001 ✤ audio

[akito]

Hello! This was kind of an unexpected situation, ne? Alternate universes and realities, superpowers and suspicious military involvement with interdimensional portals? It's like something out of a comic book!

[ the young, feminine voice holds a tone that one would never suspect held honest suspicion and distrust toward the aforementioned military. this whole thing is really sketchy, and if there's one thing he learned from comic books it's that you never trust the government or military in these situations. ]

My name is Akito! I'm fifteen years old from Tokyo, Japan. My version of earth has Air Trecks! If any of you are familiar with them, please let me know - it would be nice to meet other people who like them! [ since chances are you're from his world and he probably knows you... ]

Ah... Right now I have three big questions!

First: are there any lawyers around who would be willing to help me become an emancipated minor? I don't really have anything to offer in return just yet, but I would be willing to work out an exchange of some kind!

Second! I heard that there is a school run by other imPorts, and was wondering if someone could give me more information about it.

And third! If I were to draw blueprints for something mechanical is there anywhere I could go to have the parts built for me?

Thank you very much!

Comments

[hostage]

Yeah, the government doesn't get any say in how we run things. You don't even have to be Registered to go here. Our Headmaster and the Director are both imPorts, too.

[akito]

[ well that is a huge relief, if it isn't obvious from his blatant and ... adamant distrust of the government/military so far. history dictates that government militaries are super sketch okay. ]

...What kind of tuition is there?

[hostage]

There isn't any. Classes are free and you can live here for free if you want.

[akito]

...What is the catch?

[hostage]

[The catch is, the place is run by supervillains.]

There isn't one. We got a lotta private funding and the whole point of the school is to make a safe place for young imPorts, so they don't feel any pressure to get enlisted with the military and shit like that.

[akito]

[ as long as they aren't mean to him or his friends then okay whatevs ]

So if I don't want to be involved with the stupid military here or the government-funded schools and housing, I can go to that school with no repercussions?

[ his tone switches from clipped suspicion to something more... tired and wary. he has to admit that he's curious to learn about whatever 'powers' he has here - especially with Agito sleeping and their Air Trecks back home. ]

And I can choose my own curriculum? Or do I have to complete the standard core courses?

[hostage]

That's a question for Professor Callaghan, but I think they'll work with you to kinda tailor the whole thing. Some of our students aren't even from Earth, so they gotta have some pretty different lessons.

But yeah, you won't have to worry about the government getting up in your business. That's the whole point of the school.

[akito]

So this professor is the person I need to talk to?

[hostage]

Yeah. He's the Headmaster.

[akito]

Thanks, Mr. School Employee! I'll make sure to contact him soon.

[hostage]

[He laughs at being called "Mr. School Employee".]

Jesse. I'm the school nurse.

[akito]

Then it's good to meet you, Mr. Jesse! Hopefully I'll be able to go to the school to at least learn about these powers, ne? And hopefully I won't have to see you if I do!

[hostage]

Hopefully, hopefully. But I'll be around just in case.

[akito]

Do you know where there's a good library I can visit in the meantime? Or, more specifically, anywhere I could get more information on what kinds of powers there are? That stalker-y info sheet they had on me when I first arrived said something that I need to follow up on.

[hostage]

Ummm, I'm not much of a library guy. Sorry. But I got some more links I can throw at you.

[He sends this and this along.]

[akito]

[ and he will read all of that twice before - ages later - finally responding. ]

...This is all really stupid. I don't trust what the government says, and I don't want to be a tool for the military again even if it has short-term benefits. [ there is some rustling in the background as Akito rubs at his face with his hands where he's hiding in a tree, frightened and stressed out and feeling alone. ] I don't care about superpowers or mythology or the USSR and the United States - I just want to go home.

[hostage]

[Jesse responds even after that delay. If a child's having a crisis, he's there.]

I'm sorry. It ain't fair, kids like you getting caught up in this.

[akito]

It doesn't matter if you're a kid or not. I think it's unfair for anyone to be caught up in a situation like this, unless they did something to cause it themselves.

[hostage]

Yeah...

[But Jesse finds kidnapping and enlisting children especially abhorrent. It's among the worst crimes someone can commit, in his eyes, though he understands that a lot of the kids here aren't like kids back where he's from.]

Even if you decide you don't wanna come to school, I'm around if you need help or anything.

[akito]

[ he hesitates, but... Jesse comes across as truly genuine. and it's not like a school would hire someone manipulative and cruel lol riiight so he doesn't see the harm in it... ]

Un, thanks. I'll keep Mr. Jesse in mind if I need any help.

[ ...a pause. ]

Ah... How long does it take to get to Heropa from Nonah?


[ ...ACTUALLY... ... ]

...Um, and does Mr. Jesse know which city has the best parks?

[hostage]

["Mr. Jesse". Too cute.]

It's only a couple minutes if you take the inter-city porter. And, uh... Sorry, I don't know much about parks. Heropa's got nice ones, but I dunno about the other cities.

[akito]

[ gotta be polite! It helps in the long run :') ]

...A couple of minutes only? How cool!

[hostage]

Yeah, they're pretty handy.

[akito]

That means I could check out all the parks in just one day!

[hostage]

The ones in the porter cities, at least. Might take a little longer to see all the parks ever.