001 - Audio

[oceantier]

[She's not completely convinced that this world and its people aren't malevolent and/or something to avoid yet. The circumstances of this place . . . they're really not her business. It's not the way of her kind to concern themselves with a given planet's inhabitants -- far better to do what Gems need from the planet and have done.]

[Maybe it's Steven's influence still working on her. Maybe it's the fact of watching so many of these people up close, seeing their faces and listening to them in the streets. Maybe it's the couple of individuals that she has met -- barring the one who tried to kill her -- who hint that maybe, maybe there might be more like them.]

[She just knows she has to try.]

[The consoles haven't been hard to figure out. She's watched others using them, not to mention technology far more advanced than them.]

[It's more the resolve that takes work. The conviction to approach. Actually willingly making connection with the other residents of the turtle.]

[As the audio feed actually comes on, her resolve falters. Skitters away. For several moments the Network will be met with silence as Lapis pulls back from the console. Almost flees entirely.]

[But she comes back. Slowly. Hesitates for a few more seconds. Tries again.]

H-Hello? [Her voice wavers. She digs in, forces firmness into it -- as much as she can manage.]

My name is Lapis. Lapis Lazuli.

Someone told me that . . . that this turtle that you're living on, it's sinking.

[More silence. She nibbles at her lower lip, hesitating, before the words surge out.]

Do people breathe underwater here? [Genuine uncertainty on this.] There seems to be a lot here that doesn't. Plants. And animals.

What . . . are people doing about this? [More genuine uncertainty. They might be doing everything in the world about it; she honestly wants to know about the plan.]

[To sum up: Turtle is sinking . . . should Lapis be worried about everyone drowning?]

[More hesitation.]

Also, is . . . there usually not a lot of rain here? I thought the fields on Earth were green . . .





((ooc: I'd love to get Lapis involved in trying to keep the Turtle afloat until someone can heal him if anyone would want to plot. She's an extremely powerful water user, but Asti is also his own continent. --If I've missed someone else's plottings, though, please let me know!))

Comments

[purered]

Ah... I'm not sure about that. The winds here are odd, and the turtle seems to be circling it. I imagine there's something it's doing to the current.

[He's rather taken aback by her sudden eagerness. He wonders if this is one of Steven's girlfriends? God be good, the man does get around.]

I know a Steven. Steven A. Starphase; my friend and colleague - he's tall, slim, and has a distinct scar on his left cheek. Is that the same Steven you're thinking of?

[Not by a longshot, Klaus. Steven Universe and Steven Starphase couldn't be more different]

[oceantier]

[. . . Definitely not her Steven, no. Her voice falls a little.]

. . . S-sorry. My mistake.

[More softly,] It's . . . kind of stupid to think anything would be the same here.

If the rift is holding the Turtle in place, it will take more energy to move it away.

[purered]

There's nothing to apologize for, miss. It sounds like your Steven is very dear to you.

[He tilts his head, now genuinely puzzled.]

It would take a lot of energy to move it anyway, I'd imagine. Do you... have something in mind?

[oceantier]

[Dear? She wonders at that word. Honestly, it's not something she's considered before, at least not deeply. Steven is important, he's kind . . . and he needs to be protected. Of all things, his life matters, and she would do anything in her power to keep that small light safe.]

[Is that "dear?"]

[She's silent for a few moments in the wake of it -- then the softest of murmurs, as though acknowledging the words and pushing on.]

If we can determine where a land mass is, then maybe we can move the turtle like you said. To shallow water, where it doesn't sink so far.

[She's barely even aware that she's said "we." She hasn't intended to say "we."]

[purered]

[Oh dear, he hopes he didn't touch a nerve there.]

I've seen maps of the world. Going North, East or West from our current position would lead us to land and, hopefully, shallow waters.

[oceantier]

[He did . . . but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad, either.]

How far would it be . . . ?

Do you still have the maps?

[purered]

I do actually!

Let's see here...

... Ah, here-

[He unfolds a cheap copy he got of the world map and holds it up to the camera]

Tavimbi, to the north seems closest.

[oceantier]

[She leans closer to the screen, fingers reaching out to touch the continents, to trace the space between them.]

I think it depends on the currents, too . . . and the direction of the wind. If we can use those, it should help.

More than fighting the current, anyway.

There's a lot of other information that would be good to know too.

[Is she honestly talking about this like it could be an idea?]

Are there other maps here other than this?

[purered]

The wind probably won't be much help until we're free of the Well. They change directions at the drop of a hat here.

However, we could probably use the currents to our advantage. Perhaps someone in the city is more knowledgeable about the oceans routes would be able to help?

...And I'm sure there are. I can try to find a cartographer.

[oceantier]

A cartographer would be . . . good. And someone who knows the currents.

[The words are half-absent, half-small, as though Lapis is only beginning to realize what she's saying.]

[Profound hesitation.] Can I . . . meet you?

[purered]

[He's a little taken aback but he recovers quickly.]

Yes, yes of course. I work at a flowershop in the Wood district, though is there anywhere in particular you would prefer?

[oceantier]

[But she hears it in his voice -- just that brief pause -- and it makes her question the choice.]

Is . . . that bad?

[purered]

Not in the slightest. I was just surprised.

I apologize, I'm Klaus Reinherz.