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

[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.

[transmittable]

I didn't say- uugh!

[ An increase of static and feedback. ]

Whatever, I'm not looking. And make up your mind if you're uncomfortable with that or not! Fffuu.

Uh. Oh... I don't know, why the hell've you got such a long name?

[nachetanya]

[ Oh, she laughed at that. That was ... actually, that was almost cute. The frustration. But she rocks a little in her seated position, and puts the receiver for the phone a little further from her head, testing how far the Transmitter can hear from ]

Nachetanya is my given name, and Loei is a name that relates to one of my grandparents, my mother chose it. Piena actually is the part that marks me as part of the royal family of the country of Piena, and I was actually only born "Nachetanya Loei Piena" - I only inherited the "Augustra" part when I became the heir apparent to the throne.

[transmittable]

[ A moment of pause, but it seems the Transmitter can still hear her fine. ]

Like a mother's maiden name. Huh. Can you get anymore? Can you just...collect names like stuffed animals?

[nachetanya]

Even if I could, I'm not sure I'd want to.

[ Okay, let's set the phone down on the strand's edge, lean in and talk to it like this, does this work? ]

[transmittable]

[ If it does make a difference in how well she can hear, nothing about the way she replies indicates it. ]

We mean, fair. Just. Some people collect rocks, some people collect figures. Some people collect names. It's a hobby.