Directive 001 [Video] [Public]

[wolf_of_war]

[There is a...dog? on your screen? He looks vaguely canine, at least, though the glowing red eyes and angular, mechanical features are a dead giveaway that he's not your average dog. He looks to be sitting somewhere in the city, most likely off the beaten path a bit, so as to avoid the gaze of the locals. The joys of a built-in codec.]

I find myself...curious, about the collar around my neck. Preliminary analysis suggests that it is an ordinary gemstone, however I have been informed that this item contains my "soul", and that I should not remove it.

[A pause, as he parses his thoughts on the subject at hand.]

As I am an artificial intelligence in a robotic exoskeleton, I do not have the required knowledge to determine the presence of a "soul" in my body. perhaps there are others more knowledgeable on the subject than I, who might inform me on how this is possible.

[console | video/action] it's too late, tonight

[edgeoftheknife]

[When the video signs in, it's not Erskine sitting at the console like usual. There's no one sitting at the console, in fact, but there's a fleeting glimpse of Anton, who turned on the video, before he moves aside. And then the reason for Anton turning on the video becomes obvious.

Erskine is in the middle of the Hotel lobby, holding a broom, and using it like a microphone. And he's belting out U2's Pride (In the Name of Love) with enthusiasm. Dancing around. Bending against the "microphone" at the really emotional bits. Hitting the screamy parts. And he actually sounds pretty darn good, considering the fact that he's one step shy of roaring drunk.

Valdis shows up in the video for a moment, dancing with him and laughing, and Raine can be spotted in the far corner facepalming and trying to pretend she doesn't know these dorks. They are all, for the record, wearing glittery party hats.

And any kedan or Foreigners that happen to wander by are getting personally serenaded.]

Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your priiiiiiide

In the naaaaaaaame of looooooove--

radio / oo3

[dragonaught]

[ That this is over radio is no coincidence. It helps hide the nervousness Casey has about approaching the foreigners for help, and also means this is just for the foreigners. Not that they wouldn't appreciate the help of the kedan, but... well, it's complicated, okay? ]

I have something important to ask, even if it sounds weird. Are there any foreigners here who can fly fair distances, especially in cold climates? I'm not good enough to carry myself at all yet. It's about the rakenga, the draconic-ish creatures on Tavimbi. I don't think they're insentient, at least not to the degree that hunting them simply for food variety is justified at all.

The thing is, nobody else in Hatal seems to have even thought about the possibility, and there's so much documentation in an entire city that I'd never be able to find records of any kind of attempted contact just by myself. Or, if I did, I'd definitely try entering the lottery next.

It's just... [ there's a slight pause, then a tired sigh ] not right. So if anyone wants to help, I'd appreciate it.

[Console: Video] 001

[flybyshooting]

I must commend whatever force that brought me from Ivalice to the back of a giant adamantitan. I didn't think anything could surprise me anymore, but here we are.

[He gives his most devilish and debonair smile. It makes him look just a little more charming and a little bit dangerous.]

I imagine introductions are in order.

[And he gives a curt little bow.]

Balthier, at your service.

And if I may pose a question - no, perhaps more a request -

What are the best pubs in the city, and what holes in the wall would one generally prefer to avoid?