video;

[motioned]

[The feed starts, focusing on a girl who appears to be around sixteen. She's sitting on a bed in the apartment she's been assigned to. She appears tense, nervous, though she does her best not to let that carry to her voice as she begins to speak.]

I'm sort of, um, not really new to the whole getting sent to a different world all of a sudden thing, so I don't really have any questions about that. I got everything about the war thing, too, even if I'm not going to have anything to do with it. I did have a few questions about some other things, though, so I'd be really grateful if there's someone out there who knows the answer!

The first thing might seem a little bit silly, but it's important. Um, to me, at least! I just wanted to know if there's a dance studio anywhere in this city, and where it is if there is one. The second thing I wanted to know is kind of more general, but, um, if the words Siren's Port mean anything to anyone here, I'd like to know, and to talk to those people a little bit, if I could. And the third thing...

[She pauses, looking down at her hands, away from the tablet.]

What do you think is the best place here to watch the sun go down? Um, thank you in advance.

Comments

[motioned]

Do you think that would be too inconvenient for them? I mean, if they're using the room for storage or something else.

[whatsupcroc]

No way! They like us doing anything kind of proactive, let's ask and see where it gets us!

[motioned]

Well, learning how to dance isn't exactly proactive for, like, learning how to fight or whatever. Would they still want us too?

[whatsupcroc]

It keeps us happy. We then argue less.

Yeah, they'll support the idea!

[motioned]

[There's not much point in arguing with them, she thinks; they either had no way to send them back, or they did and wouldn't tell them. Researching, sure, trying to find a way on their own, but not trying to reason with the people in charge.]

Then I'll ask. Um, thank you.

[whatsupcroc]

You're welcome! Good luck with that, and all. If I can help -- my name's Collette -- let me know!

[motioned]

Oh, please don't worry about that! I mean, you already helped. My name's Ahiru, though. It's good to meet you too. Collette is a pretty name.

[whatsupcroc]

( She finds herself smiling, amused; people don't generally compliment her name. )

Thanks, my mom agreed with you. I like Ahiru! I don't think I've ever met an Ahiru before. How're you settling in to Exsilium, Ahiru?

( If she keeps saying it enough the novelty of Ahiru's name might wear down... eventually. )

[motioned]

[That's actually the first time anybody's told her they like her name, and she looks down, modest.]

Thanks. Um, I think I'm doing okay, probably just about as well as anyone else would if something like this happened so suddenly. I mean, it's never easy, but I'm sure I'll be okay.

[whatsupcroc]

With an attitude like that, I'm sure you will. If it gets tough on your own though, don't keep it all to yourself, you know? We're not all the friendliest people, but most the Transports are good at heart, and the Exiles, too.

[motioned]

Exiles are the people who lived here before us, right?

[whatsupcroc]

Exiles are the people who aren't living in the United Earth's part of the world. Which is most of it, where it isn't wasteland, so I guess they'd qualify as being here before us. This world belongs to the Exiles and everyone in the UE, really.

[motioned]

Oh! That's right, they said... The borders of this city aren't closed, right? Like, we can explore outside if we want to?

[whatsupcroc]

No borders! Be careful if you do though, and bring a friend. It gets dangerous out there, and not just 'cause of the wildlife! No one's going to stop you, unless they're really worried for you. Not even the Initiative. The UE probably wouldn't do more than try to stop you from getting into the decent parts of their cities.

[motioned]

[She's almost ashamed at the sudden rush of fear that comes over her at that. There were the walls that surrounded the town back in Kinkan, and even in the Port there was the Pull. Being able to leave a city is something she's only done once, and that wasn't exactly by choice. So it's strange, and new, and a bit frightening.

Of course, she doesn't think for a moment that the fear is going to stop her.]

I will. But what makes it dangerous other than the animals?

[whatsupcroc]

The land, possibly unexploded charges, unsafe water sources, ruins close to collapsing. You know, stuff like that. Also surprising other people out there, that can be real bad! People aren't fond of surprises if they're not sure it'll be an okay surprise.

[motioned]

[A short hesitance.]

But you're sure there's no, like, rule that says we can't leave?

[whatsupcroc]

Considering how many times I've been out there? Nope. No rule like that at all!

[motioned]

[A breath of relief.]

That's so amazing! Um, thanks for all the information about this, too. I'll have to look into it more. Maybe I'll go once I'm more settled in I'll ask someone if they want to!

[whatsupcroc]

It's pretty cool! Oh, and make sure you go with someone who knows how to camp.

Trust me, that'll make all the difference in the world.

[motioned]

I will!

Is there any limit to how far we can go?

[whatsupcroc]

However far you can walk, or swim if you hit the ocean. Why?

[motioned]

I just - well, I guess I just wanted to know. Like, even if I don't go that far, it's good to know that I could if I wanted to, that I have that kind of freedom. You know?

[whatsupcroc]

If you could fly, you'd be free to try and fly the whole world. It's a nice feeling, though you'd need to be careful, 'cause who knows if the UE wouldn't try to shoot you down, but... there's nothing strictly keeping you in any one place.

You can just go!

[motioned]

That's kind of - I don't know, really exciting, don't you think?