[001. Action / Voice] // I have a feeling we're not in the desert any longer.

[raisedroyal]

[It has taken Natalia approximately twenty minutes to confirm that she has, after all, been left behind. "Separated" is perhaps a little easier to accept, what with the foreign city she has unexpectedly found herself in - this one inhabited, not merely ruins. The temperature has also plummeted from uncomfortably hot and dry to cold and blustery. (Winter in the Zao Desert?)]

[She stands in the shadow of a building, out of the wind, trying to work the strange fonmachine (or whatever it might be, Guy isn't around to ask) into submission. If one of the others dropped it, perhaps she can figure out where they might have disappeared to. If the Six God-Generals lost it, then perhaps it will reveal to her why Fon Master Ion has been kidnapped and where their closest stronghold might be. Where to go.]

[The results of this struggle are what finally come across the network.] Beep! Beep! Bnnn...! BEEEEP!!

Oh, honestly! If you're going to be this difficult, at the very least you might-- [There's a muffled sound. A sneeze.]

Comments

[Video]

[ridertothemoon]

[Blink blink.]

Do you need any assistance, madam?

[Voice]

[raisedroyal]

[Why is there a person's face in the fonmachine, and why is it speaking to her?]

[But she doesn't have time to marvel right now. Later.]

Yes, as a matter of fact. I would like to know my present location.

[Voice]

[ridertothemoon]

You are in Prospero, an island city off the coast of America.

[Voice]

[raisedroyal]

I'm certain I've never heard of such a place before. Is it a part of the Malkuth Empire?

[Video] 1/idk

[not_the_dreck]

Na--!

[not_the_dreck]

[He cut himself off. No, bad Asch. While it was surprising to see her -- and why did it have to be her of all people?! -- here, he had to keep his cool. Besides, just because they were in a different place, didn't mean anything changed.]

[Besides, Luke had come to this place from his future. If Natalia had as well, then...]

Done

[not_the_dreck]

[He cleared his throat. Still, he had already flicked the damn video on. Damn surprised reflex... or at least, that was the excuse he was going with. May as well say something.]

Princess Natalia.

[...slick.]

[Voice] 1/3 This is going to be a trainwreck isn't it.

[raisedroyal]

[Oh thank goodness.] Luke!

[Voice] 2/3 By the way Asch I am so sorry.

[raisedroyal]

[...Wait.]

[Why would Luke be calling her "Princess Natalia"? He never calls her that, and quite frankly, most of the time she's lucky to get an "augh" in greeting. Luke simply isn't that formal.]

[But this is obviously her Luke. After all, who else could it possibly be? There's no one. No one except perhaps...]

No. You aren't...

[Voice] 3/3 And done.

[raisedroyal]

...You're Asch the Bloody of the Six God-Generals.

[The slickest.]

action

[pucelle]

[Well that's one thing to catch your attention when you were just out for a walk... But no really, the girl looks rather distressed about the device, and it's be rather rude to just leave her like that.]

Please excuse me, but it seems that you're having some difficulties with that device. Would you like some help with it?

Re: action

[raisedroyal]

[Natalia glances up at the voice, looking a little ruffled. (Both literally, since she's been trekking through less than pleasant conditions, and figuratively because she has had absolutely no luck negotiating with the device.)]

[Is this woman with the Oracle Knights? She doesn't seem to be, but even if she is, she doesn't have much choice. Natalia straightens and holds the cellphone out.]

Do you know how to operate it? If so, I'd be most grateful for your help.

action

[pucelle]

I admit that I am not the best with technology, but I do believe I understand how to work the basics. Allow me to show you. [INSERT EXPLANATION HERE idk man etc etc.]

action

[raisedroyal]

[Natalia relaxes a little; she isn't very good with technology either, not that she's had much chance.] I assure you, it's quite all right. Thank you.

[She will listen politely enough, although she does interject occasionally with a question. The device seems rather complex, but Natalia seems to at least be capable of repeating a few basic steps.]

My, I didn't realize a single device was capable of carrying out so many different tasks. And you say that I may contact anyone, regardless of how far away they might be?

[voice]

[breatheinthefog]

Stop filling the network with pointless things.

[voice]

[raisedroyal]

"Pointless"?! I'll have you know that I'm in the middle of a very important mission. There are innocent people who require aid, and I must locate my traveling companions as soon as possible. [And there's also Fon Master Ion having been kidnapped but she really shouldn't reveal that to a civilian.]

There is nothing pointless about it!

[voice]

[breatheinthefog]

You can't finish it here anyway.

[voice]

[raisedroyal]

Perhaps not. However, I feel confident that I will discover a way to return so that it may be completed.

[Don't tell her she can't. She will do it!]

audio.

[caliberill]

Are you-- talking to it?

[A pause.] Bless you.

audio.

[raisedroyal]

Was I wrong to do so? It certainly seems as though it is speaking back, now doesn't it?

[Less haughtily, in a normal tone:] Although... I suppose I must confess I didn't realize the device transmitted one's words over a distance when I first discovered it.

[A pause.] Thank you.

audio.

[caliberill]

Well yeah, but that's because it's me talking...

What did you think it did? Is there anything like it where you're from? And no problem. I'm Nate.

audio.

[raisedroyal]

Is that not the same thing? [Unfortunately she's still a little confused...]

I'm not entirely certain, to be honest. At first I thought that one of my companions had misplaced it, or that it might contain important information. As to whether such a device exists in my homeland, I'm afraid this is the first time I've seen anything of the sort.

Nate, it's a pleasure. I'm Natalia.

[action]

[athngabla]

[Lancer was off to Felix's Finds, damaged weapon wrapped in cloth on his back, hoping to get some repair-work done.

Actually, he probably wasn't going to notice her until she sneezed, but a pair of red eyes dart over to investigate the sudden sound.]

Dia Linn. [And then he notices the phone.] Oh, you've got one of those things too, missy?

[action]

[raisedroyal]

[She's not certain who this "Dia Linn" is, but the question is easy enough to understand. She straightens up a little, nods.]

Yes. So I am to take it that you've found one of these fonic devices as well?

It's surprising how many people seem to have them.

[action]

[athngabla]

[Automated responses to sneezing nonwithstanding, he tilts his head at one of the words Natalia uses.]

Fonic device? ...That's a new one. Everyone else just calls it a phone. [A moment to fish his own out of his jacket and show it off, before replacing it.]

You're right, in any case. Whole lot of folks here have one. Most of the people who you'll talk to on it are in the same situation you are, too.