voice Ϯ 01

[iphigeneia]

[The voice is that of a young woman speaking in a crisp English accent. She sounds entirely unamused, though not necessarily resigned to her situation.]

If the circumstances here are truly as they've been presented to me, it would seem that my travel plans will need to be revised and that I shan't be leaving for Paris in the morning after all. More pressing, however, is the lack of access to my own finances. I find this irritating, to say the least.

[A girl's gotta have some cash. Real money, too, not this fake stuff they're touting. This is absolutely ridiculous. She sighs, voice taking on a slightly more sympathetic tone.]

As I said, if I can't go to Paris tomorrow, I shall have to alter my plans. I am in dire need of a tailor. Someone skilled. Not a dressmaker. I shall impart the details of my commission to said tailor, if and when we are introduced.

At present I have nothing to barter with aside from my good name and promise of repayment at a future date. And with all these witnesses, that ought to be enough. My name is a very good one, if that matters to anyone at all.

[There's a deliberate pause before she speaks again.]

Though if anyone should have pertinent information on how one might go about securing passage away from this this... settlement, I should be much obliged for your assistance.

Comments

video;

[revolutionized]

[Utena had been listening to this while her recording was on, and so the screen shows her expression slowly shifting into one of confused bafflement — frowning, her brow furrowed.

She speaks up carefully, as if dealing with something delicate.] Um, did they tell you what's going on?

voice

[fintastic]

Kirian is a really good tailor, you should find him!

Sorry though, there isn't really any way to leave.

voice;

[iphigeneia]

[That's a difficult question to answer, if only because Felicity doesn't entirely believe them.]

I found their responses to be... unsatisfactory.

voice

[iphigeneia]

Kirian. Where might I find him?

[That second part is not an answer she likes to hear.] No way at all? No way to return to... someplace that isn't this facility?

permavid

[revolutionized]

What about it is unsatisfactory? [...She rubs at her neck.] I mean...other than everything, oi...

The thing is, we're stuck here. They don't know how to send us back.

[iphigeneia]

Surely if they've fashioned some way to abduct people they can manage a way to unabduct them!

[She doesn't necessarily mean to sound angry, but it's difficult to hide her frustration.]

[revolutionized]

[Utena is, fortunately, accustomed to that tone. She has heard variants of it many a time over the past couple of weeks.] What you're saying makes sense, but it's true. [...] For now, this place is a one way trip. I know you're upset, but there's not anything anyone can do right now to send you home faster.

[iphigeneia]

But why are we on the moon?

[orestes]

You have neglected to provide your good name, mademoiselle.

[iphigeneia]

Forgive me, monsieur. I am Felicity Worthington, daughter of Admiral Worthington. [Not that anyone knows who he is or cares.]

[orestes]

Do you expect that people should know your father here?

[iphigeneia]

They ought to. He's very famous. He was knighted by the Queen.

[orestes]

Well, that is impressive. May I ask who the Queen of England is presently?

[iphigeneia]

Yes, it is.

[Don't be condescending, you frog.]

Queen Victoria.

[revolutionized]

Ah, well...it's kinda a long story. [Her expression sobers.] We used to be on Earth, in a city, but that city was destroyed by the group we're supposed to be fighting against.

Moving us here was a last resort.

[orestes]

Then she was finally crowned, that is something. I do not generally spend my time dwelling upon English politics, but she is a rather young queen.

[iphigeneia]

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. [The fuck is he... Perhaps his English is not so good.] She is, in fact, a rather old queen.

[orestes]

When I am from, mademoiselle, she is not actually a queen.

video;

[buttpunch]

[Tsubomi is, as nearly always, answering from the agricultural wing, bent over a white and silver piece of machinery from which the tops of some plants are visible--radishes, if the viewer is the type to recognize them--with the camera off somewhere to her lower left. She smiles at the camera, pleasantly.]

Kirian Dawningsun is a tailor! I believe he takes commissions, but you'd have to speak to him directly...

[She stands, winding her hands together over her stomach, bowing her head politely.] And I make clothing myself! A little of everything. [She gestures to her barely-visible outfit, a long-sleeved pink raglan and plain dark linen capris.] All I need is fabric, and I'd be happy to help you! You can come with me to pick it out, and everything, if you'd like. [Apparently she's become more of a businesswoman than she thinks.] My name is Tsubomi Hanasaki.

[She bites her lip. How to tell her there was no way home...] But, um, there's no way to go back yet. They tried it once, and it killed a lot of people--or so they tell me. I arrived after.

[iphigeneia]

I don't understand. How is the moon the last resort?

[iphigeneia]

When you are from? [A beat.] I see. Just as I have apparently been pulled forward through the centuries, you have as well. But your starting point was a different one.

video;

[iphigeneia]

[Felicity finally uses video instead of voice, revealing herself in an 1890's traveling suit and ornate feathered hat. It's both impressive and ridiculous.]

There are suitable fabrics available here? And the supplies you would need to make a suit?

[The rest they can discuss momentarily. Getting some pants made is her #1 priority!!!]

[orestes]

When I left Paris, it was June of 1832.

Prior to coming here, I spent several months in another country with technology similar to this place, though it was very definitely on Earth. I suspect that there are as many discrepancies in our information and personal... chronologies, I suppose would be the word, as there are individuals here.

I do not yet know how this information will relate to our situation.

[revolutionized]

There's nowhere to go on Earth that they won't find us. That's what the Initiative — the people in charge — believe. [a pause.] I don't know all the details of it, but after some of the stuff I've seen here...

[She's quiet, for a little while.] I don't think they had a choice.

[iphigeneia]

1832. [That's stupid. All of this is stupid.] And you say you are prone to these sorts of misadventures.