hadriel | 001 | Joint Video

[ This video opens with an up close and personal view of a dark brown eye. ]

How do we know if it’s even working? I could be speaking to no one right now.

[ The eye narrows, and then the camera wheels back to show a large, dark-haired man next to a smaller, paler, and much prettier blond. The first looks, at the very least, invested in what he’s doing. The second looks like he’d rather be examining his nails. ]

My name is Damianos of Akielos. This – [ Gesturing to the blond beside him. ] – is Laurent of Vere.

These…devices show people speaking to us. Assuming that this is how you all talk to each other, we wanted to introduce ourselves. We have questions, if you can answer.

[ With a show of reluctance, Laurent draws himself up to answer the camera. ] The typical answers you give to newcomers will suffice. How are we here, why are we here, how do we leave. So on and so forth. [ He waves his hand in dismissal. ] If you need a truer list, I can continue. I am sure you've heard all of it before.

[ With a moment of thought, he adds. ] As well as where I can get in-depth information. If anyone has consolidated any information I may read or any other materials I can look through.

[ With that, he falls back to a more relaxed and bored pose. That's all he's got. He's in no mood to give more. Or even thank anyone for the effort. He leaves the rest to Damen. His requests have little to do with books. ]

Beyond that, I want to know the state of your defence. [ He’s seen monsters in caves and general mayhem. It seems unlikely there’d be no organisation at all. ] To whom do I speak about rotation of guards, weapons and drills? If there is someone in charge, direct me to them. If not, the Captain of the guard will do.

[ ooc: Damen is red and Laurent is blue. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That is correct. Guns are more powerful than what you're used to, but our stock of ammunition is limited. [Maketh frowns. Rage occasionally grants them gifts, but so far has declined to give them any blasters or proper shield generators.] I would offer to teach you, but the ones in the armory are outdated in my world. I'm still trying to master them myself.

[A frustrating process, if ever there were.]

That's good to hear. These are good people. They don't deserve what has been done to them.

What I'm used to worked well enough against the creatures in the caves.

[ In Damen's experience, a well-applied broadsword works on most things living. He has yet to encounter the kind of things that would be immune to it. ]

But I'm unafraid to work with something new. If it's at our disposal, I'd like to use it. What ammunition do guns require?

The gods occasionally bring in monsters as well as people. Be wary of that. Some of them have proven difficult to kill with blades.

[The wendigos, for instance, but Maketh does not feel like discussing that right now.]

They're called bullets. [She disappears from the frame for a moment, then returns holding a clip taken from her rifle.] They look like this.

[ Damen's expression is skeptical, to say the least. He can't imagine how something so small could do enough damage to replace a sword.

Still. He'll bear it in mind. Maybe there's something he's missing. ]

It seems warfare has changed a great deal. I want to be ready for what this place brings.

I'm grateful for your help, Officer. What is your name?

It is appreciated. [Maketh's face twists for a moment, several emotions all at once, but she hides it quickly.] Maketh Tua. You needn't bother with rank. I no longer have one.

[ Interesting. He'd used it only because she gave no other title, but this tells him something more.

He nods, simply. ]

Maketh. I think rank matters little in a place without a leader, whether you hold one or not.

Perhaps one day, you'll hold one again.

[Her expression softens momentarily.]

Perhaps. We shall see.

We shall.

[ Soon, Damen hopes. He has not truly been in a position to take a holiday. ]

Thank you for your help. I'll study what you sent. [ A slight smile, self-deprecating. ] Once I discover how to find it.

Ah -- this must be very strange to you. [She keeps forgetting that not every world has this technology.] If you look at your phone, you should see a square in the corner. Press that, and you should be able to see the notes I've sent.

[ He does, and an entirely new set of pictures floods the device. It's a lot information, and all of it tiny. But it's clear. ]

I see them. I'll have to get used to this.

But thank you. It's what I needed, especially the maps. This will come in very useful.

You're welcome. And if you find any information that you think would be useful, please let me know.

Anything I know, I'll share. It's better that we aren't working alone.

This is true.

Stay alive.

And you.

001 | Joint Video

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]