SWITCHBOARD

[transmittable]

If you'd like to ask the Transmitter something over the phone, go right ahead! The Transmitter will answer the phone as soon as she's available. Leaving messages is impossible, given how old these phones are, but you should be able to reach her at almost all hours.

Comments are screened for privacy; all Patients are offered confidentiality, didn't you know?

Comments

[nachetanya]

Are you able to tell me anything about time's oddities? I can't say I'll understand, but I want to hear as much as you can.

[transmittable]

We...don't think it would be relevant, to your situation. So far, it's been...less what it was, and more what it is.

[nachetanya]

I've never -- actually, would it perhaps be easier if I clarified the only way I know time can move differently than simply being, so you can tell me if I'm off base? I would still be curious to hear about "what it is."

It'll weigh on me regardless what happens, after all.

[transmittable]

We don't see why not.

[nachetanya]

Your profile for me identified me as a "saint" - and that's true, I'm the Saint of Blades. Saints are women who have been give a fraction of the power of the gods, and there is one saint called the Saint of Time. The power of time is notoriously hard to master - most Saints of Time have only ever been able to manage things like slowing down the decay of objects by making time flow differently around them. There have been very few in history able to wield it with any potency for battle, but those that could can make time flow differently for their allies and enemies, speeding them them up and slowing them down respectively. The most notable of the Saints of Time is Hayuha, who was one of the Six Braves, the heroes who saved the world three hundred years ago.

Very few people know this, but she was able to manipulate Time to such an extent she could freeze an "object" outside of time that it's still frozen three hundred years later, and she could, if she was in the same physical location where something happened, pear into the past. She is the only one in history who could.

... So even to the strongest, outside of very difficult efforts, time is immutable to the world at large. But... I suspect that might be different here, based on what you've said?

[transmittable]

Not here, that should be clear, but in our experience, in our history. There are places, there are areas...where it can be manipulated, for the group of people there.

In that sense, it's not entirely different from what you've described, just instead of objects it's areas. Pockets, you could say. Pockets of time, flowing differently.

[nachetanya]

[ . . Pockets of time, flowing differently . . .

. . . ]

I ... see. [ She thinks she understands, and she bites her lip again, corrects herself, and then tilts her head to the side, before somewhat hesitantly asks, ] Does that extent to our histories, perhaps? The thirty people here?

[transmittable]

...Huh.

[ There's a sound of shifting, in the feedback. It seems the Transmitter is changing positions. This is the first indication of her moving during this conversation. ]

Huh, we...hadn't thought of that? We don't THINK so, but it's always possible. No, no, there's no way to know for sure.

[nachetanya]

It would be strange to encounter that in history, we should probably be thankful.

[ So she might've misunderstood... Huh. She hums a little and, ]

Do you want to ask something else to me now? Have it continue to be exchanged one for one?

[transmittable]

...That could be agreeable.

We wonder...why you wear rabbit ears on your armor.

[nachetanya]

Because my armor is themed after rabbits.

[ That might seem... odd. Without context. ]

[transmittable]

Why rabbits?

[nachetanya]

I've always admired how they're quick-footed. [ Ah, actually... no, okay ] It's not uncommon for warriors in my world to have their armor designed around animals. Bears, jaguars... eagles. To take on the traits of those animals, mentally.

[transmittable]

Oh. Honestly, that's pretty cool.

[nachetanya]

Oh, thank you.

[ She nods, and... ]

So Misty, are you really watching us all right now? Um... recording us?

[transmittable]

Yeah, we are. Well. I am, and the Risen see it.

[nachetanya]

Does that mean you can see me right now?

[ As she's in the "nightshirt" she wore to beat of her lower underwear and the undershirt of her armor ]

[transmittable]

We can.

[nachetanya]

[ She does her best to sort of hold the phone receiver between her neck and right shoulder, angling herself a little weird, and then waves her hand in the air at nowhere in particular.

A wave. ]

[transmittable]

[ A surprised laugh. ]

Hello right back.

[nachetanya]

Did I wave to the right spot? To where you're... recording from? Looking? I don't know the term, actually.

[transmittable]

There's not really a..."right spot." We can see you anywhere you are.

[nachetanya]

So, if I were to get naked now, you would still see me, despite what you said the other day?

[transmittable]

[ Just like yesterday, when George implied something of a similar nature, the Transmitter makes a...well, it's a strangled kind of yelp. She's clearly embarrassed. ]

No! I mean- yes, I COULD see you, but I won't! If anyone starts- doing any of that, or showers, or uses the bathroom, I just- I don't! WE don't, no one wants to see any of that!

[nachetanya]

[ . . .

Nachetanya can't quite undress and keep the receiver at her ear and trip at the same time with one hand. But she also considers doing that, and her impish smirk betrays it. ]

I'm a little offended you don't think I'm attractive, Misty!

[ She teased ]

it's your turn for a question, though.