002 ▲ video

[hylights]

Who: Zelda and you
Broadcast: video, fleetwide
Action: on a train somewhere
When: now

[The video feed starts up focused on - well, it's a blur. Once the camera aligns itself it becomes clear that the camera is pointed out of the window of a train, with high rise towers whipping by at a terrific pace. Zelda turns the communicator back to herself, and boy does she look excited. She's been shopping for one thing - she's wearing clothes that are available in a lot of the stores here. And around her neck hangs a lanyard with what looks like some kind of pass.]

I think it's incredible what this world has achieved in transportation. Quite apart from the flying transports, they have these high-speed trains. I've never seen anything like it before.

[She smiles brightly and holds up her pass.]

As it turns out, you can buy a special ticket as a visitor that lets you have unlimited travel while you're here. They give you little gifts as well, every ten journeys you take. [She doesn't say what these are, but trust me, she's already gotten a few.] So I thought it would be a good opportunity to see how long it takes to travel the entire planet this way! I've already crossed seven districts this week.

[She pulls out another device, which looks like a tablet, and starts tapping on it.]

If my calculations are correct, I should be able to do an entire loop of the planet in the next three days. [Glancing up at the communicator again, she nods her head definitively. This is absolutely her plan for the week.] If anyone would like to join me, I'd be glad for the company. I can let you know the next station I'll be at.

Otherwise, I'd like to hear what you've seen here that surprises you. I could mention so many more things - but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Comments

[noprophecies]

I have been on them once or twice, but - the jerking and how fast they move do not bother you at all?

[hylights]

I found the smaller ones a bit more alarming, if I'm to be honest. The... cars, I believe they were called. The trains are really very smooth, and they gradually increase speed rather than starting all at once.

[She's been trying everything out. She knows what she likes.]

[noprophecies]

Yes, I think they are called cars - but not like the - other modern vehicle. The bigger ones are better, then?

[hylights]

They're much more stable, yes.

[She may have gotten a hectic taxi driver on her first day.]

...how are you, Tempest? I feel we haven't gotten to speak much since I was transferred to the Goldstone.

[noprophecies]

I will keep that in mind the next time I am down there.

[...]

Ah - that is my fault, so my apologies. I have been - mm, out of sorts the last few weeks.

[hylights]

There's no need to apologise. I haven't done much to speak with everyone yet either.

[She doesn't mention, either, that Tempest saw far more of her memories than any other person. She's still working out how best to broach that topic.]

[noprophecies]

[there's absolutely no need to bring that up, at all, ever]

I do not think they will hold it against you.

[hylights]

[It's coming. Tempest can't escape.]

If you like, we could meet somewhere here on the planet. [A short laugh.] It won't be on a train, I promise.

[noprophecies]

Ah . . . if you would like. I do need to do a bit of shopping . . .

[hylights]

I'm about to reach Green Station soon... it's the one near the building shaped like a tree. There are a lot of merchants there, and I'm certain you would be able to find what you need there. Would you like to meet there in a little while?

[noprophecies]

Mm, that would be fine. I shall see you in a bit, then?

> action

[hylights]

Of course! I will be there soon; the train is already slowing down.

[With that, she shuts off the communicator and prepares for the train to pull into the station. She exits the station in good time, then stands at the entrance, craning her neck to see if she can spot Tempest approaching in the crowds.]

[noprophecies]

[shutting off the communicator, Tempest sets about trying to find her more modern clothes, as well as . . . well, gloves don't exactly go with a sweatshirt, but she doesn't really care. And she only needs the one, really.

She makes it down to the planet after that, carefully threading her way to the crowd to where she's to meet Zelda. She already looks a bit flustered by the time she gets there - she hates crowds so much]

Quite busy today, isn't it . . . [ha ha]

[hylights]

[Zelda, for her part, gives Tempest an easy smile when she makes her way through the crowds.]

Hello, Tempest. Yes, it does seem that way. But I don't know if it's more or less busy than usual.

[noprophecies]

Mm, perhaps this is - regular busy. i don't know, it just seems all a bit much - anyway, hello Zelda.

[hylights]

I haven't really noticed, if I'm to be honest. [Too busy admiring all this technology to care.] Though it's certainly more people than the asteroids we were visiting previously.

[noprophecies]

It is more than any of the other planets I have been to in my time here. I wish they had other places to go that weren't so busy.

[hylights]

[Zelda reaches out her hand to Tempest, inviting.]

Then let's try to find somewhere quiet.

[noprophecies]

[she almost - almost! - holds out her right hand, out of habit, before she frowns and quickly switches for the left, sighing]

Please. Quiet would be lovely.

[hylights]

[Zelda takes Tempest's hand with a smile, giving it a squeeze before turning to look around the shop fronts.]

All right. I believe there's a small place nearby where they serve drinks and food. We can go there?

[noprophecies]

[. . . are you keeping her hand, Zelda]

That is fine with me.

[hylights]

[Only for a moment. Once Tempest agrees, Zelda lets go of her hand and leads the way through the crowd towards a cafe she's visited once before. It hardly seems possible that things might become less crammed, but she knows her business.

When they break through one more group of chattering shoppers, they come across a quieter cafe, and the din of the outside world is cut as soon as they step inside.]

I found this a couple of days ago. I quite like it.

[noprophecies]

[for all that she hates crowds, she's long since mastered maneuvering through them; she stays a step behind Zelda, hood up and hands hidden underneath her cloak.

When they arrive and Tempest notes how much quieter it is, some tension eases from her shoulders and she looks relieved]

I already love it.