genessia | —even now I can only move forward

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—even now I can only move forward

private action, brief accidental video; the bay

[The last thing the girl can remember is looking straight at what should have been a certain death, so suddenly waking up in an unfamiliar place, still very much alive, and in no apparent danger? It's rather jarring, and it becomes entirely uncomfortable when she realizes that none of the people she had been with seem to be present here with her; whatever brought her here, it brought only her, or at least that's how it looks. Maybe they're here and had left the bay ahead of her, or maybe they had been sent somewhere else entirely.

She pushes herself upright, noticing the box only when it tumbles from its resting place and lands by her feet. She picks it up and opens it to inspect its contents, and after reading the pamphlet, slips the necklace on and begins inspecting the device that had been included alongside everything else. For a very brief moment, there's a video broadcast of a green-haired, red-eyed girl holding her phone upside-down, the only sound accompanying it being the ambient sounds of the bay. It's shut off almost as quickly as it came on.]

intentional video; near the hologram
[The video broadcast starts up again sometime later, this time with the device tilted only slightly to one side.] This thing is so weird. [The broadcast's image turns one way and the other for a few moments before it's finally oriented correctly.] Okay. Anyway, um.

If anyone's seein' this, you prolly guessed, but I'm kinda new here? My name's Celia Espellomente. I'm gonna skip over all o' the obvious questions cuz you've prolly heard 'em like two million times already— [That and many questions she would be asking were already answered by the pamphlet and Weiss's hologram.] —and just...

[There's a noticeable pause.]

I'm kinda in a maybe-weird position, okay. I'm still a kid—fourteen, if you wanna know—but I wanna find somethin' t'do with myself. Some kind of work, I guess, but nothin' really dangerous. [Given what was just about to happen before she woke up here, she is seriously rethinking what she really wants to do with herself. As much as she liked Raven, doing what she had done to stay around him proved to be a really big mistake, and staying home to help her mother's business probably would have been a much smarter choice.

Hindsight's a pretty great thing.]

I'm good with using wind and lightning— [It can easily be assumed that she means magic.] —an' for anything else, I'm willing to learn, even if it might take awhile. Just don't wanna sit around doin' nothing.

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[Red eyes, huh? Hope she isn't EVIL.]

"Hello, Ms. Espellomente, and welcome to Genessia! I'll be happy to suggest occupation, but first: what's the meaning of your surname?"

[She's anything but.

That question makes her stop for a moment, though; she clearly wasn't expecting it.]

Y'know, I dunno. Never really thought to ask either o' my parents about it.

...Huh!

[He's met a lot of people who were incurious about that sort of thing, so he's gradually getting used to it. How they managed that is a mystery he'll never know.]

"Well, how about a waitress? Given your first name, working at the Bright Sky Diner, a location not too far from where you are now, ought to be fine. It's the easiest thing in the world to get a job in this world."

[With a name like that, she can't not consider it, despite her having no experience in that sort of work. Then again, she did say she was willing to learn.]

Wha's it like there?

Pleasant enough; I was once awarded a free meal there for potency in puzzle-solving, and enjoyed it. Alas, I prefer to do my own cooking and pinch pennies besides, so I don't visit much. It has an archaic aesthetic; it--

Ahah, sorry, that would likely only mean anything to a man of contemporanity like myself. Why not make a personal trip? It sounds like something for the senses!

So you're not there a lot but y'think it's good? [Reason enough to consider going, she thinks.

For a moment, she's flipping through the pamphlet that she found in that box. There was a map in there, wasn't there? Or should she be looking through one of those other brochures on that rack next to the hologram instead?]

Y'know, maybe I will check it out. Do you know 'bout how long should it take t'get there from where I...uh...woke up? [There's a pause, and then she adds for possible clarification:] At average human running speed, I mean. That's prolly about as fast as I'd be moving.

Oh, that implies I'm not sure. I know it's good. So long as you're not too attached to your figure, anyway. Fat, grease, and sugar are all there in abundance. [And he sounds very okay with that.]

It's on Ulmos and 9th; not twenty minutes away to the southwest. [Interesting wording...]

Are you not human, then?

Okay, now I know I definitely gotta go have a look. [Sugar's got her sold; she'll put away any amount of sweets any day, and it's really a wonder that she's still a little twig.

And then Ted asks the question. Considering how she'd worded her own question, she definitely had it coming.]

Oh, no, no. I'm a Sprite. A Stormsprite, if y'wanna be specific. Tha's what we're called back where I'm from. [She freely admitted to it as if she sees no problem with it whatsoever.] But maybe those words would mean somethin' else here, so for another way to put it...lessee... I'm an elemental, an' my power's over wind an' lightning?

[That might explain why her initial broadcast had her stating she was good with those.]

[His smile perks up at her enthusiasm. It turns slightly thoughtful at her explanation.]

