first confession. (video.)

[confesses]

[The video feed takes a while to click on. When it does, the woman on the other end looks visibly relieved. That is, if anyone could get a clear look at her beneath the dark hood she's wearing.

She's seated somewhere inside the Hold, tucked off in a corner. She would prefer being outside, but had witnessed the young boy's mishap with the strange carriage, and so had taken measures to avoid a similar accident. When she speaks up at last, her voice is clear, measured and calm.]

Hello. ...I hope this is working. [She shifts a little.] I suppose I should introduce myself.

[Her gaze flickers somewhere off to the side before returning to stare at the comm device. She looks a little uncomfortable with the notion of speaking to a group through a machine.] My name is Kahlan Amnell. I arrived shortly before the riots began, and I'd like to give my thanks to those who helped me during the attacks. I apologize for not speaking up before now. I hope that everyone escaped safely.

[She frowns, and it takes her a little while to speak up again.] I know that all of you are just as confused as I am, but...since there's no known escape from this place, and we've been conscripted to fight this battle, what about our worlds? Does anyone know what might change there in our absence? [Her voice has stayed even and calm, but there's a tightness around the edges at this question, a barely contained desperation.] It's imperative that I know. [And she adds:] Thank you for any information you may have.

And lastly, if it's needed, I would be willing to offer my services to any others being detained here. I've noticed talk of meetings and I have some...experience in matters of diplomacy.

[To use an understatement.]

Comments

video

[healplz]

I have heard it said that time in our own worlds does not progress in our absence. I suppose it makes some sense, given that time is freely manipulated by these people.

video

[confesses]

That does make sense. [She relaxes, by a fraction. It isn't quite a 100 percent certainty, but it's better than nothing at all.] Thank you. Do you have any idea how they acquired this...power? [Not magic. She has to get used to things not being magical here.] I'd thought that time manipulation was impossible.

[healplz]

I'm sorry, that I cannot say, beyond "advanced technology". There was nothing similar to it in my world.

[confesses]

I could say the same about my world. I know magic, but this is far beyond the reach of even the most powerful of wizards. [A pause.] I have another question. The woman spoke of weapons being sentient? That they would evolve to suit our needs. Do you have any idea what that means?

[healplz]

[ a pause of his own! Because his weapon creeps him out, man :c ]

I... believe it varies for each person, from what I've seen. But I've only just arrived myself, and have not had much chance to become familiar with my own weapon.

What sort of weapon were you given?

[confesses]

It varies. [She repeats this, softly, and she looks a little wary at the prospect. The last thing she needs is extra powers to make things more complicated, or the possibility of her own being tampered with...] I see.

Twin daggers. They're similar to the weapons I use where I'm from. [She inclines her head just so.] And you?

[healplz]

A wand. [ he says that just a little more grimly than "a wand" might warrant. ] I believe, if it's all the same to those who have brought us here, I'll stick with the one I arrived with. But I wish you luck with your daggers.

[Voice]

[expendablepride]

[An answer to her question is relevant to his interests, so yes, keeping an eye on this post.]

Can't imagine they'd let your world roll on without you. Time travel in this world's one thing, but having control over every plane of existence ever? That's a lot of number crunching. [Amongst other things.]

Buuut. That's just a guess.

[Voice]

[confesses]

It's a fair enough guess. [A thin, brief smile. Her nerves are rattled, but she can manage to be polite enough when a situation calls for it.] Though if they have an ability like time control at their disposal, I wonder why we're needed for their war.

[Voice]

[expendablepride]

Yeah, you'd think with a power like that, they'd have won already.

As for that other thing, we're not from this world, so ultimately, even if we die, we're not their problem. We're... [He pauses for a moment to think.] ...expendable.

[Voice]

[confesses]

Expendable...so they would steal people from their homes and expect them to sacrifice themselves for a cause they aren't invested in? It seems like a poor battle strategy. I can't say I'm impressed.

[Unseen, her hands knit together in her lap. Her tone of voice turns contemplative, thoughtful.] They must be planning something to force cooperation.

[Voice]

[expendablepride]

Maybe. The way I see it though? The sooner we all chip in and get this done, the sooner we can go home.

[Though his tone doesn't imply it, that idea doesn't quite appeal to him.]

[Voice]

[confesses]

That's...possible, but we should also keep in mind that they may have something else planned.

[Voice]

[expendablepride]

Can't deny that possibility. Until someone digs something up though, I don't think we've got much of a choice here. [That was said rather cheerfully despite the grave implications.]

Were you gonna fight for 'em?

[hornedomen]

I’ve heard time may have stopped for our worlds, but how are they doing it? I’ve seen what it means for time to stop in my world. Many of my brothers and sisters died for it.

[confesses]

Your brothers and sisters... [Oh no not a tiny child. Kahlan looks surprised at this admission, and frankly she's horrified by the prospect.] They sacrifice children in your world? [Her jaw sets.]

[Video btw. That blank up there is lying.]

[hornedomen]

Yes. Generations of children with horns were sent as the Sacrifice. Their lives were taken to keep Yorda, she held time, bound to a castle.

[He looked down, his eyes turned away from the screen.]

If it takes that many lives for a castle, how many will it take for several worlds?

[Video, gotcha!]

[confesses]

Horns...that helmet. [She tilts her head, frowns. She wants to ask about it, but instead she focuses on what he's saying, takes note of his body language.] To what end? What purpose did it serve?

[Her own gaze shifts down.] I don't know if that's the case here, but if it is...I won't allow that sort of pointless slaughter to happen. I'll try to stop it, to the best of my ability.

[It's something Richard would do, and although he isn't here, she sees the need to uphold his values.] What is your name?

[Video]

[hornedomen]

Thank you, Kahlan. If that is what they’re doing, I’ll help you.

My name is Ico, I’m the next Sacrifice for my generation. The capital started it to trap the queen of the castle and stop the Dark God from coming. I was about to stop everything, but then they took me here.

[Video]

[confesses]

It's good to meet you, Ico. [A dark god, the sacrifice of children to appease it...it makes her uncomfortable, for more than one reason.] It sounds as if they pulled you from a very important quest.

[Her gaze shifts away briefly, before returning to the screen.] If the sacrifices aren't being used to stop time here, what do you plan to do?

[hornedomen]

They did. If they’re not using Sacrifices, I’ll fight for them. It’s what they want and I need to return home.

[He looked up again with a tinge of reluctance but strong determination.]

[mslegendary]

I'm glad to hear you're doing well after the riots.

It looks like you've had answers to your questions. I don't have first hand proof of what happens, but I like to believe that it's true.

[confesses]

It's good to see that you're safe, Nikita.

Ah, and yes...some of them, anyway. [A sigh.] There's still a lot I need to learn before making any rash decisions.

[mslegendary]

Aside from information from the other Transports, there isn't a wealth of it here. And I'm loathe to trust everything the Initiative has available.

I'm still getting used to this place myself, but if you ever need anything, let me know.

[confesses]

So am I, to be honest. There's information on this device. I'm going to look through it. It isn't much, but...

...And thank you. The same to you.