure which of the stories is true because of how many versions are circulating around.

The ships only stay docked at the station for as long as the staff of the airship delivers some food and other necessities to the old ladies and then it's back towards the city again. Of course, nothing stops anyone from leaving the ship and experiencing the segments themselves.





OOC TIPS


- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.

- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.

- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.

- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!

- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open, except for the Guilds for now.

- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.

- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary, including information on the two mentioned on the TDM.

- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.

- Feel free to also hit our EMP/ATP meme while you're here!



code bases by tricklet
monoceroscaeli: <user name="optimisty"> (110)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-19 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[Have your laughs while you can, he thinks, his blood pumping with excitement as Scaramouche takes his weapon out to face him. But he still won't fight him here, shrugging at his opponent casually.]

I'd never think to give you anything less than my best, Scaramouche.

[But he doesn't draw his weapons yet, gesturing for him to follow him out of the Grand Colosseum. Not here.]

But in order to do that, we really should move our battle. Doing this inside the city simply won't do.
kingside: (confused)

[personal profile] kingside 2023-02-19 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[—Probably should have seen that coming, still incredibly confused for a few seconds while it processes.]

Ah. No, in fact.

[Who would he even... anyway.]

How did you meet your fiancee?
born_in_flame: (Default)

[personal profile] born_in_flame 2023-02-19 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)

Interesting....is making ice all you can do for now..or is there more?

[Caleb hasn't really explored or researched their new home yet so while he has Molly's undivided attention he is going to ask all the questions...well all the questions that are safe to ask anyway. The other ones in the back of his head may stay back there.]

Does the ice melt like normal ice or does it last longer?

mintyfreshwitch: (blank ☆ oh)

Re: Arrival

[personal profile] mintyfreshwitch 2023-02-19 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
It actually wasn't—

I mean. I did have a cat, [ that the writers then forgot about completely for two seasons, ] but just the one. And not anymore.
kingside: (not listening)

[personal profile] kingside 2023-02-19 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[If it helps, he mostly just blinks? It's not like the mask and hood really kept all of that hidden, so.]

Is that uncommon where you're from?
cordyceptic: (pic#16250889)

Re: Arrival

[personal profile] cordyceptic 2023-02-19 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. That's good. I'm guessing it'd suck to be stuck here without your pet.

In addition to all the other ways this sucks, I mean.
apshot: (82)

[personal profile] apshot 2023-02-19 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ One would HOPE it's only hand holding, right? Katsuki... Well he is might suspicious of that. ]

Either way, I wouldn't do anything like that unless I'm the one that made it. Ain't trusting shit.
happydreamed: neutral (dass du zu mir kommst)

[personal profile] happydreamed 2023-02-19 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
In Hell she came to my clinic, concerned about a medical matter. Admittedly, that was an entirely professional meeting. We only connected on a personal level later, outside of work hours.

[In the clinic he's just Doctor Mode, no flirting allowed.]
conglomeration: (neutral :: serious :: level headed)

[personal profile] conglomeration 2023-02-19 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm the only one, so very uncommon.

[ He's never sure how much of the whole "it's a curse and I'd like to undo it" thing to get into right away. Lelouch is coming off ignorant about magic (not a judgment, just a fact) and people who might be able to help fix it get more of the story, of necessity. ]
turingturo: (By my calculations--)

[personal profile] turingturo 2023-02-19 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
'Bumped into' seemed a bit off the mark for their actual introduction. More like 'stumbled into seeing a man acting like a feral abandoned Pokemon and deciding to help him with his obvious open wound'.

He returned soon with towels-- black ones, to hide any blood stains for the moment.

...Hm. His original request for the man to sit at the table was based on the assessment of the blood stain on the bandaging, but... now knowing the wound size, he'd not be able to care for it easily in that position.

"--One moment, again. Apologies."

He went to check the rooms-- one, clearly his own; the body suit and the professor's labcoat folded neatly on the bed, a wallet, his Rotom Phone-- along with the Violet Book, several empty, unused master balls... and two occupied ones.

...He would deal with that. Later.

The other? Must be belonging to the other man. It was rude to enter without permission, but-- well. He had not planned to stay, so there must not be anything left of importance, right? And it was urgent. He would apologize later.

Quietly opening the door, he spread the towels on the bed. They'd go with his so the man could hopefully relax some after the wound care.. Returning to the kitchen once again, he started to pack back up the medkits.

"I am going to shift our position to your bedroom. Your wound would not be easily accessible in your current position for the sutures I will need to do. Please do not get up, I will carry you there myself."
inlikethebrume: (Hmm)

[personal profile] inlikethebrume 2023-02-19 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Train?

[There's a silent 'for what' in that single word. Temptation to pet kitty rising.]

Oh, my apologies. I never gave you my name; it's Mira.
steadypulse: (Just spotting that shit)

[personal profile] steadypulse 2023-02-19 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
76 was simply watching the man move around, with and without the very low level tracking available there in his tactical visor. Quiet as he seemed to- he wouldn't exactly describe it as fretting, exactly. Not even while 76 was pulling his head back from the temporary freeze that meant-to-be-reassuring touch to his shoulder had caused.

Strange individual, to say the very least. There was a large level of worry, but there was something else there that lingered in words. In the actions being taken; the precision and odd level of care for a complete stranger.

Everything of importance had been grabbed and stuffed into the duffle bag that was currently at 76's feet; dropped there when he'd sat down at the kitchen table. Looked as if the room had been empty the entire time with how devoid it was of anything but the basics. Nondescript, belonging to no one. As if he'd never been there.

