Damianos of Akielos (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
barbarus) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
maskormenace2016-09-05 07:58 pm
barbarus) wrote in maskormenace2016-09-05 07:58 pm
1 cuff | video | joint post
[ The video turns on to reveal a large man, who is providing it with a close-up shot of about half of his face, and one strong, muscular shoulder. Most of his skin is bare, aside from a white tunic-like garment pinned at that shoulder. It's evident that someone is in the room with him, since he's focused on them and not on what he's doing. ]
Is it working? I cannot tell if --
[ Another voice interrupts, directing his attention back to the camera, and then Damen adjusts it so that his whole face is on screen. He is dark-haired and dark-eyed, and his olive-toned skin is well bronzed by sunlight.
He could not look less comfortable with a camera in his hand. His smile is a somewhat awkward attempt at friendliness, but it's obvious this is new to him. ]
Hello. My name is Damen. [ His eyes flick away from the camera at that, looking again at his companion. 'Damen', and not 'Damianos'. A pet name given to a network of strangers. He sees no reason to hide their true names - but he’ll do it, even so.
While he is introducing himself, the person who had his attention earlier decides to make an appearance. Or better yet, he decides to slide into the space by ending half on Damen’s lap, one hand lazily lifting to sweep a little of his hair back from his forehead. Where the original man is large and olive skinned, Laurent looks fair and slight in comparison. He isn’t actually in miniature, a fact he will press upon people at some point, when perspective is brought up. And where there is bare skin on show behind him, his is all covered up by the kind of clothing that looks restricting even by modern standards. ]
And mine is Laurent. [ He somehow manages to look like he’s smiling without following through, which is a power he possessed before the Porter ever decided to bless him with new ones. ] As you might have guessed, we’ve only recently arrived to this wonderful place.
[ Damen has rearranged himself to give Laurent space, and slide an accommodating arm around his waist. At that comment, though, he rolls his eyes up at his lover. Be nice, Laurent.
Laurent catches that look out of the corner of his eye, mouth twitching slightly like that smile he’s been curbing is threatening to break free. ]
We would like any advice you can give about acclimatising while here. This world is unlike our own, your buildings, modes of transport, ways of communication - [ Lifting his brows upward as if to indicate the device . ] - they’re all unfamiliar. We would not like to remain ignorant.
[ Then Damen leans in, tagging onto the end: ]
And I have need of a place to train. I prefer the sword. If any of you would test your skill against mine, I’d welcome it.
[ The glance they share then seems to be one of mutual agreement. Laurent shifts slightly, reaches out to turn off the feed. His sleeve obscures the view, but to those with extremely good hearing they might catch the as if anyone could best you before Damen interrupts his own smile to reach forward.]
Wait - there was something else. [ There’s a brief scramble for something beside him, and then Damen lifts his file into view. With his eyebrows lifting and expression dubious, he reads from the page. ] Can someone tell me what-- ‘Sunday School’ is? I am supposed to teach it.
[ He glances up at Laurent, nodding. ] That’s it.
[ It’s settled then, Laurent angles the camera once, so that his sincere ( no, really! ) expression can be caught. ] We appreciate the aid.
[ ooc: Damen is red and Laurent is blue. ]
Is it working? I cannot tell if --
[ Another voice interrupts, directing his attention back to the camera, and then Damen adjusts it so that his whole face is on screen. He is dark-haired and dark-eyed, and his olive-toned skin is well bronzed by sunlight.
He could not look less comfortable with a camera in his hand. His smile is a somewhat awkward attempt at friendliness, but it's obvious this is new to him. ]
Hello. My name is Damen. [ His eyes flick away from the camera at that, looking again at his companion. 'Damen', and not 'Damianos'. A pet name given to a network of strangers. He sees no reason to hide their true names - but he’ll do it, even so.
While he is introducing himself, the person who had his attention earlier decides to make an appearance. Or better yet, he decides to slide into the space by ending half on Damen’s lap, one hand lazily lifting to sweep a little of his hair back from his forehead. Where the original man is large and olive skinned, Laurent looks fair and slight in comparison. He isn’t actually in miniature, a fact he will press upon people at some point, when perspective is brought up. And where there is bare skin on show behind him, his is all covered up by the kind of clothing that looks restricting even by modern standards. ]
And mine is Laurent. [ He somehow manages to look like he’s smiling without following through, which is a power he possessed before the Porter ever decided to bless him with new ones. ] As you might have guessed, we’ve only recently arrived to this wonderful place.
[ Damen has rearranged himself to give Laurent space, and slide an accommodating arm around his waist. At that comment, though, he rolls his eyes up at his lover. Be nice, Laurent.
Laurent catches that look out of the corner of his eye, mouth twitching slightly like that smile he’s been curbing is threatening to break free. ]
We would like any advice you can give about acclimatising while here. This world is unlike our own, your buildings, modes of transport, ways of communication - [ Lifting his brows upward as if to indicate the device . ] - they’re all unfamiliar. We would not like to remain ignorant.
[ Then Damen leans in, tagging onto the end: ]
And I have need of a place to train. I prefer the sword. If any of you would test your skill against mine, I’d welcome it.
[ The glance they share then seems to be one of mutual agreement. Laurent shifts slightly, reaches out to turn off the feed. His sleeve obscures the view, but to those with extremely good hearing they might catch the as if anyone could best you before Damen interrupts his own smile to reach forward.]
