etraya | un: jMan93

[ The video starts with a boy in a baseball cap, wearing a bright grin and lifting a hand in greeting. An I-come-in-peace kind of greeting. He's in his bedroom, sitting on his unmade bed and while his room isn't messy per se (he hasn't been here long enough to accumulate a mess), there are a few shirts haphazardly draped over the back of his headboard. ]

S'up, Etraya? The name's Junpei Iori! I'm pretty new here. Still getting the lay of the land and all, but uh...

[ He rubs the back of his neck, glancing past the camera for a moment. ]

My birthday's on the 16th. Which I guess is operation day? So I'm thinking of celebrating early. Anyone wanna maybe...hang?

[ God. That feels so pathetic. Like coming on here and pretty much announcing he's a friendless loser. Junpei quickly pivots: ]

Or I guess you could just give some recommendations of good places to check out and party it up? What place has the best food or where can a guy get a good cake...that kinda thing? Yeah, sure. I can probably go find somewhere on my own, but the best reviews are usually word of mouth!

[ Junpei shifts, palms planted on his knees as he leans forward. ]

Sooo, lay it on me, folks. Where would you spend your sweet seventeen in this place?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ That stops her short for a second to think, surprised it matters to him or that he'd be so sensitive about it. ]

Uhhhh. It was a while ago, so I don't remember? It was kind of a crazy place. A lot of stuff wasn't even real. We didn't talk about where we were from too much.

[ As far as Toph's concerned, living in a computer simulation is about the same as being in the spirit world, and in that sense she had stopped expecting consistency or reality to follow the normal laws of existence. ]

Yeah. I guess the shit we did back home doesn't really matter when we're stuck in places like this.

[ And Junpei can be a little less bummed when he thinks about it like that. ]

It's not like I was there anyway. But since I'm here, I'll just have to do my best to be a leading man in a different way!

[ The pep is back in his voice once again. ]

Especially 'cause this place probably runs more on alliances and solo work for the missions, right? At least that's what it seemed like in that weird Auriel place.

[ Oh good, he doesn't keep going with getting personally invested in what his friends may or may not have said about him to Toph a year ago in an alternate dimension computer simulation. Toph is so not the right audience for that. ]

It's more structured than where I was before, that's for sure.

[ It all seemed very haphazard most of the time in Aldrip -- Toph really had no idea whether they were doing anything that meant anything most of the time. Whether or not Echo's story is really true here, at least they have clear objectives. ]

I haven't run into anybody really being a dick, either, [ Toph goes on. ] Everybody pretty much seems to work together. Not everyone's friendly, but no one's made any big problems that I know of.

[ Also unlike Aldrip, where it felt like the town hall got blown up every few months. ]

Sounds to me like Echo might know what they're doing when it comes to picking people, then. At least when it comes to not bringing in any real maniacs.

[ Credit where credit is due! ]

But it makes me wonder what would happen if some real asshole did slip in and start like destroying the place. Would it be up to us to police it? Or would Aurora step in with the bots?

[ Maybe they need some cops? ]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves and go handing out compliments to our esteemed unseen jailer.

[ Toph is no fan of authority figures to start with, and this one has so far not impressed her. Giving Echo credit here is making some assumptions of intelligence and wisdom that she isn't ready to make. She also has zero interest in starting or participating in a police force. ]

I'm not gonna wait on Aurora or anybody else to do something -- if somebody starts causing trouble, I'll take care of 'em myself. Just cause you're mad is no reason to go around tearing things up or hurting people.

Yeah, I agree there.

[ There's something in his voice in his voice that's shifted at those words about anger being no reason to tear things up or hurt someone. The golden retriever energy has toned down to something a little more serious. But Junpei's quick to shove that to the side with a quick laugh. ]

Honestly, I doubt we'd need much of anyone else. You'd be the perfect line of defense. People can talk a lot of shit, but 90% of us can't really stand up against gravity. Maybe people who can fly or if you get those super badasses who can leap straight up into the air and launch their attacks from there -- but I'm sure you got some tricks up your sleeve to handle those too, yeah? Being the champion and all!

[ That flickering moment of seriousness really reminds her of Sokka. It gives her a homesick pang that she pushes past, and it helps that Junpei goes on to talking her up, which is something Toph sort of appreciates but also finds sort of annoying.

She can do all her aggrandizing herself, thanks. ]

I practice a lot for flying enemies, [ she agrees, actually turning a bit serious herself for a moment. ] And as strong as I am, I'm not unbeatable. There's people here with incredible, crazy powers. I can't afford to get too cocky.

That's why you have a team, right? Bringing backup is smart.

un: jMan93 | video

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject