2016-12-28: So You Just Arrived from a Parallel Universe

[Labster]

OOC:

This "story" is somewhat unique.  First of all, it's not really a story, it's an in-universe book.  Those of you who have read fanfiction over at EPU may recognize the format of the title, to which I asked: What if I actually wrote a self-help book for transuniversal displacees?

As such, the content is a little dry, because our conceit is that fictional characters live in (a near replica of) this world, and you already know a lot about this world!  In some sense, this serves as a bit of a universe bible for writers, though it's an in-universe perspective, so not everything is correct.  Still, the in-universe writer, Yomi Mizuhara, is very good at reading between the lines.  Anyway, if you're not enjoying reading it, just stop, because nothing actually happens in this book that won't be covered by another fictional format story, except a bit of banter.

Second, as it would be impossible to replicate all of the formatting needed on this forum, it is released as a PDF file.  In-story, Yomi sent this off to be printed by Chisa Tsukamoto – but not before some joker stole the final draft and started writing in the margins.  And then it got passed around some more.  Finally, it made it to New Jersey to be printed.

But there was no cover!  How would it sell lots of copies without a cover that would attract customers?  The cover, front and back, was thus designed by the Comic Party cast to their own standards.  Yomi had the amount of input on the cover traditional for first-time authors of books, which is to say zero input.  It's hard to say if Yomi or Brent were more offended by the "About the Authors" section.

Here it is: 
  So You Just Arrived from a Parallel Universe - My Apartment Manager is not an Isekai Character.pdf (Size: 1.74 MB / Downloads: 27) NOTE BY ROB: This is an outdated link, See post #6 below for the current link

[robkelk]

Doing a bit of handwriting analysis of the marginalia, I see that Garnett Iwasaki is left-handed.

[Norgarth]

I rather liked the final add-on comment at the end of the Appendix 8)

pretty good overall from my perspective

[Bob Schroeck]

We've just posted this one to AO3 -- well, sort of. First off, we created a newer version, updated to reflect developments since the first version was written and posted a year and a half ago. Second, we didn't post the file to AO3 so much as we posted a link to it -- in the middle of a thread from the displacees.yggdrasil forums in which a number of displacees discuss it.

And so forum members don't need to run over to AO3 for the new version, here's a link just for us:

So_You_Just_Arrived_from_a_Parallel_Universe.pdf[ ‎(file size: 1.88 MB, MIME type: application/pdf)

EDIT: Removed link markup to corrupt copy of the file -- use the link below.

[Vulpis]

The URL for that link doesn't seem to work, and looks malformed, Bob.

[Bob Schroeck]

<nod> You're quite right, Vulpis. The copy we hosted on All The Tropes turned out to be prone to corruption, even after several tries to upload a "clean" version. Late yesterday I shifted the hosting to a Google Drive associated with the writing team's collective Gmail account, and I just haven't updated the links everywhere yet. Try this one:

So_You_Just_Arrived_from_a_Parallel_Universe.pdf ‎(file size: 1.81 MB, MIME type: application/pdf)

[Norgarth]

re-reading the guide and the new Fuku-fic story reminded me that Epsilon is in Nova Scotia (at least in Refuge, I suspect he's elsewhere in reality, since he mentioned being 'back in Nova Scotia' in the Fuku-fic story)

I just got back yesterday from a 5 night vacation to NS. 2 nights in Dartmouth, 2 in different parts of Cape Breton, then back to Halifax for the last night. My first time in NS and saw a bunch of the attractions, both natural and man made. I really enjoyed it.

[robkelk]

If the "different parts of Cape Breton" included Sydney, then you were closer to Epsilon's final resting place than our stories' Epsilon has managed to reach so far.

[Norgarth]

Louisbourg for the second night, so fairly close.

[Bob Schroeck]

Oh, and for those of you who didn't bother to go to AO3, here's the "wrapper" we wrote to go around the link, which has its own share of hints and hooks to other stories and developments in it.

Welcome to the Displacees.yggdrasil message boards
Forum: So You're New to Refuge
Subject: So You Just Arrived from a Parallel Universe

Koyomi Mizuhara (koyomi.mizuhara@venice)
2017-01-29, 11:47 PM UTC

A few weeks ago, it occurred to those of us here at Aria House that there really ought to be some kind of handbook for new displacees, if only to save the managers from having to give the same speech and answer the same questions over and over again. And since after meeting everyone at Halloween we've noticed that no two managers explained things exactly the same way as any of the others, it also seemed like a good idea to consolidate all the little bits of information that one manager might share that another might not have thought of.

So with that in mind, Chiyo-chan, our manager Brent, and I put our heads together, did some research, talked to a bunch of the other managers and displacees, and did some writing. Then we did some arguing. Then we did some more writing, followed by some editing. And here's the result, the first guidebook by displacees for displacees:<dl>

So You Just Arrived from a Parallel Universe.pdf (file size: 1.81 MB, MIME type: application/pdf / Downloads: 223)

In addition to this PDF edition, we've had physical copies printed up by Chisa Tsukamoto from Douglass Gardens – but not before someone (I'm looking at *you*, Tomo!) stole the final draft and started scribbling in the margins. And then it got passed around to other people who added *their* comments, too. Finally, it made its way to New Jersey to be printed – *with* the comments still in it! And because Chiyo-chan and Brent thought the comments made it better, I had to add them all to the PDF!

Before I forget, I want to thank Chisa-chan and her friends for designing the front and back cover. We had the amount of input on it traditional for first-time authors of books, which is to say none. (And it's hard to say if Brent or I were more offended by the "About the Authors" section. ) But honestly, I think it came out great.

Anyway, please read, and let us know if there's anything we left out or that you think we ought to cover in more detail. If necessary, we can put out a second edition.

Yomi
Compulsive reader, unwilling tsukkomi
Why me, o Lord? Why me?

---

Tomo Takino (tomo.takino@venice)
2017-01-29, 11:58 PM UTC

> I'm looking at *you*, Tomo!

I regret nothing.

Tomo Takino
Fifth Baroness of Ameno Uzume
Only true heir to Fujiko Mine
Enthusiastic boke
Proudly taking the Slauson Cutoff since 2016

---

Chisa Tsukamoto (chisa.tsukamoto@dga)
2017-01-30, 1:25 AM UTC

You're welcome, Yomi-chan!

And everyone else, what Yomi-chan forgot to mention is that we're sending a dozen copies of the print edition to every residence in the network, *and* we've got another couple hundred copies stockpiled for new residences that might need them.

Oh, and I had to do *so* much work cleaning it up when it finally got here! It was really grubby in places -- don't people know to wash their hands? (Next time just email me the PDF, Yomi-chan! It'll get here faster and cleaner!)


Chisa!!!! ♥♥♥

---

Weiss Schnee (weiss.schnee@dietmeierfarm)
2017-01-30, 1:32 AM UTC

This. This is what we needed when we arrived in November. Kris may be an adequate manager, but his first attempt to explain what had happened to us left us *more* confused than we were to start with. A copy of this pamphlet would have helped *immensely*.

Weiss Schnee
Dietmeier Farm, Lake Wobegon, MN
Yes, I live on a farm. No, I am *not* a farmgirl.

---

Usagi Tsukino (usagi.tsukino@blossom)
2017-01-30, 12:17 PM UTC

My building manager's not any good at giving speeches. He doesn't mention Love and Justice *at all*. So thanks for writing this, Yomi and Brent and Chiyo-chan!

Who do I have to ask to get an autographed copy? Chibiusa wants one.

Usagi Tsukino
In the Name of the Moon, I'll be your friend!

---

Usagi Chiba (chibiusa@blossom)
2017-01-30, 12:18 PM UTC

> Chibiusa wants one.

So do you, Usagi! Can we get two? Please?

Usagi Chiba
Yes, I've heard all the 'Bunny Chiba' jokes already.

