001

[thedivinevoice]

[action, against the walls of Union]
[Today, anyone venturing outside the walls of Union may come across an interesting sight - a woman with long, green-tinted hair slumped up against the walls.

Surely she's hurt! Injured! Exhausted or starving, having barely made it back to civilization only to collapse right against its front gates. Perhaps if care is swiftly brought, she may still be able to rec -- ]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........

[A light snoring can be heard.]

[public video, much later on]
Well met, everyone.

[The woman appearing on the Warp Band has a mild, pleasant smile as she dips her head slightly. There is a brief flicker of the eyes to her wrist as if she's not entirely sure what she's doing.]

I have been told it would be to my advantage to introduce myself through this device. ...My name is Tiki. It's a pleasure to find myself in such a lively place, though... I see this city, too, has seen better days. Tragedy has been recently averted, I hear.

If there is aught I might be of aid with, I should be glad to lend my help. I am what you would call a Shifter.

[She dips her head again, and it might be noticed now that her hair is a bit too green and her ears too sharply pointed to be normal.]

Comments

[heartstorage]

Yeah sure, but that doesn't mean it's a good place to sleep!

[thedivinevoice]

It is kind for you to be so concerned.

Would you have another suggestion, then?

[heartstorage]

Um...well...

[He makes a hmm sound]

I'd offer my bed, but I think the matron would get pretty mad if I had a strange woman sleeping in it...

[thedivinevoice]

[Tiki seems to consider this proposition seriously for a moment or two before shaking her head.]

I fear it would be unseemly. You are a human child, yes?

[heartstorage]

[the answer is yes, but he'll protest anyway]

H-Hey I'm fifteen! That's hardly a kid!

[thedivinevoice]

...Hm.

[Tiki will refrain from mentioning that she's about 550, give or take a few.]

I thank you again, but it would be for the best if I found a different bed to share - if I am to require a bed at all.

[heartstorage]

Okay...[He gets it really. Frankly on his end he's a bit red from embarrassment] Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[thedivinevoice]

Nay.

What you have offered is more than sufficient. That a child of your age should be willing to give such to a stranger - a stranger admitted to be of such a disparate origin - tells more of this city and its people than I could learn in a week of 'sightseeing'.

I believe I shall rest here a bit.

[heartstorage]

Huh?

Well I just can't let someone whose been traveling so far sleep in the streets. That's all...

But alright. Welcome to Union! Oh- I never gave my name! I'm Sora!

[thedivinevoice]

And I am Tiki, as I said.

[Her manner seems a little more grave now that she's done teasing Sora.]

I shall find myself suitable lodgings so as not to worry you, then.

[video]

[reborn_love]

[Elly's going to reply, really. But she's just left staring down at her warp band, trying to process this funny, black and white image. It's so--it's so real. Technology has never done this before-- and more than that, when Tiki talks, when she moves, Elly can see it.]

[It's the first time she's ever seen this before. She gawks at Tiki silently for a long time. She tries to make sense of it; it might even be a little rude.]

[Then Elly's shaking her head quickly down at her warp band. She smiles, finally, and then she nods at Tiki.]

Oh, oh, yes--um, welcome to Union, ah... sorry, I'm having trouble getting over seeing a this as a moving image!

[heartstorage]

Nice to meetcha, Tiki! And I'm glad to hear it. I'm sure you'll find the beds pretty comfortable!

[second_destiny]

Huh?

[This is odd. He's never seen a person like this. And she knows the woman who was sleeping, as well?]

I'm...a ranger. I'm here to escort her back into Union.

[He motions toward Tiki as he speaks.]

[thedivinevoice]

Ah, Rydia.

[Tiki beams.]

I fear this gentleman caught me napping outside the gates. He has offered to find us proper lodgings.

[Implied: Less awkward questions will be asked if we have an escort.]

[thedivinevoice]

Ah! So such is new to you as well.

[Tiki seems relieved.]

I had wondered how much awe would be appropriate to demonstrate. Very well, then. I am not such a simpleton as I had feared.

It is indeed a marvel, is it not? These devices... So many tragedies might have been averted with such technology...

[rydiaofmist]

[Message received. Rydia nods, guard falling slightly. She actually smiles a bit.]

So that's what happened. Thank you for the help, Aranger. Please, lead the way.

[second_destiny]

Awhat?

[That throws him off just a bit.]

Oh, no, wait. When I said I was a ranger, I meant that was my job. Not my name. My name's Asemu.

[No last name for now. Though he doesn't know that these two women wouldn't recognize it regardless.]

[reborn_love]

It is. Don't worry, ah... we won't think you're a simpleton. We've never...

[No, Elly thinks, they've encountered other humans. Not directly, to be sure; there are humans out there that they just haven't met yet. But this is the first time she's spoken to one. The conversation with Sora comes to mind.]

[That makes her smile.]

You're the first person outside of Union that I've spoken to, to be honest.

[thedivinevoice]

[They are doing so well at this fitting in thing. Tiki nods as if she, of course, was perfectly cognizant of what he was saying.]

I am Tiki - and this is Rydia, my companion. We shall be in your debt, Ranger Asemu. ...I fear we tread upon unfamiliar ground and became misled as a consequence.

[He can interpret that however he wishes. Preferably as 'teehee we got lost ten steps outside the gates how silly', though.]

[thedivinevoice]

As I've often found the floor comfortable enough for my needs, I'm sure that will be so.

I offer you my gratitude once more for your assistance, then, Sora.

[A nod before Tiki departs.]

[thedivinevoice]

Ah, I understand.

You are one of the first people inside of Union that I've spoken to. We shall serve as novelties to one another, then.

There are many things here unfamiliar to me...

[reborn_love]

I can only imagine... where do you come from? Ah, what was it like, out there?

[Elly pauses, then adds:]

Union is a nice place. You should see the towers and the shops. It can be a little intimidating sometimes, because it gets crowded, but there is a lot to see.

[thedivinevoice]

A lot to see...? Ah! - you think me a tourist?

[Tiki laughs pleasantly, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes.]

I suppose I may as well partake of what Union has to offer while I remain here. It would be a shame to depart without any more knowledge of the civilization that has formed.

I was born atop high mountains, far to the north of this place.

[reborn_love]

Ahaha... eheh, sorry, I guess you would be the first tourist.

[Elly shakes her head, but then she considers that. She nods, then.]

I've seen mountains, though they're to the east of here. You should see what you can of the city, though. It is a nice place! But I might be a little biased, here.

[A pause, while Elly remembers herself.]

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Elhaym van Houten, a Ranger of Union. [That feels weird to clarify.]

[rydiaofmist]

[Rydia also smiles politely. They are pros at this. Adorable, clueless pros.]