maskormenace | Duel 01; Video

[There aren't any questions about what this place is or what it's like. Utena's already gotten used to all of that. She does, however, have a question about something else that's been on her mind: employment. She flops on her new bed and turns on her device, and the network will see a zoomed in image of her eye before she stretches her arms and raises her communicator, showing her from the shoulders up]

So. The government gives us these jobs when we get here, right? But what do you do when it's something you're not cut out for? Like...

[Okay, recording like this isn't very comfortable after all. She stops and rolls over on her side, and adjusts the camera so it's focusing mostly on her face]

I'm supposed to be a teacher, sort of. Or maybe instructor is a better way to put it? ...anyway, I'm supposed to give fencing lessons now. And it's not that I'm bad at it, but...

[She bites her lip and glances away for a moment, uncertain of how much she should (or how much she even wants to) explain about the duels.]

Well, I'm not really used to "standard" fencing matches. I mean, I've fenced before, but the last time I did the rules were kind of weird, and as soon as I got used to it the game would change again. The only real advice I could give is, "hey, don't get stabbed," but that's not really good advice, is it? I mean, that's what swordfighting is all about, I guess, but...

[She sighs, and flops back on her pillow]

I'm not really sure what I should do about this. I still need to talk to them - the people who run the lessons, not the guys who gave me the job - but... I guess I'm just worried that they'll expect more from me than what I can give them. That they'll expect me to be some master fencer from a movie or storybook or something like that. Has anyone else had to deal with that? With their bosses expecting them to be something they're not, I mean.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mmn... hey, what about a pen name? Sometimes writers do that when they get big. That way, they can see if their book is selling because it's by someone good, and not just someone who's famous.

Huh. I usually do on-camera work, but there's no reason I couldn't do written journalism, too. That's actually a good idea—thanks.

And thank you for telling me about the paper. I'll definitely check it out if this job doesn't work.

[She's definitely feeling better after this conversation. Just knowing that she has other options makes classes a little bit less intimidating.]

If you do, let me know. Maybe I can put in a good word.

Will do, Ms...

[Don't mind her, she just needs a sec to check that id again]

...Fisher. Good luck with your articles - though I guess if you got this far, you probably don't need it.

[And unless she has anything else to say, Utena will let her go]

Elena is fine. And you too—with whatever you end up doing.

Duel 01; Video

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;