eachdraidh | 1st Circuit - Text for Both Courts, Video-locked for Unseelie

[There's probably a better way to do this, but at least he can put out feelers and see what he's working with. Since the decimation of Caer Scima Hiro's been a little more than bitter toward the Seelie and while he doesn't want to have anything to do with any of them, he realizes that as a scientist he needs to gather as much information as possible.]

It's been a long month, hasn't it? I'm not used to any of this. Monsters? Destroying people's castles? It's weird. I was getting ready for class one day and the next I came here and then the fighting started. I think I'm going to fall really, really behind in my homework. Makes me wonder…what do you miss most about home? I can't be the only one who really misses advanced tech (computers, video games, even the old stuff like VCRs would be okay at this point.) And I know, I know, the Station exists but it's not the same. So, what about you guys?

[If he can figure out what people value? Maybe they can use that to their advantage, too.]

[Unseelie Locked]

[Now comes the hard part. With that out of the way the video function of the locket clicks on and it's obvious that the locket's hanging from something in front of Hiro. He's in a room at the Station, ever-recognizable blue hoodie hanging loosely on his frame but the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. More importantly than that? He looks a little nervous.]

…hi. My name is Hiro Hamada. I don't know most of you, but I hope you're listening anyway.

[He pauses and looks to the side, evidently looking at someone else who's in the room with him. Deep breath, Hiro.]

It's not a secret that we lost this battle pretty bad. That's a fact, but I think there's something we can do about it to help recover. I know there are other people that don't know how to really fight, or there are people who can only fight with weapons. What if we could do something more than that?

[Give him a second and he's holding up his hand. It looks as though he might completely freeze up but after a short moment a small fireball appears in the palm of his hand. He wants to put it out immediately, but he pauses long enough to at least look at the locket again.]

I couldn't do this when I first got here. [And the fireball vanishes.] Think about how much stronger we'd be as a court if everybody could wield a couple of spells. Even if it's not something you want to use for offense even picking up a few for defense is better than nothing. I know there're a lot of magic users here but…well, Lemina and I have been working on something pretty cool.

[He's going to lean forward and pick up what looks like a piece of paper with a class list and a list of elemental spells written on it to show the camera.]

The Guild's designed to not only teach people how to unlock their own magic ability but hone it and build up to becoming a better magician. We have a few ideas how to use it to help our side of this war. We're going to start classes soon for anybody who's even kinda curious. [A pause.] Look, I didn't even really believe in magic before I got here and knowing the little bit I learned saved me back there. It'd be really cool if you guys considered it and you can always ask Lemina or me if you have questions.

[Actually…he looks off screen toward where Lemina's sitting.] Maybe we should do that now?

[ooc: This is actually going to be open to both Seelie and Unseelie because of the mage university being started by Tzilan just outside of Redgate. Lemina's been putting up flyers around the Station and Hiro just doesn't realize it and has a very strong bias against the Seelie. You can check out more about said-Guild in the class link above, and you can sign up your character here. As an aside, Lemina will also be teaching classes at said-university on her own, but will be keeping the Guild as something separate. edit: also Lemina might pop into some threads as well!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Thrall is still ever-patient. It's no wonder Earth was the first thing to respond to him in the Drabwurld. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell that Hiro is trying to wriggle his way out of it, and yet Thrall doesn't really push him. He's just letting him know that he knows when something is up.]

Absolutely.

Huh. Not bad. [He's impressed by your persistence, Thrall. He's quiet again as he thinks, lifting both eyebrows as he monitors him for a moment.]

Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime, but it's a pretty long story. [And not something he wants to share over a network full of people, locked or not.]

I suppose I will take my praise where I can. [As far as not spilling secrets in public-- that Thrall can understand.]

You need not tell me anything if you are uncomfortable. But I would like to get to know you, and I do not mind sharing my past if that is something you are interested in.

Of course I'm interested. You're still the first orc I've ever met. Pretty sure your past is a lot more interesting than mine though.

[That is to say that sure, Thrall. Story for story, even if Hiro's going to wiggle out of it as best as he can.] I don't mind learning.

For the wrong reasons, most likely.

[He rubs at the back of his neck.] There are... not many people of your age, or mine, in the Horde. And because I am Warchief, I don't receive opportunities like this often...

[His ears lower slightly.]

What I mean is-- I enjoy speaking to you and I would like to call us friends. But only if you... want that.

[HOW DOES I CHILDREN???]

[Somehow Thrall always manages to say things Hiro doesn't expect and so he falls quiet, staring at the camera again. Okay. So it's not just him. He's not going to explain why there's a softer smile as he nods.]

I kinda thought we already were, but if you really wanna make it official...[He's mostly just teasing at least.] I don't have any friends my age back home and I don't have a lot my age here, either. We should all stick together anyway, right?

[Thrall is obviously surprised. He feels bad about being surprised, but it's plain on his face.] You-- really? [Aaaaas usual, Hiro pulls the rug out from under him. It's a great thing. Thrall has known some wonderful humans in his life.]

That is-- yes. We should.

[He lets out a breath.]

Spirits, I thought you would say no. I am an orc, after all.

[He's really good at that. It hasn't even occurred to him that, perhaps, some people might think it's strange for a teenage boy to befriend an orc but he's mostly stuck on the thought of "why not?"

It's a locked conversation though, and knowing that helps him feel a little more secure with his next line of thought.]

…my best friend back home wasn't exactly human either. I mean he definitely wasn't human, but he was kinda like you. Different. Still learning about me and how the world worked, but…he was amazing.

[There's a pull at his mouth, expression dipping into a frown before he shakes it off again. He can think about Baymax later. Stay on point, Hiro.] Anyway, just because you're an orc doesn't mean you can't be a good friend.

[Thrall simmers down a little from his embarrassment to listen to Hiro again. His eyes widen as Hiro actually opens up about something. The child's responding positively-- and that is good. Maybe this isn't so hard after all. His shocked little stare ends with the corner of his mouth slowly twitching upward.]

You honor me with that comparison. Perhaps it isn't so strange that you found me after all.

[He bows his head a moment.]

Humans and orcs have battled for generations. My life is a testament that things can change. I would like to continue trying, but it requires a certain amount of... trust on the part of other people. [His voice lowers to little more than a murmur, and he doesn't make eye contact through the locket.] I know my appearance can be fearsome.

You have a scholar's mind, a warrior's tenacity, and a healer's heart. Thank you.

[Positively is putting it lightly, really. For whatever reason since they first met Hiro's recognized a weird sort of kinship with Thrall but it wasn't really until this moment that he understood why. Baymax. They were similar in some ways and yet they weren't and that alone fascinated Hiro. It would be one thing to keep that connection to himself, but it made the most sense to tell Thrall anyway.]

Probably not that strange. You and Baymax kinda have more in common than you think.

[A name. Baymax.] Fearsome or not, you aren't exactly the most fierce guy when you're off the field. Besides, that's what we're here for isn't it? 'Cause we're gonna change everything.

[And it's the last sentence that really hits him. The last sentence that punches him right in the gut and he looks genuinely stunned.] ...I...[How do you even respond to something like that? He's not even sure he believes it himself.] I'll do my best to stay that way.

[A name. He commits it to memory. Hiro is nothing if not warm, though, and every word almost-- makes Thrall hurt. Thrall is usually surrounded by people. He's busy all the time. He isn't allowed to be lonely. But somehow everything comes back to Tari, like a little piece of her soul lives on in every human he befriends.]

We are. We'll change everything.

[If his voice is a little thick, it's just because of spring allergies and not because of anything else. Really.]

1st Circuit - Text for Both Courts, Video-locked for Unseelie

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