tushanshu | 001; video

[Enjolras sits at attention, back straight at possible, in front of the computer. He has the look of someone who hasn't been sleeping well, but his eyes are bright and attentive all the same. In the background his two friends are visible.]

My name in Enjolras. I was a French Citizen, killed on the morning of June the 6th, 1832 while taking part in a revolution to overthrow the corrupt July Monarchy. It is after this that I found myself here two days ago. You may already have met my friends Combeferre and Prouvaire. I wish to thank those of you I have already met, and who have offered my companions and I aid.

[He nods his head in quick thanks. There is clearly something else on his mind he thinks more important than either introductions or thanks.]

It is regarding my other companions that I ask you for your aid today, as we are uncertain whether they are amongst us here on Tu Vishan or not.

They would be dressed in a similar fashion to my friends and I, and undoubtedly all have arrived in an injured fashion. They go by the names of: Courfeyrac, Feuilly, Joly, Bahorel, Lesgles - though he may prefer Bossuet - and Marius. [A slight pause.] Grantiare also.

I might also ask if anyone has information regarding the political nature of this Empir- [There's a comment behind him, too quiet for the microphone to pick up. Enjolras turns to listen, then continues without finishing his previous thought.]

We are situated in the Wood sector, should you come across them at a later stage. Again, I thank you for your attention.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If you were going to say "Empire," one city doesn't really fit the definition.

An Empress must have an Empire, madame.

Emperor. The title is unisex here. I mean, I guess she could consider the city her empire, but it wouldn't be the first time someone used the title without a vast empire behind them.

[Unisex titles. Interesting.]

An Empire is defined by it's varying political segments and means of enforcing it's rule, not it's size.

Without knowing more about the history of this land or variances between the people who live here it is hard to say whether it is an Empire in title only.

True enough.

But good luck finding that out. A lot of the history before a certain point is lost. We are actually on a giant turtle though, and Keeliai is a city on its back.

The primary population of Keeliai were the kedan, until we started arriving as foreigners. I mean, there are still a lot more of them than us, and they've lived here for a while. If I'm not mistaken, the last civil war was about 40 or 50 years ago. Most of the kedan seem fairly loyal to the Emperor, but there are a decent number of gangs who don't exactly care for her rule. The police force is absolutely loyal to the Emperor, and they're lead by Commander Evandau. He's basically her right hand man.

[There is a scramble for paper and pens on Enjolras' end of the conversation, quickly taking down the information.]

That is more than I knew before, at least. Do you know where I might discover anything else regarding these matters?

The Emperor has a library you'd probably find interesting. I've been twice. You have to ask her for access, but as long as you're relatively honest, she'll probably give it. Some of the kedan are happy to talk about the prior wars - most of the questions delegated as "ask the Emperor" surround our purpose here moreso than general history.

Some of it's my own observations and investigations. I've been here a little over six months now. That was about when people not native to this world started arriving. I was with the first bunch.

[More note-taking. The news of a library is very welcome news, he'd been planning to explore the city for bookshops to discover more information.

But that final piece of information is somehow startling to him. He had somehow presumed that it was just another strange constant in this strange world.]

This- arrival of people from other places is only a recent development?

None of the 'foreigners' have been here longer than those six months. There was a giant welcome festival for the first of us, though that didn't exactly go well.

The Emperor told me it was the first time she attempted a summoning spell, originally meant as a kind of 'call for heroes,' but others got pulled in as well.

[The latter bit is carefully worded, since she's no longer sure she believes it, but that doesn't come across in her tone.]

Did the Emperor explain why these 'heroes' were required?

To help combat an as of yet unnamed threat against the kedan. Nobody will talk about what it is, but supposedly we'll know "when the time comes."

[She sounds very annoyed by this.]

[Enjolras likes the sound of this less and less. No good can come of someone who steals people from their rightful places for purposes unknown. He shakes his head.]

I believe I shall have to speak to her directly, or at least request access to her library to gain more information.

She holds open audiences to hear requests and talk to everyone, but otherwise it's a bit hard to chat one on one, most of the time. It's worth a trip to the library though.

As it sounds a most impressive library, I will certainly make an effort to be granted admission, mademoiselle.

My name is Annabeth. You don't have to call me mademoiselle.

Until we are better acquainted, I should prefer not to.

What about what I would prefer? Can I least get my name in there somewhere?

[Enjolras is silent for a moment. Yes, everyone from the future seems to be rather informal, but it does not sit right with him to call a young lady by her Christian name when they are hardly acquainted.]

Would Mademoiselle Annabeth be sufficient?

[Christian name ha. Hahaha. That's funny and she'd laugh if he said it out loud. Her mom would, too.]

Better, I guess. And you're Enjolras, right? Are there any other glaring questions you have regarding this place?

I have many questions still, Mmselle.

[Oh wait- what is this thing called manners.]

My friends and I are used to debating and questioning amongst ourselves for extended periods of time. I am aware that not everyone is accustomed to do the same, so do not feel that you must stay and subject yourself to my questioning if you are required elsewhere.

I wouldn't have replied if my attention was required elsewhere. Six months is a long time to learn. Admittedly, there's a lot that's still unknown, but I'm always willing to answer questions if I can.

Are there any political organisations among the people here, or is the Empress the only political power?

Nothing that the kedan seemed to have organized. A lot of the gangs flounce the Emperor's rule, but most of the average kedan seem compliant.

As for the foreigners, no, we don't really have a voice of our own unless we speak out to her ourselves. Someone tried to organize a committee a few months ago to be a political voice, but I don't think anything came of it.

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