Indoor Store; Convenience for Comfort

There was a crowd of people here all of different ethnic background, history, skill, mentality, ability and proficiency littered about the area, casually mingling in a friendly manner and interacting in a cool, chill way. Some people were sparring outside with whatever powers they'd learned how to use. It was actually pretty lively; probably because classes weren't in session, so no one was inside of the inner corridors of Pandemia in the front. Because the students are top priority, they're kept the safest in the back.

Krikor let out a long, low whistle as he took in the sight of the dorms. It reminded him of a luxury hotel back on his homeworld of Earth-1282. "Certainly quite an impressive establishment," he said, "I can see why you're so proud of it."

"He really does like this place," Ashcroft interjected in Krikor's thoughts, "perhaps a bit too much. Remember, Krikor, if something is too--"

"If something is too good to be true, it probably is. I know that, Ashcroft," Krikor replied mentally while following Tear. "But this is the best break we've had since we came here. Let's not waste it, especially if it means re-establishing contact with the others."

"I'm inclined to agree, but promise me that we'll leave at the first sign of danger," Ashcroft rebutted. "We didn't train you for a decade to have you get killed off because you let your guard down."

"Noted," Krikor thought before he began speaking aloud to Tear. "Tina?" he asked him, wondering who he was talking to.

An entire shipment of these shields would suddenly appear in the vendor's armory, ready for access at any time. The price, for the sake of the Example, would be worth 7 Points.

Some of the Academy Students were able to see that something happened at the armory, and those who were interested immediately went to go check it out. They started to form a small crowd in order to see what was going on. "Wow, are those new weapons?" someone said. "They look cool! They float on top of each other!" another said. "Mmm, doesn't quite look like my type of weapon. Lame. I'm outta here," a third said before returning to the lounging area. There was clamor about the new weapon already; those who liked it spoke their opinion the same as those who didn't, but none downed another for liking or not liking. They simply accepted and were at peace with their own like or dislike regardless of someone else's, and if the conversation went on or ceased, they continued on with their lives without making much of a fuss.

"Hmm," Krikor said after Tear had finished, "an interesting system indeed." He sized up the shields themselves, seeing how, as the students had commented, they did float on top of one another. Normally, since he used a two-handed weapon, he would have no free hands to carry a shield; however, since it was made of metal, he wondered if he could perhaps melt it down and incorporate it into his armor.

"Excuse me, Mr. Lacrimoso," he said after pondering this, "does this school have any sort of blacksmithing facilities?"

"Not to be rude, but I don't think I need one," Krikor said. "I get the gist of the point system; however, I do have one question about it. Is it at all possible to give points to someone else?"

Tear nodded his head and chuckled, "That's perfectly fine. I was merely giving an example." Tear continued on to answer Krikor's question, "Yes, it is! Anyone and everyone can give or take points, and it's the spirit of generosity that makes this world turn!" He seemed more enthused about the explanation, for some reason. "Though it can be done electronically, it is also done spiritually or mentally or verbally, considering that those waves can be translated by Tina into the Electronic Point System, since she is a living, intelligent being. All you have to do is want to give or receive points, and then it can be done. Or to do it manually on some sort of electronic device." It may seem a little far fetched or difficult to grasp right now, but it actually functioned on many levels and Krikor would see as he traveled throughout the Veritas. It was one of those 'easier to do than to be explained' sort of things, but once he actually saw it happen, it would make more sense.

(Explanation: You see the little + and - on the side of posts not made by you? That's how you give and take points. You can only give one point per post, but multiple people can give one person multiple points for one post, but only once per person. Try it out.)

"Alright," Krikor said, "let me try it out."

With that, he tried to will one of his points to Tear, hoping he was doing it right. When he was finished (he hoped), he said, "Seems simple enough. Did it work?"

"Thanks, I'll be sure to check them out when I have some free time," Krikor replied, hoping he could remember all of what Tear had told him.

"So, we put good in and we get good out," Ashcroft said telepathically to Krikor, a dry tone to his voice. "Shouldn't be a problem for you, Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes."

"Oh hush, Ashcroft. Not all of us are as disillusioned with the denizens of the Multiverse as you are," Krikor shot back telepathically as he followed Tear to the elevator. "Doing good feels good, and having a tangible reward for it is a happy consequence. As much as I'm loath to admit it, charity work doesn't buy food on any other world."

"Japanese, you say?" Krikor asked, somewhat bewildered. "There's a Japan on this world, too? We had one on my homeworld, too, before...before..." he trailed off, a thousand-yard stare starting to spread over his face."

Krikor took a deep breath and closed his eyes, facing the floor. "Well, like I told you, I've been traveling the Multiverse for about 12 years now. Before that, I was a denizen of a world called Earth-1282, but to us, it was just Earth, since we didn't know about the Multiverse at the time."

"When I was 20 years old, my homeworld was invaded by demons, under command of the Archdemon of Fire, Zurr. People died in droves, and I was one of the few survivors. We eked out a meager existence as a resistance movement, but eventually, we were found and routed by the demons."

"I don't know if I should consider myself lucky or not, but an Archuman -- the human equivalent of an Archdemon -- named Thompson and his mercenary band were hired to help any humans remaining on Earth-1282 get to safety. He transported me to Central City, which is an enormous city in the center of the Multiverse, and I've been wandering ever since." Krikor took another deep breath and opened his eyes, looking at the elevator doors to try to conceal the massive influx of various emotions he was feeling.

"Hidoi desu?" Krikor thought, not quite understanding what Tear meant. Speaking no Japanese himself, he assumed it was some sort of sympathetic remark.

"I thank you for your sympathy, Mr. Lacrimoso," Krikor said aloud after Tear had finished speaking. "I do plan to stay here as long as there is something for me to learn. I do want to regain contact with the rest of my gear, but if I can learn more that will allow me to retake my homeworld, then I will stay longer."