001; come be the first in line to shake the hand of mine.

[truthvalue]

Who: Souji Seta and ... you???
Broadcast: Network; open.
Action: Marsiva; all over.
When: backdated to Saturday morning, before the Shuffle.

[It's a little unnerving, this idea of being on television - a little too reminiscent of the Midnight Channel. Souji himself never appeared on it, but he saw a lot of his friends in those staticky broadcasts over the past year, back in Inaba, their flaws put on display for all to see. It's uncomfortable, but - there really isn't anything to be done about it, so Souji doesn't.

He spends his first three days quietly aboard the Marsiva, mostly keeping to himself. Time seems a little too linear and solid for this to be Liminal Space, and when he wakes on the fourth day and nothing has changed, he concludes this must be the next Jaunt after all. He's not seen or heard from any of the Travelers he knows, though, and the psychic network seems to be out of reach, too. It's somewhat unsettling - but, he supposes, things could be worse.

Things can always be worse.

Later that morning, he finally turns his device camera on himself to make a proper introduction. The face may be recognizable to some, with one notable exception - a thin scar slashed across his left cheek. He speaks quietly but confidently, with all the poise of a perpetual transfer student. The smile he shows is practiced and polite.]

Hello. I'm sorry I didn't introduced myself sooner - my name is Souji Seta, and I'm new here.

[Words he has spoken so many times he's lost count.]

I look forward to working with everyone. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

[He nods once, then ends the transmission.]

Comments

[video]

[truthvalue]

[Souji nods amiably.]

It's typically the first thing I do in a new place. It seems rude otherwise.

[He shrugs.]

It's just what I'm used to, I guess.

[takeabow]

"Typically"? How many of these places have you been?

[truthvalue]

Ah, I've moved around a lot.

[He half-smiles, and it's something a little more genuine, this time.]

This is my first time on a ship like this, though.

[takeabow]

Oh. Well, me too. I mean, I haven't been on a ship like this before. In space.

I'm Nova.

[truthvalue]

It's nice to meet you, Nova. Are you new here too, or have you been here a while?

[takeabow]

Pretty new. A few weeks, maybe?

[truthvalue]

[That's interesting - Souji was under the impression that all Travelers start a Jaunt at the same time. Then again, it could be that she's not a Traveler at all, or perhaps only Infiltrating, without her own memories.]

What do you think of it so far?

[takeabow]

[ shrugs ]

Neutral, I guess. Not the worst place I've been, but there are some things I don't like.

[truthvalue]

[Souji nods. He can relate to that - this may not be Hell, but he still finds the idea of being constantly watched more than a little unnerving.]

What do you dislike about it?

[takeabow]

The constant machine noise and recycled air, mostly.

[truthvalue]

Mm, it's probably not too healthy.

[Better recycled air than none at all, though.]

Is there anything you do like?

[takeabow]

So far, the people aren't too bad.

[truthvalue]

That's good.

[His smile widens a little, warms a touch.]

The people can really make or break a place, especially when you're new.

[takeabow]

Hopefully I haven't made too bad an impression so far.

What's your world like?

[truthvalue]

I think you're doing just fine, Nova.

[Souji takes a minute to think before answering her question. It's not something he ever really considered, how his world may have been different. Sure, there was a world where he was a girl, and one where Adachi and Kanji were each Wild Cards, but all things considered, that wasn't a huge divergence from the life he knew and lived.]

It's probably pretty boring ... I'm from Japan, on Earth, originally. There's not a whole lot to tell - I just finished second year of high school.

[And did a stint as an amateur monster battler and murder investigator, but - there's no sense talking about that.]

What about you?

[takeabow]

Oh. Well. It's not great. Pretty different from a lot of other people, from what I understand. We don't have a lot.

[truthvalue]

Ah. I'm sorry to hear that. We have places like that too, but ... I guess I'm lucky.

[takeabow]

I doubt it's very similar. Two kids from each District are picked every year and put with the others until one is left alive.

[truthvalue]

[... ?!]

Do you mean you have to fight each other? That's ... [alarming. Souji shakes his head, eyes wide with shock.] "Awful" doesn't seem strong enough.

[takeabow]

I know. But it's part of where I'm from.

[truthvalue]

[Souji has quite a lot of feelings about that, but he keeps them under wraps, for the moment, choosing instead to focus on something more immediate.]

There's nothing like that here, is there?

[takeabow]

Not so far. Just the reality show aspect.

[truthvalue]

Mm. [He nods.] I don't mean to disrespect where you're from, but it sounds like it might be a good thing you're not there anymore.

[takeabow]

I'm going to go get my sister. That's what I thought I was doing when I ended up here, and then I'm going to take her somewhere else entirely.

[ she's serious about this, and a bit withdrawn, but with fierce determination ]

[truthvalue]

[Something in his expression goes cold at the word sister, like being suddenly shocked with a soaking of ice water. It's a subtle shift, but undeniably there.]

Your sister is still back there? Where you're from?