sirenspull | Entries tagged with c: ashitaka

In the light of current events, as well as an increasing awareness of our dependency on electronic assistance, it begs the question...

Humankind really is over-reliant on our own technological advancements, aren't we?

My own city of Romdeau fell in part because of the Cogito Virus, which gave rise to the revolt of artificial intelligence. We could not function in our day-to-day lives without entourage and other service autoreivs handling menial operative tasks within the dome. People went mad, lost sheep- it was really quite humbling, how easy crippled we were. How childlike and helpless. Myself included. This world has changed me even in the simplest ways.

Three years ago, prior to my arrival, I'd never really done any cooking for myself, or cleaning for instance, or... so many things. Blackouts would render even the modern day hospital effectively paralyzed, if not for our backup generators.

(This is an awfully ironic conversation to be opening over NV, isn't it?)

All the same, my curiosity is piqued-

Some of you are from ages before the development of computers, androids, networks, lights, motorized vehicles, electronic devices and appliances, digital media, etc, etc...

I'd really like to know- what was it like? How did you live? What was the adaptations necessary, living "hands on", and without tools? Reliant on only face to face communications.

How is it for you now? Improved? Or do you feel as we're all inadept and talentless by comparison, as drone-like as the binary accessories which support us?

canfindrope

[Red taps her NV, biting at her lip as she studies the odd book she's been given. She almost drops it when she realizes it’s projecting an image. ] Some sort of spell…?

[She shakes her head, brushing a bit of hair behind her ear as she glances about.] Mary? Where are you? Come look at this.

[There’s a worried pause while she looks around, followed by outright glaring at the book.] What did you do to Mary?

wolfgirl

No! I don't want anything to do with any of you! Leave me alone! [ A scuffle can be heard in the background, along with a few almost feral growls from the girl herself. ] What did you do with that damned iron woman? I almost had her! Let go!

[ Someone, presumably a greeter, can be heard in the background trying to explain to her what's happening. Shortly after, their protests, and the swish of a blade through the air. ] Get away!

[ There's a clatter, very loud, as she's restrained and the crystal falls to the ground. The feed fizzles out. ]

safeguarded

First off, my condolences to those who were targeted in the recent hunts.

I'm sure by now everyone has heard about the hunting grounds being attacked. The fact that he's out of a property is good, of course, but that doesn't mean they can't build another area or find more hunters. I don't think it's time to let our guards down.

For one thing, I don't think it's a good idea to fight amongst ourselves, whether or not we agree with what was done to the grounds. I understand having a moral objection, but we do need to stand together somehow if we're going to change the system. I'm hoping the people here would choose cooperating with others they disagree with as an alternative to a knife in the back, at least.

On that note, my fiance - [he swings the NV over to show Katniss sitting across the room; she gives a forced smile to the camera before he shifts the focus back to himself] has agreed to give archery lessons in case the need for self defense presents itself again. I'm aware that this city is full of people with abilities, so I'm also aware that archery might not sound very useful to people who could probably instantly destroy a bundle of arrows with their minds.

[He chuckles lightly before moving on.]

But what I will say is that if a situation comes up again where they're using Voids, like they were in those hunts, a practical skill could become all the more important. And really, there's not much to lose in this case. I promise she won't bite. [A pause, and a grin.] Not very hard, at least.

[There's the sound of an angered retort from the other side of the room as he looks towards the source of the sound.] Sorry, sorry— [And the feed cuts.]

[Additionally, the victims of both hunts (whose names were announced ICly over the network somewhere) would have found an unsigned package with a small cake inside with 'get well soon' written with icing on top delivered to their home or hospital room.]

benditlikekorra

[It seems like every time Korra makes a post to the network it's to ask for something or someone to help her, but she's sick and tired of being unable to use her powers and the hunt has laid waste to any sense of inner peace she'd been fostering through meditating and training on her own. She needs a hand, here.]

Are there any mystics or gurus on this island? Someone who's a master of meditation, or an expert on chakras? Someone who knows about... vision quests or something like that?

[Obviously she's grasping at straws here, but she's willing to try almost anything at this point.]

aslandish

[ Months have passed since he last addressed the network, and though he himself is well, there are things that trouble him. Today, there is no joyous song for the morning, but rather a solemn address. ]

The worlds are ever-changing. Conflicts arise when choices are made.

Without temperance, there is much to be lost and little to be gained.

Guard yourselves, and be mindful in all things.

[ooc: Permissions post is here! As always, anyone with the ability to sense who and what he is, feel free to do so! ]

doeswhathewants

[He's sitting on a swing in the park, eyes downcast, expression somber for once.]

Youko has returned to her world.

Yes, yes, life is not fair, we are toys to any being with more power than us and let me tell you, it sucks. What is the purpose of being here and- and liking people only to have them taken away and forgotten when one leaves?

