[diary entry one] that time i got reincarnated as a a regular dude

[soulreleaser]

WHO: Veldora Tempest and you!
WHERE: Veldora's Labyrinth, around the city
WHEN: forward dated to a few days after the Azdaha wrap-ups
WHAT: sometimes you're a Storm Dragon and you went to sleep with your face in a volume of Black Jack and you wake up in the burning ruins of a city bearing your name and things just get weirder from there.
WARNINGS: passing references to dead monsters, but nothing severe?

the wolf only needs to be faster once; inside the labyrinth

[ it's still horrific the second time.

he'd been there the first time Tempest had been attacked, after all--not there directly, of course, but he'd been there behind Rimuru's eyes, watching as his friend had run through rubble and ravage that Falmuth's soldiers that brought to Tempest. he'd felt Rimuru's infinite sorrow--and his silent, seething rage as they'd come upon the town square, upon the rows and rows of their poor subjects laid as neat and reverentially as could've been managed, every one of them slain injustly in their own homes, their own streets--

there are no neat rows for the bodies, this time. monsters of all shape and size, of all races and bearings are dead where they lay, crumpled in heaps or splayed, gruesome testaments to the power that would've been needed to bring such devastation to a place protected by the Storm Dragon, by the Demon Slime. the city burns and crumbles, cracking buildings falling like crude gravestone markers for the corpses they cover in their wake.

Veldora checks the first dozen he comes across, recoiling as if he'd been struck when the remains seem to remember that they are monsters--that the magic that made up their bodies no longer belongs to something living, and is free to waft away in glowing streaks of power, twisting up and off into the ether of the world as there's no magical net to catch their souls this time and keep them close.

it is... not often, that Veldora thinks of what the destruction of a city must look like from the city's perspective. it could be argued that he's never thought about what it would look like from down here--just as he's never thought about what it would mean for him to be too late, too slow, not strong enough. he tears his way through the ruined landscape, trying not to think of every city he's ever brought a storm to--he would never have done something like this, there'd always been time enough for the little things to get to safety--

he shakes the thought from his head and skids to a halt when he spots a familiar shock of pink hair peeking out from under a crumbled column from the--city hall, he thinks he's at city hall--and he goes to try and lift the massive pieces of cut stone from where they're collapsed

but no matter how much he pushes and pulls, uses both hands and puts his back into it, the stone doesn't move. he tries to call upon his grand form, but he stays small, humanoid. fear is a cold feeling at the base of Veldora's spine, and he hasn't felt this way since his last meeting with--with Velzard, with the hero that'd been sent to--

he shakes the thought from his head again, grinding his teeth and vowing to come back to this pile of stone, to help the little oni princess, as soon as he finds-- ]

Rimuru! Rimuru, my friend, where are you?!

[ the space in his mind that Rimuru should occupy--the telekinetic link between all of his friend's vassals, between the two of them, sworn and fatebound as they are--is so silent and still.

it's as if the World itself has nothing to say, and such a silence is unlike anything Veldora's ever felt before. ]

and a voice cried out; network post - voice - UN: tempestdragon

[ the sound starts a bit abruptly, all things considered--the one who initiated the recording is definitely reading from the 'how to phone' manual that comes complimentary with the Kaisou express shuttle, sounding like your hypothetical 1990's mom trying to read a manual to your hypothetical 1990's dad as they try to set up their newfangled DVD player for the first time. ]

... and upon clicking the 'record' button, a timer will begin to indicate that the recording process has begun; from there, speak your intended message and... mm, mm... touch the red icon to end your... mhm, hmn, from there you can review... touch the post button. The spells that power the devices from the other world truly are as remarkable as they are complex--ah, has the recording begun?

[ he clears his throat, and
look, I love ya'll so I'm not going to type a whole block of text with capslock on, in bold, and at 30pt font size
but you need to picture that for what follows. the poor phone's microphone doesn't know what's about to hit it. ]

To you I extend my greetings, sages and warriors of the world beyond worlds! I am Veldora Tempest of the Great Jura Forest, the Storm Dragon and protector of the monster nation of Tempest! I must applaud you all for finally managing the feat of calling someone from across the veil between our worlds to yours--and then I must laugh at the audacity that you all would dare to call me of all beings! What admirable courage the world of my dear friend's birth truly possesses!

[ for anyone that hasn't aurally abandoned ship, he'll start talking like a normal man--a loud man, but not one that's gonna be heard in the nosebleeds in Toronto, you know? ]

I shall now inquire--upon which land in the Otherworld do I currently stand? My friend spoke occasionally and fondly of his home country of 'Japan', and I've seen many a place in the writings and etchings ascribed within the sacred texts--anyone with courage enough to aid me in gaining my bearings will find that I am a grand and magnanimous ally to have! I thank you kindly in advance of your obeisance!

