raisedroyal | 001 | [Accidental Video / Action]

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001 | [Accidental Video / Action]

[A new(?) face appears over the network. It belongs to a young woman with light hair and olive eyes. The face is also upside down.]

[She peers into the communicator screen curiously for a moment, tapping a button or two experimentally with a gloved finger - oh! it's making a beeping sound whenever she touches it. But after a few moments, she turns her head away as if distracted, and a worried frown creases her mouth. Fascinating as it is, there are far more pressing matters at hand. Far more pressing. She finally speaks - but to herself.]

Where is this place? It doesn't appear to be in the Zao Desert at all. They couldn't possibly have...

[She draws her arms in closer.] --No. I'm certain there's a perfectly reasonable explanation. Well then. If they are unable to return for me, I must simply take charge of matters and search for them myself!

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If you think getting practically kidnapped by a bunch of gods from other worlds is perfectly reasonable, then yeah, there is a good explanation.

But I'm gonna go ahead and guess you don't think that.

[Natalia half-turns towards the speaker - a stranger. She's never seen him before and she can't guess his affiliation from the clothes he's wearing.]

"Gods"? Perhaps you are referring to the six God-Generals?

[But that part about "other worlds" still doesn't make a great deal of sense.]

[He places a hand on his hip casually, shifting his weight to one foot.]

Not exactly- I'm talking higher beings with a lot of power. Didn't think they existed until now, to be honest.

[Though he realizes how crazy that sounds to someone who literally just arrived.]

You're in the City. It's... different here than what you're probably used to back in your world.

[She turns fully to face him. Natalia is perhaps not as skeptical as she should be - she's had little reason thus far not to trust people. However, being "practically kidnapped" by these higher beings is problematic. She knows she must somehow sort her priorities and discover the whereabouts of the rest of the ambassadorial party; there's only so much she can do on her own.]

My, that was forward of them. I'm not sure what they were hoping to accomplish, but I'm afraid I simply can't remain kidnapped. If you'd be so kind as to tell me the name of the city we're in, I'd be most grateful.

I'm searching for my companions, and if I'm unable to find them soon, I suspect it will cause quite a commotion.

[Plus she's worried about them.]

I don't think anyone knows- haven't gotten an answer yet, anyway. The gods here just seem to be having fun.

[He shrugs... and nearly laughs. This place is definitely a strange one. He doesn't have any of the answers she's looking for - there's no known exit. It doesn't even have a name.]

It's just the City, actually. And there's no way out.

But there's a chance your friends are here. What're their names?

[Unfortunately for Natalia, this is hardly a laughing matter. She crosses her arms over her chest and raises her chin.]

Having fun at the expense of others sounds a bit more accurate. Is there a way in which the city's "gods" can be contacted? I should like to have a few words with them.

...Even so, I can't accept that. There are people suffering in Akzeriuth even as we speak.

[And she hesitates for a moment. If this truly is some other world, then names and titles won't matter. Still, she'd prefer to be at least a little cautious.]

Luke and Guy are...they're friends of mine. In addition, we were accompanied by several others: Colonel Curtiss, Anise, and Tear. There's also Fon Master Ion; while he wasn't traveling with us at the time of our departure, we were seeking to rescue him.

Yeah, actually. [He pulls out his device.] You can call them up on this thing. If you call them, they'll answer. Or something like that.

[Oh hey!]

Luke- I know him, actually. So you've got at least one of your friends here. Can't help you with any of the others, though.

[Natalia looks from Yuri's device to her own and back. They seem similar, but not quite identical.] Well, I suppose that simplifies things. How would someone go about "calling" another person with one of these fon machines?

[Does he really? A wave of relief washes over Natalia and she visibly brightens.] Truly? Is he...was he doing well the last time you spoke with him? No, it's quite all right. I feel certain we'll be able to reassemble the rest of the group. I'm absolutely sure of it.

You just hit the green button- then type in the person you want to call. Or-- click. You click it.

