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

[Okay so she's probably not following a lot of that honestly but that's okay... maybe.]

Er, yeah! I mean there's no way everyone here was dead before or anything like that. It doesn't seem all that likely at least.

[ No one can blame her for not understanding a word of that. ]

Exactly! I'm sure most of us would be aware if we'd met some sort of untimely end before arrival. So this being some sort of afterlife is right out of the question.

[She nods.] That makes sense, yeah. Jeez, now I feel even sillier for asking in the first place.

I wouldn't! In fact, I had the exact opposite experience not too long ago where I stumbled into the afterlife and made an ass of myself in front of a ghost girl I met there.

Really? But no one could blame you for being doubtful about something like that, could they?

Well... no! And I don't believe she faulted me for any of that, considering I'd already had a conversation with a figment of my imagination before she showed up that explained most of it.

[ A pause. ]

Who I could really use at the moment, because I'm almost certain none of this is making a lick of sense.

... I'm not going to lie; it really isn't.

I had a feeling. Well, lets just say it was a complicated situation that I'm not sure I fully understand myself, and leave it at that.

I can work with that! I doubt I'd fully understand if you tried to explain the whole thing anyways.

Probably not! The whole thing was one big mess, but I can safely say it wasn't like this at all.

That's good to know--probably. At the very least, I'm pretty sure I understand the basics of what's going on here.

Which is always where you want to start when you're getting your bearings.

Here's to hoping I can pick up on whatever else I need to know too.

I'm sure you'll be able to get it down!

Haha, thanks! I'll be doing my best.