001 - anonymous text/action

[justlittle]

[Bean waited a long time before posting to the Network. At first he was unsure who exactly was watching. Is this like the desks at school? Would he have to make a fake post to prevent whoever is in charge from learning anything he did not want them to know? Or was it innocent, just a means of communication or entertainment? Either way, Bean saw no real interest in it. From what he saw of the recent posts, the people here seem obsessed with clothing and amenities. Nothing he can relate to. Besides, the terminal in his suite has been acting oddly all day. He decided to explore the city instead. He hasn't been in a city since Rotterdam, but he's sure he can get back into the swing of it. Being a rather large city, there's sure to be street gangs of abandoned kids somewhere-- maybe not in the wealthy-looking metal sector, but somewhere. Maybe he'll find them, restart his old life. Maybe not. For now he's just exploring, gathering data.

At some point he happens upon a café with anonymous hookups. This, he decides, would be the perfect opportunity to give the Network a try. He hangs around the café for a few hours, looking in, buying something to drink, but never signing on. Then finally, he makes his move.]

So they have us on the back of a turtle. Slow and steady wins the race, they say, but where is the rabbit? What shore are we swimming towards, and where was the starting line? And what happens when the turtle stops swimming?

[He signs off, satisfied with his post, and waits to watch the responses. It's as much a fact-finding mission as anything, and he's interested to see who will respond and what they might have to say.]


[ooc: feel free to either respond to his post or see him around any of the sectors. A scrawny looking seven year old can only be so inconspicuous.]

Comments

[imaginate]

[They say time stops but I don't have any conclusive evidence-] Someone you left behind?

[justlittle]

Sort of. Events people will need me for. [Because what are feelings and how do you talk about them?]

[imaginate]

People do leave, but not of their own volition. It appears to be random.

[He studies Bean with an expression that is wiser than his years.] I don't like making assumptions, but in all likelihood they will be waiting for you.

[justlittle]

Let's hope. [Except Bean doesn't like hope, he likes facts.]

[imaginate]

Hope by itself is meaningless. [He tilts his head sideways, slightly.] Hope and will - that's a different story.

[justlittle]

Will to-- what? Find a way out?

[imaginate]

It's certainly possible. The prevailing theory is pocket dimension. This... isn't a dream.

[justlittle]

I didn't believe it was. [He pinches himself to prove it.]

[imaginate]

You'd be surprised how many people do. [Kyle laughs at the gesture.] That's actually not the best way to tell. I've experienced... some very convincing illusions in my time.

[justlittle]

You'd be surprised how many people are idiots.

[Bean is intrigued and wants to ask more, but not now. Not here.]

[imaginate]

I wouldn't, actually. [He rolls his shoulders slightly, he feels a bit stiff standing so straight.] Have you got your bearings or should I give you the grand tour?

[justlittle]

[Bean looks around. Of course he know's exactly where he is and how he got there, but,] A tour would be appreciated.

[imaginate]

[Kyle points to Lantern HQ, in the distance.] That's EA-3B, my Corps' temporary headquarters. Either myself or Dr. Natu will be there at all times, if you need anything. This [he sweeps his hands in a wide gesture to encompass their surroundings] is Earth, primarily for textiles. There's a couple of gangs in the area but mostly gang activity is concentrated in Fire or Metal. [He doesn't have to add be careful but he does need to inquire-] Can you defend yourself?

[justlittle]

[Bean's eyes widen slightly at the mention of gangs in Metal Sector, but he tries not to let it show.

Can he defend himself? Probably not. Can he enlist help and outsmart an attacker? Yes, but only if he has allies. Still, he's not about to admit weakness to someone he just met.] I've dealt with bullies and killers before.

[imaginate]

They are stronger and faster than baseline humans, and they're not often interested in talking. [Neutral, with a hint of concern. He caught a slight slip, and took a chance on it.]

[justlittle]

Good to know. [Stubborn to the last.]

[imaginate]

[Stubborn little brat. Kyle likes that.

He looks towards Fire Sector.] I'm guessing you live in Metal and have already explored it by yourself, so why don't we head to Fire Sector?

[justlittle]

[Bean starts walking.] What makes you say I live in Metal? [He's curious what his tell was.]

[imaginate]

Call it a gut feeling. [Kyle trusts his instincts.]

[justlittle]

[So does Bean. Instincts have saved his life more than once. So he doesn't question Rayner's statement.]

[imaginate]

[They cross the border into Fire. Kyle's more at ease here now than he was when he'd first come here, but his pace does quicken slightly - he would like to leave as soon as possible. He points to the palace looming over them.] The Emperor lives there, and the biggest library in the city is there too; however, with restricted access. [He has no doubt that someone as smart as Bean can get it, of course.] Here you'll find herbalists and the like. Those [he points to a fire fountain] don't produce any heat.

[justlittle]

[Bean nods. He'll definitely be coming back for that library.]

[imaginate]

[Kyle lets Bean take in the sights, content to walk in silence and not engage in meaningless chatter. After the rough few days he's had, it's oddly comforting to be in the presence of another soldier, even if inwardly he is still cringing at the idea of a seven-year-old fighting a war. He wants to ask, but they've just met, and that's pushing too far. He's learnt not to do that by interacting with Damian.

If Bean has questions, Kyle knows he'll ask. If not, they're heading over into Wood soon.]

[justlittle]

[Bean, on his part, isn't used to an adult not questioning or ordering him constantly. Maybe because he hasn't been in the position of knowing less than everyone around him since he first arrived at Battle School. Well, that's what he's here for, to learn everything he can.]

So the foreigners are brought here by the Emperor from different planets, to fight something but no one knows what, except the time there were zombies. No one knows a way out, but some people do leave. Do those who leave ever get brought back?

[imaginate]

Some do. Whether they have memories of their previous stay or not varies. You should be able to tell quite easily through reading the network.