video.

[edwinjarvis]

Who: Mr. Jarvis and you!
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Marsiva
When: Today!

[The video begins with a fellow in a well-pressed suit and a carefully adjusted tie, all befitting someone who puts the most care into looking a well-kept part in society. His poor hair could do with some pomade - it hangs a bit, droops like a wilted leaf on his forehead, but otherwise he's made sure to keep his dignity in the wake of this... horrible event. He's been clearly kidnapped. Kidnapped! He prays Miss Carter is safe somewhere; the last thing he remembers is being hit with a tranquilizer, but he can't seem to remember if it had been a terribly dangerous affair. Didn't they have the assailant in their trunk? Oh, what a beast the man had been. He will attempt to keep his composure regardless. It's his job.]

While I appreciate that you've let me keep my reading glasses, I'm afraid I won't be broken in by such... backwards methods. Whoever you are and wherever you have... taken me, I can assure you that you've chosen a terrible person to kidnap and that kindness will earn you nothing of use. I'm just the butler; a chauffeur, and I'll have little to offer you, unless you would like to learn how to properly fold any and all manner of clothing.

... Or how to properly prepare a dining table.

[I imagine nothing of that sort will interest you, you're probably all thuggish barbarians.]

If you think you'll get anything at all from me otherwise — well!

[He folds his arms, and though he's concerned for his health in the future (god please don't murder me whoever you people are), he is doing his best impression of an impassive, dry-witted butler. As always. He doesn't sell it perfectly, but at least he's selling it, and that's what matters. Look how tough and unbreakable I am. Can't hurt a butler when he's down.]

You're sorely mistaken.





[........ brb fumbling now]


How do I turn this thing off?

Comments

[ahappylie]

[OOPS. He's been caught by this device finally and now he feels a little guilty, enough to make him talk.]

I don't know what a penny is, but unless you have information on how my comrades are doing, I don't think you need to worry about me. Welcome to the Fleet.

What is a "Butler?"

[edwinjarvis]

A butler is a domestic worker in a household who handles the basic chores of life - cooking, cleaning, driving - keeping things in order for their masters. It's quite a difficult job depending on how cluttered and busy your employer is, but also rewarding.

[He cannot see the fellow in the voice function, so give him a moment.]

You're not aware of what a penny is? My apologies, what country might you be from?

[ahappylie]

Well, then it sounds like you have quite the important job. [Like an assistant, cook, maid, and household keep all in one. That's a lot of work for one person!!] Perhaps that is why they took you - because of how important your job is to whomever you serve.

[And he's keeping his video off for now, mostly because he still isn't 100% used to this whole...communication device thing.]

But no, I don't know what a penny is. I assume it's valuable? [Since he said he wouldn't get a penny from him.] Japan doesn't have them as far as I know.

[edwinjarvis]

A penny is... a small form of currency in some countries.

[Jarvis is hesitant for a moment, if only from the mention of the man's ethnicity - far be it for Jarvis to judge someone entirely on their country, but it does spark a knee-jerk concern; it had only been a few years prior that British Empire and Japan knocked heads, as did the US. A lot of soldiers died, lost to war. Jarvis is always one for fairness, though; he clears his throat and continues.]

If they expect me to serve them in any way, they have another thing coming. I have one employer, and I don't intend to betray his generosity by associating with these immoral criminals.

My master would be useless at housekeeping, anyway.

[ahappylie]

[For him that's so far in the future, he can't even contemplate it. Every day here is a slap in the face, being surrounded by so many foreigners - the devils that the Joui railed against, that the Shogun had to capitulate to in order to keep the country alive. But that had always been one step removed from him. He didn't necessarily like the incursion of the Black Ships, but it wasn't his place to worry as long as he served his purpose.]

Ah, so like the zeni then? I see.

Your loyalty is commendable, but I don't think they want you to serve them. [He pauses and laughs a little.] I don't even know if they are able of being served. I've never seen the Atroma, or whatever they're called. You're here to be entertainment, like all of us are. They want to see what we do, stuck here in their metal ships.

[edwinjarvis]

Is entertainment not some form of servitude, if it is done by kidnapping?

[He perks his brows.]

Regardless... it's concerning. I'll be sure to make myself as dull and dreary as possible, in that case.

[ahappylie]

I suppose it is, now that you mention it.

[They never kept the people the Shinsengumi captured for anything other than torture and information gathering, so he never considered "being entertainment" as a real punishment. Especially not when the entertainment was just turn living their lives.]

I thought I'd make as much trouble as possible so they think I'm not worth keeping around. Maybe if I break everything, they'll throw me out.

