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maskormenace2016-06-05 01:26 am
danceofcurse) wrote in maskormenace2016-06-05 01:26 am
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.]
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.]
no subject
[Of course, at this point in time the new Ambassadors have yet to be elected, so Van will have to remind himself to speak with whomever is voted into position later on.]
I'm Van, by the way. [And here his brows furrow curiously.] I was given a residence in De Chima, actually. So I guess the chances we'll run into each other are pretty good, after all.
no subject
My friends and I moved to a farm some distance outside, since government housing didn't really suit us. Here's the address.
[ He sends it, and it's literally in the middle of nowhere, because it was a field before they improved on it. It helps to have friends with powerful magic. ]
What job did they give you? They assign one to everyone at the start.
no subject
[Van actually means this. Something far away from the chaos of a modern city, something more like what he's used to back home, how could he not like the sound of that? He'll have to visit Gansey sometime.
But first...he makes a face when asked about his job.]
I...think they expect me to build toys? Fighting figurines called Clashmallets. Which I don't know much about. I mean, I'm not an engineer, I'm a pilot. What were they thinking?
no subject
[ That is singularly interesting information. One never knows when one might need a pilot. Gansey will bear this in mind.
He also doesn't connect it with the guymelef they were just talking about, because why on earth would he? ]
If it's any consolation, you don't have to keep their job. I think they assign them at random. Yours isn't the strangest I've ever heard. They signed me up to be a baby photographer, and I'd never done that in my life.
no subject
Well, no one else can operate Escaflowne, so I guess that makes me its pilot.
[And then with something of a subdued chuckle...]
Maybe I'll change jobs if it's that easy, but I wouldn't really know what to do. There's probably not a lot of demand for the things I'm good at.
no subject
[ In Gansey's experience, almost anyone can fit in, even if it doesnt seem likely. It's just s matter of finding your niche. ]
Are you a fighter, for example? They're almost as fond of those as they are of politicians. And a pilot would never be out of place, especially if you could fly a plane as well.
no subject
[Not an altogether uncommon opinion among those who can operate the large mechanical armor suits, and in Van's case, his bond is stronger than most others.]
I can fight, though.
[Even if he'd prefer not to, and would prefer even more not getting caught up in someone else's war. But that's a thought that leaves him feeling guilty, for how many others had become unwittingly involved in his war against Zaibach? And so few complained. Van was lucky to have found so many people willing to help him.]
But...will they really want that kind of help from someone who won't register?
no subject
Well, the whole point of registering is to make yourself available to the military. If you choose not to - which, by the way, I commend you for entirely - I think they'd prefer you didn't fight with anyone.
[ That's the polite way of saying it. The less polite way would be to say actions like that would make a vigilante out of you, and honestly, that's a position Gansey would be even less comfortable with. ]
Why did you opt out of it, out of interest?
no subject
[Van's neither here nor there on whether or not other people choose to assist the military of this country. From what he's gathered, everyone has different reasons for or against doing so. It just so happens that he cannot budge with regards to his own.]
I cannot pledge my allegiance to another kingdom. Not as Fanelia's king. If I fight at all...it will only be to protect those who can't protect themselves.
[No vigilantism here. Not from him. At least...so long as no one he cares about winds up captured or worse, virtually the only two things that would drive him to go looking for a fight...and to fight ruthlessly, at that.]
no subject
I'm not a fighter, and don't want them to think I am. And aside from that, the longer I've been here, the more I think it's wrong for us as imports to involve ourselves in another world's affairs.
But never mind that. Did you just say you're a king?
[ Van is very young for that. He looks younger than Gansey, even. Surely that can't be right. ]
no subject
[To an extent, at least. Again, there were certain situations in which Van would fight, whether or not some government called him to arms. He'd seen enough senseless slaughter in his life to stand idly by and watch more people suffer. But he wouldn't contribute to it, either. Not if he could avoid doing so.]
But...yes.
[He is young, isn't he? But that's nothing strange where Van is from, or from war torn worlds anything like his own.]
King of Fanelia, though it's fine if you don't call me highness or anything like that. [Actually, he'd really rather no one did. He never asked to be king, even if he does take his responsibilities seriously.] We're from different worlds, and my kingdom doesn't exist here.
no subject
No, of course. That makes sense. My country doesn't even have a king.
I can understand your predicament with employment, then. If it's any help at all, I'd never worked before I came here. I ended up quite enjoying it.
no subject
...I think I might, too. Maybe.
[He hopes.
Because he'd not done much 'work' back home until he'd left Fanelia, either. Rigorous personal training aside, Van's time before his coronation was spent peacefully. The Fanel family weren't extravagant rulers, their wealth modest in comparison to their Astorian neighbors, but he'd nevertheless been somewhat spoiled by his friends and caretakers.
Which wasn't to say he didn't help when and where he could, making him much beloved by his people, but it was just that. A favor here and there, not real work that required doing day in, day out, from morning to night. His 'work' hadn't begun until his war had begun...]
Maybe something good will come of it.
no subject
Welcome, at any rate. I hope you’re able to settle in soon.
[ Actual royalty, living in government housing? Gansey has to wonder what Van will think of that. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the apartments, but they certainly aren’t opulent. Not in the way he’s assuming Van would be used to. ]