video.

[isaytheeneigh]

[The video clicks on after a moment, and it's obvious that Jean is in his hotel room in Miami. While he debated coming along, it didn't seem right not to get the lay of the land. As a member of the Survey Corps, he knows that part of the challenges they face is in gaining information when facing unseen territories. He knows that's the first thing he has to do now: face the challenge of this. He doesn't understand what he's doing here, from the short flight, to the transit over in the flying ... carriage, but here he is.

Along the way, he asked one of the government officials to show him how to use the device they gave him. It's nothing like anything he's seen before, but if they're right, he can contact anyone. Well—that could be dangerous. But one thing he knows for certain is that this place is definitely not home.

It doesn't look a damn thing like it.]

Heh ... some thing they've given me here ... [That's the first thing he says, shaking his head.]

This is Jean Kirstein of the Survey Corps. I'm gonna bet none of you have ever heard of a thing like that. I asked a couple people about titans, and they asked if I meant some kind of "foot ball" team. I asked myself how the hell someone could be so lucky not to know what a damn titan is, but that's what it is. Luck.

[There's a bitter sound that escapes from the base of his throat.]

I'm not going to ask you what it means to be a hero now that I'm talking to you. Only idiots care about idealistic thoughts like that, and I'm not some dumbass.

But I'd like to know what dangers this land faces if we're all needed as heroes. I don't get their war or what a "Russia" is. And if this civilization is so large, where the hell does the king reside?

[Not that he's expecting face time or anything, but he's utterly baffled. He's just trying to keep calm about it. And he is, for the most part, but irritation is clearly marked all over his features.]

Comments

[isaytheeneigh]

It's not like the titans stopped there from being conflict between humans.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Glad to know that humanity's cruelty survives even such monstrous afflictions. [He says, a touch dryly.] But at the very least, none of the themes of conflict here should be too novel for you, then.

[isaytheeneigh]

Even when there are titans, people still find a reason to criticize the ones trying to save humanity. [And from that, conflict is born. It's a simplistic way of putting it.]

But even so, we never had this kind of freedom to fight. Sometimes it just stopped at being ignorant. [A beat.] Stops.

[slightlyoffchilt]

[He doesn't make comment on the self-correction of past-to-present tense. Noting it doesn't require comment.]

How has that affected your view on humanity? It appears that you've dedicated your life to the survival of humanity -- though, correct me if that's an incorrect assumption.

[isaytheeneigh]

What kind of question is that? Knowing how people can treat each other doesn't mean I want them to die.

[slightlyoffchilt]

That was not at all the intended implication.

[isaytheeneigh]

Fine. Then what was it?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I'm more congratulating you for recognizing what is worth saving.

[isaytheeneigh]

Then to answer your question, it matters what you do with your knowledge of humanity. Even if you see people for what they are.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I think you'll do well, in this world.

[isaytheeneigh]

Well, thanks, unless that one isn't meant as a compliment.

[slightlyoffchilt]

I don't see why it wouldn't be a compliment.

[isaytheeneigh]

I imagine there are some worlds you just don't want to succeed in.

[slightlyoffchilt]

If you're defining success by survival, well, that's a dismal thought.

[isaytheeneigh]

I didn't mean anything like that. But sometimes it takes a certain type of person to fit in among a certain type of people.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Have you a negative opinion of this place already?

[isaytheeneigh]

On the contrary, I haven't made up my mind yet.

But if it's a bad place, saying I'd do well ... you can figure it out.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You're reading into insult that was never intended.

[isaytheeneigh]

Yeah, I've got that now.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Now that we've established that I am not, in fact, here to mock you -- is there anything you'd like to discuss? Any questions that come to mind? I have the benefit of spending some months here.

[isaytheeneigh]

I've already chosen to register, but what do you make of that status?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I think it's the smart choice. Granted, I've also registered, so naturally I'll praise the endeavor -- but the financial security and the impact you can make is heightened. It's a relief, especially for individuals who aren't born from a similar world, to be able to adapt without struggling for basic necessities.

There's the matter of stepping in line with the government, of course, but I've already done that back home.

[isaytheeneigh]

Do you think the government is acting in our best interests, or their own, but we're here anyway?

[slightlyoffchilt]

All governments act in their own best interests, really. This one happens to also benefit us fairly well. I see little sense in bucking opportunity that would enable our individual agendas.

[isaytheeneigh]

We'd be stupid to go unregistered when we don't know this world well. We can't make it like some could. Our skills are meaningless here.

But I want to make sure we're not going to be the first volunteered once this war heats up.