[He's learned how to use this weird stuff!!! He knows jargon!!]

He was kind of shy, actually. Or at least around me- I get the feeling he just didn't know what to do with me.

"Click" it...? [One clicks one's teeth, or one's heels, how does one 'click' a machine? But she does manage to find the green button. She almost presses it, too--but stops.]

[Luke 'shy'...? Natalia can hardly imagine such a thing. She's used to a very frank redhead who says what's on his mind, even if it can be hurtful on occasion.]

Perhaps he's still adjusting. Luke is normally quite energetic, although it's true he doesn't often have the opportunity to meet new people.

...I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?

Who knows- then again, I hear something's wrong with me anyway.

[He made a trade - his memories for someone's life. So he's not really the Yuri everyone's used to right now.]

Nope. Introduce away. I'm Yuri.

Something's wrong...? Are you ill?

[She'll distract herself long enough to incline her head and force a polite smile.]

It's a pleasure, Yuri. My name is Natalia, and I'm quite capable as a healer if you're in need of such services. [...He did, after all, freely admit that there was a problem.]

I honestly have no clue. I think I'm missing a few memories is all.

[He shrugs, not really caring too much about the subject.]

Natalia- nice to meet you. [A grin]

I'll keep that in mind next time I have a nasty run-in underground.

...Oh, I see. [All the missing memories. How can everyone take such a thing so lightly when every moment is meant to be treasured?]

Indeed. [She folds her arms.] But what of this underground? Are there by any chance ruins present beneath the City?

Ruins? I haven't gotten that far, but there are a few monsters down there.

You interested in that kind of thing?

[Now there's someone Rita hasn't seen for a long time. She can barely contain her surprise as she starts to greet Natalia...]

Hey! N-

[-and cuts herself off as she realizes the princess doesn't know where she is. She doesn't remember being in the City.]

[With a bit more composure, Rita starts over.]

You've gotten stuck here. This isn't your world anymore.

[Natalia pauses, looking left and right, and even turning on her heel to glance behind, but there doesn't seem to be anyone addressing her. Very peculiar, as she's sure she heard someone.]

[With a hint of wariness:] Who's there?

[That response isn't too surprising, even if it still drives home that Natalia's new to everything again. Rita waves as she speaks to try and get her attention.]

Here--look down at the device you're holding. It's for communication.

[Oh. The fon machine? She turns her attention downwards. There are still buttons and a lighted square and-- there's a person's face displayed now. She stares curiously for a moment, then slowly readjusts the device so she can see her better.]

My, I've never seen a fon machine quite like this before. I wasn't aware that they could speak freely.

[With the way the device is being handled and by her apparent worry, Estelle can tell she's new to this place. It's best to explain the situation then, right?]

Are you asking for the deities to return you to your world? I'm afraid it's not as simple as that. Sometimes people go home, but it's never because it's their will, but rather the will of the City, possibly even these said deities.

[She pauses, realizing that what she said is most likely very confusing, and instead tries to give the girl a reassuring smile.]

My name is Estellise, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I will answer them to the best of my knowledge.

[Natalia's finally beginning to understand that these voices are coming from the strange fon machine she found earlier. She brings the device back out, peering at it closely and readjusting her grip so that the pink-haired girl is no longer standing on her head.]

[Confusing is certainly an understatement at the moment.]

I appreciate your offer, Estellise, and I hope you won't mind if I accept.

My name is Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. While I've only recently become aware that I had any business with these so-called "deities", I'm afraid remaining here simply isn't an option. As it happens, I'm trying to find my companions. We were together a few moments ago, but we seem to have gotten separated from one another.

Would you happen to know if any others have arrived recently?

I do hope that you are able to find your companions here. Some people arrive knowing absolutely no one, and some people already have many friends that are here!

[She realizes that sounds insanely confusing, and would only make sense to someone who has been here for a decent amount of time. So backpedaling, she explains further.]

