bravenewworld | It's a Small (Brave New) World After All

[It’s been a long year in this brave new world, in which the known span of human civilization has expanded more than ever before - but also come together. Between the attacks on Glacier and Union and the war with Gigas, an event like the World’s Fair feels especially poignant.

Union is making the best of it, too. Hosting the Fair for the second year in a row, the organizers have decided to use this attention to show off their newly rebuilt city, encouraging visitors to tour their refurbished industrial district and enjoy local culture at a theater or on the radio. Once more, said Entertainment District has decided to play host, and any number of booths and stalls can be seen lining the streets, with special discounts available to fairgoers at local businesses.

Excitement is running high - but so is tension. Gigas has been formally invited this year, and accepted with gusto; so has Glacier. Gigan tourists are easily identified by the propensity they have for taking pictures of everything (using much smaller cameras than anyone in Union has ever seen!) and for conversing in very loud voices about how quaint and old-fashioned and charming everything is. Will the goodwill the two cities forged after the Emperor’s fall manage to withstand the might of Gigas’s nationalism? Only time will tell.

Time, and the goodheartedness of the Union people. It’s time for the second World’s Fair!]

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[Having blown into Union right on time for the World Fair, Yoshichika Tsurugi was having quite a bit of trouble getting his bearings and finding where he was supposed to report to in this maze of festivities. His own intuition wasn't cut out for this sort of thing, and Athena was still too inexperienced to truly be a help.

He had to do this on his own.

It was only when he found an official looking tent that he figured he might be in the right place and-- looking appropriately chagrinned, he approached.]

...Excuse me, [he said,] I've just been transferred to Union and I'm looking for the place I'm supposed to report to when I arrive. Do you know where that is?

Noi noi?

[ Nemesis looks up from her book and squints. She seems to consider something for a moment, then smiles and waves a wing towards the back of the tent. The person back there can...help you. ] Nooiiiii.

[ When she returns to looking at her book, she's snickering to herself. ]

[Tsurugi exchanges a look with the little Ralts sitting on his shoulder.]

Guess the way's in there. Do you think we ought to go in?

[Athena tilted her head curiously, casting her gaze between the noibat and the door with equal attention as she felt out with her senses. Then, chirping softly, she nodded at her partner:

They could go, but they would have to be careful.]

Noi. [ The Noibat hides her face in the book to conceal the fact she thinks something is very funny right now.

The tent waits to be conquered.... ]

[And thus, after one last look at the Noibat, Tsurugi carefully pushes the flaps of the tent open for him to enter.]

Um, excuse me, [He said, sounding a little unnerved by how regimented and organized a simple tent was.]

My name is Yoshichika Tsurugi, and I just got into town today. Do you know where I need to check in for my post?

Ah, you're here.

[ A pen and paper are placed on the table in front of Tsurugi - or maybe thrown, it's hard to say. One moment they weren't there, and the next, they were. But this woman has her arms folded behind her back. ] I'm the section chief, Veronica. And you, Yoshichika Tsurugi, are late.

[ SO MUCH SNICKERING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TENT HOLY HELL. ]

Edited 2016-09-24 01:28 (UTC)

[HOLY HELL IS RIGHT!

Tsurugi all but jumped back, a hand reaching up to stabilize Athena on his shoulder, when the paperwork was slammed in front of him by a woman who's expression didn't change in the slightest for the entire conversation.]

Yeah, I know I'm late, [Tsurugi began, gathering the pen and paper to examine while he spoke.] No one told me that Union was having a fair right now, so I got lost on the way in-- not that I'm trying to make excuses!

[Nope. No excuses. Being lost in the middle of a fair isn't an appropriate excuse at all.]

[ If you're not trying to make excuses, then she won't try to accept or refuse them. ] Your first assignment has been prepared. Nemesis.

Noi noiiiiiii~ [ And the bat lifts off to go grab something from a corner. ] Keeping the peace is our first duty. I understand that may differ from your past experiences, but so long as you wear our uniform, I expect you to prioritize swift conclusions to all conflicts. Understood?

[ Whatever Nemesis is fetching is taking her some time and effort. ]

I do, [he said firmly, quickly reading through the paperwork and signing his name off where it was indicated on the page.] The wilds are rougher back home, but it sounds like the core idea is the same: keep people safe, no matter what.

[Setting the papers back down, he cast a curious look over at the Noibat.]

...Chief, what sort of assignment do you have in mind?

[ "Keep people safe" and "keep the peace" are not quite the same thing - though they would be in an ideal world - but Veronica tables the philosophical discussion for use should it actually become necessary. She herself prioritizes answering her subordinate's question. ] A crucial one.

Noi!

[ Ta-da-da-da! Nemesis has dragged over...a sandwich board. A sandwich board that says "Ask me about the Swords of the Savior!" with a stylized picture of an Aegislash on it. ] The added visibility will help you begin to establish yourself.

[ She offers this reasoning with a completely straight face. Either she really believes this stuff

or you should never, ever play poker with the Chief. ]

Uh....

[Tsurugi eyed the sandwich board, utterly flabbergasted by it's appearance and his orders-- meanwhile Athena giggled quietly behind her hands at this unfortunate situation they had found themselves in!]

--Are you sure I'm qualified for this? [He asked.] I only just got here, and this seems like something I should be learning instead of teaching-- not that I'm questioning you!

[ Yeah, that would be unwise. ] Weren't you informed we're understaffed?

[ Her voice raises. Slightly. ]

Well-- yeah. Uhm...

[He had no verbal counter. None. He didn't particularly like this fate either...]

Your shift lasts two hours.

[ And Veronica turns her back on him to continue listening to reports on her Warp Band, abandoning him to said fate.

And to a bat silently trying not to completely fall apart laughing. The triumphant return of the Sadist Of The Dead! What a festival! ] Noinoinoinoi...

Ahh....yes, ma'am.

[Tsurugi dutifully ignored the sniggering Noibat-- although Athena gave her a sharp look to emphasize her feelings about watching someone act so shamefully-- and accepted the sandwich board with as much grace as a kid who was taught from a young age to accomplish your goals within the system could muster.]

I'll do my best-- although, I can't promise I'll be able to answer everyone's questions, Chief.

[ Sorry, Tsurugi, you were already dismissed. Veronica is talking to somebody else through the Warp Band now.

Nemesis is still paying attention, though. And she waves a wing at the sandwich board. Make sure that fits, okay? They don't want you looking stupid! ] Noi.

Yeah, yeah...

[And, clearly uncomfortable, he pulled the sandwich board over his head.]

I think I've got it-- let's go, Athena.

[And, with the little ralts chirping a farewell, the two set off into the streets...]

[ Nemesis, satisfied, returns to her book. She likes the new guy. He's going to be fun. ]

It's a Small (Brave New) World After All - 2nd Annual World's Fair

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