001 [video]

[a_gentle_boy]

[The video flips on and a young boy with golden blonde hair and somber blue eyes blinks slowly into the camera for a few moments. His speech is hesitant and his manner apologetic.]

Hi.

I, um... I think this is working now. Can anyone hear me? ...I'm sorry if I'm not doing this right; I've never used anything like this before. But they said this was how I could communicate with everyone, so... hello.

[He shifts uneasily as he speaks, though he manages a small smile as he introduces himself; his gaze falls now on a point just slightly right of the camera. Technology was not something he was terribly familiar with using - or ever really wanted to be.]

My name is Lucas. And it's very nice to meet all of you. I guess I'm using this now, because I... I'm happy to be here and help, I am, but I don't think I really understand why I'm here. I mean, I do understand about the monsters and the 'demons' and all of that kind of thing, and... of course, I want to help, but what I mean is... I'm not sure I understand why me and why... now. I-I know it's a bit selfish, but I...

I'm very tired.

Do you think I can go home for a little bit before I start here? I promise I'll come back and help; it's just -- you see, the thing is, I sort of needed to see if there was a home to go back to, still, and then this happened, and I really should... check.

[He swallows, and his eyes flicker to his feet as his speech becomes ever more incoherent.]

Um. Sorry, that didn't come out right at all. It's not like that -- I mean, it is, a little bit, but not very; it all should be fine, I just -- Oh!

...I'm sorry. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.

[He blinks hard and brushes briefly at his eyes before reaching to fiddle with the COMP, trying to turn it off. It will take him some time to be successful.]

Comments

[a_gentle_boy]

There's always a lot of work left to do in any world, huh...?

[The sounds of quiet sniffling and quick, shallow breaths had been masked somewhat by the communicator facing in the wrong direction; Lucas turns it back around now with slightly reddened eyes and a soft smile.]

What is happening in this place, exactly...? I just know there are monsters.

[greyerrant]

It is a world at the edge of destruction, where we struggle for the soul of humanity. I think it is in what we'd have called japan, but it is... hard to tell.

[a_gentle_boy]

...

I... see.

[No he didn't not at all but it certainly sounded slightly familiar.]

I don't think I've heard of a Japan, but... why do you say something like that, mister?

[greyerrant]

Because we're more or less trapped in a small part of the world, and we can't venture out to get the truth of things.

[a_gentle_boy]

Um.

...I guess if you can't see the rest of it... at least it might still be alright. Maybe.

[greyerrant]

[ Garviel doesn't answer that one, it might be too cruel. ]

Well, you're here now, and you seem tired. [ He wonders if he should come over and like do daycare stuff with lucas until he sleeps, just like his day job }

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas shakes his head slightly.]

A lot's happened in the last day or so before I got here. I just... feel like it's a little too much to handle right now.

Sorry. I shouldn't be bothering all of you with my problems.

[greyerrant]

You aren't bothering me.

[ More confusing him really. ]

[a_gentle_boy]

Mm.

[Lucas responds with another slight shake of his head, though what it means is difficult to discern.]

...Thanks.

Ah, um. Do you mind if I ask who you are?

[greyerrant]

My name is Cerberus.

[a_gentle_boy]

It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cerberus.

Thank you for talking to me. I'm not so sure I understand, still, but... I guess this city needs help, too, is all I really need to know.

[greyerrant]

No need for a mister, my name is simply Cerberus.

I'm sorry, explaining this sort of thing isn't something I was made for. We left that to the Iterators.

[a_gentle_boy]

A-Ah, sorry, Mr. Cerberu -- Cerberus.

[Lucas will, naturally, take upwards of six months to learn to address him as anything else as these kinds of things go.]

What do you mean by that? What's an Iterator?

[greyerrant]

Someone who promulgates and explains the Imperial Truth.

Learned men who were skilled in the arts of rhetoric and communication.

[a_gentle_boy]

...Why is it that only certain people learn the truth? Shouldn't it be known to everyone?

[greyerrant]

Of course! I simply want someone better suited to explaining things than myself here.

[a_gentle_boy]

...Oh.

[Lucas still doesn't quite understand, but he won't press the issue.]

It's alright, Mr. Cerberus. Um. I think you did good - it did help, a little bit.