video, @DONQUIXOT3

[icanfixer]

[ you know her. you don't know her. you will know her, soon enough.

miss don quixote, brightly beaming, is not alone today. she has with her... three young men sat with various levels of comfort on a couch, all dressed in somewhat matching holiday sweaters.

only somewhat. herself? a normal cozy cream-colored one with cat paws trailing from one shoulder down. normal. she loves her friends, promise. ]

Salutations!!! Prithee, turn thy gaze, open thine ears, and pay mind to what this Don Quixote has to say! For two more of my coworkers hath arrived, and thus the Limbus Company is four strong!!! In addition to our stern boss, of course!!! I shall presently introduce the three here with some questions I have thus prepared.

[ let her... here is here notebook, dolled up with stickers. aHem. ]

From left to right, as well as answering order [ , hello? one of them has an issue with that-- ] is Emil Sinclair, Yi Sang, and Hong Lu. Young Sinclair is one who shall be more familiar to others by face or mention, as we arrived together so long ago... but they are all precious companions of mine.

Let us begin! What is thy favorite color?

[ okay. okay! this is easier than the first company introduction he did, for various reasons. not that he still isn't obviously a mild kind of timid about the whole thing, even as he attempts to. you know, not let that show. look, He's Trying. ]

Favorite... I don't think about it much, but. Blue. Green, maybe? Or... No, blue and green.

[ should he add more? reasoning? or pick ONE? ]

They're both calming. Like thinking about a sunny day. [ nodding, before he- looks around. help. ] Um. Do I need to say more than that?

[ he's nailing this? why didn't he go last so he could get an "average response length" reference? ]

[ because you have to go first and get over yourself, sinclair, lead the way as the senior to these two newbies-- ]

Nay, that is quite alright! I think thy reasoning is sound enough, Young Sinclair.

[ That's... not really something he's thought about. He'd all but forgotten what colors existed outside of sepia. There'd been no such thing as a "favorite color" in T Corp.'s domain, not when T. Corp. ensured everything was the same color within its borders.

But T Corp. is behind him, and his now properly-functioning photoreceptors allow him to contemplate answers other than that muted sepia. It doesn't quite solve the fact that he's not used to having things like favorites or preferences, but he'd like to offer a proper response.

He wracks his brain, sorting through every single color he can recall until --

Ah. Of course. That would have to be his answer. ]

Yellow.

[ ...no, that's not quite right. The word doesn't fully capture the exact shade he's visualizing.

He thinks of the spicebush flowers, efflorescing from ideal soil. He thinks of the way their soft petals catch the spring sunlight, glowing radiant underneath the rays. He thinks of the way they burst into season, blanketing the hills in gold.

Yi Sang prepares to repeat those thoughts, but instead of voicing them, he stops. ...perhaps it is best to leave it there. The color of those flowers -- it's something for him to remember, for him to hold close.

So he nods, deciding that one word is sufficient after all. ]

...yellow. That would be my ideal color.

Hello~ My name's Hong Lu. I hope we can get along well together.

[ the carefree flicker of a little wave of hong lu's hand, ]

I really like the colour of Don's sweater~ If I had to describe it, it's the colour of putting your face into the fur of a cat, but only if the cat doesn't run away.

Charming, are they not?! Now, thy favorite foods!

[ this is the part where he could lie and say he's not picky, but he is, even if it's less so now. there's a moment of thought, and then a rather sure: ]

Sauerbraten.

[ ... ]

It's not really about the taste... Not that it isn't good. But it's more about the memories, which is probably for the best... I remember it taking a while, so I don't think I could make it now, even if I wanted to.

[ He's never been particularly picky with food. Residents of the Backstreets were accustomed to eating whatever they could get their hands on. Yi Sang is no different. He's perfectly content to snack on anything that's edible.

Perhaps the question should be approached from a different angle. There's no need to limit himself to foods that aren't downright offensive to his taste buds.

It would take far too long to sort through that list.

Instead, a memory rises and breaks the surface tension within his head:

Three children sit in a field, one of them clutching a woven basket. It holds a few round items wrapped in cloth. She takes one in each hand, offering them to both boys at her sides. "Here," she says. "I got these for us. Don't tell anyone though. I'm only giving them to both of you because you're my favorites out of everyone."

Her companions take their respective offerings. Whatever it is, it's warm to the touch. The boy with glasses picks at the cloth, unwrapping it with care in his lap. The other, quieter boy does the same until the hidden item is revealed.

