One, Video and Action; This isn't Pandora anymore.....

[almostbrokeworld]

[The video opens up to a child dressed in something so very not European or anything of the like, very much still in the Bay area, if the magazine stand is anything to go by. She gives the pamphlet and map a shake with a giant scowl.] It's good the holo-lady was there, because I can't read the funny squiggles and stuff, but even if I followed the green line, how would I know what this 'Kusanagi and Haller Home for Children' even looked like? Same if there was a picture in the map? The squiggles aren't even writing!

[She sounds indignant, if not shaky voiced, but there is fear in her eyes.] I - This is not ok! I need to go home! You can't just kidnap me and expect me to be able to read your stupid squiggles. I have Very Important Things to do. And, if you're going to kidnap me - and this is like, the second time today and I don't even know why this time!, why isn't this [here, she thrusts the necklace into view for several seconds. It's stones are a mix of red and green.] blue? If I have to have it, why isn't it blue? The red isn't even proper red, and the green is too weird. It need more blue, because blue is the best colour.

Plus, my clothes itch, but that's not your fault; they just really itch and the headdress is heavy! And the place is weird, the names are weird, and it's stinky like an anyas den! [-the feed cuts off before anyone can see her burst into tears.]


Action to The Bay, for anyone interested.
[Anyone walking past is going to find the kid curled up near the magazine stand, headdress now at her side. To anyone who's able to sense it, be it via magic or other means, her very being is the perfect balance of light and dark, but they'd have to pass at least five feet from her.  Regardless, she's trying very, very hard not cry, though the sniffles kinda give it away. From time to time she'll peer at the map brochures, as if that will magically turn it into something she can read. It doesn't, and no  matter how many times she screws up her face, it's all alien squiggles to her.] Not fair.....

[She knows she should go and find that funnily named house for kids, but... She doesn't want to leave, not until she knows more, though she doubts poking the hologram will give her anything new.

Plus, this is nothing like being in the bowels of the Atahualpa. She could at least read some of the writing there and find her way around while hiding out of sight.

This, not so much.]

Comments

[Video]

[youfool]

[Maybe the sight of a man dressed even more absurdly than she is will give some comfort. Poor dear; he thought for sure Genessia's conformity would enable everyone to read and speak English. It had been some time since Ted's seen anyone earnestly freak out about the situation. It was endearingly normal, in a way.]

"Hello, miss? I'm Ted. I can take you to the Home for Children, if you like. Done it plenty of times; even give you a change of clothes afterwards. I'm bound to have something in your size."

[Video]

[almostbrokeworld]

[It's better than how some others from her world would handle the situation, that's for sure.

The clothes get a squint, then a shrug; he might be dressed weird, but he could just be from the mountains, or maybe that's the way people here really dressed.

The name though, it's like she relaxed, because yay. NORMALITY GET?] Ted? That's almost normal. I'm Alistair. May your magic run strong.

[As much as she wants to accept the offer.... Stranger danger, and being kidnapped, twice, in a single day- She bites her lip.] Um... Maybe?

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

Haha, common enough, I suppose. [Then again he's the only Ted in the world, last he checked.]

What an interesting name for a young woman. [Derived from Alexander, Ted's middle name. It's also a boy's name, so, ya know. Unfortunate. He's never heard that salutation before; there's something masculine and formal about her, despite the tantrum she was throwing earlier.]

Heh, haven't got a whit of that in me, but thank you just the same. Well, let me know should you make up your mind in the affirmative. [Yep, very normal. Most kids were weirdly trusting in the world, which tended to work out in his favor whenever he made this trip. What a strange pity that prudence might prevent kindness.]

[Video]

[almostbrokeworld]

[...We'll come back to everything else after, because she's staring at Ted like he's grown a second head.] Huh? H-how can you not have magic? Everyone has magic! That's just the way things are! E-even the Nagual, as bad as they are.

[Just the mention of the word makes her shiver in fear.]

Re: [Video]

[youfool]

Those do sound like very ill-behaved creatures. [They must "nag" people constantly.]

Hah, well, I was very good friends with a magician, once. Charming girl, very passionate. She told me, in no uncertain terms, that I was a "Muggle", or one who breathed as much magic as fish breathe air. Being an expert in the subject, I'm compelled to take her word for it.

Is it very dire, being deprived of the thing?

[Video]

[generalgrievous]

[The face on the screen is clearly not human - even beyond that skull-like alien mask the eyes are golden with a black line, like a reptile, with some reddish skin surrounding them. The voice is harsh and metallic sounding as if it's running through some sort of weird filter. The question is brief.]

You have been kidnapped before?

[Video]

[almostbrokeworld]

Yea, this morning. Then again just now, and I don't even know why!

[S Q U I N T.

