[ 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.

[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;

[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;

[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]

[ 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?

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;

[unsparing]

And what of those you're unfamiliar with?

[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. ]

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Geez, relax, Light. ]

She's not here anymore, I take it? I haven't been keeping track.

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;

[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?

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;

[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?

[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]

[asskickersunite]

[Eddie's pretty sure that's either an awesome stage name or a fake. What parent in their right mind would name their kid Lightning? He hides the slight confusion in his voice at any rate.]

Alright, cool. So what does your sister look like?

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;

[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]

[ Probably... not gonna happen here. She's on edge enough just posing this question; it's a wonder she's agreeing to talk to anyone who answers at all, even if she, you know, started it in the first place. ]

Not any longer. [ A significant pause, but then she presses on. ] What did you speak of with her?

[Video]

[struckout]

[ Especially considering she's already revealed her younger sister's name as distinctly un-noun-like in comparison...? She'd probably admit it's not the name her parents gave her if directly asked, though getting her 'real' name or the story behind why she changed it would be... considerably more difficult.

She pauses at that question too, but then after a minute or so: ]

I'll show you.

[ Just stand by while she... figures out how. ]

[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?

[neveraskedforthis]

Lemme think--

[ Ah yes. ]

Security issues, mostly. I remember her mentioning that she was familiar with the concept of time travel already.

[Video]

[asskickersunite]

[While waiting, Eddie reaches for his guitar, giving it a quick tune up and then settling into playing what sounds suspiciously like the little tune when someone is answering a question in Jeopardy. Not that it would make much difference to Lightning.]