hadriel | 012 [Video]

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012 [Video]

[It's a nice, quiet day in Hadriel, at least as far as city-wide things go, but who knows how long that'll last. So Lance is taking advantage of it, both in terms of going out for a walk to get some fresh air and also making a post on the network; he has something important to talk about, after all.]

Hello everyone. I'd like to preface what I'm about to ask by saying that I understand some here may have concerns regarding speaking about this subject over the network, and so if you would prefer to talk in person I'm willing to meet with you.

[Another reason it being a nice day is helpful.]

I'm interested in hearing opinions on the issue of the Null that posted to the network a few weeks ago. In such a complicated situation it's difficult to consider all information and every possibility, and the people here have such vastly different experiences that can lead to unique conclusions and insights. The more ideas and reasons we all have to consider, the better informed our choices can be.

[Including, potentially, ideas of what to do about the situation other than the obvious two of 'kill it' or 'let it live happily ever after'.]

If you were not here for the last battle with the Null your opinion is just as important as those of the people who were present, as you're providing a viewpoint that, although lacking in specific experience, makes up for it with objectivity.

[In other words, they may not have a personal grudge against the Null that affects their opinions.]

I'd also like to note that this is all completely voluntary, and if you don't want to share your opinion that's fine; I'm just interested in hearing what people think and why, particularly due to experience and insight I may not have on a subject like this. Additionally, individuals who are still undecided in where they stand could benefit from hearing points and arguments they may not have had a chance to consider before.

Thank you.

[Considering this is such a serious topic, it can't hurt to be a little extra polite when asking people to do something potentially dangerous, right?]

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[Although Lance can't say he necessarily agrees with the decision, it's at least clearly well thought-out from both a logical and moral standpoint.]

Thank you, for your input and for explaining. I don't think we've met before; what's your name?

[She was pushed to the forefront of a revolution and had to start thinking about these kind of things quick. Even she’s not sure if it’s the right decision, just the one she thought would cut down casualties.]

Not a problem. Nice that you listened instead of just yellin’ that I’m wrong. I don’t have a name. At least, I ain’t chosen one yet. I guess you got one to go by, stranger?

There's enough conflict here without us getting angry with each other over trying to choose the best course of action in a bad situation.

[And he remembers how poorly his last conversation with someone on the network went regarding this topic, which is not something he wants to repeat.]

Is it common, in your world, not to have a name?

[He's curious, not judging.]

Mine is Lance.

You’ve got a lot more maturity than half the folks I’ve met.

[Most of her own people were out for blood at the hint of a disagreement.]

Not that common. Most people had a name given to them in a bad place, so when they made it out our way they had an idea of who they wanted to be in our corner of the world. Had time to think and all. Me, not so much. Never really bothered me anyhow. Folks are pretty good at comin’ up with nicknames.

Lance like a weapon? Kinda cool.

Thank you, but I'm probably also older.

[And so should, in theory, act more maturely. Of course that's kind of hit or miss, but he appreciates the compliment all the same.]

That's pretty different from what I'm used to, but the idea of choosing your own name is pretty cool, actually. You haven't really considered what you'd want it to be at all?

Yeah, like the weapon, even if I only sort of know what a real one actually looks like.

[But again, he'll take the compliment; he could've had a worse name, he supposes, even though being named after a weapon isn't exactly fitting for him. All the more reason he kind of likes the idea of how it works in her world.]

What's age got to do with it?

[She's met many people twice her age who act much younger than her. Her parents were a prime example.]

Of course I have. Used to be all I thought 'bout when I was a kid. But I got older and got busy. [It's not exactly a lie, but the careful way she says it gives away that she's not being truthful.] 'sides, even without a name I still know who I am.

I never saw one either. Not even all that sure what it is. But any kind of dangerous soundin' name would get some respect back in my desert. Kinda makes you sound tough.

It doesn't, really; there's a cultural expectation that age and maturity correlate, but...

[Not always a thing, as she doubtlessly knows. And he can indeed tell she isn't being totally truthful, but doesn't think much of it yet; becoming 'busy' is usually code for having to deal with more pressing situations, and he gets that.]

You're right; a name doesn't define you, so if you don't want one then you don't need one. But I am curious, so if you don't mind me asking, if you had to choose one right now are there any you're feeling partial toward?

[He asks it lightly, genuinely just curious, and he won't be offended in the slightest if she doesn't want to answer. And as for her last comment--]

I'll take it; I need all the help I can get sounding tough.

[He's... Not exactly the intimidating type.]

I'll want one someday. Probably. I've got people actually askin' now.

[No one has done that since she was a child. This place is offering her the chance to think about it for the first time in long time.]

I used to really like names that had fire in it. Like blazin' something or embers. I used to test names out on my doll and went with Sun Scream for a solid three weeks. But I don't know. Flames feel like something I oughta earn.

[She laughs, quietly and shortly. It's not an attempt to be mean, but genuine amusement.]

You're puttin' yourself right at the forefront of a problem like this and you don't think you're tough?

