genessia | Autumn, November 22nd - Welcome To My World (Backdated)

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Autumn, November 22nd - Welcome To My World (Backdated)

Text - Private to Blaze, Gale, & Satsuki

Good morning. I have something in mind that might interest you, so I'll make this brief. There is an event in the Dubai subarchway right now, a technology and cultural fair lasting for an entire year. I'm not sure if Troy had shown you this side of Dubai, so if you wish to see it, I'll gladly accompany you

[ In reality, it's Ayame who really wants to see Dubai again. Especially when she finds out this is a few years into her past, back to a time when she was still herself. Ayame couldn't do it on her own, so she feels having some company would help her cope with what she is about to dive into ]

Text - Public

[ Right after sending that text message, Ayame removes the filters and sends another message to the public, with the same topic of subarchways ]

Good morning, Genessia. I'd like to know which of you have subarchways leading to a place in your respective homeworlds. More importantly, if you would welcome visitors to them. I would just love to see new worlds and experience different things in my spare time here, so your answers would be appreciated.

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(OOC: He did, but he didn't go into detail about it)

[ Unfortunately the weapons are kept encased in glass to prevent anybody from touching them. Ayame would have liked Satsuki to at least get to hold one, but security in this event is pretty tight. However, there are videos in the exhibit that shows of the weapons' tremendous capabilities. Apart from their more modern and tactical design, it's capabilities are like something straight out of a science fiction movie. The swords especially, can cut through dense nanomaterial, thick metal used for old ship hulls, and even boulders.

When Satsuki looks at her with that question, Ayame blinks and looks down on the display of a katana-like blade inside a glass box ]

These weapons use microscopic vibrations from the blade to weaken the molecular bonds of the target. That's why they can do what they do. They're made of something stronger than steel, but a third the weight. Amazing, isn't it?

[ Many still think it's a waste of money and inhumane. But with the dawn of power armor and energy shields, soldiers need something that they can use as a melee weapon against similarly armed opponents. ]

If you can wield a normal sword, you can wield these with little problem. The balance and hollow feeling of the blade would take a few days of practice to get used to, but a master of arms wielding these would make for a terrible foe.

[ Satsuki's request didn't fall on deaf ears, even if it may seem like it. But Ayame only mentioned those to give Satsuki a better idea on what sort of responsibility that comes with a weapon like this. It's not a mere high-quality sword with a modern look. ]

I would be happy to oblige. After all, I wish to repay you for teaching me kyudo and accompanying me to this event.

[ Ayame takes a step back, walking a few steps to see a different display. She looks up a wall of European-based swords ranging from the longest two-handed ones to the shortest daggers. All of these bring back memories ]

But since you're already on an advanced level, I would first need to assess your skills and see if there's anything I could still offer you.

It is quite astounding. Bakuzan Is capable of handling most armored criminals, but the wear the strikes place upon it makes it difficult for me to rely on for anything other than an emergency.

[She will admit that she does enjoy the visual esthetic, but it is a technical issue as well. She knew that energy is a far more durable force, but that's about it.

She follows along and there is more life in her expression; almost that of wonder- It seems like far more comfortable in a setting like this. Her attention is briefly taken by the descriptors before she looks to her company once more.]

That sounds more than acceptable. Thank you.

Edited 2017-01-03 23:45 (UTC)

[ Ayame returns the look to Satsuki, smiling gently. She wouldn't say it now, but Ayame is sort of excited. Fighting is all she's done for the majority of her life, and getting to share something or talk about something she knows with someone she likes, feels like she fits in. ]

Then it is settled.

[ Which is a problem, since none of these are for sale. ]

None of these are for sale to the public or even the military. It was only because I'm an Agent that they allowed me to be among the first to have access to the newest inventions. Acquiring you one of these would be difficult, so... I can loan you my sword for the time being.

