[Video]

[specialist_snowflake]

Public

[A woman's face is perfectly framed in the communicator screen, neither too close nor too far. Her blue-eyed gaze is serious, not a trace of warmth reflected in her elegant features.]

I will keep my queries brief, and I would appreciate it if the answers supplied in kind were kept succinct.

[Funny how her appreciation sounds a lot more like an irrefutable demand. Her head inclines slightly as if to indicate gratitude, though vocally she gives none.]

First, I would like a status update on what is being done to remove ourselves from this situation. Is there an organized effort. Are studies being conducted.

[No questions, just statements that require explanation.]

Second, I would like a list of names of those who have been within this realm the longest, including the date of arrival. If you were able to return to your home at any point, whether through the Dream Docks or other methods, I would also like a summary of what you experienced.

Third, and last, I wish to know the structure of your emergency response personnel. If there is a breach in the barriers, who responds? What kind of leadership has been set in place for such events?

[Her chin lifts imperiously as a means of indicating that her orders requests are given in completion.]

I thank you for your assistance in this matter. Should you wish to contact me at a future date, my name is Winter Schnee. But I trust that your responses will be punctual.

['Trust'...'insist'...same thing. The feed ends crisply.]

* * * * *

[Private to Weiss]

[This follows just seconds after her initial public announcement, and her tone is just as brisk. However, there's just the faintest incline of her snowy brows to hint at her true concern for her sister.]

How long have you been a part of this world?

[No formal greetings, no 'how nice it is to see you's. This is no time for pleasantries as far as Winter is concerned.]

Comments

private;

[whiteas]

Winter!

[ It's impossible for Weiss not to sound excited about Winter. The family member she's most excited about, at any given point. There are plenty of questions she can help with in her main post, but Winter had a specific question for her, it's better to answer that. ]

About three and a half years, now. I'm nearly 21. [ In January she shall be! Which Winter probably knows but not the age, considering circumstances.

This is pretty terrible timing though, considering Weiss just quit being City Guardian, Whitley has Schnee Company, and Father is mayor. She would've very much liked to not be the only unemployed Schnee upon Winter's arrival. Oops.

At least it looks like she's in a really nice house next to an indoor pool when she answers. So she's clearly not doing terribly. ]

private;

[specialist_snowflake]

[Twenty-one! It's rare for surprise to cross Winter's face, but there's a faint widening of the eyes as her gaze flicks across the screen, studying her younger sister with intense scrutiny.]

...I see. And you are well?

[No smiles yet. From what she can judge, Weiss seems to be in good health, her mood is surprisingly pleasant in spite of their circumstances. In Vale, certainly the exuberance was expected, but not here.]

[She has more questions, but she still has her priorities in order.]

private;

[whiteas]

I'm doing as best as I can be. Father decided to run for mayor of my city and voided the contract I worked out with Whitley to keep him away from our home and Schnee Company after I told him in no uncertain terms that he did not own me and that I definitely and intentionally ran away from home with the understanding that I would be disowned. [ he wasn't pleased. This is the very quick synopsis. ] I had to step down from City Guardianship since I didn't think I could be objective if he fell into old habits and kept coming after me.

[ It's Winter, and a private conversation. It's better not to lie about how things have been going. ]

But I have a better relationship with Whitley now and I'm living with my boyfriend and I have a lot of support, so it's not the worst I could be doing.

private;

[specialist_snowflake]

[This time the surprise does not register on Winter's face upon hearing that their father is here too. It's as if she just doesn't care, or if she does, she's good at feigning otherwise.]

His ambition is almost admirable, isn't it.

[But not when it comes at the cost of respect from his own children. It's pitiable, truly.]

A shame. I would have liked to see the results of your leadership. Perhaps another time, then.

[i.e. She hopes to see Weiss try again someday.]

I'm pleased to hear that you and Whitley are getting along. You are of dating age, so I'm not surprised to hear you have an admirer. Shall I expect an invitation in the near future so that I might meet him?

[It's not negotiable.]

[Video]

[swordprincess]

[Karla's face brightens only slightly as she vaguely recognizes the woman on the screen. She remembers the one time they've spoken, and that's it.]

Ah...you're Weiss's older sister. As for your questions...

I think they're still studying, trying to learn about this world and the spirits. I've been here for over three years, so I think that's one of the longest time periods for most people. I'm not directly involved with these studies, so I don't know what's been uncovered. I do know that Weiss and David Haller are involved in that.

[Oh, she wants her date of arrival, too? Karla has to look that up on her device.]

My arrival date was March 13, 2014. I've never been fortunate enough to return to my world. Though these Dream Docks do sound tempting, don't they? [Maybe she should check that out...]

