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

[ 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!

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[ Oh my goodness, no. He can't help it-- he cracks up laughing. ]

That's better be French laughter there!

[ He manages to stop laughing, but he can't quite keep the amusement out of his face. ]

Sorry-- I'm sorry. But, this is quite fascinating! What language do you think I'm speaking?

English, like God intended for all civilized people!

Well, that would be quite impossible. My English is atrocious.

Well, I don't really speak French at all.

Who knew the after life would have an auto translation system. I blame Google.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[ There's a long pause while he thinks for a moment. Then, he lifts up his arm to show the tatoo. ]

... It's probably these. You've got one too, right?

Seriously? You too? [Alex doesn't show hers. She's been valiantly trying to ignore it, actually.] You think they micro-chipped us?

Ahaha... microchipping is a little out-dated too, but you're on the right track. It's probably nano-tech or something similar. It's not uncommon... I was thinking about it after that scene in the locker room, and how we were only able to open one locker each. It's not inconceivable that there'd be some kind of... I don't know. Language filter? Though I haven't heard of such a thing being invented yet, it's not impossible that it exists.

What I want to know is, how-come they've got something as advanced as this and then we get circa 21st-century era communication devices? That's the weirdest part.

You know what I mean. [She feels a headache coming along. It's been a while since one of those.] They're stamping us and tracking us, and something in our brains or whatever is interfering with how we see our reality.

Brilliant.

[It reminds her to fish her own device out of her pocket.] They must have really felt attached to smart phones.

It's not that bad. Though I can see how it might seem a little invasive. But think of it this way-- if they hadn't, you and I probably wouldn't be able to communicate.

I'm lamenting all the French you could be talking to me in.

Sorry... haha, you really have a thing for French, huh?

What? It's romantic.

I suppose we do have that reputation. It just seems normal, to me.

Because you speak it all the time. If I were you, I'd save French for special occasions.

That's kind of difficult, considering it's what most of my friends and family speak.

I suppose I could do Italian, but you wouldn't be able to hear to difference anyway.

Grande amore. Well, perfect. Must be nice being bilingual.

It has it's uses. I was made to learn Latin too, though I don't think it technically counts.

Latin in future land? You just lost all privileges of making fun of my time and day.

They still do the services in it, if you can believe it...

I know it was out of fashion for a while, but there's been a revival in the last few centuries. I kind of wish it had stayed out...

"Latin is a dead language," or that's what we've been trying to tell the nuns at schools, anyway.

Mind you, none of that is important now, yeah? You do sound posh as hell, though.

[ Looking away awkwardly... ]

Ah. Do I?

[Your face is on the communicator, Albert. There's no escaping.] Fancy schooling and all these languages. Next thing you'll tell me you holidayed all over the Riviera just for the fun of it.

[ WELL HE PROBABLY DID BUT HE ISN'T GOING TO SAY THAT NOW. As it is, his face goes quite red. ]

N-No!

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