Ah, that explains it. [The diminutive stature, the color, and the elements. Should he be worried that he's unleashed a potential lightning rod with sinister eyes on an unsuspecting diner?

Nah, it'll probably work out fine.]

Hmm, might you amend that to "fairy" instead? I think we've already employed "sprite" to define everyone else without necklaces; the soulless automata that make up the bulk of the populace. The Diner, I'm afraid, is staffed and serves that type in the main, if you can stand it.

[She seems the type that can stand that extremely, but he could understand otherwise.]

[The implication that the pamphlet telling her she was "real" was an actual serious thing gets her to pause for a moment.]

I don't have wings or anything— [One of the first things that came to mind was the stereotypical little winged things.] —but if it'd make it easier for people 'round here, I think I could do that. Might take a little gettin' used to though.

[Verdict's out on the "working with soulless people" thing, though. She might have to actually experience that before she can say one way or another if she can handle it or not.]

Ah, well, then again I shouldn't wish you to say what you aren't and tell a lie. Goodness knows we've too many of those. A confusing truth is still worth saying, isn't it?

In any case, I'm sure the job will come as easy as asking for it. Should you need further assistance, let me know.

Well there aren't many obs that require skills like that. Do you have any skills like sewing, cooking or even being good at like balancing plates of food?

My mom's a tailor but she never got around to showin' me how she does it. [Celia had pre-emptively shot that idea down back home, when she'd decided she wanted to go into the same line of work Raven did.] Haven't tried cooking before, either.

Like I said though, I can try t'learn.

You never answered the plate balancing trick. Though I'm sure that can be learned anyway if you work as a waitress. Though if you did that you would either work at a restaurant or a cafe.

Depends on your tastes.

Oh um. [She didn't? She didn't. Whoops.] Guess I didn't, sorry.

I dunno if I'd be able to do that. Or if I could, I prolly couldn't handle too many plates at once. I mean, I'm pretty darn small, so I don't have a whole lotta arm.

[By "pretty darn small" she really means "I'm four feet tall and never getting taller", but that wouldn't be apparent until they met in person, would it?]

Couple plates at least I'm sure you'd be able to do.

[There was a purpose to this conversation, Fai just hasn't thought to get to that point.]

I say this because a job as a waitress that type of thing is always a good idea, but yet at the same time can be learnt while on the job.

[It doesn't really sound too difficult when he puts it that way, and considering that she's looking for something that won't end in near- or certain-death experiences, it doesn't sound like a bad choice.

The other option she's heard so far doesn't sound bad either, although that might be because that would lead into things that are completely new to her, and as such, it generally defaults to highly interesting.

Between the two, though, the thing that she's at least slightly familiar with may be the better choice for now; there's less chance of her screwing something up if she at least has some idea of what she's actually doing. That and while she said she's willing to learn, the less time she needs to actually spend on learning, the better.]

Iiii'm gonna guess that you're suggesting it cuz you got a place where you need one?

Technically, yes and I find it so hard to actually find helpers. However I'm also going to give you other options as well for just in case you prefer them. If that is okay.

[He wasn't sure if she would go for them, but it never really hurt to be able to give her multiple options anyway.]

[So wait, instead of just trying to hook her for one specific job, he's going to offer other suggestions, too? She thinks she likes this guy already.]

Oh, um, 'kay. Y'need to know anything specific 'bout me first? [To help with deciding what the most-appropriate options might be, maybe]

Not really, I mean if you think you'd be skilled in a certain area then saying what would always be a benefit.

[He paused for a moment.]

I wouldn't say anything about bein' skilled since I was still jus' training for it— [Training that was cut noticeably short.] —but back home I was looking at goin' into what we called the Guardians. Mostly cuz' some friends were lookin' at it too. But they're not here as far as I know and I kinda started second-guessin' the whole idea around the time I woke up here.

Can you tell me what the Guardians were in your world? because they might be different than the Guardians we have here.

Prolly the easiest way to put it is they're city guards, except instead o' each town or city havin' it's own separate group, it's all one organization that operate across the entire island. [So... peacekeeping and/or law enforcement?] Training for it starts pretty early an' usually runs a minimum o' five years before you're officially on the roster.

So similar minus the whole training portion of it and of course the whole... being based in one place thing.

Though the only way to get that job is to run for it, or know a guardian to want to make you a deputy.

I kinda started having second thoughts about it right before I got here, though, 'cuz some stuff sorta happened. Basically, my training was cut short, I was put into a group with some o' the other newer people an' sent off on what shoulda been an easy job, and then things got kinda bad.

[If whatever brought her here hadn't brought her here, she would probably be dead now.]

But isn't then Guardian thing like...some sorta office deal here, instead of bein' out on the field doing stuff? [That's what some of the stuff she's looked through has led her to believe.] Who'd want to have some fourteen-year-old kid, me or anyone else, takin' a job like that?

Oh you would think that, but actually the Guardians do actually do active service themselves. Sadly they do get the paperwork that comes with it to.