"Baked potatoes? You got this excited over baked potatoes?" the boy with glasses laughs.

The girl sitting between them scowls and goes a bit red in the face. "Just shut up and eat it, okay? Do you know how expensive these were?"

The third child simply observes, clutching his cooling potato. The other boy and the girl will stop bickering soon enough. Despite the argument unfolding before him, he smiles because he knows they'll laugh it all off eventually and enjoy their snack together.

Yes, that's how things had always resolved. It had been so easy then.

Yi Sang blinks. ]

...could you repeat your question?

[ oh, he seems a tad distracted. don tilts her head, but smiles brightly and nods. ]

Most certainly!!! Thy favorite food, Yi Sang!

[ Oh. Yes, that's right.

He glances down at his palm. It's empty, but there's a warmth lingering within it. ]

My favorite food?

[ Would they taste the same as the ones back then? ]

A potato cooked over an open flame; such is my answer. ...I shall have to procure some, enough to share with everyone else.

Mm, if I had to pick a favourite food... A cup of tea is a must after a greasy meal, right?

[ hong lu beams. ]

I was thinking that I didn't recognise any of the teas here. I wonder how long they're aged for, or if they're hand-picked. I prefer tea that's at least three hundred years old myself. That reminds me, is water supposed to burn? It really hurt this morning when the water in my pot exploded. Who knew that water could fight back? Eheh.

Have thee any dreams for the future? Be it in the near future or farther off, do tell!

Mm...

[ he hasn't- thought about any short term ones, honestly. at least not any he- wants to voice aloud. long term is- nda. just, nda. ]

Is a goal okay...?

[ wait. considering what he wants to answer with, that's- not a great lead up. he straightens up. ]

I-I'll answer with it anyway. I want to be a more confident, more certain person. I don't think I could've answered questions like this before, so maybe I'm doing a little better already.

[ he continues to really nail this. ]

[ There was a time when he could confidently respond with, "None." Things like "hopes" and "dreams" were for those capable of visualizing a future. But to say that he continued to lack any aspirations doesn't feel quite right anymore.

Yi Sang finds himself grasping for an answer. The options materialize in reflective shards, different choices displayed upon each one's surfaces. Perhaps those dreams had existed all along, and he simply hadn't possessed the desire to look closely enough at any of them.

He sifts through all the possible responses. He doesn't think any of them are particularly grand, and many of them are blurry, as though despite clearly existing they had yet to take proper shape.

Eventually, he finds there is an answer he can latch onto. ]

I think... I should like to build a stable one day.

[ He's never done it before, and it's been awhile since he'd designed anything that resembled a building. On the other hand, that doesn't mean it can't be done. ]

It would not need to be particularly elaborate. So long as it is a comfortable home for one calf, that would be ideal. I would ensure its access to plenty of hay and clover for it to graze at its leisure.

[ Yi Sang pauses, visualizing the stable and allowing the fragment to sharpen into better focus. What else should it contain to ensure its future resident's happiness? None of his current expertise touched on veterinary care. Surely, there would be someone who could assist him?

After all, it takes a village of at least three to care for a calf properly. ]

To have a fun time, right? I don't think that far into the future, though~

[ hong lu's head tilts must in the way of a thoughtful cat, ]

Yi Sang, by the way, what does it mean if you dream about a shark in a coffin? Do you think that's a lucky symbol?

[ Yi Sang makes a thoughtful sound and crosses his arms over his chest. Others might have dismissed Hong Lu's question as absurd musings, but Yi Sang's always taken Hong Lu's inquiries seriously.

Yi Sang always takes everyone's questions seriously. ]

A coffin is closely associated with death. But that "death" does not necessarily mean a demise. It may symbolize a change, a new path revealing itself to the dreamer. For instance, Hong Lu, you may recall how it is said that the ashes of a fallen phoenix will form a nest for its reborn self's egg.

[ The coffin is the easy part. A pensive frown settles on his face. ]

Within this dream, does the shark yet live? Has it ceased in its struggles to breathe, transplanted from the sea to the land? Perhaps the dreamer has imagined a shark with lungs, molding the creature within their thoughts to avoid inflicting unnecessary cruelty upon it. And thus, it is left to the dreamer to determine the shark's purpose. An ill omen of challenges ahead, perhaps, due to a shark's reputation as a formidable foe. Yet others would perceive the creature as a protector of the sea, prepared to defend the dreamer with all its might.

