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[crystalia]

_{( Crystal is standing outside in what looks to be a part of the outlands. The rain is falling, but conveniently doesn't hit her or her communicator as she holds it in one hand. She's walking as the feed opens, stepping delicately through what might have once been a fenced-off field-- at least, the remnants of the fence are scattered around, although the field itself is barren. )}

I realize this is a busy time around here, but since a few people have mentioned this I figured now was as good a time as any. The years and the war haven't been kind to the land of this place, but I've been working to see if that can be helped. It's slow-going, but there's hope, for the soil and the people who could depend on it.

_{( She pauses, smiles. )}

I know there are several people here with either scientific knowledge of, magical connection to, or other knowledge of the earth. I know there have been attempts to build greenhouses and small-scale growth, but I'm thinking bigger. This is a farm-- or it was. I want to get it running again.

_{( Another pause, as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. She pans the camera over the decrepit building, the barn doors off their hinges and the fallen-in roof. The equipment, where it remains, is rusted over and unusable. )}

But there's a lot of work to be done, aside from that. Building, carpentry... whatever else it takes to get a place like this running.

_{( Now she looks almost sheepish; she's a princess and has never actually had to do that kind of work. )}

We didn't choose to be here, but there's no reason why we can't improve this place, and help it's people. That doesn't only have to be through war, and battle. So if you're willing to help, with any of it, I'd be very grateful. And I'm sure the people of this place would be, too.

_{( She seems to have finally reached her destination, on the side of the house. And there, sure enough, is a small 4x4 plot of apparently-plowed land. It's color is better than the soil in the fields, and clearly someone's been working with it. )}

It'd be nice if something could grow, here. Something we could use.

Comments

[crystalia]

Please. Crystal is fine.

_{( But there's a laugh in her voice when she continues. She knows a lot of scientists. )}

The scientist I'm best acquainted with is very flexible. But he's not here, so I might have to bully some of them into it.

[reversemole]

Duly noted. That's quite a name, I might add.

Apparently the word is they come in all breeds. Mine are always so practical, sometimes to a fault.

[crystalia]

Princess Crystalia Amaquelin is quite a bit more. So Crystal works, most of the time.

And where do you fall, in that?

[reversemole]

Looks like I'm out of luck in getting the job, then. Any farmer who plans to work under a princess would have to have a really good sales pitch.

[ Not the kind he's heard in the stories, but who was complaining. ]

Unfortunately, their influence has rubbed off on me. Did you know responsibility tends to take the fun out of things?

[crystalia]

Don't write yourself off. You're not doing so bad.

I've heard, actually. That's why I usually try to avoid it.

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[reversemole]

So, the practice's paid off. I'm glad for it.

[ He's not entirely willing to give up the dalliance in turn to move within the realm of (semi)-professionalism, though he does switch to audio. Agreements were often more enjoyable, so as long as triviality was involved.

His tone is crisp and casual, with just a hint of amusement behind it. ]

Say, where are my manners? Call me Kaji.

[crystalia]

Well then, it's nice to meet you, Kaji.

_{( There's a smile in her voice. The switch to audio seems like a victory. )}

Where are you from, if you don't mind my asking?

audio;

[reversemole]

Me? I'm from Japan.

[ Nothing too special. ]

Don't believe what you see in the movies. The Koreans beat us out in technology 99 times out of 100.

audio;

[crystalia]

I've been to Japan, once or twice. Never made it Korea, though.

[reversemole]

Oh, neither have I. I heard that in a movie once, so I can't guarantee its accuracy.

[ The self-mockery is so offhandedly self-deprecating, it would take a certain type of man to say it evenly enough without sensing the proverbial sword hanging by a thread above him. But Kaji manages it well enough. ]

[crystalia]

...you're saying this to someone who "learned" most of what she initially knew about Earth from movies, actually. _{( She sounds a little sheepish. )}

[reversemole]

You don't say... [ If there was any skepticism over the implication she was not an average Earthling, Kaji can't pick it up. Probably best to take up the bait. He isn't sure how to subtly confirm the existence of extraterrestrial princesses, but one thing was for certain: this conversation was already paying off in spades. ]

I didn't know they home-delivered alien royalty.

[crystalia]

The Initiative can "deliver" anyone they want, can't they?

But in the case of Earth, my Earth, I rather delivered myself.

[reversemole]

[ He has the grace to sound a little sheepish. ]

And here I thought that 'worlds' term was rhetorical. But now that I have proof...

[ And since she's so conveniently brought up the topic.... ]

You're making me curious, here.

[crystalia]

That's usually the aim. _{( She laughs, airily. )}

It's really not a very complicated story. My people live on earth, much of the time. But we're apart from the rest of the world. As a girl, I often wondered about humanity. I wanted to experience it.

[reversemole]

I can't imagine any other group more interesting.

[ He often wonders about humanity himself, though for ultimately very different reasons. ]

Like what you saw? We're prone to disappointments.

[crystalia]

_{( Fondly, with a sad smile: )} The good outweighed the bad.

[reversemole]

Human beings could benefit from that kind of optimism.

[crystalia]

They have it, in them. They just need to listen to it more.

audio;

[reversemole]

You speak the truth.

[ That well mirrors his own thoughts on the matter, although Kaji's own version lacked the intrinsic implications. Nevertheless, there's a smile in his voice. ]

Well, I'm sorry to keep you. Just tell me when and where you're planning on organizing this project, and I'll be there.

audio;

[crystalia]

Not at all. _{( Graciously, to the apology. )}

And I'll be in touch.