[ video ] ϟ [ 01 ]

[struckout]

I'm already familiar with the fact that people seem to appear here more than once, disappearing and then returning as if renewed. I'll spare you the effort of convincing me of it.

[ Oh, so look at this pink-haired but serious-business-looking woman finally addressing her tablet for the first time! In a marked contrast to the unusual armor she originally showed up in (no doubt causing more than a few stares at the masquerade), today she's got on a rather unremarkable, plain grey shirt on instead- a fact that, given her posturing, even she seems to think is unsavory.

... But more importantly, despite her direct words, her tone is definitely a bit at odds with them, too; she speaks with purpose, but her voice is low and more careful than you might think... and carries a strange sense of barely-hidden weight behind it- whatever the cause of that might be. ]

If you've seen me before, if we've spoken at any point in time, I want to hear about it. More importantly... if you've ever spoken with my sister, Serah Farron [ ... ] I want to hear about that, too.

[ She knows Serah was here before, but. These things don't record everything, after all, and in a strange way, it's definitely engaging Lightning's sense of annoyance that she isn't familiar with all that has happened yet. After Valhalla, she's not so used to being in the dark about things... and even asking that question seems to spark something painful in her pale face. Regardless- ]

Thank you.

[ She doesn't allow the camera to pick up on any emotions that sneak out past her defenses for long, ending the transmission there in wait for replies. ]

Comments

video

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Oh good, someone who doesn't want the usual welcome spiel. ]

That name rings a bell. Talked to your sister a few months ago. Why and what do you want to know?

[struckout]

... On the network?

[ She tilts her head slightly in her response, neglecting the actual questions for the sake of getting right to the point. While her quieter attitude remains, at the same time, she frowns ever so slightly at the sight of this man claiming to have spoken with Serah... ]

[neveraskedforthis]

Yeah, on the network. Very charming young girl.

[struckout]

Yes.

[ ... It's true, at least. Out of the two Farron siblings, Serah certainly came out much, much friendlier and-- just more socially adept in general when compared to her older sister here, in the middle of dead-seriously considering her options. ]

[Video]

[asskickersunite]

Kid, I'd remember someone with hair that shade of pink.

[Maybe she was a fan of Punk. Or Grunge? Eddie wasn't sure. However, if Lightning looks close enough, she might see the makings of a Christmas tree straight out of Charlie Brown.]

Name's Eddie Riggs, if you need a hand building shit, I'm the roadie to talk to.

[Video]

[struckout]

[ While she could say something to that comment about her hair, aside from a slight eyebrow raise she decides not to pursue it. Little does she know that some people might not consider it natural. ]

I'll keep it in mind.

[ She responds readily enough, but otherwise she's not tooootally sure what to make of this guy. ]

[Video]

[asskickersunite]

Right, so we know your sister's name. What about you?

[Video]

[struckout]

[ ... Oh yeah, introducing yourself first may have helped, girl. Old habits die hard, it seems. ]

I'm Lightning.

[ Said with all the careful steadiness of someone who would have just given her name and that's it... yet knows from experience that tacking the first word on without prompting tends to at least lessen some potential confusion. ]

video;

[revolutionized]

[Wow this is some kind of intense lady. But she asked a question...or well, made a request, and so Utena is inclined to answer, just to be helpful.

And also because this woman is scary.

Sooner or later, Lightning will notice a shock of very bright pink hair on the screen, followed by a voice. The owner has not aimed her camera correctly.] I don't think I've ever talked to your sister, but I haven't been here long. Say, does she look like you?

video;

[struckout]

[ Lightning peers at the image, considering briefly before continuing. No, she hasn't figured out yet that pink hair could be considered unusual- uncommon enough in her own world that she's fine with having it used as a describing feature between her and her sister in the hopes of singling out more people who might have seen her... but not enough to single out what a rare breed people like her and Utena could be considered here. ]

It has been some time... [ And: ] Yes, she does.

video;

[revolutionized]

Mm? Oh, jeez. I've got the camera turned the wrong way.

