01 - Action/Video

[dualcross]

Who: Dracule Mihawk and Anyone else.
Broadcast: Video - Fleetwide.
Action: Marsiva.
When: Now.


[It's the annoying chill that stirs the swordsman from sleep, already frowning as he pulls back the sheets and cracks his neck once. Chill tends to stiffen one's body and bones. Now, as her rubs his face with a long yawn, Mihawk peers around at the unfamiliar space, the even more unfamiliar clothes, and his scowl only seems to set in place. He's not unfamiliar with being dragged from his home, his world and thrust into a whole other one on the whims of whatever nonsense that sees fit to haven him there, but there is one thing that is lacking the confined space he finds himself in.

One very large and exceptionally important thing.

At the very least his clothes and his cross necklace (doubling as a small, concealed knife) are inside the chest. After dressing, he sweeps up his communicator and easily flicks it on. He's had previous experience with gadgets like this, after all. He doesn't care where he is, how he got here, what his purpose for being here is. Mihawk has not a care about that frivolous bullshit, he just wants to know--]

Where is my sword?

[Later, after Mihawk has heard enough, he's gone to explore and to look for his sword. Regardless of what he's been told, he's not parting with Yoru so easily. One way or another he's getting it back. He doesn't look any angrier than usual as he prowls through the halls like a stalking wildcat, but the sheer presence of him, the sharpness that hides in the edges of his golden eyes...it's obvious Mihawk's not at all pleased with this so-called fine print. Not in the least.]

Comments

[mikangirl]

The Atroma. It's a group that kidnapped us all to be on reality television. I made the same inquiry of them about my weapon, and they said they'd "look for it, but filling in the paperwork would help."

Which we're currently not in a position to do. If you even believe that.

[dualcross]

Your staff?

[Why yes, he does know about it. Mihawk really has no care to hide that he knows Nami from before, when they both shared the experiences of Adstringendum. Were she one he knew or not, he simply doesn't mind either or. If she doesn't, it means a lengthy explanation for him, and he has other matters to attend to, but he's not going to go to lengths to hide this fact. Too much of a bother. She'll find out someway anyway, and it's not exactly a huge secret.

Anyway--]

So they can be contacted then. [That's useful.] Though I'm assuming their physical whereabouts are safeguarded.

[Not like he's going to go charging in on horseback screaming and waving a red banner, but still. A little intimidation sure gets the point across sometimes.]

[mikangirl]

[There's a pause.]

Not so much contacted as they deign to contact us. If you're here long enough they'll probably open their traps on the screen to speak again. And yeah... nobody's seen them in person.

[Bluntly:] Did you just come from Adstringendum or did you have the luxury of going home first?

[dualcross]

[Ugh, damn it all. There goes that idea. So it really will be a waiting game then... Mihawk's face darkens at the thought of being separated from his treasured sword for more than a few days, let alone any longer than that. He's had Yoru for decades now - she's always been with him since he was young, probably around Nami's age.

The change in conversation is very welcome, and Mihawk raises his head so the shadow cast by his hat isn't as prominent (and doesn't make him look as brooding).]

I was lucky enough to be returned to my home for several months after we left Adstringendum. Not very many, but I was able to enjoy the sea air for some time. ...Were you not as lucky, young lady?

[mikangirl]

[She relaxes ever so slightly, her response edge with-- well, not exactly warmth. Familiarity. They'll never be friends, but it's good to see someone who knows where she came from, nevertheless.

Plus he just confirmed for her that most people would have gone home. It's reassuring.]

Not so lucky, no. I went through the portal for home and came straight here. Par for the course, I guess.

Luffy's here too, but he doesn't remember.

[dualcross]

[Never friends, heavens no, but Mihawk can at least be civil - he does know Nami, they've had their fair share of...experiences together, in Adstring. Though what she says is a little bizarre, distressing even. She didn't go home? Why? Did something go wrong? Or was the force that pulled her here stronger than the one sending her home?

And--oh. Oh, this is something.]

Your captain does not remember our time spent in Adstringendum? I had thought those memories were to be retained. [He frowns. This is a little devious. They were told one thing, he himself got the better part of it - the so-called truth - and yet the Straw Hats did not. Why? How?] ...Have you told him anything, young lady? Of what transpired in that other world?

[mikangirl]

I think that's not the doing of the Animus. When he arrived here he'd been six months in another place he can't remember the name of-- the times don't match up. [It's only been two months since she was in Adstring.]