Aside from a very scant few of you, there is not likely a chance we shall ever meet again. So whatever is the point of trying only to- to feel this.

And to be held at the whim of not only the Core, but the Natives. I should think it proper they who remain and whose friends and family remain feel a bit of misery, too. It will be coming.

guerrilla_morph

[ It is too damn early for a post. This young kid, maybe fourteen, fifteen years of age, is looking at NV like Jon Stewart does when doing a show: self-deprecating and a wit clearly evident. Like most kids his age, he doesn't look a bit tired at all, the ass. No, seriously, he is giving you the most shit-eating grin you ever lay eyes on.

He's in a room that the most seasoned traveler can recognize as a flea-bitten motel. Of course, he isn't actually living there, his real hotel room is somewhere else. No, he just snuck in and stole a room for a minute. He sits down on the rickety table. ]

Hi, guys. You know, I've been thinking. I've been thinking a lot, actually. About what has happened to us Newcomers in the past, what, week? Two weeks? That guy, what's his face, the one with the accent all British or Scottish or whatever. I forget his name. Anyway, he said something around the likes of "understanding you aren't free." Wise words, and it's the kind that Keanu Reeves get the sunglasses on and dodge bullets in slo-mo.

[ Oh yeah, Marco's been quick on catching up his pop culture from the past decade and he fucking loves it.

He reaches over and grabs a can of Pepsi, his breakfast of the day. The familiar hiss and click of the can opening is very loud at the silence Marco is making, his face a little closed off, thoughtful. ]

Some of you people have been here for a year, maybe two or three. That hunt wasn't the first hunt to be started. We get to be blamed for natural disasters for and we are still running around with our heads cut off. We got superheroes and aliens and gods and dragons and we haven't done a civil rights parade or anything? Man, Martin Luther King Jr will be super disappointed. Che Guevara would have think of us as lost causes.

Mr. UK is right. I'm starting to think we don't even think ourselves as equal in the first place, and these natives know it. Except in maybe in soccer, if that's what that guy is actually serious of making those neutral games.

[ Another pause. Then: Kanyeshrug! ]

Oh well. We'll just wait for the next awful thing to happen and we'll bitch about it. That always works. And I am really good at complaining. It's my day job and one day, I will actually be paid for it. Or maybe I'll be paid for simply being good looking. That's definitely a possibility.

[ He takes a sip out of the Pepsi. ]

Oh, and to anyone who just arrived: Welcome to Canada. Watch out for the moose people. They tend to get a little hysterical and blame you for the sour milk. …and speaking of which, why are the milk in bags? If that's not a walk-in boob joke, then I don't know what is.

playprince

[When the video first flickers on, a pink-haired girl is standing some distance away from it in a small, dark apartment, presumably the starter apartments. In the background, you can hear the roar of a car's engine, but the source is unknown. It's the only noise in the room besides the sound of movement.]

Hello! I'm Utena Tenjou and I'm--well, one of the newcomers.

[Here, Utena starts doing lunges, talking while she does so.]

If anyone on the network has a free sword, please let me know! And while I'm thinking of it, is there a basketball court here? Or a volleyball court? Anything is good, I guess, but it doesn't look like the Baseball diamond is open for business right now!

rapturescreed

[The feed turns on, and everyone can see Raul Creed sitting down. Shockingly enough, he's not behind a desk, or anywhere that looked like an office. Instead, he's sitting on the couch. Just like a normal person who didn't work every minute of every day.]

We've seem to be receiving new members of the Newcomer community, in the past few weeks, and I wanted to take the time to welcome them. There's many of you who have been welcomed with open arms by the rest of us, and I do want to say that, despite the circumstances, it is nice to meet you. [Except you, Vincent Law. It's not nice to meet you, again.] My name is Raul Creed. I'm general manager of Lion's Gate, a club in the city; most importantly, I am the head of the Newcomer Political Party, which is based out of the Newcomer Community Center. Our offices are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and we encourage everyone to come in. There are many different groups that meet in the community center, and the NPP is always looking for more people to help with our cause. Our new director, Vesper Lynd, and our new Assistant Director, Kurt Hummel, will be happy to help you in whatever it is you may wish to do.

In mentioning the help we give, and the causes we are fighting for, I must bring up again the problems we have faced in the past few weeks. We've already had many people on the network tell us what has happened in regards to this "Newcomer Hunt". I want to formally state that the Newcomer Political Party is shocked and outraged at the very idea of this atrocity. There is not much more I can say on the subject that has not already been said by many, many others. What I do want you all to know is that we will not stand by and let this go unpunished. Newcomer might be what we're called in this city, but one life is not, nor has it ever, been worth more then another. Regardless of your age, gender, sexuality, race; we are all equal. I urge those of you thinking of using violence to make a statement to reconsider. Fighting fire with fire may sound interesting, but when the island is completely burned down, there will be nowhere for us to go. There will be nowhere for the people who are not guilty of any crimes, to go.

