tushanshu | 001 ✦ Video

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001 ✦ Video

[ It had taken Ender a few days before he even checked the network, and a few more days before he decided to place himself upon it. When the video starts, it's the face of just another child -- but one that's exhausted. From his serious demeanor and lack of a smile, he seems much older than he is in all actuality. ]

Earth -- I'm not talking about the sector -- does the name hold any significance to you? I've been wondering how many people here come from a place called Earth and just how many Earths haven't had to face the Bugger Wars. From what I've seen of the guests, many appear human overall and some even with the same technological advancements and understanding that are prominent in my world. If we're trapped in this place between life, dreaming and death, then I suppose it wouldn't be impossible to dream of the existence of alternate Earths.

[ Ender forces a smile, but that's just what it is. Forced. He's really in no mood to showcase good cheer. ]

If it isn't asking too much, even if you don't come from some variation of Earth, I'd like to know about your world. Subsequently, I can tell you anything you wish to know about mine. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed that we're being kept in the dark by the natives here. What they know and what they're planning doesn't concern me as much as our lack of understanding about the universes that surround us. I feel the better we understand one another, the more trust we can put in each other and the better equipped we become as a whole to any crisis that may arise. Sometimes, in a war, the most crippling blow can be dealt not by the enemy but by lies and mistrust.

That's all. Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kyle doesn't usually send text messages, but the other options are off the table since he's injured. He tries to manage a stronger encryption - oh what the heck. It's not like this is a huge secret.

The reply comes from Guy's suite.]

early 21st century

familiar with buggers we have a mutual [what was Bean? A friend? An ally? An adopted son?] person

know what happened. would you like to talk?

Edited 2013-04-19 03:39 (UTC)

[ Ender stares at the text message for a moment -- a paranoid fear racing through him by instinct. What is he paranoid of? Who even knew. Someone out to hurt him? Someone out to hurt Bean? That's who this guy has to be talking about as a mutual 'person.' But Ender decides to respond regardless. He'll take this unseen enemy on if Bean's safety is being called into question. ]

Talking about it won't bring back the dead, but it will revive the negative feelings associated with it; neither of which will do either of us any good. So I'd rather move forward, but thank you for your offer. Is this mutual "person" here at the present moment?

[This is why he hates text. He stares at the message in total confusion, before he remembers these are kids raised in a highly competitive, isolated environment. Bean took time to trust him, too.]

wait

[The audio clicks on and Kyle coughs - his breathing is deliberately regulated; he has broken ribs and is trying not to strain them too much.]

Hi. I know Bean. [He sounds friendly enough, if cautious. He doesn't want to use 'friend', because he senses Bean is sensitive about that word.

He coughs again.] Sorry. Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern Corps.

[ Ender doesn't expect the shift to audio, and he certainly doesn't expect the gravelly, painful and obviously injured voice that greets him. He hesitates before responding. ]

Don't strain yourself on my account... [ There's a pause. Ender's not sure what to address Kyle as. Did he have a formal title? Would it be considered disrepectful to call him by his name? He settles into the role of a child addressing any adult. ] Mr. Rayner.

I'm Andrew Wiggin, but if you're a friend of Bean's...you'll probably know me as Ender.

Mr Rayner? Wow, I feel old. [He chuckles, and tries not to wince as it hurts to laugh.] Bean uses my surname only - you can try that or.. my first name is fine too. No ranks, please: we don't serve together. [And no titles. Kyle doesn't quite like the sound of Ender, even if he knows where it might come from. He has a few not-so-choice names of his own, that he carries, and never speaks about.]

I wouldn't say 'friend', exactly, but we're acquainted. [Mostly because he knows Bean will vehemently deny having friends at all. Still, Kyle's tone when talking about him is fond - he cares deeply about Bean.] He didn't mention you by name [but I know quite a lot about what happened.] I know enough to tell you that my world is not your past.

I didn't mean to offend. [ Ender sounds apologetic and even manages a little laugh. ] I was always brought up to be formal, if nothing else. Rayner, then. [ Adults preferred respect and expected it from children, even if they often didn't deserve it. But when Ender speaks up next, his tone has softened -- dropping its formality. Kyle has won. ]

You're a friend. You couldn't talk about him with that sort of voice if you were anything else. I'm glad. [ Another laugh. This one more genuine. ] Us Battle School kids don't really know the meaning of friendship, so I'm glad Bean could find himself in one so easily in this place -- even if he's not prone to admit it.

Formality means one of two things: distance, or respect, and the latter has to be earned, no matter who it is. [He is personally very strict about this, as the scumbags of the universe that he fights often ask for respect but deserve none. He notices the friendlier voice, and notes that Ender is far less closed off than Bean, as well as the fact that he's just gotten a less cold reaction from him.]

Well, don't tell him that. I'm pretty sure he'd be the last to admit it, even if it's just the word he has problems with, not the concept. [A beat.] I've... heard about Battle School. [Their principal is getting a solid punch to the face if Kyle ever meets him.]

Edited 2013-04-21 02:20 (UTC)

Don't worry. The secret's safe with me. I can't help it if he's a genius and hacks into our conversation, though.

[ Ender decides he likes this guy. Not because he's being nice, but because he obviously cares a lot about Bean. That makes him a friend worth having. ]

Has Bean told you about his excellent battle tactics or his extraordinary ability to think up the most daring, unthinkable maneuvers? He's a brilliant soldier. [ Surely those weren't the things Kyle had heard about Battle School, but Ender wants them known regardless. ]

Ah yeah - dangers of the network. [He briefly wonders if Bean can out-hack Tim. If so, that would be interesting.]

He hasn't - he didn't need to. I know a good commander when I see one.

Ha ha, I guess you're a good judge of people then. I agree. He would make an excellent commander.

[ Better than him. As a matter of fact, in this world...Ender fully intended to turn leadership over to Bean. He was through being commander. ]

[Kid, you're a little too friendly for somebody who just destroyed a planet. But they say the same about Kyle himself, so he's the last person to judge something like that.

A pause as he considers what to say next.] If you need to reach me or the other two for anything, EA-3B. [there's a ping as he sends its location] Our medic got pulled here too: she's a lot more efficient and better equipped than a local clinic, should you need medical attention. [He doesn't add Bean because Bean already knows that the GLs will be here for him.]

One more thing: do you know self-defence?

[ He has love in his heart!! He didn't want to kill anyone. It was a trick! Adults suck, Kyle! Don't be a sucky adult. ]

Thank you. I'll remember it.

[ At the question, though, there's a long pause. An uncomfortable pause. And when Ender finally speaks, the warmth has left his voice. ]

I know how to survive.

[Kyle listens to what isn't said, as well as what is. His tone is sad, and gentle:] That's not an answer to my question.

Fine. I know how to defend myself, but not necessarily self defense.

[ He knows how to fight unfair and ~~kill bullies~~ effectively ensure he won't be bothered ever again. ]

I've had some training, though.

We've been trained in variable gravity. Natu - she specialises in close quarters. She would be more than happy to teach you self-defence. I've already extended this offer to Bean, and it's open to you as well.

Thank you for everything, Rayner. The real question is -- and I hope this doesn't make me seem ungrateful -- but why are you doing so much for me when we just met?

A friend of Bean's is a friend of mine. [It's that simple, for him.]

Well, I guess I'm glad Bean made it easier for me to make friends, then. I'll have to thank him.

He likes chocolate, but you didn't hear that from me.

[ Amused. ]

My lips are sealed. Tell me where I can find the Easter Bunny, and then I'll leave you to rest.

Wood Sector, I think. You'll have to ask Jack Frost.

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you.

Nice to meet you, Ender.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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