A Phone Call Is Made

[velesdonnersen]

Open Phone Call

 [He's suspicious and well past grumpy, now, and a little worried...but he's also noticed that he's not alone. There are people who seem not to fit, like him. So he's going to try to figure this out...]

Hello?  Hello?

Is anyone else out there? Anyone else stuck from someplace else, like me?

The clothes are strange, the houses filled with ugly furniture, the locals all seem to be Muses... slow, dull Muses.  I can't remember how I got here, and I  have no idea what this is all about.

 

My "wife" says we have a car, but every time I try to figure it out I get a headache...and my spark seems to be gone.  Which is... disturbing.

 

I'm Tarvek.  Tarvek Sturmvoraus.  "Prince," if it matters to anyone.

 

And I'd really like a few answers.

 

[Anyone listening can hear him grumbling and muttering under his breath, huffing, "I feel like such an idiot talking into this thing...."]

 

Comments

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

[A quiet, calm, even and emotionless voice can be heard on the other end]

"I'm Ruri. Hoshino Ruri. Captain of the Nadesico and Princess of Peaceland. If it helps. I may be able to help you, it sounds like you were kidnapped by the town of Mayfield, but... What is a spark?"

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[His voice brightens just to hear a response....]

Hello, Ruri. I don't know if any of that helps or not -- too new here to be sure, I think. But thank you for your response.

"Kidnapped by the town of Mayfield" sounds like it shouldn't make sense: I've never heard of a town kidnapping people before. But I have to admit that seems accurate.

Spark is a sort of talent for science and engineering. Extreme talent, though. Think of it like this: Most sparks are in some sense scientists, but not all scientists are sparks. Sparks bend science into shapes science was never meant to be bent.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I see.. I was genetically engineered to have a high IQ, but, I didn't know there was anything special about it. However, more explanations."

[She ponders for a minute]

"The town actually has three types of people. Captives like us, drones, who... I'm not sure if they are biological constructs, or if they've had their brains washed to the point they can't retain new data. That's most of the town. There are also the town administrators. The chief of police, the milk man, the mayor, the post man, Lucy Smith... They tend to actually be in charge and can actually control reality on a local level. They're also not very nice people."

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[He was genetically engineered himself, but -- but he's not the sort to volunteer that too quickly. Instead he focuses on your explanation of the town.]

Thank you for the explanation. I'd been wondering about whether the -- what did you call them? Drones? I'd been wondering if they weren't created. I hadn't thought of brain washing or mind control. Huh. I'll have to think about that.

The administrators seem like people to be wary of. Have you other captives learned much about them? Is there any way to resist them or avoid them?

[He's not going to ask about whether there's a way to control them, yet. Not until he knows a lot more about them, you and Mayfield - and about this communication system. He suspects there's no telling who can listen to this conversation!]

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Mr. Rose has a pamphlet of all the gained information at the library, though, most of the actual books there are useless. They are altered by gender and age bias so there is little of actual use. Some people have books they've regained from home, or data centers like computers. I'm not terribly comfortable giving all the details over the phone though, its not secure."

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[He snorts, softly.]

Yes. I...thought perhaps it wasn't secure. Good to have it confirmed, though.

Where is the library? Even flawed it may be of some use, if only for your Mr. Rose's pamphlet.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"The phones can be secured to a degree, by stating who you wish to filter out. That being said, they can be hacked if you know how and some of us are good with electrical systems."

[She ponders a bit]

"Where are you? I'm compiling a map of the town and can probably give you street by street instructions. Also.... Are you an engineer without your spark, or only with it?"

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[You can hear the sound of papers being rattled around.]

I'm at... bother. Let me check. Yes, ok, there it is. 1126 Taylor Road. At least, I think that's intended to indicate a location.

I'm a doctor and an engineer to some degree even without my spark. The biggest problem is I'm used to using some degree of the talent any time I think about science and design at all... and right now when I try to think using the talent, my head hurts. And when I don't, I get the oddest phantom sensations from whatever part of my mind it is that usually thinks Spark-style. It's a bit like trying to not not think thoughts using words: it's possible, but once you're used to words giving them up isn't easy. It's not easy for me to think of science without the extra control and detail spark provides.

It will probably take me awhile to learn how to reliably secure a line... I mean, this is the first time I've used a "phone." Learning how to manipulate it to my advantage is going to take more background than I have right now.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"I understand completely, I was separated from my nanointerface and computer for a while, it was like... My mind was half full of felt. Here are the directions to the library."

[She gives them]

"Also, if you need any further information from me, I can be reached at 2242 Stevens Road."

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Nice, formal diplomatic voice here, though sincere...]

My thanks, Princess-Captain Ruri. Your help has been invaluable. I consider myself in your debt.

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Ruri is fine. Titles are meaningless here, I just thought that since you used yours another may help with the shock. Also, we are all prisoners, it is only logical to help people here."

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Ah. Good -- someone else who recognizes the obligations of honor, rather than just the advantages of rank.]

Of course. Nonetheless, I'm delighted to have met someone who appears to live the ideal. For that alone, I salute you.