[ Ayame's tone expressed her trust in Satsuki. Not only is she willing to lend Satsuki her weapon - an extension of herself - even for a fleeting moment, it shows that Ayame herself is beginning to let go of her past as a soldier to be even willing to do such a thing ]

.. Ah. Right, that does make sense.

[Satsuki is equally pleased with the deal, but the issue of obtaining such a weapon was something she took for granted- While Troy might have been able to ~~smuggle~~ finagle something, this isn't Ayame's time.

So when Ayame offers to let her borrow hers, Satsuki seems taken aback judging by how her brows raise. In some ways this isn't new- She's been granted borrowing rights for various things but this is different. Satsuki can't exactly pinpoint how, but it is.

~~it's because of her own changes.~~]

Ayame, I...

[There's the temptation to decline, but that would simply be foolish. So instead she steps back a bit then deeply bows.]

Thank you.

[ Ayame looks at Satsuki and flashes her first genuine smile in a very long time. Seeing Satsuki open up to her like this with that gesture of deep respect was uplifting. Not because it tickled her pride, but rather it was a sign she was not as bad at this friendship thing than she thought. Plus, it's adorable seeing those eyebrows do something else other than frown ]

It's my pleasure.

[ Ayame was so tempted to tease Satsuki for bowing to her, in Dubai of all places where that gesture would be considered really strange. But she's more interested in ribbing Satsuki about something else. Once Satsuki stands back up, she would see Ayame's gentle smile greeting her. ]

Let's look around a little more. Some of the exhibits here change every month, so we can't see all of this world has to offer just yet.

[ Ayame turns around again, taking one step with her heels before glancing over her shoulder ]

But it's going to get dark soon, so I wouldn't mind stepping outside by then. If you're not too busy, do you want to watch a noh performance with me? It has android actors. There is one scheduled for 7:00 sharp in the expo grounds' gardens.

[After she returns upright, Satsuki nods in agreement to the idea of exploring further though the mention of exhibits is a bit of information that catches her interest as well and hopefully she'll be able to remember that for next year.

As for Ayame's smile, Satsuki finally feels that she's on the right track- She's so focused upon that point that she doesn't make the effort to return it. Hopefully it isn't taken the wrong way.]

A noh performance?

[She can't say she's seen one performed by androids before. That makes it pretty much a 'must see'.]

I would like that. [Beat.] Were you born in Japan?

Edited 2017-01-06 22:45 (UTC)

[ Ayame has grown accustomed to Satsuki by now that she didn't take it the wrong way. She simply moved on, walking small steps and appreciating the display of the exhibits ]

Yes, I was. In a little place called Koka in Shiga Prefecture.

[ Then a sigh. It wasn't a depressed one, rather, she was getting a little tired from all this nostalgia. But nothing she can't handle ]

Then I lived the next five years in Taipei with my mother before my father took me in, bringing me back to Koka with him and my step siblings.

Oh; I have not been but I have heard of it. Did you like living there?

[A pause. While the exhibits do hold her attention, she can't help but be more focused on her company on the current subject.]

So your parents are separated and you went back and forth between families? That sounds like a difficult lifestyle.

My father took me in since my mother died, so I didn't have to be passed around in between countries.

[ Ayame replies without hint of sadness. She's over her mother's passing. Or so she keeps telling herself. But before Satsuki could say something, Ayame decided to add in some more pleasant things about her past, and to answer her question about Koka ]

But I had enough pleasant memories in there. Koka is peaceful and quiet with friendly citizens. I love the nearby lake and the mountains where we trained, and it's close to the Kyoto and Mie prefectures too. I enjoy traveling there from time to time. See the sights.

I see. My apologies.

[The revelation does make her think about her father a moment, and knowing what Ayame enjoys is a particularly important bit of information, even if she isn't much for leisurely traveling herself.]

Then I believe Genessia as a whole will keep you busy for a significant amount of time; the number of places to explore are vast. I come from Honno City, which is not locatable from the Tokyo subarchway.

