VIDEO

[k31rfree]

[The video begins on the image of the young woman, checking her settings on her communicator before placing it in front of her on what seems to be the living room coffee table. She is sitting between it and the couch on the floor, legs bent comfortably in front of her. She’s dressed comfortably and she is at ease. Just out of frame, sitting directly behind is D33, a slender man in an unseasonably long sleeved shirt. He's sitting there, quietly braiding her hair, apparently unaware that he's being recorded.]

Isn’t this world something? It feels like a dream to be here…

[She turns her head to face a nearby window, and the man behind her chastises her for moving so carelessly.] Stay still.

[She continues:]

It's such a wonderful place to me...You're free to go wherever you want, people who seek you out aren't immediately your enemies, there's so much to see, there are plenty of safe places to find enjoyment, pleasure...

[She sighs, turning her head again more slowly, looking down at the camera close to the tips of her fingers.]

If I could choose, I'd never go back...

Would you?

[The man answers:] Of course not-- Wait a minute. Who are you talking to?

[Before he can get a straight answer, the woman pulls away from him. Reaching out toward her camera with a wide smile on her face in a flurry to turn the communications video off.]

Comments

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[d33tached]

[Just this face.]

Really?

[k31rfree]

Yes really! I can't get you to sit still for anything!

[She reaches up and pinches his cheek between her fingertips. Scrunching her nose up and sticking out her tongue at him.]

It wont kill you.

[d33tached]

[Don't you stick your tongue out at him, you little--

[He's trying really hard to look annoyed. At least she didn't get much of his face in the video.] There are risks to showing yourself on the network, you know. [There are also risks to using your real moniker, having an online fan club, working in a well-known café (again, wearing a name tag), and not really trying to hide yourself whatsoever, but look what D33's still gonna bitch at you for.]

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[hellraiser02]

[He's been in this world long enough now that Duo knows exactly the correct response to this:]

Got 'im.

[k31rfree]

[??????? IT'S HE!!!!!!!!]

I really caught him off guard, didn't I?

[hellraiser02]

[Indeed, the network ID sure still says Shinigami. No reason to suspect any different!]

Almost seems kind of mean to play him like that, but you'd think he'd know better already, wouldn't you?

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[ct_7567]

That's a complicated question.

Is your world truly so awful?

[k31rfree]

Perhaps globally... not everyone had to live as cruelly as I did. But I was raised as a solider. Not a person.

[It was easy for her to find the things she did enjoy about that world. Small things. Sweets and wine. Children, fairy tales. Hope.]

The fact that any person would have to live under cruelty is enough to think that a world can be horrible...to me.

[ct_7567]

[ A fellow soldier? Interesting. ]

In my experience, there is someone living under cruelty in every world, this one included. That doesn't devalue the good.

[Video]

[cadbane]

Guess you left a dangerous place.

[k31rfree]

[She hesitates for a moment before answering. When she has made the post for the community, she had not realized the reality that her past life would be in question. There was no reason for her to show dishonesty now.]

It was for me, yes. It was for many people.

It wasn't until I arrived here that it could ever be any different.

So I'm grateful for my life here... As long as I have it.

[Time to redirect, K31 tilts her head curiously at the man on the video, offering him a small smile.]

Do you wish you could go home?

[cadbane]

Nah. I you mean go back to where I spent my formative years? Not at all. It was a deeply unpleasant place to live.

But if you meant the galaxy at large? Well, it would be much more profitable for me to go back. There aren't many high paying bounties 'round here.

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[am_i_a_monster]

The freedom here is amazing. I wouldn't go back home. Not ever.

[There's nothing for her to go back to.]

And hi D33!

[k31rfree]

I agree with you absolutely.

[K31 glances away from the camera at what we assume is D33, trying to hold back a smile as she continues.]

I'm sure he would say hello if he wasn't glowering at me now.

[She laughs, waving happily into the camera at Abigail.]

It's good to see you again.

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[d33tached]

[Incredibly unamused, but still on (his own this time) video.]

Hello Abigail.

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[sonofgold]

The freedom to travel IS nice, plus the technology here is a lot more advanced than I'm used to. But... I think I would go back, if I had a choice.

[k31rfree]

That goes the same for me. I've never had anything more modern than a gun in my hand.

[K31 that's a pretty alarming statement.]

What do you have waiting for you on the other side?

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[a_good]

[His expression's somewhere between a wry smile and intense determination.]

Only to bring people back here with me.

SCREAMS I LOVE

[k31rfree]

[K31 is surprised to see a young boy on her video feed. That itself makes her smile. But his answer gives her some concern.]

You're so young! Do you have family you wish to bring here too?

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[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara hasn't interacted much on the network, not yet, but this grabs her attention, especially reading the responses.

Her expression is solemn, and her voice is quiet. Gentle.] I would go back. Eventually. But I got lucky; there are people on my world in situations like yours, too.

[k31rfree]

[K31 nods softly in response. She has never spoken to this woman before but finds her presence on the communicator soothing and trustworthy at a glance. Not a feeling she has had with much of the world.]

I know my message may sound a bit selfish. Most people aren't in my particular circumstance. I would never wish anyone to be apart from a place and people they miss.

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[storyseeker]

I used to think I'd always stay. Then I heard a few things about my future back home that make me want to experience it, eventually. But there's nothing wrong with preferring it here.

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[k31rfree]

So you were told your future? That's so interesting....

If I thought I had any future back home, maybe I'd want to know.

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[cassassin]

[cassandra looks pensive, thoughtful. she sees barbara's response to this, which she's just. going to sidestep for now.]

I don't know. Didn't think I wanted to go back. I'm... still not sure.

ANOTHER BATE BABE MY HEART BE STILL

[k31rfree]

From what I've experienced myself...it doesn't seem we have a choice.
[K31's shoulders droop with obvious disappointment at the statement, however true it may be.]

For whatever reason you put yourself in perspective.