[Video]

[thetruehistorian]

Who: Nico Robin and YOU!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Yes if you're on the Marsiva
When: 7/12

Well, waking up with knowledge I didn't glean for myself is quite an experience, I must say. Does this sort of thing happen often, or is it a once in a lifetime memory I get to cherish until my probably untimely death?

[Robin smiles a little at that. She's been on the run since she was eight, and fully expected death to catch up to her long before now. Untimely her death most likely will be, but she's been living on borrowed time for more than twenty years, so she has no particular complaints.]

I suppose I ought to introduce myself. My name is Nico Robin. I'm an archaeologist. And... security officer, it would seem.

[She does not look like the security officer type. More like the secretary a sexist boss hired for all the wrong reasons type. But who knows?]

It's been awhile since I've had to seek passage with a strange crew on a new ship, but that's worked out for me quite well the last couple times, so I'm not opposed to doing so again. It'll be the first time I do so in space, however. If there's some aspect of it that wasn't included in our instant training module, I do apologize.

Comments

[thetruehistorian]

Naturally. Archaeologists dig in the dirt to learn about the past, historians dig through the library. In the end, the goal is the same.

My work was a bit more like a treasure hunt, honestly. Perhaps I was being given a hint when the World Government branded me a pirate.

[She looks thoughtful for a moment, then shakes her head. No, she's fairly certain the motivations for that were quite different. She was incredibly young at the time, after all.

And Kuzan isn't that subtle.]

In any case, the less said, the better. And it isn't particularly relevant here, given the circumstances. I am rather curious what is known about our current world's history, though. Is that something we're welcome to explore?

[ontrial]

The planet we're taking our leave on, yes. The locals seem more than willing to share their culture with visitors and I've heard a few good stories.

[ and seen a few, but she's been avoiding the whole touch telepathy thing. ]

But that's not going to tell you anything about the Atroma, the one or ones in charge of bringing us here. As far as I can tell, no one knows anything about them.

[thetruehistorian]

Even the people we visit have never heard of them? How do they rationalize our existence, then?

[ontrial]

We're just an eclectic fleet of aliens to them. They're used to travellers, but if we can't describe what the Atroma is or are, we can't very well convince them that we're being held against our will for a reality holo.

[thetruehistorian]

So the people on the planets we visit aren't viewers?

How disappointing.

[Robin thought it might be fun to be recognized like a rock star. Oh well.]

And none of them seem at all concerned by such a claim? Surely someone somewhere might do a bit of digging. Justice types exist everywhere, do they not?

[ontrial]

And so do crazy types. [ she pauses, shakes her head. ] I don't know, to be honest. Maybe the Atroma have a controlling hand on anyone who might believe our story.

That would explain why we wouldn't interact with viewers. If we were genuinely humanized in their eyes, I'm sure some of them would protest the situation. But if it's all just for fun... Then you can't insist justice should be served.

[thetruehistorian]

[Not that justice has ever been on Robin's side anyway. It turned its back on her long ago. So her curse follows her to entirely different worlds, fascinating. Her lips press together in a thin frown.]

I see.

But we are mostly free otherwise, no?

[ontrial]

In some ways. We can do what we like, as far as I've seen, but we can still only be where the Atroma want us to be.

[thetruehistorian]

I see.

[Robin's voice is quiet as she lets that sink in. It isn't so bad, from a certain perspective. After all, even in life, one is limited by the constraints of their situation. Perhaps economics or politics or geography will keep a person trapped against their will in a particular place. But there's something ominous about the thought of being so manipulated on purpose. It makes her want to scream.

Instead, Robin flicks her eyes back up to the woman in the video, with those intense blue eyes set off by her pale complementary skin and strangely uniform freckles, and manages to work up a smile.]

Thank you for this information, Barriss. It bears keeping in mind. If it isn't rude to ask, which ship do you travel with?

[ontrial]

[ barriss smiles reassuringly back before she can really think about it. it's instinct, something she just has to do for others if the situation permits it. ]

I'm on the Golden. But I haven't been here very long, I don't know if the crews ever change or anything like that.

[thetruehistorian]

I'll be sure to keep my ears open for news of your ship, then. It's been a pleasure speaking with you!

[ontrial]

You as well! Good luck settling in.