[ and then he's gonna fumble with the phone and mumble his way through making sure that--that's the post button? that button? he doesn't want his grand words to be lost, after all, and the little operator's manual is getting its pageflips in until the recording finally cuts and is conveyed to an unsuspecting network. ]

Comments

un: musicologyminor | text

[youwouldntdownloada]

[Thank god her stand had the forethought to turn the volume dial way way way way way

way down

It means he sounds like a normal person almost!]

So this is America actually?

We actually don't know why anyone's coming in here from other worlds, but you're taking it really well?

I'd be more than willing to help though, especially if you just need advice on the phone, or where to go here...

voice; un: tempestdragon

[soulreleaser]

[ her stand is the MVP and the reason Yasuho won't have dragon themed tinnitus. ten points, you funky little brain ghost.

capslock voice on. ]

America! A land spoken of quite frequently in the sacred texts! How fascinating to truly be standing upon the soil of a far foreign soil--it's almost as if I've begun an entirely new chronicle of my grand story!

[ capslock voice off.

he does give a laugh, though. it is exactly the gwa-ha-ha-ha you're expecting. ]

It's certainly not a new phenomenon! I know not the mechanics of some of the crossings, but the human nationstates have summoned heroes from other stars since they figured out the nature of the rituals. Otherworlders cross over with an amount of regularity, but I've never heard of the process working in reverse. Have your mages finally perfected the incantations and the ritual's requirements? They must be incredibly powerful to have managed to compel me forth--but know that I will not take an attempt to bind me lightly!

[ maybe a little capslock voice as he gets progressively more excited. he's like a puppy who just spotted little Timmy coming up the walkway. ]

'Phone'--ah, the little receptacle for this wondrous messaging spell? What a quaint word for it! And where to go... oh, the possibilities! I've read so many things about your world through the sacred texts, I almost flounder for what to do first! Tell me of this nation and its features, then! Quickly!

un: musicologyminor

[youwouldntdownloada]

Oh wow- I'm not used to the country having that kind of honor, it's a pretty 'young' one...In its own way going to before a time something was called 'sacred' is just as exciting as otherwise though, so it sounds like you'll be able to enjoy yourself!

[Now that's a Gwa-ha-ha.] Unfortunately not...or at least if anyone with magic did figure it out, they're staying pretty well hidden...

(I'm pretty sure no one's going to try binding you though. ...Except maybe with a lease, but that's easy to avoid.)

Yeah! The phone. It has a lot more than just messaging in it, though that might be easier to share in person...

...oh. Oh god, I don't even know where to start with that...

It's 'Thanksgiving' soon? So you'll probably see a lot of turkey dinners showing up?

(ugh that's not really a 'big' note that's just a little thing...)

Let's try something else- what's the thing you remember from your texts that seems the most interesting?

1 - Because I’m feeling Super Spicy

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose has never been one for destruction. She’s not even sure why she’s decided to investigate these labyrinths. It’s probably out of the goodness of her heart, as much as she’d never admit it. But despite that, she’s not ready for what she sees.]

[It’s a lie—-she knows that. But it doesn’t stop her from having to put a hand over her mouth. Just breathe, she tells herself. She keeps up the mantra until she finds the owner of the labyrinth.]

Your friend isn’t here, but he is safe. You needn’t worry.

[She has no idea what’s going on in this man’s homeworld, but it’s the only thing she can think to say.]

This is a lie. A trick. An illusion.

veldora's no good very bad day

[soulreleaser]

[ he's scaled up a heap of rubble, trying to dig down--perhaps one of Rimuru's stronger retainers is within the central hall building, biding time? he's been hit all at once with an odd feeling of helplessness, and a restless desire to do.

something. anything.

so he digs, still trying to change his skin, still trying to lift stones that're too large for an ordinary man to lift--and then a voice cuts through the unbearable silence in his head and he turns to face it, hand braced on a stone, still stooped to yank it up and send it tumbling down the pile.

there's another monster alive. his heart lifts, pounding in his chest with a fragment of hope ]

You, Eurzanian woman! Is your nation under attack as well? Or has [ fuck what was his name the bara guy that used to run the country before he stuck Milim in charge ] Carriage sent aid--?

[ and then he pauses as she continues her thought, squeezing the stone in his hand. ]

How can it be a trick? I am not susceptible to such magics.

[poisontippedcure]

[Just her luck, he had to be stupid.]

