001; video

[fussing]

[Aizawa ditched her Tokkei uniform almost immediately after she made it to her home within her designated district. She made that decision as soon as she got her hands on the communications device - one that would immediately put her name and face together for anyone possessing one. Knowing little, and with everyone being so vague thus far - to be safe, she stashed her hat, gloves and coat. Until she knew who she was dealing with, she didn't want to risk the chance that her uniform would be recognized; and her identity compromised.

That said, the next step would be to ask some questions. Still dressed in her crisp white button-up shirt, tie and skirt, she flipped on the device.]

No one else seems to want to answer my questions - maybe someone on here will. [She huffs, pushing down her irritation.]

I want information about this place - who the people are who brought me here and where this is exactly. And I also want to know just how many of you - of all the people in this weird place - were taken away like I was.

[She wants to understand. And she wants to know who to direct her anger at. The people who were kidnapped like her - weren't her targets. If anything, they could be helpful allies. And those who were just as confused as her - well those were the kind of people she'd want to help herself if she could.]

Comments

[text]

[smallskull]

i was

[That's the full content of Assassin's extremely helpful reply. She doesn't know the answers to those other questions, okay.]

[text]

[fussing]

Did they hurt you? How are you feeling?

[ It's her experience with criminals of the worst kind that allows her to keep it together here. She can't imagine how some others must feel. Even she's a little antsy still. ]

[smallskull]

no
i'm fine
did other people get hurt?

[fussing]

I don't know. They were rough when I initially resisted, but they didn't do any real damage. But I don't know what these people might be capable of doing to those who don't follow along.

I'm a little concerned.

[smallskull]

but the queen seemed nice
why would they hurt us?

[fussing]

I don't know. But I don't know why they took us either. Until I understand that, I don't want to underestimate them.

[smallskull]

what will you do when you find out?

[nightraysewerat]

I would be happy to assist you, lady.

[Vincent manages to look put together, of course, despite the fact that he's in a strange place. His long blond hair is pulled back, and his suit is crisp and clean. After all, he's talking to a lady, so of course he has to make an effort.]

It would seem that many of us were taken from our own lands. It hasn't been hard to differentiate so far between newcomers and locals: I don't think many have quite had time to settle in or learn local customs and behaviors. I know I at least am still struggling to understand the way business is done in this world.

[He pauses.]

On the question of who is responsible, the Queen and other leaders seem to have made themselves rather accessible, even going so far as to respond if contacted directly. Do you suspect some force behind the scenes, to still be asking such questions?

[fussing]

[ ....'Lady'? Really??? Tersely, she corrects him. ]

It's Aikawa.

[ She hides no amount of irritation in her voice - or the way she plants her hands on her hips. No, you don't get her first name. Not yet. With a huff, she continues. ]

You suspect the government itself?

[ On one hand, those tied to political and government affiliations were sometimes the most twisted, but part of her felt doubt that they would have been alone. Maybe followers... ]

Regardless. It was involuntary kidnapping. I doubt the big players dirtied their hands with it all.

[ Not considering the number of names on this phone and across the network. ]

[nightraysewerat]

[Oh, that tone! She's upset with him already, though he's not quite sure why. What would he call a beautiful woman, if not "lady", when he doesn't know her name? Ah well, she's quite spirited, and that's always amusing.]

My apologies, Miss Aikawa.

[He shapes the name very carefully, as if being sure he gets the foreign sounds right. See how hard he's trying? You should definitely forgive him.]

My name is Vincent Nightray, and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.

[He ponders the rest of the information for a few seconds before going further, making it clear that he's taking her and her input seriously. He's good at making women feel important, after all. That's part of what he's always been good at, even if he's never believed it.]

It was indeed. Not only to take so many people, but such a variety, some of them - like yourself - obviously people of some importance in their own world. I would think that those in power had some direct input, however, because such strength would be necessary to rule over such a diverse territory as this.

[He leans back, his expression thoughtful.]

Don't you think it's a little impressive that one ruler manages lands so different that conflict would seem inevitable?

[fussing]

[ Much better. She nods, her anger dissuaded and considers his words. ]

It's frustrating... [ Then, she blinks and tilts her head curiously. ] You think I'm someone of importance?

[ He has no reason to know what she does, or who she really is, does he? He shouldn't. So she has to wonder what he's getting at. There's an accusatory edge, but it's covered mostly by curiosity. ] I don't think I'm anyone of any particular consequence in this world or the next.

[ But the rest of his comments, she has to admit are very thoughtful and also very true. His analytical and deductive abilities are fairly impressive for a stranger. ]

[nightraysewerat]

Have I misjudged something, Miss Aikawa? If so, I do humbly apologize.

[He wonders if it's true, but honestly, he can't imagine it. Not that she is probably any more important than any other woman, but ... he can't imagine someone who looks like that not thinking so. Even that were true... oh, well, such low opinion of herself would be useful... he'll have to tread carefully and see.

So he'll feed her a little truth, for now.]

I'm afraid I've made an assumption based on the economic and cultural climate of my own world, and it might not be accurate. Your beauty and the level of education obvious in your speech would denote nobility, where I am from.

[fussing]

[ Oh. That's what he meant. Well, it didn't touch on anything she was worried about. So worrying seemed no longer necessary. On the other hand, that made her next reaction to stutter and blush. ]

N-Nobility?!

[ Perhaps she's shouting a bit, but it's more flustered, than angry. ]

That's not it at all!!

[ Clearing her throat, she composes herself a little, though her face is still tinged a light pink. ]

I'm not saying I'm someone to underestimate, but-!! In that way, I'm pretty average.

[nightraysewerat]

[He can't help but be amused by this reaction. Even women who are of some status, even women who can be so defensive about being called 'lady', well, they just fall to pieces when you call them beautiful. Lose all their composure, let their walls fall.

It's just too easy.]

But of course, Miss Aikawa. As I said, I don't have enough information about your world to make a proper guess beyond using what I can see. But... the point stands that you are not someone to underestimate, which points to a certain amount of power in those who kidnapped you.

[fussing]

[ How irritated she'd be if only she knew you thought that way. But not knowing that, rather, she thought about it. She'd never had to wonder how to describe the world she knew... to those who'd have no way of knowing. ]

It's... we don't really have nobility. Instead of lords or ladies, we have a Prime Minister, and government... politicians. Other than that, you have the police force...

[ She simply leaves out the Tokkei. ]

...it has a lot of twisted people, but also a lot of good ones. People aren't allowed to do what they please. If great criminals are proven guilty, they may never even see their day in court.

[ It was her way off saying sorry - to describe it to him. ]

[nightraysewerat]

Ahh, I see.

[Vincent pauses to consider it for a moment, and then nods slowly.]

That sounds quite different from my own country, which is very dependent upon social class. We have a law system as well, but... I have to admit that it's very corrupt. I find it quite distasteful the terrible things that are done by certain people to stay in power.

[Have a little shudder here.]

Such matters aside, the fact that we're from such farflung places says something about the vast power wielded by our captors, does it not?

video;

[odinsons]

[ at first, thor thinks not to really respond. he has no valuable information at hand, and knows rather well the type of person this woman is. and yet, he replies anyway. perhaps it's that innate need inside of him to play the hero and help someone in need.

even if he's got jack shit to offer. ]

From just the short time I have been here, it seems as if many were taken from their realms and brought here, my lady. It seems as if a Queen is responsible, though I have yet to fully understand what sort of magics used to draw so many and for what purpose.