[Video] Nebula 17

[silver_eyes_rose]

[The video kicks on showing Ruby in the Quiet Cab, looking a bit nervous]

Uh, yeah... h-hi, I'm Ruby Rose, I just got here and, um... I had a.. crazy idea. I'm sure you'll think I'm silly and all that, but...

[Deep breath, Ruby.]

Before I came to this world, I was brought to another world called Prismatica. Because of how I was brought in, I was given strange abilities by being "Moonblessed". One of those is being able to make energy I can use within myself called "Chroma" that fuels both the powers from my world and the powers from that world... among other things. And we make this by "Moonlacing", which is willingly touching another.

All I really need to do is to touch someone with their permission or vice versa, but Prismatica preferred more affectionate touches. Hugs, kisses... th-things that I would probably get yelled at for saying because there's kids here.

[Another deep breath and...]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, well... a lot of you are hurting because of what this train does and... I want to help. Boy or girl, taken or not, I'm here if you need someone to give you affection and it also helps me not feel drained!

Does... that make sense? It makes sense in my head and...

Oh, I probably screwed this up...

Comments

[video]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Hold on a second! You're saying you have to do this or else you'll feel drained? If you don't have contact with people, you'll suffer, in other words?

[Everything else is completely meaningless to address until he covers this important question!]

[silver_eyes_rose]

Y-yeah, I do.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

That's an intolerable curse to inflict on anyone!

[This offends him down to the core! Enforcing physical contact, particularly on a cute girl, is just creepy and wrong!]

I admire that you're making this work to help others. That's remarkably noble! But if you should ever need energy in a situation where you're unwilling to do... Anyway, it would be the least I could do to provide help in the least objectionable way possible. Not that I know what that is for you, but whatever it is, my honor as a ninja won't permit me to take advantage of you or tolerate anyone else doing so!

[silver_eyes_rose]

[Ruby blushes at Edge’s noble act and smiles.]

You’re so kind, thank you! Even if it’s just a brief touch, anything will do.

And I agree, this infliction really sucks!

[onehandsomeslickninja]

It's not kindness. It's basic human decency.

[Edge is so offended by her affliction that he hasn't even taken a moment to flirt, which says volumes about how angry he is. Chances are he's probably annoying a couple of people by stalking about, because he can't sit still even on a narrow, crowded train in this circumstance.]

[Though he does settle down slightly, after a moment of considering what she'd said and what he'd said.]

I don't know anyone here on the train who'd take advantage, actually, but I'd rather make my offer rather than find out I'm wrong later. Not everyone is a saint, for sure!

[silver_eyes_rose]

Oh, I understand and I'm glad someone like you approached me and asked all the same!

Though, I must admit, it's going to take awhile to get myself readjusted to something like decency.

[She giggles a bit before calming down]

What's your name?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Actually, if he has to be honest, he's surprised no one else has made the same offer. The train truly doesn't lack for decent people, though it's possible her little side-mention of being drained slipped past them. Without it being mandatory, the power becomes far more of a blessing.]

[Of course, it's hard to maintain a full head of steam in the face of giggling, and the tension begins to drain out of his muscles.]

Edge, King of Eblan and head of the Eblan ninja clan, at your service.

[silver_eyes_rose]

A ninja and a king?! Oh, that is so cool! It's nice to meet you, Edge! Or... or should I call you "your majesty"?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Ninjutsu is an art passed down our line for generations. All rulers of Eblan have been ninjas, to carry on that legacy and protect our people. But please, call me Edge -- I may be king, but not your king, and besides, formality is stuffy!

[silver_eyes_rose]

Ah, right, gotcha! I guess I can’t learn that from you, though, huh?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

The actual art of ninjutsu, I'm afraid not. It's much like magic in a way, and requires a gift for it. But other techniques, like fighting and stealth, I'm happy to teach!

[silver_eyes_rose]

Aww, that stinks… but, I could certainly go for stealth! I know how to fight already, so…!

[onehandsomeslickninja]

You'll have to show me at some point. Nonetheless, I'd be happy to teach anything you wanted to learn.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Thanks, I’ll be happy to show you whenever!

And… whenever you can, show me what you can do.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

That's any time. I am so bored on this train as a rule, I'll take any chance and any opportunity to do something that isn't just some more training or playing with those games in the carriage. [Edge heaves quite the sigh.]

[silver_eyes_rose]

Is it really that bad?

[Ruby tilted her head in confusion.]

How long have you been here?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Half a year at least. It's hard to count -- outside of missions and platforms, the days all blur together with nothing to distinguish them.

[Long enough, and with enough missing people over time, that the journey's lost its spark.]

[silver_eyes_rose]

Oh… oh, wow, I’m sorry. Are you going to be okay? Do you… need me to help you out?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Edge waves a hand.] I'm hardly the person who's been here longest. I gather the train was going around quite a while before I ever got here. We're all stuck together, after all.

[Also taking advantage of her power in any way seems wrong!]

[silver_eyes_rose]

Ah, I see. Yeah, I guess we all are just along for this ride.

[And if she knew he was doing this to not take advantage of everything, she’d certainly admire him.]

If you need me, I’m always here! Maybe things won’t be so bad!

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Well, I will admit the journey always gets better when a cute girl joins it.

[See, now he's calmed down enough to properly flirt.]

[silver_eyes_rose]

Oh, you’re just saying that! I’m not that cute!

[onehandsomeslickninja]

I don't call girls cute if they're not cute. That would be dishonest and a stain on my honor as a ninja and king!

[silver_eyes_rose]

Oh, well… ehehe…!

[She bashfully looks away from the screen - no one’s ever told her things like that!]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Come now, you have to hear that all the time! I can't be the only one who noticed.