[ Hong Lu, however, has asked what a combination of those two items might mean. Another thoughtful sound escapes from Yi Sang. ]

Indeed, such a dream may be a lucky symbol. It is within the realm of possibilities. Yet, it is equally as likely that one may interpret the shark within the coffin as a harbinger of misfortune.

[ ...did that answer the question? ]

Now, a slightly more difficult one: If thee had the choice to live blissfully unaware of a fact that had the chance to detract from thy current happiness as much as it could increase it, would thee remain purposefully unaware or confront it?

... Why is this so different from the other ones?

[ can he ask that? he's asking. forget nailing anything, the look he gives here makes it absolutely clear he's wondering why these questions are escalating so quickly.

but he presses his lips together, swallows back his urge to sigh, and answers anyway. certain and true: ]

Confront. I would confront it. I don't want to live in ignorance, and look away from what scares me. I think... even if I was a little less happy in the end, knowing that I walked without running away would make me feel more... [ how could he describe it... ] More.

[ he's not sure how to explain it without thinking on it, ruminating, but no one's going to sit here and wait for emil sinclair to go through ten anxious paragraphs. he'll leave it at that. ]

[ This is quite a different question compared to the earlier ones.

Because it's quite different, it's much easier to answer. ]

Whether that fact would bring me additional happiness, or whether it would saddle me with new sorrows -- I... do not believe those outcomes affect my answer to that hypothetical. Favorable or not, I would confront it.

[ It's not a matter of being blissfully oblivious or bold enough to wager more out of one's life. No, it's much more straightforward than that. Hadn't he promised himself he wouldn't close his eyes anymore or turn from the world around him? ]

...I simply wish to live with my eyes open now. That is all.

[ Even if that information introduces harm, it is best to confront it in earnest. And if that information proves to be distressing, well, that's what one's companions are for, isn't it? If the weight of that information is too much to bear, and if holding it with his own hands risks shattering them into pieces, surely someone will reach out to support that weight? And if not, surely there will be someone to assist in plucking the broken pieces off the floor, to help with reassembling the fragments of himself?

Perhaps in the past, those musings would remain as questions. Nowadays, the question marks are replaced with periods. ]

Hmm...

[ hong lu hums; the cyan of his one blue eye glimmers. he says: ]

Does it matter, though? Life will always go on, even if what you're doing right now doesn't work out, so as long as you remember that, you'll be free of worries. So it doesn't matter if I know about it or not, I'll always be okay~

[ hong lu's neck cranes over, ]

Ah, Don, is this what they call 'food for thought'? Is this what commoners do to fill their stomachs when there isn't enough to eat?

And it works wonders, truly! One cannot feel hunger if they are debating the very fundamentals of life, and putting to thought their companion's answers. It has staved off the pangs quite well in my experience.

[ what good answers she certainly expected from her companions, two of whom have faced themselves and one who has not. of course, don... wouldn't turn from something either, depending on what it is, but we haven't the time to unpack that right now. ]

Don't look so nervous, Young Sinclair! Lastly, thy favorite hobbies!

[ was he TENSING slightly before the question came out thinking it would be something increasingly unhinged like WORST REGRET or THE TROLLEY PROBLEM or- yes. but the question comes out, and he visibly relaxes. ]

Thank goodness.

[ oh. did he say that out loud? ]

I mean... R-reading and drawing. I've gotten to writing, here, and that helps me sort out my thoughts... I think I just like doing quieter activities that help me think, or relax. But I wouldn't mind trying other things I haven't done too.

[ There are a few activities he enjoys in his spare time. Namely -- ]

Observing Sinclair and Don Quixote's chess games. They are... rather spirited when competing against one another. It is good to see them engaged in an activity.

[ Some might disagree that spectating his colleagues' chess games counts as a hobby, but it counts to him. Yi Sang enjoys watching both of them mapping out their moves, and he also finds himself feeling like a secret third participant. They do not know that he is not merely observing, but in fact, predicting what each of his colleagues' next moves might be.

Sinclair's strategies are easier to discern not because they are simple, but because they are proper. There's a certain elegance to his decision-making, even if he is slower to move compared to Don Quixote. Each choice is deliberate, seeking to corner Don's king before ruthlessly pursuing checkmate.

