[Video]

[15104]

[Russell looks markedly out of place in his scruffy, well darned clothes, against the clean, empty suite behind him. His hair is messy, falling a little into his eyes, which are wide and nervous. He's looking a little haggard, and still in shock.]

Uh. Yeah, so. They said this was like my own private radio or somethin'. Don't really have anything much to say... [he coughs.] I think I just got Shanghaied into fighting this war against, well. I can't say his name can I?

[He sighs and pushes his hair back off his face.]

I guess, if anyone needs any... there any industry on this. Turtle? [He sounds unsure.] Is that right? [Laughs]. This is stupid.

*CLICK*

Comments

video;

[demon_brat]

[ And here, have an immaculate boy of twelve, seriously replying to this. ]

It is a little more complicated than radio - as you can tell, there is also an image - but you can make announcements or ask questions through it, yes.

There is no evidence that it is a he. Nor a she, for that matter. But, basically, yes. Some people prefer to avoid that issue altogether, it is potentially a decent sign that you have not adopted that attitude.

As to the question, there are not enough resources - metals in particular - for heavy industry. However, there are lighter production, from food and clothing to pharmaceuticals. The latter is foreigner-run.

And, yes, we are on the back of a turtle. But I suppose that is something you can ignore most of the time, as well.

[15104]

Right, yeah, that was stupid of me. It's like a video call I guess, but open to everyone. It's very science fiction. I can't really. I uh, I haven't got my head round... everything.

So no, uh, no steel mill, I'm guessin'. Well it was a long shot. They told me I had to work though. Foreigner run, that's us? Or are you native?

[His frown has been deepening as he replies, as he takes in the kid's appearance.]

Are there, schools here?

[demon_brat]

Is it too forward to ask what year it is, where you came from?

And, no, no steel mill. The mines are mostly used up and entirely empty of activity, too, and, no... you can usually distinguish the kedan - as close as we get to local population in Keeliai - rather easily, they do not often take on shapes that are exactly human. They also rarely use the consoles. I am a foreigner brought in here without a warning.

[ At the last question, a hint of distaste passes over Damian's face. ]

There are various kedan schools, and one for those wishing to attend it among the foreigners.

[ The unsaid part is, 'they have little to teach me' - which is, in some ways, true, he's acquired Ph.D. level of knowledge in at least one discipline before he turned nine. (In some ways, like socialization... well. That's a different topic of conversation.) ]

[15104]

Twenty thirteen. What year should it be? [Shit, don't tell me there's time travel too.]

Yeah, one of them, from before, his skin was almost green, I didn't want to say anythin' in case he was sick. Can they get sick? Can we?

So that's how they do it, huh? They bring us in and we just have to deal with it.

I'm guessin' you're not a fan of those, keedan schools? [He attempts and fails correct pronunciation.] Sorry kid, I don't mean to pry, it's not my place, I guess you got pulled out of, wherever you were, just like me. But ... they, it's a city, they've got a foster system or somethin', right?

[demon_brat]

Interesting. Most people from the twenty-first century do not refer to a video call as science fiction. But there are people from many different times - and many different worlds. Even people who know each other may come from different times - my Father is from months earlier than I am, for example - or come from alternate realities. I do not think there is such a thing as 'should' be. Merely information.

[ Damian then nods. ]

Kedan are shape-shifters. They can look any way they wish - I have heard that there was at least one in the shape of a giant squid, months ago. The skin color is a question of choice, too.

And, yes. The Emperor... the previous Emperor, in fact, had a system of bringing people here in place. Even after her rather untimely demise, it is still functioning. I suppose that makes sense, since the threat we are brought here against is still. Present.

I have no objections to the kedan schools - they, however, tend to not be overfond of foreigners among their ranks. And, while there is no specific foster system, any children who are brought here are generally taken care of, as possible. [ Damian shrugs. A significant part of my family is here in Keeliai. I am not in need in fostering, if that was your implication.

video;

[aloadeddie]

We've all been Shanghaied. It's the nature of this place.

What kind of industry are you looking for? There aren't really any factories here, but I'm sure whatever skill set you've got, someone can probably find a use for it.

[15104]

Yeah, I'm getting that.

Steel work was what I was looking for, I've been told there's not much chance of it. M'good with my hands, done a fair bit of repair work, fixed up my house that sort of thing. They said there are carpenters in this sector. Or, Is there hunting on this, uh, in this place? Like, for food?