So I'm figuring they wiped his memory somehow. I don't know how the rest of it works. And no, I haven't told him anything. It's too complicated.

So far, you're the only other person who's come here from there. Though there is someone here who remembers Adstring from well before my time there. Back before it was a ruin.

[dualcross]

[Okay, that's makes...no sense. At all. Surely there can't be a way Straw Hat could be in two places at once - especially if he existed for longer in another world indefinitely. Mihawk frowns, closing his eyes with a brief shake of his head. He really doesn't want to get into the mental game of world-hopping and time shenanigans right now. He already has a growing headache from losing his sword, getting him worked up over more nonsensical bullshit is perhaps not a grand idea.

At the very least, he knows he ought not to go running his mouth too openly about Adstringendum in front of the young lad. It probably wouldn't be problematic either way, given Luffy's...memory span (or lack thereof), and his own is fleeting at best of various parts of the other world, but Mihawk does look up, eyes a little wider. Another person? Maybe--]

What are they called?

[mikangirl]

Zuko. Even if you don't know him, he'll probably want to talk to you at some point.

[Name won't ring a bell. Zuko was long gone before either of them.

[dualcross]

[Mihawk makes a low note in his throat to confirm he heard her, but not much else. He seems a little disappointed, but only marginally - there was no guarantee to see either Makie or Katie at all in this world, they (hopefully) went home like he did, or to other worlds that offer a better lifestyle, a better future.]

I am not familiar with the name, no, but he can seek me if he so chooses.

[mikangirl]

I'll let him know you're here, then. [Zuko comes off as a sulky brat to Nami, so she doesn't think much will come of the meeting other than Mihawk staring him down like a bug, but hey. Maybe that will be entertaining.]

Apart from you and me and Luffy, we're the only ones here from home. If you've got more questions someone hasn't already fielded, I'll try answering.

[dualcross]

[That's actually very likely, actually...if the conversation goes awry. Mihawk honestly isn't even looking forward to being contacted - is there really a need for it other than sharing the outcome of what happened in Adstringendum? The day was saved, everyone lived happily ever after, blah blah blah, it seems like a waste of his time, considering their real focus should be on this new world. But so be it, maybe he'll learn something about these different dimensions that could be useful.]

I was told a monetary system is actually put in place here - we are given payment for how...amusing we are to our captors, I assume? I'd like to know if we are given wages regardless of our appeal, and if that amount is set, and when wages are provided. [Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly...] There must be a reason as to why we are given monetary provisions as well.

[Meaning if he can buy his sword back, then he'll take on the duty he had back home - being a government dog. There's sure to be some slimy folk tottering about on other planets that need eradicating. Mercenary work isn't glamorous, but it pays.]

[mikangirl]

We all get a tiny amount on a regular weekly basis. It's sort of a default, I guess. And it can go up depending on how popular you are iwth the audience, supposedly. [She still doesn't believe there IS an audience, but it's money, so she speaks with a little more life about this even if she's skeptical as hell.] The "audience" can send you gifts as well, though I don't think there's much dignity involved in that.

And it's basically an allowance that you can spend when we get to different planets and the like. So I guess the more you have, the better off you are.

[Because it's Nami, she knows all about the monetary side. But because there are no actual figures listed in the FAQ, just assume she rattles off figures at Mihawk and gives him a comparison for how much that will buy him offworld. It's not a great deal at the start, but it is a start.]

[dualcross]

[The rundown of finances is actually a very big help, and he listens intently though her explanation, though only makes a few quiet remarks here and there. For the most part, living off the set wages isn't ideal, but it's doable, especially given that the crew as a whole tends to pool funds for the benefit of all. He's not exactly happy to share his earnings (pirate), especially since he'll be saving to buy back his sword if ever he comes across it, but...sometimes the quickest way to something you want and need is to help others.

Gross.]

You're very financially gifted, young miss. But I must impose on you further. Excuse the impertinent question, but what have you done to earn a more favorable wage? ...So I know how much of my dignity I may be putting on the line.

[mikangirl]

That one I'm not so sure I can help you. I'd only been here a couple of weeks when we all got transferred back to the Marsiva for "maintenance". The ships, our augments... it was chaotic for a while.

[And not at all invasive. Nope.]

I haven't had much chance to consider my options. But in my time here, I've yet to see anyone do anything particularly undignifying on the networks. I think if there is actually an audience, they've pulled you here to fulfil a demand for a certain type of passenger from their audience. [You know, outcries for some kind of tall dark manly man.]