[He should know. He should really, really know considering he did the exact job just before.]

So I guess at homes things got really, really bad? I guess if they were so bad it would be a good thing to be here. Although time doesn't actually move forward while you are gone, however.

Doin' paperwork's not a thing I'm really interested in. [It's not interesting or active enough of a job for her.]

An' wait, whatcha mean by "doesn't actually move forward"? Y'mean like if I get sent back, it'd be right back to the last thing I remember doin' before I woke up here? If that's what it is, then I'd be right back in front o' that— [She stops herself, and rather abruptly at that.

And remains silent for more than just a few seconds.]

Sora mea, that'd mean I can't go home.

Someone has to do it while people are on active duty. Even if that person also has to do the active job as well.

[He nodded slightly.] Close enough, although we never actually really go back. The only time we 'go' back is the Dream Dock and we're still here just dreaming of what happens.

[He paused for a moment.]

Sorry that you can't go home... I'm not going to ask why though because that would be rude.

[Not being asked for the details is appreciated, because she's nowhere near ready to talk about being almost-probably-dead.

It's probably best to drop that part of the conversation entirely, so she does.]

So, between it an' the other stuff I've heard pitched so far... The waitress thing, where'd that be at?

Depends on the style of place you want to work at. If you want cafe style any of my places would work well. Anything else you got Bright Sky and another.... I think.

[He sometimes forgets the names of places, but the one he did always stood out a bit.]

I don't think I'm gonna be too picky 'bout that, so uh, which one needs help th'most?

They all kind of do technically since not many people seem interested in that type of work.

[That doesn't quite help her with the decision-making process; if there was one in particular she'd go straight for that, but if they all could use the extra hands, then ???.

She starts glancing over the maps she acquired at the bay, primarily the one for Genessia City itself, but she does take a look at the others as well.]

Lessee, are any of 'em close to some sorta housing? [Hopefully something that the work would let her afford, assuming that she doesn't end up moving in with someone instead. She can't stay in the Commons forever, after all.] Shorter trips back an' forth would make things a bit easier.

[Oh, here's something?] What about the Cat's Paw? What couldja tell me 'bout that one? [There's Tupelo Alley right next to it, and if that turns out to be too expensive, there are a few other options relatively close by, just a handful of blocks away.]

Edited (correcting a small typo) 2017-04-06 17:25 (UTC)

Cat's Eye. It's very basic, but popular since it's set up to be near the Bay or as near as I could get it, anyway.

[He smiled briefly.]

But I should add while I say basic I mean it doesn't need any gimmicks to be good, it's all down to the food that is served, which is made fresh daily. Also people who tend to work there get nicknames. Like when I am there I am known as Big Kitty.

Whoops, yeah, that. [That's what she gets for reading too quickly; all she really saw was "Cat's" and kind of went from there.]

So that one's nothin' too complicated, huh? Wouldja be okay with havin' a kid working there? [Celia did say she was fourteen. It would probably preclude her from anything having to do with food preparation, but given what's been said between her and Fai so far, she'd expect to be working as a server.]

I've had kids work there before.

[One of which was his adopted daughter. Not officially, but still...]

So I don't really see a problem with it, honestly.

Oh! Well, if that's the case, then wha'd a good time be for me to go an' take a look? [Immediately? Or would a given day be better?]

Anytime you are free.

[Which is basically any time.]

Well, there's always the arcade in Nova City! We also have a fortune-telling business, if you're any good at that.

Oh, I'm Sein, by the way. Pleased to meet you!

Ar...cade? [Hear that, Sein? That is the sound of complete unfamiliarity. This girl's never seen or heard of video games.

Which, given her interest in all things "new" to her, means that has her attention.]

Whassat?

... Right. Different timeframes.

Nova City is home to technology far beyond what you likely know, and a popular pasttime is video games - various forms of game that are played using special-purpose devices made for such. It's... Prooobably easier to show you than to explain over the network, honestly.

[A different time? Well, that explains how things here have looked to her so far. And that hologram. And this weird phone thingy. So if she was sent back home, would she land in another different time? Or would she be just put right back in front of the—

NOPE just gonna end that train of thought right there.

Get back into the conversation, Celia.]

Huh. I should go check it out. [Maybe not immediately, just in case anything comes out of any other responses she gets here, but definitely at some point.]

It is very popular for teens and young adults, to say the least.

But, of course, job-wise... Well, we need people to maintain everything, for one.

I've got a couple other people suggestin' things too, but if those don't work out I'll definitely give it a shot. [She's already planning to visit the place either way, because new stuff.]

Where's the arcade thingy at in the city, anyway? [Grabbing at one of the brochures for Nova City now.] Izzit listed on the map in this thing?

Of course it's on the map! I had to make sure I'd thought that one through.

But yeah. Please come by when you can.

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—even now I can only move forward

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