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

[khajidont]

[She really doesn't know much.]

Well -- why don't you try it before setting something up of your own? There's lots of clubs here! Think of it as gathering intel.

[elevatorattendant]

Investigation would be best. Yes, I agree. Now, I will have to find a suitable way to recruit others to investigate with me.

I would be able to do so undercover then.

[khajidont]

You cooooould just ask people if they want to go with you? I'm sure they'd say yes. [A beat.] Why would you need to go undercover?

[elevatorattendant]

It would be more fun to pretend to be a spy. I once read a story about them that my younger brother obtained through the most suspicious means. [ And she sounds much too giddy about that. ]

Now, are you suggesting others would take a request like that without any reward whatsoever?

[ She thinks Minato would later on, but she'll probably give him something anyway. ]

[khajidont]

[...this woman may be even odder than he had initially anticipated. He pauses for a second, not sure which part to address, before settling on the easy one.]

Well, sure they would. Some people like clubbing, and they'd like to have some -- [honestly very striking] -- company. Are you used to people asking for rewards for, um, just going out...?

[elevatorattendant]

I have only been "out" with a single person, and he did not ask for one.

It was my understanding that it is customary to offer rewards for the fulfilment of requests, and so I gave him what would aid in his journey.

[khajidont]

[Jaime's starting to understand her a little more, just from context clues. Has she been locked away, like Killua's sister? Or is she from an entirely different planet?]

Okay, well! [He claps his hands, seeming to make up his mind to be helpful.] In this world, it's nice to pay someone back for doing you a favour, but when you're just going out and having fun with people, you don't have to give them something. So if you wanna, say... go to the arcade with friends, the reward's just spending time with friends.

[Her customs sound like a good way of getting taken advantage of...!]

[elevatorattendant]

Ah, I see. That is an enlightening and thorough answer. It can be difficult to appreciate the finer distinctions.

[ But, really, giving rewards is fun. It's worth thinking on. ]

The way you put that is curious, however. Are you so skillful in developing bonds such as friendship?

[khajidont]

I wouldn't call it a skill! But, I mean, I've got plenty of good friends.

[Maybe it's a little harder for other people to make friends, though. He didn't have that many back home either, but he'd never felt a lack; it's quality over quantity, every time.]

But I'm sure you'll make plenty here too!

[elevatorattendant]

You would be wrong to not call it a skill. I have observed the effort it takes to create and maintain bonds. It would be very fulfilling to try my hand at gaining plentiful social ties.

[ Excitement colors her tone now: ] If I succeed, I could go to many clubs.

[khajidont]

Going to clubs could be a good way of, um... gaining social ties in the first place.

[Does Elizabeth have only a few friends? How sad!]

[elevatorattendant]

But is what you are describing not like the "chicken and the egg" conundrum? In the same way some question the origin of life, I beleive one is expected to go to the rituals held in clubs with companions.

[ If Jaime can't follow that, it's alright. She seems to be happy enough, and continues with her own brand of conclusion. ]

Thankfully, my own existence has neither chickens nor eggs. I will arbitrarily do whatever I see fit to instead.

[khajidont]

...you go get those chickens, Elizabeth, [he says blithely, because he has no idea what the hell she just said, but he can at least be positive about it.]

I'm Jaime, by the way. Outta curiosity, what have they got you doing here?

[Is she going to be okay here?]