001 | Voice

[a_sin_for_him]

[Nothing makes any sense whatsoever. Lust feels like she's in a radio drama only she doesn't have the script and everyone's speaking a different language. She understands, but understanding doesn't help her make sense of it any. How she got here or why. And the spherical blue abomination she's found herself with looks more like something that should be on a little girl's toy chest, not following her. It isn't as though he's difficult to take care of, or even an annoyance, she only questions the judgement of placing any living thing in her care.

She's thankful at least, for the fact that she's finally escaped her master's reach. Strange as this place is, she's no longer a tool for some miserable husk of a woman who should have been long dead. And she's thankful also for the information device, even without much context for the information it holds. And the fact that it can apparently be used as a communication device. Most comfortable with telephones, she initiates the voice function.]

Much as I hate to simply call out to the void, I'm afraid it's likely my most fruitful option.

Do I understand that I'm expected to work?

[She's never held down any sort of job in her life. How did one even get a job?]

Comments

[audio 1/3]

[exeggutorhead]

[Lust's isn't a voice that Envy was expecting to hear on the network, so much so that he starts off before he even recognizes it.]

Only if you can't figure out how to...

[wait]

[audio 2/3]

[exeggutorhead]

[Once his brain catches up to him, there's no way he couldn't recognize that voice, and wow is he ever glad to hear it. Lust was here before, even if she wasn't the one from his own Amestris, but that was a while ago. And it sounds like she probably doesn't remember being here.]

[The thought crosses his mind that this might be the right version, but no. Probably not, he's not that lucky. He'll just have to get the discussion about not following Father out of the way again.]

[audio 3/3]

[exeggutorhead]

[But he can get to that later. And right, this is audio, isn't it? He can't just trail off into stunned silence forever.]

Hey, it's been a while. Where are you right now?

[New Bark, or Goldenrod? He's trying to keep his voice normal enough to hide just how much of a relief it is that she's back, but it's not entirely successful.]

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

_{[... Huh. That voice sounds kind of familiar.]}

Or go wander up and down the road for a bit and wait for kids to challenge you so you can take their lunch money.

Either or.

[Audio]

[a_sin_for_him]

[Lust makes a small noise that could be a scoff.]

Taking pocket money from children, how very noble.

voice;

[aufsassig]

Either that, or you make a rich friend in a hurry. That works, too.

voice;

[a_sin_for_him]

[She supposes she should have some sort of shame at how appealing that particular option sounds right now.]

Not an entirely unappealing suggestion.

private video

[envy_the_sinners]

[...Oh. Scar supposes he shouldn't be surprised at this point, with everyone else from home who's shown up.

He waits a while to respond, listening and taking note of Lust's conversation with Envy. They spoke of the master, who Lust clearly is not fond of. So she's probably not from that "other" place.

Is that a relief? He's not sure. What does he even say? The last time he saw her...

Scar switches on a private video feed. He still dislikes the idea of video, but with there supposedly being a very different "Scar" somewhere, he would rather not chance with that confusion.]

Death... isn't permanent, here.

[Which is Scarish for "Hi, Lust."]

Private Audio

[a_sin_for_him]

[More startling than Envy. Lust is silent, shocked at the face that appears on her communication device. She'd seen him die - or close enough to it - and she's thought of him. He was the entire reason she'd defected from her master in the first place, leading her to her own end.

Except it wasn't. Her head's starting to pound from all of this.]

No. Clearly not.

[Audio]

[quickattackjack]

_{[Here, have a cheerful old man!]}

No better weather for it, miss! The poke'mart is almost always hiring.

[Audio]

[a_sin_for_him]

The poke'mart?

[Audio]

[bloodmoney]

Nothing in life is free.

[translation: yes you need to get a job you lazy bum]

[Audio]

[a_sin_for_him]

Life would be pointless if it were.

But there's more to the fine art of trade and exchange than simply money. I prefer to leave that vulgar aspect out of things entirely.

[Audio]

[bioalchemic]

Y'know, working isn't as bad as it sounds. Having spending money can be handy.

[Audio]

[a_sin_for_him]

I've never cared about money.

[Now there's no choice. She has needs, and no one to provide for her. But there are options, if one is creative and clever.]

I'm sure I'll find something.

audio;

[ossifragant]

Now that's a voice I didn't expect to hear.

audio;

[a_sin_for_him]

Surprises abound today.

[voice]

[enjoymyatelier]

[...oh... he knows that feeling. WELL, TIME TO OFFER SOME RICH PEOPLE WHO DOESN'T WANT TO LOWER THEMSELVES TO MENIAL LABOR TIPS]

Well, there are plenty of ways to make money here aside from the menial jobs, but it's a bit... conditional.

If you're better at battling than the local populace --- which you honestly should be, short of being saddled with a completely useless Pokemon --- you can make a fair amount of money that way, though it's easier to survive on that if you travel frequently.

Failing that, if you have some sort of talent you can use for financial gain... well, I've been supporting myself via my artwork, but that's a bit of a gamble and it's not an option for everyone, unfortunately.

[voice]

[a_sin_for_him]

Yes, I've been hearing about this battling.

I do have trades to ply, though. I don't think I need to worry, after all.

[If nothing else, she's relatively certain she can look to her own people to take care of her for the time being.]

voice;

[lullabytes]

Only if you want money, usually...but, you can get enough to get by on battles and that sort of thing, you just wouldn't have money for much extra.

voice;

[a_sin_for_him]

I think I'm going to be alright.

Everyone's certainly helpful here.

video;

[impheired]

There are ways around it, depending on your definition of work.

[Hello, I am an anti-social yakuza brat and what is holding a job?]

video;

[a_sin_for_him]

I'm beginning to understand that.

I have flexible definitions.

audio | late, who's late?

[heartofmetal]

[What the... is that another homunculus? You've gotta be kidding him. Where do all these people come from.

Though there's no telling which Lust this is just by this, is there? Then again, would it matter? They were both in an unknown world and they shouldn't have powers or anything.

So let's just keep cool.]

I guess you arrived just now as well.

audio

[a_sin_for_him]

So I did.

[No one's mentioned anything about that particular voice. But Lust has been well warned about how deceptive familiar faces and voices can be.]

I'd ask if we know each other, but that's a complicated question, isn't it?

action

[usedwrench]

[Hello pretty woman. There is one ecstatic looking weird, pink creature (spoilers; it's an Audino) rushing straight toward your starter. That healing Pokemon sure looks like she's seen your starter or same species before, she's way too excited for this to be just a random encounter.

Winry is chasing her own starter, so she follows her soon. Why is it so easy to forget that the Audino does things like this all the time and all too often?]

Don't just run away like that and --! [Oh, hello ...miss? Well, ummm.] I'm sorry if she's causing any trouble to you, or disturbing you too much in any way.

[a_sin_for_him]

[And Lust had thought that Guttle looked like a child's stuffed toy. While she raises her eyebrows in unsure apprehension, the spheal is returning the greeting eagerly, rolling in excited circles. Though he seems to do everything eagerly.

When the girl follows, Lust's apprehension doesn't ease any. But she's been warned.]

She's yours, I take it?

[Lust glances at the animals and shrugs. They're getting on like old friends.]

He doesn't seem disturbed or bothered to me.