exsilium | duel two (video.)

[The screen flickers on to show Utena sitting on the foot of her bed. Said bed is unusually rumpled, and she looks bleary-eyed and tired. Her hair is disheveled too, but when she turns to the camera, she manages a sleepy grin. It's only a little forced.]

Uh, hi, to everyone who's been here, and all the new people. I think this is around the time new people show up, is that right? For everyone who doesn't know me, I'm Utena Tenjou. I'm fifteen years old...I think. [She rubs the back of her neck, and sheepishly adds:] My birthday's gone by since I got here, but I'm not sure if that counts. It's good to meet you all.

[Her voice sobers some, and she slows down.]

Ah, I wanted to thank everyone who helped me and Himemiya out a few weeks ago. It means a lot. I wasn't really myself then, so...sorry for any trouble. [It almost looks as if she'll stop the message there, but she continues after an overlong pause:]

Say, I was wondering, well, when I was, ah...well anyway. I noticed there's a lot of buildings around here that are run-down. That big greenhouse in the city looks pretty bad, and I thought maybe a bunch of us could get together and help clean it up a little. Y'know, get all the glass fixed, and plant flowers. Where I'm from, there's gardens everywhere, so I miss it a little.

[Her gaze drops. She looks off to the side, and then starts a little, as if suddenly remembering something:] Oh! And to everyone I asked about sports the last time, there's a way we can play without finding a field. I asked around, and that VR machine'll make any kind of field or court we want. That's great, huh? I wanna host a game soon. Maybe we can have something like that once a week. It gets dull around here.

Mm, that's all. [She rests her hand against her mouth, looks and sounds thoughtful. Mumbled:] If anyone's interested in a game or in helping with the greenhouse, you can find me around anywhere, but I stay in room 705.

I had one last question. Does anyone know how to cook? I wanna learn. There's not a lot of instant stuff to eat here, and I'm not so good at cooking from scratch yet...

[After a while:] Hey, Nanami-kun. Are you still here?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know someone who may be able to help with your desire for a garden.

[oh gosh, it's that queen again. Utena straightens her shoulders!!] Ah, um, really? That'd be helpful! I don't know much about flowers, but I want to learn, and...

My sister has tried a few attempts at creating one, and while they have met with limited success I do not doubt she would be willing to help others.

Your sister, huh...where can I find her? Um, what's her name?

Crystalia Amaquelin, although she will probably insist on being called Crystal.

[That makes Utena smile a little.] She's not the formal type, huh?

Formal enough when she believes the situation calls for it.

[ the implication being she and medusa disagree on when that should be. ]

[She adjusts her expression into something more appropriate. Serious now (mostly).] I can understand that. [Sheepishly, she admits:] Honestly, I'm not too good at being formal either.

Then it sounds like the two of you will get along well. [ Judgement being withheld from her tone. ] I have found it necessary and required, although I understand not many share the same feeling.

Ah, that's right. 'Cause you're a Queen and all, huh...

[Is that really the way you're supposed to address a queen, Utena...] Um, say...what's it like? Being a Queen...is it really tough?

[ Her tone softens ever-so-slightly at that. ]

It is, yes. But most times you do not have to do it alone.

That's a relief. I'm glad you don't have to do that all alone. [...] Hey, if you don't mind me asking...what's your kingdom like? Is it really amazing? D'you have a castle?

I live in a palace in Attilan, which is a city that is currently floating above the skies of Hala. [ Medusa that's not clarifying much. ] Hala is the capital planet of the Kree Empire, which I rule over.

While 'amazing' may not be the word I would use to describe it, it is one of the few remaining great intergalactic empires.

duel two (video.)

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

permavid

permavid