raisetheearth

[ 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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[ All to be assumed. ]

It is a complex matter... [ Not just aliens, certainly. ]

While the events surrounding the Numbered played a huge part in it, the balance of civilization and global society were already fragile; it exposed the flaws, dashed it apart, and allowed basic human nature to run with less restraint. Fear, hatred, envy, greed... are all more pertinent, I think, than aliens.

[His smile grows as she talks, becoming a little lighter. Approving.]

Good. [He nods.] But it all began long before all that. The world found themselves with invaders at its doorstep and it welcomed them in. Made them feel at home, let them speak, gave them support and shelter. And then, even as monsters woke up from the ground and started rampaging, they drew lines and argued.

Even when the invaders arrived in force, the world couldn't even decide that there was a war that needed to be fought at all, let alone how to fight it.

[His voice is low and measured as he speaks, but nonetheless an edge of distaste seeps into it. A plain contempt for the world he spoke about.]

Now, what do you think might have happened if the invaders hadn't come to a world made up of fractured, bickering nations run by fools but one that stood united, under one rule, with a single focus?

[ Umi's eyes widen as Keldek speaks. That feeling about the world - its reaction - its foolishness, and inefficiency, picking on the wrong targets, nearly dooming itself through infighting and illogical pointless hatred and just utterly missing the point.

And that last statement hits her. He wants to expand. All of it. The whole world; for power, for his own sake in part, perhaps, and an eye will need to be kept on him, but a unified Earth could do wondrous things.

Her hands are clenched tight. ]

Beating them back would not have required sacrificing millions. This land would not be blistered and scarred and ravaged. ...you truly wish to change the world that much.

[By all rights, a goal like that could easily be dismissed as the raving dream of a madman. Something dreamt up by a lunatic, but that is not the man Umi finds herself sitting across from. He's controlled, focused, and it's clear in his words and behavior that he not only wants to change the world that much.

... But that he truly believes that he can.]

The world as we once knew it is gone. Forever. No matter what shape it rebuilds itself in, it cannot be the same as it was. The only choice ahead of us is if we want to allow ourselves to slip back into the mistakes of the past, or make something better.

I don't plan to change the world. I plan to rebuild it, from the ground up, into something stronger and greater than it ever was before.

Edited 2015-08-21 04:40 (UTC)

[ This is not a tyrant - or at least not a mindless one. She's sure that the society he builds will be a bit stricter than what many would consider ideal, but frankly, people suck, and have had their chances, and now it's time for some change.

Dammit, she's enthralled now. ]

Your ideals are... amazing, I must admit. I am, technically, less than two years old - and I have spent much of my life seeing the worst of what this world has had to offer in its time. Further, I have the memories of Marina Santana, of what she went through and what she learned.

I do agree that the world needs reshaped, and... you really do seem like a man capable of doing so.

[ She's going to accept. Even if the lifestyle he offers her is modest, Umi knows she'll accept. It'll be a world she can hate just a little less, perhaps, that accepts her a little more.

And, maybe, a better world for Reki. ]

[He has her, he knows it. A lifetime of convincing people to see things his way and change their mind has only granted him the ability to see when he's been successful and it's crystal clear in this conversation.]

I've been around much longer than both of you, and so have I.

[He trails off, leaving that statement hanging in the air before continuing.]

Make no mistake, our goals [yes, they're "our" goals now] will be difficult to achieve, but you won't only have your own skills and what you received from her to rely on. You'll be given proper training, equipment, whatever you may need.

[He smiles a little bit again.]

But in return, you'll have a place in the world we build together. A good one. For both you... and your companion.

Edited 2015-08-22 18:17 (UTC)

[ Umi's interested enough that she doesn't mind that he knows it anyways. There's no hiding it any more. ]

This sounds... fantastic. I am sure that she'll be interested in this as well, so I'm not at all worried about that part. [ She looks as relieved as any other emotion. This is a purpose in life - a new beginning. ]

I promise, I will be dedicated to all of those goals, and everything that I must do to help achieve them.

Excellent.

[His smile becomes something almost approaching pleasant, even warm, as he stands up, holding a hand out to her again.]

I look forward to working with you, Miss Ryuuzaki.

And I with you, Mister Keldek.

[ She reaches out to give him another sorta lame handshake. ]

[The girl isn't much for handshakes, that much is apparent. Still, he's pleased. This meeting went even better than he'd hoped and in a single move he'd secured not only one doppelganger but possibly even a second, if her friend could be convinced as well.]

Now. [He continues, releasing the handshake and pressing a single button on his desk. A moment later, the large doors at the other side of the office open up to admit another pair of uniformed men. Although these two aren't decked out in the full stormtrooper look.] There's plenty of work to be done, but I'll let you take some time to settle in. My men there will show you to your new quarters and, in the meantime, I'll send somebody for your friend.

[ Making herself seem less timid takes enough effort, frankly. ]

Would it be alright if I accompany them? To make sure she feels more comfortable? [ Even sending Reki all the information she has would leave Umi worried about her reaction. ]

[That isn't a problem he's ever shared with her. Though that much is clear, if only because of the room full of people waiting on his word.]

If you like. [He nods.] If you don't mind making the trip with a few of my soldiers. I assure you, they'll do everything to make sure you have a safe trip.

[ Umi wants people waiting on her word. ]

I would like that indeed, yes, for both our sake.

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