exsilium | First Wave

[The feed turns on to a blue-haired woman looking critically into the netbook. Her head tilts in a thoughtful gesture. She's working it correctly, right?
A second later and she's clearing her throat with a small noise, staring at the screen squarely, eyebrows knit, jaw set, back straight.

She really looks like she could use some coffee.]

So we've all been roped into a war. I haven't heard anything on how far into battle the rest of you have gotten, but I would really appreciate any information you can spare.

[A big sigh here, and her hand massages her temples for a moment. MAN but does she look pissed all of the sudden.] I can't believe these people would stoop to kidnapping children and civilians, nevermind the entire scheme is disgusting to begin with.

Look. My name is Aileen Kimbler, I'm a doctor. I'm not a solider, and regardless of what this Initiative wants I’ll have no hand in the death of anyone here unless it’s in the interest of preventing it. I don't believe in war, but I'm good at my job for a reason.
If there's a hospital or infirmary of some sort, I'll do everything I can to help out there.

[Looks like she managed to calm down a bit halfway through all that, and her expression shifts to something gentle and worried.]

Please, don't hesitate to contact me if you're hurt.

[She reaches for the off button, but stops. Frowning and glancing left and right before pulling the netbook a little closer. The corner of her mouth perks up as she fights a smile, her nose crinkles and she casually brushes a piece of hair into view, drawing attention to it.] And um, just curious, but... How many of you believe in magic?

If so, I'm happy to say: You're not alone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Personally, I think it's a pointless topic. You seem like a well-learned individual; not the type that I would usually assume would belief in something so haphazardly founded as the concept of magic.

Well, just because you practice a textbook science doesn't mean you can't wonder about the things you can't explain. You sound like a well-learned man yourself; tell me, is it only stories back in your home?

Magic?

[ Briefly, his mind drifts back to memories of spirit-channelling, but no, that woman had been a fraud. Nothing more. ]

Yes. Tales for children, nothing more.

Is that so?

In my home that's also the general consensus. But I guess when you're raised with certain stories there's no harm in holding on to a little wonder.

There is, in fact, a possibility of great harm in that.

How so?

Because when the time comes, children must grow up.

[ That was what had happened to him. ]

And if simple stories give hope, and morals-- warnings and caution; why should those lessons be forgotten? [Doubly so because they ARE true in her world.]

The lessons themselves, no, but the belief in magic? There's no need for it.

Again, I don't understand, Mr-- ah I didn't catch your name.

Edgeworth.

As I was saying, children's stories do frequently have some sort of moral tale or Aesop attributed to them. I am not debating that point, but believing in magic as an adult displays an inability to confront the harshness of reality.

Mr. Edgeworth, then.

I don't see any trouble in a little optimism. And what is the saying? 'Magic is only science we haven't explained'? [HA which she thinks is malarkey.] Everything was magic at some point in history.

I've not heard that saying before. Probably because it is incorrect.

Again, I encourage you to explain.

Only science that has not yet been explained is science that hasn't been explained yet. There is no need to call it magic.

Mn. Then I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree, Mr. Edgeworth.

Tell me, how are you faring here so far?

Fine. [ He'll drop it for now, because this is like arguing with a brick wall. He can't promise that he won't come back to it later, however. So he doesn't. ]

Anyway, I don't see how my well-being is any great concern of yours.

[Oh, she'll go all day with him. He's probably the most normal person she's met so far, and there's some merit to that.]

It is when we're all in this mess together, and I did say I was a doctor, didn't I?

You did.

[ a beat. ]

And as I said, I'm fine.

[A laugh]

You're really caught up on this magic subject, aren't you?

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