001 | video

[nemonics]

[When the video begins, two girls appear, one blond and one brunette, with identical faces. The blond leans in close, voice loud and clearly attention-seeking.]

Hey, all of you! We have something to say, so listen up.

[She nods to the other girl, and lets her take over from there. Not that the wheelchair-bound girl seems all that pleased with her companion’s rudeness, but the awkward smile fades quickly to a neutral look.]

Please, this will only take a moment of your time, I assure you. My name is Nunnally vi Britannia, student, from 2018 a.t.b. era of the planet Earth. [Pausing.]

And I’m Nemo. You can call me Nunnally’s sworn knight. [Shrugging off that subtle attempt at chiding, Nemo introduces herself quickly, eager to get this part done with. She doesn’t much care for introductions, and it’s obvious in the tone of her voice.]

Yes, my knight. [Her voice picks up at the word as do the rest of her features. Having a strong knight is important for a student.] We are both very pleased to meet your acquaintance and look forward to providing aid where we can. After being told there are a number of objectives that can be completed for the Initiative through these missions, who am I to deny them that? So for those of you who are experienced in these tasks…

[With a grin, the second girl cuts in yet again.] We want to know all about it! How we get on them, what objectives you carry out, the works. And how does the Initiative feel about taking souvenirs from our missions?

You can’t ask them if we’re allowed to steal on an important world-changing mission!

(OOC: Nemo is red, Nunnally is purple, and both will be responding with their own tablets.)

Comments

[hyanaimne]

No, we purchased them.

[moralitypet]

They sent you there with money..?

[ That doesn't sound bad at all. For a little while there, she was concerned every mission was built upon criminal acts to right other acts. ]

[hyanaimne]

[she nods]

They did, yes. It was more than enough to buy what we were sent to get.

[moralitypet]

So not all of these missions are things that require violence.

[ It puts her mind at ease. ] Do you think a number of them are more like the one you went on?

[hyanaimne]

I honestly could not say . . . that was the first and only one I've gone on since I arrived here.

[moralitypet]

You said we--you didn't get alone on it even if it was something simple by most standards? A friend went with you or a stranger you're not wholly familiar with?

[hyanaimne]

Two people went with me. [she gives a shrug] It may seem simple, but we were sent to a modern world the three of us were not familiar with.

[moralitypet]

They sent you inexperienced or did you have a weapon that helped you especially in that situation? Not to attack with, but to maybe help act as safeguard in case of a rotten situation?

I'm... interested in these missions, so I do apologize if I'm burdening you with many questions. I just wish to better understand before getting involved.

[hyanaimne]

No, no, you are not burdening me . . . I just do not have many answers.

And I am a mage, so a weapon was not necessary.

[moralitypet]

I understand. I thank you for the ones you're able to give me.

[ Even with a faint smile. ] A mage? You can use real magic?

[hyanaimne]

You needn't thank me.

[she gives a nod, smiling a bit] I can and do, yes.

[moralitypet]

[ She still hasn't grown used to people admitting that out loud. ]

Was magic common where you're from? I'll admit that seeing people talk about it so freely is startling.

[hyanaimne]

[she tilts her head, curious]

Mm, it is very common. . . . why is it startling, if I may ask?

[moralitypet]

Where I'm from, magic isn't so commonly accepted. In fact, there are times in history where people were executed before the eyes of the public for using it even if they never were capable of doing so in the first place.

[ There's no harm in telling a stranger this, so she does. ] I'll admit I never seen or witnessed magic knowingly until just a few weeks ago and even then...

[ She cuts herself off there. Her brother's use of something magical isn't exactly what one might call a fond memory. ]

[hyanaimne]

[it takes a moment for that to actually sink in. She can't imagine a world like that; magic was something she grew up learning, continued to learn up until she was forced to set out on her own . . . even after, she'd learn what she could. Being executed for that . . . well, it was as ridiculous as being executed for being a half-blood]

That is . . . very strange. Though I can understand being surprised . . .

[moralitypet]

It'll take some getting used to the laws and regulations of other worlds. All I can do is hope to not offend in the meantime.

[ Even if she was just saying people who practiced magic were executed. ] Is it used for good where you're from?

[hyanaimne]

[the surprise melts into amusement]

You seem too polite to actually offend someone, child. And the people here are quite decent at answering strange questions. I certainly ask them all the time.

. . . it is used for both good and bad. I've used mine for both.

[moralitypet]

[ Awkwardly laughing. That much is true, isn't it? ]

It'll take some getting used to speaking with others, miss. [ Kind of secluded when you're a prisoner of war even if it wasn't for long. ] Ah, but that's fortunate isn't it? The kindness shown in being able to answer questions when they are asked... They have accrued a number of patient individuals, haven't they?

For both, huh? Being able to admit that as freely... are you ashamed? Sometimes using things for wickedness for the greater good isn't all that bad.

[hyanaimne]

[ha ha. What's patience? Tempest bites her tongue on that comment, though]

I speak from experience when I say one gets used to it rather quickly. Speaking to others, that is. And I suppose they have, though there are those will seem surprised you do not know what they are speaking about.

[though at the question, she pauses, frowning a bit. Then, she continues, her tone a bit blunter, a little more business-like] I am only ashamed when I wonder how my parents would look upon my actions. Otherwise, I am not.

[moralitypet]

[ Oh, has she pried too far for a stranger? She pauses to consider her next course of action, thinking through what every possible alternative may come about. ]

People have always been like that. Surprised when someone fails to understand. It takes a greater understanding than most have been mentally trained for to communicate with others from other countries and worlds.

You must have a lot of pride. That's admirable really.

[hyanaimne]

Mm . . . at the very least, when I explain why I do not understand, it seems to make it a little easier for them.

Pride? [she considers that, then shrugs] I suppose. But I would not say it is admirable. Not in my case.

[moralitypet]

[ She definitely needs to learn to curb her assumptions at any rate. Though she suspects if she suddenly shifts into a more diplomatic state of mind that she may take offense to it, so she continues on with the hope that youthful ignorance will spare her further embarrassment. ]

Your only worry is for the reaction of your parents. Why is that?

video; private

[hyanaimne]

[if it's any consolation, Tempest doesn't seem offended at all. Just thoughtful, since talking about any of this is still new to her.

She's quiet for a moment, then, switches the video over to private:]

I am a murderer, child. When I said I used my magic for both, it is because I became a mercenary, after my village was destroyed. I would offer my . . . services to those who paid enough. And I spent the rest of my life doing that, so I could find the man who was responsible for my village's destruction.

Everything I have done goes against what they taught me as a child.

video; private

[moralitypet]

[ Upon noticing it was now locked to her tablet only, a twinge of guilt leaves her feeling emotionally crippled. She isn't exactly alone as Nemo's voice can be heard in the background with her own conversations, but maybe she's not paying attention.

Especially since she may not be fond of Nunnally speaking with a self-confessed murderer. ]

Were you ever able to find him? [ She feels for her, truly she does, but associating with murder in any way may end up getting her in more trouble. There's a number of people here who are stupid enough to try to shelter her even if she considers herself a murderer as well. ] That man who destroyed your village.

Were you ever able to avenge them?

video; private

[hyanaimne]

[there are details she's leaving out, of course; the fact that the man was her lover, both as a child and later in life, and that it took her two years to actually do the deed. But they're not really important, in the long run, and details she isn't quite ready to admit on the network]

I did. [she isn't the type to shelter, having grown up as she did, but again, details that weren't necessary] Before my arrival here.