Your friends may already be here, is what I am trying to say. I understand that perhaps you may have recently saw them in your world, however they could have already been brought here.

[Nope, still confusing. She sighs, realizing that there may not be any proper way to explain this at all and instead smiles, deciding to simply summarize all that confusion she just said.]

What I am trying to say is that your companions may already be here and if they are, don’t be terribly surprised by it. As for staying here, unfortunately, no one has really found a way out of here as of yet. Some people have left, even returned here after they have left, however it’s not intentional.

And people are arriving almost all the time, from all different worlds, to answer your question more directly.

[Yes, she is still rather confused by all of this. Nevertheless, through repetition, she's managed to latch onto one thing:]

What you're trying to say, then, is that my companions may or may not already be dwelling within the city?

Yes, you are absolutely correct! They could very well be here.

[She's so glad that Natalia summed that up into one easy sentence. Perhaps she will kindly borrow that sentence if she is ever asked a similar question in the future.]

[Natalia looks around her briefly. That's all well and good, but this is no small city. Finding them would be a huge undertaking in and of itself.]

Perhaps if I knew how to use this device effectively...

[She shakes her head and turns her attention back to Estelle.]

I believe you also mentioned something about a near-constant immigration of travelers from different worlds. How is it possible to bring so many people into one place without their realizing it?

You will learn to operate it within time. It's actually not that difficult!

[At least after some trial and error and some instructions, one learns such alien technology rather quickly.]

As for your question, I do not know. Apparently I have been here in the past, however I do not remember my last visit. For me, I consider this my first time here. Maybe it's best to say that the deities have a special kind of magic regarding that.

[One that she's curious about and would like to research a bit - it may even give answers into the curses that are put on the citizens of the City, but even Estelle knows that such research may be a near-impossible task.]

I suppose I shall have to, although Guy would be much better suited for understanding this sort of thing. [For all his peculiar ways, one can't deny that Guy Cecil knows his way around fontech. Natalia's completely out of her comfort zone when it comes to machines. Hopefully she won't break it.] Is everyone else in possession of devices such as these?

[What? Estelle's explanation strikes a note with her. Not being able to remember is a very serious problem to Natalia, because it's both a familiar and unfortunate obstacle for her. One she's been fighting against for a long time.] My... It seems the situation is even more complex than I imagined. I wasn't aware that memory loss played a part in all of this.

[Estelle doesn’t quite know who this ‘Guy’ is, though she must admit the name sounds somewhat familiar. At the very least she hasn’t seen him, so she won’t bring his name up. However, to answer her question, she nods.] That is correct. Upon arrival, everyone is given one of these devices, and it’s what we use to communicate with one another! [Never would she ever think that such a handy device existed.]

It isn’t a common factor for everyone. For some people, they actually do remember their previous stays here. [Like Rita.] I don’t think there’s any logical way to figure out why some people remember if they have been here before and why some people don’t.

[She peers down at the device with renewed appreciation.] This device must be quite the convenient tool, then. Although it does seem strange... Where could they have possibly come from?

Well, that's certainly a relief. I would hate to think that this place had somehow altered the memories of all those dwelling within it. However, discovering that this "selective amnesia" still occurs at random intervals is troubling in itself.

Does it not bother you?

Everyone has been nothing short of kind in helping me get settled here once more despite not remembering those that are not of my world. So, honestly it doesn’t bother me, though I do find it sad that I have to work to rekindle relationships. Some of these people probably knew me really well… and I return here and don’t remember them…

[That’s the one thing that bothers her about returning and not having a memory of this place. She’s seen the kinds of relationships that have formed between people and to just up and forget them… she honestly hopes she hadn’t brought that pain to anyone.]

[Natalia bows her head slightly. She knows well how such things are difficult on the persons forgotten, but perhaps she's forgotten that such things can be disconcerting and difficult for the person who can no longer remember. Still, what good friends Estellise must have, and what strength of will.]

