» voice

[hellene]

Hello? Is this meant to be spoken into? There is no circular apparatus by which to dial a number—

Ah. The light says "recording." Good. I have a question: which of these cities is most in need of help? Eventually I'll see to all, but those most in need should be helped first. I've heard gossip on the street while strolling of riots, blackouts and a shortage of food. Is that everywhere, or simply in the place called De Chima?

( Diana repeats this messages in a dozen different languages, just in case. There's a long pause afterward, and then she says quietly: )

Peace seems to elude this world. I must wonder if he survived.

( He being her half-brother, of course. Though she doesn't elaborate. )

Comments

[Video]

[cadbane]

Exactly what sort of help are you offering?

[Video]

[hellene]

Manual labour, cooking, cleaning up, mediation—almost anything.

[restingstitchface]

[A calm tone comes from Crane's end of the line. His words bounce with a lilt but there's a slight air of boredom to them all.]

It's everywhere, I'm afraid. All of the cities we live in. Quite terrible.

[hellene]

Considering we have to live in them, I agree. Though De Chima is much nicer than London.

( She'd exchanged weird looks for camera flashes. But at least it's colourful? )

[voice]

[carbonfrozen]

Yeah, you're supposed to talk into it. And also to make a ho—a video. [Not a holo.] And that depends. De Chima ain't that bad, as far as I know the riots, blackouts and food shortages were before my time, and I've been here a while. Right now it just doesn't have an ambassador.

[A while being a few months, actually.]

It's too damn hot in Heropa right now, but I doubt you can do anything about that. And Maurtia Falls is—

[Hah. How to explain?]

Maurtia Falls is a lot more inclined towards crime than the other cities, let's just say.

[voice]

[hellene]

What is a video? ( He's piqued her curiosity. ) Does that mean these people have no one to look to in the meantime? That should be rectified immediately.

( As in like, now. )

I've been assigned to live in this Maurtia Falls. The porter chose well.

( This amuses her, as her tone lightens. ) Then I'll be kept busy. Excellent. Thank you—what should I call you?

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

He? are you looking for someone?

[ Video ]

[hellene]

How are you looking at me right now through this device?

( That's fascinating! )

Possibly, though my brother's good at hiding in plain sight.

video

[mansplane]

If it helps, I haven't seen him so far.

[ Not that Steve would know if he saw Ares - and not that he believes Ares is the cause of all this either. But. You know, helping! Sort of.

He's still pretty well deliriously happy to have Diana here, and it shows on his expression over the comm. Diana is here. His Diana, thank god. ]

video

[hellene]

I'd say that's a relief— ( And it is. ) —but then that implies that people make war without his meddling.

( She's not lived through the following century following his loss to see or know. The mere thought of it is unsettling and she doesn't let herself dwell on it.

Because however these images are being projected before her, his is a dear sight. Her smile softens, almost shy. )

Where are you? I wouldn't say no to another stroll.

voice;

[picksthenames]

[ Cisco responds in Spanish, because why not. ]

If you need some help navigating your phone, I can help you.

voice;

[hellene]

( Delighted, Diana continues in Spanish. )

I think you're what people here would call a lifesaver. Or save lifer? The first one sounds better.

But yes! Thank you.

[video]

[glassfall]

Hello! It took me awhile to get used to this, as well.

[She smiles.]

I've heard that De Chima and Maurtia Falls have it the worst. I rarely go.

[video]

[hellene]

Hello. You seem to have mastered it now, at least. I hope to as well.

( And she smiles in return. )

Well then, that must be changed. De Chima is beautiful, aside from the noisy people with the cameras.

What would make you feel safer there?

voice

[lightinside]

De Chima has a clinic in it which needs some help. If you have some medical experience that would be amazing.

I don't run the clinic but if you do go there, ask for a George. He's the guy I talked to before.

voice

[hellene]

I could learn quickly, as my knowledge would be rudimentary by this world's standards.

But I'd love to help. Do they need anything like blankets, or food? I will speak to this George, thank you.

( She pauses, and then adds: ) My name is Diana of—Diana Prince. Pleased to meet you.

voice

[prostheticbody]

[If one of those languages happens to be Japanese, the Major will respond in kind. Otherwise, she's fluent in English as well.]

