sirenspull | video.

[It's been two weeks since Reim arrived, and he's sort of vaguely managed to settle in. Which means the opportunity has arisen to dive headfirst into Modern Technology that will confuse him greatly, of course. At least he knows which way to hold the NV, as he addresses it politely,]

Hello, [beat] city. I've recently arrived, and from a place very much unlike this one, so please excuse my ignorance of proper procedure when I ask-

How would one go about learning to drive a car? Could someone-- if it isn't too much, that is, lessons would be... appreciated. Although I'm afraid I don't have any experience whatsoever.

[Pause. He makes a face.]

Well. I've driven a tank, but...

[But we don't talk about Tank Day. Reim taps his fingers thoughtfully before adding, brightly,]

I am also interested in obtaining some work.

[He gives the NV a little smile, the perfect, practiced smile of a professional who knows when to be extra nice.]

Of course, any assistance will-- BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP [--be interrupted by the very sudden sound of an alarm going off on his NV (accidentally set without his knowledge, oops), which makes him shout and drop the thing--it lands on his toes, he yelps again, and it turns itself off when it hits the floor.

Flawless first impressions.]

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[Politely curious;]

Driven a wh—

[and then yelping at that noise WHAT IS THAT.]

[STRANGER ARE YOU OKAY]

I'm very sorry--

[No, listen, it's fine, he got it to stop. With some effort.]

...A tank.

[NO. IS THE TECHNOLOGY ATTACKING AGAIN please no...

He is clutching his chest over here when it stops.]

A-ah... I-it's all right. What happened...?

[We can get back to the matter of the tank in a second.]

Well-- An alarm is set. Apparently.

I was previously unaware this device could do such a thing...

[And the shame builds from there.]

...Do you know what the alarm's meant for?

No. There isn't anything it could be. [the weariest of sighs] I suppose I must have set it without realizing.

[Sighs along with him.] Ah. That's a pain.

[He hopes that's all it was.]

...So, er. What is a tank?

A dreadful, awful machine that rolls over anything it pleases and should never be allowed on the street. Or anywhere.

[He has Feelings about tanks.]

Oh—

[That sounds terrible. But raises further questions!]

Why were you driving one?

Irresponsible friends and little room for choice in the matter. I had just arrived, you see.

[Which. Clearly. Explains everything.]

[He waits a moment, but it appears further clarification isn't forthcoming.]

And they... forced you to drive a tank? Right after you had?

[How exactly does one clarify Xerxes Break... question for the ages.]

Yes. Exactly like that, in fact.

[How do you solve a problem like Xerxeeeees.]

Ah. [STILL NOT MAKING SENSE. He pauses, wondering whether he should press the issue much further.]

Your friends own a tank, then?

[This whole ordeal is just embarrassing to recall.]

No... It was when toys were coming to life...

—What? The toys did that?

[Somebody's rather poor at keeping up with the network.]

Yes.

[And actually, everything else he was involved with concerning the toys is genuinely uncomfortable, and not just embarrassing, so.]

The tank is under a cabinet somewhere now, I suspect.

Aa.

Is that sort of event commonplace here, do you know...?

I've only been here a few weeks... [And what a few weeks it's been!]

From what I understand, not many things that happen here are pleasant.

Nobody mentioned toys could come to life.

Mm. Are your friends able to help you settle in? [Or are they too busy forcing you to operate dangerous machinery?]

["Settle" is a subjective term.]

Well enough... It's an ongoing process.

That's something, at least.

Is your world a very different sort of place?

[Brightly, but in a... bitter kind of way:]

Completely.

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