---

Hayakawa (hayakawa@bikerbabes)
2017-01-30, 12:44 PM UTC

> we're sending a dozen copies of the print edition to every residence in the network

Please save yourself some effort and expense, Miss Tsukamoto – the Okeechobee house has no need of more than a single copy. There are only seven of us here, and no room for more.


Proudly serving the Minowa family since 1950

---

Chisa Tsukamoto (chisa.tsukamoto@dga)
2017-01-30, 1:05 PM UTC

> Please save yourself some effort and expense

Oh, it's no great expense, Hayakawa-san -- we're going to use the portal network to drop off the books over the next few days. But I'll make a note that Kickstand Cottage only needs the one.

> Who do I have to ask to get an autographed copy?

I'm sure Brent-san, Yomi-chan and Chiyo-chan will be happy to sign your copies if you portal over to Aria House one afternoon.


Chisa!!!! ♥♥♥

---

Koyomi Mizuhara (koyomi.mizuhara@venice)
2017-01-30, 1:17 PM UTC

Oh, sure, no problem here.

Yomi
Compulsive reader, unwilling tsukkomi
Why me, o Lord? Why me?

---

Gomez Addams (gomez.addams@addams-mansion)
2017-01-30, 1:49 PM UTC

Splendid job, my good people! Excellent work! We'll take a hundred!

Gomez Addams, Esq.
Specializing in criminal law

---

Artemus Gordon (artemus.gordon@teikokukagekidan)
2017-01-30, 1:51 PM UTC

Speaking as a displacee originating in the nineteenth century, I feel that more space could have been devoted to the needs of those of us who face dramatic changes in society and technology from what we are used to. I myself have (mostly) adapted well, as the fact that I am even posting this message demonstrates, but I know of others who are having considerably more difficulty acculturating themselves to Refuge and its twenty-first century.

Might I suggest that your prospective second edition include an expanded section of advice for the timelost, possibly with a list of stratagems and suggestions compiled from interviews with those of us who are successfully coping with the changes facing us?

---

Eunice Johnson (eunice.johnson@banzai-institute)
2017-01-30, 2:11 PM UTC

I have to agree, this is a great resource to have available. On behalf of the Institute I offer our thanks to Ms. Mizuhara, Mr. Laabs, and Ms. Mihama for taking it on themselves to write it. And as soon as Ms. Tsukamoto delivers our copies, I can assure you one will be going right into the Institute's Archives. (As will the PDF when we have settled on the design and implementation of their digital counterpart.)

Mrs. E. Johnson
Archivist and General Manager
The Banzai Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Strategic Information
Somerset, New Jersey

---

Dr. Hooves (dr.hooves@lom)
2017-01-30, 2:21 PM UTC

Good work, quite, but... a bit on the human-centric side, isn't it? Derpy and I are far from the only non-ape-descendants among the displacees – not even counting our alien contingent in Hawaii – nor are we the only non-bipeds. Perhaps covering the special requirements of those displacees whose body structures are at a bit of a mis-match with the world they're stuck in wouldn't be out of the question?

That said, though, well done, good thinking and all that.

Dr. Hooves
Roaming researcher into the ways of sapient beings everywhere

---

Marty McFly (marty.mcfly@lom)
2017-01-30, 2:29 PM UTC

That's all well and good, Doc... but what I want to know is why the 2015 I was in once looked nothing like the 2016 I'm living in now.

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Skuld Ravenhair (skuld@yggdrasil) (Moderator)
2017-01-30, 2:30 PM UTC

@Marty McFly, that's off-topic for this thread. Please take your question to Alternate Histories, or, Why Is Refuge Different From My Home Universe?

Skuld Ravenhair
Norn of the Future
Leader of the Valkyries
Sysop and moderator

---

Marty McFly (marty.mcfly@lom)
2017-01-30, 2:35 PM UTC

Ah, yeah, sorry about that.

---

Nabiki Tendo (nabiki.tendo@antigonish)
2017-01-30, 2:54 PM UTC

So you're just giving the printed copies away for free? What's the catch?

Nabiki Tendo
Entrepreneur
If you want it, I can get it.

