animus_network | 001. video

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001. video

[The screen shows a boy with light teal hair. He stares curiously out from the monitor, though in reality, he is looking at a camera. He tilts his head, perhaps fascinated with the way that his image is being recorded back to him. Static runs across the monitor, and he jumps a bit at this, quickly shutting the monitor down. He has, however, forgotten to turn the camera off.]

S-so that's how it works... oh!

[There are sounds of fumbling fingers in the background as the audio finally cuts off too.

Clearly, this is the first time that the boy has ever encountered a computer.]

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[Since it appears that the boy turned off the monitor, Archer isn't really expecting an answer. But he can't help but leave a comment.]

It appears someone has never used a computer before.

[Yes, yes, stating the obvious.]

[The computer blips a bit, causing Nils to turn the monitor back on. He squints a bit, reading the text that appeared on the screen before speaking again.]

Y-yes, I heard that is what they were called.

[Has everyone here used a computer in their original worlds? He wonders if he's behind the learning curve. How is this person getting text to show up instead of a video anyways?]

[Ah, there we go. Archer switches from text to video when he sees that the boy has returned, smiling at his stutter.]

Then you are new to the tower, hm? Or you are just now using these consoles.

[Nils blinks again, a bit startled by the sudden appearance of a blond man on his screen. Was this the person who had sent him that message earlier?] Both, actually. I... just had my first bowl of -- [He struggles to recall the name of the food.] -- oatmeal. Yes, oatmeal.

[He prods the monitor with a finger curiously. When it leaves a smudge, he "hms", then goes to wipe it off with his scarf.] I've, um, never used one of these before. I'm sorry. [He's a little embarrassed by this considering how, from Archer's expression, the man seems to be perfectly at home with using one.]

Edited 2013-07-14 04:37 (UTC)

[The way that the boy pokes and prods at the screen is amusing; it reminds him a fair amount of how he was when he originally received a cell phone.]

Do not be sorry! Such marvels were beyond my original life as well. It is fascinating how commonplace they are in this tower.

[What, really? Then again, Aleph had been in the tower for a year. Perhaps this man had been here for quite some time too.]

It is, it is. [But then he mentioned that such technology had not existed in his original life, and Nils just has to ask.] Sir, are you from Elibe?

[He hums at the question, tilting his head faintly.] My world, my garden, does not bear that name. That is your world's name, boy?

And you may call me Archer. That is how I am best known here.

[Nils nods.] Yes, Sir Archer. Elibe is my home.

[Not "was". He didn't fully believe "was" yet. Besides, Aleph said where there was a will, there was a way, and the boy truly believed him.]

I'm Nils.

Nils. [He repeats the name, letting it roll off his tongue with a smile.]

You will find that these computers are best used for announcements and boredom. Do you find yourself falling under one of those categories yet?

[Nils shakes his head this time.] No, sir. There is abbot here that I haven't seen yet. [He never fancied himself the adventurous type, but Nils still wanted to be as acclimated as possible to his surroundings. Take the computer, for example.]

Are you bored, Sir Archer?

I am constantly in search of entertainment! [His tone is declarative and proud, as if that in itself was explanation enough. But he continues to make a faint gesture at the console screen.]

These computers do not warrant much more than the occasional glance. You are fortunate to have gained my attention.

[Nils wonders whether he should be proud about that.]

Oh, um, i-is that so?

But why, Sir Archer? Am I entertaining...? [Not that he really minds. Nils has discovered that the people in the tower are much better to him than those back in Elibe.]

[Really, it was more a matter of luck than anything; his attention span could be a very short thing while he was skimming through the network.]

You are not yet boring -- that is the distinction. [He was generally more lenient towards children on that matter as well.]

But talking across screens grows tiring. I would meet you in person.

[Oh, that's right. Nils had forgotten that the person on the screen was an actual person speaking to him.] This tower is very big. You could be anywhere, Sir Archer.

... where, um, where are you?

The first floor of the dormitories. The one with the elevator. I would think you are familiar with it by now. [Unless the boy had a few tricks up his sleeves.]

And you?

[Nils raises an index finger to his lips as he mentally recalled a map of the tower that he'd explored.]

The second floor of dormitories, Sir Archer.

Not all that far, then!

[That's all he says before the network terminal screen goes dark; he intends to speed off to look for the boy, after all. He dematerializes and takes off through the dormitory halls, down the stairs and looking around.

It doesn't take long. Within a few minutes, Archer makes his presence known, materializing in a flurry of golden motes. He still wears his black, modern clothes, and he smiles as if in greeting.]

You must be Nils.

[It takes Nils a little longer to shut off his terminal screen. Finally, it goes dark as well, and he gives the keyboard an experimental tap. The computer does not respond. Satisfied, he rises and pushes in the chair.

The boy starts at a voice coming from behind him.]

Oh! Th-that was very fast.

[He manages to quickly regain his composure.]

I am. Are you... Sir Archer then?

[Archer again smiles at the boy's stutter, looking him over with his arms akimbo. In person, his confidence--his haughtiness--is all that more apparent.]

Correct! Smile, boy -- you should be happy to lay your eyes upon me. But your discomfort is understandable as well.

[Well, Archer certainly is quite the character.]

I wasn't uncomfortable, sir. I just, um, hadn't expected you so quickly, sir. [Nils gives Archer a nod of affirmation.]

It's nice to meet you.

Yep! Are you new here?

[He nods on-screen.]

Yes, I am.

[This time, it's a girl. She looks to be around his age.]

I-Is it that obvious?

[Maka nods.]

Either that or you've been here awhile and haven't figured out the terminals yet. Don't worry, they confuse a lot of people.

I'm Maka. What's your name?

[Oh. That's kind of embarrassing. Still, Nlis has never seen a terminal before, let alone 99% of the technology floating around the tower.]

Maka, you said? My name is Nils. [It's nice to meet someone around his own age.] It's nice to meet you.

[It's weird talking to a camera and a computer. He isn't used to it at all yet.]

Nice to meet you to, Nils. Have you found anyone else from your world here?

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