Induction.

[antitrust]

You've all had some time to get to know each other; whether or not you're all getting along is another matter. Either way, one thought pattern seems to be pretty prevalent, no matter what you think of this entire situation – Where, exactly, is the Conductor? That question isn't going to be answered in full, even now; if you were hoping to work out exactly who the Conductor is...well, that's not going to be readily answered, either. What you are going to get, however, is the sound of that public address box mounted into the wall somewhere above your heads crackling to life; it's staticky and a little grating at first, like someone's fiddling with the volume control somewhere, but eventually it clears up. "Ah, is it..?" It's a little uncertain at first, but that, too, clears up soon enough; it's a male voice, at least that much is discernible. "Greetings to the lot of you, the new class at Graceside Academy; I trust you've familiarized yourself with the rules. "You can call me the Conductor."

[OOC: You can be heard just fine through the PA system, so feel free to ask any questions your little heart desires; brackets are fine, you don't need to use prose!]

Comments

[clearasmud]

[ Okay. Okay. The talking box is incredibly freaky, and honestly, the main reason why Youko had said nothing up until now.

The main reason. Not the only reason. Things were somewhat chaotic, but she'd been trying her best to listen to as many as the other conversations as possible. The questions mattered just as much as their answers. Even if she'd figured out nothing, she at least had a few fresh points to start from. ]

Excuse me - how did you get all that information on us? It's all rather specific, even with the concerns about accuracy.

[antitrust]

It wasn't particularly easy. I can assure you that I haven't been stalking you for years or anything crude like that, however.

[clearasmud]

Well... a difficult spell, then? [ hahaha conceptualizing technology from 100+ years down the line, that's funny ]

[antitrust]

If it makes it easier for you to understand, it was something like that.

[clearasmud]

[ Well it does, but... ] You don't need to worry about that - [ much ] if you explain it to me as it is, maybe there's someone else here who will be able to understand, and make use of it.

[antitrust]

I find that things along those lines often don't need a complex explanation. Sometimes you just need to tell people that when the red light goes on, they should push the green button; telling them why will just make them overthink. This is something like that, I think.

[clearasmud]

[ That's not an answer she likes, but she doesn't see the point in pushing it. Better to leave it to someone who could actually conduct an intelligent conversation about those explanations, not a parrot. But she can find whoever that person is and tell them so later, maybe! ]

The rules [ ugh. ] mentioned this being about... [ uh... ] trust and leadership. And responsibility! Why the interest in those things, Conductor-san?

[antitrust]

Those are admirable traits in people, don't you think? They're things that most wish to cultivate in themselves and others. Why should I be any different?

I'm interested in seeing what all of you decide to do, in the end.

[clearasmud]

[ Youko grimaces. ]

That depends, honestly. I can think of some pretty unsavory uses. [ IT'S NICE THAT HE SEES THE WORLD THROUGH ROSE-TINTED GLASSES, BUT... well if this isn't an act, that is. ]

People don't usually go to these sort of extremes to help people develop new habits. Why you? You've already mentioned all of this wasn't easy to pull off.

[antitrust]

I wouldn't say it's to help you develop new habits as much as it is to see what you do with your old ones.

Any other reasons I may have are irrelevant to you.

[clearasmud]

[ Why is this man so sure he's above them? It's obnoxious. ]

Well, why the interest? Where did it start? It's not like the world's got a shortage of interesting things.

[antitrust]

Can you really explain something like that yourself?

Think of something you find interesting, something you like. Can you always explain why?

[clearasmud]

...I'm having trouble thinking of an interest I don't have a reason for, actually. It might exist, but... [ She shrugs.

...Hey, let's see where offering information gets them. Have they done anything but make requests so far? ]

For example: I like cooking because it's never the same. Not really. It's worth doing, it's useful, and I like the end result. See?

[antitrust]

[...]

That's fair, I think.

My interests have never worked like that.

[clearasmud]

[ ...Was that a success or not? It's worth testing again later. ]

None of them? [ Hm. What can she say to that? Maybe she should change tracks for now. ]

Why are there certain places we can't go during the night?

[antitrust]

That much will likely become obvious in due time.

[clearasmud]

Do you enjoy waiting?

[antitrust]

No, but I understand that sometimes it's a necessity.

[clearasmud]

Is it actually necessary in this case?

[antitrust]

Are you really in any position to argue with me if I say it is?

[clearasmud]

Maybe I am, but that information's been kept from me.