For leadership, we have an elected Guardian for each city, who leads the emergency responses and general safety of the public. In fact, Weiss was the Guardian of Nova City for about two years, until she recently stepped down.

I think that should be it? Unless you have further questions, of course...

[Video]

[specialist_snowflake]

[One pale brow arches at Karla's assessment. How did she know something like that?]

That is correct.

[A matter she will look into later. For now, there are other matters that demand her attention. Winter listens to the rest, taking in the words, turning them over carefully. She judges the answers to be...undeserving of harsh criticism, at least. That's almost approval! Good job, Karla!]

How often are these elections held? What is the term of office, if indeed there is one?

[Video]

[swordprincess]

[Karla, on the other hand, remains all smiles, pleasant as can be. It's almost like she's oblivious to the other woman's icy demeanor.]

The Guardian elections are held every six months, so the Guardians hold the offices for six months at a time. The next election will be in December.

[Video]

[specialist_snowflake]

And this election pertains to all five cities at the same time?

[Forgive her; she finds government and military information to be particularly important for probably transparent reasons.]

Have the upcoming candidates made themselves known? Has a campaign already commenced?

[nrgsvr]

Name: Mayu Nozaki
Arrival: August 22, 2014
Dream Docks: Went twice. Learned new skill. Friends from home corroborated events. Remained same age in dream as when I arrived.
David Haller read my mind during 2nd time

Defense: City guardians elected every 6th months.

[ He adds where to obtain information on the GSRF and other useful addresses]

[specialist_snowflake]

[This? This is exactly what kind of information Winter requested, delivered succinctly without personal bias. It isn't often that someone meets her extraordinarily high expectations.]

I see. Thank you.

[She doesn't smile, but she does incline her head just slightly to indicate her gratitude. Her fingertips tap at the keys of her communications device to transfer the information he's provided into her personal notes.]

I will call on you again should I require your assistance in the future. Good day.

Text

[nrgsvr]

You're welcome.
Feel free.
Good day.

video;

[poshture]

[ Oh, good. His favorite sibling is back. Yippee.

But as the face of Genessia's Schnee Company he wears a pleasant smile, feigning warmth perfectly as he speaks up. ]

It's so good to see you again, dear Winter.

[ Even though she had been here prior - but he's become aware of the way people can vanish and then come back as though they had never been here in the first place. Her demeanor and insistence on information indicates that's exactly what's happening. ]

I'm not surprised to see your proactive attitude hasn't wavered.

video;

[specialist_snowflake]

[Winter feigns no warmth whatsoever, her stony face completely unmoved...even if she has to admit that she is rather surprised to find her little brother within this place as well. No smiles for you, bro.]

I see no reason as to why you might think otherwise.

[The last thing she intends to do is sit on her hands and wait for the problem to be solved. (Even if that's exactly what might end up happening due to the nature of Genessia.)]

[However, the longer she regards his face on the screen, the more she relaxes her harsh demeanor. Her shoulders shift just slightly as she releases a breath.]

You appear to be in good health. How long has it been since you awoke in this place?

video;

[poshture]

[ That's why he's the businessman and she's the soldier - well, alright, there are a plethora of factors that led to that divergence, but it's a point all the same. ]

How long? Well, let's see... by my count, it's been about nine and a half months, today. Roughly speaking, of course. Weiss has been here far longer.

[ Whitley thinks this place is getting to her in some ways, an observation he keenly keeps to himself. ]

Am I to assume you don't have any memory of being here?

video;

[specialist_snowflake]

So it seems.

[It's interesting, since it hasn't been nearly that long since she last saw Weiss in Remnant, but here she is, three years older. That kind of information might be worth studying, so she taps a brief note to herself in the communicator...or at least, that was her intention until Whitley poses his question.]

[Her eyes flick back and forth, searching his, before her brows lower.]

Do you mean to say I've been here before?

[A rhetorical question; what he's just said actually shocks her. She scrutinizes his face for several moments to gauge whether or not he's being truthful. As far as she can tell, the question was sincere.]

Hm. No, I have no recollection of ever having set foot upon this world before. When did this happen?

( video )

[tevinteraltus]

Those were brief queries? I suppose it provides a reference point for anything more long-winded.

[He clears his throat.]

To answer succinctly, however: yes, there is an effort. I believe Weiss Shnee, to whom you bear a striking resemblance, by the way, it must be the hair, and a gentleman I know only as Ted are among some of the most tenured of residents, though I'm woefully short of their arrival dates. Well, I suppose I could document them based on Genessia's own calendar, but what point would it serve? The time is relative to the environment, though 'several years' is an accurate approximation.