[Not that she can actually blame him, of course. The situation is incredibly unsettling, and if she were in his position, she's not sure she'd believe it, either.]

[Rose takes a deep breath.]

I'm not...Eurzanian, was it? I'm Eorzean. And that's hardly the matter here.

[She doesn't even know what a Eurzanian is, but at least he's not calling her a cat girl.]

You aren't home anymore. You've been spirited away to another world. This is just a labyrinth--it's designed to trick you--to show you your deepest fears come to life.

labyrinth

[hoshikiri]

[Takame has come to note the trend of newcomers. He was not someone to continue leaving these instances to coincidence. As a man lost in one a year ago himself (twice, even) he felt something of a duty to help others who were whenever he happened upon a Gate.

Given the destruction upon Kaisou in the past few weeks, a ruined city was even less of an issue for him. It was another day. Bodies strewn about left in the wake of the devastation to have the last ilms of life stripped away under rubble.

He sought this realm's owner, not to swell upon the devastation. He had good enough sight to determine that the one man seeking to shift the damage away from someone was probably the owner. Him calling to this "Rimuru" was an even better indicator.

So he'll find Takame approaching him carefully, tense and guarded as if awaiting a counter from any side, his tail behind him remaining completely still.]

I'm afraid you are no longer where you may believe you are. This is a Labyrinth formed of a place in memory. [He halted his approach a few feet away, but still in clear sight just to establish:] I mean you no harm. I only seek to help you escape from this place.

[soulreleaser]

[ he strains against a section of heavy, broken stone--why it didn't just lift with the greatest of ease, why his skin did not change to scales so that he could be grand form, he couldn't say, and had no time to analyze. he senses felt so dull, and he felt so small, but he still had to try

he was the protector of Rimuru's people, he had to--

he doesn't jump when a voice calls out to him, but he does turn, hand still on the stone, expression cool and imperious as he draws on his authority as the Storm Dragon, settled into it like a shroud as he looks at--

his face melts into a look of relief. an Eurzanian beastman--one of Rimuru's allies, and, he thinks admiringly, a dragonnewt to boot. one that seemed to be strong enough to be one of the faithful, as well--perhaps marking him as Milim's creature? the relief shifts to puzzlement as he opens his mouth, but doesn't speak fast enough to stop Takame, his words sinking down and opening a new sluice gate of questions, fingers digging into the stone as if that'll ground his spiraling curiosity by inches. ]

This is the work of the Labyrinth? Have I done some disservice to Ramiris? She has no reason to trap me in her walls, and--to decorate them like this is a cruelty. She claims to be fond of Tempest. [ he tilts his head, though, coming away from the stone to better look Takame over, squinting a bit. ] Why would one such as you serve the Labyrinth Fairy, though? Are you not one of Carriage's Beastmen?

[ sorry, Carrion-sama. you have no registered in the dragon name bank. ]

[hoshikiri]

[He knew any new arrival would have a lot of questions, though being presented with a load of terms he did not understand would ever throw him. His eyes averted briefly, always feeling a little strange when called anything but human. As for his myriad of questions, Takame shook his head lightly.]

When I refer to a "Labyrinth", 'tis more accurate to say a tear in reality's fabric that sees fit to have us recall significant events. There is no group or greater power behind it, it is simply a matter of arriving in this world from another.

[Which was already quite the bombshell to drop, Takame was aware. He paused for a moment, choosing his next words more carefully.]

I do not know what this "Labyrinth Fairy" is, but I do not serve them. Nor do I know what you refer to when you speak of "Carriage's Beastmen."

[He took a few tentative steps forward, giving a slight bow of his head.]

My name is Takame Kesi. The way out of this realm leads to a city that will provide us with a safe place so that I may answer whatever questions you may have. I can show you the way.

voice / un:otterfan4131973

[godmaker]

Are you familiar with the concept of an indoor voice?

voice; un: tempestdragon

[soulreleaser]

But I am outside?

UN: hikari-vi | voice

[whiteshroud]

Well, Japan is in this world, but it's on another continent from this place. The world is named Earth though.

[Anyway]

What's the difference between a monster nation and a regular nation?

[soulreleaser]

[ hello Jun, you've activated loud mode again because he is very, very excited. ]

Truly? Truly, I have come to the other world? I wish to go to Japan--it is the birthplace of my sworn friend, Rimuru, and the land he lived in before his death and rebirth! How many days travel is it between the nation we now occupy and Japan? [ what the fuck are oceans

volume comes down, though, when he's asked a question he knows the answer to!! ]

I mean--the distinction is as it says. Most places in the world are inhospitable to monsters; the human church views them as abominations to their doctrine, while the elves and the dwarves tend to keep a more neutral view of things in the name of trade. My friend Rimuru founded a nation that was built by monsters and is primarily inhabited by monsters, though other beings are welcome if they come to our borders peaceably--and all before he became a Demon Lord!

