01 : VIDEO

[overtid]

[  A video begins, focused on a stern looking man (down to button up, jacket and tie, yeah, he put his suit on for this). Blond, eyes obscured by bug-eyed sunglasses with no arms and green lenses. Useful, to obscure an additional layer of weariness brought on by certain forest dreams, visions. ]

Good afternoon.  My name is Nanami Kento, and I'm engaging here because more of "us", the "Chosen", have arrived. 

[ And for certain reasons, he no longer can comfortably keep sitting on his ass. Even if this really isn't his responsibility... there had been another man keeping track during and after the forest, but he, too... ]

Amongst the invitations to join a band of miscreants, participate in monster hunting, identify as healers, become sparring partners, peacekeepers, participate in clubs, call in to a "radio show" and general offers of assistance, I believe we've overlooked something more fundamental. 

How many of us are there? How many arrived over two months ago, one month ago, and how many recently? If not already associated, would you notice if one of us disappeared?

Have you noticed that already there are statues of Chosen who have disappeared from Aldrip?

I would like to establish a directory, but would settle for a headcount. For the former, given how little we know about the sentencing proceedings, more information would probably be useful. If you're reluctant to share anything, that's sensible. You have no reason to trust me or to feel comfortable sharing anything publicly. 

Nonetheless, I'd appreciate it if you indicated your presence for the purpose of a tally. I don't care if you keep anonymous. Frankly, I don't care if you share more or if you lie.  

[ Yes, he's aware: that would complicate, even render impossible, any attempt to keep track if something were to happen to one of them. He's also aware this may gain no traction. It's as much a test as a start. ]

I'll be in the tavern this evening if you'd prefer to speak directly. Otherwise,

[ Here, he holds up, fills the video with his unfolded parchment. Not for long, but enough to confirm his name, a few traits if one reads quickly, and of course, his crime:  Desertion.
 
Dropping his hand and with it the parchment, ]

That's me. Do what you want.

Comments

[fluorite]

A simple log sheet might discourage people from tampering, but you never know.

[ They would just have to trust each other. Easy, right? ]

I imagine many of us would have to have our crimes posted up somewhere before they were voluntarily disclosed.

[ His tone is casual, so it's hard to tell whether Fai includes himself in that little statement. Of course, there is something to be said for an overly casual tone.

Fai glances away from the charm, a conflicted look passing over his face for a split second. ]

You can add that I'm from a place called Celes.

[overtid]

Possibly. And giving them the agency to sign for themselves, rather than go through me or another intermediary, might encourage participation.

[ It would require trust — this method already asks a lot, even if provided to him in person. He's aware of situations, potential or actual, of people brought from the same world with existing complications. To put it extremely euphemistically. ]

Agreed. We may all be similarly placed, but putting aside personal feelings, that kind of publication would be all the more ripe for abuse.

[ His limited experience with Fai has shown him to be, at least in general behavior, quite casual. So his tone doesn't stand out to Nanami now, but it wouldn't make much difference if it did. It isn't his place to draw conclusions from reticence that, given the subject, is wholly natural.

Fai's tone goes unnoticed, but the change in his expression, brief as it is, Nanami catches. ...Not that he says anything about it. ]

Thanks. I'll make a note.

[fluorite]

[ He's relieved that Nanami says nothing about his little slip up, even though he didn't really expect him to. Nanami doesn't seem like the sort to really pry into other people's business just because he feels like it. ]

We could at least use different methods to see what gets people to contribute.

[ And figure out what doesn't work too. Fai can easily picture some people here making up a name like Hugh Jass.

Anyway, he thinks he should make a little addendum to his own information. ]

Ah... you may want to note too that the world I was pulled from was called Piffle, just to cover all of our bases.