[Orb]

[dash_dynamic]

[There is a man in very princely clothing staring down into the orb. He looks...well, "worked up" would be a good way to put it.]

This is for communication, right?

[And he takes a deep breath...]

SOSUKE! RENN! HANT! SAKI! MIU! GUNPHERD! ...Hiroto? IS ANYONE ELSE HERE?!

[Nope, he's not freaking out at all as he's yelling into the orb. He's calm. So calm. Ever calm. Staying PERFECTLY calm.]

Does anyone at least know which of the Brane Worlds this is? I need to find my way back to Human World or Engine World as soon as possible! And WHY everyone here seems to think I'm some kind of prince?!

[Yes, he is PERFECTLY calm. Ever calm. So calm. Just ignore his...twitchiness.]

Comments

[consultmybooks]

[Then he is the noisiest calm person Giles has ever had the misfortune of being near. He actually shows up in the orb with his hands over his ears.]

Yes, it's for communication, which means you don't have to shout!

[dash_dynamic]

[That kind of cuts through and he quits yelling in embarrassment.]

I wasn't shouting! I was...testing the volume.

[consultmybooks]

[And Giles sighs in relief. He's never dealt well with loud noises. It's a downside of having hearing to compensate for the bad eyesight.]

I'll spare you the trouble - there's no volume to test. There's you talking, and us hearing.

[dash_dynamic]

[Have a finger poking curiously at the orb now, probably blotting out parts of the video feed.]

So it does all that stuff automatically, then?

[consultmybooks]

[My, Gunpei, what fascinating fingerprints you have.]

All you have to do is turn it on, yes. Keep in mind, though, that it's meant to be heard by all of us. Everyone with an orb, that is.

So, um, private conversations are probably still better to have in person.

[dash_dynamic]

[There's a long pause as Gunpei dubiously looks at the orb.]

So you're saying everyone can see this?! And these clothes?!

[Because now that he's finished freaking out over getting there, it's time to freak out over the wardrobe he's found himself in, of course.]

[consultmybooks]

[...all right, Giles can't hold back a faint smile at this.]

It's hardly the most ridiculous getup we get shoved into on arrival. A friend of mine goes about his days with a large, floppy hat, just because it's expected of him.

But, um, yes - since you mention, everyone with an orb can see you right now. If they're actually looking at it, of course. We, um, we're not always paying attention.

[Even if, really, they probably should be. Hell, if Giles had paid closer attention, this entire mess with Ginia might not be happening.]

[dash_dynamic]

A floppy hat? What do they think he is, anyway?

[There's another dubious look at the orb.]

So...should I tell them hello or something?

[consultmybooks]

A wizard. Which, um, he is a magician, in his own world, so it's not that far off.

I suppose I got off lightly. All I really have to carry is this - [Giles holds up what appears to be an amulet hanging against his chest, turning it over to reveal that it's actually a small, square mirror with a silvered surface.] - and I don't mind, since it's actually quite useful.

[At this last, Giles gives a little half shrug.]

If you want.

[dash_dynamic]

Yeah, at least you don't have to wear this...I don't even know why they're calling me a prince, I'm a policeman...

[There's a bit of tugging on his clothing because really, it's awkward.

Speaking of awkwardness, he just gives the orb a wave and a grin and tries to look much cooler than he really is. It's painfully obvious that's what he's doing.]

Uh, hi, everyone!

[consultmybooks]

A policeman?

[Giles frowns - a slight, but probably noticeable expression. Oh, great. Just what they need. If he's anything like the policeman back in Sunnydale, he'll probably walk right into the thorns.]

Um, well, I wouldn't think too much of it - you're, um, you're used to a position of...some authority, and, um, "prince" was probably the closest match this place could think up. It might not be forever.

[dash_dynamic]

[Oh, he wouldn't walk into them. Charge into them horribly unprepared, but not walk into them unless he got distracted.]

Authority?

[He looks confused for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck.]

I...guess? I just try to protect people out there...

[consultmybooks]

Protect them from what, just out of curiosity?

Ever come across any murders where the victim had a couple of puncture marks in the neck?

[Yes, he's still a little bitter. Especially when police, by and large, proved just as enthusiastic as the rest of the world in embracing the existence of vampires.]

[dash_dynamic]

Gaiark, mostly. Kind of hard when they get to be as big as a building--that's where the Engines come in...

[Gunpei looks kind of weirded out at that description because what is that he doesn't even...he shakes his head quickly.]

No, I haven't.

[consultmybooks]

[That is vampires - they bite you in the neck, suck out all your blood, and leave the body for the police to find so that they can mislabel the cause of death.

But, Giles is distracted from actually going into this.]

"Gaiark"? [He's reasonably fluent in five languages, and that's not ringing a bell in any of them.] What on Earth is that?