Wait - there was something else. [ There’s a brief scramble for something beside him, and then Damen lifts his file into view. With his eyebrows lifting and expression dubious, he reads from the page. ] Can someone tell me what-- ‘Sunday School’ is? I am supposed to teach it.
[ He glances up at Laurent, nodding. ] That’s it.
[ It’s settled then, Laurent angles the camera once, so that his sincere ( no, really! ) expression can be caught. ] We appreciate the aid.
[ ooc: Damen is red and Laurent is blue. ]
no subject
I still prefer the feel of a book in my hands, but I can't deny the usefulness of these things. For gathering information, and also for keeping yourself from getting lost in a new city.
Put in the name or street address of a place, and it can tell you all about it, including very specific instructions on how to get there from wherever you are.
no subject
And maps too? I fear I have judged this thing too harshly.
[ Then, with interest. ] Are you from a world unlike this too?
no subject
Very unlike.
My people have no technology like these communicators, and no abilities like those given to us on our arrival here either. I feel as if I'm still adjusting, even months later.
no subject
That seems to be a common thread. [ Needing to adjust. ] But at least it would appear we are all of similar natures. Tell me, what has most surprised you beyond these instruments?
no subject
[She considers the question for quite a while actually...]
The casualness, I think.
This country is at war with one of its enemies as we speak, many people who have been brought here and given superhuman powers use them in selfish and very destructive ways, and there is a large machine here that no one seems to understand or be able to control which has trapped us in this land. But most are content to simply go about their lives and wait for someone else to resolve it all for them... so nothing ever actually is resolved.
no subject
And is quite possibly the first person he has heard voice any opinion that isn't just war is bad. ] That sounds frustrating. [ He knows for a fact that he will find it hard to simply sit back and wait for things to happen. ]
What do you think it is? Laziness? Acceptance? Or just that not everyone here has the nerve for warfare?
no subject
There's also the knowledge that most of the "imPorts," as they call us, that have come here have eventually been returned home. The general belief is that this will be the case for all of us someday, so even those without malicious intent feel no need to concern themselves with much other than making themselves comfortable or possibly... performing small acts of kindness, until that day comes.
no subject
[ It sounds like a difficult way to live a life, but he's lucky enough to have Damen by his side. ]
Are you the only one from your world here? I've heard it is rare that people arrive together.
no subject
[Again, it is frustrating at the very least.]
And yes, I'm the only one from my world to have ever come here, as far as I'm aware.
no subject
[ He could use a year of freedom, he thinks. ]
Do you think being by yourself makes it better or worse?
no subject
no subject
I feel that any good leader must wish that for those they serve.
[ He's also casually assuming from her word choice ... ]
But it does not do to dwell, I think. We cannot control whether or not we stay here. We can only deal with the here and now. [ And he will appreciate the here and now thoroughly. ] There must be more than strange jobs and modern warfare.
no subject
Yes. You're right. Maybe someday it won't be the case, but for now, that's out of our control and best not to become lost in.
[She smirks slightly.]
You'll find that there are many wonders in this land, both large and small, and if you're open to it, you'll likely be treated to many of them. While there are of course some who disagree, many of the natives think very highly of imPorts. They celebrate our arrival, seek to meet and befriend us, and even court our favor with gifts.
no subject
Like royalty. [ His lips twitch, amused. ] Isn't that nice?
no subject
Her eyebrow raises, curious about his real feelings on the matter.]
Of course. They treat us well, we use our powers to protect them, and it all works out for everyone, doesn't it? We all know who our allies are... who we can trust.
no subject
[ He's a naturally suspicious kind of person. ]
I know we are to help, but still, some might see us as invaders. We are not natives, and yet we come and expect housing and coin and livelihoods from them. I do not think that the entire community could be happy with something like that. Resources are not unlimited. Someone always loses out.
no subject
[He's not alone in that.]
Some are angry about what they've lost, but others are aware that they have much more to lose if so many imPorts weren't kept... complacent. If we turned against them or even appeared that we might not support them should their enemies attack.
Our happiness is a threat that keeps these Russians at bay.
no subject
[ It's a strange position to be in. He's used to leading the company, not writhing in the mud like a common man. Not that he can't. Not that he won't. It's something he has always considered. If he had lost to his uncle, perhaps there would have been some opportunity to escape ( there hadn't been, but he hadn't known things would end the way they did ), he would have tried to live a normal life.
It's a little exciting, in a way. The opportunity of it. ]
And do they train the imPorts in warfare? They did not mention it before.
no subject
[Yes, it's very odd. Lexa can't remember a time before she was a leader or in training to become one. Having that burden of responsibility suddenly lifted has been... something. She's not sure. Freeing, maybe. But also a little scary too, strangely enough.]
In any case, I believe training in many things, including combat and strategy, is available to those imPorts who want it, but it isn't mandatory.
no subject
To a company expected to fight. Laurent's expression turns slightly pinched like he's half tempted to throw himself into the thick of it and whip the imPorts into shape by himself. It wouldn't go well with his pretense though. ]
Strange. You would think they would. But then you would think many things and this place has a habit of disproving them.
no subject
I think they're afraid of what might happen if they tell us we have to do anything.
They're very careful to say that everything they want us to do is voluntary. Even imPort criminals aren't punished nearly so harshly as natives, and other imPorts are involved in the process of dealing with them. They need us, but they don't know how to control us.
no subject
[ He's so very used to rebellion. ]
But it is a path you can easily stray from. I am amazed they are so clearly favouring us, when we come and go. It'll be something I intend to watch closely.
no subject