video + action

[symphonise]

video killed the radio star;

[ If you were expecting peace and quiet today, it's about to be disrupted.

The video feed shows Nonon, smiling satisfied that her camera angle is perfect. Of course, any cuteness is ruined once she opens her mouth, her voice at complete odds with her face and her annoyance perfectly clear. ]

Hey, listen up! [ She waves a gold drum major baton around. ] Who's in charge here? Who the hell would like being confined in some kind of containment cell? You're lucky I could break out and the area outside where I woke up fit my aesthetic or else there'd be more to pay for. [ More obnoxious baton swishing. ] Some gothic loli told me an AI runs this place. Is that true? Don't put on such a poor performance. No composition can have soul when conducted by a robot. What are you guys, eels or little mermaids? And why is everything so Greek-looking? [ That's the most puzzling thing somehow. ]

I still don't know why the hell I'm here, and I'm still reading up on things— [ said in a tone of someone who doesn't really like to read but you gotta do what you gotta do ] —but those Kharaa... are they only like bacteria or whatever? They're not fibers or—clothes, right? [ For all Nonon knows, Life Fibers could be called something completely different on another planet in whatever space this was. ]

Last but most important because that emo kid couldn't tell me, are there any instruments around here? I need music to clear my head.

action this day;

[ Nonon makes it to the residential floor, sees the shared rooms first, and stops dead in her tracks. What comes next is a screech: ]

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!

[ Sorry to anyone's eardrums on this floor. Really, really, sorry even if she won't be. If anyone comes to investigate her dumb shouting, they'll find her stomping her foot and pointing indignantly. Check it, read it, note it:

NONON JAKUZURE
HIGH MAINTENANCE ]

Comments

action;

[mistimed]

[A shout like that could only mean something is very wrong. This is what Horō assumes, and given the recent rash of threats and break-ins, the assumption probably isn't a misguided one. With a sound like that, it could even be unexpected. Maybe one of the birdog chicks took up human speech and is now causing havoc. Maybe it's a malfunctioning drone. It could be anything, so Horō hurries. Fewer people live on base than once seemed to; she should protect what remains.

Nonon's video must have left an impression. At the very least, she seems familiar. New arrivals sometimes mean new challenges, however.]

Salutations. You seem to be in distress, but I can't detect a threatening presence. What seems to be the problem?

[symphonise]

[ Horo, can't you see that Nonon is the threatening presence? Or at least her voice and her indignation can be pretty threatening to rationality.

She points at the first empty communal room. ]

Are all the rooms like this? Is there no privacy?

[mistimed]

[She's only a threatening presence if she's a threat! None of their enemies have been human. In fact, it's a stretch to say that many of their enemies had been enemies. Logically, these assumptions all go together.]

I recall that bathing privacy was a priority when our initial base of operations was undergoing renovations. Please do not worry if you're the type who likes to bathe alone.

[Ah...what if this is the reason so many people have left to live on their own? Do all lone wolves crave privacy. Unaware of the very small hurricane that is very likely to put her on blast, Horō has to ponder this possibility.]

[symphonise]

Are you kidding me? What era do you think we're in? What's with your archaic way of speaking? We're not at a hot spring! [ Even if... there is a hot spring on base that Nonon doesn't know about. ] Of course I'm the type who likes to bathe alone! Who wouldn't?

[ She points an accusatory finger at Horo. ]

Are you a pervert?

[mistimed]

[What.]

Archaic? I'm used to speaking this way, but I am from a place that is probably foreign to you.

[She looks down at the finger pointing at her, expression a little nervous.]

There is a lot you've asked. I'm not sure I can provide all of the answers.

First, I am not a pervert.

text

[lamortespoir]

As far as we know, the Khaara are strictly bacterial.

You can probably find instruments in one of the storerooms.

[symphonise]

You don't sound confident at all. Probably? What about certainly?

I'll take bacteria over dirty dishrags today. Not that that solves any problems, but at least I have one less thing to worry about for now. [ Hopefully. ]

[lamortespoir]

It is hard to be completely certain unless we eliminate all other possibility of it otherwise.

Is there a reason you would worry about fibres?

[symphonise]

So take out your Occam's razor and cut the possibilities away.

They're a very real worry where I'm from. I need to know if they're a worry here, too, in order to defend against them.

[aspearing]

[ As soon as Alisha hears that shouting, she quickly makes her way out to the source. Was someone in trouble? Had something happened?

As soon as she finds the source, she opens her mouth to speak - only to look at the note. ]

... So, you're alright, then?

[symphonise]

No, I'm not! Do I look okay to you?

[ She puts her hands on her hips. ]

Tell me there are private rooms here.

[aspearing]

[ She shakes her head. ]

Though, we would be able to build one. Do you require one?

More importantly, what's the matter, exactly?

[symphonise]

Yes, I require one! That's the problem! I need my privacy. I can't trust any of you.

[ Everyone's a stranger, and she's on high alert. ]

video

[sniptuck]

Wow! You're very lively!

[ answers a total of zero of nonon's questions ]

[symphonise]

I'd have to be dead to not be lively. [Said in a very 'that should be obvious' tone. ]

Are you useful? Do you have any answers?

[sniptuck]

I think I'm useful whether or not I have them!

[ she taps her chin thoughtfully. ]

What was the first question again?

[symphonise]

You're not useful to me if you don't have them.

[ She narrows her eyes. If Hajime wants to play a game with her, Nonon won't stay quiet about it, not that she's usually quiet. ]

Who's in charge here?

action

[timexposure]

[--Holy shit what??

Max raises her hands defensively as soon as she spots the girl, shaking her head slowly. Is this girl okay???]

Uh. It's the rooms? You can pick one? If you, uh. Want.

[symphonise]

[ Does she look okay? Nonon only looks pissed off and very demanding. ]

What I want— [ she points at Max. ] —is a room to myself. What I don't want— [ she points at a door to a random room ] —is to share a room with someone else. Can I get that?

[timexposure]

Uh. [Oh boy, she knew she should have just turned around and kept walking.]

Only if you kick everyone else out of one of the rooms? [A pause. Wait, wait, wait. She shakes her head quickly.] But don't do that! I think there's people in all of the rooms!

[symphonise]

[ Max definitely should've turned around and never looked back ]

I will, if that's what I have to do. I refuse to share a room with a stranger!

[ And that's everyone. ]

video;

[fullofgusto]

What? Why is jail already on the table here? We got here in the same weird way just as you did!

[symphonise]

[ Excuse?? Nonon whips her baton through the air so fast the whoosh can probably be picked up by the communicator. ]

Unless you showed up in some kind of containment chamber, you did not show up the same way as I did! That's why it's on the table! I demand reparations!

[fullofgusto]

[He flinches at that sound, but reminds resolute in the face of fear.]

It wasn't like I came here in good conditions either! Apparently I drowned when I arrived!

[symphonise]

You don't look like you drowned.

[ Since he's still alive. ]