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]

[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.]

[beariot]

I'd like to hope I can at least afford to get you lunch, in exchange for your kindness. It's really not that big of a deal.

[einspine]

ONLY IF I CAN COOK YOU A FANCIFUL FEAST OF PASTA IN RETURN!

[A meal for a meal. It seems like a fair deal! Besides, he'd hate to be a freeloader... despite offering to be an escort. Papyrus logic.]

[beariot]

Pasta, huh? I was born in Marseille, so I know a thing or two about pasta. [ A small giggle. ]

[einspine]

[Gasp!! Cue one wide-eyed look from the skeleton.]

A FELLOW PASTA ENTHUSIAST?! WELL THEN! WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR FAVORITE NOODLE? ANY PARTICULAR SAUCE PREFERENCES?

[This requires detailed notes. For science.]

[beariot]

My favorite dish is Crevette A La Marseillaise. It's a fettucine pasta with a creamy tomato and white wine sauce.

If I can find anything remotely like that here, it'll be like finding a little piece of my childhood.

[einspine]

[He listens closely, even jotting some notes on a clipboard he just sorta... pulled out of his pockets. Ah, the joys of being a chemist.]

WELL THEN! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, MAY HAVE TO LOOK INTO THIS MARVELOUS MEAL. IF IT MEANS BRINGING JOY TO ONE PERSON, THEN PERHAPS A SHARED JOY COULD SPREAD TO OTHERS, TOO!

[beariot]

Well I hope they have shrimp in this world, as that's the primary protein in the meal.

[einspine]

[And at that, Papyrus snaps his bony, mittened fingers.]

OHO! WELL, I DO BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHRIMP HERE. PERHAPS I OUGHT TO GO OUT ON A VOYAGE AND CATCH SOME MYSELF! FOR AUTHENTICITY!!!

[He says, despite lacking expertise in that area. There's a first time for everything!]

[beariot]

[ How... did he make a snapping sound without skin? Wonders never cease. ]

Or you could buy some from a fish market! No need to go out yourself, you know...

[einspine]

[He deflates a little, his smile growing a tad more crooked. Well, by skeletal standards.]

TRUE. IT WOULD BE EASIER, BUT WOULDN'T THEY BE... SLIGHTLY LESS FRESH?

THEN AGAIN, I'D HAVE TO CARRY THEM BACK ANYWAY.

HMM... THIS TRULY IS A CONUNDRUM.

[beariot]

[ This guy... ]

It's really not that big of a deal, sir. Really, it's the thought that counts, right?