Okay, Sun Scream is super badass.

[Definite benefits to the sort of naming system from her world, he thinks; no one could get away with calling themselves Sun Scream and be taken seriously in his world, at least outside of certain subcultures.]

But yeah, I can see how you'd feel like you need to earn anything fire-related; there are a lot of connotations that go with them.

[And he doesn't mind the laugh, especially after that last comment; and it's a good thing the connection is voice and not video because he's slightly flustered at the compliment.]

Maybe, when you put it that way, I guess. Thank you.

[It's a nice thing to say, and he appreciates it.]

What can I say? I was a badass kid. [There's enough of a chuckle in her voice to make it less of a boast than a joke.] Had to think up stuff that fit.

[The comment almost makes her starting laughing again, a hysterical kind of laughter. She has to take a deep breath to keep it in. After she threatened to bomb the city, Girl and fire had a complicated relationship.]

More connotations than people realize. Might end up bein' a lil' on the nose nowadays.

Hey, no problem. I give credit where it's due.

Fair enough.

[He says it lightly, in agreement, even if it is a joke; he doesn't doubt she was indeed a badass kid.]

A little on the nose how?

Edited 2018-04-16 01:33 (UTC)

Some stuff that happened back home. About me and a bomb. It's all kinda complicated. [Even she's not sure what really happened that day the city exploded.] Might seem a lil' braggy, now. Or maybe kinda, what would you say? Insensitive.

Anyway, from what I hear the whole fire and fury act was my Mom's style. It might make me look a lil' like a copycat.

[Okay, there's a lot he wants to ask about that, but he holds off. He's not going to press too much in their first conversation, especially when that isn't the point of this whole post in the first place.]

If you're that unsure about it, then it probably isn't the right thing for you. Is there anything else that feels more like your style, instead of your mom's?

That might be a lil' hard. A lotta people look at me and think of her. Or they remember my crew.

[She's sure that no matter what she settles on, she'll always be known as her mother's child or the last of her Killjoys. Her name will never catch on among that.]

Maybe something to do with animals. We barely got any back home, but I always liked the idea of 'em. I ought to learn what some of the birds are and see if those fit.

It's less important what other people think of when they see you, and more important how you feel about what your identity is.

[And he's glad she does have some idea, regarding animals.]

I bet people would be willing to tell you about animals and birds from their worlds; they're probably all kind of different, too. And some people have pets, like I have a fennec fox you could meet, if you want.

[Sandy is very spoiled and loves new people.]

I know that. But dealin' with other people and what they think can be kinda shit sometimes. Especially when it's everyone who thinks it and you can't really get away from it.

[Her entire being perks up when the conversation switches to animals. A childish energy enters into her tone that she fails to hide.]

Yeah? I've asked a couple of people 'bout the kind of things they've seen 'round here but I didn't think to ask 'bout their homes. So you got one? I've heard of foxes, but I ain't ever seen one. They're furry lil' things, right? Only fur ball I ever saw was my cat and he's kinda the only one of his kind out in my parts.

[She stumbles over her words before she realizes how excited she's getting and she forces herself to come to a halt. Girl takes a breath and tries to sound a little less like she was still five.]

I mean, yeah. Sure. Could be fun to meet it.

That's definitely true.

[He's not even going to try to argue with that; she's totally right, after all, and what's important is that she knows underneath it all what priorities to have. Which she clearly does, so he'll let it go at that.

And he has to be careful not to laugh at the enthusiasm, not wanting to embarrass her; he's not laughing at her, after all, but because he knows he had the exact same reaction when he found out there were fennec foxes here.]

Yeah, and fennec foxes are smaller that regular foxes, like a cat. You can totally meet her whenever you want, and I'd love to meet your cat too, if you're okay with that.

[He likes animals a lot.]

[She laughs under her breath, short but pleased. She's trying to imagine the creatures she saw in picture books shrunk down to the size of the cat that follows her around. The mental image is cute, if not skewed by a hazy memory.]

I'm okay with it. Bet the cat would be too. He never minds strangers as long as he's gettin' attention. He's kinda spoiled like that.

[As spoiled as a creature could be in her world at least.]

I might take you up on the offer once things settle down. Might be time to start meetin' the folks here proper.

Awesome.

[This'll be fun; it'll be good for the animals to play a little, too, and Lance is always interested in meeting people he talks to in person. He can get a much better sense of them that way, and she seems like an interesting person.]

Waiting for things to settle's a good idea, though. Just send me a message whenever.

[It's one of the nicer interactions Girl's had in, well, ever. She can't deny she's pleased; she expected the heavy starting topic to turn into a shouting match. This place keeps proving her wrong.]

I'll do that, thanks. And I hope you find the answers you were lookin' for. Or at least ones that don't leave you disappointed.

[The feeling is mutual; it's nice to have an actual discussion with someone who seems to be fully considering the options, even if Lance doesn't necessarily agree with the conclusion she came to.]

Thank you; I appreciate it.

I'll talk to you later.

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