genessia | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

[Action]

[To call this an unusual situation would be an understatement. Though it felt like it had been some time, Athrun's last memory was of him returning home after the signing of the peace treaty which had put the Second Bloody Valentine War to rest once and for all. He isn't sure what happened to him after that, but he doubts that it involves being consciously whisked away and stuffed into a pod.

Either way, the situation is highly suspicious, and when Athrun exits the Bay, he does so with gun in hand. He knows he has a communication device, but he's not going to use it until he's sure he'll be safe, at least temporarily.

Which he determines to do after getting the introduction.]

[Video]

[The video feed flickers on, showing a newcomer wearing what is clearly some kind of uniform. At the moment, the expression on his face is calm, yet clearly also ready to get down to business.]

To anyone who may be hearing this:

My name is Athrun Zala, and I'm a soldier of the Orb Union. I have no idea how or when I arrived, or what time of year it is, but I do know that I wasn't brought here willingly, and that I need to get home as soon as possible.

I've already heard that no one knows how to get home, but to be frank, the source is a recording, and the recording could easily be out of date. If that has changed, I ask that you tell me what you can. If there is a way to get home, I need to know because I have important business to be getting to. If not, then I'll at least have some leads to conduct my own investigation.

Again, if anyone knows anything about how to get home, even if it's only leads or theories, then please tell me. Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's actually really common for Petra to be around the Bay often. She works nearby, Levi and others from home work at the Schnee Company and so she comes there after work to wait until they get off from work. Or at least she waits for Levi to get off, others are a really nice plus. That and there's the place, where new people arrive so she's kind of curious about that too while she waits.

So today when it feels like too early to go wait to the company (not that she minds, or not that anyone working there doesn't recognize her by now), she decides to go check the water area first.

She stops as soon as she sees the person with a gun in hand. She might look quite suspicious herself with her 3dmg and military uniform on, because those sure are six pair of some sword-like blades in some weird metal boxes. Though since she's not pulling a pair out right now, it might be a little less obvious what they are.

O~kay. This would probably actually be Levi's or other Schnee security staff's job, but none of them are here right now and honestly? She can't blame anyone for being suspicious about this place. She might have been too if she had been brought here earlier in her timeline than she was, the timing had been enough to make her think of this as a great way to escape...

But that's not something to think about right now! Petra might look suspicious in her own uniform and that weapon-stuff on her but at least she's not making it any worse. Instead she looks friendly for a girl with that kind of blades with her.]

You... Might want to put that gun away before someone calls some security staff to come see what's going on here.

[She could and at least one of them would make a mad dash here considering who's calling and all, but she'll wait at least a bit with that to see if talking works.]

Huh?

[Athrun pauses when Petra speaks and turns in her direction. At least the gun isn't pointing at anybody, but rather straight up...but okay, what is that outfit and those...er, other things.

The gun stays where it is for the time being, as he'd prefer to not use it. The look on his face, however, is still one of suspicion.]

I'll put it away when I know I'm safe for the time being. I'd rather not be caught in a compromising situation and not be armed for it.

[Honestly, it's at least good that the gun isn't pointing at her or she'd have to consider taking out her weapons too. And she really prefers to not use them, not on humans at least even if it might happen here later... Just not today. Just a confused newcomer, right? She can hopefully do this without weapons.]

And I get that, I really do and I don't want the same to happen to me either. But this place is generally safer than worlds where some people come from. ...Which may not sound so convincing when it comes from me - [considering her whole gear thing, but hey still sounding as friendly as ever.] - umm, did you see the video by Miss Weiss Schee already?

[Athrun does his best to keep his expression neutral throughout all of this. Still, there's no denying the curiosity in his voice.]

Video? I didn't see any screen here.

[That gets him to look around. Nope, no screen.]

Unless you mean on the video phone I found?

[Petra shakes her head.]

No, I don't mean the phone.

[She points at the magazine stands, that are somewhere around in the area.]

There! There's maps of this city and advertisements for local businesses here along with a video thing from Weiss explaining a lot about the basics of this place.

