video;

[beariot]

[ There's a bit of fumbling before the video feed finally turns on. Standing in front of the camera, slightly off center and clearly not looking at the right place is a bespectacled woman dressed like a witch, which despite the time of year, isn't a costume. Off camera is the voice of a female moogle, her tone bright and warm. ]

*Alright Miss Ursula! You're recording now!*

Oh? W-wait, really? H-hold on, I uh... [ The woman suddenly balks, her glasses slipping slightly as she fumbles about off screen before finally grabbing some notes. ]

Um. Hello to, uh. Everyone, I guess. My name is Ursula Callistis, I'm a professor of astrology at Luna Nova Academy, which is. Well. Not here, but I'm so used to including that in introductions that I'm not sure what else to say...

*Um. Your notes, Miss Ursula.*

Oh! [ Ursula jumps, as if she'd forgotten she was even holding them ] Right!

Um, first thing's first, I've been assigned housing in B-03 so uh... [ Ursula adjusts her glasses, peering at the paper ]

Legault [ Said with a distinctly more French prenounciation ]
and... More Ag? Morag? Moe Rahg? Am I pronouncing that right?

Um, I guess... we're roomies now? This is awkward.

*Just keep going, Miss Ursula, you're doing fine!*

[ The woman lets out a sigh. ] Alright, uh. Next thing.

I've taken up the, erm, 'jobs' of Astrologian and Black Mage, since my first thought arriving here was to study as much about this world's magic as I can. But to do that, I'm going to need to head to the guilds for these 'jobs'. So if there is anyone willing to escort me to Cloud City and Kiddilion, I'd really appreciate it.

[ Another sigh, Ursula adjusts her glasses and her look goes from awkward and worried to something a little... harder to read ]

I know this is a lot to ask all of the sudden for someone just arriving, especially when everyone seems to be anxious about what's going to happen, but I also can't just sit idly by and let things happen around me and let other people figure things out.

I want to help. This is the only way I know now. So I guess, um... Help me help you? Does that make any sense?

*I think it does, Miss Ursula! You did an excellent job, congratulations!*

[ Ursula gives a small, weak smile before the feed cuts off. ]

Comments

[einspine]

ASTROLOGY, YOU SAY?!

[Why yes, that is a goofy, cartoonish skeleton, looking at the feed with big, googly eye sockets.

Though he's quick to simmer down, clear his nonexistent throat, and adjust his goggles for good measure.]

I MEAN. GREETINGS! WELCOME. I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM THRILLED TO MEET YOUR ACQUAINTANCE!

AND INDEED, YOUR BROADCAST MAKES PERFECT SENSE! AND WHILE I'M NOT AN AIRSHIP PILOT MYSELF, I BELIEVE YOU CAN ALWAYS CATCH A RIDE VIA ANY NUMBER OF AIRLINES TO GET WHERE YOU NEED TO GO.

[beariot]

[ Skelymen? Not weird to her. The loudness? A little off-putting. ]

Um. Nice to meet you, Great Papyrus?

Though I wasn't really asking for an airship pilot, just an escort.

[einspine]

[Oh! Well... that makes sense. He titters, slightly sheepish, but is quick to recover with another great big smile.]

WELL, I DID TOUR THE GUILDS BACK WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED. IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE CITIES, I COULD CERTAINLY TRY!

[beariot]

[ Still a little loud, but hey, at least she could tell this guy was a genuinely good one. Such a polite skellyman. ]

Well, the problem is, I don't... have any money to pay you. The stipend I got really only covers my living expenses.

[einspine]

[Payment? Papyrus lets out a softer "nyeh heh heh" than usual, waving his hand.]

I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD CHARGE FOR COMMON COURTESY! YOU'RE NEW, AND YOU WANT TO GET YOUR BEARINGS. THAT'S THE IMPORTANT PART!

[beariot]

I guess I can't argue with that. But I would still like to repay you somehow.

