exsilium | 001 ▹ video

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001 ▹ video

[A curious young woman appears on the video as she stares at the tablet in her hands, somewhat interested in the new and different and technology and all--when she remembers that oh right, she'd planned on talking to people. Way to make an impression of being focused and prepared...

She clears her throat.] Er, hi there. My name's Shirley, and... These people--y'know, the Initiative and all--they're really not picky when it comes to people who end up here and all, huh? So I just wanted to clarify something: not everything has to be about fighting, right? I can't say I'm good with anything like diplomacy either, but it's a better start than something like shooting someone...

Sorry if it's a simple question. I just wanted to be absolutely sure; thank you for your time in advance.

... actually, there's just one more thing. [A pause, because this is a lot more awkward of a topic to bring up. Still, she can't help but be curious given her own circumstances.] This is probably gong to seem silly, but this isn't actually some kind of weirdly militaristic afterlife, is it?

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Er. I was just a bit curious is all. [Which isn't a lie at least, but talking about how she should be dead would be awkward...]

Oh, I never thought of it like that actually... [It may have been naivety to the point of ignorance, but as she lived her high school days, she really can't say she thought a whole lot on the battles ~~more like one-sided slaughter most of the time~~ her homeland fought.] But it makes sense. In the end, there's something for everyone to do, right?

Right! Everyone has a purpose. [ And it's thanks to her brother that she can think like this. ] So, what are your skills?

My skills? Let's see... I'm good at swimming, my grades in school weren't bad, [wow these don't seem like useful skills for anything UH] I was on the student council at my school! I'd like to think I'm pretty good at talking to people too.

I'm sorry, that probably wasn't that helpful.

... Talking to people is a useful skill...

Do you really think so? It always seemed like something kind of plain to me...

Only a normal person would think that!

... I mean! No, it's not plain!

A-Alright, I'll take your word for it! [Did she do something to upset her SHE'S NOT SURE...] That's good to hear, really.

Thank you. [ ... What!?! Kougyoku was on a roll but now she doesn't know what to say. Awkward... ] Talking to others is a very important skill. If you don't have it, you'll be very lonely... Ah, anyway, there's something I'd like to ask.

What is a student council?

I'll be sure to keep that in mind from now on.

A student council? [Isn't this... obvious... It hasn't dawned yet that something like this might not be universal.] Well, like it sounds, it's a council made up of students at a school. They might be in charge of things like managing the school's budget, hosting events, keeping the student council president from going overboard... Basically, they do a lot of things for their school.

[ Wow, that sounds nice... ]

Then isn't that like running a government? Maybe you can help with the Initiative's finances and logistics!

Is it? I never really thought of it like that... But I am familiar with those kind of things at least, so I'll definitely look into that.

That's great. [ She glances around awkwardly. ] Um, I'm Kougyoku. I was brought in by the Initiative, just like you.

It's nice to meet you, Kougyoku. I have to say, you seem pretty familiar with this kind of stuff.

Well-! [ wow she doesn't want to out herself as a princess UMM ] I... read a lot. [ let's go with that ]

Oh, I see. Unfortunately, I can't say I was ever too interested in this kind of stuff for reading myself.

Hahaha, yeah, it's rather boring for most people, isn't it? Ahahaha...

[ YEAH. WE'RE ROLLING WITH THIS UNTIL SHE CAN CHANGE THE TOPIC. ]

What, what are you interested in, then?

Oh, uh, y'know... Just the usual kind of teenage girl stuff I guess. [i.e. cheesy romance novels most likely but it sounds sad to admit that when someone else is regularly reading things like POLITICS and whatnot]

A-ah, ah, ah! What are those!? [ She doesn't know a lot of teenage girls. SHE MUST KNOW! ] Please tell me!

They're like, you know... [COME ON KOUGYOKU this is embarrassing!!] Romance novels.

Oh. ... I... I read those, too. [ and it's not a lie. of course she'd read something like that. ] Especially the ones with charming men that sweep you off your feet.

That's normal.

Right?

Yeah, of course! [COMMON GROUND...!] It's just a shame that guys aren't usually like that in real life, huh?

[ Kougyoku remains silent for a while. ]

I have met such a man before...

--wait, seriously? [mO_Om] No kidding, he was completely the real deal?

He's tall, handsome and he knows just what to say to make a girl weak in the knees... He has a slight drinking problem, but he's kind and smart and so charismatic--he's a king, too! But I would have fallen for him even if he wasn't...

[ tl;dr kyaa sinbad-sama ]

What's one problem compared to a hundred, right? [She's looking at you Lulu BUT ANYWAYS.] He really does sound like a character out of a book. You must be one lucky girl.