[And his gun is the only reason why she's not leading him there right now, she'll follow if he walks first though! So okay it's actually a holographically projected image actually, but a young woman from 850 can call it a video thing. So much easier than all this technology thing still.]

...But there's no video screen. Where's the video?

[Athrun had already noticed the brochures. He just wasn't immediately aware there was a video, and holographs hadn't entered into his mind.

The hand holding the gun drops down and slides it into his holster.]

[Ah, at least he knows what's a video. Good, though a video would be pretty easy to explain even by her at this point.

... unlike future high-tech terminology since she's been focusing on other stuff than remembering this one's name. What was it again?]

Well, there's that one stand where there appears to be nothing but if you walk close enough, the video just starts out of nowhere.

[She'll pretend that makes sense, while she looks somewhat relieved and grateful of him putting the gun away. And now when the gun is gone (not that he couldn't pull it back at any point, she's sure he could but...) well, now she waves at him to come with her while she walks to those magazine stands and points at the high-tech looking stand. Because showing it like this makes so much more sense than sounding like she's talking some nonsense!]

See, right there.

[Athrun takes a deep breath. Well, he suppose he might as well try. So he steps forward.

And sure enough, the recording plays. Athrun listens, but then, when it comes to an end, he closes in very quickly on the source of the projection.]

Wait, is this it? This here? This device is capable of a three-dimensional projection? Who made this?!

[At the moment, he shows little sign that he paid attention to the recording.]

[... And he loses her somewhere between those words.]

Come again?

[Three-dimensional isn't a new term to her, the whole gear she's wearing is three-dimensional maneuver gear, but what?]

Umm, I have no idea who made it or how is it even possible to make it.

Edited (words please) 2015-04-22 20:59 (UTC)

[Athrun turns to look at her.]

Any idea where it came from, at the very least?

Or I mean, I sort of know who the person on the video is considering I know people, who work for her. [See, you lost her so well that she accidentally said she doesn't even know who made it, though no, she doesn't know who made the projector or whatever it is.]

It might have been done at her office in the Schnee Company, that's right there as she said on it. [pointing at its direction at least, whether or not it's on sight right now is another thing.] Or she might know more about who made that, I guess, or it could be from the locals. I've never really asked about that stuff.

[Or questioned much here since well, she's from a world with a ton of unanswered questions and this one? Much better than that one even if technology and things here get confusing sometimes.]

Well, judging from the broadcast, I should be heading there anyway.

[Poor thing. She seems to have gotten confused. Why, Athrun has no clue.]

You said you know people who work there, right? Would you mind showing me the way?

Might be a good place to start.

[Petra nods but she can't tell from personal experience since Mikasa found her right after her arrival and she moved into their place, so... Well, she's also fast at getting over that confusion thing and smiling friendly like there never was any confusion at all.]

Yeah, some people from the same world as me work there! And of course I'd be glad to show you the way, I should be heading there myself too anyway.

So this w-- [She takes a step or two, then turns around while she cuts that.] Ahh, I'm Petra. [She offers her right hand.] Petra Ral.

...Ah.

[It's then that Athrun realizes that he didn't introduce himself. He should be showing better manners.]

I'm Athrun Zala. Thank you for your help.

[He reaches up to shake Petra's hand.]

[She grins and shakes his hand. It's okay, not like she introduced herself earlier either.]

It's nice to meet you and you're welcome! We've all been new here at least once, I've been here just almost three months myself.

[and helping ~~humanity~~ people is important! Letting go of his hand now before she starts walking again, those metal boxes add some sound to her steps.]

Sooo, we'll go this way and we'll be there soon.

[In contrast, Athrun's walking is much more quiet. Even his boots barely make a noise as they come in contact with the pathway.]

How soon, roughly?

[Kind of almost sounds like he's in a rush.]

Is my company that bad? [. . . No wait, she's talking with someone who is new here. She waves the question off with a hand. Best or worse timing for a question like that from a confident girl, but no really, she's just --]

Kidding, just kidding. Sorry... [Yes, she actually means it when she says sorry to it. And then more seriously;] But just a few minutes and even that might be an overstatement.

