Video | UN: lunae

[heng_like_a_dragon]

WHO: Dan Heng and you!
WHERE: Network
WHEN: Early September
WHAT: POKEGO's biologist/archivist has now arrived on the scene, and Kaisou gets a new nerd!
WARNINGS: Blade (Character).

[The camera turns on to reveal a Dan Heng who has accepted his fate. What fate, you might be wondering? Well, his Altaria has decided that he hasn't been paying her enough attention. Therefore, he's currently trapped by her cloudy wing and he's not about to argue with his cloud dragon-bird.]

I thought I should introduce myself, both to everyone here and to my colleagues. My name is Dan Heng, but those in POKEGO will know me as 'Maple.' I'm a biologist and archivist in the organization, and sometimes I also act as a guard for researchers who go into more dangerous Spirit Realms without much combat experience themselves.

[His Altaria trills indignantly.]

And this is my partner, an Altaria that I've named Cirrus. I'll be working as a biology tutor this semester while finishing my degree. Starting in the spring, I'll be a professor of biology at Kaisou University.

[He pauses for a moment and then nods.]

Also, I've heard from my cousin in letters he's sent to me that he's been well since arriving here. Zhongli can be a bit stubborn and old-fashioned, but I wanted to extend my gratitude for taking care of him despite that.

I look forward to working with everyone.

Comments

video; UN: Arachne

[adtendo]

[Guess who it is, Dan Heng? Your favorite person in the history of forever.]

[Enjoy a Kafka on the other side of the screen. She looks slightly amused.]

I see. Well, a certain someone is going to be happy to see you.

[And then, after a pause.]

You didn’t happen to bring anyone else with you, did you?

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[She's his favorite person in the same way that Himeko's coffee is his favorite drink.

He's not sure why, but this person he doesn't know puts him on edge a bit.]

I wouldn't know who you would be referring to. And I'm not entirely certain what you mean by that question.

text: un: trienemybest

[droptheious]

Oh, hi. Welcome to the city. I'm Varian or...uh, Larch. Whichever. [Both are equally "his name" after all. ] I'm one of the apprentices here. Nice to meet you.

[He'll reach down to pick up his Zigzagoon to hold him up to the camera.]

This is Newton! [And then Ruddiger barrels in, chittering and trying to get into view as well, 'cause like HELL is he going to miss out on this.] And this is Ruddiger. He's...uh not a Pokemon. Just a regular raccoon.

[heng_like_a_dragon]

Ah, yes, I've heard good things about you. It's a pleasure to meet you, Larch.

[The Zigzagoon? Totally normal.

The real raccoon? U H....]

... It's a pleasure to meet Newton and Ruddiger as well. I look forward to working with you, and seeing what you can do in person.

text | un: shinope

[killerapp]

its Azalea. please tell me youre not a god too Maple

[heng_like_a_dragon]

Hello, Azalea. What do you mean by "a god, too?"

[He has suspiciously not answered the question.]

video; un: freelancer

[lapislazily]

[It comes as a bit of a surprise. They haven't seen each other in a while, so he takes a minute to study what he can see.]

Ah, Dan Heng. I didn't realize you had been assigned to Kaisou. You look well.

[He coughs lightly.]

I appreciate your words, though they have been taking care of me a little too well as of late.

[THE STATUE]

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[Seeing Zhongli again does get a rare, small smile from Dan Heng. He's truly glad to see his cousin again.]

I sent you a letter stating as such. Obviously, it took too long. Had I realized you had a phone on you, I would've asked for a phone number.

[You will be relentlessly dragged, cousin. And in public at that.]

Oh? I did not think that possible with your grandfatherly ways.

UN: hikari-vi | text

[whiteshroud]

Wow, I didn't realize Zhongli had any cousins.

[HE'S LIKE SUPER OLD????? HOW DOES THAT WORK?]

text; un: freelancer

[lapislazily]

We share an ancestor, of which he is far more removed than I am for... obvious reasons.

It's difficult to deny the resemblance, however, so "cousin" is easier to explain.

[heng_like_a_dragon]

Zhongli's already explained it, I see, but I hadn't expected running into a cousin, either. Although distantly related, he helped me greatly both in understanding my power and getting me to where I am today. I'm quite grateful to him.

1/??? not even god knows; video; un: blade

[unreachableside]

[Blade had just been scrolling on his phone to see if there was anything important since it's the beginning of the month when he sees... him.

There aren't any draconic features, but that gaze is unmistakable. The cold eyes, the angles of his face. The color of his hair.

The last time he was gripped by this... it had been like a wave washing over him, until he was barely coherent. Until he was barely aware.

This time, it's like a tsunami. He's helpless against the tide that washes in and slams him against the shore, and he can't hold onto anything when it washes him back out to sea.]

It's you. [He can hear his heart pounding in his head, feel it drumming in his temples. Not a funeral bell, but the drums of war.] There is no mistaking it. You are him. You couldn't be anyone else.

2/4

[unreachableside]

[Cold rain. Bursts of sparks, the flourish of a spear. The bite of cold metal as it tears through his midsection.]