Maybe buy you lunch, in exchange? [ Somehow, anyways. ]

[einspine]

[GASP!!! How forward.]

ONLY IF IT'S NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE! ...AND NOT TOO GREASY. BUT AGAIN, ONLY IF YOU TRULY MUST! I'D HATE TO BE A DRAIN ON YOUR EXPENSES THIS EARLY.

[Even if money isn't terribly hard to gain, it's still good to save up! More cash to buy items. Resources. Other crucial things.]

[mech_and_mutt]

No kiddin'. You look like you're already dressed for the job.

[And now she's got a reply from talking dog. Bone and all. But more serendipitously, he appears to be in the cockpit of a moving airship, if the shape of the windows and the quickly-passing clouds are any indication.]

I know a thing or two about Cloud City. Whaddaya need? A ride?

[beariot]

[ You meet a lot of interesting people living as a witch. Honestly, none of the non-humans are going to throw her off too badly. And hey, this guy has a normal voice volume! ]

Well, a ride would be nice. I was willing to pay for an airship ticket. I mostly just wanted a guide. I tend to get lost...

Um... Are you sure you should be using your device while flying, sir? [ That seemed a little dangerous. ]

[mech_and_mutt]

Nah, my course is set and my wings are level. There's not a whole lot to crash into up here.

[...Apart from other airships, anyway. But those are hard to miss.]

And none of that 'sir' stuff, just call me Red. You still at Curti Center? I can try and swing by sometime soon.

[beariot]

Just... trying to be polite. [ Boy was she bad at this. ]

I guess I should wait at the airport... If I can remember how to get to it.

[mech_and_mutt]

Yeah, but I don't really go for the formal stuff. I'm not your boss. Like you said, we're all in this together, right?

As for the airport, just wait'll you see an airship coming towards the city and watch where it lands. I'll be a few hours, anyway.

[He kicks his feet up on the console and relaxes a bit.]

'Course, still got some flyin' to do. So what kinda world are ya from?

[beariot]

[ That still wasn't a question she was used to getting... ]

Well. Earth, I guess. Circa 2014?

[mech_and_mutt]

Eh, might've guessed that.

[Didn't seem too uncommon of an answer, anyway. At least all this talk of other worlds made it sound like humans are doing alright in some of them.]

You make it sound like you've even got astrologians back in your world, too; was it like this one?

[ladytakamaki]

Oh, hey! Another Black Mage, huh?

[ yep; ann's one, too. and also a newbie! ]

I'll probably head to the guilds at some point myself. Let me know what the jobs are like?

[beariot]

I think I got a pretty solid idea from the pamphlets.

Actually, since we're both new, why don't we check it out together? Someone's already offered to escort me to Cloud City, but I still need one for Kiddilion.

[ladytakamaki]

Oh, sure thing! Sounds like a plan. Unfortunately I can't pilot an air ship, but there's gotta be someone who does, right?

You said your name was Ursula, right? I'm Ann.

[beariot]

A pleasure to meet you, Ann! And, well, there's always the airport.



Assuming I can afford a ticket. [ A nervous laugh. ]

[witchwithoutacause]

Morag huh?

[ Amanda's just kinda lounging around, casual, confident, and taking in how awkward Ursula is. As always. A chipper Moogle with a cute ribbon hops up into view. ]

I wonder if that's who that other person was talking about, who would find a Moogle with their name funny, for some reason?

Eh. Probably.

Anyways, hey, off to a great start, huh?

[beariot]

Hey, Amanda!

And, well, as good as one can be, I guess. I really need to get my feet wet out here.

[witchwithoutacause]

Wouldn't hurt. Sky's the limit, most of the time.

[beariot]

Literally, in this case. Cloud City sounds absolutely amazing. I can't wait to see it!

[witchwithoutacause]

Plus you can get an airship of your own. Doesn't sound as fun as a broom, but it's probably more comfortable for a long haul.

[beariot]

That's... a little outside my budget.

[witchwithoutacause]

For now.

I guess I'll just beat you to it.