video;

[cantgetanyworse]

[Coming from the early 20th century, Jane is still having to get used to the intricacies of the device she's trying to use to communicate with the rest of the people here. She is still, too, getting used to the idea of being an 'imPort' and the apparent powers that come along with it.]

Oh-- hello. [It's too close to her face, at first. She takes a moment to move it back, putting her face and shoulders into frame.]

I'm Jane Porter. I'm a zoologist, and an artist, and, hmm... I'm looking for anyone else in De Chima. If someone would be able to spare some time to show me around properly-- I've not seen a great deal of anything just yet, just my new workplace.

[She's about to hang up, then-- ... Sigh.]

And I'm supposed to mention that Akros Books in De Chima is having a sale this weekend.

[The screen tilts, wobbles, then turns off.]

Comments

video

[bookshopped]

I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of help showing you around. I've just arrived myself. I do hope you find a decent guide.

[She sounds like she's from his usual stomping grounds. That said, he's mostly curious about.]

A bookshop you say?

[Tell him more?]

[cantgetanyworse]

Mmm, thank you. [Even if he can't show her around, at least he took the time to reach out, and that definitely counts for something as things stand. Jane does not feel she can afford herself the luxury of being too cautious about who she speaks to in this strange situation.]

Ah, yes, it's where I'm supposed to be working. The books are mostly scientific, and there are some wonderful older volumes. The entire store smells like pages and old binding. It's quite enchanting.

[bookshopped]

Oh that sounds absolutely wonderful.

[There's a bit of a wistful note to his voice.] I'll admit, it makes me feel a bit on the homesick side, for my own bookshop.

[He shakes his head.] All the more reason to visit for this sale.

voice;

[fireandhoney]

Greetings fellow artist.

[The voice sports an English accent.]

[cantgetanyworse]

Oh, hello!

[Why can't she see this one? It takes her a moment to figure it out.]

Very nice to meet you too... so to speak.

[fireandhoney]

The name's Finn Onaru.

[VIDEO]

[patchricide]

[There's a pleasant lilt of a British accent in this woman's voice, which might seem a bit strange since she is clearly not from England. It's fine, don't worry about it.]

Did you say your name was Porter? Because if so... that's bound to cause some confusion down the road. You have heard about the Porter already, I presume?

Also, a zoologist — that would be a researcher of animals, wouldn't it?

[cantgetanyworse]

[She... could be from England, and it doesn't occur to Jane to question it too much until she looks more closely at the young woman speaking to her. Ah, well... confusing. But a great deal about this place is confusing. She's getting used to being confused.]

Ah... yes, but I don't intend to be known only by my surname. [Jane chuckles. What a conceit that would be. 'Miss Porter', to some, but never simply 'Porter'.]

It is! I study them, their behaviours, how they interact with their habitats. It's really a very rewarding vocation.

[patchricide]

That's likely for the best, isn't it? Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, Jane. I'm Allura, princess of the planet Altea.

But that really does sound like fascinating work. What kinds of animals have you studied?

voice;

[plentystrong]

What's a zoologist?

[ That has the word "zoo" in it... ]

[cantgetanyworse]

Somebody who studies animals. [She says this quite enthusiastically - Jane is very proud of her work.]

I go out into the world and find them in their native habitats, to study them and how they behave in their own environments. How they interact socially, their habits, how they live... It's fascinating.

voice;

[plentystrong]

How is that "fascinating"?

text;

[the_horror]

You're a zoologist, so they stuck you in a book shop? You'd think you'd end up with a job at the zoo at least.

De Chima is at least nice though. So you could have ended up much worse.

[cantgetanyworse]

I don't mind it terribly. And zoos are quite sad places, don't you think?

[the_horror]

I don't know, it depends on the place. I hear there are some nice ones that take in wounded animals. Or that have large enclosures. But yes, in general, I suppose they are kind of sad. Especially if they are only there for human entertainment.

video;

[golisolation]

[Hello 20th century woman, meet this millennial punkass piece of shit.]

Ain't in De Chima, but ya really need someone to show you around?

[He's not asking because he's offering, he's asking because he can't believe how dumb it is to come to the network asking for her hand to be held like this.]

Got no sense of direction, or are ya that scared to do shit on your own, huh?

[cantgetanyworse]

[Well, this gentleman is quite rude... but she's known worse.

coughCLAYTONcough

So Jane smiles, genuinely if a fraction tightly, and doesn't shy away from confronting this new challenge.]

My sense of direction is entirely adequate, and I'm certainly not afraid to venture out alone. [If she has to explore De Chima by herself... so be it.]

But a little company would be appreciated in such a strange land. I completely understand if you're not up to the task... but did you have anything helpful to say?

[desmodusdraculae]

Zoologist? Did you have a particular field of study?

[And why did they stick her in a book store?]

And... I'm a little familiar with De Chima if you don't find someone.

[cantgetanyworse]

Oh, yes. Daddy and I were studying gorillas in the Congo.

[To be honest, Jane loves and studies all kinds of animals, but she especially loves gorillas.]

Have you been here for very long?

Video

[by_candlelight]

[ That sure is a teen on top of a roof, at least that's what looks like it's behind her head. ]

Hey! I'm in DeChima. I don't know the whole city of course, but I can help you look around, and know how to use my phone to help me find places if you have any requests.

Oh, right. I'm Ruby. I can communicate with animals.

[cantgetanyworse]

[!!! GASP!]

So can I! [Momentarily disregarding the rest of what the girl says, she zeroes in on what she says she can do.]

I mean-- Not precisely, it's more that they can understand me, and I know what they want without actually speaking their language at all. It's been so strange, but so wonderful at the same time.

[viced]

Have you had an offer yet? I'm -- uh, usually in town in De Chima once a week or so. Just in case you still need some directions.

Thankfully, the city is pretty easy to navigate, they set it up nicely, the roads are all labeled in a way that makes sense... Not so many weird twists and one-ways that you'd normally expect.

[ A pause. ]

But... if you've had a guide, and you have other questions... I've generally got a pretty good idea of things by now. I can always help out.

[cantgetanyworse]

Oh, nothing terribly solid. It's almost as if nobody lives here at all.

[Said with a hint of humour, but she is a little perturbed by the number of people who are responding without actually living in the place.]

... It may seem a silly thing to ask, but what kinds of questions do people normally have when they arrive? I have so many, but we might start with the obvious ones.

text

[obediences]

[ Luther perks up automatically at the mention of bookshops and art, and half-smiles at someone else being awkward with the communicator too. All of it strikes a chord that's far more welcome than the talk of apocalypses, or AI sentience. ]

Are the books all nonfiction? Either way, I'd like to check that out.

I used to live in De Chima, too. [ A beat, fumbling with how to make a friendly offer. ] Could give you a tour, or some pointers. It's got a really nice public library.

text;

[cantgetanyworse]

Scientific! Including some very outdated but entirely fascinating volumes from humanity's early adventures into biology and chemistry.

Would you mind terribly? I seem to be having a strange amount of trouble finding anyone who lives here.