Don Quixote's moves are more challenging for Yi Sang to anticipate. In each of Sinclair's moves, there is always a sensible means for her to respond. But instead of selecting one of those options, she continuously surprises Yi Sang by choosing something completely different.

...there are, however, times when observing those games inflicts agony to the point where it stops being a fun hobby.

It's during those moments he finds himself hovering over Don Quixote's shoulder, gently offering her pointers after she's lost more than half of her pieces to Sinclair. And despite trying to be discreet about it, Sinclair catches him whispering to her every single time. It's a game within a game.

He probably shouldn't be helping Don in those moments. But the longer the game goes on, the more time he gets to spend witnessing his colleagues' moment of camaraderie. Allowing Sinclair to claim victory too swiftly means less time spent observing them having fun.

Maybe he'll ask to join in next time, requesting a match against the winner of their future game.

...which will probably be Sinclair. Yes. Definitely Sinclair. ]

I like seeing new sights, and doing new things. Can you have a hobby that's always changing?

[ hong lu folds his hands behind him, prim, much as if a child on a field trip; ]

Regardless, I hope to meet everyone here, and have lots of fun~

[ don turns the video back to herself and beams. ]

And that shall do for proper introductions! I ask that thee treat them as well as one may myself, and get to know each on thine own time as well as now as I have them held agai... kehm, that is, with their permissions for the evening.

[ and that'll do for that lengthy segment! off it goes, boys are freed, she is freed, now she just has to wait for all the friendship applications to roll in.

... did she not mention that's what this was for? oh well. ]

[ ooc: responses will come from everyone!!! this is all just for a bit of fun, go wild with it; click the questions for responses! ]

Comments

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[icanfixer]

[ her and the boys,,,,,,,,,

everyone can have a share of shortbread cookies as a reward. ]

Everyone is friendly, so there is sure to be a number of others who shall happily befriend thee!

[ because that's what this is! she's going to make sure you introverts get some fucking friends! hong lu babygirl you're doing perfect. ]

If the sweaters are too hot, then do remove them; I shan't allow any to fall to heat exhaustion.

[reflexio]

[ It's fine. Luckily for Don, Yi Sang runs cold. He takes a shortbread cookie and nibbles on it thoughtfully.

Her assessment of the other City residents is accurate. Those he's already come across have been quite friendly. And since they've generally had warm dispositions, was this interview truly necessary...?

Oh well. It seemed to make Don happy. That's good enough for him. ]

Were these questions selected for a specific purpose, Don Quixote? There exists a logical connection between asking for one's favorite color, favorite foods, and favorite hobbies, but I fail to discern the purpose of the other two.

[yyds]

I like the sweaters, though. They scratch my skin - I didn't think clothing could do that? My skin is turning red, and I've never seen that before.

[ says hong lu, piqued, as he observes a rash at his wrist. ]

un: Kromer, video

[gripper]

( hahaaha. )

You really know how to make a mountain out of a molehill, huh? I guess if Guido was here, though, I wouldn't mind introducing him to the rest of the City either.

( his answers would probably be... less interesting than the ones don's gotten, though. her gaze flickers briefly to the spot on her screen where sinclair was, but instead of focusing on him like she normally would...

she smiles brightly and gives a little wave. hi! )

Hey there, strangers. Guess the last time you all saw me wasn't the best, but you can ask Don Quixote... I've been on good behavior here. It's important for all of us to work together to get home, you know? ( and she doesn't WANT TO GO BACK ANYMORE but that isn't really the point here. ) I'm not gonna say we should get chummy or anything, but we can put aside whatever differences we had back home for the moment...

( a small pause. so— )

Yi Sang, was it? Yellow's my favorite color, too... Well, more like gold, but they're close enough, right? And as for Hong Lu over there—I think "trying new things" is fine as a hobby. That's what being human's all about.

( ...her smile pulls up slightly on one side, showing a little teeth. she knows exactly what she's doing by only addressing three out of four, here. )

video. @hong lu ☆

[yyds]

[ hong lu looks. the little screen has a face on it that hong lu thinks he recognises, or must recognise. hmm... white hair, a truly untenable vision in her eyes, a little wave much like the flex of fingers over a sword the colour of melted ingots, diluted with the tears of a dying star. hong lu considers this for a moment, the waterfall of his dark hair like shifting sable.

then, he brightens. ah, yes. hong lu says, with earnest cheer: ]

Ah, Boomer!