[Athrun winces a bit at the remark. He's a gentleman; he'd never imply that a woman's presence is unpleasant unless she happened to be really bad. Though he does loosen a little bit when Petra mentions that she was kidding...though not very much.]

All right. At this point, I want to learn as much about this place as I can. It doesn't feel right to have no knowledge of the situation whatsoever.

[Huh, that's a weird looking outfit. It's not often Loki sees military stuff, so this is pretty new. He has no idea what the Orb Union might be, but earth has weird places so he's not surprised he doesn't know.

Instead, he's yawning. Again someone who needed to go home and bla bla bla...]

We all got important things back home, but there's no way for you to get home at your own will. Deal with it and move on.

I'm afraid I don't quite buy the one-way trip theory. If there's a way to arrive, there has to be a way to leave. If no one's found it yet, fine, I'll help search for it, so don't tell me to just give up.

Some people have been here for several months and haven't found a way out or the one who's behind this, so good luck.

Well, once I talk to some people who have actually tried to look, I'll figure out for myself how much I can help.

[He certainly has confidence, at least.]

My, aren't you being optimistic. Don't come crying to me, when you notice that it's all no use.

I wouldn't even dream of it.

[Said totally deadpan. Athrun is not even slightly impressed with this guy.]

Good. Because yuck, I wouldn't want a human to dream about me.

[Loki, people do dream about gods because they want them to grant wishes and- wait, maybe not you.] Though I doubt I'm the only one to shoot your optimism down.

(ooc: feel free to ignore this if it's too late)

home won't notice you're gone
#weird

Wait, what? Are you saying this world and our homes run on different time schedules?

[The thought had occurred to him, but for time to stop entirely in one world while he was in this one...well, he hadn't entertained that thought.]

Yes

[ Mayu is impressed that this guy figured it out, without him having to type more. He's too lazy to put in the effort of further explaining something he doesn't fully understand.]

[That's pretty incredible. But then again, there's very little about this situation that isn't incredible.]

Wait. If no one has found a way out, then how do we know this?

Confirmed when people from home show up.

Oh.

[Well, that makes sense.]

OK, less urgent than expected. But it's still important I find a way home eventually.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[ He has no clue on how to leave, beyond people randomly disappearing.]

[Well, that indicates that's the most info he'll get from him. Still, it was a help.]

Thanks for the info. I guess I should find a place to stay now.

[ He types the addresses of Weiss's welcome center and the Amagi inn.]

They could help.

I'm actually at the welcoming company right now. Thanks, though.

[Have a man who looks like he's broadcasting from the dark ages, complete with stone castle walls behind him.]

I assure you, declaring your name and country as if it should carry weight in this place is utterly useless. Those assembled here hail from myriad worlds, none of which have much in common.

As for a way out of this place, rest assured that if there were, you would not be getting any responses.

I understand, but as a new arrival, I felt it only proper that I give my name and station. Can you truly fault me for defaulting to proper etiquette?

Perhaps, but perhaps not. I wouldn't have known without trying.

I've long since found that propriety is wasted on the vast majority of humans.

I would have thought the answer would be common logic for most. Why indulge a kidnapper if there is no need for it?

[Athrun can't help but think that Dracula's choice of words is odd. To refer to them as "humans" and not "people" implies a few possibilities, such as he isn't speaking his native tongue, or he himself is not human.

But Athrun doubts the latter. As far as he knows, humans are the only sapient beings in the world. Even if he's in another world now, that fact is something he cannot easily discard.]

Maybe it is. But I'd rather err on the side of caution. I see no point in taking a chance offending someone who could otherwise help me.

As for why people would stay, well...the projection I watched earlier flat out stated that this place is safer than some of the places that people come here from. If someone is lifted from a war zone that doesn't look like it'll end some time soon, the peace and safety this place allegedly provides would be extremely tempting to take advantage of. That goes orders of magnitude more from people who don't have the power to make a difference back home.

[Dracula raises a wine glass filled with a thick red liquid that almost looked like wine, swirling it as his gaze shifted to it for a moment.]