[The video shakes wildly for a moment, then swings around to focus on Utena's face, finally. She looks sympathetic — and probably too young to be in a war environment, but what can you do.] A while since you saw your sister, huh? Don't worry. [She smiles.] A lot of people tell me that friends and family show up all the time. It might take a while, but...

[She rubs at the back of her neck. Maybe it's best not to dwell on this topic...] If she looks like you, I'll recognize her when she shows up. I'll keep an eye out for her!

[A pause.] Hey, what's your name? You didn't mention it.

[struckout]

[ Lightning simply waits, while Utena seems to go on and on. To be honest, her silence probably isn't helping the matter.

There isn't much she can find to say, though. Naturally, she's quick to latch onto the mention of people being dragged into this mess (totally unpredictably), but her feelings are complicated re:Serah potentially coming here again. Dare she even hope...?

It's not until a question appears that she finally responds, albeit after a moment or two- ]

Lightning.

[ Yep. Just Lightning. 8Db ]

video;

[limitstorm]

You were with someone named "Noel", when I talked to you.

[ but after that, he shakes his head. ]

Sorry. I never spoke with your sister... but I did see her around the network.

video;

[struckout]

Noel Kreiss.

[ A confirmation of sorts that she knows what he's talking about, at least, though his full reply causes a pause of short, finger-tapping distraction out of her. ]

What did we speak about?

video;

[limitstorm]

The usual 'where am I, where are my friends' questions.

And a tutorial on how to use the netbook. You and Noel were having trouble.

[struckout]

[ Having grown up Cocoon, Lightning's already had computery things in her hands since before she could walk! She can understand why Noel would have issues though, considering the future he grew up in was... distinctly post-apocalyptic.

She thinks on this with a soft hm of thoughtfulness, but then- ]

... Is that all?

voice;

[transgressed]

[She's likely close by, but:]

I've been fiddling around with this device they gave us. When I got here, a lotta folks were talking about seeing me before. Said they were friends of mine.

[After a moment of muttered complaining (with the occasional bit of mild profanity), a file is attached.)

Wryly:] Pretty uncanny resemblance, I'd say.

voice;

[struckout]

Yes...

[ The answer comes somewhat distractedly- almost as if Lightning hadn't intended to let it slip out so soon...

Mostly because, in truth, she really hadn't- if only because she'd rather figure out a more refined response to having this acknowledged first. As it is, she falls silent in thought, plenty long enough for her buddy from down-under here to figure she's probably not going to add more of her opinion on the matter at all. ]

voice;

[transgressed]

[Fang figured it'd be a shock — it's unsettling for her, to see some version of herself in this place when she couldn't remember it if she tried.

After a while of silence on both ends, she asks:] You all right?

voice;

[unsparing]

And what of those you're unfamiliar with?

voice;

[struckout]

[ At this Lightning pauses, but... really, there's little other way to go about answering such a question. It's certainly a contrast to what she's heard so far. ]

What do you mean?

voice;

[unsparing]

You've spoken the name of your sister, and yet you've not given yours. Therefore I'm unfamiliar with who you are as you are with me.

Haytham Kenway. And you are?

video;

[stonewall]

You saw it too, huh?

[ Yeah, searching Serah's name was the first thing he'd done after finding out you could do that. It seemed like a crazy idea at the time, but... ]

video; private

[struckout]

[ Even though a big part of why Lightning was making this appeal is because not everything can be seen publicly on the network... there's not even the slightest chance of her even considering answering Snow over this where anyone could see. She goes to 'private' immediately. ]

... Yes.

video; private

[stonewall]

[ Even Snow's not stupid enough to switch off the filter once Lightning sets it. His expression is the same as ever, but it's obvious how important the discussion is to him. ]

It shouldn't be possible, but... [ One hand curls into a fist. The memory of Barthandelus tricking him is still fresh in his mind, but this is different. Has to be different. ] That's her, Sis. I'm sure of it.