maskormenace

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Hi. It's Kitty.

[ She gives an awkward little wave to the camera. She feels ridiculously uncomfortable posting about this right now, and it shows; she looks anxious and displeased. But - ]

I know there was a bit of talk of having a birthday party for me today, but it's been cancelled. For...rather obvious reasons. So just - if you were going to come, do stay home. [ Then, with a quick attempt at some comforting levity: ] Spend the time you would have at my party finding a good cause, and then when all of this is over with, volunteer with them.

[ Okay. Her attempt at a smile fades, and then she continues on: ]

Anyway. That's not...quite it. There've been a few people who've gone. Simon Newton, for one, and John Mitchell. And just recently, John Mandrake. [ This last...She does not look happy about that. ] And I know sometimes people come back without memories, so if you find them back, and they've forgotten something, please let me know. I think - they might not know to contact me, if they lose memories, so I'd like to know if they return.

[ Translation: "Mandrake was my blood enemy, but now we're friends, and won't it just be my luck if he comes back forgetting that second part."

Her next attempt to shake off her gloom looks like almost a physical effort. She just about twitches like a cat shifting its attention. ]

Anyway. While we're avoiding getting each other ill, why don't we do something to keep our spirits up? Has anyone read those books about the vampires falling in love? Billy gave me one, and they are bloody ghastly, aren't they? So, go on, then, tell me about the absolute worst book you've ever read.

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[ A little nod, and then she smiles just a little bit in gratitude. ]

Honestly? Just this is helping me. You being so sweet.

[ Raina pulls back to make a little heart with her hands all while offering a warm smile. ]

Well! The least I can do is talk and alleviate some boredom. Oh, do these communicators have some online games? Maybe we could find one to play.

[ Something silly and mindless like words with friends or some virtual card game. You would think these things would be equipped with the latest technology. ]

[ Kitty giggles. Raina, you charmer. ]

I tried playing one on my communicator when I first arrived. It was called Candy Smash or something like that, I think. It was awful. Have you ever tried that one?

[ Oh she tries, Kitty. ]

No, I haven't. Is it awful in that it's bad or awful in that you can't stop playing it?

Oh - bad-awful. I started playing, and it was fun, but then I lost a few times and the game promised me that I could keep playing if I paid just one dollar. And I got so furious because it was clearly designed to prey on people with addictive personalities, and then I shut it off.

[ Laughingly ]

Of course it was. And the sad thing is that it works most of the time. I hope you didn't lose any money to it.

Fortunately, I'm not really susceptible to that sort of thing. It just makes me worry for the people who are - gambling's enough of a problem without being able to access it on your phone.

But - [ Having gotten off-topic - ] Do you know of any good games? Ones that actually require knowledge, hopefully.

This is true. Insightful as always, Kitty. Unfortunately the world will always prey on the weaknesses of our society.

[ Raina looks disappointed for a moment, but as Kitty chooses to switch topics (or go back to the original one), her expression lightens and she taps at her lip in thought. ]

Those word games can be fun? I bet you'd be one to beat at Scrabble considering you seem to be an avid reader.

[ She smiles broader - ]

Terribly avid. What's that game like?

You get a certain number of tiles with letters on them and you have to use your tiles to make different words. The larger and more complex the word is, the more points you get. Your opponent has to build their own word off of your word. And every round, you draw new tiles depending on how many you used until either all of the letters run out or you can no longer create words.

You've never played before? Or did it go by a different name in your world?

[ She's listening attentively throughout all of that, and pauses only briefly to shake her head. ]

Oh - no. That's not a game that'd be terribly popular where I'm from. There aren't many of us who are literate.

[ But - ]

But that sounds honestly really lovely. I'd like to play it.

[ Oh. Oh. ]

No wonder you love books, then.

[ To pry or not to pry....that is the question! And after a few second pause, she decides to go with prying. ]

If you don't mind me asking, did you teach yourself how to read? Or did you have an instructor of your own?

Edited 2015-05-03 19:38 (UTC)

[ And Kitty is unselfconscious enough about responding. She gives a little duck of her head in acknowledgment of the questions, then answers: ]

I did learn in school. The teachers pick out certain students to be taught to read and write - the ones who seem as though they'll go on to work as secretaries or bookkeepers. There were about fifteen of us in my year who were taught.

[ But all of that is firm, without any self-pity. And she finishes with: ]

And that's something I'll always be grateful for. I should be a very different person today if I hadn't learned to read.

I'm glad you were able to get the opportunity. Although, I think you're pretty resourceful and you would have found a way regardless.

[ Raina's expression is warm. It's a compliment to Kitty's smarts and a testament to her ability to stand up for what she believes in -- even if that's learning to read and write. ]

Did you go on to follow that line of work or did you have a larger purpose in your home world?

Well - No. I didn't go on to be a secretary, certainly. I'm a barmaid and doing a bit of studying on the side. And, erm -

[ She gives a little shrug - not ashamed of what she does, but...sort of...embarrassed at how melodramatic it sounds. ]

Spending most of my time working to overthrow the government.

[ Raina blinks and then manages a laugh. ]

I see. I guess that's as good of a hobby as any. Did you have a plan? For after you overthrow them, I mean?

Yeah. Let someone cleverer and more patient than me take over.

[ She shakes her head - ]

I suppose I might sound...facetious. But honestly - the government in my home is perfectly, utterly rotten. They've got to be overthrown. And my strengths are for overthrowing, not ruling.

I don't think it sounds facetious. It takes someone brilliant to recognize they aren't meant for ruling. [ She wrinkles her nose in distaste. ]

Ruling sounds so....dictatorship. Leading is better. Or perhaps, guiding? Isn't that what a government should be doing for their people? Guiding them, but not exerting control? Protecting them but not smothering them with laws and stipulations?

Definitely.

[ She says that firmly and fiercely. ]

A government hasn't got any place controlling what people do. It hasn't got any place meddling in our lives. And it certainly hasn't got any place getting rich off the work that we do.

Do you believe they meddle too much in this world? I know we spoke about your thoughts on this government -- that they do have they're flaws, and they could be far worse, but what do you think about the provided jobs, housing and the registration system?

[ She hesitates a moment, thinking about that. Then: ]

I wish that they would give that to all their citizens. I don't dislike that they provide that sort of support, certainly - there are lots of people in this world in poverty, and they need help. But I wish it weren't for imPorts alone.

What do you think?

[ Raina smiles, nodding. ]

I can understand the sentiment.

[ More than Kitty realizes. Raina is a true rags to riches story. ]

And I suppose that's why there is a great deal of resentment toward us with some of the masses. But maybe it's our place to provide for the ones in poverty. Maybe we can use these gifts bestowed upon us to help those in need. It's what I plan to do in my time here, anyway. Charity. It's the only way I really think I can help considering I'm not a fighter.

It's a really good way to help, though.

[ She gives a fierce nod. ]

You're clever and well-spoken, and if you're willing to work hard...Honestly, there are more victims of starvation and cold than there ever will be of burning buildings and supervillains. Helping to combat that will improve so many lives so much more than this would have.

[ Raina seems so modest, smiling shyly and glancing away from the camera. ]

You really are too kind, Kitty. But those are my thoughts as well. The victims of this world, the true victims are the ones who suffered the misfortune of falling to poverty. The definition of a hero isn't necessarily one who goes out and fights to protect the country and its citizens.

This is my form of heroism.

[ Warmly: ]

Well, I like your form of heroism, Raina. And I'd love to help.

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flowerette - 2015-05-17 23:17 (UTC) - Expand

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