[first level]

[inflictedknight]

[Karkat is standing on the sidewalk, leaning against a wall, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. It wasn't entirely unbelievable; so much had happened to him and his crew lately that this was just another wrench in the plan, as far as he saw it

Comments

[truthvalue]

[... Oh. Another cosplayer? Souji really needed to ask one of them what the reference was sometime. This one's got a pile of things nearby, just like the one with the clown makeup - Gamzee? Yes, that was his name, Souji always had a talent for remembering names - had with him when they'd met.

Souji finds himself approaching, because despite everything that had happened in the past year, the obnoxious habit of offering to help people was one he still couldn't quite shake. And if what he'd been told was true - and with every day he spent in this city, the more it was harder to deny it wasn't true - everyone here had been brought to Meridian under similar, involuntary circumstances.]

Hello. Are you lost?

[inflictedknight]

[What an idiotic question. He had obviously set up camp in a random area, it was pretty obvious he didn't know where the fuck he was going or what he was doing. Still, it doesn't mean he's not a little offended that some stupid pink monkey is assuming he's incompetent.]

Why? Are you some kind of fucking guide? Oh, please, guide me around this disgusting, decaying shitty excuse for a city you pink monkies seem to have such an affinity for! I'm fucking thrilled!

[truthvalue]

[Souji blinks, a little taken aback at the hostility. Still, it's easy to understand the boy might be frustrated, if he's just arrived.]

Not officially, but I have been here for a few weeks, so I might be able to help if you're looking to get somewhere in particular. [He offers a small, friendly smile. That should be reassuring, right?]

[inflictedknight]

[It is reassuring. That means Souji has information about the place.]

What's the name of this dump, then?

[truthvalue]

It's called Meridian. It doesn't seem to be a city any of us are familiar with, though, and nobody's been able to discover what country it is either, unfortunately.

[inflictedknight]

I see. By any chance has anyone mapped out the area yet?

[truthvalue]

A map? [What an excellent idea. Souji feels a little dumb for not having thought of it himself.] Not to my knowledge, but it's a very good idea.

[inflictedknight]

There you go. Something for you to do instead of being the welcome wagon, if you feel like it.

[truthvalue]

[Souji blinks, a little taken aback.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I just thought you looked like you might need a little help, that's all.

[inflictedknight]

I'm not offended. It just must be fucking annoying having to greet everyone, right?

[truthvalue]

[WHY SO CONFUSING, KARKAT.]

I guess I don't have to ... but I don't mind. There aren't many of us here. And it's nice to meet new people. [He's had years and years of experience, after all.]

[inflictedknight]

[PROBABLY JUST TO FUCK WITH YOU.]

Nice to meet new people? Have you seen anyone like me? A troll?

[truthvalue]

[A troll? So that's what they're cosplaying. Souji nods.]

Two girls - I didn't catch their names - and a taller boy called ... Gamzee, was it? [That sounds right.]

[inflictedknight]

Their names are Kanaya and Terezi.

[Karkat seems to know about those three. He gives a sharp nod.]

I don't know where everyone else is. They've got to be around here somewhere.

[truthvalue]

There's more of your friends here? [They must have been abducted from a convention or something.] Are you all dressed the same?

[inflictedknight]

Pretty much all trolls dress the same. Black.

Except Kanaya. Kanaya's kind of freaky, she cares about what she wears. She usually wears a dress.

[Karkat thinks that he's talking about actual clothing. He has no clue that Souji thinks they're cosplaying.]