[video]

[fallen_stage]

A video from a new source comes to life: the view is framed by ledgers within a tastefully appointed study; the subject, a seated young androgynous person turned in mid-conversation toward a mild man.

" - the payments are accounted for? I'd like to know now while I'm doing the finances."

The man gave a bow, obviously a subordinate. "Yes. The first shipment has been set out for testing, last I heard. We have received Her Majesty's first payment in full."

"Excellent. You may go." With a casual wave of their hand, they turned back to their open ledger as the man left.

For a minute or two more, they attended to the ledger, checking columns and occasionally making a mark on the pages. Soon, however, they noticed they were being watched, nudging aside books to grasp the camera. The view shifts, clearly being set on the desk before them, as they fiddle with the device, blue eyes flicking as they read. Soon enough they notice the camera and, with a gasp, turn the video off.

When the video returns, the person is front and center, not a stray hair out of place, their makeup refreshed. With a sweet smile and hands demurely folded, they make their introduction.

"Greetings, community. I hope to become well acquainted, and you may call me Kuja." A deep nod, like a noble addressing their peers, "A most intriguing discovery, for while on the outside this appears to be a common pocket notebook, within is a technology of the like not to be seen on this planet! I hope you may be my gracious hosts as I make my discoveries through this most magnificent book, and that this be a fortuitous start of a long career!"

With that flowery speech, the video ends.

Comments

[x_battousai]

It is lucky that your land is so temperate, with such extremes nearby.

[fallen_stage]

Oh yes, the Mist continent is blessed with mild seasons. Personally I prefer the extremes, but eye of the beholder, I suppose. Not everyone finds the austerity of the desert beautiful.

[a long pause, before more text appears]

But then, you've seen my face, my house; you have the advantage of me, Mr. Kenshin. Won't you tell me something about yourself beyond just a name?

[x_battousai]

There is nothing special about me. I am merely a wandering swordsman.

romantic here more of the idealic, marvelous, fancible kind, not strictly about love

[fallen_stage]

Such modesty! Yet a wandering swordsman cuts such a romantic figure, I imagine from your travels alone you would have much to tell.

Re: romantic here more of the idealic, marvelous, fancible kind, not strictly about love

[x_battousai]

Thank you very much. But I am afraid that my stories may not be very interesting.

[fallen_stage]

The fact that you're from another world is interesting enough. Here, why don't I gift you a story instead?

[A pause to switch tone: one mustn't just dive into stories]

In my youth, I wasn't the heir to a noble house, or a wealthy business owner, or anyone of consequence. I was apprenticed to a mage, and so knew others in the field through her.

One I remember well was a white mage, a beautiful women who had such a lovely coat of jet black fur. She was in love with a baron, and always looked out the window when he passed by where she lived, always offering him a free healing when she dared speak to him. I mention no names, but our leoprine baron knew he could never marry of the middle class, and tried to let her down gently. But she would not give up her suit and begged him for any challenge, that she might win his hand.

"Very well," he said, eying her beautiful hair, "when your fur is long enough to shear for a coat for me, then I'll marry you."

Both of them knew this was impossible, of course. Aside from the humiliation of leaving her hair long and unkempt, a lupine lass like her would shed by the summer, leaving half her work for naught.

That's where I stepped in. I told her I could make her hair grow by magic, if she would do me a favor and invite me to any social event she and her future husband would hold. She didn't believe me, of course, since growth acceleration of that sort was an advanced piece of black magic, and she knew me only as a humble apprentice. She said I could try, however, humoring me.

I was much more skilled than she realized, since I had used the spell myself a number of times. I quickly worked the magic, and soon her figure was lost in all the long, lovely hair I had grown for her. What a sight she was! She looked like something coughed up. All soon was mended, for she had the clippers in hope, and as I left she was hurriedly spinning her hair into thread.

So in the end, she presented her love with a fine jacket, unmistakably her own fur. I remember how he laughed when he saw it, and the two are still happily married to this day.

[x_battousai]

That is quite an interesting story. Thank you for sharing it.