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

[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?

[whatsupcroc]

Heck yes!

( Collette grins, positively beaming by now. )

It's almost intoxicating!

[motioned]

Yeah!

[Grinning wider in return.]

Just knowing that one day you could decide to leave and go see everything out there, that's amazing! There must be so much out there... Hey, what kinds of things have you seen when you go? We should go sometime!

[And then she realizes she's getting a little ahead of herself and reddens, looking down from the tablet with a slight blush.]

I mean, I, um. If you ever wanted to or anything.

[whatsupcroc]

( There's a warmth in Collette's grin bespeaking of her pleasure at the invitation -- the presumption -- so soon in meeting someone who won't know there are reasons to believe otherwise, or know further still, reasons why she could in spite of appearances. )

All sorts of things! Mostly rain and this one mutant deer -- it chased my friend right up a tree! We were out on the coast, but I've also made my way with another friend to this old military base... We should totally go sometime. I'd be happy to o with you!

[motioned]

A deer? Oh my god, were they okay? Were you okay?

I-If you wanted to, I'd really like that. What about - the twenty fourth of this month?

[whatsupcroc]

We were totally fine! The deer even got out okay. Caesar's an excellent climber, though, if you ever need a guy to shimmy up something, he's so your man.

The twenty-fourth? Sure, sounds like a plan! I'll mark it down as Ahiru's Big Outing. We'll pack up a lunch and everything!

[motioned]

Caesar? I haven't met him.

Okay! That sounds perfect. I bet it'll be nice.

[whatsupcroc]

He's a good guy! Grumpy and lazy and really smart. I'll have to introduce you to him!

( Her friends should ALL BE FRIENDS. REALLY. )

It'll be interesting, for sure! I'm looking forward to it already.

[motioned]

Oh, he sounds nice! I'd like that.

Are there any of those monsters right outside the city limits? Like, should I keep my guard up when we're there?

[whatsupcroc]

We can all do lunch or something sometime! Or are you any good with climbing? He has a habit of finding a perch to hang out in and napping during the day.

Ah, yes, there are, and we should, just in case! It's not a super big worry, but when animals are startled and scared, stuff can happen. We'll be careful. It'll be fine!

[motioned]

Oh, no, I don't think I'd be good at climbing anything! I'm so clumsy, I'd probably fall and break my neck before even getting halfway.

Okay! I'm pretty good with animals, so maybe that'll help, even if it's just a little.

[whatsupcroc]

Got it, then we'll catch him when he's groundside. Or right after a nap. Before he can get away up a tree or a building or something like that!

( The elusive art of Caesar Silverberg catching? Collette represses a laugh, nodding her head in acknowledgement of Ahiru's statement. )

It may! We won't know until we try.