(01 video)

[anomia]

[The camera flips on to reveal a young girl with long bright blonde hair drawn up in two high pigtails, and a blue and white striped sweatshirt. There’s also noticeably a long, wrapped package slung over her shoulder, in what someone who’s familiar with swords might realize is exactly the right size for a full length katana. There’s a fierce, set expression on her face, and she dramatically points her finger directly into the camera.]

Alright! Let’s not waste any time around here! If we’re given obstacles, then we have to overcome them, right? I’m sure if you’ve all been here for a while, then you’ve gotten a lot more answers than what those unhelpful lackies told me on the ride down… So, fill me in. What's something interesting you've learned since you got here? Just one thing!

[She’s not totally mindlessly determined and naïve, though. Raimei sobers, frowning slightly.] My name is Raimei Shimizu, a samurai. We don’t need to keep any secrets here, do we…? I’ll openly try to achieve my goals with my sword.

[Then she brightens up again, not letting herself think about how dire circumstances are for too long.] Ah, and--! Since I guess I’m not going anywhere fast, what’s all this about a job? Shouldn’t a girl my age still be in school?!

Comments

[cowled]

I took a couple karate courses when I was a teenager, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a fighter.

[He sounds vaguely apologetic about this, as if he's well aware of the burden his presence puts on other people.]

[anomia]

Even if you aren't, don't you feel like you're part of what goes on here? You don't have to fight to be involved. And you've been here so long...

[cowled]

[Don't remind him.]

Of course I'm a part of what goes on here. It's difficult to be anything else, the way we've all been brought together.

[anomia]

Right! So I don't see why I should keep it a secret here. Everyone needs to work together, because we all have the same motivation! I can't do that if I'm hiding my capabilities.

[cowled]

I suppose I see your point.

[Says the man whose secret identity could not be pried out of him at... basically any cost, oops. But he sounds sincere, at least?]

So what do you intend to do with your 'capabilities' here?

[anomia]

Ah... that's a good question! [She looks momentarily stumped, and sheepish.]

Help defend people, I guess? The role of the Shimizu clan isn't totally applicable here, but I can't abandon my duty. I just need to find out where it fits in.

[cowled]

Mm. Well, good luck in that endeavor. It sounds like you've got your work more than cut out for you.

[anomia]

I'll keep trying! Did it take you a long time to settle in when you got here?

[cowled]

I'm still settling, believe it or not. Extensive travelling for business aside, I've lived in one place my entire life. And this is no Gotham.

[anomia]

Gotham? I've never heard of that. Is that in America?

[cowled]

[He makes an agreeable noise.]

The East coast. In New Jersey.

[anomia]

I've never been! I've pretty much just stayed in Japan.

What's it like there? [Everyone likes talking about their home, right?]

[cowled]

[Oh no. No don't make him talk about Gotham he loves that fucking city so much that despite his stoicism he will literally never shut up about it. Bruce's expression undergoes a very subtle shift, becomes a touch more genuine.]

It's busy. Overcrowded. It has one of the worst crime-rates in the country, and I daresay the only city that has equal ties to the underworld is Blüdhaven. But it's got... an incredible amount of heart, and it's survived - sometimes against all odds - events and occurrences that would have crippled a lesser place.

[And then, casually,]

And it's got some of the best golf courses in the world.

[anomia]

Wow, you got really chatty the second I asked. [She listens to all of this with amused tolerance.]

You must feel strongly about it. But I think I know what you mean! About surviving even when you should be crippled.

[cowled]

[He laughs disarmingly.]

What can I say? I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[He is called the 'Prince of Gotham', you know. And he's that equally as much as he's her Dark Knight.]

You know, I'm not particularly surprised you do.

[... That's almost approval.]

[anomia]

Then we'll just have to work to get you back there some day! [she says determinedly.

Then it flickers into a softer smile, somewhat distant, at the second comment.] I'm that obvious? I haven't even told you my secret backstory. [It's not very secret-- she just doesn't bring it up without cause. Here she's trying to play it off.]

[cowled]

Mm.

[What do you think he's been doing for nearly a year without success, Raimei? This is worse than being trapped in that kingdom of dust mites!!]

Well, we can save that for another day. My keen observation of various fictional mediums has told me that backstories can't be given away in a first conversation.

[Bruce Wayne: genre savvy.]

[anomia]

[Raimei doesn't let things like logic, past failures, or obstacles prevent her from being determined to accomplish things. You still have to try, right? So she accepts his agreement at face value.

The rest provokes a laugh out of her.]

So you'll have to wait with bated breath for our second conversation. Maybe you'll get a hint then!

Thanks for the welcome.

[cowled]

You're welcome. Good luck.

[And with that, he gives her a nod and disconnects the feed.]