7th Mission // Video

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[Jacob films this post while standing in front of the white walls of Helix Station in Maurtia Falls, wearing a navy-blue tank top and black shorts. Judging by the sweat visible on his arms, he just finished his exercise for the morning. His ramrod-straight posture projects an image of Official Business that doesn't match his casual tone of voice, or his workout clothes.]

Hey, everyone. I'm Jacob Taylor. I work with RISE: that's an imPort police team, for all you new arrivals out there. I'm putting together something new for the community... kind of a public safety resource. Like the FAQ, but focused on who's causing trouble these days.

So I thought I'd ask: what do you think are the biggest threats around here? Criminals, terrorists, the Soviets? Maybe there's something most of us haven't heard about yet that more people need to know about. It's important to be aware, especially when people might want you dead. There's always something happening under the surface around here.

Oh, and just so we're clear: this is going to be a list focusing on groups, not individual people. So don't bother talking about who your least favourite imPorts are.

[He pauses for a moment, then relaxes his posture as he segues into more civilian matters.]

That's about it for official business. Unofficially... I was wondering if anybody has got suggestions on a good name for a dog.

[He's totally planning to get a dog. Heads up, MF 001 housemates!]

Comments

[stubble]

[ Cullen doesn't know enough about anything in this world to address threats, but he does know dogs. And he can communicate with them now, so he focuses on that. ]

I called mine Pup. [ He follows that with a lopsided smile. He knows it's lacking. ] Now I would simply ask him what he wishes to be called.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

You'd... ask him?

[Jacob's been an imPort long enough to guess what that means.]

Is that your power? Sounds like a pretty great one to have.

[stubble]

One of them, yes.

[ And really, the only one he knows how to use. ]

Since my arrival here, I have asked if he wishes for me to use something else, but he finds the name amusing and is satisfied with it.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Nice. Maybe when I get a puppy, I can have you meet it. Then you can get its input on what name it wants.

What do dogs... sound like, anyway?

[stubble]

Certainly. I would be happy to aid you.

As for the dogs, it's, well, it's like what you hear already. Barks, whimpers, growls. But the meaning behind the sound is clear to me. So too are the meaning of their mannerisms. Pup's communication is rather complex, though mabari are generally as intelligent as humans. Another breed might be somewhat less complex.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[Jacob nods along until he gets caught up on one of those Other World Terms that he doesn't recognize.]

And a mabari is a kind of dog, where you're from?

[stubble]

[ Cullen would send a picture, but that's technological know-how that's beyond him at present. ]

Yes. They are quite large, bigger than an ordinary hound, bred through magic to be warhounds and companions. They are about as smart as the average person and can understand our language.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

[Well now Jacob wants a mabari, good work Cullen.]

They sound great. I'd like to meet yours sometime, if that's okay. Maybe we can introduce our dogs after I get mine.

[stubble]

[ That is the Fereldan way: spreading the mabari love. ]

I would be glad to do so. And I know Pup would love a new friend. My name is Cullen. Cullen Rutherford.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Good to meet you, Cullen. I'm Jacob- but I guess I already said that in the post, didn't I?

[stubble]

There is no harm in repeating such things. It's a pleasure to meet you, Jacob. And a pleasure to meet another who appreciates a canine companion.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Likewise, Cullen. I think you've got lots of company here when it comes to dogs. Seems like a lot of imPorts either like them or have one themselves. Or more than one.

[Will Graham. Hawke.]

A power like yours could make you a really popular guy around here. I'm sure there's lots of people who would love to know what their pet is thinking.

[stubble]

[ Maker help him. The last thing he wants is to be popular. He was popular in Skyhold and was constantly interrupted and bothered. ]

I am always willing to offer assistance should it be required. And it's nice to hear that others have a high appreciation for such creatures. There are those in my world who do not understand the value of a canine companion.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

We have those in this world too. I think they're called 'cat people.'

[Jacob's not going to judge, though. He doesn't mind a nice cat, even though he is a Dog Person down to his bones.]

[stubble]

We have cats in Thedas too. Some are kept as animal companions. I cannot imagine appreciating one and not the other.

[ But then Cullen grew up on a farm. He appreciates animals in general. ]

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Really? People have pretty intense feelings about it here. They say the kind of pet you like somehow reflects on what kind of person you are.

[stubble]

Perhaps in times of peace, the people of my world have the luxury to worry about who claims what animal for a favored companion. For the last few decades, however, that luxury has been rare indeed.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Is your world at war? Seems like that's a common background for us imPorts.

[stubble]

Almost perpetually, it seems. We survive one catastrophic disaster only to encounter another. I have heard others speak of war as well. It makes me wonder if that is why we in particular were brought here, given this one's turmoil.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

I'm from the same kind of situation. Most of the people where I'm from aren't aware of the big threats, but that doesn't mean they're not out there. The Porter sure knows how to pick us.