[一] Video;

[believeit]

[After waking up just a short time ago and realizing that these journals serve as some form of communication for- well, wherever they are, a family of ninja decide that they need to search for important information.]

Why am I half naked in a forest?

[There’s a short pause before the blond teenager speaks again, for he has an even more pressing question that needs to be answered.]

WHY ARE MY PARENTS HALF NAKED IN A FOREST?!

[Granted, it’s a very important question but the consensus was they had more prudent information to gather. Like where they are, for example. And so a redheaded woman, Kushina, quickly shouts back over her son’s panic.]

Naruto! That’s not the right question to ask!

Oh-- right.

[Those questions can wait for now.]

Where is this place then? Or what is it? It isn’t like.. the afterlife, right? ‘Cause I don’t think I’m dead, so I can’t be in it! But my Mom and Dad are here too and they were dead, but now they’re alive, so how can they be here at the same time and why do we all have wings and OH GOD THIS IS THE AFTERLIFE, ISN’T IT??

[Suddenly, a fist is flying downwards and towards the top of Naruto’s head.

THWAK.]

FOCUS, YA KNOW!

OWW! THAT HURT Y’KNOW?!

[SUDDENLY AN UZUMAKI STANDOFF that Minato sighs and shakes his head at. Trust these two to be diplomats. It seems like the more Naruto speaks, the more Minato thinks he got so many things from his mother. With a lopsided smile, he calmly steps in between them and carefully grabs the journal from Naruto.]

I would like to apologize for that display. [Behind him, there’s an indignant ‘Hey!’ That said, Minato clears his throat and his expression turns a little more serious.] As it is obvious, we are in need of answers. To the citizens who might be able to lend a hand through this book that we have concluded to be a communication device, we will appreciate any help.

[The next words, he hesitates for a moment in saying, but he feels he might as well throw it out there too.]

Also, for anyone who might know my family and I, please contact us as soon as possible. Thank you. [And he ends that with a polite smile.]

Comments

video: pssst the link is broken!

[hero_of_smiles]

[Cue a brown headed kid with his fingers in his ears. Guess who thought that display was freaking loud?]

Oi oi oi! Calm down, no one's dead!

[And he removes them in order to not look impolite to answer the questions being asked.]

Maybe, I'm the last to get to it as usual, but, you're all stuck in another world called Luceti. As for the reason why you're partly naked is because the Malnosso are a bunch of jerks and put wings on your backs. But, they keep you alive here so don't rip 'em off.

[As for the parents being dead thing...oh god how does even sound sensitive about this?]

Er, well...um...Luceti is a kind of place where people who are supposed to be, um, in another life can come back. Like a second chance.

video:

[derpivity]

I think I already received a gist of those information. [Mostly about not being dead (even if that's still strange) and the wings part.] Regardless, I'm grateful.

[Then, he smiles as politely as he can. He might as well familiarize himself with the people that are apparently in this enclosure.] By the way, I'm Minato and I'm with my wife and son. [As you can see.] May I know who you are?

video:

[hero_of_smiles]

Ah, well, in case there's anything else the Journal's got a guide that explains stuff in more detail.

[But, he offers a salute though at the gratitude.]

No probs, what I'm here for. Sort of.

[However, Cross can only raise a brow at Minato's statement. He looked awfully young to have a kid that age. He realizes it's not the point right now, so he'll keep it to himself.]

Nice ta meet ya, Minato. Name's Cross Blanchard. Just call me Cross.

video:

[derpivity]

Likewise, Cross.

[Here, have a well-meaning smile.] How long have you been in this place? I gather people also come from different worlds and points in time. [Still not entirely believing that but he might as well roll with it to get more info.]

video:

[hero_of_smiles]

Let's see...

[And here, watch him count the fingers on his mechanical hand as he works out the math.]

Um, arooooound, Novemember I think. Yeah, definitely then. So about six months now probably. Or is it seven...? Uhh, let's just say about half a year.

[He snaps his fingers and points when Minato makes his assumption.]

You got that right. Got people from all around. It's kind of weird, but the good kind.

video:

[derpivity]

[He pauses for a while because that seems like a very long time to be here. Minato have already gathered that there's no clear way out from this place and if time isn't an issue here, then most likely, the same can be said back home. Minato just responds with a friendly smile.]

That seems like a long time to be here. [Even if it won't be surprising if someone had been here longer. Just how does this place even work? He'll try and figure that out more later.] I'm curious, though, what kind of world did you come from? [Is it peaceful?]

video:

[hero_of_smiles]

I suppose so. But, there are others here who've been here longer.

[As for his world:]

Hmmm, kind of normal? I mean, if you call having magic in it normal. It's kinda complicated.

video:

[derpivity]

Ah, I'd have to ask around, then.

[He's genuinely curious about this and he knows it'd come in handy in his research about this place. That said, he's also curious about Cross' world.]

Mm, magic, you say? Do enlighten me, if you don't mind. [There are a lot of worlds and Minato knows they're all diverse but it's always good to know new things.]

video:

[hero_of_smiles]

Probably for the best. I'm not exactly what you call an expert of Luceti.

[As for world facts. Okay, this is gonna get tricky.]

Er, well, okay. I'll try my best.

[And now for a huge explanation.]