[aloadeddie]

I'm sure there are plenty of places for someone with mechanical skills to find work. The tech level here is a little off-kilter, but we do have computers and things like that.

[That last question gives Arthur a moment's pause, though. Hunting? He's not an outdoorsman, by any means. He probably could, if he had to, but it's not something he would do just because.]

You probably could, I'm sure there are animals and stuff in the woods outside the city. Don't kill the big ones the kedan use like oxen, though. That'd probably get you into trouble.

[15104]

I don't know if... I'm not an engineer.

Oh? Okay, well I don't have a gun, anyhow, or bullets. So the oxen are safe from me.

Where would I look for work? They have some kind of newspaper here? Craigslist? Or I don't know, a job centre?

[lostundercover]

It's fucking ridiculous. [There's some slight amusement in his tone, even though he's anything but amused with all the magic crap.] I'd like to say you get used to it, but it doesn't get much better.

You can find a job lots of places. What kind of work you do?

[15104]

How long you been here?

Like I said to the other guy, steel work mostly, but I'm good with my hands. I don't know what kind of work they have here.

The people round my sector seemed pretty hard into carpentry, I noticed that. [He sounds amused, considering his new home is literally inside a tree, he's understating a little.]

[lostundercover]

[He thinks on it for a minute.] Fuck. A month shy of a year now.

I don't know about steel, but I think they need help on reconstruction. The Palace is crumbling too. They might pay you to help with that.

You in Wood? [Because Costigan is too. He knows these feelings.]

[15104]

Wow, that's. Yeah okay, a year. Okay. [He doesn't want to ask, but.] There people been here longer? [He's thinking about the last time he was stuck somewhere he couldn't escape.]

Building work, I can do that. They make everything out of wood here? Or is it just this sector?

Yeah that's it, that's me. Hah, I got a whole tree to myself here.

video;

[andaway]

Shangaied is probably the nicest word I've heard anyone use, but I guess it works. [Have a bespectacled man regarding you, Russel.]

What kind of jobs have you had before? What are your skills, or hobbies?

[15104]

Don't seem much point swearing about it. I'm here now. And unless you got a way out hidden up your sleeve? I'm guessin' you haven't else you mighta used it by now.

[And okay, now this feels like a job interview. He unconsciously straightens his back a little].

Well I worked mostly in the steel mill. But, I repaired my Daddy's house, me and my [pause] my brother, fixed it up pretty good. When I was younger I did the usual, you know, odd jobs. Work on my truck sometimes, I like to use my hands.

[He's racking his brain now, hobbies? He didn't have time for that. He was working too hard.] I guess. I guess that's it.

[andaway]

That's plenty of skills. Sadly the radio tower is already in place so I can't really use that, but there's plenty of foreigners business that could. Or even Kedan, there's always place for someone willing to do an odd job or two. If you were looking for industries, Wayne Enterprises is my recommendation.

[It was easier now than when they had been struck with food rationing and such. He's glad he doesn't have to warn the new arrivals about that anymore.]

I'm Clark, by the way. Clark Kent.

[15104]

Right, that's twice I've heard the name, so I'll look him up. Thanks.

How does that work? Foreign run businesses? We have the same rights here?

Oh, right. Sorry, I shoulda said earlier. Russell Baze. Nice to meet you.

[isnotokay]

So many people seem to take the idea of a giant turtle easily.

[15104]

It's a giant turtle. How do you take that. [His gaze goes a bit vacant, until he shakes it off.]

Yeah I can't really. I mean, that's what I've been told, and seems a strange thing to lie about... Is there any way we can see it? I mean, a bit that looks like turtle, not just like a city.

[isnotokay]

Leave the city, I guess. Walk until you find the edge of the world.

[ She scoffs quietly. ] It would be stupid to lie about it, but I'm not sure how eager someone should be to check.

[15104]

Hmm. Eager ain't exactly the word. But it's a big thing to just take on trust.

video;

[6collegecredits]

I was thinking more ridiculous than stupid, but I guess stupid works, too.

[15104]

Yeah. Hard to believe. [Pause.] But then I look around, and it's hard not to believe.

It ain't home, that's for sure.

[6collegecredits]

Definitely not home. There is a distinct lack of quick transportation and processed foods.

[15104]

[Laughs]. Hey I never thought of that. No potato chips, oreos... chocolate? Is there chocolate?