So see what being yourself gets you.

[dualcross]

[Augments? Mihawk tilts his head curiously, but doesn't yet ask the question. He'll find out soon enough - probably sooner rather than later, in fact. If it's anything he should know, someone else will tell him about it, that's not something he's worried about. What he is concerned, and frankly very annoyed, with is being watched. Put on display for the amusement of others...if they do even exist. The very idea in and of itself is vile nonetheless.

He grins at that last bit there. Not just because he doesn't have to embarrass himself just to get a few more notes of compensation. This woman really is something. Wise in ways that count, resourceful, too. That Straw Hat boy really has himself quite the crew.]

I would do nothing less.

[mikangirl]

[Nami would totally be the first to admit she's awesome. /buffs nails

But given she's unaware of Mihawk's appraisal, she just smiles faintly.]

I don't doubt. Anything else?

[dualcross]

Augments.

[He shouldn't have to explain what he wants, the word should be enough.

Might as well just get it out of the way, since she so politely asked. Besides, he is curious - anything having to do with "personal maintenance" is bound to be important and something Mihawk should know. He doesn't exactly like how it sounds, either, if they are to be maintained by their captors. Subjugated, or controlled seems a more fitting word choice, though all three leave a sour taste in his mouth.]

[mikangirl]

Right. You're probably aware by now of a lump on your neck that wasn't there before, or behind your ear. It's there somewhere. Varies on people. [She reaches up to touch behind her ear absently.]

That's your augment. It's a... little device that gives you knowledge of how space and spaceships work so you're not completely confused out here. It's invasive, and apparently sometimes it glitches.

[She doesn't like it. That much goes without saying.]

[dualcross]

[Ah, right, that... He probably was told about that thing, and only now are the fragments of his prior conversations coming together again. Removing his hat, Mihawk also paws gingerly as the space behind his ear and neck, trying to find the exact area the implant was placed. It's not difficult, and sooner rather than later his fingertips brush the area where his skin seems to protrude. How odd, that it doesn't even seem to hurt, or that he can't feel the incision or scar mark.]

Glitches how? [That doesn't sound like anything pleasant, now anything he wants to experience, considering this device is in his freaking skull.]

[mikangirl]

I don't know the full range. But just before I arrived, the fleet apparently got driven into a nebula-- uh. Kind of a storm in space, I guess. Feedback from it caused a lot of people to have headaches, mood swings, that kind of thing.

[Thus far she doesn't know how bad or extreme it could really get. She figures the possibility is there, though.]

[dualcross]

That would imply these devices give off a sort of electric signal...and entering anything that would interfere with that signal could indeed be...problematic.

[If he's right, and boy does he not want to be right, Mihawk assumes the devices are also tracking them somehow. Pulses could be sent to from the machine in their heads to alter thought patterns and any number of things. He does not like this one bit - the machine in their heads could imply so many things and he really doesn't want to go down the list of possibilities. The symptoms don't seem too detrimental, though, just like any other mild illness.]

Any reports of more aggressive conditions? Things worse than those symptoms?

[mikangirl]

That's the conclusion I drew.

[Which means she's been tempted to attempt shorting it out for good, but she only has two ingredients for such a dangerous course of action. One of them's her captain. 8|]

I haven't heard of anything. But then, I haven't been here long. It's better to ask one of the people who've been here long term.

[She glances across his other responses, and then hums.] Ino might know. She's been here a while.

[dualcross]

[There's a low hum, more like a frustrated grumble as Nami confirms his worst fears. Mihawk closes his eyes, but it's easy to see he's not pleased with the news in any sort of way. His brows knit together as he thinks hard - perhaps there's something aboard the ships, a device that reads and relays those impulses...and sends them through the network? Why else would they all be forced onto these ships against their wills? There was more than enough space on the mother ship...

If he can maybe find the source, but then again, ripping out wires and flipping switches in a spacecraft is a whole lot different then peers under a few loose floorboards or something.]

Mm? Ah, yes, the other young woman. [He already...forgot...her name.... 8'Da]

[mikangirl]

Yeah. She's pretty smart, and been here a lot longer than I have. [I-no, Mihawk. REMEMBER IT.]

There's also a girl called Nightingale who's putting together an information pack on this place, so if you run into her, she'll be happy to give it to you.

[Just, you know. Try not to intimidate her through the floorboards.]