[edwinjarvis]

Do you think so?

Just seems like it would make your living area rather dangerous to walk through barefoot. They may get a kick out of it. Whereas you wont, for the more obvious reason of needing to pick glass out of your feet.

... Though admittedly, there's not much glass to be had.

Quite a lot here is exceptionally... chrome or steel.

[ahappylie]

[He laughed a little at how literal this man thought he was being. He's smart enough not to break everything in his own home, silly.]

Well, I was thinking of causing trouble for people, but even if I could, I wouldn't break glass. That's far too expensive.

[Also, breaking the glass here would suck them all out into the vacuum of space so...]

But you're right. The amount of metal here is unnerving. There's hardly any wood or natural materials at all.

[edwinjarvis]

Ah, yes, the lack of mahogany is a terrible shame. It makes everything so much more impersonal. Perhaps we can add a bit of flair to the place, collect some supplies wherever we may end up next.

[A day into being kidnapped and he's already considering the walls.]

[ahappylie]

That would be nice. A wall scroll or some floor coverings to make it all a little less cold.

A pretty folding screen is always a nice way to cheer up a room.

[He's got you on this, Jarvis. He's got your back.]

[edwinjarvis]

I agree with you completely!

We should make it a project. After all, there's far too much free time out here, I can already tell. And... though I have no idea what ship I'll end up on, I imagine it's not any more captivating.

[ahappylie]

[He claps his hands together and smiles.]

That sounds like a fun way to spend some time. I'd love to help you.

But might I ask your name?

[edwinjarvis]

Oh! My manners. I'm sorry.

Edwin Jarvis, though most simply refer to me by Jarvis. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[Even if it started with you giggling at me. B^|]

[ahappylie]

Jarvis-san, then? I'm glad to "meet" you. My name is Soujirou.

[Giggling and lying - what a great way to start a friendship.]

And I think manners can be forgotten a little considering how stressful your situation is right now.

[edwinjarvis]

Mr. Soujirou, charmed.

And I appreciate your kindness. I imagine it must have been quite a shock to you as well, arriving here.

[ahappylie]

Ohhh~ It was. But at least I didn't try to walk out of the doors here. The augments kept me from doing that, or I would likely have died.

[But let him tell you, getting stuck in a toilet stall for a few hours? Not fun.]

Everything here is so strange. Like the "electricity" thing, and all the metal. I'm still learning it all.

[edwinjarvis]

... Oh, yes. That would have been a terrible obituary.

[:^|a Please don't die in space, sir.]

Electricity is new for you, is it? Hardly a seasoned veteran where I'm from as well; when I was a small lad, we still had quite a lot of gasoliers ourselves. My granny had always done her nightly reading with a gas lamp to see by! One of the small things youth these days take for granted.

Americans are very oblivious if they think Edison invented the light bulb, though.

[jarvis you're making yourself sound old]

[ahappylie]

[Not yet at least. One day though...ONE DAY.]

It is very new. I still don't understand how it works.

[As in, he still has no idea what a 'gas lamp' is either??? What gas???]

We used candles and oil, if one were rich enough to afford it.

[He pauses for a second.]

What is an "American?" [A second pause.] And light bulb? Is a seed for light?

[Now who's old?]

1/2

[edwinjarvis]

....

[Oh goodness gracious me, he's very old. Old as balls.]

[edwinjarvis]

A light bulb is a round glass fixture that shines brightly when something along the lines of carefully controlled... lightning is fed through special power lines. It probably sounds like magic, but I promise you, it's very safe and helpful to light a room.

[ahappylie]

[HEY! He's not as old as balls. He was definitely born after they were invented!!]

Oh....so they're the things in the ceiling.

[He glances up above him for a moment, contemplating the fixtures there. Having a name for them is just another tidbit of information to add to his ever-growing repertoire of stuff he will never understand or care to understand. But it's nice to know.]

Interesting. But what is an "American?" You didn't explain that part.

[edwinjarvis]

[nah dude u old as balls]

Yes, correct!

American is -- well, usually it refers to someone from the United States of America.

It's a country located in North America. We're an ocean away, actually.

[ahappylie]

[rood]

....

[And Jarvis has lost him again.]

I'm afraid my country only just opened itself to the West, Jarvis-san. Other than China and the Dutch, we haven't had much interaction with anything until the Black Ships came.

[edwinjarvis]

Oh, dear. You really are quite a ways back.

[:|a]

I look forward to learning more of your time regardless.

Since we'll be fleetmates... Is that the correct term? Fleetmates?