War is a fascinating thing, though. Especially in this context. Logically, it would make sense to flee the pain and suffering and horror that comes with war to a place away from such things. Even so, duty, honor, and valor are powerful muses whose songs seem to drown out logic. I wonder how many men I've seen throw their lives away for riches, glory, God, or borders... That humans would be so eager to butcher their own for such abstract concepts baffles me at times.

[Athrun narrows his eyes. So much for the "not his native tongue" hypothesis. But he's still hesitant to believe Dracula isn't human.

More importantly, what he says is plenty dim in its view on humanity. Much like two men Athrun not only knew, but even used to serve under. Being reminded of such nihilistic philosophies is creating a sour taste in his mouth.]

That is a sentiment one really can't appreciate until one is in that situation. Most people have sets of ideals and standards, and detest seeing those violated and will step up to uphold them.

But I digress. There are still people who are unable to make a difference. Those not trained to fight, for example. Children and their caretakers. Those with disabilities. No matter where you look in a war zone, you'll see not only people who wish to carry on the fight, but people who were victims of war and want nothing more to do with the world they're stuck in. Some of those people would consider a peaceful land like this one -- assuming what I've heard is true -- a godsend.

[He takes a drink from the goblet, his fangs flashing in the dim light for half a moment. He's far beyond hiding his nature.]

If this place brought anyone in a non-combatant role, then perhaps your hypothetical question would hold, but so far that has not been the case. Everyone that I have encountered has some power or experience that mark them as something different than the rest of the cattle.

I would be willing to wager that you are no different. The way you hold yourself, the way you speak, you've seen fighting that most probably cannot even imagine. I'd be willing to place my money on you being an officer in your army, or at the very least a feared figure on the battlefield.

[If he had intended to rattle Athrun, he's managed to succeed. Not an easy task, given everything the young soldier has seen. He notices the fangs, and immediately recognizes what he's talking to -- a vampire. To think there was a place out there somewhere where vampires actually existed... He would have to keep his guard up should they ever meet in person.

And then there was what Dracula had said. Every person brought here, being distinct in some way? There was no way. Statistically, it made no sense.]

...How perceptive.

[Though Athrun tries to maintain a calm voice, his facial expression and body language (what can be seen on the screen, at any rate) indicate that his fight-or-flight instinct has been triggered and he's struggling with it.]

I can't...I can't bring myself to believe that everyone here is exceptional in a type of conflict. There just aren't enough people that clear that bar to fill a city. I could buy it if people had skills in a variety of uses, but for everyone to bring something to the table for one specific purpose...it's ridiculous!

[Centuries of people-watching had its benefits. He could read body language exceptionally well and was an expert in mind games.]

Oh, there are natives that fill out the population of this place. They are the rank and file, the mundane.

[He reaches into his cloak and pulls his necklace from a pocket within it.]

These, however, mark all who are not of this world. Mark my words, any that bears a necklace like this is no mere civilian. I do not know for what purpose we were brought here, but the story is always the same. Either they have some sort of super-human abilities, or skills that set them apart from others.

The current guardian of Fayren, for instance, can conjure blasts of flames from her hands and feet as if it were as simple as breathing.

[That's a lot to take in. Athrun is aware that people come from multiple worlds, but he wasn't aware of such things that were impossible in his own world existing in others. But if he's talking to a vampire, it would only be a logical extension of that fact.]

If so, then things have been deliberate. But even so, special abilities don't mean they come from conflict. Even in peacetime, people with exceptional talent exist.

[And, in his world, that talent was what started the war in the first place.]

None have shied away from combat. It may not look it at first glance but rest assured there is a war brewing here. Not the kind where warriors meet on the open battlefield, but rather one of espionage and assassination. Hands extended in peace while the other is armed.

I have no doubt that you will fit in quite well here.

[Dracula seems to have touched a nerve within Athrun. That last remark has him glaring daggers right now.]

We'll see about that.

[He hangs up. Talking to this man was only making him further angry. He won't discount what Dracula said to him, but he also won't blindly believe it. Best to discover the truth for himself.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only