Duel 01; Video

[andtherevolution]

[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.

Comments

[oceanthief]

Gems are always going to outlast humans anyway. [that was just the nature of the species.] But it's unpredictable because no one knows what parameters the Porter is running off of.

[andtherevolution]

[Outlast humans? Her eyes go wide for a moment and she akse a breath]

...that sounds like it could get pretty lonely. But I guess it doesn't matter with the Porter around, huh? You could live forever, but still be taken away from this place in a day or two.

[oceanthief]

I guess it really just depends on how lucky you are.

[or unlucky, in her case.]

[andtherevolution]

So what would be luckier - sticking around, or going back home?

[The answers she's heard to this question have been, uh, mixed.]

[oceanthief]

Whichever the people you care about are doing.

[andtherevolution]

...yeah. I guess it doesn't really matter where you are if you're all alone, huh.

[This conversation got heavier than she anticipated. So, Utena forces a smile and tries to change the subject.]

Hey, Lapis. Working at the zoo is pretty fun, right?

[Forgive the awkward segue. She has an idea.]

[oceanthief]

[she gives a lopsided shrug, oblivious to the clunky change in topics.]

I guess. It's nice seeing the sea lions every day, even when I'm not doing a show.

[especially now that she doesn't have to answer patrons' questions during feeding or post-show chaos.]

[andtherevolution]

How would you like to see the animals at other zoos? You know, get a look at what you might not be able to find at your work.

[oceanthief]

I don't think they'll let me go in the back doors at any other zoo.

[Lapis...Lapis. that is not the point.]

[andtherevolution]

Well, maybe not, no... but you can still see them from the outside. You know, like the other guests.

[oceanthief]

[she squints a little, considering all of this information.]

Do I have to wear one of those funny hats from the gift shop?

[andtherevolution]

That depends. Do you want to wear a funny hat?

[oceanthief]

Not really.

[andtherevolution]

Then you don't have to. You can wear-

[She's about to say "whatever you want", but with how literally Lapis takes things, this might not be the best idea]

...just what you usually wear when you go out, I guess.