oo1. video. / let's get this party started;

[dragonaught]

[ There's a young person on the screen of the first broadcast since the new batch arrived. Other older members have used the network for their own communication, of course, but this one has all the hallmarks of a freshfaced, uncomfortable but trying newbie. ]

Um... so, what are we supposed to do here? I had a job back home... and I know—once we're assigned we might have more to do, but as it is, I'm just...

[ Beat. Casey's face turns a little red. ]

Right, my name is Casey. Everything here is a little weird for me — from what I understand, nothing here is powered by magic? Ah, but I guess I might be the weird one. No one else has said anything. My point was, it feels a lot like coming into something halfway. Where do we start? Is this it?

Comments

video;

[dragonaught]

[ It's hard for Casey to feel comfortable here, much less enough to not present as male even if it isn't an overt thing. They're not going to be surprised if everyone here starts calling them 'he' and they're not really in a place to claim ownership of their identity, either.

They look at the bare hand, and tilt their head. ]

Oh, look at that. Wanna be my sentinel?

[ It's clearly a joke. They barely know each other. ]

video;

[ethology]

[She smiles again, this time a bit more warmly. He's a nice kid, and it's no small thing to be able to have a good sense of humor even in a tough situation like this. It impresses her.]

I think you should meet the other Sentinels before settling on me. Someone closer to your own age might make things easier for you.

[Sarah's not going to delude herself here: it's important for Sentinels and their Fatemarked to have a good rapport, and to be able to connect.]

I'm Sarah, by the way.

video;

[dragonaught]

[ Humor is a great coping mechanism, they've found. It makes things bounce a lot easier and comes naturally to some. Still, they sigh and tilt their head in acknowledgment. ]

It was worth a try. Nice to meet you, Sarah. I know that we just had that party and all, but... maybe there should be like, a questionnaire or something we can fill out to help us find someone...

[ Looks like someone isn't so good at being Actually Social. ]

video;

[ethology]

I'll see if I can get someone to write one up for you, if you want. It's not a bad idea: the world's worst dating service.

[...Okay, maybe she has a bit of a sense of humor.]

video;

[dragonaught]

[ They laugh. It's more of a chuckle, really, hidden by they way they turn their head instinctively. ]

Well, pairing people up to protect their lives is like the world's worst arranged marriage so that's probably fair.

video;

[ethology]

[Dryly:]

I can think of a few differences in this situation.

video;

[dragonaught]

O-oh. Probably. Bet there's better benefits, though.

video;

[ethology]

Are there?

[Her dry humor has turned to outright amusement in that rhetorical question. She likes this kid.]

You said your name was Casey, right? How old are you?

video;

[dragonaught]

I did. Casey Ramone. I'm twenty-one. Why?

video;

[ethology]

Just curious. You have that sort of innocence that I'd expect from someone your age. It's refreshing.

video;

[dragonaught]

I-innocence?

Re: video;

[ethology]

I didn't mean that to be condescending. I'm sorry if it was. [She smiles apologetically.] You're young, and you have the demeanor of someone who hasn't been jaded. It's a type of innocence that you don't see in many middle-aged people.

video;

[dragonaught]

O-oh... I don't know about that. Depends on the subject, maybe.