lostnetwork | 001 . video . psa

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001 . video . psa

[The video clicks on to reveal a small, slender, nervous-looking redhead. She has a frilly white blouse on covered with a leather bomber jacket, more stylish than functional, and she's fidgeting in her seat.

She takes a visible breath and says, somewhat stilted,] Hi. Willow. --That's me, Willow, my name, and. You should call me that. And you should email me?

Wait, sorry, I'm doing this in the wrong order. [She looks embarrassed, but then shakes her head and starts over, calmer now that she's getting into the rhythm.]

I'm Willow Rosenberg and I'm the official Darstone liaison to the newcomers. That means you, cause, if you're on this network, you're a newcomer-- a dimensional kidnap-ee. It's probably not government approved to say kidnap-ee, but that's okay because I work for them so I'm allowed to be especially disgruntled. Actually, even though I work for them, I'm in more or less the same position as you, I just got here earlier. When they needed someone for the job about a month ago I said yes.

Anyway... [Pause as she tries to recover her conversational thread.] Being the liaison means you should come to me if you have problems settling into the city, or if you need to talk to someone official and don't know how to reach them. I can get you in touch. I'm not responsible for deciding who gets to go home, so don't bug me about that or you'll make me cranky and mildly disapproving, and I don't like to be cranky.

But you really should email me if you need something. That's what I'm here for. I also do emergency response sometimes if something goes wrong with one of us, and trust me, I can handle it. So don't cause problems or you'll have to deal with me. [This is half bluffing and half honest confidence.] That means whoever sent those shadow things around during the festival, I better not see that happen again or I'm going to track you down, and there will be consequences.

[Her eyebrows go up in open evaluation.] Got it? Oh, and whoever's sending out the spying snakes, that's just creepy, but not illegal. So keep it not illegal or I'll sic the police chief on you, and she's scary.

... Any questions? About me or about what's going on? It's really mostly answered in the guide on your mirror, but I am answer girl if you have something else.

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[She starts.] What happened to you? [she says quickly, leaning forward to frown in alarmed concern.]

Did you go to the hospital? Never mind my job-- are you okay, Mr. Kirkland?

[that didn't last long. though he supposed that it wouldn't]

Do not worry. I'm fine, in the hospital.

[Sorry, she's a crisis-attuned kind of girl.]

You're not fine if you're in the hospital! [she blurts, worried.] Head injuries are nasty, and... Who was it? Or what.

[a pause. and then he sighs]

Who do you think it was? Who could possibly want to do something like this to me?

It could be plenty of--

Wait, so it was... [The realization hits her, and she bursts into affronted indignity.] And he was just being all 'don't judge me, countries aren't heroes, we aren't going to do anything'-- well, I'm judging! I'm judging and I'm mad!

Was it really about the war?

H-Hey, calm down. It was mostly about the warning I made. And some things I said.

I am calm, [she grumbles.] I just can't believe he said that to me right after he did that. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and everything.

[Willow sighs, and mentally gathers herself together again.] How long are you stuck there? Do you want me to come bring you books and candy?

I can probably go home any time. I've been here for several days already... [he frowns, looking off at something, but she wouldn't be able to see what it was. and then back to her, quickly] B-but! You don't have to visit! I'm alright, really!

Several days? Geez. I would've brought you something. It's all boring and smelly and lonely in there.

... [More quietly,] Do you think there's going to be more fighting?

I really don't know, honestly.

If I can do anything... [She trails off uncertainly.] I know there's no right side or anything, but I don't want to see anyone get hurt. --Anyone else.

Frankly, I rather they beat up on me than on the other people. I can handle it. Suppose I had it coming... [he hates admitting he was wrong. he feels so powerless here]

I'm going for the beating up on no one plan, [she says firmly.]

You did not 'have it coming'. This war is going to be left at home if I have to enforce that myself, got it? Darstone has enough problems without adding in World War 2.

[he's quiet for a moment, casting his eyes down. he doesn't know what to say in response, actually. he brought the war here, technically, not Prussia or Germany. after a moment, he rubs his face]

I was only trying to make people aware. [he's certain the other Allies would have done the same thing if they were here. in fact, it seems as though the Axis were willing to hide what they'd done. probably because they felt guilty, or figured they could get away with their past crimes here]

I said it's not your fault, [she stresses.] You could say anything and it still wouldn't be an excuse to-- [Willow exhales, trying to recenter herself.]

It's just words. You were worried, and... you didn't attack them. It isn't a reason to put you in the hospital!

But maybe it would be better if you all avoided each other for a while.

[ah, avoid Prussia and Germany. it seems easier said than done, especially now that there are no other Allied nations to be chummy with. England slumps back in the seat, almost pouting at the idea]

And it would be best if you not get involved with them, either. Or rather, stay away from me.

If you're saying that because you want to protect me, don't. I can protect myself. It's not the same here as it is on Earth, [she adds more gently.] You know you can call the police, right? They even know how to deal with hostile magic users. They can take care of two guys.

[of course that was why he was saying it]

I am a magic user, miss Rosenberg. And even I couldn't take care of them. At least if you do not associate yourself with me, you will have a chance at keeping them away.

I can take them if I need to, I just... don't want to have to, [she admits.] We don't really know each other, but this is what I do. Protect people. Usually more as the sidekick, but-- I'm getting used to this way.

You're not getting rid of me. I don't run away anymore. [She doesn't look too pleased with that, or smug; just resigned.] Not to mention being gay and Jewish pretty much already decided my side for me.

[he blinks when she mentions she is a 'side-kick' ... really? he would not have guessed that at all. ah, but he sighs through his nose at what she says next]

Your side... You shouldn't say things like that after you've already made it clear you don't want a war here. I'd rather my fellow countries and I take a hiatus while we are here in Darstone.

[She shifts uncomfortably.] You're probably right, I just-- I know it didn't have anything to do with me personally, but it scares me, thinking about it. It's one of those things you hear your grandparents talk about, and it sounds unreal. Like a nightmare.

I'd rather you all took a hiatus, too. A ceasefire? [she offers.] Wasn't there one in World War 1 on Christmas? You did it then.

[yes, that's right! a ceasefire! he nods]

I understand you are scared. I am too, personally, still. But if they don't want to fight, then I don't either. [dammit, Prussia visiting him at the hospital must have melted his heart, or something. annoying!] It doesn't mean you still can't be careful around them. Or myself, for that matter.

I don't want anyone to fight, I really don't! [she says urgently, looking guilty now for her earlier judgemental reaction, as justified as it'd been.]

And I am careful. I'm always careful. I don't really do physical fighting and I'm trying not to needlessly use magic-- careful is sort of required. But I'm not going to be scared of you until you give me a reason to be, and you haven't, so just put that thought away, buster.

[honestly, he thinks it's justified! he's still nervous about Germany and Prussia. and he would imagine Willow would be terrified]

Well. I am glad you feel that way. [small smile] I promise I will not hurt you, nor anyone here. [unless they attack me]

[Of course, unless they attack him. As far as she's concerned, that's a silent caveat every time someone says that.

She gives him a smile back, much wider.] See, I have nothing to worry about. Tell me all the big, bad, scary stories you want, but you're a nice guy.

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