First // Video

[thefemaleson]

[Video comes on to show Lady Oscar as she finishes buttoning up her uniform jacket. It seems she's brushed the Vine by accident while getting redressed. She shifts the sword belt on her hip and looks around, before noticing the Vine]

What? [She moves closer to inspect the 'mirror']Right. The scroll said this was a communication device

Comments

video;

[howaverage]

King of France? [ France hasn't had a king in a long time, at least from the time she comes from. ] Which king?

[ A pause. ]

Ah, nevermind. I'm afraid an audience with the Queen is out of the question. She's a little bit-- [ Emilia makes a circling gesture with her finger near her head. ] Not all there.

And, look, the animals talk. And there is magic dirt. [ She's saying like she doesn't believe it. ] I'm pretty sure it's like a child's fairy tale. The difference is that this is real.

video;

[thefemaleson]

His Majesty King Louis the Sixteenth. Might I ask were you are from that you do not know this? [She's not offended, just curious]

A Queen who will not grant audience to her subjects? That is... [She pauses and sighs] Well then is there a functionary at least I could present my grievances to? In hopes that it might be brought before Her Majesty?

I am still holding some small hope that this is just a particularly odd dream. But even if it is not, I do not think it's unreasonable to wish to talk with a person rather than following an animal.

video;

[howaverage]

[ There's some surprise in her now slightly high-pitched tone ] Louis XVI? That's the eighteenth century. [ A beat. ] I am French, but definitely out of that century. There's no king in France anymore.

[ She waves her hand dismissively. ] I think we all come from different times. [ She sighs and shrugs, a little defeated. ] Even if you were granted an audience, I don't think you'd get very far. You know how a spoiled child is? That's sort of what the Queen is like.

And if this is a dream, it's a really long one.

video;

[thefemaleson]

No king? But who then rules the people?

Different... times? [A pause as she processes] How is that possible?

[notvitiligo]

The powers that be here aren't really all that into giving explanations, sorry to say. And I don't think anyone here knows the conditions for release, assuming there are any. It's not exactly a practical situation.

Directions are... kind of an issue. The place likes to switch things around. A lot.

And, uh... it sort of IS a child's fairy tale. It's kind of messed up that way.

[thefemaleson]

[She presses her lips together and gives the hem of her jacket a tug]
But certainly there must be a reason for this. Something that the Queen wants...?

This is growing crazier by the moment. Still. If it is some sort of fairy tale, I do not have to react to it as a child. I can not be expected to follow animals around. I will simply have to find my own way.

[notvitiligo]

As far as I can tell... what she wants is company.

Well, the animals make it easier, but it's not too hard, most of the time. Things kind of stay in the same general area, at least.

[thefemaleson]

I can well understand why a monarch might feel lonely, but why then not grant audience. And while I sympathize, I have duties at home, as I have said - a Queen of my own who needs me. I am not at liberty to provide company currently.

I am sure then I shall be able to function without their... guidance then. May I ask whom I have the honor of addressing?

video;

[gravityfists]

[ and on the mirror, up pops a girl dressed as a flying rodent ] Hi, Lady O. Mind if I call you that for short? Lady Oscar François de Jarjayes is a bit of a mouthful, and I'm only gonna end up pronouncing it wrong. Either way, ma'am, the name's Batgirl - think of me as your resident bad guy puncher who doesn't get to punch that many bad guys, 'cause we're kind of lacking in this universe. Not that I'm complaining, but I'm sure you get what I'm saying.

Anyway, getting to your questions in order: when you say you referring to your kidnapper, that's not a plural-you. It's just the Queen and her lackeys, and we like to bunch 'em together. There aren't any terms for release. Right now, the only way out is by a) mysteriously disappearing, and b) inevitable, dramatic kick-ass escape. Not really viable options, just yet! And we've got people other than animals! I don't wanna throw useless figures around, but if I had to guess, I'd say there's at least a hundred of us. There are no channels to go to for an audience with our Evil Overlord,

video;

[thefemaleson]

Lady Oscar, or just Oscar if you must please.

I apologize, but I am not sure what you are referring to. This universe? Kick-ass?

Directions to somewhere not... woodsy perhaps?

video;

[gravityfists]

Oscar. Gotcha.

Guess I should've explained that this is an alternate universe first, huh? You're not in Kansas any more, etc, etc. Whatever you know about your own world probably doesn't hold true here.

As for somewhere less woody. Er, try heading north-east for half a mile, and you should come across a giant colosseum.

video;

[thefemaleson]

Kansas? No, I believe I was at the palace at Versailles before I woke up here, not... Kansas.

Alternate universe? How exactly does that work?

video;

[no_hometown]

[Lady Oscar's words and rank attract her attention. She does not know where France is, but she can respect a commander.] I am Sephiroth, of SOLDIER.

There are a number of women here. We have all been abducted. So far, we have been able to find no way of escaping this place.

I will gladly provide you with whatever assistance you require. Where do you wish to go?

video;

[thefemaleson]

[She smiles slightly] I would think a soldier is something one is not something one is of.

I would like to find some place habitable. I would assume if there are other people, there are houses and such.

video;

[no_hometown]

[She returns the smile.] That is true, but my organization is also called SOLDIER. A simple name, but descriptive. We are an elite fighting force, consisting of our nation's strongest warriors.

There are various structures here. If you move away from the ruins you can probably see from your position, the paths will lead you toward some of them shortly. They are somewhat odd, and they have apparently been provided by the one known as the Queen. They are arranged around the ruins in a loose spiral formation. You can find food and shelter there, as well as other people.

video;

[thefemaleson]

Ah, where I am from, such a simple name would only cause confusion. But I suppose if it works, it makes sense. Though who decides who is strongest?

I thank you for your assistance.

[video]

[pluckmygstring]

[Austria just kind of looks at Oscar through the video feed. After several seconds she speaks, seemingly more to herself than to Oscar.]

...French, hm?

[video]

[thefemaleson]

Yes, is that a problem? [A slight tone that it had better not be]

[video]

[pluckmygstring]

No. Merely an observation.

Your country is here somewhere. She and I do not get along at all, but perhaps you should find her.

[video]

[thefemaleson]

My... country? Madam, a country is a place, not a person. Are you saying there may indeed be a way home?