01 // audio

[fatemeter]

Good evening. [However little that means in a place that doesn't seem to have actual days, it hardly hurts to be polite.] My name is Naoto Shirogane. In my... own world [there's just a moment of hesitation], I'm a detective by trade. As such, in the interest of consolidating what information we have, I have a few questions I'd like to ask.

[It might be a bit difficult to put a gender to the voice here without any visual cues. It is unambiguously young - but given the practised, professional air with which all of this is being reeled off, you might overlook that. To some extent, that's the point.]

Firstly: what are the last events you recall before waking up in this "realm of dreams"? Is the memory continuous as far as you can remember, or is there a gap?

Secondly: were you previously familiar with the phenomenon of movement between different worlds, voluntary or otherwise? If so, what comparisons could you draw, if any, to the process of entering this one?

Thirdly: from what you know of those in this same situation, can you think of any commonalities we may have had prior to our arrival here? Is there evidence to suggest that the selection is something other than wholly random - based on certain criteria, perhaps, or even a conscious choice on the part of some other entity?

And, finally... [This level tone of voice doesn't change.] Where in this place might somebody procure firearms, should the need arise?

[Potentially unfortunate implications? What unfortunate implications?]

I assure you, any answers you can offer will be helpful. Thank you for your time.

[Without fanfare, the recording switches off.]

Comments

[lessabrasive]

You mean aside from some heavy implications from an unknown party? [Someone might not like being questioned in this vein.] I wasn't born yesterday, kid.

[fatemeter]

[Someone else may very well resent the implication that she was. After all this time, it still stings a little more than she knows it should...

But she's in work mode, and that makes her irritation easy to mask. Her voice doesn't so much as quiver.]

I apologise. I'm merely trying to determine the current state of the investigation. It would be a waste if, in working independently, we spent too much time covering the same ground - especially when our very presence here may be unstable, as you suggest.

[Here she does hesitate, but only briefly.] I'll admit, I have my own reasons for this particular line of inquiry... But believe me when I say they reflect nothing on you, Chief Beifong.

[lessabrasive]

[ There's a heavy glare for the communicator; it's a two-way radio right now, rather than the shared visuals, so Naoto doesn't have to deal with it in more than voice.

Nonetheless, that hesitation isn't missed.

The pause in her own reply certainly isn't from nerves, but Lin at least sounds slightly less nettled than before. ]

[(..She's still a bit miffed, though.)]

No apology necessary. I felt much the same when I arrived here, and unfortunately, we still know as little now as we did then. Some things may be better discussed in person, though I believe Ienzo was looking to consolidate notes of past events. The open nature of the network we are using means a lot of information is available, just time consuming to gather.

The unknown party I was in fact referring to has left a past record of his contact with us on the network - though we're no closer to learning his identity yet either. [g r u m b l e]

[fatemeter]

[Ooh, archived information, her favourite kind! Her response is delayed by a few minutes of silence. Only a few, though - it becomes obvious fairly quickly that she'll need to sit down on her own time to give the network the attention it really deserves.]

I see what you mean by heavy implications. [Oddly enough, those who already knew her would be able to tell she's smiling to herself again - but as far as anyone else is concerned, she was already covering up her annoyance pretty well.] My apologies again. Without context, it seems I misunderstood.

[Still, even if it is the first piece of remotely concrete evidence for her pet theory she's found so far, it doesn't match up entirely. Maybe another perspective is what she needs after all.]

Consolidating enough information to construct a case background was what I had in mind... How would you suggest contacting this Ienzo?

[lessabrasive]

I'm afraid I do not know all the ins and outs of the devices here. You'd have to speak with the moogles for anything other than the basics. The technology in this world is far more advanced than my own, though I'd say the Mother of Invention's is a close rival.

[ Not. Not that Lin's aware of that. ]

Don't mention it. [No. Really.] The lack of context for our being here is something that aggravates us all.

Everyone here has network access. If he doesn't respond here, you'll likely find him in the tea shop in the first district.

[fatemeter]

The first district... I see. Thank you.

[She pauses.] I... realise you may as yet have little reason to trust my credentials, but I hope nonetheless that we can solve this case together.

[lessabrasive]

You're welcome.

[There's a faint harrumf.] You're right, I don't. [blunt much, Lin?] But it may be that an outside perspective will be useful. You'll have the time and your chance to prove what you can do.

[ Actions, after all, speak far more loudly than words. ]

[fatemeter]

I understand. Should I discover any more leads, I'll be in touch.

[Allowing herself a little, private smile, she ends the call.]