video | un: TeaOnRice

[gekkajuu]

Hello, everyone! I hope you've all been doing well. It's strange to think how long we've been here already, isn't it? But I feel like that's a good thing, too. Like we're finally getting used to living here... That kind of feeling.

[Speaking for himself, anyway - but then, Atsushi has his reasons for being happy with his life for a change. In fact, that's why he's making this video.]

If we haven't met yet: my name is Nakajima Atsushi! Mr. Evras has hired me to collect flora and fauna samples for the Simwe Institute. [That sounds nicer than it probably is: Atsushi's just a gopher, and he only works on commission. No interesting samples means no money.

But Atsushi could care less about that! He has an actual job, that he got all by himself, and he's so, so proud. It's that, rather than a desire for assignments and hence money, that makes him put himself out there.]

I know the Institute has hired more people, so I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to everyone working there. If you need any samples, please don't hesitate to contact me! Whatever you need, I will do my absolute best to provide.

I look forward to working with you! [And he bows at the camera before turning it off.]

Comments

[21stcenturyguy]

[Goddamn it, this kid is adorable. He's gonna get himself taken advantage of if he keeps offering favors to strangers, but Atsushi's too happy for Aoi to interject that and ruin it.

... so, he's just gonna leave a box of fancy tea leaves on Atsushi's doorstep. With a username like that, he's gotta like tea, right? There's a note that says 'Congrats on the new job' but nothing to identify the sender. Is it a secret admirer, or a welcome present from the institute, or just some random act of kindness? Who knows! Have fun with that.]

[gekkajuu]

[Clearly they're not strangers if they're coworkers?! Or they won't be strangers for long.

Or they just. Lie. That's also a possibility.

Atsushi's username is mostly in reference to his beloved chazuke, which doesn't even require tea (hot water will do!). But he does enjoy tea as well - and that someone left him a gift at all is mind-boggling. Honestly, he'd doubt that it was intended for him in the first place, if not for that note.

One day he needs to finally change that dumb username. But it's a good thing he hasn't yet.

Thank you, squishy-centered stranger. Atsushi's life just got that much better.]

voice; un: ROCKET

[beatupgrass]

You're seriously working for that jackass?

[Maybe one day he'll stop judging people who work for Evras... Until then, HE IS USING THIS POST AS A GUIDEBOOK OF WHO HE CAN STAY AWAY FROM.]

voice

[gekkajuu]

If you're referring to Mr. Evras: yes. Please don't call him that, he's a highly respected scientist.

[Probably highly respected. Most likely. He runs an institute funded by the Empress, so...!]

[beatupgrass]

Oh, is that so? I am so sorry. I would never besmirch the name of a highly respected scientist.

[that's definitely his sarcastic voice.]

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi can tell... and, to his credit, his question is calm and polite, if a little sharp around the edges.]

What exactly is your problem with Mr. Evras?

text | username: No

[sullenstallion]

[Well he's not going to use voice after how their last meeting yet? That seems like a good idea to him.]

yyou're getting used to living here that quickly

you must be pretty resilient

text

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi is no less embarrassed, probably, but that username doesn't ring a bell, so he... doesn't know it's Dylas. Oops.]

So I've been told.

I do still miss the place I came from, but it's not as if we can go back to the way things were. So it's as well to keep moving ahead, isn't it?

text

[sullenstallion]

yeah i agree

but i was kind of surprised to hear you say that i guess

you're a bit tougher than i thought you were

[gekkajuu]

I'm sorry, but your username doesn't ring a bell?

[It also makes it practically impossible to guess who it is, as if that simple word shuts down every thought of trying to figure it out.]

[ video | un: professorx ]

[axiomed]

It sounds like you've settled yourself in well. I'll be counting on you.

[ Since Charles also has a job at the Institute. He's privately quite pleased to know Atsushi is there as well. ]

[gekkajuu]

Yes! [The professor approves, too... Atsushi is so happy. He didn't think he could ever get this far in life, especially without anyone to give him a serious leg up.]