Okay, so. Where I'm from, magic's a really big secret. You got this whole underworld kingdom for it and everything. So that way all the normal people in the non magical part of the world don't find out about it.

As for how magic works...lessee...bro explained it to me a couple of times. Something about having to use weapons and harnessing energy from in yourself and the mystic stuff all around us.

video: lol whoops, we'll get naruto-mun to fix it later!

[fervidity]

[Finally, a name. Luceti? That's not a village she's ever heard of. Or a country. Or anything like that.

Other worlds don't exist though. And yet, that's the only explanation they have so far. Same with the wings. There's a price for everything, isn't there? For goodness sake.

It sounds like the wings and her second chance and being here is all because of the Malnosso.]

Malnosso, huh? Do you know where I can find these guys?

video: s'all good just thought i'd help

[hero_of_smiles]

If you're capable of punching a hole through a magical barrier they're outside it.

Otherwise, you may have to wait for a draft or something to go talk to them or even punch 'em.

[There's a pause.]

I highly recommend it. The punching I mean.

video: thanks 8)

[fervidity]

[She flexes and arm. Punching is already in her plans, somewhere down the line after she asks them all the questions she needs answered.]

Neither of them stand a chance, ya know!

video: <3 here have my a heart because you three have broken it with feels

[hero_of_smiles]

[Okay, already liking the energy here. He can't help but laugh a bit.]

Good, good! Gonna need that here.

But, in any case, just be careful of the Molasses. [No, that's not him mispronouncing their name, it's just his way of mocking them.]

They do freaky experiments on people. Not sure why but they go from weird to frightening.

video: nomnomnom delicious hearts :3

[fervidity]

[She WOULD say nicknames are mean since she suffered her youth being called 'Tomato'... but they kinda deserve it.

In any case, she's a bit more concerned with the new information on experiments. Immediately Naruto and Minato comes to mind and even the kids she's already talked to.]

What kind of experiments?

video:

[hero_of_smiles]

[Only the bad guys get mean nicknames B(. So far, she's no bad guy.]

Um...hmmm, welll....

[He folds his arms as he goes into thought. What kind of experiments had they done...]

One person was turned into a cat, that's for sure. Others, errr...gonna have to get back to you on that. All I know is, anything under the sun that you can think of? They probably can do.

[Oh wait, that's not reassuring! Oh Snap gotta fix that!]

B-but, don't worry! They're always temporary and they wear off. I know it's not much, but it's something.

video:

[fervidity]

[AHAHAA being turned into a cat wasn't bad. Ninjas can turn into anything upon command. He's trying to be helpful though, so she'll smile a little.

Still the Malnosso are rude for just experimenting on people. Weirdos.]

Well, when I have a talk with them, I'll tell them not to try any more experiments either.

Re: video:

[hero_of_smiles]

[Oh good, a smile. Not hated so far. This is good for that self esteem of his.]

You might have to wait. They don't really contact us unless we get drafted and they never come into the village.

Oh, plus they do these weird village wide shifts that make people go weird. We had one a couple weeks ago actually. We all were sort of...loopy. We had these kind of made up lives that seemed over atop even for a book plot.

oops, fixed!

[believeit]

Luceti..? [That's a village he's definitely never head of before.]

Malnosso are the guys in charge here then? [Right. At least he has some sort of focus now as to who to hunt down.]

Why did they steal our stuff anyway, Bunch of perverts!

yaaay

[hero_of_smiles]

Yup, that's the place. [There's a nod as he dashes the air with his finger.]

And that they are.

[Naruto's next statement earns him a bit of a smirk from this fifteen year old.]

Creepos, right?

But, you'll find all your stuff in the stores here. Probably took it because they needed to put the wings on your back.

yaaay

[believeit]

Total creepers!

[The mention of wings shifts his attention though, as he is reaching back, trying to touch his own.]

What's the point in these things anyway?

[hero_of_smiles]

And that is the wonder of the Molasses. Total creeps and jerks that need a good kick into being good.

[For the next question, that's a little easier.]

Well, apparently the explanation for that is it keeps you alive here. I thiiiiink it also translates what we say too. I read it somewhere...

In any case, don't rip 'em off. That's bad. Apparently you'll drop dead if you take them both off and you get really sick if one goes. So, yeah, keep them protected.

[believeit]

Molasses? I thought they were Mal.. Malno.. that other thing.

[Sigh. He wants to get rid of these things already.]

So they're not gonna come off?

[hero_of_smiles]

[Maybe he should avoid using that word with new people.]

Oh uh, well, it's just a nickname, y'know, to make fun of them. 'Cause they suck.

Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaays, nope. 'Fraid not. It's weird at first but you won't notice them after awhile, promise.

[believeit]

[Nah its ok- he's probably going to call them that too.]

So who are these Molasses guys exactly?

[hero_of_smiles]

[Kindred spirit!]

Okay, well, they're scientists or something. They run this enclosure and I think along with a few others.

[At least from what he gathered from the Draft.]

From what I get they're the people responsible for sticking us here. They also like to do experiments on us. They kidnap you with robots, and do something and send you back. Sometimes they're harmless, other times really weird, and I think occasionally, really dangerous.

And thaaaaaan there's the village wide shifts. The shifts range really. Either turning the place into something different or messing with our heads.