[He smiles.]

Ah, but I wasn't succinct at all. I apologize. [He inclines his head.] Dorian Pavus, not that you asked.

( video )

[specialist_snowflake]

[Winter doesn't answer his rhetorical question, but her eyes noticeably narrow. He may have meant it playfully, but to her, it was an unwelcome criticism, verging into hypocrisy given all of his unnecessary commentary.]

[No, she is not pleased, not when he apologizes. She frowns, intentionally refusing to acknowledge the apology.]

You are correct. I did not ask.

[Her tone is even frostier than when she started.]

How long ago did you arrive, and what efforts have you made to depart? Please refrain from adding frivolous commentary this time, Mr. Pavus.

( video )

[tevinteraltus]

So demanding, and so certain such commentary is frivolous. Why it's almost as though you assume you know more about this place and your situation than I do.

[He holds up a hand.]

Six months, to answer your question, and my efforts have consisted mostly of gathering information. I'm an archivist among other, much more impressive and useful things you'll surely overlook in your haste to gather whatever it is you feel is important.

Are you related to Weiss Schnee? Your certainty bears a striking resemblance to her father, though he's a bit more personable.

( video )

[specialist_snowflake]

You would be wise not to presume what assumptions I do and do not harbor. What have you done with this information you claim to have gathered? Has it served you any useful purpose?

[Everyone remains trapped in the city, so NO. He wasn't kiding about her being demanding.]

I am not here to answer questions of a personal nature. You and I are not friends. At best, we are allies working toward a common goal. Unless you intend to bend your information toward other purposes than departure?

video;

[truesmiles]

I guess the whole Schnee clan is here.

[He's pretty sure he's heard that name many times already. But on to actual business.]

As with some of the others here I've been around since 2014 or to be exact May the 2nd. I also only went to the Dream Docks once myself a year or so ago, so my memory of what the experience was like isn't the best. But it was really like dreaming more than anything.

[He paused for a moment.]

As for the first question, I believe there is a place looking into it, but I've not really seen anything publicly. The third question is simply Guardians respond and help those to safe zones which were set up by one of the Guardians. I would know because I helped with shielding spells.

This probably isn't what you wanted, but I tried my best.

video;

[specialist_snowflake]

[Incorrect. Their mother remains absent from the city, but as Winter sees no benefit to pointing out his erroneous assumption, she instead regards him with stony silence, giving neither confirmation nor denial. Instead she waits for him to continue.]

Your response was satisfactory.

[He gave what information he had without deviating from the topics. She won't chide him for knowledge he has no means of obtaining without considerably more effort.]

Would you care to expand more upon your experience at the Dream Docks? You say the experience was akin to 'dreaming.' Were you able to influence the events you witnessed? Could you communicate with the others you encountered to tell them of this place?

[She'll ask about the shielding spells next, she decides, but one topic at a time.]

video;

[truesmiles]

As far as I was aware you do not have any influence on what happens nor could you speak to anyone about Genessia, no. So really we have very little influence while in the Dream Docks if any at all.

video;

[specialist_snowflake]

Is that so? Then am I to assume they have no practical value?

[She watches him as she awaits his response, her glittering blue eyes devoid of warmth or sympathy.]

[space_jesus]

The world outside the shield domes is untenable. Nothing lives there but the shades of what some of us have come to believe to be this world's prior inhabitants. Our one attempt at launching a probe into the atmosphere was brought down by a huge number of those shades, and we haven't been able to launch a second attempt since.

Those of us with the ability to teleport are incapable of leaving the domes through such methods, and they resist all but the most devastating of attacks. Breaching them is inadvisable, considering the shades I mentioned before - last time, they very nearly wiped out two of the five cities. Were it not for the efforts of the Guardians and their deputies, casualties would have been severe.

I have provided the telemetry recorded from the probe to the GSRF; it is available for viewing there at your leisure, as is any other information we've managed to glean about this place and its history.

[specialist_snowflake]

[All of this information is interesting to Winter. It's obvious because she's not frowning or cutting him off mid-sentence with a command to cease his rambling. Instead she remains silent, breaking eye contact only when necessary to enter a note into her datapad.]

Then the primary purpose of these barriers is to keep these...'shades'...out. And the secondary purpose is to keep us in. The shades are not bound to the laws of gravity? Or are some simply granted varying shapes that would allow them to take to the skies?

[As for his personal contribution, Winter inclines her head.]

I should like to examine this record personally, thank you. If the location of the GSRF is present on our maps, I should have no difficulty finding it.