001; the most optimistic newb you will ever meet. (video; open)

[assumedposition]

[ There's a boy on your video feed. Or more accurately: an intense close-up of his face, like he's inspecting it without realising it's turned on. But then before you know it, he leans back with an excited victory whoop. ]

Whoa! I got it working!

[ Now you can see more of him: he doesn't look to be any older than sixteen, but he's dressed in what are unmistakably fine clothes-- a collared shirt, a cravat, a jacket, etc. Even the patterned material is obviously opulent. ]

Man, these things are really ancient... --oh. Sorry. Talking to myself. Where are my manners? I'm Albert...

[ He trails off quite suddenly, as if he were about to say something else after his first name, but then thought the better of it. It's also noticeable that he pronounces it in the French way, "Al-bear", without the t. ]

Anyway! I'm making this video because I was hoping one of the kind citizens of this place could direct me in the way of food! French cuisine is preferred, but I'm not particularly picky. Hunger is the greatest sauce, or something like that.

Although-- now that I think about it, I don't... actually have any money? Oh, goodness. That was silly of me. I'm sorry, maybe just forget the whole thing.

[ He has the decency to look slightly sheepish. ]

In any case, since I'm under the impression that we're all sort of in this place together until we can manufacture an escape plan, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to meet everyone soon. I hope we'll be good friends!

Comments

[twitterpate]

That thing is certainly not ancient, you spoilt git. [Alex is still sore from the iphone comment okay.]

[assumedposition]

[ He can't deny the spoilt comment, so... ]

Hey. Don't worry about it. That thing you're carrying is actually a gold-mine, you know. Do you know how many iPhones have made their way to the 51st century? Not many. You could sell it to a museum for a mint, when we get out of here!

[twitterpate]

Listen to you, breaking poor Steve Jobs's heart one syllable at at ime.

And I'm plenty attached to my phone, thank you-- Wait, your name is Albert?

[assumedposition]

[ He nods ]

That's right. I apologise for not introducing myself earlier-- I was a little preoccupied, I suppose.

[twitterpate]

Happens all the time. One minute you're thrashing out of pod, the next you're making friends with equally distraught strangers.

It's Alex.

[assumedposition]

[ An awkward laugh at that. ]

Yes, well, you'll have to understand if I'm not so keen on adding that particular experience to my list of things I'd like to do again.

Alex. It's nice to meet you, formally. Is that short for anything?

[twitterpate]

Alexandra Millar, but we don't talk about that.

And I'm sure no one's adverse to feeding you, money or not. We're stuck here. Being expected to pay is just barbaric.

[assumedposition]

Really? Why not? Alexandra is a beautiful name.

[ There's not even a hint of flirting in his voice. If you search his face for any sign of insincerity, you won't find a single drop. ]

I wouldn't say barbaric, but it does rather make you wonder where the food is coming from, doesn't it?

[twitterpate]

Too many consonants and syllables. It makes it easier for others to bellow at you.

[Good move, Albert. She's flattered.]

Maybe it's a ration system.

[assumedposition]

[ He laughs. ]

I can't say I'm familiar with that experience. Albert is only two syllables, after all, and quite hard to elongate. But very well, I'll stick to Alex.

And that would make slightly more sense, wouldn't it?

[twitterpate]

Someone'd do a good job of it if they were mad at you enough.

Now, let's a make a deal. [She's long gotten over the shock of being seen, even on phone.]

[assumedposition]

A deal? What kind of deal?

[twitterpate]

You find chocolate, yous save some for me.

[assumedposition]

[ That gets a small laugh ]

All right. That's a deal I think I can keep to.

voice | threadjack oops

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Hang on a second. You're from the 51st century?

np np o/ video cause albert is too lazy to switch lol

[assumedposition]

[ There's a pause as Albert blinks, taken aback by the new voice. Then: ]

... That's right. Is there some problem with that?

k permavoice here

[idkmybffbloodwing]

No, no, not at all. You're the first person I've met here who I didn't already know who's from anywhere near our time period. Seems like everyone else here's from thousands of years ago. It was 5327 back at home, before comin' here.

[assumedposition]

Well, you're still a ways ahead of me, then. It's only 5053 as far as I'm aware.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Same millennium, though, which is closer than anything I've seen here. They all didn't seem to get why I thought this damn thing looked like an antique.

[assumedposition]

Right? Though, I would be lying if I said I didn't find it a little bit cool. I used to build similar things as a kid for fun, so seeing the real deal is a little bit like being back in a toy shop, haha.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Heh, I bet. So, where you from?

[assumedposition]

France, Earth. [ He doubts that the name and scandal of General Morcerf has lasted down through 300 years of history, but even so, he feels it's wise not to be any more specific than that. ]

And yourself?

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Artemis originally, though it's been a while since I was home. I do a lotta traveling. Never been to Earth, but I dunno that there's a lot left there to see, anyway.

[assumedposition]

[ The shock is clearly visible on his face. ]

Not a lot left to see...? Why? What happened?

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Nothin' more than thousands of years of human civilization. There's people still livin' there an' all, just not my kinda place. Too crowded.