You're working there as well, professor? I'm glad you found employment suited to your title! Oh - and if you have any reading from the Institute library you recommend, please let me know! I'm sure I'll be busy with work a lot, and there's physical training to consider, but I do intend to keep studying as well, if only for my own satisfaction...

[... He keeps rambling because he's so happy, it's embarrassing.]

[axiomed]

I'm a lecturer and a part time researcher. It is suitable for my needs for now.

[ It's strange, starting at the bottom instead of the top, but Charles' inherent love for knowledge and teaching makes it easy to get by. ]

You seem excited.

[gekkajuu]

... I am.

[He really is, and he's too happy to even worry about how everything could come crashing down. He'd made some progress fighting the ghosts of his past in his own world already, but coming here has definitely let him break free a little more.]

It's just... I never thought I'd be able to get a job like this, and build a life like this, all by myself. I'm very grateful to the people I know here, too! Especially the ones that have helped me in the past. But to succeed on my own is -... It's like a dream.

text | un: tentacleTherapist

[knitpick]

That's convenient.
Hello Nakajima, my name is Rose.
I was recently hired as Evras' assistant and will doubtlessly be making use of your services in the future.

text, because he's polite enough to follow suit

[gekkajuu]

Thank you, Ms. Rose. I hope I can be of use to you!

Mr. Evras specifically mentioned flora and fauna samples, but if there's anything else you require, I'll do my best for that, too!

[Suddenly he becomes the coffee boy on top of everything.]

but not polite enough to follow suit and adopt a font color of his own i see how it is

[knitpick]

Good to hear.
I hope you know of a good place to acquire coffee.

[Did you think she wouldn't abuse these services?? Surprise.]

look, he's only had a cell phone for, like... a few months...

[gekkajuu]

Coffee?

Yes, of course! That is: if I'm in town, and not out collecting samples, then I could certainly get you some.

[Did you think he would be at all weirded out? Nah, man. That said, he won't pay for it. The Institute should have its own Starbucks anyway.]

text, un: gardenGnostic

[witchhooded]

ohhh!
hello! :D
my name is jade and i am also working in the same field for mr evras
nice to meet you!

text

[gekkajuu]

Nice to meet you, too!
Are you by any chance the Jade with dog ears?

[witchhooded]

yes i am! :)
are you a friend of yous?

[gekkajuu]

[He takes way too long to figure out that's supposed to be a name. He's actually met You, but it was during the descent, and they... never exchanged names. Good kids.]

No? It's just that Rose mentioned you...

She said you probably know the most about this planet of all the refugees. Is that true?

video; un: shepherd

[ofseraphim]

Hey, Atsushi!

[ The video feed is... awful. It definitely doesn't show Sorey's face. At least at first, it shows everything but. (Hey, he's still new here and technology is still baffling to him.) ]

Sounds like we're coworkers now! [ Guess who's supposed to be cataloging those plants? That's right...! ] Better yet, a team!

[ As soon as he's on-screen at last, he gives a bright smile and a friendly wave. Is he... is this thing on now? ] I'm definitely looking forward to working with you!

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi is a bit confused about the feed at first, but since Sorey seems okay, he doesn't comment.]

Hello, Sorey! Really, you're working there, too?!

[Well, it's not ruins, but Sorey is bound to be more qualified than Atsushi even so. That doesn't seem very important at the moment though.]

I'm so glad! We both did very well for ourselves, didn't we?

[ofseraphim]

Yep! Just got hired on!

[ He's all grins about it. It's like being a person again, instead of the young man charged with purifying the world. Which, while he doesn't regret his decision to take on the latter role -- he could never! -- it's not a bad change. ]

Seems that way! Glad to know I'll be seeing a familiar face around!

[ And since they're both in the 'plants' division, (if that's an actual thing), then-- ]

Since we're on similar teams, maybe we can go on an expedition together for work, too!

[ It's dangerous to go alone! Here, take Sorey! ]