Fourth Network Dive [Video]

[shelkethetransparent]

[Shelke doesn't look any different at all when she appears on the screen, at least, not physically, so she still looks nine, and she's dressed in a pair of jeans and a too-big shirt and a large, fluffy jacket someone had given her. But immediately something is different, because she doesn't look bored. If anything, her eyes (which are plain old brown right now) are a bit wide and excited as she is peering around at the building she is currently poking through (which has seen better days but that doesn't seem to be slowing her down.)]

[She glances from where she's going to the little camera and back every few seconds, and nearly drops it twice.]

Uhm. Hi. [She steadies herself long enough to give an almost nervous wave.] Kate said we're allowed to use this for important things, so I was just hoping...has anyone seen my sister?

[That empty, emotionless voice is gone, replaced by an almost normal sounding child's voice, happy, worried, excited, a little bit scared, all mixed up in trying to sound a lot more in-control than she really is.]

Her name is Shalua Rui, and she's about...seven inches taller than me, and she's fourteen years old. Everybody says we look alike, she has the same hair color as me but it's much, much longer and she wears glasses, and she likes to wear red clothes, and she's going to be so mad at me when I find her.

[Because that's a serious worry when you're nine.]

I...she was with me. Before I woke up here I mean, and if this really is another world she should be here too right? Because we were toget-woah!

[The bit of broken building she was standing on wobbles and sends her tumbling down a little pile of rubble to the ground, the camera whirling away, spinning end-over-end until it comes to a stop pressed against some broken stone, showing Shelke sitting where she'd fallen, looking dazzed. But she's apparently fine, as she rubs at her head before scrambling over to pick up the phone again.]

I'm okay! ...So has anyone seen her?

Comments

[endured]

Are you sure you're okay? ( because that tumble was sort of surprising even for him. )

But, uh, just because you and your sister were together before you left doesn't mean she'll be here too.

[shelkethetransparent]

I'm okay! I hit my head and I think I cut my knee but I have to find my sister!

[She frowns.]

...Why not?

[endured]

You still need to be careful though, it won't be good if you got hurt.

I don't know, it happens though. I was with five other people when I arrived here and one just arrived a couple of days ago.

[shelkethetransparent]

I just hit my head....

Oh. But...but she has to be here. She wouldn't leave me by myself, she promised.

[endured]

Yeah, well... ( well, as long as she was talking fine then it probably didn't matter. ) Never mind.

It's not really your sister's fault though, the Initiative are the ones who brought us here.

[shelkethetransparent]

Who?

[Someone doesn't remember her tour.]

[endured]

It's kind of like they're in charge around here, I guess. They give us money and shelter, but they're still the ones that brought us here so we could help them fight their war.

[shelkethetransparent]

Oh. I guess because the Shinra aren't here.

W-war? [She frowns.] But the war's over!

wow, sorry about the delay!

[endured]

Shinra? ( a pause. ) Sorry, but you're probably not even your world any longer.

This place is called Earth, and there is a war going on here between the Initiative and the, uh, United Earth.

[shelkethetransparent]

That's what Kate said but...

[Shelke almost looks amused suddenly. She may be young, but she was never dumb.]

This place is called dirt?

[endured]

... Kate?

Huh, well, I guess. But I think it has an overall different meaning when you're talking about the planet. I don't really know much though, I'm not from this world either.

[shelkethetransparent]

She was trapped on a roof earlier.

[Because that explains it.]

...My world is called Gaia. I learned that in school.

[endured]

... I see.

( only NOT REALLY. )

I'm from a place called Cocoon.

[shelkethetransparent]

Everyone is from different places no one else has heard of. It's like a storybook...

[endured]

Yeah, it's kind of neat in a way. I mean... we never would have learned about this sort of stuff back home, or even know about something as crazy as different worlds existing.

[shelkethetransparent]

Yeah. I've never heard of anything like this! [But she's nine, so take that as you will.]

What's your name?

[endured]

Hope Estheim.

What about you?

[shelkethetransparent]

I'm Shelke Rui.

[endured]

Shelke Rui. ( he pauses, making sure he at least pronounces it partly right. ) It's nice to meet you.

[shelkethetransparent]

[She smiles some.]

You too! If you see my sister please tell her I am looking for her!

[And she's off searching again.]