video | text, un: uruz

[uruzology]

[ The scene presented via jewelry is within one of the many rooms of the newly refurbished Oska castle. A centaur stands next to the cheerfully roaring fire, presenting a matchingly cheerful smile. ]

It looks like you’ve all lived, although that was a little close there, for some of you. Good work! I knew you could do it.

Now, as you may have noticed by Oska looking quite well around you, the last week was a false reality. Don’t take it personally, that happens to everyone here eventually. We have to make sure recruits are up to snuff. You’re a bit unique as a whole team of greenhorns, though. To be quite honest, I’ve never seen this activity done on such a large scale before. It was impressive, wasn’t it? And don’t worry, any trinkets you may have come across are quite real, and yours to keep if you want them.

So then, to business. I’m Uruz. I’m familiar with some of you already, although I’m afraid that’s one-sided in most cases — I spent a fair bit of time in there with you, but none of you saw me if I was doing my job right. ALASTAIR has asked me and my compatriots, Dagny, Crowley, and Cherenkov, to review your performance within Chantes and rate your work. It’s quite a big job, our to-do with worlds, and we want to make sure we’ve got trustworthy recruits. I’ve attached that for you, please do give it a glance.

dagny: Well, the king died. So that's... not the best. From what I hear, things are kind of chaotic there right now, what with the whole 'no government' thing and all. And a lot of you got in a ton of trouble with the law. But you did work together! Most of you, anyway. People died and the city got destroyed, but I know you all did your best, so you get points for effort. I give you an... eight. Point five. No, nine out of ten. But that's as high as I'll go, because, you know. The murder and death.

Don’t feel bad, though, there’s always room for improvement.

crowley: Your refusal to work with the goblins’ natural talents for magic was disappointing. I foresaw much potential there, and it was wasted on your muddying things up with politics. On the other paw, your dispelling of demons and other magical creatures was serviceable, if a little last-minute. 5/10.

cherenkov: I stopped paying attention after you all brought the sun back. Because that's what matters, doesn't it? You didn’t do badly for a bunch of apes, but don’t get distracted by the diplomatic nonsense next time. Ignore the cow and the knife-eared one. Spend the time improving instrumentation, not making friends. 8/10.

uruz: You did make an attempt. You got engaged and cared to deal with their issues, which, well, we'd really have an issue for concern if not. And you did very nice work on a personal level, to bring together goblins and humans. They'll not be moving in together any time soon, but they're on the right path. But really, did you have to murder the man? He'd just killed the king, to be sure, but taking a life has serious consequences, no matter whose it was. It sets you on a path it can be difficult to step off of. But overall, acceptable. 6/10.

There we go. On a final note, I’ve been asked to let you know that you’ve got some time to spend in Oska before your next assignment, which is to Nalawi. A lovely place, I’m a bit envious. Enjoy your downtime, and again, good work! I’ve very high hopes for the lot of you.

[ The network is now back up again along with Oska being restored and the weather events ended, and you can find a full description of current Oska right here. Feel free to use this post to thread on, and the NPCs may make a few appearances for direct questions. ]

Comments

[winces]

[ well, you got her there, uruz. she hadn't been expecting that. ]

But — how? We all come from such different worlds — are you saying this Timeline keeps track of all of them?

[uruzology]

The Timeline doesn't keep track of all of them, the Timeline is all of them. So our work maintaining it is really very important.

[winces]

[ she doesn't get it... but olivia's pretty convinced her mind is too simple for most of the things involved with alastair anyway, so she isn't too surprised. ]

Do... Do you know who decides what's right in the Timeline?

[uruzology]

That's decided in the Mechanical Room. I can't really say much more than that, I'm afraid, as I don't know the details myself. Whatever it is though, it hasn't steered me wrong yet!

[winces]

W-Wait— are you sure you can't tell us more? [ mechanical room??///? this is the first she's hearing about that! ] Don't you at least know who's in charge of that?

[uruzology]

I'm afraid I don't know, and haven't access to go in and find out. I've heard some people say the room is in charge of itself, however.

[winces]

Don't have access...?

You mean you aren't in charge?

[uruzology]

Of course not! I'm a recruit, like yourself. I've just been around for some time.

[winces]

[ olivia practically balks at this. ]

A r-recruit?! [ this whole time... they've been tested by their own peers? ]

But — But you were the ones to run this test on us, that... that has to mean you're a higher level or. Or something...!

[uruzology]

[ there's a pause, then: ]

Oh, I see your confusion. No, we don't operate on an echelon of authority like that. Recruits know their jobs and carry them out; doing that doesn't place anyone above anyone else.

[winces]

[ olivia goes quiet at that, struggling to understand her emotions over this new piece of information.

on the one hand — that sounds rather pleasant, doesn't it?

but on the other hand — nothing about it makes sense. if recruits know their jobs, that has to mean someone out there, somewhere, is telling them what that is, doesn't it?

oh gosh... this makes her brain hurt way too much. she wishes robin were here — they were always better at understanding complicated stuff like this.

deflating somewhat, olivia glances off to the side. ]

Does... Does that mean there's something wrong with me, then? I don't think I know what I'm doing at all...

[uruzology]

Of course not. You're brand new, aren't you? I had even less of an idea what I was doing when I was new, I'd say you're doing quite well.

[winces]

[ olivia glances up at uruz hopefully, eyes wide. ]

R-Really...? You're not just saying that?

[uruzology]

I gave you lot a 6 of 10, didn't I? It's safe to say I don't give praise where it isn't earned.

[winces]

[ her smile falters, but only just a little bit. ]

Oh... Yes, you did give us that grade. [ us, she makes a point to say. because those grades had come out of a group effort. and olivia is certain she isn't part of the reason they did as well as they did. in fact, she's partly convinced she's the main reason they missed so many points in the first place. ]

Thanks.

[uruzology]

Of course. Do let me know if you've any more questions!

[winces]

[ and bother the woman further with her inane insecurities? perish the thought! ]

N-No, that's it! Thank you.