1 ⏚ [Video]

[runawayandroid]

[Victor is looking straight into the camera; he's got nothing to hide, after all. He seems fairly nonchalant about being here, and he mostly is, except for a couple of concerns about people he's left behind. Sure, giant turtle cities are pretty weird as alternate dimensions go, but he can cope. At least people seem to be friendly enough, and it does sound like his help might be needed.]

Hey. My name's Victor, and I just got here, so I thought I'd say hi and see who else is here. I, uh, don't think many people will recognise me, unless my friends turned up as well and I just didn't see them. Mostly I'm looking for a couple of kids called Molly and Klara, so if anyone sees them can they let me know?

[He shrugs, and looks down at the console itself, now looking a little confused.]

Anyone know how these consoles work? I usually do okay with technology, but I can't even tell what these are made of. I don't want to mess around with them if I don't know if I can read the code... if they even run on code.

[He'll avoid mentioning why he's usually good with technology, though. He's not sure what kind of prejudices people even have here, and cyborgs usually make people a little uncomfortable even at home. He looks up again suddenly, having just remembered something.]

Speaking of which, I'm meant to find a job, apparently. Anyone know anyone who needs a mechanic or an electrician? I'm not officially trained, but I'm good for an amateur and I pick things up pretty quickly.

Comments

Re: video

[problematical]

[ Mildly disconcerting is a kindly term when talking to River usually. ]

It's all code. Turtles and people and magic and science and souls. Just different kinds, you have to learn.

[runawayandroid]

Yeah, but I'm much better at machine code. Didn't think I'd need to learn any other kinds.

[He's not sure where this conversation is going, but he'll try to keep up.]

[problematical]

I like to learn.

[ It's spoken almost shyly, like she's imparting a secret. ]

[runawayandroid]

That's a good thing. Isn't it?

[He's pretty sure it is, but he's confused by the tone of voice she says it in.]

I mean, what kind of stuff do you like learning?

[problematical]

Some things aren't supposed to be learned. Some things happen on faith... Shepherd says so.

[ Such as fixing the Bible. ]

[runawayandroid]

Well, yeah, they do, but you still have to learn what you're taking on faith. If you're going to believe in something, you still need to know what you're choosing to believe in. They do overlap a bit, or at least I think they do.

[Nope, he still has no idea where this conversation is going. At least he's on firmer ground with religion, though.]

[problematical]

[ Directionless or not, Victor seems to have caught River's interest and she leans forward, almost close enough so that her nose touches the console screen. ]

How do you know what to choose?

[runawayandroid]

[He shrugs.]

Choose what feels right to you, I guess. I'm not sure anyone knows. If they did, what would be the point in free will and faith? I mean, sure, the Bible and other people have some good pointers for where to look, but you need to make the decision for yourself, right?

[problematical]

Feel it...

[ Thin lips purse just slightly and she glances away from the screen for a moment like she's listening to something that hasn't carried into the audio... or isn't actually there. ]

But what if you don't feel right? Or if you feel too much?

[runawayandroid]

I guess you're meant to ask God for guidance. Or a priest, but I can see that being a problem here.

[He shrugs, slightly awkwardly.]

I'm not really ordained or anything, and a lot of people would probably tell you I'm the last person you want to talk to about official doctrine. But if you're really confused, you can talk at me for a bit.

[problematical]

Are you a Shepherd? [ She studies him on the screen. ] Don't dress like one, don't have hiding hair.

[ In keeping with the heavy Chinese influence of River's world, the prevalent religion is Buddhism, though overall doctrines outside of a few sects (like Shepherds) were less observed. ]

Victor, meaning one who is victorious, conqueror.

[runawayandroid]

A what? No, I'm just a kid from Los Angeles.

[He shrugs, awkwardly, and looks very uncomfortable. Victorious. Ugh. His future self really had a lot to answer for, name-wise. Then again, so did his dad.]

I really don't think that's got anything to do with who I am.

[problematical]

Los Angeles?

[ River doesn't need to be a Reader or anything else to see that discomfort. Unfortunately, she doesn't employ the tact to let it drop. ]

Why not?

[runawayandroid]

The city where I live. Lived. One of those.

[Still uncomfortable.]

It's just a name. Names don't have to mean anything.

[problematical]

[ She peers at him like she's trying to solve a puzzle. ]

You shouldn't lie. It makes bad things happen.

[runawayandroid]

All right then, maybe it does mean those things, still doesn't mean they apply to me. I'm, uh, not the conquering type.

[Right now, anyway.]

[problematical]

[ She seems contented at being told she's right about the definition, apparently uninterested in pursuing the topic past that. ]

Me either... but River is an easy name. Steady, steady, patient.

[runawayandroid]

[Hey, a name. That's better than he was doing, at least. Probably.]

River's a pretty nice name.

[problematical]

[ You're doing great, Victor! ]

Thank you.

[runawayandroid]

[He really can't tell.]

Uh, you're welcome.