Weird person thing, check, but she's not that scared. More curious.] What are you? You don't look like an Averen.

[Video]

[generalgrievous]

I am a Kaleesh. My name is General Grievous and I am a Deputy Guardian of Nova City.

[He sounds very formal.]

It is unfortunate that people are taken from their important missions and their homes, however, there is nothing that can yet be done to send you back.

[Video]

[almostbrokeworld]

[Blink, open mouth - about to ask ten thousand million questions -

Then it clicks shut. Boo. Formal times.] I'm Alistair Kantún, the Tlamatini of Pandora. But you can call me Alistair, General. May your magic run strong.

[That there really is no way home though.... All formallity drains away from her, and she sounds so very small.] So.... my world's just... gonna die because I'm not there....?

[Action]

[bodhi_rook]

[It was Bodhi's day off work and since he lived in Genessia City, he eventually found himself wandering down by the Bay when he want for a walk. He saw the child by the stand and he wondered if they were newly arrived; maybe confused. Gently, he approached her, his voice soft.]

Hey... Are you okay? Are you lost?

ACTION FOREVER!

[almostbrokeworld]

Uh- [She sniffles a bit, wiping at her face before blinking at him.

But try as she might, she was just a scared child, and with those questions ...] I've been kidnapped again, I can't read anything because it's all squiggles, and asking the holo-lady will just play that message again, and I want to go home!

[bodhi_rook]

Oh... Umm....

[What to do? He hesitates then crouches down to her level.]

It'll be okay... All right?

[Reassuring first.]

[almostbrokeworld]

[Have a sceptical look. The last time she heard that was from Shane, just after he's killed and gorged himself on blood.] You really think so?

video

[captain_by_the_book]

[ This... is different. Cassian hasn't run into many kidnapped children yet, and he sure finds himself hoping this isn't the beginning of a new trend. ]

You'll need to calm yourself, first of all. You're panicking, and panicking leads to wrong decisions.

[ He frowns, though, that talk of squiggles... ]

You should be able to read the brochures. I haven't yet run into anyone who can't, I took it for part of the magic of this place. [ A pause. ] Can you read?

video

[almostbrokeworld]

[First and for most, everything else can wait.

:T] I can't write very well, yet, but I can read. If I had a pen, I could show you real writing.

[Does he want to see what is basically Mayan pictographs?]

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Priorities. Of course. Gotta have them. ]

Your word's good enough for me. I don't know what's wrong then. Are you unharmed by the kidnapping, otherwise?

[almostbrokeworld]

[Yes, you do.] Are you gonna be mean like the other man and not wanna see cool stuff? Is everyone here a meanie?! I'm not that good, but I do put effort into it!

[What do you mean you don't wanna see her writing?

First, someone doesn't wanna see her magic, now this.]

[Video]

[liorafae]

I know...I know the feeling. I have something important going on back home as well. But it seems that we're all stuck here.

[Here's a little golden dragon who's not much better at controlling her panic.]

[Video] !! a Wild FR Dragon Appeared?!

[almostbrokeworld]

[Of everything she's experienced so far -

A talking lizard-thing on her phone isn't something she really knows how to deal with.

You know, other than one very wide-eyed stare.] Um.

[Video] Yes, she's an FR dragon. XD

[liorafae]

Um...

[Uh-oh, awkward. Liora fidgets with her talons as she struggles to break the ice.]

So...um...you must be new here...

[Video] Awesome! I'd bring one of mine over, but my lair is mostly fandom, >>;

[almostbrokeworld]

But...Animals can't talk. E-Even Nagual can't make them do that.

[Which leaves one option in her mind, because if it's not what her world called a Psychic, then.....]

A-Are you a kisin?

video;

[growsveggies]

I do not believe that the necklace changes depending on what you want.

[Not that Haru really knew herself, honestly.]

But never the less, I assume people have told you where you could get clothes so you don't have to wear the itchy ones, right?

video;

[almostbrokeworld]

Well it should! I don't even like green. [She'll like it if she ever works out that green means magic.]

Umm.. Not really? [Most have been focused on making sure she's ok.] There was a mean person on the phone, but I hung up on him. [Like. Literally hung up on General Grievous.] But there is this man - Ted - who said he could show me the Kid's House? And he thinks he's got clothes that might fit me.

video;

[growsveggies]

Well, good that you hung up on someone who was being mean, with those types you shouldn't keep talking after all.

[She didn't know who Ted was or if that was actually true or not.]

But I have walked past the kid's house. I think they also have clothes there more than likely... But do not quote me on that.

video;

[almostbrokeworld]

Yea, and he didn't wanna see something super cool, so... [Her face scrunches in dislike. But, you know, more important things-]

You have? what's it like? It better not be a stinky Youth Center. I'm not just some kid.