(text, un: dante)

[durante]

Good afternoon, Ximilia Station.

By now I've had some time to get accustomed to the situation here and what we're expected to be doing, but there's still a lot left unanswered. However, I don't want to wear someone out with too many questions, so I've decided to try something different. Anyone who responds to this post, I'll ask one question I have about life here, our missions, or our purpose.

Thank you in advance for helping out.

Comments

[durante]

[hey, professor. always good to see you.]

The room full of sunlight - does someone need to maintain that, or is it a courtesy offered to the crew?

[softshoes]

A courtesy. Technically, it's an incredibly life-like simulation: I once fell in the water there and departed completely dry.

[he didn't "fall" so much as he was "dropped" but who's counting.]

But you can always add to whatever is in there.

[durante]

Are there restrictions on that?

[not that they want to make anything harmful. but a comfortable chair to watch the sunset in wouldn't be bad.]

[softshoes]

Not that I have heard. I assume, so long as it isn't anything particularly dramatic...

[durante]

I'll have to investigate that, then. Surely there's instructions on how to do that without jeopardizing the whole simulation.

[softshoes]

When in doubt, it's always best to ask Viveca or Degar. They would know best.

What were you considering adding? It might be nice to have a greater variety of flowers, if we could.

[durante]

Another bench, at the right angle where you can see the water and the sunset at the same time. I'm not really versed in flowers, so I can't help there.

[softshoes]

Well, that sounds simple enough. I doubt you'd even have to ask for something like that, especially when it'll benefit all of us.

Frankly, I think it's amazing we have the Sunlight Room at all. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't see the sun while we were here.

[durante]

It felt like a dream when I first went inside. It didn't seem possible to have this in space, but then again, technology can do stranger things.

Like being in space at all, for instance.

[softshoes]

Yes... it took me a good while to digest that one. We haven't even explored the furthest reaches of our globe, when and where I am from-- much less the solar system.

[durante]

And now you're here getting moved around to other worlds. There's one thing to be said for amnesia, and that's less culture shock.

[dante that joke sucks and you should feel bad. actually they do, 0.5 seconds after sending it.]

[softshoes]

[he's from ace attorney, he can take it.]

I think I'll still take the culture shock, thanks.

Besides, after the first few times, you do get accustomed to it.

[durante]

How many times has it been, for you?

[softshoes]

Three. The next mission will be the fourth.

But we've already gathered four orbs. I think someone's already told you about what happened recently.

[durante]

The one that shattered into pieces and drew forth memories. It's strange to me that something that powerful can be broken in the first place.

[softshoes]

Yes. That one was... difficult.

[Cathartic, even leading to necessary conversations in some cases, but too painful for him to ever wish it on all of them.]

But it is only as strange as being here to begin with. They can be scattered, broken. They can have their own wills. The orbs are beyond any power I could ever conceive, and about as dangerous, too.

[durante]

They're putting a lot of faith in us to subdue that much power.

[softshoes]

But then, there's the rub, isn't it?

Viveca and Degar, technically, have no authority over us. They have seniority, yes, and greater knowledge of the workings of the orbs through it, but they were summoned just as we were.

/private./

[durante]

[thinking about that, they switch to direct communication.]

If we're listening to them to carry out the missions and retrieve the orbs, isn't that authority on its own? I'm afraid I don't understand.

permaprivate :*

[softshoes]

Consider them facilitators.

[If Dante wasn't around to witness everything about Viveca and Degar's painful past as members of the last crew of the Ximilia, he's not going to repeat it without their say. At least, not in its entirety.]

Like us, they've made deals with the orbs. They have their own worlds to return to, once our work here is complete. But they've chosen to direct us and remain on the ship rather than joining missions with the rest of us. Though they guide us, they hold no power over us all. That is the role they've chosen.

[durante]

Guides, huh. I can work with that.

[briefly, they think of red eyes and a tired voice, low like rough stone. thankfully, the earpieces can't draw images from their memory, so Yujin is spared that.]

Still, it's probably to their benefit if people think they are in charge.

[softshoes]

Many do. I thought so myself, for a little while after I first arrived. I agree with you: maintaining that professional distance has to be a little intentional.

[After what happened to their last leader and crew, he can't blame them.]