video;

[elevatorattendant]

Oh. Oh my! Yes, I know how this technology works.

[ The video image wavers as Elizabeth peers into the camera, and all that is visible is one bright yellow eye. After a moment, she pulls it away from her face. ]

This is the social media that I have been heard tales of. What an enticing ring to a name, isn't it? "Social media." To facilitate bonds between people despite many challenges that others might surrender to, defeating such constraints as time and distance. How marvelous this is.

Hello, I am Elizabeth! [ She practically sings her greeting. ] I look forward to experiencing your world, both that of social media and otherwise. Our sponsors have assigned to me a domicile, and I have my very own room in that of the second household of De Chima.

I think I will turn it into a dance club.

Comments

[elevatorattendant]

[ Look, it's a nonhuman convention out here. She peers at him with open curiosity, squinting slightly before her features relax. ]

I am not incapable of compromising with my fellow residents. [ She considers this with all due seriousness. ]

I would pointedly not invite such a person to dance with wild abandon. That would be extremely not fun.

[abduxel]

Mm, I'm fairly certain the residents of De Chima #002 are dull prudes. Not a scrap of fun in their bodies. Cops and priests, every one of them.

[elevatorattendant]

Ah! The police and clergy. I understand that they do, in fact, have moral obligations to prevent others from engaging in certain activities.

What fascinating people they will be to live with.

switching to PRIVATE now ha-ha

[abduxel]

...Right. Moral obligations.

I'm just kidding. [He grins into the camera.] I'm your roommate. Not a cop or a priest, though I do work at a Cathedral. I've only met one of the other roommates - the other two, don't ask me what they get up to - but he's ... nice. [How do you describe Mike Parker to someone?]

Don't think he'd be very happy about the house turning into a dance party. But if you're looking to dance, I know a few places. The nightlife isn't so bad.

[elevatorattendant]

Hmm, I will keep this in mind.

Still, I would very much like to experience all of this nightlife that can be found. I understand that there is a vast spectrum of these clubs open only at night, from the most glamorous and exclusive to those considered dangerous to life and limb to attend.

I would like to see them all.

[abduxel]

Have you never been to a nightclub before?

[elevatorattendant]

I have visited the outside of one, but not yet the inside.

[ She sounds just a little distracted. The more that she looks at him, the more those horns remind her of a sheep.

If only he were curly and fuzzy... ]

[abduxel]

[Come ruffle his hair I dare you!!]

Lady, I promise you as your official roommate that I will make it happen. How do you spend your time, if not drunk, high and dancing? A girl like you - I can't guess. I've never seen eyes like yours before.

[He leans forward.] You're something special, aren't you?

[elevatorattendant]

I am an elevator attendant, and one that has only recently begun the gross neglect of her duties.

It seems we are at an similar disadvantage. I haven't decided what you are either. A sheep in a less sheep-like shape...?

[abduxel]

[He laughs, charmed by her weird demeanor.]

I'm a janitor at a Cathedral, but I've been neglecting my duties there for a solid two months.

A sheep? I can't guess what you mean by that.

[elevatorattendant]

A sheep is an animal with a curly coat and horns like so.

[ She illustratively puts her hands up near her ears and curls her fingers in what she thinks is a rather sheep horned manner. ]

I understand its hair is quite pleasant, and they are very cute.

[abduxel]

Oh.

[He hadn't even thought of his horns. He reaches a hand up to touch one.] You can see them. That seems to be a thing here. [He laughs a little, a huff of air.] Sure, let's call me a sheep, if you think I'm cute enough.

But that makes me even more curious what you are.

[elevatorattendant]

This world is outside of the natural flow, drawing those with a variety of unusual traits along in its wake as it travels to its destination. In truth, I'm impressed with the selection.

[ After a moment, she finally drops her hands. Had she done so sooner, the weight of her statement might have been more notable. ]

But I am only what you see before you. I am not so shy as to hide my form.

[abduxel]

I guess that makes me a shy sheep. I prefer people not to judge me before they get to know me. So, you're a perceptive woman with yellow eyes, who can see through my illusions.

But the selection, yes, such an interesting collection of minds.

[elevatorattendant]

I am one who governs power.

[ She says it with the same manner as she had that tidbit about being an elevator attendant. They're effectively the same thing. ]

And quite pleased that I will get to see what comes of this.

[abduxel]

[His head tilts, expression curious.]

What do you mean?

[elevatorattendant]

You had seemed curious, so I detailed just what an elevator attendant does.

[abduxel]

[He stares a minute and then laughs. He'd thought she was saying something deep and dramatic about her superhuman abilities. Or something.]

Oh, of course. Well, lady, maybe you can attend the elevators in a posh nightclub. Free entry.

[elevatorattendant]

[ That sure was actually 100% deep and dramatic about her superhuman abilities. ]

If any desired to employ me as an elevator attendant, they would have to first survive an attempt to defeat me in gladiatorial combat. No, I would sooner exchange the local currency for the right to enter such a place.

[abduxel]

[Abduxel will never know that he was secretly right. Well, maybe not never.]

You're a gladiator, too? What an interesting life you must lead.

[elevatorattendant]

No, but it sounds extraordinarily entertaining.

[abduxel]

[He just has no idea what to make of this girl.] Has anyone ever told you that you're a little strange?