tushanshu | [Console/Video]

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[Console/Video]

[Following up on a conversation with Tu Yunxu at the truth party, Pepper appears on the video looking a little pensive. She's totally not just doing this for Yunxu, but with all the things they've had going on recently it's no wonder there haven't been any big, new developments.]

So, uh, now that we've gotten ourselves anchored and aren't sinking anymore, does anyone have ideas on next steps to waking Tu Vishan up? I know I'm not really much help in that area, but I'm betting everyone would be happier if he was awake. Just after some brainstorming here.

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[Midii wasn't...that familiar with the girl on the screen, but she did recognize her. Her face, at least. And the subject was something that she had been curious for a long while now, given that most of those who were actively doing things to help (that she knew of) were those of a more...magical nature, and she was about as magical as your average rock.]

Do you know how anchored we are? Like...is there any danger of us getting swept out to the deeper waters again and go back to being in danger of sinking?

Klaus has been doing a lot of work; we could probably use a little extra securing but I don't think we're going anywhere for a while.

[She's seen the other girl s few times, but they haven't been formally introduced. Pepper gives her a small smile.]

I'm Pepper, by the way.

[It was returned, albeit a bit awkwardly.]

I'm Midii.

[And then, because she could sense an oncoming silence if she didn't say anything more:]

What kind of securing do you need to do?

Nice to meet you. I think just having as many anchors as possible would be good. I mean, it takes a lot to move a continent, but once it gets moving... inertia, you know?

I know. I've tried to keep up with my basic physics lessons while I've been here.

[Well, actually, she's tried to keep up with just about anything she could read, but that was the most relevant subject to the moment.]

Is this a science thing, or a...magic thing?

[Honestly, these days, she wasn't even sure which sounded more secure.]

A little of both, I guess. If someone can use magic to anchor us better, great. If someone uses a big hunk of rock or metal, also great.

[Pepper shrugs. Either solution was a solution so long as it actually held them in place well enough.]

I should probably get on the bug hunks of rock thing, actually.

You can do that?

[Her interest was piqued. From the sound of things, this girl was more on the science side. Which meant a logical explanation for said big hunks of rock.]

I didn't think there were any machines in the city big enough for something like that.

There are. They just aren't very big. [Pepper grins.] My friend Tony and I have power armor. We can carry a lot.

Tony. You mean, like...Tony Stark?

[The way she spoke indicated she wasn't personally familiar with it, but still recognized the name.]

That's the one, yep. He's been here a lot longer than I have.

[Tony was certainly the kind of person who got a lot of manga recognition, even here in Keeliai.]

I'd have to actually find big hunks of rock, though. I guess I could snag some from Tavimbi as long as there's no rock taxes.

[It's a small Turtle world, it seemed.]

No wonder you have such useful equipment.

Does he still have access to Stark Industries? With the backing of a company like that, we'd almost have to try to fail at getting the Turtle secure.

[Pepper's smile falters a little at Midii's question.]

Not anymore. He doesn't really get along with Xuiyu and some of the other Metalworkers, although things are better than they were. And they have been helping with anchoring, I think. Tony works at the College now.

[She caught that falter. It was subtle, but enough of a reaction--judging by the subsequent answer, a reaction to mentioning Stark Industries--that it was worth noting for the future.]

Oh, right, I heard about that. They were offering courses for things like figuring out the consoles if you come from a less advanced world, right?

[Tony not running Stark Industries was indeed a bit of a sore spot, a representation of just how different this place is from home, and it does feel a little unfair at times.]

Yeah, and some more advanced stuff. Basically like a trade school, but they also have classes on, like, tradition subjects I guess. Math, biology, whatever. They tried to make it accessible to everyone, improve education outside of a family's direct influence. It's a good place for Tony, since everyone is super curious and not just interested in making money.

[It was the line about 'family', mostly, that caught her attention.]

Do kedan go there too?

[She had assumed Foreigners, mostly, but...to her knowledge, very few of those currently in Keelai even had family with them. Unlike a few years ago, when it seemed everybody had some. Whether they were blood related or simply adopted due to closeness.]

It's mostly kedan, actually. A handful of Foreigners work there, mostly the scientists and people who like to do research. And I think a few Foreigners take part in classes, too. It's open to anyone, really.

If you come to the Sky Sector I could show you around some time.

The Sky Sector, huh?

I...might be interested.

[That was an understatement. She was very interested; until then, the majority of her studies had always been under tutors...who were no longer here...or else she was self-taught, courtesy of the bookstores and occasional market finds.]

Yeah, whenever you feel like it. Tony's lab is being rebuilt still, so I don't go as often as I used to, but it's a nice place to just walk around. If you decide you want to check it out I live nearby to the College.

[At this rate, she could probably end up being an official tour guide. Midii will be the third person Pepper has introduced the College to.]

That must be convenient.

[To live so close by.]

When I was younger, the schools here...I think they offered to host some of us Foreign children, but I never went. I had tutors instead.

Makes the commute easy, at least.

[She worked elsewhere most of the time, and traveled to the Wood sector most often, but it's a nice place to be.]

That's pretty cool. I haven't actually kept up with school here; maybe I should, though. Did you have Foreigners or kedan tutoring you?

Foreign, mainly.

People who were here a long time ago. I don't think they...ever got to see us take down Malicant before they were sent back home.

[And, judging from the small frown on her face at the memories...they'd been pretty close.]

[Pepper knows that expression. She's sees it in the mirror more often than she'd like here in Keeliai. Her smile softens a little, and there's empathy in her eyes.]

I bet they'd be proud of you for keeping up with your studies. And for a lot of other stuff, probably. What were their names?

[Midii seems a little guarded, so hopefully the question won't put her off. The girl seems nice enough, and Pepper never says no to making a new friend.]

Jor-El...was one of them.

[And the easier name to mention, because it took a long moment for her to mention the second. Eyes glazing over at...several memories. Some of them more pleasant than others.]

And Damian. [In the end, through the sadness, she did allow herself a small smile.] Damian Wayne. He was...my age. But smart. Really smart.

[There's obviously a lot of history behind those two names; while Pepper is curious, she knows better than to press. Maybe with time she'll learn more.]

I'll remember that, [she promises. They were important to Midii, therefore they were important to keep in mind.] The College is a lot different than private tutors, obviously, but it's a cool place to be. Everyone just wants to learn, and it's got a sort of buzz about it.

[If Pepper were to ask, Midii would tell her. She'd made a promise to herself, long ago, to never lie, and as she got older...that promise gradually included more and more lies through omission. At the same time, however...she could answer a question she wasn't asked.]

[So, instead, she nodded.]

Are all colleges like that? Or just the one here?

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