one

[rebelcommunion]

[A: Action- 502 Ricardo]

[He is aware something is very, very wrong before he's even fully awake. Summoner doesn't move or give any sign of waking, but instead focuses on his other senses in an attempt to figure out what set those alarms off. Nothing sounds right. Nothing smells right. Nothing even feels right. He can't make heads nor tails of it so he gives in and gets up.

So he's just extremely confused rather than shocked to discover nothing looks right either, and spends several minutes in front of a mirror poking and prodding himself. Panic is not a thing he does, but he's tempted. He has no idea what happened to take everything away and replace it with... well, it wouldn't be bad, but it's not him at all. But there's only one way to find out. He dresses in unfamiliar, and uncomfortable, clothes and begins a search.

The woman only adds to his confusion when he tries to ask questions so he moves on to the rest of the building he'd woken up in instead.]

[B: Action- around town]

[The next step is to search the surrounding area. He leaves the house, shirt untucked and half-buttoned, to wander around. The light almost drives him back in on instinct, but whatever form this is, it's not bothered. He's incredibly wary of this place and the people, so he just watches and listens to every conversation he can overhear, mostly, but he does search every street he encounters and every building that doesn't seem to be a private dwelling.

In spite of his attempts to not stand out too much, his behavior is obviously strange. He ducks and goes through doorways sideways, for one, and keeps quite a distance between himself and walls and trees and lampposts. He also keeps looking up at the sky, almost longingly. He's also very new and pretty much lost.]

[C: Phone]

[Well, he'd heard about one potentially useful thing in his exploring. It takes a little bit to figure it out, but when he speaks, he sounds chipper and nonchalant. Don't let your enemies in on your worries.]

Good evening! May the winds always blow at your back and lift you higher. And may the sky always extend its welcome. I just have one question. If someone was missing something important where can it be found?

[A pause, and there's a hint of steel under his cheer.]

And who is responsible for it being taken?

[Laughter.]

Two questions then! I got ahead of myself.

Comments

[rebelcommunion]

That does explain some things. It's disturbing, but he hardly shows it. "How many here have been stolen from their homes?"

He'll have to confirm the information later, but he'll gather as much as he can and compare.

[windows_hyliaedition]

"It is unfortunately impossible for me to give an accurate estimate at this time- however at this moment I would assume anywhere from 80 to 85% of those in the suburban area." Downtown not so much really.

"However, with the potential to become similar to the apparently native inhabitants, it is possible that this percentage is in-fact closer to 90 to 95%, or even 98%."

[rebelcommunion]

That is disturbing enough to actually get a frown. "Explain for me what exactly you mean by similar to the natives."

He's starting to command, like a soldier, but it's a deeply ingrained habit. His stance is relaxed and alert though, with his gaze snapping around to each movement and sound as subtly as possible.

[windows_hyliaedition]

She doesn't say anything- merely turns to stare at a drone family to the side. All smiles (though strangely plastic ones), stereotypical fifties...

"Your mind is lost- that which makes you 'you' is lost. You are a 'drone'. That is what occurs when you are made to be similar to those who are perceived as 'natives' in this place."

[rebelcommunion]

He looks at them, expression cooling, for a few seconds and then turns away. It's unsettling to think of himself like that. And yet, isn't that what would be done if the empress could? Disturbing. "I see. What causes this? Does anyone know? Some power or ability?"

If so he will have to destroy it. Something like that should not exist.

[windows_hyliaedition]

"All that is known is that the cause is a grievous ignorance to the 'laws' of Mayfield. Those who are in fact in charge are at this moment untouchable- perhaps, I should show you a letter describing these details." She does have one after all. Thanks to a friend...

[rebelcommunion]

"If you have that letter I'd like to see it! And where can I discover these 'laws?'" He has no intention of falling prey to such a thing himself, if he can avoid it. Of course he already knows he won't sacrifice his principles either. It will be a fine line to walk.

...Sounds exciting!

Tadaaah- http://buildstherobots.dreamwidth.org/18568.html

[windows_hyliaedition]

"They are not so much 'laws' as supposedly apparent social norms. Here," she adds, handing him something from her bag.

[rebelcommunion]

He takes the letter and reads it through, and then again for good measure. It takes a little while before he's satisfied he'll remember the important parts and then he hands it back. "I will heed the warnings. Where can I find the writer of this letter? I want to speak with them."

He pauses, grinning. "I've never been good at manners. I might need them laid out."

[windows_hyliaedition]

"I have myself been hoping to find this 'Dist'... However, I have yet to successfully do so. I would attempt the use of the phone to do so, however I have yet to discern the process of screening calls; until I am certain that those who should not listen are unable to listen to the conversation, I will continue to attempt using the slower method." Ahhhhh...

"I may be able to offer additional advice, however. If I am correct, your form is that of an adult human male- as such, the city requires you to attend a 'job' given to you beforehand during the days of the week if not more. There are five 'work days' for most in a week; two more for the weekend. Failure to attend this 'job' for three of these days in a row will result in droning."

