duel one. ( video. )

[revolutionized]

[There is not much that outright startles Utena nowadays — she's fairly accustomed to the unusual and bizarre (and more importantly, used to rationalizing it), but the weeks since her arrival in this place have been a trial by fire, so to speak.

But she's adjusted, the best she can, and so when her comm device video flickers on, she looks to be in good spirits, all things considered. That is, if her viewers can actually see her. The video appears to be moving erratically. Often, Utena dips out of sight, only to be seen again. It's at an odd angle too, as if the device has been set on the ground, and is tilted slightly to the side.

It probably has a lot to do with the fact that she's doing lunges. In her assigned room. It's not a lot of space, but apparently she's making due. She stops long enough to address her (assumed) audience.]

Hi, everyone. [The device is lifted, and for a moment there's nothing but flashes of bright pink hair before her face appears — friendly, but a little tired.] I've met some of you already, but I haven't said hello on this thing yet. There's a lot of people listening to this, right? Um, I guess not everyone's "people," though, so maybe that's not the right word. Is it rude to say "people" then? If there's a better word, I want to know it. [She frowns, befuddled. Interspecies communication is a new thing for her, obviously.] My name's Tenjou Utena — er, Utena Tenjou. That's the order most of you would say it in. I'm from Japan; is anyone else from there? Or...er...Earth? I've been here for weeks now, and I'm still sorta getting used to this place. Those monsters from before...I've never seen anything like that.

[She looks troubled and shifts into a contemplative silence, but something else comes to mind that makes her brighten up.] I'm pretty glad it's over. Say, is there anything to do around here besides training? Does anyone play a sport?

[A sigh. She stretches an arm behind her head.] I could really go for a basketball game...or baseball.

Comments

video; hello

[fortissimos]

You're from Japan too? [ A somewhat rare event, if the surprise in her voice is anything to go by. She tries to force on some positivity before continuing. ] I had a baseball bat back home, but I don't know how hard it is to find sports stuff here. I haven't really heard anyone else talking about it.

video; hi!

[revolutionized]

Yeah, I am! [As a contrast, Utena is excited.] What's your name? Are you a baseball player too? Maybe we could look around for equipment.

video;

[polar]

What sort of sport?

video;

[revolutionized]

Oh, all kinds. [Utena appears to get bored with her lunging after a while, and disappears from view for a second. When she pops up again, she's doing a handstand.] There's, ah, baseball, basketball, tennis, badminton, soccer, football —

[Again, she disappears from view. There's a thump, and then a pained noise. Apparently gravity has gotten the better of her. When she shows up again, she still looks cheery, but she's rubbing her elbow.] I'm pretty good at all that stuff. What kind of sports do you like?

video;

[ex_symbioses706]

[ she makes a contemplative sound. ]

I think it depends! I know some aliens who wouldn't mind, but others...

video;

[revolutionized]

There's more aliens than those troll guys? I've met a couple of them, and you know...

[She leans in a little, as if imparting a great secret.] I think I've seen elves. You know, the kind in fairy tales.

[Action] HEY GIRL HEY...

[speakveryclearly]

[She appears in the doorway of THE APARTMENT WHERE THEY LIVE TOGETHER YEAHHHHHH a little while after Utena is done broadcasting. ]

I'm pretty sure "people" are the vast majority, though maybe not everyone. Trolls at least are people, anyway.

action;

[revolutionized]

[Utena pauses in her lunging to look over her shoulder.] Oh, I wasn't sure. I've been listening in to some of the stuff on this thing, [she motions to the comm device], and most people look human, but...

[She scratches at her chin.] I didn't want to be rude.

[ video ]

[leadthebeats]

I was from Japan, if that means anything.

[ She's speaking in past tense, but only because she didn't come here from Japan, honestly. ]

And I don't play baseball, though I did know a few people who do. Though I honestly wouldn't mind playing a game.

[ video ]

[revolutionized]

Eh? Where do you live now? Or before you got here.

[She brightens up. Oh boy, people who want to play sports with her.] And that's great! What's your name?

Video

[priad]

What is basketball? [ Asks the being tall enough to dunk by raising his arm.

Video

[revolutionized]

[Holy shit, it's some kind of robot. Utena pauses in her stretching to answer, flopping down on her bed.] It's a game. There's a court, and a basketball hoop up high, on each side. You play with a bouncy orange ball called a basketball, and you get points by throwing the ball in the hoops.

There's more to it than that...but that's the main idea.

[demonbloodblade]

What is baseball?

[revolutionized]

[Her eyebrows knit together.] It's a game. You've never played it before?

[video]

[skirtcladgunner]

Hey there, Utena~ nice to meet you. I'm Tori.

Baseball, eh? I play on occasion. I'm a girl of many interests!

[video]

[revolutionized]

It's nice to meetcha too! D'you play a particular position?

[Video]

[mach_n_roll]

Hahah, I dunno about anyone else, I never had a problem with being a person. In fact I prefer it that way.

Hey there! My name's Sonic.

[Video]

[revolutionized]

[Whoa. Utena leans into the camera a little, but remembers her manners and responds without pausing for too long.] That's a relief. I was kinda worried...

It's good to meet you, Sonic. [She looks puzzled. This...guy (???) seems a little familiar to her, but the feeling passes.

Two iconic 90s characters passing like ships in the night...] Say, d'you have any sports you like?

[Audio]

[asskickersunite]

We call each other Transports, it's for anyone who was taken here.

You're from Japan, huh? Haven't been there in a couple of years. Didn't stay very long, either.

[Audio]

[revolutionized]

Transports, huh? That's easy to remember.

You went to Japan? Where are you from?

Video;

[kamenriderkabuto]

I lived in Japan for most of my life before having come here.

I've also mastered every kind of sport, so if you ever need someone to play against, I'm usually available.

Video;

[revolutionized]

Every kind of sport? [She sounds incredulous.] Even I haven't done that. What's your name?

video; I AM TAGGING YOU WE ARE MAKING THIS ADORABLE CR HAPPEN

[sunlitcrown]

[Small adorable face peering into the camera hi. Utena stop moving around so much Lym can't get a good look at you!!]

I've never heard of Japan, but I think there are a lot of people from Earth here... [y'know since we're fighting against some people called united earth and all] But this place is pretty boring. If there's anything interesting to do around here, I haven't found it yet.

video; YEAHHH

[revolutionized]

[Aww what a qt. Utena does at least stop moving long enough to answer.]

Ah, geez. I was afraid of that...it makes sense there's nothing to do, 'cause of everything that's going on. [She sounds surprisingly nonchalant about this concept.] But it sure would be nice to have something.

[She's so bored she's had to resort to reading. It's terrible.] What do you do to pass the time then?

[video;]

[heired]

[ She's processing this new information. ]

Japan is a world found near Earth?

[video;]

[revolutionized]

A world...? [She laughs, a little sheepishly.] No, nothing like that. It's a country on Earth.