[ man rimuru is great. sure hope he's hanging around somewhere doing slime stuff. ]

voice; un: freelancer

[lapislazily]

[... This man is so loud that even Zhongli has to blink a couple of times and like... hold the phone out... because holy shit dude.]

If you are looking to assign blame to a particular culprit for your circumstance, you have only to look in the sky. The Spirit Vein has been damaged for some time, and that has made it easier for other worlds to bleed into this one.

This is Kaisou, a city in [A LOUD TRUCK DRIVES BY] the United States.

My name is Zhongli. The circumstance is regrettable, but it's a pleasure to meet you regardless. There are a few Otherworlders here, and many other dragonkin besides.

[soulreleaser]

[ he has a lot to say and he says it very enthusiastically! he sounds thoughtful at first, giving a low hum of contemplation. ]

I've yet to fight the sky or a vein of pure magic, but I suppose it will be a fun goal to work towards as soon as I can figure out why my shape will not change form when I wish it to.

[ unfortunately for Zhongli, the normal volume he was just speaking at is going to increase again because he's getting excited--and confused? very confused. but excitedly! ]

The United States! The homeland of the next heir to the Presidency, John Omaha? This really is the world beyond my world--how marvelous that you all have figured out how to call my people to you, though it is audacious that once such as myself should be chosen first! I will serve no mage or nationstate! And--[ hang on a second ] Other dragonkin? Have. Have my siblings come before me? Was I... the last one called?

[ :c ]

voice: un: theDuke

[loupmorque]

...Now that's someone who knows how to take control of a room.

You don't have any trouble getting heard do you, big guy.

You new to this place, too, then, yeah?

[soulreleaser]

Normally I simply need to appear at the border of a country for the people to know that I am coming! [ and he bellows a laugh, brassy and loud, the phone's poor little speakers doing their damnedest not to pop ] Speaking clearly is simply an old habit!

I have just crossed into this world, yes, brought through within a most malevolent spell--and once I find who it was that decided that their summoning magic should take such a deplorable view, I shall have more than words to present them with! They will know my ire!

1

[aslowburn]

[Persephone had come through here to see if perhaps another's labyrinth would lead her out of this world and back to her own. It was a long shot, she knew, but in trying, she would at least have an answer on whether it would work or not.

What she finds is a ruined city, bodies- certainly not human bodies- and a man. She surveys the damage quietly, still. She's seen this happen countless times. The horrible leftovers of war, of fighting. She has held court over the dead for so long it doesn't bother her overmuch. Everything died eventually, that was the greatest inevitability in the universe. All that changed was the how.

She makes her way over to the man, arms folded. ]

It is unlikely you will find who you are looking for here. This is the snare whatever controls this place used to pull you into this world. You are trapped in another world now. I can help you find the exit of this...place of memory, but I cannot find the way back to where we belong yet. We will end up in the city.

[soulreleaser]

[ some of them might look human if you squint--but there are claws and horns and tails and ears and little things that reveal that this seemingly normal looking, almost modern city is stained in the blood of its citizens who were all just a little bit... monstrous.

Veldora trembles as he tries to lift another heavy patch of stone, breathing hard, looking down at his hands with some incredulity. the stone is budging, but--in the way that such a heavy thing would budge with any sincere amount of effort exerted, and the thing should've gone flying with barely a flick of his wrist, and yet--

his head comes up at the voice, hand rest on the column's remains for balance as he looks over the woman standing with such. authoritative peace? speaking calm and clear in such a manner that Veldora looks as if he's waking from a trance, hand passing over his face. ]

... you're right. Of course you're right--we would've never have let this come to pass in our city a second time. What a cruel illusion this is--and to sap all my strength besides! A powerful collection of arcane users must've worked for a long time to entrap one's such as you and I. [ mages, majin; didn't matter, he was going to punch whoever he found. he flexes his fingers, one hand on the other arm as he considers his fist, and then stands to turn and move towards Persephone, also folding his arms over his chest because it's definitely his at rest pose and not a self-soothing mechanism. ]

I will repay you for your aid in this matter. I am curious as to which city houses such a masterful piece of magecraft--surely Falmuth's well into its civil war, and Ingrassia's been pretending like we don't exist and they're not afraid of the consequences of their last attack...

