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

[assumedposition]

There's nothing wrong with my horizons...

[backwardscompatible]

Which planet are you from, anyway?

[assumedposition]

[Without batting an eye:]

Earth. France is my home.

[backwardscompatible]

[ sighs ] I should have guessed.

[assumedposition]

... What? What's wrong with that?

[backwardscompatible]

It just explains a lot. Countries that have held on for thousands of years tend to be a bit parochial.

[assumedposition]

Parochial...?

All right, where are you from then that's so great?

[backwardscompatible]

Oh, here and there. I don't tend to stay in any one place for too long.

[assumedposition]

Yes, but-- you've got to be from some where, initially...

[backwardscompatible]

Not necessarily.

[assumedposition]

... No? How does that work?

[backwardscompatible]

You can't be from anywhere if you don't spend much time in any one place.

[assumedposition]

... So ... there's no place you'd call home?

[backwardscompatible]

Well, I'm employed by Luna University right now. I studied there too, so I suppose that's close enough.

[assumedposition]

By Luna-- whoa... I didn't even know that place had a university. Though, come to think of it, I suppose it must do. It's big enough.

[backwardscompatible]

Have you visited, then?

[assumedposition]

[Well, this is a weak smile if you ever saw one.]

... Just this past spring. I was there for Carnevale.

[backwardscompatible]

You must have found that an eye-opening experience.

[assumedposition]

[For a second, it seems like there are several conflicting feelings battling for dominance on Albert's face, but then he barely wins the struggle to keep it carefully blank.]

... Mm. In more ways than one.

[backwardscompatible]

Well, don't let that scare you from stepping offworld. The good and the bad are all part of the experience.

[assumedposition]

Oh-- I know that. But before that... I have some business at home I have to attend to, before I can think about travelling anywhere.