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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do...? I'm-- a student... I suppose?

Do all students dress like that where you're from?

[ There's a pause as he thinks about it. ]

... Not all. But the ones I know do.

You'll have similar company here then. There's a few around here that you might be able to trade accessories with.

Ah...

You may not believe me when I say this, but I'm not actually terribly fashion-minded. My girlfriend used to pick out all my clothes for me, as embarrassing as that is to admit.

That's kind of cute, kid. You'll have to do that for yourself here, though, unless she's around.

No, I don't believe she is. And thank goodness for that-- by now she should be in New York, wowing the Americans with her genius.

She a student like you?

Indeed. She was recently awarded a scholarship to a famous music academy in New York. I know she's going to become the next musical pride of France, some day.

You're taking being here a lot better than most.

[ He goes silent at that for a few moments, mulling it over. ]

I suppose ... I don't exactly have anywhere else to be, at the moment. To be honest, it's almost a relief to have the distraction. Life at home is... not so great, right now.

Maybe that's a little cowardly of me.

I'd rather get off this ship as soon as I can, but I know for a fact you aren't the only one here that feels like that.

[Which at other times was incredibly frustrating, but she's cutting him some slack because of his youth.]

Hmmm.

Nobody ever kidnaps anybody without a reason. Money, fame, their skills, entertainment value, science... regardless, it's not usually an action undertaken lightly. If we could find out why our captors wanted us here in the first place, we would be one step closer to going home.

Whatever the reason is, it's not a good one.

I wouldn't for a moment suggest that. There's never a good excuse for kidnapping people. I was only suggesting that getting into their mindset would help.

You think you can do that, kid?

[Oh oops, someone forgot to introduce themselves. She quickly adds:] My name's Lilith, by the way.

I don't know if I can or not. But it never hurts to try, right?

It's nice to meet you, Madame.

You'll be trying harder than most of the others on board.

And save the 'Madames' for someone older.

Oh-- my apologies!

I didn't mean to imply anything about your age. I think-- it's a cultural difference? I heard that in some places it can be rude to call a woman Madame because it implies her age, but where I'm from it's more rude to call a lady over a certain age "Mademoiselle," because it implies you think she couldn't possibly be married...