1 ♪ Wary of the World

[fortunes_arc]

How does this -

[At first there's only her voice, muffled as if her fingers are pressed over the microphone, before the video turns on. Upside down. So there's a good view of white-toed black boots and red leggings while Tear talks to herself, trying to figure out the controls.]

Is this..? Ah. [The world flips 180 degrees and suddenly there's a

Comments

[voice]

[stupidgenes]

The replica sent a file providing a general overview when I first arrived. It should be able to answer the questions.

-- Asch the Bloody [:|] sent Tear Grants [YOU] the file " overview" --

You should be able to view the file by [explains here because it doesn't look like she's used to the device.]

[Voice] 1/2

[fortunes_arc]

Thank you, this should be -

[Voice] 2/2

[fortunes_arc]

- Asch?

[Voice]

[stupidgenes]

--What.

[Voice]

[fortunes_arc]

- You're alive.

How?

[Voice]

[stupidgenes]

I don't know. It's not like I tried to be. That's why I left everything to the replica.

What's the last thing that happened to you on Auldrant? [Less of a question, more of a demand. Standard Asch fare.]

[Voice]

[fortunes_arc]

I was just leaving a meeting with the Grand Maestro.

[A pause, as she chooses her words carefully.]

You have been gone for almost a year now. Have you been in this city all this time?

[Voice]

[stupidgenes]

[His way of filling that brief pause.]

...You mean Grand Maestro Mohs?

[Then her question.]

--No. I've been here four months, but time here might not be synchronized with time in Auldrant. It's also possible that you're from a different point in time than me or the others from our world.

[Voice]

[fortunes_arc]

No, Grand Maestro Tritheim. He was appointed not long ago. ...Mohs is dead. [And that's all she will say on the matter.]

I see. [She narrows on his words.] How many others from Aldurant are here?

[Voice]

[stupidgenes]

Six including the both of us. A couple others showed up, but I haven't seen or heard from them recently. It might be safe to say they've disappeared from the City.

[Voice]

[fortunes_arc]

Any individuals I would know, minus you? [And Luke, but she's learned from experience that mentioning his name to Asch is not the wisest plan.]

[Voice]

[stupidgenes]

[It's hard to tell that's hardly Asch's concern anymore, but he'll still be referring to him as the replica for distinction's sake. orz]

The replica, Guy, Florian, and Jade are still here. I haven't heard from Van or Anise for a while.

[Voice]

[fortunes_arc]

My brother was here?

[But good to hear less vitriol in his voice when he says 'replica'.]

[Voice]

[stupidgenes]

Yeah. I thought the replica took care of him, but he could have been from a point when that didn't happen yet. There hasn't been a trace of Van since his first entry on the network.

[Voice]

[fortunes_arc]

...no. Van is dead. He died on Eldrant.

[Voice]

[stupidgenes]

...you mean that you're sure the replica killed him. But he was here.

How could he have come here if he was already dead?