[ #nailed it (pun unintentional). hong lu, who suddenly has forgotten how to read, smiles. it's the sort of smile with the kind of innocence found only on newborn kittens and seasoned conmen. ]

You seem a bit smaller than I last saw you, however. Where did all of your other legs go? Did you lose them somewhere? It'd be annoying to have to trip over them if I took a walk through the park, I think? [ hong lu hums. ] And is it that hard to put aside our differences? I didn't think we had that many differences, though~ For example, if you melted into goo and I melted into goo, wouldn't we be the same kind of goo?

@DONQUIXOT3, audio

[icanfixer]

[ this woman........................ ]

How would thee introduce him? I am curious to know.

video: @yisang

[reflexio]

[ He's squinting at the video, just to make sure it is who he thinks it is. It doesn't seem he realizes his camera is on. ]

You are --

[ He hadn't seen it with his own eyes, but this woman was supposed to be very, very dead. He goes silent, trying to discern whether the image broadcast on his screen is real. She's addressed him, so it must be quite real. ]

It is good to see you are well, Kromer.

[ The greeting is a little forced. He's simply identified it's futile getting into any arguments with her. What's done is done, even if he can't condone any of the blood on her hands.

He's not sure whether he likes the fact that they share a favorite color. ]

[halbird]

[ she knows what she's doing, he knows what she's doing. this is some kind of game, right?

and he's... not playing along. he's not acknowledging this, and the sinking way this makes him feel, because then she wins. again.




( the image of this train of thought with his sweater blinking is ending me, just thought you should know ) ]

audio; un: loveless

[limbical]

Preferred drink, alcoholic or otherwise? Don, feel free to answer, too.

@DONQUIXOT3, audio

[icanfixer]

I am not answering questions at this time! But if I were to be answering them, then my response would surely be along the lines of milkshakes! I have become fond of the sweetness, and the variety one can concoct with a "blender" is spectacular!

[ she's not answering questions, though. ]

text; un: justalucard

[reposing]

How do you all feel about organized religion?

not here.

[fauned]

( bruh. )

text | @stray

[kampfgeist]

sauerbraten guy has excellent taste

audio: @yisang

[reflexio]

What is sauerbraten...?

video; un: netzach

[abstractart]

I guess that's one way to get to know people, right?

[congrats on talking your coworkers into this, don-- but also congrats on them being here at all.]

Good to know you're finally ending up with more people you're familiar with.

video. @hong lu ☆

[yyds]

Everyone came to say hi to Don. I'm glad~ [ hong lu considers this. ] Has our Don been lonely here?

video | username: fearnie

[fauned]

( WHAT HAPPENED TO THE QUESTIONS PARTWAY THROUGH?

oh, my. the questions she could ask. hmmmhmmhmm.. can't ask sinclair about his thoughts about don in front of god, coworkers and everybody, she supposed, so: )

Favorite animal?

( should be easy. a nice start. do y'all even got animals. )

video. @hong lu ☆

[yyds]

[ hong lu beams. ]

I like sharks, now!

video, un: junpei

[coolerjunpei]

[jesus christ don]

Cool. Hey. You guys like bowling? That's for everyone.

[.....and. actually,] Do, uh, do you two new guys need someone to show you how to use a microwave? It'll cook stuff faster.

[open-flame potato and exploding water... wowza.]

video: @yisang

[reflexio]

Bowling?

[ He cants his head a bit with a pensive expression. ]

I have never been bowling before.

[ The second question is easier to answer. ]

Oh. I am familiar with microwaves. It is, however, kind of you to offer your assistance.

video; un: yesod

[wordchain]

[ The arrival of more of Don Quixote's companions adds to the concentration of people from their City with existing ties to one another being gathered here, but right now, it's more noteworthy that she seems to be in an especially good mood because of her friends' presence. ]

I am pleased to meet some of your comrades, then.

[ In their festive uniform... ]

video. @hong lu ☆

[yyds]

Some of Don's comrades are pleased to meet you too~ [ hong lu says, in a sing-song voice. then, he beams. ] Being called comrades is nice. We were coworkers on the train, you know? But comrades sounds more fun.

audio ; un: librarian

[worldexecute]

( something something use your time more wisely—

but, ah, she sees. )

Welcome, Yi Sang and Hong Lu. I've heard much about you from Don Quixote. ( perhaps a little too much!! anyway. ) Yi Sang, in particular, I have questions for, but... those can be dealt with later.

