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[ The number on the network seems to be the same as a certain Marina Santana that people know - including a few newbies now. It's taken from a low-quality camera phone, and the background seems desolate, and the blue-haired girl the video is looking at has shorter hair than Marina and, quite notably, has both of her eyes intact.

She sighs, and waves at the propped-up camera. ]

So it looks like we're getting new additions to this network for the first time in a while - and from what I've caught looking over the network, it coincides with a new wave of oddities.

[ Not-Marina leans in closer, eyes narrowed. ]

To everyone new, if you notice that I look identical to a certain Marina Santana, there is a good reason for it. Over a year ago, our planet created copies - doppelgangers - clones - what have you, of some of the reincarnations. Mirrored selves... and some of us are still alive. You may call me Umi Ryuuzaki, the name of Marina's past life, because I was in a hurry to be my own person and the name stuck well enough.

[ Yeah Marina, she doesn't really care how you feel about people talking about your past life. Just sayin'. ]

To everyone else, if this trend of strange occurrences continues, you'll be hearing and seeing more of me than you have for the past year or so.

It's... a pleasure. Goodbye. [ Although she'll chat with anyone who wants to.

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[It's a minute or two before Umi receives another answer. Just long enough to keep her waiting a little.]

I won't. Let's be clear: I'm interested in employing you but your refusal wouldn't be a great loss to me. You, on the other hand, have everything to gain by accepting.

And so does your companion.

[ Has she spoiled her chance? Umi hates that she's actually a little tense about it. She shouldn't need this. ]

Very fair point. I will check with her and then get ready.

[ She can't think of any reason that he'd want to harm her, and being only mildly relevant might be the only reason she feels safe about this. ]

Good. I'll send somebody out to collect you when you're ready.

[ And a short while later... ]

I am ready.

Excellent. Wait right there.

[It isn't terribly long after that message when the sound of a helicopter's engine begins approaching. Followed soon by the vehicle itself coming down from the sky and landing nearby.

... Apparently, somebody's been watching Umi for awhile now.]

[ Color her unsurprised, given how he was talking about picking her up when she is absolutely nowhere specific.

Probably a good thing Reki's not in the immediate area. Umi turns, eyebrows mildly raised as she watched the landing. ]

[It's a transport chopper repurposed from military use from the looks of it. It's unmarked but also unarmed, though it's clear that this isn't some unsecured flight as two soldiers, clad in armor and face masks and carrying rifles jump out. They don't seem interested in Umi though, more in ensuring the area seems secure.

It's only the third occupant who pays her any mind. A tall, dark-haired woman who appears in her thirties, dressed as one might expect from someone traveling the wastelands. She crosses the distance between them, apparently completely unconcerned with any possibility of the magic-wielding doppelganger becoming hostile and stops a few steps away, looking Umi over with a stern, even expression.]

Umi Ryuuzaki, I presume?

[ Umi waits with her hands behind her back, passive, calm... outwardly at least. She's good at putting on a front, even as a meeting with someone powerful enough to casually send out resources like this to the middle of nowhere, just to recover a single person, is incredibly intimidating. ]

I am Umi Ryuuzaki. [ Now introduce yourself, lady. ]

[The woman nods slightly, though her expression barely shifts.]

My name is Evelyn Strauss. My employer has asked me to escort you to your meeting with him and see that any needs to might have along the way are taken care of.

[She steps aside a step, gesturing toward the helicopter.]

After you.

A pleasure to meet you, Evelyn.

[ Not really no, but manners are important to making a good impression. ]

And thank you. A drink of some sort is all I could ask for, as I'm a bit thirsty; other than that, I would like to get there quickly.

[ Taking a steadying breath, she walks up into the helicopter. Hopefully, she'll be walking back out, down here, in not too long. ]

[It seems Evelyn share the unspoken sentiment as she wordlessly climbs into the chopper a step behind Umi. The soldiers board last after one final visual sweep of the area.

The inside of the transport is sparse but there's at least a comfortable well-cushioned seat that Umi is directed to. Evelyn takes up a seat across from her and, at a gesture, one of the troopers produces a bottle of water for their guest. The second pulls the heavy sliding door shut and knocks twice on the door to the pilot's compartment, before they both take their own seats a little ways away.]

It won't be a very long trip. [She tilts her head in a slight nod to Umi's seat.] Seatbelt.

[ The seats are nice and they gave her water. Drinkable water hasn't been the easiest thing to come by lately, so she takes a nice, long gulp, before setting it down, and fastening her belt. ]

I haven't seen much civilization lately.

[It's definitely become something of a commodity lately, but the water in Umi's hands is clean and pure. Even chilled which, in many places, is a luxury indeed.]

Many haven't, but restoring civilization to these wastelands is one of our goals. One that you would be working toward.

[ It's probably the coldest water she's had in a long time that hasn't come out of some kind of cave. ]

That is one of your... employer's goals, then. Regardless of how I feel about people in general, this untamed wasteland makes them far worse than the mindless trappings of civilization.

That's correct. But then, what you've seen out there is nothing new.

[The woman smiles, the first real shift in expression since the meeting began, but it's a cold one.]

But I'll let him explain the details. Why don't you take this opportunity to rest a little? Enjoy the flight.

Yes, I would like to hear it from his mouth.

[ Cold smiles are to be expected of someone in a position like hers. Umi should practice as well.