I confess I do not really hold any sentimental feelings for it; I care more for structure and organization. That said, your words do make me a little envious of your appreciations.

Edited 2017-01-13 23:41 (UTC)

A shame. I would have wanted to see it and get to know more about you in that way.

[ Ayame simply gives a light tease in addition. She feels talking more about Koka could make her feel a little sad, but truthfully, she never cared much about it. It wasn't until this that she got to appreciate its beauty. But something still felt missing, and that bothered her a little. Her incident in the war has left her feeling hollow, even if she can fake being well-adjusted decently enough.

She continues on to walk until they reach the powered armor exhibit. An entire hall full of people appreciating the number of armor varieties. Being called "War Skins", the exhibits displays armors from the first Mark 1 platform to the latest Mark 3s. ]

Familiar? Though I don't think Dantes has used any of these. He would have used a more advanced platform.

[ Which he does. None of these suits have an artificial muscle layer as a force multiplier, and none of these are made from exotic materials from different worlds.

[Learn about her via her surroundings? It's not something she would want to drop on Ayame so suddenly, that's for certain.]

You could say the Second Academy's structure is a glimpse of my home; Honno is a tower city, organized by social class. Honnouji Academy resides at the very top, where I am preparing it's students for war.

It probably would not be the most entertaining way to learn.

[She looks to the exhibit.]

I first met him adorn in something different from these, yes. I find them rather intriguing- while I do not need them personally, I had been looking for ways in which the lesser powered of Genessia could do their part protecting the cities.

[ For war? While that would drive a normal person utterly perplexed, Ayame wasn't fazed a bit. Could be because of how she was raised, or that she's grown a little numb. Either way, it may not have surprised her, but it made her more curious about Honno City even more.

But Satsuki's later statement got her attention before she could ask anything else about Honno ]

A suit of armor like these would certainly be a way to help equalize the citizens in combat capacity. But the cost and manufacturing would pose a problem. Making more than one of these would not even be within even a Guardian's salary. Not to mention that we denizens can vanish without warning, leaving the suit behind and without a user.

[ It's certainly not for the claustrophobic type too, that's for sure. But Ayame didn't want to just trample on Satsuki's idea like that, even if that wasn't her intention at all. ]

However, there is a safer option.

[ The military tech expo hall is one giant oval. They followed it so far, but cutting across the middle would bring them back to the exhibits where Ayame's other idea would be ]

That does not surprise me in the slightest. The project I had been working on was quite stressful on the so-called budget, and it involved technology that was not at the level of these suits.

[So she doesn't take Ayame's commentary personally at all, but it is disappointing that it cost that much more. But she also can't afford to copy Weiss' idea. Literally.]

Disappearance is also a fair point.. [She mumbles to herself as she follows alongside Ayame. Though Ayame bringing that up does surprise her very much- in fact it gains even more respect from her, and a greater feeling that they are on similar pages. Something safer?]

Is that so?

[ Ayame motions Satsuki to follow her as they cut through the exhibition hall. [

Project? What of? Or is that classified information?

[ Ayame is legitimately curious, but she can understand if that's information strictly for the Guardian and her deputies. A part of her misses that feeling of getting to be a part of something with responsibility, but she quickly shakes that off with her more overwhelming desire to just remain a retiree from all that ]

[And of course she follows.]

It isn't anymore. [Said with a slight smirk.] The project involved a squad of agile, highly mobile single-pilot tanks. Think of it like the powered armor, but roughly the size of an SUV. The idea was to allow even your average person, once properly trained, to withstand groups of heavily armed or even moderately powered criminals.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to keep the seat long enough to put the plan in motion.

Fortunately, these things I'm about to show you are not of that size. Not even the size of a full suit either.

[ An audible hum escapes her lips as she imagines what those vehicles look like based on the descriptions, though. She couldn't imagine it looking like anything else but the "robot tanks" currently in service right now in this world. ]

But do you plan on ever running again? For Guardian?

