exsilium | five; video --> voice

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five; video --> voice

[ Video for a moment. Roslyn's bent over the netbook, frowning. She doesn't look nearly as put together as normal, her hair shoved back into a messy ponytail as she rubs at her forehead. Her room behind her is a mess, none of the organization people who had visited her before would have seen. She realizes the video is recording almost immediately and sighs, clicking a button to switch it to voice. ]

I've noticed a significant uptick in people asking for the nearest bar. I believe someone out there is working on some sort of welcome booklet, but for now -

Welcome to Exsilium. Here's how you have a drink.

[ just before she disconnects ] You'll need it.

[ And attached to her post is a text list of the bars in the hold, question marks by the ones she hasn't been to and a few words' of description by the ones she has - size, activity levels. Well over half of them have descriptions. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I never wanted to be most people. It'd be nice to be something besides a question mark.

Mm. Well, you're on your way already.

And I'll bear in mind that you would rather I pry. Mr. Nash.

You don't have to pry, but at least fake some interest. I'll try to fake being interesting. Maybe the drink will help.

It sounds like we'll be able to have an excellent fake conversation.

Those are always the politest kind.

There's a certain cheerfulness to them you never get otherwise.

Oh, no. Not everyone fakes being cheerful, some people are just idiots.

I don't talk to those people.

You must not be in politics.

You couldn't make me.

Are you?

Not anymore.

Were you before?

I guess it depends on your definition. Some people start wars without really trying— like that woman with a face so fair that six kings killed themselves to meet her. That's politics.

Did you start wars without really trying?

Nah. [Hah.] But I've been caught up in wars I didn't understand.

That's what happens when you join the army at 18, right?

I imagine sometimes. But it's not something I have personal experience with.

I guess it's probably less common in other countries.

Where are you from, before this?

[He's still not used to answering this question straight-out.]

It's a place called Harmonia. You probably wouldn't've heard of it.

No, I don't believe I have. Where is it?

North of Dunan, east of the Grasslands.

A very, very long way from here.

And by the sound of it, not on my world.

What date was it?

475, by the solar calendar.

What level of technology?

How would I know how to answer that question? [He shakes his head, not that she can see him.] I can't put a name to stuff I haven't thought of yet.

But coming here's the first time in my life that I've felt like a rustic.