genessia | [Video]

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[The video feed opens on a blurry face which comes gradually into focus to reveal a generous dusting of freckles and bright, albeit troubled-looking, green eyes. The camera is pulled away until it also shows a thick tumble of blonde curls, a handful of which is pushed back with a sigh before their owner eventually speaks.]

So I've been... "Kidnapped." [She glances around at the city surrounding her before continuing, gesticulating loosely with the bundle of papers she's gripping in the hand not currently holding her new "phone."] I can understand that much just fine. What confuses me is why a kidnapper would then assign me my own quarters, some sort of stipend, and... Well, just leave me to my own devices.

[It doesn't seem a terribly effective means of controlling one's captives. That being said, however... Maybe the captors here don't necessarily know what they've gotten themselves into. It's worth keeping in mind, at least until she can get her bearings. The blonde walks as she talks, settling into an easy step that seems more exploratory than anything else; it's not as though she's in a hurry, after all.]

...Apparently, I'm expected to seek both lodgings and employment, and I've been advised that this is the best means of doing so. [Not one to beat around the bush, this one; she seems determined to get the proverbial ball rolling.] If anyone has any advice on the subject, I'd be very grateful. I may not have a wide variety of skills at my disposal just yet, but I promise that I'm a quick study.

[Finally daring to cast a brief, helpless sort of smile at her phone's camera, she shrugs before ending the feed. Maybe someone will help, or maybe not-- But at least she can say that she tried.]

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Aheh, I think "kidnapping" is a titch presumptuous. More of an emotional than intellectual truth. Anyway: welcome! I'm Ted. What's your name?

As for employment, that can come second to location. If you like the city you're in, I advise settling there. If not, well, the colors of your necklace can light the way.

The colors...?

[She tilts her head curiously before aiming a frown of confusion at the object in question when she tugs it into view. The colors are a hazy swirl, with blue and red seeming the most prominent.]

How does that work? Do I need to do something to activate it? Not that there's anything wrong with this city, I suppose, it seems as nice as anywhere else...

Aheh, no, there's no mechanism. Supposedly the dominant colors can indicate which extremity of the world might suit one best. There's no color that corresponds to where you are now, which I assure you is the purest city of them all.

[His choice of words prompts the blonde to recoil a little, looking concerned.]

"The purest," hm? Let me guess-- the others are populated by less savory sorts? Higher crime rates or something?

Eheh, not pure morally, exactly, but it's the city least pockmarked by substantial falsehoods.

[She might need an explanation for that one.]

The introductory material doesn't cover this, but one can make things called "subarchways"; fractured pieces of yourselves to make a simulacrum of what's familiar. All false, of course, as any replication would be, but Genessia City is the one place that cannot suffer them. It's the city most like itself.

[If anything, his explanation only seems to confuse her more-- but she's at least reassured that he hadn't been referring to some sort of perceived social order when he mentioned this area being "pure." Piecing together what he's explained, she nods once, slowly.]

I... Think I understand it. So are these simulacra bad things? Even if they're not necessarily real, they sound like the sorts of things that some people might find comforting...

Naturally; no one would be taken in by an illusion less agreeable than reality. That's what makes them so insidious.

But I digress; Genessia City doesn't have them, and remains the most original of them all. If you like the place, the paper recently advertised a secretarial position for its primary hospital.

Mm... I suppose that does make sense. I'll have to be sure to keep an eye out for them, then.

[She pauses long enough to listen to his next suggestion, but can't help an answering chuckle when she hears the mention of a secretarial position-- something more suited to her sister than to her own talents, really.]

Ah... That might not necessarily be ideal for someone like me, but I appreciate the tip... Ted, was it? [She gives him a friendly smile, finally remembering her manners instead of just continuing to let her curiosity run rampant.] I'm Rowan.

[Off the mark with his vocational suggestions? He's fine with endless, badgering curiosity; it's how he treats most newcomers when they're especially interesting, as Genessia's nearly always are.]

Eheh, all right. The newspaper advertises positions like that all the time, so long as the paperboy bears no grudges against you that bi-week.

Ah, like the tree! In that case, a new business just opened up by one Dray Lyell named "Arcadia Studios". They do interior design with themes tending towards the earthy and arboreal. Might be just your wheelhouse.

[Yes he really does think names are that significant.]