They must be wonderful people, Estellise, and I am inclined to agree. Though I have not been in this City for more than a few moments, you have all been extremely kind.

Of course we are. After all, like you, we're, well, stuck here, so we may as well help others out to the best of out abilities.

[And she's happy that Natalia can see her and everyone else's kindness. Sure there are a few who are less than kind, but she's not going to force everyone to wear a smile for her. Though it does make her wonder who else knows her from her previous stays and refuse to speak to her anymore simply because she doesn't remember them.]

[Luke is casually browsing the network when he hears a familiar, feminine voice.

No way.

No. Way.

He fumbles the communicator--]

[-- catches it, and then in his haste accidentally turns it /off/. He swears and takes the next fifteen seconds trying to get it to boot up again.]

--amn it, work!

[Oh. There we go. Luke's face appears on the screen, perhaps so close that she can't tell his hair is cut, but it's him. And he's right side up.]

Natalia! Can you hear me?

[Natalia halts where she is. Of course she can hear him, and she recognizes that voice at once. A mixture of emotions wells up inside her chest, the predominant one being relief. Thank goodness he's all right, that he wasn't severely wounded while clashing swords with that Oracle Knight, that she won't have to abandon her duties in Akzeriuth.]

[That he didn't break his promise and leave her behind.]

...Luke?

[She glances around (out of habit) and finally turns her attention back to the device, bringing it closer to her face. Yes, it's him. It's Luke. But of course, confessing her worries won't do - they're bound to be shrugged off anyhow, and she doesn't want to give him any more reason to believe she shouldn't have come along.]

Yes, I can hear you, Luke. You certainly took your time about returning for me. [After all she's been waiting a whole ten minutes.]

[It's funny - Tear did the same thing when first trying to work the device. But at the moment, there's nothing humorous, only curious and then surprised when she recognizes the gloves and the regal bearing.]

Princess Natalia?

[This strange device is certainly proving to be useful. Perhaps even more so than her natural stubborn tendencies and a spur-of-the-moment rescue attempt. She's feeling just a little foolish by now. Why is it that castle life and the real world are so different from one another?]

Tear...? So you've been captured as well.

Edited 2011-12-13 05:09 (UTC)

Yes, unfortunately. [She visibly gathers her composure.] Natalia, how long have you been here?

[A pause. Luke said that Natalia had been here before..] What do you remember?

I see... [Natalia considers what the others have told her - that her companions might have somehow been existing in the City for a while despite her only just leaving them. She draws herself up a little.]

Three quarters of an hour, would be my guess. Fifty minutes at the very most. But why do you ask? Has something happened?

[Not long at all...She chews the inside of her lip.]

It's very important that you tell me what is the last thing you remember before arriving here. [She needs to know how much she can tell Natalia, and if she needs to be careful with her words. With Luke, she got lucky.]

Why, we were rescuing Fon Master Ion, of course. [Natalia doesn't realize how unspecific this information is.]

[...quite.]

Where were we? Who was with us? I need you to be as specific as you can.

[Natalia sighs quietly. Very well, Tear, if you insist she will reveal all that she knows.]

We were engaging the God-Generals in battle within the ruins beneath the Zao Desert. There were three of them: a large man that Colonel Curtiss referred to as "Largo", a masked boy, and the one called "Asch the Bloody" whom we met outside of Baticul. Fon Master Ion was with them as well.

[Her eyes widen just a tad. That was so long ago..even before Akzeriuth happened -]

[She'll need to pick her words carefully. For now, she just nods.]

Thank you. This place does strange things with time - people from the same place can come with months or years separating them, so I had to know.

Where are you right now? It might be better to speak in person.

[But that seems so unlikely and impossible...what might it even mean if there were years separating the others and herself? The way Tear is being so cautious causes her to wonder.]

It appears to be a city square of a sort. There's a fountain, and a strange spinning fon machine across the way. If I'm not mistaken, monsters are carved into it. [Although for all that the machine gives off an eery air, the monsters are quite lovely.]

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