Just getting this handled in advance

[itbelongsinamuseum]

1
[Somebody new has taken over one of the shooting ranges at base. A fairly small girl who looks to be in her mid to late teens wearing her hair in a pair of long braids and observing proper safety protocols by wearing earmuffs to block the sound is practicing shooting with handguns She's pretty clearly a complete beginner, though, not only firing does she have bad accuracy even at the short range she's shooting at, she's observing all proper stances with the kind of uncertain focus common to people who have only just had how to do something explained. Disturb her to give advice, figure out who she is or something else?]

2

[Using the tv in one of the common rooms, Alex is watching the World Cup. One of the teams just scored and from her reaction, it's pretty clearly not the one she was rooting for.]

What was he thinking? Leaving an opening like that?

3

[One of the tables in the cafeteria has been taken over for what looks like a major research project including a big, heavy and above all dry scholarly book in German, a notepad for writing down information that's so far conspicuously empty except for various random doodles, a phone, possibly used to look up dictionaries and an empty mug with dried coffee stains at the bottom. Alex is bent over it, starting to look rather tired of the whole thing.]

Why am I even trying?

Comments

Re: 3

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I didn't use to...But it's hard not to wonder when gods and demons attack you. I'll leave it to theologians to determine whether they count as really divine or not, though.

[jianai]

Many people take refuge in faith of a higher power that watches over them. But that belief can be shaken when similar beings are active in this world, and so malicious.

I'm not distracting you, am I?

1/2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

The German was doing a pretty good job of that al-

2/2

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[Then she actually looked up from feeling sorry for herself due to the reading.]

...Are those real?

[jianai]

No. I am actually cosplaying a fallen angel who asks difficult theological questions.

[Smile, smile.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Right. I'm totally going to buy that.

[jianai]

Oh? You could tell I was joking?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It was pretty easy...But really, why do you have horns?

[jianai]

I'm not a human being. Don't worry, I'm not anything supernatural like a fallen angel either.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You look like one, you know. At least if fallen angels and demons are the same thing.

But...what are you, then?

[jianai]

Oh, it's not a big secret or anything. I am an artificial creation made to resemble a human being.

My horns may give you a demonic impression, it was intended to mark me as something different than my creators. They also serve a function, though not every one of my kind has them... I am not boring you, am I?

[Ren seems earnest when asking the last question.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You're not...I don't think anybody would be bored by this. Confused maybe. Or perhaps terrified, but not bored.

[jianai]

I hope I'm not too terrifying? I have only wishes of goodwill for humanity.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You know, a lot of people would take that the wrong way.

But compared to getting attacked by ancient mythology come to life? Not too scary. I mean, sure, you look different, but you haven't done anything threatening or unsettling.

[jianai]

So we return to the topic of the divine.

If ancient mythology depicts reality, I wonder what other mythological beings actually exist.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Quite a fascinating topic, isn't it?

Maybe we'll run into cyclopes and sirens too...Preferably the cyclopes, I don't like the prospect of getting brainwashed into becoming prey.

[jianai]

Yes, that would be bad. On the other hand, a cyclops' problem with depth perception would make evasion quite simple.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Right. And cave dwelling sheepherders shouldn't be too scary for people with modern technology, no matter how big they are.

[jianai]

Let's hope they come in peace then, for their own sake.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

If they exist at least.

[jianai]

I suppose we will not know for certain. Some things you just have to believe in.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yeah. And I imagine we won't actually run into cyclopes.

[jianai]

Ah, we probably won't. That was a joke after all. I don't think you picked it up this time.

[Hard to say when the person in question is always smiling. Ren seems rather amused now, though.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I guess not.

[Alex doesn't seem like it's getting too much to her. Neither the joke she didn't catch, nor the smiling.]

[jianai]

[The conversation seems to have run its course. There is a rather awkward several second long pause before Ren continues politely.]

Is there anything I may tell you about, since you seemed so interested in my... circumstances?