maskormenace | 001 ⚔ Video

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001 ⚔ Video

[The device is unfamiliar to Van, but he has always been a quick study. After a brief fumble with the initial direction of the camera, he appears upright on screen, a young man with earthy red eyes, wild black hair, and a stern expression that suggests he is attempting to, and only halfway succeeding at, controlling a barrage of intense emotions.

Probably confusion and disorientation, the same sort almost all imPorts feel upon their arrival, though some more so than others, particularly those who hail from worlds much less advanced than this one...]

I'm looking for two friends of mine.

[He's abrupt and to the point, seemingly unhappy with having to ask for help, but obviously knowing that he's without any alternative options at the moment.]

We were traveling together before I found myself here. Merle, Hitomi...I've been told that this is the quickest way to reach you if you've also been brought here by that Porter.

[If...

Van's expression darkens, and a gloved hand rises to cover the lens of the camera.]

...I would be grateful to anyone who has perhaps heard of them, or who recognizes the names Gaea or Zaibach.

[The latter said with such potent disdain it's a wonder the young man's voice didn't crack before he simply...disconnects.]

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Not between here and there, unfortunately. There are very little by way of woods or hunting grounds. Though I believe it is within your right to hunt for yourself in the lands around you. I cannot say if there are laws in place to ban it, but so long as you keep away from the civilized population, I believe it is fair game.

[ Not that he would know. Baelish does not hunt his own food. ]

Modern day markets, you will find, have everything you need. But sometimes that is not enough for people from our situations -- people who are used to making their own way rather than have it conveniently provided for them.

I'd rather not break any laws by accident.

[Again.]

So something from the market will be fine, if you really don't mind.

Not in the least.

[ Serving royalty is kind of what he does, and he does it with a smile on his face at all times. (And usually a knife behind his back). ]

I will see you shortly, Your Grace.

Alright.

[Shortly after disconnecting, Van makes his way from the base in De Chima to Maurtia Falls.

He knows nothing of Petyr Baelish; the man is a mystery, a stranger who claims to be understanding of his situation and who is also eager to be of assistance. Van wants to trust that the help being offered to him comes without cost, but experience has taught him to be as cautious of men and women with titles as he is those without. People scheme if they believe there's something to be gained from it...

Which is why it may be to his advantage that he doesn't look the part of someone born of royal blood. His hair is unkempt, his clothes are common and powdered with dust, and the boots on his feet are both old and well-worn. Truth be told, the only thing on Van's person that speaks at all of his highborn status is the sword at his hip. The scabbard and hilt, a vivid cobalt blue polished to a faultless shine, would appear mismatched to him were it not for the familiar way his gloved hand rests upon the weapon.

But, familiar or not, he still appears more soldier than he does king, more boy than he does a man.]

[ Baelish is waiting as he said he would be, and as he recognizes Van from the video -- he is struck by how unkempt, short and young he is. But for all of his youthful appearance, he does have the hardened gaze of someone who has seen some shit. Children from his world and likely Van's as well, often have to grow up fast. And Van had come here straight from arrival -- he didn't even have time to bathe first.

Even though he has been here for a few months, it is clear Baelish has not chosen to update his clothing in all of that time. He wears a cloak over his tunic and his collar displays a silver mockingbird sigil. At the sight of Van, he bows a bit more deeply than he had on camera. ]

Your Grace. Welcome to Maurtia Falls. You will find we are a city of entertainment and prosperity, but it also does have its share of forests and nature if you head toward the outskirts.

[Van has in fact seen some shit, but not as a result of living on Gaea. There were many children from his world who retained their youthful innocence, whose mirth never faded, but Van's responsibilities hadn't afforded him that luxury. Having lost both his parents at a young age, and with his brother fled from the kingdom to join an enemy empire, ruling Fanelia had fallen to him. Her crushing defeat as a result of his incompetence was never far from his thoughts, even now as Petyr greets him.

After all, the last time Van had dressed so well was at his coronation...the day Zaibach had attacked.]

Thank you, Lord Baelish, but...