( there's a time and a place for asking about mephistopheles, after all. )

Regardless—I am Angela, the head recordkeeper and owner of The Bookstore, an establishment collecting and preserving stories from other worlds—if you give us one, we'll trade one in return. Don Quixote works there, too. ( mmm... question... ) Do you three have a favorite story?

not here

[icanfixer]

[ ooooooooh... one of the two............ and she recalls now how much she's talked about yi sang................

...................

it'll be okay... it's fine... yi sang won't be mad at her... he doesn't really get mad, after all... ]

video, un: Hat Guy

[featheradrift]

[ It's almost frightening how friendly people were in this city. Of their own volition, here they were, answering more questions that sound like they could've been on that orientation survey he'd answered when he first arrived here. Just freely giving fuel to the kidnappers—though it was entirely possible they knew all this and more, already.

Well, their personal information is free to give, he supposes. And he's free to ask for more too, he guesses. ]

Any of you good at fighting?

@DONQUIXOT3, audio

[icanfixer]

We are all capable fighters!!!

[ for what it's worth, anyway. better together than apart, but... they can hold their own now. ]

video. @kaveh

[fussiest]

Oh, Don. This is lovely.

[ not the sweaters. kaveh can't look at the sweaters. he's under too much mental strain to want to see the LEDs light up that poor young man's face while the other one jingles every time he moves. but that's given him ideas, and kaveh is half-way carrying shutters under his arms and half-way trying to jot something down on the page. what's holding up his phone camera? who the fuck knows.

but this is kaveh, and he's grinning as he looks up and down at the festivities. ]

I'm glad to see that more of your friends have come. This is a great way to get to know one another. They seem like nice people - and their answers are [ um. ] detailed. Sinclair, Yi Sang and Hong Lu, welcome - and it's nice to meet all of you. I'm Kaveh, and I'm architect who currently does have something to build, for once. For the two of you who just arrived, I hope you are all settling in well; a friend of Don's is a friend of mine, and I'm happy to explain things you need to know, or help you settle in on your new apartments. Changes and renovations and the like.

Oh! And all of you, Don included of course, you're invited to the event that's coming up - the Sunlight at Midnight gala. I must say so before I forget. We're hoping for it to be fun for everyone, so I'd be honoured if you considered dropping by.

@DONQUIXOT3, audio

[icanfixer]

[ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ]

Then consider us invited!!! I shall ensure these three young men are present, as I shall be myself. More importantly, my friend, what is it that thou'rt doing?

[ mister no hands. ]

video | un: songstress

[ornamentation]

Oh, Yiyi! [ yiyi? ] Were these the friends you mentioned would be interested in my choir?

[ she smiles the knowing smile of someone who knows when others have been voluntold for something. ]

Well then! I suppose a necessary question would then be: what is your favorite song? And, do sing a line of it, please and thank you.

video: @yisang

[reflexio]

[ He's not surprised about Dorothea continuing to use the nickname. In fact, he responds to it quite readily.]

Yes. I believe they may be a proper fit for your project.

[ Yi Sang doesn't clarify that he'd only brought up Don Quixote and Hong Lu in that discussion. Sorry, Sinclair.

Are they... friends? It may appear that way with all of them sitting side by side on this couch. They're coworkers, technically, but it feels rude to correct Dorothea, and he doesn't want to rain on Don's parade.

Well, okay. They can be friends for the time being. That title has felt more and more accurate anyways.

Nor is he going to sing for her. That's a question directed to the others. Right? ......right.......? ]

audio; un:theredgaze

[immortalpoet]

[what]

[the]

[fuck is THIS]

I have a question. Do you each actually have a brain, or do you simply juggle a single brain cell amongst yourselves to attempt to have a thought?

1/2, action first

[icanfixer]

[ there he is......

to the three: ]

I shall take the brunt. I am used to it, by now.

video, un: caster

[excaliburden]

[She is engrossed by this video from start to finish, honestly, eyes wide. She's learned so much about them so quickly! Is this how people make friends in the modern proper human era?

Wow wow wowwww!

When the broadcast is properly over, then she waves, beaming.]

Yi Sang, hello again! And these must be your colleagues!

