[video]

[goldkiss]

Who: Victor Nikiforov and OPEN
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Marsiva's Hospitality Deck (common area)
When: Shortly after he wakes up and has had time to explore a bit, so sometime in the middle of the "day"

[The video shows a man wearing a black T-shirt and coat. He is smiling and seems to be happy and cheerful. He has the strap of a sports bag over his shoulder. One hand is to his face, a finger touching his lips.

Despite having just woken up in the middle of space with no idea how he got here, he seems completely at ease.]

I wish someone had told me I was going to be on television today. Honestly, I'm grateful that you took me on my way home from practice because it means I have my skates, but I would have dressed up for the occasion had I known. A nice suit perhaps? At least a decent sweater. [He hand moves down to grip the sports bag's strap.]

I could look so much better given a little bit of notice. [Then he winks, and it's not clear if that's meant for anyone who is receiving this message, the much bigger audience they're told exists, or just because he likes winking.

Then, after a moment, he gets to the true purpose of this message.]

Oh, and if anyone has seen Yuuri Katsuki please let me know. He's Japanese, about 173 centimeters in height, has black hair and brown eyes, and wears glasses. Let him know that Victor is looking for him if you see him, hm?

Comments

[goldkiss]

Ah, ce n'est pas de ta faute. [Victor reassures Lumiére, letting him know that he's not to blame for Yuuri not being here. Honestly, he isn't sure if he's more lonely at not having him or more relieved that he hasn't been put into this mess.]

Two months is long enough to have an opinion. How do you feel about this place?

[servantnotserving]

Véritable. But still, it is not pleasant to be torn from those you hold dear.

[He gives a shrug, even if Victor can't see it. ]

It is a good enough place. Strange, for me, technology is not something I am used to. It is taking some adjusting. The people here are friendly, though. I cannot fault them for that.

[goldkiss]

Does that mean that you're from the past as well?

[servantnotserving]

I am! It is 1752, for me. So a lot of this is as different as can be for me.

[goldkiss]

I can imagine... I'm from 2016 and the idea of space travel is still rather shocking.

[servantnotserving]

That seems like a popular century for people to be from. It is comforting to know even as far into the future as that, some of this is still very confusing. Luckily, there are people on the Fleet happy to help with the adjustment.

[goldkiss]

I've seen that!

Are you from France? Or some alternate reality where they speak French but call it something else?

[servantnotserving]

I am, indeed from France. A quiet province, but a fine place all the same. I live in the castle, servant to the prince of the land.

[Look. Technically none of that is a lie. He just missed out the part where everyone is cursed. A teeny, tiny omission. ]

[goldkiss]

Oh! A castle? How romantic!

I learned French because so many of my fellow competitors speak it, including a very dear friend, and I've always enjoyed attending events in Paris.

[servantnotserving]

It is a very beautiful castle.

[Was. Not so much since the curse. Still. ]

Ah, Paris! I have not been there for quite some time. [He kind of gave it a wide berth during the plague and then he got cursed, so- ] It is a wonderful city to visit, and a beautiful language to speak, if I do say so myself.

[goldkiss]

I loved learning it.

It's very beautiful.

[servantnotserving]

I am glad you think so, monsieur! Sadly, there are few here on the Fleet who speak it.

[goldkiss]

[Victor switches to French then, because he can (but to save poor Google translate...)]

We can speak it with each other if you'd like.

[servantnotserving]

[And lo, Victor goes up ever the higher in Lumiére's estimation. ]

That is very kind of you, my friend. I appreciate that.

[goldkiss]

Of course.

I realized that I'm not sure I caught your name?

[servantnotserving]

Oh, how rude of me. Forgive me. I'm Lumiére. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[goldkiss]

It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Lumiere.

I am Victor Nikiforov.

Do you have any pointers for me about how to survive here?

[servantnotserving]

Survival is the easy part. Learning to live with it- enjoy it; may be a little more difficult. But- there are worse fates.

[Like the one he's living, haaaa. ]

Get close with your crew. They will be the people you are most likely to rely on. People outside your crew, too- make connections. Everyone needs friends, especially when they are so far from home.

[goldkiss]

That doesn't sound too difficult. It sounds a bit like when I was back home and had to work with my sponsors or fellow competitors, only a bit more personal.

[servantnotserving]

Exactly. And I have found it is easy enough. We are all in close quarters. It makes sense to befriend the people you live with. Besides, I am sure these augments of ours must come in use sometime. A crewmate of mine believes we all have our place on the ship, and need to fulfil those duties.

[The last bit is said a little flatly, because it's BORING, but he knows Mallory is right about that, dull as it sounds. ]

[goldkiss]

[Without thinking, Victor reaches behind his neck and touches the spot where his is. He doesn't tamper with it, of course, but being reminded it's there is a little unsettling.]

I was just told by someone that they allow us to learn things instantly.

[servantnotserving]

I would say that is true. I understand how to use the communications station on my ship, and absolutely nothing like that exists back home. I would not have that knowledge anywhere else.

[goldkiss]

Is there anything else you now know that you shouldn't?

[servantnotserving]

Almost everything to do with space. Knowledge of how...basically any technology works. This is not common understanding in my century.

[goldkiss]

I see. So they give you what you need to survive and be useful...