driftfleet | 1

Entry tags:

1 - video

Who: Asuna and anyone
Broadcast: Everyone ever
Action: If anyone's actually on the Marsiva
When: Sunday evening

[The video function turns on to the hesitantly smiling face of a young woman. Blue hair and pointed ears mark her as somewhat different— or they would if this wasn’t a space fleet carrying residents from all over the multi-verse. She waves at the camera, a slight tilt of her head the only immediate indication of any puzzlement, but concern is detectable.]

Ah… hi there. I’ve gone through the information on the computers— or at least what looks like the basics, so I’m trying this now. [She stops, backtracking somewhat.] Obviously I’m new, I think. I just woke up an hour or so ago. I’m still trying to process this, if it’s not a really weird in-game event.

[Her expression sobers for a brief moment before she continues.] Because this isn’t what I normally look like, not really. So…

[And here she catches herself.] Oh, sorry! My name’s Asuna. If anyone has clarification, I’d love to hear it. Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's a really worrying thing to call not important and just drop, you know...

[SIGH.]

You've been taken across worlds to get here. Not just physical space, but other universes. That means while someone is here, time doesn't pass at all back where they were taken from, as far as anyone can tell.

He's been here for... [She trails off, then shakes her head.] Actually, that talk, you should probably have with him.

[It takes a moment, but she does understand what the other girl is saying. Worry quickly spreads over her features.]

I will. Has he been okay, though?

He has, don't worry. It's been rough here and there, but he's been okay as far as I know. Occasionally, even irritatingly okay.

[let's not worry his wife.]

[She gets a weak chuckle of appreciation, the nods.]

Thank you, it's good to know. [Asuna pauses.] And what's your name? I'm sorry I haven't asked that yet.

Oh- Right, sorry. I'm Nightingale. Gray Nightingale, from Takshaka, if... that means anything to you.

[She doesn't expect it will. It didn't for Kirito. Still, she has to try.]

No, it doesn't. Sorry.

[Despite that, she gives another smile. Asuna can be super friendly ok.] But still, it's nice to meet you.

[She sighs, but shakes her head with a small smile.]

Worth a shot. Thanks anyway.

... By the way, if it's all right to ask... You're Kirito's... girlfriend?

[she is not sure what their relationship is. do in-game marriages even count to them? why are you kids so weird.]

[That's a good question. The general rule of thumb is to not talk about real life in game. But how does that translate to this place? Crap.

Oh well.]

It's fine, I think. Mhm, I am! [A fact she seems very happy about. No one knows why.]

[... so how do you politely tell your friend's girlfriend that she is way above his league

She snorts, though.]

You two seem happy to have each other.

[He knows. She denies it.

Asuna almost giggles.]

We are. [Okay now it's time to move on this is embarrassing.]

So what ship are you on? I've seen mentions of others.

I'm glad.

[Both that they're happy, and more importantly, now she gets to pay him back for all that teasing.]

I'm on the Pathstone. I've been to a few, though- First the Caprine, then the Bishop, then the Pathstone... I've got the cooking augment, because the Atroma like to taunt us. Do you know what augment you have?

Yes, I do! [The topic of it brings her back to... whatever's happening.] The same. Is it strange to say I'm sort of looking forward to it?

[She likes to cook.]

[... oh, you poor child.]

Not really... I like cooking a lot, too, but the ingredients here are sort off...

[how do you explain.]

... You're going to be doing a lot of stocking up whenever we make stops, let's just say.

[Well, she's confused, but she'll accept that for now.] If you say so...

Hm, is there anything else I should know immediately?

The food the ship dispenses looks like shit, and tastes like it looks.

[Immediate, and blunt.]

You're from Kirito's world, right? So there's a lot you're not going to know... I can give you the basic summary, but that's still going to be a lot. Do you want to get settled in more first?

[What. How does she even respond.

This face.]

Um... what would you suggest?

... Well. Let me start out with one thing, we can see how well you take it, and then move on from there. Okay?

Sure, go ahead.

[She lifts up one arm.

That arm suddenly bursts into flame, a long stream of fire wrapping around it, popping with very small miniature explosions as she does.]

Magic is real. It's not part of every planet we stop at, or even most, which is irritating, but it's real. And definitely not part of a 'game'.

[Her eyes don't widen and she doesn't gasp, but she does peer forward a little more, like she's suddenly a whole lot more focused.]

In my world, the real one, magic isn't real. But it is in video games, and I'm stuck in my avatar right now. I wonder if I could use spells from the game, then...

It's possible. Kirito can do some really weird things, too.

[She flicks her arm like she's trying to shake off the fire, and it goes away.]

The Fleet isn't always safe. We've been attacked three times, ended up at a planet full of poison, others have monsters. One plant was full of aliens that should have been peaceful, but were infected with a disease to make them go berserk.

Most of the time, it's just boring here. But occasionally, this shit does happen.

[Jeez. What she wouldn't give for some npcs with quest markers to make this a little easier.]

I think you were right before. Maybe I should get more settled before I get more information.

[She nods.]

Sorry. If it helps, that's... probably the worst of it.

You don't have to apologize, I appreciate the heads up.

[She smiles at Nightingale.] And thank you for being friends with Kirito. I hope we can become friends, too.

[Okay, that gets a smile, if somewhat awkward.]

Of course. He's the only one around here I can talk about some stuff with, so I'm glad to be friends with him. It's practically the only reason I'm still sane around here.

I'd like that, too.