[Well, first, he's not here to explore, and second, he's really not accustomed to all these formalities. The Seven Kingdoms and the lands of Gaea were alike in many ways, but there many more in which they were not. For example, the courtesies shown kings like Van generally weren't so...courteous. There was less scraping and bowing and more challenging his authority with demonstrations of power. In all, people were much more forthcoming with their intentions.]

You really don't need to do that.

Old habits die hard.

[ The words sound from his lips, rich with amusement as he straightens from his position. ]

It has been bred into me to show the proper respect to a man of your status lest my head be placed on a pike for all the world to see what happens to men who don't bow.

[ But he does gesture for Van to follow him as he begins to lead the way through the streets. ]

What have people told you of this world so far? I can explain what I know on the way, but I do not wish to repeat anything you have already heard.

That's barbaric.

[Understandable to a degree, but still barbaric, particularly for a king like Van, who was far more familiar with his subjects than most kings would ever allow themselves to become.]

I'm not going to have your head mounted on a pike, Lord Baelish. We're not on Gaea or whatever world it is you come from. I can't ask you to go to such lengths based on my word alone that I'm a king.

[He can't. He won't. And even if he wanted to, which he doesn't, what use would it be here? In this world he is alone, without friends, without soldiers, and without a kingdom. His title is virtually meaningless. He's not so prideful that he's oblivious to the fact.

Following Baelish's lead, Van continues...]

I've heard a number of things so far. About the war, the way we were brought here, about time lines and strange occurrences. It's a lot to take in...but not all that difficult to come to terms with.

[Gaea, while different, had been the same in many ways, after all. Rampant with war, with travel between worlds, and bizarre happenings. In those respects, this place, this Earth, is familiar to Van.]

[ Well one thing is for certain. Van has a good head on his shoulders. He seems far more down to earth than a lot of boys his age. While there are exceptions to the rule back home, many of the younger leaders in Westeros tend to either be bloodthirsty or too childish. He offers Van a smile after his remark about not asking him to go to such lengths. But it fades to something a bit more grim. ]

You do seem to be taking it well. Better than a lot of people, at least. It is a great deal of information to be dumped on you. And there are clusters of information various imPorts have compiled in order to make it easier to digest over time. But I believe the most important thing we face as long as we are within this world is the war. I've been here for a few months, and while it has been quiet during that time, I imagine that is only the calm before the storm.

From my understanding, the month before I arrived, there was an invasion. The Russians infiltrated this country and were attempting to utilize mind control in an effort to turn imPorts over to their side. Unfortunately, we are viewed as weapons more than we are individuals. And both sides want us in a bid for power.

On the surface, this world isn't anything like where I'm from, but travel between worlds is something I'm familiar with.

[At least, he knows already that it's possible, and so it hadn't come as a surprise to him that it had happened at all. Meaning that, however few the other similarities between worlds, Van nevertheless held tightly onto them in the hopes they would make his transition easier. And so far, they have. Even if most of the similarities that existed were unpleasant to consider.]

I'm familiar with the concept of war, too. The countries may be different, and their generals might not be the same, but it's still senseless fighting. It's always senseless fighting.

[Though of course he believes Baelish when he says this is just the tip of the iceberg. It is the very nature of war to cause tumult. Therefore, things cannot get better before they get worse, and if mind control is a tactic being utilized, Van suspects things will get very, very bad before long.]

It seems the lengths people will go to in order to win won't ever change. [The sea smelled the same no matter where you were, right? Hitomi had said that, and Van same sentiment could be applied to people.] But I'm glad I know about it, at least. So, do you think there will be another invasion soon?

[How prepared to fight does he need to be?]

I do agree wholeheartedly. I never believed war to be a solution to one's problems. Diplomacy, intelligence, and coming up with a better solution -- those are the keys to making great change. Not brute force or swinging swords. One side cannot get their point across, so they feel they have to beat it into the other side. As you said. It is always senseless fighting.

[ As if to punctuate the point, a car on the road lays on the horn when another cuts it off. The man behind the wheel rolls down the window and flings a string of obscenities at the older woman in front of him, and she in turn flips him off. Petyr shakes his head at the display and continues to lead Van in the direction of his home. ]

I do not think the Russians will be so bold as to invade on American soil once again. Their defeat was swift and brutal. If anything, they will either lead us to them somehow or strike from the sky. But there will come a point in time when you will be called to arms, so it is best to keep that in mind and to not get too comfortable living an ordinary life here.