We strive for equality, not supremacy. And if you want to help in that, then speak up. The Newcomer Political Party holds an open forum meeting every few months, where people can come in and speak up about problems that are affecting them. Problems that are affecting all of us. We need to make decisions and come up with plans as a community. The open forum meeting will be taking place this month, on July 17th, at 1:00pm. That's next Tuesday. I'm hoping that the rate of new people coming into the city will have slowed down, by then, because I want every single one of you to show up. I want you to speak up. If no one will speak up, if no one will take the risk, then nothing will get done. If nothing gets done, I hope no one dares to show outrage; you could have made a difference.

[He pauses at that. Raul Creed is not one to show emotion. It's not how he was brought up. But there's a fire, a passion in his eyes and on his face, and he needs to look down for a moment. When he looks back up, he's back to calm again.]

For some of you, the port is a place you had no choice to come to. For others, it's a vacation from the problems back home. For me, this island is my home. There is nothing for me or my daughter to go back home to. We have set roots down in this city, and I know there are others who have, as well.

[He holds up a piece of paper; it's a document signed by the government.] Today, my family legally grew by one more. Nana is not from the same world as I am, and I had never known about her until we met in this city. I am proud to be her caregiver, and both Pino and I are happy that she is a part of our small, but growing family.

[He smiles.] When I woke up today, I wanted to just say welcome to our newest members. To let you all know that we are asking for your voice. Now, I hope that my family, and yours, can continue to grow safely.

...And of course, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. My NV is always open for calls.

empetre

[There's the face of a pony on the feed this morning, smiling softly (or at least trying to) from underneath her mane as she shifts nervously and addresses the NV]

U-Um... oh, I'm ever so sorry for bothering everypony again but, um... I-I've been told that to keep the cottages and homes here, it's necessary for poni- oh, uh, people... to have jobs.

So, um, I- what I mean is... oh....

I-I'm very good with animals, you see. A-And I've heard that a lot of the hue-manes here have them, or want to have them! So, um, if anypony needs any extra help with their pets while they work, or um... if there's been a misunderstanding and you need somepony to talk to them...

I'd absolutely love to meet all your cute pets.

in_a_dark_wood

[Dante is sitting on a bench in a park somewhere. The breeze is blowing his hair and he's smiling a strangely contented smile. One knee is hiked up with his chin resting lazily upon it as he looks down at the hand holding the NV.]

You know....I've gone through a lotta bullshit since coming here. This place is basically Fucked City. Really. It's that bad.

But...

[His eyes drift downward thoughtfully.]

But the people here can be pretty cool. It's the people, not the city, that are worth protecting.

[There's a long period of silence as he considers something, then he looks up again, lowering his knee and sitting a bit more upright.]

I'm Dante, by the way.

((ooc: Dante's permissions post))

bigandbad

[Bigby's voice is a little harsher when he talks today, a little tighter. Older. Harder.] I'm not usually big on sharing, or storytelling, but that's exactly what I'm here to do today. Call it wild hair up my ass.

There's a place called Israel back in my world. Here's what you need to know about it: Israel is a tiny country surrounded by much larger countries dedicated to its eventual total destruction.

Israel stays alive by being a bunch of tough little bastards who make the other guys pay dearly every time they do anything against Israel. Some in the wider world constantly wail and moan about the endless cycle of violence and reprisal. But since the alternative is non-existence, the Israelis seem determined to keep at it. They have a lot of grit and iron. I'm a big fan of them.

I've done a lot of wondering this past week about what would happen if our little group adopted the Israel template in whole. You can no doubt guess that in that scenario, certain groups would play the part of the vast powers arrayed against us.

Every time they hurt us, we'd damage them much worse in return. It would always happen. Always. They would be the only ones who could end the cycle. They have entire empires to protect. Businesses, transports, research facilities. They could guard a thousand likely targets and there would still be a million ripe, unprotected targets open for a hit.

Interesting to think about.

benditlikekorra

[When the feed comes on, the video is upside-down because the NV is being held incorrectly. Korra quickly flips it to the correct orientation and holds it at arm's length so her whole face is framed on the screen rather than just her eyes. Her expression is weary and she looks tired. The tapered muzzle of a massive white dog(?) can be seen floating just behind her shoulder.]

I need to know if anyone here has any idea of how to return to the worlds we came from. My friends back home... they're all in danger, and there's nothing I can do for them here. I need to get back.

[The doglike creature behind her whines and bumps her with its nose. Korra looks over her shoulder briefly, stroking its fur before focusing again on the screen.]

Look, there has to be a way, right? Can anyone help me? Please!

[Ragged desperation darkens her voice, and it cracks there at the end. Having to beg for help makes her choke up, and she drags the back of her hand across her face. Growling in frustration, she cuts the feed, muttering something along the lines of ‘how do you even turn off this stupid thing.’]