[The blonde answers his next "tip" with another little chuckle; she supposes the correlation is valid enough, but...]

I, ah... I'll keep my eyes open. [She clears her throat, wondering how best to clarify...] I was with the military, back home... I'm not necessarily looking to re-enlist now that I'm here or anything like that, but maybe that will tell you a little bit more about my skill tree. [She offers him an almost sheepish smile.] Or... Hell, who knows. Maybe I'll find something entirely different that I'm good at. This place could be sort of a fresh start, right?

[He titters. "Skill tree." Oh, stop.]

Heh, it often is for most. I'm afraid acquaintance with violence is a supply that vastly outstrips demand, but there's plenty else to do. We're the only nation--if one could call it that--in the world, so there's not much need for military, thankfully.

"Not much need for a military," hm...?

[That revelation is met with a dry smirk and a slow arching of a single brow; apparently, Rowan isn't putting too much faith in the concept. In her experience, after all, there's always one sort of "need" or another...]

Well... Fair enough, then. It's probably high time I pursued other interests, anyway. [She shrugs, apparently making peace with the idea; after a life's worth of war, the thought of putting it aside is hardly unwelcome.] I ought to have enough money to find a place to stay until I can get a new job, anyway...

Sounds queer, eh? Genessia simply isn't organized enough for that kind of thing.

Oh, assuredly. And if you're really thrifty and don't mind what's sparse, you can live in The Commons right away for free. For a month, anyway; apparently it's not so unpleasant that some forget their stay's a temporary one.

Well, work is very easy to find here. Don't think I've ever heard of so much as a single firing. Let me know if there's aught else I can do to help.

I think most people would say that it sounds too good to be true. [She chuckles, shrugging one shoulder before perking up to listen when he continues.]

I suppose I'd better find The Commons, then, at least until I get my bearings around here. Having somewhere to sit and think for a while might do me a little good-- But really, I do appreciate all your help.

Any time. Go under the Mercy.

I vouldn’t call it zo much as a kidnapping as it is more like an involuntary relocation vith benefits.

"Benefits?"

[Rowan frowns down at the little device in her hand, but the look is perplexed rather than annoyed.]

How so? I was really only directed to look for a job and somewhere permanent to stay, there wasn't any mention that I noticed of any potential perks.

[She glances around, shrugging a moment later.]

Not that it's not a nice enough place, of course, it seems very... pleasant...

[Enough so that she can't help but wonder how well she'll be able to fit in, and for how long...]

[Rip smiled flashing fangs as she did so and looked slightly amused. To her, this place had plenty of benefits in ways most people wouldn't realize. Like having an unlimited blood supply at her fingertips.. and other monsters and vampires around. ]

Vell, zhe cities cater to all sorts. Fayren iz more...fairies und magic. Nova City iz all technology.

[She wrinkled her nose slightly at that.]

Und my personal favorite, Everglade iz a place vhere Monsters roam~. Ve even haf rights zhere und laws zhat protect zhose of zhe more..misunderstood violent variety of creatures.

[Like vampires or any other number of creatures she could name.]

Az for jobs, I had a harder time figuring out vat I vanted to do before one fell into my lap. Zhere are plenty of choices both for money und in places to live.

[Those fangs... Rowan freezes for a moment, wondering if against all odds she's somehow come across another creature like herself, before shaking herself from her stupor when the other woman continues to talk. This is the sort of information it's crucial to pay attention to, after all... Fairies and magic and what, now...?]

"Monsters"... [She can't help but sound intrigued despite herself, one blond brow raising smoothly.] Are you implying... [She can't just come out and say it, can she? Just like that?] ...What sort of "monsters"...?

[So the mention of monsters interested the girl. Now why was that...]

Zhe kind zhat you find in zhe darkest depths of zhe night. Vampires, liches.. even verevolves.

[She grinned, fangs definitely in full view this time.]

I just so happen to be one of zhe vampires around here~. You vill find zhat in zhis place, zhere all sorts of people. Some more obvious zhan ozhers.

I thought vampires slept during the day? [It might be worth noticing, however, that Rip's claim to be a member of the living dead didn't give Rowan any pause; If a creature like herself could exist, after all, why not a vampire?

More interesting... There was a place here where she might not even be regarded as anything out of the ordinary. Where she wouldn't need to hide what she was... The temptation to investigate was hard to ignore.]