[Let's see... "A crusader for those who do not possess the strength or courage to take up their own arms", "a capable but newly-hatched chick", and "is an enigma at times, but possesses a kind heart". ... She's pretty sure she can see each and every one of them from his descriptions.]

They all seem just as wonderful as you described them to be. Hello, everyone!

[also hello emil let's not talk about how awkward that first meeting was in general]

@DONQUIXOT3, audio

[icanfixer]

Salutations, young miss!!! I see thee have made the acquaintance of our Yi Sang -- he is wonderful himself, is he not? Kind, thoughtful, and in possession of a smile most sublime!

[ as a seatmate of his, she can totally gas him up. yeah. ]

How did he describe us? I am curious to know what words he has used.

video; un: hythlodaeus

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus offers a cheerful greeting as the feed starts--one good face-to-face interaction deserves another, after all]

Greetings and salutations. The circumstances of our present location aside, I'm glad to see you've been able to meet up with more friends from home, Don Quixote.

[That this whole setup was seemingly made against the wishes of the young men from the video is of no consequence to him whatsoever. He's done the same thing, after all.]

'Tis a pleasure to meet all three of you. Emil Sinclair, Yi Sang, and Hong Lu, correct?

[He points in the general direction of where he last saw them on the screen as he lists their names, more to help him memorize them than anything else.]

I am Hythlodaeus, something of an "always changing" hobbyist myself. I hope I'm not intruding by asking a few questions of my own?

Let's see...

[He holds up a finger for each question]

What is your least favorite food?

What is the most awe-inspiring place you've ever visited?

Coffee, tea, or neither?

@DONQUIXOT3, audio

[icanfixer]

[ someone gets it. when you have to wrangle two introverts and... hong lu is just an unruly cat who does his own thing by the own beat of the drum unless properly enticed, when you've got three like that you've gotta be a little sneaky. ]

Prithee, ask as many as thee wish! It is my joy to be able to share my companions with thee and all else, so I should like them to be thoroughly explored.

@Conductor, video

[entwinedfate]

[ ... Charming. There really are an interesting number from their City, though not a single one really rings a bell. No names, perhaps, or from a different point of time -- nonetheless, it's an amusing spectacle.

He sees Fearne's already made her mark here, so he makes sure to keep her lavender scarf in frame; wrapped around his neck, it's a welcome deterrent from the chill in the air as he sits beneath the umbrella of an outdoor portion of a cafe. ]

Why, what a showman you are! I must applaud you all for the performance -- it's been very interesting, watching such good friends interact with one another~. Your dreams... and goal, for the young man there, are wonderfully attainable as well.

[ Admirable. Anyway, ]

I'm curious about the slight difference in your answers for the confrontation, though; my opinions lies more alongside Hong Lu's there, life shall go on whether one knows the truth or not, it will end whether or not one confronts that which lies before them, so I only wonder if, for the remaining two, your will is as strong as your words.

[ Could they really do it? Have they done it? If they were forced to confront something about a close friend of theirs, would they be able to look it in the face? Tell him about the City, in your own way. ]

action, this is just. for me. no one look at me. shes not talking to him.

[icanfixer]

[ those piercing blue eyes....... that odd ear piece......... the soothing cadence of his voice, the royal navy of his clothing--

don's gasp is so high only a dog can hear it truly before she's burying her back into the couch, vibrating like an overstimulated pooch. wings. by the wings. there's no mistaking that visage, the overflowing charisma and charm, the beautiful fluff of his hair that adorned magazines for years in his rise to the top-- ]

Th-tH-th- the-- it's-- th-- he-- That's--

[ sorry she's not breathing ]

Bl-- he's that--- he's th-- the-- rev--

[ her literal starry eyes should tell her companions he's a Fixer Of Note at least it's HIM IT'S HE IT'S HE HIM HIM HE HE IT'S HE ]

video

[unimportant]

[ Yuki sighs and starts her end of the video, looking mighty unimpressed. ]

This information is all boring. Colors, foods, hobbies? None of this tells me anything about you all. I want your true essence.

[ Then, a challenging smirk: ]

Tell me: When it comes to women, what's your type?

@DONQUIXOT3, video

[icanfixer]

[ boring..................................

this cuts right to the bone. vergilius's words are child's play compared to what yuki just did to her. (boring... boring... boring...) give her a second to recover. yuki's the only one that gets video and that's because don needs to watery eyes at her. ]

It was boring?