[OPEN]

[demonicbeauty]

[There's some off-screen hilarity, when Ariadne first acquires her walkie talkie. Lots of poking at it and sniffing at it and trying to figure out how it works, before the inevitable shrug and acceptance of "magic" as the explanation for it.

She spends some time considering what she wants to say. So when she makes her broadcast, her voice is clear and bright and certain. If not a little sad too.]

To whosoever finds this message.

I have been told that if I hold a little button on this box and talk into it, I'll be able to send a message. I'm not really sure how it works, but if you find this message, I hope that you can do me a small kindness. You see, I'd like to get a message to my aunt. She's serves as royal translator to Princess Amanda of the royal castle of the north in Valeria. If you ask any of the servants for "Lysia," I'm sure they'll take you to her right away.

If you get this message, please tell her it comes from her niece, Ariadne. Tell her that I'm alive and well and that she shouldn't worry about me so much.

[There are bigger things to worry about in Valeria, after all. As painful as it is to admit it.]

Also, please tell her I'm sorry I sent this message in Common, but no one seems to know any of the five Elfish dialects here, and I really wanted to be certain that it made it back to her.

Tell her I love her and I miss her.

Sincerely,

Ariadne of Valeria

[She continues to hold the button a moment, before realizing that she needs to let go. And then she does.]

Comments

[cheffeur]

[It doesn't take long before a rather amused-sounding (and British sounding) man answers.]

I'm not sure who gave you those instructions, but that is certainly not how handheld transceivers work. Unless your aunt happens to be here and within hearing range of one, I doubt she'll be getting your message.

I'd suggest penning a letter, but I don't believe the Post is currently running.

[demonicbeauty]

Handheld trans...what?

[This is so far outside of the realm of her experience that even foreign words are just that. Foreign. It's a new experience for her. One she doesn't especially like.]

They just said it would create a message.

I...I don't know. I thought that might mean in writing.

[cheffeur]

A transceiver- As in, a device that both transmits and receives signals. It will only project your voice, only as you speak, and only to other devices that are on the same frequency.

[At least he sounds eternally patient with it. If they're all from different places, it's inevitable that someone wouldn't recognize any of the technology here.]

I would presume these to have a limited range. Everyone who has spoken on it has been from another location here in Bridgton. Is Valeria nearby to Maine? I'm afraid my knowledge of geography is... lacking.

[demonicbeauty]

Well, I suppose I would call it one of the main kingdoms in the realm...

[At this point, she's staring at her walkie talkie.]

Pardon me for asking, but do you like it in there?

[cheffeur]

[At least he's not holding down the button to transmit the exasperated sigh- one that usually only Noctis gets. She'd managed to dodge the question, and seemed to be assuming he was inside the walkie-talkie.

When he does respond, it's as professional and patient as before.]

Perhaps my previous explanation was inadequate. The device transmits your voice. You do are not within mine, and I am not within yours. I am speaking into a transceiver just as you are.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh...

[It figures. She couldn't smell anything organic in there.]

Like...a telepathy tile?

[cheffeur]

[ . . . ]

Yes. Like a telepathy tile.

[sure. he'll go with it. probably easier this way.]

I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Ignis Scientia. Have you only just arrived in Maine? [It's... a bit roundabout, but he doesn't feel comfortable asking 'did you wake up in a terrifying metal tube in a world you don't recognize', lest the place itself start to punish him again for being too overt.]

[demonicbeauty]

Uh, I guess so. Sort of. I've been here about...three weeks, I think.

[It's hard to track the sun's progress with all the fog.]

My name is Ariadne but...you can call me "Airy" if you like.

Everyone does.

[cheffeur]

I see. That's about the same as myself. I had only just arrived when the fog truly settled in.

It's good to meet you, Airy. I'm sorry you're having to deal with such culture shock, on top of the intrinsic problem of the mist here.

[demonicbeauty]

Culture shock.

Yes, I suppose that is a good term for it.

[There's a smile in her voice.]

Thank you very much, sir.