exsilium | 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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Though fighters are imperative to any army, medics and other non-combatants can be said to hold equal, if at times more, importance.

[After all, if you're bleeding to death and there's no one to patch you up? Yeah, not fun.

As to her other question, Kratos doesn't dwell on why she may wish to know, but doesn't hesitate in providing an answer.]

And no, despite what you may believe, this is not the afterlife.

[Even more importance? Daaang.] Really? I guess I just never stopped to think about it like that. An army must have a lot of different parts that make it up.

Alright, I'll take your word for it. [And it seemed to be what everyone else was saying at least.]

[Yup. Former army captain here. He knows his stuff.]

Different parts which are all necessary to make the whole function properly. Remove one and the army will fail. You may lack fighting abilities, but that does not lessen your importance in this situation.

[She nods as he talks. Learning new things all that... But it is pretty interesting, given that she was completely unfamiliar with all of this. That said though--]

Were you in an army before you came here by chance? You sound pretty familiar with this.

[Her attentiveness makes Kratos like this girl already. People actually listening when you're explaining? Is nice. The fact she'd also managed to draw the conclusion of him having been in the army after this short of a conversation is pretty impressive, too.]

Back in my home world, I have had prior involvement with the military, yes.

[a nod] I see. I guess these Initiative people do find people who are suited for this kind of thing after all.

It's unlikely they do so intentionally. Their method of transporting people appears entirely random.

That's true... If not, they'd probably only pick out people who are experienced and all, right?

In lieu of inexperienced civilians and children, yes.

It's too bad that they can't. [Though of course, she can't complain about being alive again.]

Indeed. Being able to do so would spare them the hindrance of having to train the inexperienced from scratch and then those inexperienced would be spared experiencing the horrors of war.

[Shame that them managing to do so easily is just a dream at this point. If they could pick and choose then they would have done so by now.]

You'd think finding a way to pick people better suited to the task would be a better use of resources than starting from the ground up with so many people... Depending on how the amount of experienced people compared to people who've never done this kind of thing, I wonder how effective we really are as a resistance.

Whether we ultimately succeed or fail with our goal will determine that.

... I'm not sure I wanna know what happens if we fail. [Being revived only to end up living under someone's thumb doesn't sound all that pleasant at least.]

Chaos and death, as per usual with failures in war. Countless people will suffer and all our efforts would have been for naught. [Being blunt is just how he is. Kratos pauses for a second before adding.] It is due to these reasons that failure is not an option.

Yeah... I guess it really is up to each of us here. If we don't change something, no one will.

Exactly. As long as we all try, combatants and noncombatants alike, then change may finally take place.

Right. [She nods to herself, just a little more determined than before.] Well, here's to working together for than change then, right?

[Seeing the increase in determination, no matter how small it is, gains a teeny smile from Kratos.] Yes, to working towards change.

I'm sorry, but did I ever get your name? It doesn't seem like it'd be right to thank you for your advice without even knowing your name.

I am Kratos, Kratos Aurion.

Well then, it's nice to meet you, Kratos. [a beat] Or should it be Mr. Aurion...

Kratos will suffice and it is a pleasure to meet you, as well, Shirley.

Kratos it is then! It actually feels a little weird not to call an adult mister to me, but I guess it's not like I'm in school here or anything.

If you feel more comfortable doing so then I am not opposed to being referred to as mister.

[video]

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