[Civilian squabbles aren't unheard of even on Gaea, but the profanity sure is...something else. Van stares after the two drivers a moment before quickening his steps and falling in beside Baelish once more.]

There's not much chance of that happening.

[Van's way of life isn't given to comfortable, ordinary living. Even here, given the chance to be a modern teenage boy, he's more inclined to hold onto the things he's most familiar with. Sadly, while he's not very fond of fighting, he knows too well what people are like and knows better than to completely let down his guard. If war breaks out on American soil or if imPorts are called to arms in another country...he'll be ready.]

You say the Russians might attack from above? What sort of defenses does this country have against an aerial strike, and are there ways of detecting enemies before they're above us?

It's a battle of technology. I do believe they are capable of detecting an oncoming threat. But Russia may also have technology to surpass that, or they could even ensure our technology is down at the time they make their attack. There is a creature -- LACKEY. It's something called an artificial intelligence and what that means is it is a machine capable of thinking for itself. This machine came to our soil and was able to control imPorts, so I've heard. I arrived one month after the events, but the story had been recounted to me by several.

From my understanding, this LACKEY was captured by the US government and it still exists at large in our country. I believe such a decision is a dangerous one as who knows how much the Russian army can control the machine.

[ He reaches the imPort housing and heads toward the individual complexes, withdrawing his keys in order to open the door. And once he does, it gives way to a rather spacious apartment -- decorated in about as close to a medieval style as modern furnishings and technology would allow. There is a dining room table of cherry oak filled with plates of fruits, vegetables, cheeses and sliced meats. There are crackers to go along with all of it as well as paper plates and bottles of fine wine. ]

It is not much, my friend. And if you would much prefer to eat something warm, I can heat up some beef stew for us both. I am able to keep the leftovers my chefs make at my business, and sometimes it is even better left over the following day.

So what you're saying is, as long as LACKEY is present here, it can control us? It sounds to me like either the government is hoping to figure out a way to disable that technology...or learn from and use it for themselves.

[Van doesn't like the idea of being controlled by anyone. It sounds like something Zaibach would do and it leaves a bad taste in his mouth just discussing it.

Fortunately, once inside Baelish's home, he's offered a moment of reprieve from the dismal topic.]

The fare is fine, Lord Baelish. I wouldn't want to make you go to any more trouble. But maybe...if you have a place I could wash up first?

[A touch embarrassed, Van looks down at himself and the layers of dust coating his clothing and visible skin.]

There was an accident at a mine before I arrived...

[An 'accident' he says. Like he didn't deliberately try to destroy the place.]

Oh yes. Of course. There is a washroom down the hall and to your left. Have you had the fortune of seeing indoor plumbing in action? If not, you will be amazed. It is incredible to have hot water at merely the pull of a lever.

[ And don't even get him started on toilets. ]

Do you need a change of clothing as well?

Indoor plumbing?

[Van comes from a world where magic is real, ships can fly, and giant mechanical suits of armor are used by pilots in war. But a flushing toilet is still something of a mystery, and that's plainly obvious by the look he gives Baelish before shaking his head.]

No, um...but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

[The pull of a lever sounds simple enough, after all.]

Do you think you have something that will fit me?

[After all, Baelish isn't a large man, but Van is still smaller in comparison.]

It will likely be a bit big.

[ Baelish's clothes have all been tailored to his specific needs, after all. ]

But I do have belts you can use so they will at least stay on until you can get something better suited to your size. Just a moment.

[ He walks down the hall and into his bedroom, and it only takes a few minutes before he returns with something relatively similar to what Van is currently wearing. A pair of light colored slacks and a dark blue undershirt. He'll spare the boy king all the fancy tunics of the Westerosi style.

A leather belt is draped over both of the neatly folded clothes. ]

This should do. [ Offering the clothing over. ]

I hope you were not harmed. During the mine accident that is.

Better than nothing.