[rebelcommunion]

"A job to do? Where can I find out what it is?" He's curious. There seems to be no obvious military here, and that is what he was trained for. Of course, if he was given a whole different body, maybe that doesn't matter so much. He just has no idea what there is to do in a place like this. "And this counts as one of those days? I'll have to find out what it is quickly."

And hope it's not something he just can't do.

What IS Summoner's job? :0

[windows_hyliaedition]

"That is indeed a dilemma. While today will likely be exempt from your schedule, it will be no good if your career is entirely unknown beyond the required timing..." Hnnn...

"Perhaps, however, a drone will know. They act as though prisoners have been present all their lives; with that, it would theoretically be possible to question one on such a thing."

Teacher! I'm not sure exactly which yet, though

[rebelcommunion]

"I'll remember to ask the woman there when I return to the hive I woke up in then. I assume one that shares my hive would 'know' me best." The woman bothers him and said a lot of things he didn't understand but knowing there are those here that are understandable he supposes he can run the answer through one of them if he's confused by it. At least having something to do every day will be interesting! And new, from the looks of things.

Cool! Suits him too~

[windows_hyliaedition]

She nods. "Indeed; she would most likely know for certain. Am I right to assume then that the 'wife' provided by Mayfield is a drone then?"

Hmmm... "...If you are familiar with cooking, it may be wise to prolong doing so here then. Drone wives are strangely insistent on being the only ones to do so, I have noticed." More from what others have said really- she hasn't had any troubles with that thus far.

[rebelcommunion]

"Yes." A pause. "Wife?"

He laughs at the advice though. "I can! But as long as it's edible and not poison it's probably best left to someone more skilled than I."

...'Bronze Rebel' just came on my playlist. Huh. :|a

[windows_hyliaedition]

"Provided there is no bottled milk involve, there is very little chance that it will be poisoned," she assures.

And... "Indeed; houses in Mayfield appear to be inhabited by supposedly 'married' couples of 'husband and wife'. ...Is the term, perhaps, unfamiliar?"

haha. I've had it on loop just about every time I've tagged as him.

[rebelcommunion]

"I'll avoid the milk." He says that casually, obviously considering it a very minor inconvenience, if an inconvenience at all. "And I haven't heard of any of those! Not before I came here. Would you explain them?"

That's awesome. <3

[windows_hyliaedition]

"Very well. A house is a place of residence; you will have woken up in a room of such a structure. Human couples under normal circumstances may come to be romantically attached to each other in some way; when these human couples create a bond to signify this, it is known as 'marriage'. In this current realm, these bonds are evidently between a human male and a human female; the male is known as a husband in such a bond, while the female is known as a 'wife'."

This is probably the most impersonal description of marriage ever.

[rebelcommunion]

And he barely understands it, and so launches into a barrage of curious questions. "So wife and husband are human words for... moirails? Or is it matesprits? I can't imagine sharing hi--house with a kismesis. That would get messy! It can't be for an auspistice either, because you said couple. And why is it restricted so? To say you can only care for or hate one gender limits things far too much!"

[windows_hyliaedition]

"It appears to have been a restricting time period amongst humans."

Beat.

"I would not know- perhaps, you could describe the differences between moirails and matesprits?" OH NO QUADRANTS.

[rebelcommunion]

"The simplest difference is that one is conciliatory and the other is concupiscent! Moirails exist to assist one another. One of each pair always needs a calming influence. Their moirail keeps them calm and from hurting themselves or others. A matesprit is one of two lovers every troll must have. Without genetic material from both matesprit and kismesis pairs the Mother Grub can't produce the next generation." He's trying to keep it fairly simple, aware that other species reproduce differently, but gives her a glance trying to figure out if he needs to explain further.

[windows_hyliaedition]

"I see." Somewhat. She doesn't know the details obviously, but that's still enough to answer that last question. "In that case, I would compare it to a 'matesprit' relationship. The 'typical couple' observed in drones is similar to such a romantic companionship. Of course, this is not the case with those who are prisoners."

[rebelcommunion]

And he looks quite disturbed. "The 'drone'" An uncomfortable pause, "Will she be expecting me to behave like that towards her? And if I don't what happens?"

[windows_hyliaedition]

"Quite doubtful," she assures him. "From observations within my own home, they react on a 'script' of sorts. What they state is the most that they will 'wish'. After that, the 'romantic' standard of the married human couple does not appear to apply." As a matter of fact, dear drone wife would probably not entirely appreciate such acts- 'not in front of the children' or something like that.

[rebelcommunion]

He's clearly very relieved. "That is one thing to be glad of. The drone is disturbing enough as it is!"

The thought of doing that with someone who had their mind messed with bothers him on a fundamental level, but he privately vows to do his best to see that the drone comes to no harm. "You've been very helpful. Thank you!"