video @nina

[neversmall]

[ You can make VIDEOS ON THIS THING.

Now that Nina knows this, no one is safe. Well, okay, not true, because she's still got to get the hang of it. You, the viewer, are once again treated to a vision of... the Aid Station wall.

Nina: "Where's the camera again?"
John, her long-suffering patient who isn't suffering as much as he is laughing at her: "On the corner, there."
Nina: "But that means I have to hold my wrist like--" Abruptly, the picture changes and now Nina's squarely in view, "--oh yes, you're right. That's a better idea."
John: "...so are you gonna say something or?"
Nina: "Oh Saints, is it recording already? Blast--"

Bright smile is go! ]

Hello, everyone! If we haven't met yet, I'm Nina Zenik.

There are so many of us here from so many different places. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly two months, and now more of us are coming. I’m not used to making announcements like this [ some noise from beside her, Nina looks toward John and corrects: ] -- or, posts? Apparently they’re called posts. -- but even some the Adament crew I’ve spoken to are interested in my questions, so they’ve assured me they don’t mind if I - post - with this.

So tell us - what’s it like where you’re from? What are the legends that are most popular? What are the courtship practices? [ She’s absolutely not crafting this whole post because she’s searching for ideas on this, nope. ] Are you one of those of us have been fighting a war -- excuse the question if it’s rude, there just do seem to be a lot of us. I’d ask you to talk about your favorite foods instead, but that might be more depressing than helpful. Oh - here’s one: If you’re from an Earth, how do you know it’s a different Earth than all the other Earths? And if not, does your planet have a name or is mine the only one that doesn't?

Comments

[deathpending]

Yes, it's quite marvellous.

Should I answer your questions in order?

[neversmall]

[ It is so eerie that he is so polite when she KNOWS he is--

Well, it's a wire walk. ]

No need for that! They were suggestions, really. Answer all of them or none of them in whatever order you like.

[deathpending]

Well, I am from Earth. A city called London, in England, which borders Wales and Scotland, and is separated from France, Ireland, and the rest of Europe by sea. There was a war recently, but as you suggested, we needn't speak of it.

There are several legends and courtship practices that may be of interest of you, should I save these for tea-time or would you like to hear about the ones in England first?

[neversmall]

I am going to need to start labeling Earths, I think. What would you like to call yours?

[ Psh, he thinks he's trolling. Little does he know - Nina has no shame. ]

As I said, Doctor - whatever you'd like to tell! But do share it with the network, as others would like to know as well.

[ Not ready to have tea time with you yet, nope. ]

[deathpending]

An excellent question. [ Earth-E, for Ekon? Who's he to say there aren't more in the world he doesn't know about? ] Perhaps choose a letter at random to hyphenate. I may even be further in the past from some others. There's no way to know for certain.

As for the other topic, flowers are typical. As are love letters, or perhaps a commissioned portrait. To get to know one another, an evening at the opera is common as well, as are dining together. In some cases, one can place an advertisement in the paper with a brief description to widen one's possibilities. Where I grew up it was quite common settle such an arrangement with one's family and connections, as came to pass with our dear friends the Crossleys. My sister Mary married for love, which was unusual.

In terms of legends, is there anything in particular? There are a great many.

[neversmall]

Oh, if I were to name your world, I don't think I'd hyphenate with a letter.

[ In Ravka, food bites YOU. ]

But I don't think I should be the one to name someone else's world - at least not without giving them the opportunity to do so themselves first. But I understand how difficult it could be to come up with such a name on the spot. I haven't named my world yet.

[ Love letters are an idea. ]

Oh, I see. In such arranged marriages, were these other steps of courtship even taken?

As I've said, Doctor, it's your choice. We have already discussed some kinds of monsters.

[deathpending]

What's to say yours might be yet another Earth? In fact, that word is recent, relative to the length of our history.

I might have gone with a number. Impersonal as it is, it's at least a neutral identifier.

Yes, they were. Wholly dependent on the preferences, of course, but these were what was accepted. In my case, as I have some small talent with the piano, was often invited to play. Anything other than that, however, I feel it would be overly eccentric.

On the subject of monsters, I think I will ponder a list and share it tomorrow at lunch. Is that satisfactory?

[ Food bites you. Delightful! ]

[neversmall]

Unless my home undergoes a somewhat radical shift in geography, I think it's safe to say that we are distinct. [ She's taken the time to check, you see. There are... so many of you. ]

Numbers imply a ranking system that other Earths may find uncomfortable, but it would be at least useful for keep track of how many of you there are.

[ So. So many. ]

If you like. But I'd be disappointed to learn that the only lore your world has to speak of relates to monsters.

[deathpending]

[ She differentiates. There are many reasons to — Jonathan himself has to, now that... things have changed. Perhaps that's significant to Nina as well; he simply makes a note of it. ]

There are many wonders, and I am sure I do not know them all. I would be happy to share what is within my purview.

[neversmall]

[ It's simple enough - she's not from Earth and she knows it. ]

And I would be happy to listen.

[deathpending]

Any other subject you'd be interested to learn about?

[neversmall]

Oh, undoubtedly. But let's see how you do with this one first.

[deathpending]

I look forward to it.

See you tomorrow, Miss Zenik!