She leans her head back and takes a deep breath. While she won't sleep, she can try to relax. ]

[The rest of the flight is quiet as Umi's only other companion settles into silence. Time ticks by until, finally, the city comes into view. It's... a sight.

The first thing to notice is that unlike so many other settlements dug out in the wastelands, the city is lit. There's the usual section of camps, cordoned off and illuminated by spotlights, but toward the center is a cluster of buildings some completed and some under construction. The construction projects are lit by powerful floodlights, providing light to the workcrews toiling away but the ones that are completed are shining with lights from hundreds of windows. Even the expected communal shelters in the refugee camps are fully powered. It's a rare sight these days, perhaps one only matched by Gateway City.

Their path takes them over the camps and even a residential area with low buildings, past a massive dome on the outskirts of the city, fenced off and surrounded by guardposts, before touching down on the roof of a large multi-level structure. As before, the soldiers disembark first, standing by and when it's Umi's turn she'll find herself approached by a tall, elderly man dressed in a fine black suit, his coat flapping in the wind given off by the slowing propellers.]

Miss Ryuuzaki. [The old man smiles at her, and although it isn't as cold as Evelyn's, it's... not particularly warm either, and offers a hand to her. Evelyn herself steps by, quietly taking a place at his right side.] My name is Anton Keldek. Welcome to Infinita City.

[ Not talking is good. Umi likes this.

When they near the city, though, she can't help looking out over it in awe. Civilization, carved out of this blasted wasteland. Buildings and lights; refugee camps with power, with comfort and with people milling about.

Umi might not like people very much, and yet... she can't help a feeling of hope rising up in her chest for a moment.

It's left a good impression by the time she disembarks, and is pleased that her host has come up to greet her. The look on his face is one she expects - a businessman, looking at a possible asset, analyzing it while trying not to make it inaccessible.

She holds out her hand, and returns a mild smile. ]

A pleasure, Mr. Keldek, thank you for having me.

The pleasure's mine.

[He takes her hand, shaking it with a firm but not crushing handshake. He keeps it brief though before stepping back and gesturing toward a roof access door.]

Let's go talk in my office. I'm sure you have plenty of questions.

[ Just the kind of handshake she likes, although her own grip is a bit weak. ]

And you have at least as many answers, I am sure. Lead the way.

[That isn't unexpected. He can only suspect that it's been some time since the girl's had a decent meal. An observation he makes not with any particular concern or caring, just an assessment that she isn't at her best.]

Right this way. [The doorway leads to an elevator that takes them on a short downward journey before opening up on a sprawling room that it's apparently built to grant direct rooftop access for. His "office" is... impressively large, larger than what most people could call a home nowadays and sparsely decorated with a painting or two chosen to fill up wall space. At the far end is a wall devoted entirely to a window overseeing the city and in front of that is a wide, metal desk with a high-backed leather chair behind it. A clear seat of power if there ever was one.

Most notably, the room is cool compared to the heat outside. The building has air-conditioning.]

Have a seat. [He gestures toward the smaller seats at the front of the desk before moving around to his own chair. The desk is largely featureless, outfitted with a few built-in computer monitors and a phone. Like everything else about the office there's nothing ornate about it. It's functional. Designed for purpose rather than appearance. He folds his hands when she sits, leaning back in his chair.] So, why don't we begin by getting some of those questions out of the way.

[ That, and her nerves are catching up to her a little bit. She follows, the sense of this man's power growing ever greater in her mind.

This is not just some kind of businessman, or someone looking for mercenaries. An office that she could easily live in, more comfortable than anywhere she's taken shelter in... probably her entire short life, actually. Even out here, in this city, he has the privilege of this space, power-sucking air-conditioning.

Umi sits, back straight, hands folded in her lap, even if she's starting to feel like she should be shrinking away from him. ]

Alright then. This is your city, isn't it? In the truest sense.

[She's catching on. He can see the wheels turning in the girl's head, see her nervousness in the way she's sitting and in her expression. But that was all by design. Oftentimes the best displays of power aren't in any way bombastic or grandiose, but casual. The resources he'd dispatched the bring her in for a simple meeting, the flight over the city, even the comfort of this office. All designed to make an impression, and it appears that has certainly been achieved.]

That's right. [He settles back in his large chair, his hands on the armrests. There's no need for speeches or platitudes, no sentimental ramblings about it being more than just "his." Just a statement of undeniable fact.] It was built on land I claimed, using resources provided by my company and powered by the same. Its laws are enforced by my people at my command.

[The corners of his mouth quirk upwards in a cold little smile.] You can say that everything you see here and outside this window... is my property.

[ It all makes sense, but she's surprised that he was able to do THIS well for himself, and acquire this much power. That also impresses Umi, of course; she can respect power and the drive to seek it. ]

Frankly, it's amazing what you have done here. A city of your own - and it is one of the nicest places to live on the entire continent. Maybe the most peaceful one, at least.

[ Umi tilts her head, thoughtful. ] But you want people with further power on your side. To protect, or to expand?

[A fair amount of ingenuity, timing, and recognizing and seizing opportunities if she'd asked aloud. That... and a few other resources that could be called otherworldly.]

Hm. [He nods a little at her question, seeming to consider it for a moment before he leans forward, leaning on the desk.]

Umi, if somebody were to ask you why the world is in the state it is today, what would you tell them?

Edited 2015-08-21 03:03 (UTC)

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