[001 -- Video]

[jackoclubs]

[For most, the face on the video feed today is probably an unfamiliar one, as it belongs to someone who arrived with the recent crowd of new Chosen. He addresses the camera casually, one hand resting in his pockets, shoulders slumped as he leans against the wall of a bricked building.]

All right, Digital World, as far as welcomes go, mine could have been worse. I'll rate it a good six out of ten, though this-- er, world-- has a long ways to go before it can improve that score. And whoever the heck brought us here needs to give us anti-theft devices for these communicators. Geez. . .

[He lets out a wry snort]

I deducted points for the bunny--

Elecmon!

-- I'm supposedly partnered with because he's kind of obnoxious.

Mr. Pot, meet Mr. Kettle.

And he isn't nearly as clever as he thinks it is. [After that, Kaito shoots Elecmon a pointed glance] Anyway, I doubt any of you guys care about my scoring criteria much. And the real reason I'm even using this thing is because I wanna know what progress you've made in finding an exit. I mean, some of you have been here a lot longer than I have, right? You've gotta have something by now.

[A beat]

Right?

Such stubborn denial is almost painful to watch. . .

Comments

[jackoclubs]

Maybe, but it sure doesn't help you as much as adaptation does in the long run.

[He heaves a heavy sigh]

I had dozens. Dozens. Do you know how many disappointed audiences dozens of missed shows will cause?

[Frankly, he's less worried about the audience and more worried about the other group if individuals after Pandora, but. . . like hell he's going to tell a perfect stranger that]

[badluckbabe]

Harsh. It'll take one hell of a PR blitz to get those clubs or theaters or wherever to hire you again.

Unless...

[Dragging this out because she loves to tease]

[jackoclubs]

[He raises an eyebrow, curious]

Unless? Don't leave me hanging over here.

[badluckbabe]

Well, there's a perfectly good chance that while time for us moves regularly here when you are sent home you could return to the exact moment you left.

It's just a theory so far though.

[jackoclubs]

[his frown deepens]

D'you have an evidence to back that theory up?

[badluckbabe]

No, but I studied multiverse theory back home, and in my own world there were documented cases of people traveling to other dimensions and returning in either the same instant, or returning to show that time traveled at an accelerated or slowed pace wherever they were.

So on the one hand we could return and no one would be the wiser, on the other hand we could return and be much too young or old for the time we arrive in.

[jackoclubs]

[That gets him to raise an eyebrow skeptically at her]

You studied this kinda thing back where you came from? What, was traveling through dimensions a casual pastime there or something?

[badluckbabe]

Not a casual pass time...not for most.

But possible. Entirely possible. As well as space travel, time travel magic and super science.

I've learned that not all of you come from worlds as...interesting as mine.

[jackoclubs]

[His reply is flat]

Tell me about it. It's a good thing I'm an adaptable guy, or else I might actually be freaking out right about now.

[badluckbabe]

You sure you're not freaking out?

After all a good freak out can be healthy.

And you don't need to play it cool just because you're a guy after all. We're very progressive here~

[jackoclubs]

[He lifts the hand that isn't holding the D-Terminal, holding it out to her in a defensive gesture, palm facing forward]

Oi oi, don't give me that talk. Maybe I'm just the type of person who is very good at keeping his composure.

[badluckbabe]

[Snickers]

Well you are a performer so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt there.

Just remember, even in this world denial isn't just a river.

[jackoclubs]

[At that, he lets out a short, half-laugh]

If I were in denial, I'd be calling everything I see here a hallucination.

[Not that he wasn't tempted to do so for the first five minutes he was in the Digital World]

[badluckbabe]

There's still time for that of course. Your imagination can run nice and wild around here.

[jackoclubs]

As any good imagination should! But I'm past the "call everything a hallucination stage," believe me.

I think my stealin' his D-Terminal got it through his thick head that all of this is real.

[badluckbabe]

Just be careful and try to get along with your partner.

We've had enough problems with people arguing with their partners and causing chaos and havoc.

[jackoclubs]

Don't worry! I'll be a good partner and make sure that the chaos and havoc doesn't hurt anyone but him!

-- oi!