I've got to admit... You've piqued my curiosity. I've never met anybody like that before...

[Soft sigh. She was honestly expecting that question.]

Insomniac. But, I know a few ozhers are also active during zhe day. It's really more of a preference zhing for zhem and depending on vat zhey do for a job...Personally, I haf a night job zo it's still easy to sleep during zhe day.

[When she can manage it. Rip waves it off with a grin.]

Vat, a vampire? Vell, you're meeting one now~. But, vhy so curious about monsters? I've seen several eizher shrug it off or run zhe ozher vay.

An insomniac vampire, no less. [The blonde doesn't even try to keep her freckled lips from quirking into a smirk at that, raising a brow again. It's sort of cute, really-- The idea that one of the walking dead would have trouble sleeping. When Rip continues, Rowan pauses to consider her options carefully before replying.]

Well, I... Hm. I'm not sure I trust whatever network runs these things enough for me to explain properly over the phone, but... Let's just say that it's actually sort of reassuring to hear about a place like the one you mentioned.

[Well Rip was all sorts of cute when she wanted to be...]

I zee~. Vell, I vould suggest checking out Zhe Everglade zhen. Az I said, it tends to be a sanctuary for zhe darker creatures of zhe night.

Und if it is reassuring for you zhat exists, then I haf a feeling ve vill be crossing paths often.

Maybe we will... Just don't go thinking that I'm some sort of snack, hm?

[She might be joking, she might not be... Who can say?]

I don't suppose anywhere around there might be hiring.. ? If I'm supposed to find a job, it seems wisest to seek one where my particular... "talents"... Might be appreciated.

Don't vorry~. Zhe blood banks keep me fed vell zhat I don't need to hunt unless I vant to.

[Joke or not, Rip finds humor in it regardless.]

Vell...I do vork for a security firm zhat especializes in providing protection escorts through Zhe Everglades for anyone zhat thinks zhey need it.

Oh...?

[Both brows lift at Rip's mention of her job, and Rowan inclines her head slightly in a universal gesture of interest. That sounds like something she could do...]

And that provides you with reliable income? Or... Hm, I could always find something else to do as well... Wouldn't be the first time I've had to have two jobs to get by...

[She can tell the woman's interested and just smiles slightly. They could always use more people in her opinion.]

It does for zhe most part.

[Admittedly, Rip's working more for pleasure and spending money...She doesn't have to worry about a place to live. ]

Und I'm sure zhere are a few bars hiring if you're interested in bartending. Zhe point iz, there are plenty of jobs to go around und most people don't care vat you are az long as you're good at vat you're hired to do.

But, if you're interested, contact Namur for an interview. He iz the owner of zhe company und tell him Rip sent you.

Bars... [The girl hums thoughtfully, sharp white teeth briefly visible as she bites down on her bottom lip while she thinks it over.] Bars tend to need security...

[After a moment she seems to remember that they were having a conversation, and snaps back to attention with an almost guilty smile.]

I'll give it some thought... "Rip", you said? [She can't help but quirk a little grin. Some name.] Pleased to meet you, then. I'm Rowan.

[Sharp teeth~? Those definitely didn't look human. Then again, who was she to judge?]

Yes, Rip. It iz short for Rip van Winkle... please, just call me Rip.

[It definitely was quite the name.]

It's a pleasure to meet you Rowan. Once you're settled, ve could get a drink zometime.

So long as there's no concern about me providing the drink... [The blonde grins, though, apparently confident enough in their banter thus far to actually offer up... Was that a joke?] Goodness knows, I could use one.

Only if you vant to~. I'm never opposed to a live donor. But, it iz hardly a requirement for getting a drink vith me.

[At least they were getting along well enough~.]

I know a few places. One of zhe bartenders I know makes some of zhe best tasting drinks I've had in zome time.

Oh?

[She perks up again, giving the other woman an intrigued smile. She walks as she talks, and Rip might recognize from the passing surroundings that Rowan's making her way towards The Commons.]

I'll have to take you up on that, sometime. Once I learn my way around a little bit better, anyway... I'm not sure that finding a favorite bar ought to necessarily be my highest priority right now. [She chuckles.]

[She does indeed recognize Rowan's surroundings having made that very same walk only a few months prior. Though, that felt like a lifetime ago.]

Vell, the offer still stands for when you get settled in and learn your vay around. Zhere is plenty to explore here after all~.

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