An eyebrow arched slowly-

"I've walked with worse, it's fine." Would just have to grab his jacket from the back of the chair and get up, after all.
kingside: (just checking)

[personal profile] kingside 2023-02-19 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[So he's seeing. Good.]

Who made the first move?
kingside: (cold nobility)

[personal profile] kingside 2023-02-19 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Unexpected, but it explains why Zelgadis was was so wary.]

I see.

[He'd ask more, but he's leaving it there for now unless Zelgadis feels like volunteering.]
mintyfreshwitch: (huh ☆ didn't happen to do a buncha drugs)

Re: Arrival

[personal profile] mintyfreshwitch 2023-02-19 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It is pretty heavy on the suckitude. But! I'm sure there's upsides, too. Like... okay, I'm having trouble thinking of anything right now, but there's probably at least one or two.
monoceroscaeli: <user name="rosestar"> (233)

[personal profile] monoceroscaeli 2023-02-19 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure I understand what you mean. You seem to be insinuating that there will be an end to my quest. But the truth is that I will never cease seeking new challenges for myself. There will always be fierce battles to be fought, and I will gladly throw myself into the fires of battle wherever they may be.

[The smile on his face is the answer to her question- that's what'll make him happy. Fighting forever.]
niwabi: (pic#15956328)

[personal profile] niwabi 2023-02-19 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Gosh, you truly are amazing. I can imagine that your people must feel at ease to have such a caring Princess looking out for them.

[ While she never would have guessed the lovely lass she's speaking to is actually a princess, she had a sneaking suspicion that there was something special about her, she exudes a dignified aura that's similar to Ayaka. ]

Of course. While I certainly think it's incredible you're royalty, I'll always see ya as Zelda. The sweet gal that I super enjoy chatting with. [ also can't forget: ] And my future partner in crime in pyrotechnics.

[ Maybe crime isn't exactly the best way to word their future projects together. ]
angerintomiracles: By <user name=archangelamy> (Surprised)

You can feel smug for now Rin!

[personal profile] angerintomiracles 2023-02-19 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Your magic, huh...if you had magic back where you came from, does that make you a Witch or something?

[Well hopefully she wouldn't be too angry about the unintentional comparison to Caster! She'd assumed Witches were the features of scary ghost stories, but she couldn't say that the idea of a 'Witch' didn't appeal, in it's own way. The power to bring about a miracle with magic was an alluring thought in itself, even if she trusted that a miracle was something she could bring about by her own abilities, in time.

Question aside, Eva nodded at the explanation, listening closely- she was determined to understand these things as fast as possible, after all! And it looked like she was catching on fairly quickly.]


So it's compact, works without a wire...and I'm assuming a text message is sending a written message between two of them, so it shows up on this bit?

[Just outlining the screen with her finger. Oh and look, the Cinder app was already sending her a welcome notification offering help with the whole making physical contact thing. You know, just incase she hadn't figured out how to open it yet. What a helpful app :) ]

Huh-
at_heart: (smirk :: bring it)

[personal profile] at_heart 2023-02-19 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
You know I wasn't gonna show off by doing anything to you.
kishin: (buh ± i guess so)

Re: cw: suicide/suicide-adjacent

[personal profile] kishin 2023-02-19 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ "We met and less than two minutes later..." ]

The same. I woke up... at a beach?
ruinedsky: (GUUURL)

[personal profile] ruinedsky 2023-02-19 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)

Yeah, recognition is minimal here. Clearly that feeling is mutual, which makes all of this even more mysterious. Sylvain places hands on his hips and looks back around at the forest, almost as if preparing to give it a stern lecture and demand it apologize.

He stops peering about and looks back at the AI when he starts to speak again. At first, Sylvain's eyes widen and his face goes slack with the suggestion, but then he frowns in thought and lifts a hand to his chin.

"Well, I have seen some pretty strange things in the last few years..." Including a person who could turn back time temporarily and who traveled through a portal and returned with the power of a god. "So I guess that isn't entirely unbelievable. So I guess the important questions are who, where, and why. Have you seen anyone else? Or any... holes in reality, I guess." He laughs, an attempt at humor that's edged with nerves.

kishin: (fear ± is that such a good idea?)

Re: Arrival part I

[personal profile] kishin 2023-02-19 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That part actually hadn't quite occurred to him. ]

I wonder why white.

[ Soft. But he takes her hand, pushing up off the ground. ]
turingturo: (Painful Recollection)

[personal profile] turingturo 2023-02-19 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"--All the more reason to carry you, then."

Because he could tell now, if that was the case? He was a very stubborn man. And the AI was... frankly, done with stubborn men not caring for themselves.

It was quick, his movement-- medkits in the man's lap, arms scooping under his knees, and very carefully his back, and lifting him without a second thought.

"I can retrieve your jacket and dufflebag for you once I am finished. ...I will avoid touching your... weapon."

Because that's what he could suppose it was. It reminded him of Clawitzer's main claw...

Once sure the man was secured, the AI walked without pause or difficulty to that empty room.
conglomeration: ([mask] neutral :: hiding)

[personal profile] conglomeration 2023-02-19 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He draws his hood and mask back up. One might correctly assume he's self-conscious as fuck. ]

Thanks for not being nasty about it.
catectives: (10)

[personal profile] catectives 2023-02-19 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh hey, this Byleth and Sissel have that in common. On one hand, Sissel is glad to have someone he can communicate with easily. On the other is means this person has probably experienced something horrible. Or many.]

Oh, you can hear me. Yes, it is me.

[He raises a paw in greeting.]