---

[Mamorien]

If this be a better fit in one of the planning-related threads, I have, at most, no problem with it getting moved, but it's a comment on the book, so I'm putting it here.

The Steeple(...) provides a home to those who have fought secret battles, but are still strong enough to put friendship first.
(...)
The Addams Mansion( t)ends to attract students, people with swords, and the weirder-than-other displacees. And combinations of all of the above.

So BLEACH's Team Deathberry could go to either of those residences, but the Spartoi from Soul Eater (whose battles in their own world could get very public) would fit better chez Addams. ("Tish! That's French!")

And we're sure there are other residences that we don't know about yet. (But we've heard rumors.)

This justifies a thought-related program activity I had a while back that is either the best or the worst idea for a residence, if it even be possible. It depends whether Unreal Estate will be as much of a thing in our Refuge as I recall it was going to in the original version. Specifically, whether it be reasonable for Greenbird, CO (setting of the justifiably infamous Moon Over June) to show up. If so, it'd be a perfect place for any weird gremlins who want porno characters to drop them. (And I freely admit I'm suggesting this mainly so there'd be a fitting place for my dear Néo and hir family.) The goddess contact would of course be Kaguya from Reirei.

As always, the Mgt. apologizes for any convenience this may cause.

[robkelk]

If this be a better fit in one of the planning-related threads, I have, at most, no problem with it getting moved, but it's a comment on the book, so I'm putting it here.

The Steeple(...) provides a home to those who have fought secret battles, but are still strong enough to put friendship first.
(...)
The Addams Mansion( t)ends to attract students, people with swords, and the weirder-than-other displacees. And combinations of all of the above.

So BLEACH's Team Deathberry could go to either of those residences, but the Spartoi from Soul Eater (whose battles in their own world could get very public) would fit better chez Addams. ("Tish! That's French!")

I'll trust you on that, since I'm not familiar with either work. Not saying that the other writers can't use this, mind you.

As mentioned in the capsule writeups, Nanoha's at The Steeple. As mentioned in Everyone's a Critic, Utena's at the Addams mansion. Not saying you can't do a mismatch of roommates (I put Fate/stay night and Lucky Star in the same building, after all), but it does make things easier if there's a theme. Is that a concern here?

And we're sure there are other residences that we don't know about yet. (But we've heard rumors.)

This justifies a thought-related program activity I had a while back that is either the best or the worst idea for a residence, if it even be possible. It depends whether Unreal Estate will be as much of a thing in our Refuge as I recall it was going to in the original version. Specifically, whether it be reasonable for Greenbird, CO (setting of the justifiably infamous Moon Over June) to show up. If so, it'd be a perfect place for any weird gremlins who want porno characters to drop them. (And I freely admit I'm suggesting this mainly so there'd be a fitting place for my dear Néo and hir family.) The goddess contact would of course be Kaguya from Reirei.

As always, the Mgt. apologizes for any convenience this may cause.

Again, I'm not familiar with Moon Over June or Reirei, but I'm not going to speak for the other writers.

As for Unreal Estate, that's a fine, fine thing in Fenspace, but only one of the pre-retcon writers (who will not be named at that person's express request) had any interest in including it here. So, no, our miracles are limited to subtle effects like what's shown in Ah! My Goddess or the In Nomine game (or at most the appearance of a settlement such as Lake Wobegon), not blatant changes to geography. Unless we're adding something - I still have a soft spot for the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, but can't figure out any stories to tell about that particular mouse.

(In a related note, we're not including the Girls und Panzer school ships in Refuge. Even Oorai's keel is deeper in the water than the crush depth of Tessa Testarossa's Tuatha de Danann and that's one of the smaller school ships, so even with their magical "carbon coating" the ships don't pass the deconstruction test. The Sensha-do teams are pencilled in to appear in our story later, though.)

We've only placed one residence in Colorado so far, so there's room for the characters... although we still haven't placed any residences anywhere in Africa or South America, so it might be a while before we place many more residences in the USA or Canada. Unless, of course, we want to.