[text]

[welikeike]

[action]
[It took Ike a WHOLE DAMN MONTH for him to even get remotely settled in. His roommate vanished before the two of them even got acquainted, but Ike didn't feel the need to be nosy about Marie's whereabouts. He seemed a little withdrawn anyway. It didn't bother him much since they didn't get much further than exchanging names.

Dealing with the futuristic technology of this world still had him baffled. From the architecture to the unfamiliar inventions, none of it made getting used to the academy a walk in the park. As he sat down in his quiet dorm room after classes, the memory of a run-in with the headmaster came back to him as a reminder from earlier that morning. He was supposed to introduce himself on the "school network". When he asked about it, the headmaster reminded him of that strange rectangular contraption he gave him when he first arrived.

So he'd been fiddling with it for a while now - as long as his patience would allow. It wasn't an easy task, but he got the laptop TURNED ON and LOGGED IN and all of that seemingly easy stuff to most people that just made communication like pulling teeth for someone like Ike. Why was he supposed to introduce himself on here of all places, when it just seemed so static and impersonal? He'd never met people like this before, and quite frankly, it frustrated him.

And so frustration would be the tone of his introduction.]

[text]
My name is Ike. I don't know how I got here or why, but I'm enrolled at this academy for now. If we haven't already met, you should introduce yourself to me.

I'm not sure what else to write here. it feels stiff to meet people on this network. one convenience for you people is just an obstacle for me to overcome, since I'm not familiar with computers or internets. If I were to meet someone back home, I'd just walk up and say hello. Maybe somebody could teach me something about this computer to make using it make more sense. I have a lot to learn.

Comments

Text

[punchthedoritos]

Hi Ike! Remember me? Sonny Moe?

I can help you if you want. It's pretty easy and the computer is a fun thing to use to do all sorts of things. I like the internet, too. It's good for looking up recipes and funny videos. I can show you the video I'm in on MewTube!

Text

[welikeike]

I remember, yes.

Fun thing? I'd like to see that. right now it's just giving me a gigantic headache, and I can't tell if it's from how confused I am or from this bright display window thing. Basically, I'd appreciate the help.

Text

[punchthedoritos]

Sometimes if you look at the bright screen too long? It can hurt your eyes and your head. Remember to take breaks every so often and you should feel better!

I can come over and teach you some more things if you want? Just tell me when I should come!

Text

[welikeike]

Any time is fine by me. I'm just sitting around in my dorm, so it's no bother. it's BE-08.

Text

[punchthedoritos]

OK! I can come over right now! Are you hungry? I can bring chips and juice.

Text

[oogremi]

It is good to meet you, Ike. I am Sakura Oogami.

I, too, often find little to say over the computer. It has uses, of course, but it is difficult to communicate without seeing a person's face.

Text

[welikeike]

You can say that again! I don't know how I'm supposed to meet people over this thing if I can't even see the people I'm talking to. I'm trying hard to adapt, but I'm a long way off.

Text

[oogremi]

I suppose the most vital service the network supplies those of us who find it difficult to use is the ability to plan in-person meetings.

There is also a video function on the network that I believe you will find useful. Please forgive me as I am unsure how to describe accessing the function to you...

Text

[welikeike]

Using it like a bulletin makes sense to me. I'm thinking about it from the perspective of somebody who understands computers better than I do, of course.

It's okay. I don't even know what a video is, so I don't know how much good it would do me.

Text

[oogremi]

Ah, forgive me. I did not realize the true extent of your world's technology. A video is a way to record yourself and your surroundings in real time.

I admit my curiosity about your world has been aroused. I myself have never lived in a world without this technology.

[Audio]

[magicdancer]

Tell me about it. I'm never going to get used to this stupid thing!

[text]

[welikeike]

[WHAT THE... Ike fiddles around with the webpage for a little bit before he's able to figure out how to get her post to work for him, to which he realizes it's AUDIBLE. A PERSON'S VOICE. WOW.]

You seem better at it than me already. How are you able to talk through the computer?

Re: [text]

[magicdancer]

Well, when they made me promise not to smash it, they showed me a few things to make it easier to use. Not saying I trust or like this thing yet, though. Um, there's a little button that has this oval shape with a U under it and if you press that it lets you talk at it.

[text]

[welikeike]

I'd still prefer being able to talk over searching for the letters I want and tapping them one by one. Time consuming. hold on.

[IKE... LOOKS. FOR A BUTTON. ON HIS KEYBOARD. Oval shape with a U...]

I can't seem to find it on mine. Maybe our computers are different.

Re: [text]

[magicdancer]

I guess... Why don't I come over there and see if I can find the button? If all else fails, I can smack it for you and see if it works then.

Text

[inspirethefire]

You are not alone in your preference of face-to-face interaction. I would advise you not to spend undue concern on your frustration with it; it's not as if digital communication will ever be able to replace the direct sort.

My name is Hajime Tanaka. It is good to meet you, Ike.

Text

[welikeike]

Yeah. of course. I spent a month here without even touching this computer, actually. I didn't know the network existed and I've been doing just fine. If so many people don't like it, why bother having one? I'm sure there are reasons, but it seems so difficult to use.

Text

[inspirethefire]

In a place with such widely varied backgrounds, it's important to keep options open for everyone's best chances of comfort. For as many of us that prefer other methods, many prefer the convenience of instant communication from wide distances. It certainly has its practical uses.

Text

[welikeike]

I can't imagine why face-to-face interaction can't do the job fine on its own, but I'll try to keep that in mind. It's not my thing, personally. Instant communication over wide distances makes sense to me. It sounds like it would make delivering letters through messengers obsolete if it ever caught on.

Text

[inspirethefire]

It very nearly has, in many areas. It's unfortunate how comfort has come to supersede the personal touch. Honestly, for a school with everyone living so close by to meet, it seems more logical to me to cut out the middle man.

video

[star_punched]

Oh hey! It's you! I remember ya from the carnival!

Good seein' ya bein' all official.

And y'know, despite you sayin' that, you're typin' just fine. That's at least in the right direction. You'll get the hang of it. You ain't the first afterall.

text

[welikeike]

[IKE SURE DOES REMEMBER MAC BECAUSE HEY THERE HE IS IN THE SCREEN. How on earth does he manage that? People appearing on the computer window thing... This modern world is so weird.]

The typing is the part you don't see. I know how to spell. it just takes a long time to find the letter I want. It's in a weird order.

How are you appearing on the computer like that? It looks a lot easier than this.

video

[star_punched]

Well don't gotta worry about that, you'll get the hang of it. I know I already said that, but I mean it. It's all about knowin' where the fingers go. Soon it's all like memorization.

[AH...oh!]

It kinda is. At least for people who like to see face to face when talkin' to someone else. There should be button over...

[Blah blah blah, he's tellin' you.]

text/video

[welikeike]

Okay, let me try that. Be a moment.

[By this point, he not only took Mac's advice, but probably had some help from Sonny Moe. IKE WILL BE A PRO IN NO TIME

He manages to switch it to video.]

So you just talk at it... Right. The light's on. I think it's doing its job.

Is it working? [Ike seems generally awkward and unsure.]

vid text

[punch_in_pink]

Yeah, see? You did great!

[Waves at HELLLLOOOOOOOOO.]

Seriously, seems like you're pretty quick on your feet. If you got this much so soon I'm sure you'll be video chattin' 'till 2AM in no time.