[ Ayame puts her hands behind her back, leaning slightly forward and looking at Satsuki with arched brows of curiosity. From getting to know each other, she can tell that Satsuki is born to be a leader. Much like herself and the others she grew up with. So she wonders how Satsuki feels about being a mere deputy ]

Hmn.

[Satsuki's more curious to see, but that's the extent of a verbal reaction for the moment. The question about Guardian, though..]

I became her Deputy because I do respect her and she needed assistance. I have no intent of staying below her for much longer. Weiss and I's opinion on how much power the position should hold to be a truly effective system differ too much.

[A beat.]

Well, that is not entirely true. When she defeated me in the prior election, there were also some things I could not touch as effectively without being Deputy.

[And of course later on Satsuki will talk about Anastasia. It isn't common for her to accomplish things without a second motive.]

Like what?

[ She's still pretty ignorant on how politics work here. She never bothered to pay attention, and only knows there are Guardians they they each have Deputies. ]

Weapons, political conferences, other information sources. Any case where there is a level of priority involved. I do not know if other Guardians make use of such services as they seem to be handling affairs in their own way.

[Her brows furrow.]

It would be convenient to have sources for the other cities as well but that is another story entirely.

That's odd. I would think Guardians would take advantage of those kind of things.

[ She can see Haller not having much need for weapons and other info sources, given he's as powerful as she is, but the others? Blaze may be using those to his advantage, but Attleton is relatively safe. Perhaps the safest of all the cities. Either way, Ayame just lets the thought sit in her mind.

Ayame is fine with ending that topic there, but she wouldn't mind letting Satsuki open up about her frustrations of the current system. She just didn't have anything to contribute, blind to politics as she is. Their destination shouldn't be far, as they can be seen whizzing around above the booths and exhibits all around them. Wedge-shaped flying machines; like arrowheads a foot long in length, propel themselves in some sort of anti-gravitational system.

More and more of them fly around as they reach closer to the display. People wearing what looks like small bluetooth earpieces and looking at holographic screens projected from their arms, are mentally controlling these craft ]

As for that recommendation... It's these things. Portable drones.

[ Toys from the looks of it. But ones with a camera. Not so different from modern propeller driven drones that use a remote controller. Ayame is approached by an attendant, and after a brief exchange of words, Ayame is given a drone and a controller earpiece. ]

Do you want to give it a try?

Keep in mind that Guardians come from all sorts of lifestyles and have different goals and ideas, introduce instruments from their home worlds, or just simply focused on 'doing good'.

If the systems were more competitive outside of elections, there may be more reason to look into those sorts of things. I personally would like to prove that my way of doing things is the most effective, not just as a Guardian, but for society as a whole.

[Satsuki of course follows along, a glance given to the operating crew, then to Ayame after she returns with the earpiece, but Satsuki doesn't seem to fully grasp what's being presented to her.]

Oh.. Yes, please. How does it work?

[ Ayame faces Satsuki with the devices in hand, offering the lightweight drone for Satsuki to observe herself. Ayame takes a second to fiddle with the headpiece, trying to figure out how to turn the damn thing on. When she manages to find the switch, she quietly delighted at the cool looking lights. Ayame's hard to impress in general, but having Satsuki with her dispels Ayame's stony and immovable behavior. ]

Oh so that's how it works...

[ While Satsuki observes the drone, Ayame offers to put the headpiece on her friend. Because while putting in the earpiece is easy, the brace that wraps around the forehead can be quite tricky without a mirror ]

Here, let me put this on you.

[That is an issue Satsuki will have to deal with for a little while; she's noticed the stony behavior- even though Ayame appears to loosen up around her, she doesn't want to take the risk of making her suddenly revert mid-discussion.

Hmn. It could easily probably go the same for Ayame though. She's distracted by her own thoughts to the point where she sees her company reaching toward her and tenses up. It's an incredibly subtle tension, but she replies;]

Very well.

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Autumn, November 22nd - Welcome To My World (Backdated)

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