You KILLED me. I remember.

3/4 IM SO SORRY

[unreachableside]

[The tsunami of memories slams him into the shore. He pulls his hand away from his aching forehead and begins to laugh. It isn't a nice noise, nor is it full of mirth.

He's gone mad, candle-flame eyes glowing slightly in the low light of his apartment.]

Do you remember the fresh blood pouring onto your hands?

Do you remember what it was like to feel my heartbeat stop?

[He smiles like a knife.]

Did you enjoy it?

4/4 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[unreachableside]

Show yourself... [His low voice is almost like a purr, but deeply twisted.] I want to see you.

[LORD ALMIGHTY]

video; un: fortuneclovers

[medicgunner]

[Hey Dan Heng, ever seen a girl with head wings because she's here and she's laughing a bit.]

He's got a cousin? Yeah, stubborn and old-fashioned that's a way of calling 'im a full-on pain in the arse grandpa, mate. I work with the bloke, so I know. [She likes him, really.]

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[That's admittedly very new, and he's intrigued by them in a scientific way, but he's going to be respectful.]

He very much has a grandfatherly disposition. Even I haven't been able to escape it. Had I realized he had a phone, I would've called him to let him know of my assignment to Kaisou.

I can imagine he's not the easiest person to work with, but for what it's worth, I'm glad he has teammates he can rely on.

un: shineon; video

[onahairtrigger]

Hey, great to see you again! Looks like we're gonna be seeing a lot of each other from now on, huh?

[Josuke grins a bit, as his Quaxly pushes into view to greet Cirrus.]

Hey, if you need anything, let me know, alright?

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[Oh, god, the 50s have called and they want their hair back.]

I suppose we are, Zelkova. I imagine that our overlapping specialties would have had us crossing paths more frequently regardless.

[Cirrus trills out a greeting as she sees the Quaxly.]

I will be certain to do so. However, if there's anything I can do to help in return, I can do my best to provide.

private video; un: kesitakame

[hoshikiri]

[Takame had intended to leave this be, he had no association with POKEGO but this Dan Heng seemed like a kind enough man. Cordial at the very least which was all one needed to be.

It was taking a second look at his post and seeing that Blade man reply in a similar way he did to Takame's prophecy that made his temper start flaring. But more than that, it made him worry. He'd rather not have that lunatic butt into this again without Venti's aid but he couldn't help but voice that worry. So there was an equally calm sounding man with several sets of draconic horns that replied.]

Forgive my boldness, but are you alright? I saw that man Blade had begun to harass you.

Private forever!

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[Oh. That's... another dragon man. Dan Heng isn't expecting it, but it does strangely put him at some ease. Not fully at ease. However, it's enough.]

No, I appreciate the sentiment.

[He hesitates.]

I don't believe 'fine' would be accurate in any sense, but I have faced him before in my past life. It was... unexpected to see him here.

video | un: fullbloom

[joies]

Maple, my dear, it's good to see you! I hope you had a smooth journey here. [ And here's one tree grandma beaming over the video, her newly evolved Whimsicott peering over her shoulder. ]

Ah, though you have my sympathies for having such an old-fashioned old man as your family. [ She's teasing!!! Mostly. The Zhongli dragging is eternal, even if her vitriol is mostly diminished now. ]

I imagine your time will be busy with studies and settling in, but do let me know if you need anything. From the sounds of it, we'll working together both within POKEGO and in similar subjects at the university.

[ Time to see how many people apply for their classes because hot professors - ]

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[Tree grandma! Dan Heng seems to perk up a tiny bit, though it's difficult to tell with him.]

It was smooth enough, Pomegranate. At least I wasn't in the plane for very long as I was coming over from Boston.

[There's a very small smile.]

He does act more like my grandfather than my cousin in some ways. That being said, I'm looking forward to visiting him more often.

[Dan Heng isn't even aware that he's joining the hot professor club. It's a travesty, Persephone.]

For the first week I imagine that will be the case, but I will make the time to help the team. I'll be certain to let you know if I need anything. I'm looking forward to working with you, Pomegranate.

video; un: wisteria

[reenforces]

[Now this is a familiar face. Mikleo greets him with a slight smile. This is unusual because normally he doesn't show up on camera.]

It's been a while, hasn't it? It's pretty crazy here, though you've already... noticed that, I'm sure.

[literally what the fuck is happening in these comments]

I think your particular skillset will be useful around here. We keep getting the worst questions about Pokemon and no one wants to answer them. None of us are biologists, after all.

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[Well, if this isn't a sight for sore eyes. He's been wondering what Mikleo's been up to.]

It has. I hadn't expected to run into you here, but I'm grateful. I've had an... eventful first day.

[That's putting it extremely mildly.]

I can't say I'm surprised to hear that. I hope I can be of some help in answering those questions, now that I'm here. Pokemon biology was essentially my starting point.

[Dan Heng looks at him for a moment before nodding.]

You look well, Wisteria. I apologize for not getting back in touch with you sooner.