audio | @e.weir

[justbeginning]

[ There's a moment of dead air first. Very brief, just long enough for a breath (a hesitation, possibly, it's all relative). Then: ]

Riverview Quarantine, this is Dr. Elizabeth Weir speaking. Now, you might be thinking that you don't know me. [ Her tone warms. ] Don't worry; the feeling's mutual. Since I've been very generously offered the position of public representative to the government of Riverview, making some introductions felt pretty prudent.

[ There's the slightest bit of emphasis on generously: not quite sarcastic, not entirely sincere. She pauses briefly. ]

I'll be honest and say I really don't plan on being in this city long-term. If they make the right calibrations to send me home, I'm gonna take that opportunity. But for however long I am here? My job is to make sure we're all heard and that our needs are met. I'll be representing all of you. And I don't intend to take that responsibility lightly.

So, you can-- consider my door open. [ Elizabeth seems pretty optimistic about that, at least? ] Unless the paperwork was misleading, that should be half the point of the job.

Comments

[justbeginning]

Ooh. I won't say I envy you. [ She knows law enforcement isn't her bag. ] Do you see a lot of culture clash around here-? Sorry, I don't think I asked your name.

[sentiences]

It's Dorian.

[ Dorian openly dwells on this question. ]

Not particularly. The local residents are welcoming and I haven't seen any particular clashes myself.

[justbeginning]

You know, I've done the majority of my work in international politics. Some things have a way of carrying through no matter how high up you go. When things don't line up well with what they're expecting, people will sometimes lash out. Make demands. Show some force.

[ She shakes her head a little. ]

Posturing wastes a lot of time that would be better spent trying to improve the world around you. I know neither of us can speak for the whole Quarantine, but I personally take comfort in hearing you say that much, Dorian.

[sentiences]

It's what I've noticed.

[ Data mixed with his own personal observations. That's how he functions. He's not simply a robot using only one part of himself. ]

What will you start with?

[justbeginning]

I've gotten one or two-- interesting suggestions. A little geared toward practical comforts. Which is important enough, in a strange new world.

And I've been wondering what we can do to bolster the Perimeter Guard's orientation support. You only get one chance at a first impression, and it's a lot to take in at once. Not everyone can be used to the unusual before they get here.

[sentiences]

[ Interesting, huh. He wonders what they were, though Dorian can take a guess. ]

Perhaps around the time during new arrivals, you could schedule an orientation. Perhaps with food and some entertainment?

[justbeginning]

Can't hurt to consider it. We come here from such different worlds. I mean, anything from the technology to the climate could throw someone for a loop. Now, I've seen the proof for myself that differences make a community stronger when it embraces them. There are a lot of things we can all learn from each other.

[ Which is close to home, in its own way. ]

Organizing a more relaxed way to ask questions would help. Even if people can't get the answers they wanna hear, they can walk out feeling a little less alone and a little less afraid.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian mulls this over. The city he came from was a mishmash of cultures, dialects, people. As a robot, he was outside of it all, having no culture of thought or feeling of his own. Who were his people? He was a robot but he also wasn't. Almost human. ]

Are there answers you're looking for as well?

[justbeginning]

[ She takes a few seconds' pause. ]

The biggest question I have is when I'll get to go back home. It's a little on the selfish side, I'm afraid.

[sentiences]

I think that's a question on many people's minds. It's not selfish to want to return home.

[justbeginning]

I know a lot of people who'd be more interested in the scientific possibilities behind what they have to offer here. But I guess in fairness, they are mostly scientists.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian's curious, but not quite in that area. ]

I think we have quite a few scientists here as well. Perhaps you all can share your findings?

[justbeginning]

Well, the friend most likely to figure out something big does happen to be here. He doesn't always play nice with others.

[sentiences]

[ Dorian's eyebrows climb up. ]

And how old is he?

[justbeginning]

Oh, you know.

Late thirties.

[ Most of Atlantis is comprised of over-30s and she's the one team mom to rule them all. ]

[sentiences]

[ Dorian considers this before nodding. ]

That seems accurate.

[justbeginning]

On the bright side, I think once we make it into our sixties, we'll really start to see things mellow out.

[sentiences]

Let me know how it does.

[ It's not like Dorian has a frame of reference. ]