Maurtia Falls could always use more help, though its problems are systemic rather than ones that can be solved with overt force, if that's what you're offering.

Who's this 'he' you're referring to?

voice

[hellene]

( It is! Hearing it spoken in return sees Diana continues to make use of it. )

Force is an option, but not much use when people are hungry and need homes rebuilt. Any kind of help I can give, including protecting citizens with my life, I'll offer.

What are the systemic problems in that city? I've heard it's popular with criminals.

( A beat. ) My brother. But I don't think he's here.

[Video]

[dr_eldarov]

Your Russian is old-fashioned. Which is not a criticism, but is at this point quite welcome, given I arrived from the start of the year 1950 and it is much later, here. You clearly have a gift for languages - which may help if you choose to try to keep the peace here, as De Chima has a sizable Spanish-speaking population and many of its' enemies are, unfortunately, Russian. [Unfortunately because he is Russian, and that has made trying to help people an uphill battle for the most part.]

Peace may be elusive, but there are two words for elusive in Russian, one for the impossible to grasp and one for the difficult to get ahold of. I choose to believe it is the latter, here. People have been good and kind to me since I arrived, willing to help me even though I speak with the accent of their enemies. Things will get better, here.

Though if you are determined to go to where things are worst, that would be Maurtia Falls. The police are corrupted, crime is heavy, and it is dangerous to walk alone. I would advise you to find some people you can trust to go with you, whatever it is you want to attempt. No one is meant to be alone in hard times or hard places.

[Video]

[hellene]

There's no way that can be possible, since I speak the modern version of every language known to man. As well as versions and dialects used in the past, along with tongues now considered extinct. My people are a bridge to a greater understanding. If I can use my gift to mend relations between two warring nations, I will. Trying is a goal worthy of pursuing.

( She pauses. ) This is the third recommendation I've received for Maurtia Falls. Thank you. I'm able to handle myself readily without an escort.

video

[notgneiss]

[the video clearly shows the fact shale is holding someone upside down by their ankle. the person in question is very unhappy about this, letting off a mix of cries for help and curses towards shale.]

Is anywhere truly free of problem?

[she wiggles the guy a few times, to make a point. what point? that she's kind of an asshole and pretty much openly challenging diana to Do Something.]

video

[hellene]

There is one, yes. Though I've been told it doesn't exist here.

( Inconveniently. Themyscira is a utopia, and not the norm. She can recognize that now.

That doesn't mean she wants to face up 100% to the reality that Man's World Sucks. )

Has he offended you?

( Believe it or not, this is progress for her! She used to think everybody was inherently good. )

voice,

[legionnaires]

I've only been to Heropa outside of where the government assigned me to live. Maurtia Falls has had some... crime. I tend to stay out of it.

It sounds like you're looking for someone, however.

voice,

[hellene]

Some, or a lot? This is a problem. Surely its economy mustn't be in good shape if no one will visit.

( Oh, Diana. Just wait until you discover the darker side of humanity. )

Someone who wouldn't want to be found, yes.

video

[forcereset]

I've heard it said death is the only true peace in the galaxy.

video

[hellene]

That's more than a little pessimistic of whoever you heard it from, miss.

Video

[pummelgranite]

[ Whoa, babe spotted. Persephone is, at the moment, sprawling on her throne of flowers and animal bone.

Depends on what kind of trouble you're looking for.

Video

[hellene]

What's the saying? 'I'm not picky.' That's an apt description.

( That's some throne, Persephone. Colour her curious. )

That is beautiful.

video;

[doubleblind]

I'm seconding the clinic. George could definitely use an extra pair of hands helping out around there.

Not that De Chima is in crisis mode like you think. We're doing okay.

video;

[hellene]

Oh, good. Thank you for clarifying that.

( She seems very relieved to hear that. )

Tell me: have tensions with this Russia cooled, then?

video;

[alcheregis]

Why, haven't you got the most talented tongue!

[ She means languages. But Diana is quite pretty. ]

video;

[hellene]

That's kind of you to say, miss.

( She says, in French. Which probably isn't helping, though it'll take her an experience to realize the connotation there. )