( video )

[askypirate]

[ Balthier has never seen architecture like this before, or so many vehicles, or hear any quite so loud. He's figured out the hologram was just that, though; a projection, and pre-recorded it would seem.

When he follows the clever instructions provided him with his communicator, though, he finds it exceptionally simple to operate, which is fortunate.

The face that appears on the screen is young, and his expression is less than pleased. He also looks like a man who could use a cup of coffee as he attempts to straighten the sleeves of his shirt, which is wrinkled from sleeping in that pod. When he speaks, though, his tone only sounds bored with a small edge of annoyance.]

While I'm quite obviously not the only person around, I wonder just how many of you have these communicators. It's strange, though. Our kidnappers don't seem to know how to operate a proper ransom. Take note, if you would: we're supposed to be used as leverage for payout. You shouldn't be offering us money.

[He shakes his head and frowns at a particularly annoying wrinkle in his sleeve.]

They seem to have the mechanics down well enough, but they're still rank amateurs, aren't they? It's hard to find good abductors these days.

Comments

[Video]

[swordprincess]

[Karla listens to his complaints for a moment and then just shrugs.]

Everyone who was brought here has one of these communicators. But no one knows who's responsible for bringing us here, or even if there were any people involved at all.

[Video]

[askypirate]

No one knows, you say? [His displeased expression deepens, then he looks down at the green-jeweled necklace around his neck.] It's all very mysterious, but they've really spared no expense. That normally means something's expected in return, you know.

[Video]

[swordprincess]

Normally...

[That's the key word here.]

But I wouldn't say there's anything 'normal' about this place, at least by any of our standards.

[Video]

[askypirate]

[She'll get no argument on that point.]

It's certainly strange. [He casts his gaze around.] I've never seen anything like it, in fact.

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[gammavirginis]

[ Dry humor was an interesting change of pace from frenzied panic in newcomers; Porrim was amused. ]

Should I take that to mean there's someone where you're from who would pay handsomely for you?

[ Uh oh, was Ted rubbing off on her? ]

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[askypirate]

[He makes a non-committal motion with his hand, his tone flippant.]

Several someones. My name is Balthier. [He pauses for a moment looking for some sort of recognition.] I assume my reputation hasn't followed me? What a shame.

Re: video;

[gammavirginis]

Describe your reputation for me, I'll ask around, see if anyone has spotted it.

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[askypirate]

Where's your sense of adventure? [He smirks, placing his free hand on his hip.] Half the fun is the chase.

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[respect_points]

That's new. A new person who points out kidnapping flaws.

[Coming from a girl who pickpockets more than she should.]

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[askypirate]

[The sky pirate's not judging.

Oh, who am I kidding. He might a little, but at least Rikku's more clever than Vaan.]

How could ever expect them to improve without proper criticism?

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[respect_points]

Do you really want them to get smarter about it? I'd personally rather take advantage of that stupidity.

[And yet no one knows how to get out on their own accord...]

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[askypirate]

Actually yes. Skill breeds confidence, and with confidence come mistakes. Mistakes can be exploited.

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[dynastiny]

Shouldn't our abductors be praised for their skill in apprehending us in the first place rather than how they treat us after the fact?

[ They must have had some skill if they succeeded in kidnapping the Sultana of Ul'dah. Not that her birthright shows as she keeps her hair pulled up away from her face. It's been a single sun's time since she woke up in the Bay, but Nanamo has quickly worked to cover up who she is. ]

Some are not so easily caught, yet here they are.

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[askypirate]

Perhaps, though their confidence shows no signs of wear. I'm loathe to reinforce their egos.

[He wouldn't be denying her point, of course, but that didn't mean he was going to act like it bothered him.

Even though it really, really did.]

And yet here we are, indeed. Still, I hardly believe they did so without help. Those pods may hold quite a few answers themselves.

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[dynastiny]

I didn't spend a great deal of time studying them upon waking up though if someone were to recover one, I may be able to help determine the materials used.

[ She may have been born into luxury, but most Lalafell were gifted in the matters of wealth. Being able to appraise just about anything was the Ul'dahn lifestyle else it was easy to be tricked with a forgery.

Very little of this felt fake though she's spent a great part of the day wishing it was nothing more than an elaborate nightmare. ]

Did your keen eyes see something others have overlooked?

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[askypirate]

Not yet, though I admit, I haven't studied them extensively, either. I was more focused on getting a lay of this land.

Priorities, you know. This isn't a problem to be solved overnight. A bed and a warm meal will do wonders for one's observational skills.

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[livable]

That's just what more of us need in life: better abductors.

[ The sarcasm is totally free. No abduction required for that nugget. ]

If you don't mind, I'm trying to gather data on people who just come out of that thing. I'm a doctor and if I could run a few tests, I'd appreciate it. Sooner than later if we want any actual answers.

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[askypirate]

If they were better at kidnapping, we may all be better at escaping.

[He raises an eyebrow at her request.]

What exactly are you looking for? [A doctor asking for such personal information right off the bat like that makes him a little wary.]

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[livable]

Drugs, evidence of how they got us here. I'm a doctor, but I do some work with the Research Foundation too. They didn't have anyone with biology experience, so they asked me to help. Now it's just me so I'm low on help but I've got determination enough to ask complete strangers weird, invasive questions since that's the best option I have right now.

[ The person who dragged her into it isn't here anymore.. but she really does want to try to get home. Probably. Not that her life is exactly great back home, but it's still her unlife. ]

I'm not completely unaware of how strange this sounds.

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[watercharm]

[Aqua smiles slightly at the video. His thoughts work in theory but there might be something bigger at play.]

That is true but maybe they are seeking something other than money. After all, money isn't always useful across worlds.

[She's usually able to get by but the red money here is very unlike what she's familiar with.]

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[askypirate]

[That thought had occurred to him, and he nods.] Of course, but what do you think they would use us for, then?

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[watercharm]

I don't really have an idea but I could guess.

[She hasn't been here so long and she prefers not to guess.]

I've yet to experience much of it but strange things seem to constantly happen here.

[Aqua's waiting for something big to happen.]

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[aspacepirate]

I seriously don't think these guys or even this person wants ransom...but, I got nothing when it comes to what their motivation for this would be. Might be someone thinking they are doing us a favor or they might be aliens and we're some idiot human experiments.

Who knows? Could be anything and for no reason.

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[askypirate]

[He straightens the cuffs of his tunic, raising an eyebrow at this newcomer.]

I daresay this is quite a bit of effort for one to make without a reason, wouldn't you?

Re: Video:

[aspacepirate]

I'm not going to argue that it's a lot of effort for someone to make for no reason. It is.