[ ... you might hear dialtone static, because he does not. remember. anybody else's city name. hmn. names are hard? he tries to look thoughtful, instead of empty-headed. ]

un: yoru

[bethorns]

[ Yor...applauds! It's like watching a Saturday cartoon...she loves a good dramatic monologue. ]

I was born in Japan! But, that's a fair ways from here. What do you mean by sacred texts, though?

un; tempestdragon

[soulreleaser]

[ he is the protagonist of the anime in his own mind it's true. he might pose a little for the benefit of himself at the applause, hand on his hip, phone held boldly up--especially after Yor says the J-word and the synapses in his lil' scaly brain fire off and come to some realizations. ]

Japan! You were born in Japan! You're from the same country as my best friend Rimuru--then I am truly in another world, just as the sacred texts theorized...! [ and then his eyes are widening again and the volume is ratcheting up considerably. ]

What do you mean you do not know of the writings of your own people?! Are you not a scholar or a sage?! Are you perhaps a warrior with no time for such lengthy pursuits, or someone of a humbler origin? Such as a-- [ ... what do humans do to pass the time? ] A. A weaver!! [ he knows a weaver! at least he thinks that's what the pink kijin girl does all day... ]

Voice | UN: sardemon (get your earplugs ready)

[sardinelover]

[Bravo! Encore, encore! Now THAT was a man of passion! Of heart! Of pride and nobility! He can sense of feeling of kinship in his black heart already. Oh the conversations they'll have...

An equally loud man's voice booms forth from the smart phone.]

I can assure you, friend, this is NOT Japan! One need only look towards the lack of care toward sardines to realize that! Few countries in the human world can hope to compete with Japan's love and adoration of sardines! Sardine culture there is second to none! No, the country you currently find yourself in is none other than the United States of America. Or "U.S.A." for short.

voice; un: tempestdragon | give 'em something to listen to in the cheap seats three states over

[soulreleaser]

[ f i n a l l y someone who puts their chest into it! what is the point of existing if you aren't going to do it with a little something extra, a little burning fire in your soul? he perks up like a dog who's just heard little Timmy coming up the walk after the school bus as someone from the same species of loud as him responds--and so wisely to boot! ]

I see, I see! The writings my friend committed to memory spoke on occasion of the United States, and how fortuitous it is that I will be experiencing it for myself! I will have so many stories to tell when I next return to Rimuru City!

[ what the hell is a sardine ]

I must inquire, given that the word is unfamiliar to me and I do not recall seeing it anywhere in my readings of the other world--what, pray tell, is a sardine?

Hearing Aides Needed Now

[uppermoonthree]

A new notification, oh it looks like someone new is here, what did they sa... Getting full blasted sound from his phone that he didn't think was on speaker just THROWING it up in the air.

[Picture when you spook someone and they just throw whatever their holding.]

Well now that I can't hear anything, and possibly need a new phone, let me listen to that again at a normal volume. Turning it down to 2% volume to be 'normal'. I can at least respond, and possibly tell them to not scream at the phone.

"Good Evening Mr. Tempest, not sure if you're aware but the phone can pick you up without you yelling at it, they are quiet sensitive. To answer your question, i'm not so sure anyone actually summoned you, people have a habit of... showing up, whether they meant to or not.

You are currently in America, which is about 10 hours by flight to Japan. However if you have any questions about Japan, I am Japanese by birth and have been there recently and could probably answer some of them. I hope you adjust well, and my phone is always on if you need anything."

Maybe I should yell back at him, is he hard of hearing maybe that's why he yells?

[soulreleaser]

It's not about being hard of hearing, it's about enunciating and being bold and covering up your shy personality by being loud enough to be heard a country over! Easy as pie! Veldora is simply fascinated by all the things plinging by on his newfound phone; the array of it is wonderful and new and just like his mangas sacred texts.

He listens intently to the newest message, feeling the barest hint of chagrin before it goes rocketing off to only the Gods know where in the depths of his grand mind, left behind in favor of the excitement of new thing! New person!

New person who'd been to Japan, the land of Rimuru's birth!

"It is a pleasure to meet you, child of this world! I am not yelling, but if the volume is intimidating, I am magnanimous enough to lower my voice! These devices are simply marvelous with how clever and detailed they are! It would take strong magic to have such a clear, concise message, and yet this is just available--"

He'll marvel for a moment, cackling brightly in a good old 'gwa-ha-ha' sort of way, and then he'll stop yelling. Talking loudly. Whatever.

"I am most interested to know that I am but hours away from Japan--my bosom companion was born in that land, and I'd very much like to see it. Tell me, did you ever hear of a man who died of a noble sacrifice in the streets?"

... because all of Japan is like, within shouting distance, right? Most things are within shouting distance when you're 300 feet tall, but y'know. Details details.