[And, sure enough, what Baelish brings Van to wear is beyond acceptable. Blue isn't his preferred color, of course, but it will do in a pinch and it's certainly better than his current attire which not only needs a good wash but could also benefit from a good mending.

He's about to thank Petyr again for everything when he's reminded of what he'd had to endure at the Zaibach mine. Not Petyr's intention, he's sure, but there are several concealed welts on his body that still smart.]

I'm fine. It's nothing that won't heal in a few days.

[With nothing else to say for the time being, he excuses himself to disappear down the hall in the direction of the bathroom...though, despite his best efforts, and due to his unfamiliarity with this world's advancements, Van takes a little longer in there than intended. Once he's emerged, however, he could almost pass for someone of his status, all clean and properly dressed, though the way he holds onto his old attire suggests a certain level of sentimentality...

The kind that has Van remembering Hitomi's own protection of her clothing from home. No wonder she'd wanted to keep Millerna's maids from throwing them away. He understood now how valuable a memento from home was when he was so very far away from the world he came from.]

I'll...take these home with me and wash them. You won't mind if I return your clothes tomorrow?

[ When Van goes to change, Baelish pours a glass of wine for the both of them and has a seat at the table, helping himself to some of the fruit. He looks up when the young king returns, and is pleased to see that while the clothing is a bit big -- it isn't falling off of him. It's a decent fit. ]

You do not have to worry about returning them, my friend. I have a tailor who makes things according to my particular tastes. He excels at what he does. And if you have a particular preference for a certain style from home, I could have him replicate it to the best of his ability.

[ Red shirts and khakis. A whole closet full of them if Van wants! ]

[Did that make Petyr as generous as Millerna had been? Or, naturally more suspicious of others' motives than Hitomi, was Petyr hoping to incur a favor later for his generosity? Van couldn't be certain, but he was grateful just the same for the assistance, particularly when he no longer had to appear before someone of highborn status looking for all the world like he'd crawled out of a ditch somewhere. Even if he had.]

That's really kind of you.

[Really kind, in fact, particularly given his fondness for red shirts and khakis. And the canon frequency with which those things are destroyed and then inexplicably repaired for the next scene.

Setting aside his belongings, Van took up one of the free chairs opposite Baelish, as well as the wine glass that'd been filled for him. He saw nothing at all wrong with drinking alcohol despite his age, though there was...a moment of cautiousness where his eyes traced the rim of the cup, flicked to Petyr and then back again before he took his first swallow.]

If your friend isn't too expensive, that would be great.

[ He dismisses the comment about kindness with a wave of his hand. ]

We have to look out for one another in this world. Especially those of us from worlds like ours, for this world will not look out for us. It is not kindness, Your Grace. But duty. Obligation. I will aid you so that you may aid the next person who arrives from similar circumstance.

[ Picking up a small sliver of gourmet cheese with his fork, he gingerly places it on a cracker. ]

As for my friend, his prices are negotiable and inexpensive depending upon how elaborate the style. [ For Van's preference, it would be pretty much nothing. But Baelish doesn't outright insult the king's tastes! That would be incredibly rude of him. ]

But now for a few words of warning. Warnings I was given upon my arrival and feel I should pass on to you. Be wary around two imPorts -- one named Jonathan Crane and the other simply goes by the name of Lucifer. The former has been known to subject multitudes of unsuspecting people to psychological torture. And the latter, well, to simplify he is the devil.

[Studying his wine, Van frowned.

Duty and obligation to strangers was a treacherous thing, but especially when kindness played no part in the exchanges to follow. Allen hadn't known him, but he'd helped not only because he was honor bound as a knight, but because he'd been sincere in his gestures. He cared what happened to those around him and Van...respected that. Because he felt similarly.

He wasn't a king bound to his people by obligation to a title, but bound to them because he knew them and loved them as they loved him.

Perhaps he oughtn't accept too many of Petyr's gestures of good will, after all.]

I appreciate your warnings, but...

[He set his cup down in favor of a wedge of fruit.]

...there isn't one devil in the world, Lord Baelish, there are many with different faces and different names. If there's any consistency between this world and Gaea, it's that. I'm certain of it.

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001 ⚔ Video

video;

video;

video; do we want to action this?

Absolutely! ACTION ACTION!

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